Shc, Grb2, Sos1, and a 150-kilodalton tyrosine-phosphorylated protein form complexes with Fms in hematopoietic cells

Scaffold Proteins in Autoimmune Disorders

Cells transmit information to the external environment and within themselves through signaling molecules that modulate cellular activities. Aberrant cell signaling disturbs cellular homeostasis causing a number of different diseases, including autoimmunity. Scaffold proteins, as the name suggests, serve as the anchor for binding and stabilizing signaling proteins at a particular locale, allowing both intra and intercellular signal amplification and effective signal transmission. Scaffold proteins play a critical role in the functioning of tight junctions present at the intersection of two cells. In addition, they also participate in cleavage formation during cytokinesis, and in the organization of neural synapses, and modulate receptor management outcomes. In autoimmune settings such as lupus, scaffold proteins can lower the cell activation threshold resulting in uncontrolled signaling and hyperactivity. Scaffold proteins, through their binding domains, mediate protein- protein interaction and play numerous roles in cellular communication and homeostasis. This review presents an overview of scaffold proteins, their influence on the different signaling pathways, and their role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune and auto inflammatory diseases. Since these proteins participate in many roles and interact with several other signaling pathways, it is necessary to gain a thorough understanding of these proteins and their nuances to facilitate effective target identification and therapeutic design for the treatment of autoimmune disorders.

Modeling the regulation of p53 activation by HIF-1 upon hypoxia

As a famous tumor suppressor, p53 is also activated under hypoxic conditions. Hypoxia-inducuble factor 1, HIF-1, is involved in the activation of p53 upon hypoxia. However, how p53 is modulated by the HIF-1 pathway to decide cell fate is less understood. In this work, we developed a network model including p53 and HIF-1 pathways to clarify the mechanism of cell fate decision in response to hypoxia. We found that HIF-1α and p53 are activated under different conditions. Under moderate hypoxia, HIF-1α is activated to induce glycolysis or angiogenesis, and promotes partial accumulation of p53 by inducing PNUTS. Under severe hypoxia, p53 rises to high levels due to ATR-dependent stabilization and promotes Mdm2-dependent HIF-1α degradation. As a result, fully activated p53 triggers apoptosis. Of note, competition for p300 between HIF-1α and p53 plays a key role in regulating their transcriptional activities. This work may advance the understanding of the mechanism for p53 regulation by HIF-1 in the hypoxic response.

Regulation of hematopoietic cell signaling by SHIP-1 inositol phosphatase: growth factors and beyond

SHIP-1 is a hematopoietic-specific inositol phosphatase activated downstream of a multitude of receptors including those for growth factors, cytokines, antigen, immunoglobulin and toll-like receptor agonists where it exerts inhibitory control. While it is constitutively expressed in all immune cells, SHIP-1 expression is negatively regulated by the inflammatory and oncogenic micro-RNA miR-155. Knockout mouse studies have shown the importance of SHIP-1 in various immune cell subsets and have revealed a range of immune-mediated pathologies that are engendered due to loss of SHIP-1's regulatory activity, impelling investigations into the role of SHIP-1 in human disease. In this review, we provide an overview of the literature relating to the role of SHIP-1 in hematopoietic cell signaling and function, we summarize recent reports that highlight the dysregulation of the SHIP-1 pathway in cancers, autoimmune disorders and inflammatory diseases, and lastly we discuss the importance of SHIP-1 in restraining myeloid growth factor signaling.

Transcriptional mechanisms that control expression of the macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor locus

The proliferation, differentiation, and survival of cells of the macrophage lineage depends upon signals from the macrophage colony-stimulating factor (CSF) receptor (CSF1R). CSF1R is expressed by embryonic macrophages and induced early in adult hematopoiesis, upon commitment of multipotent progenitors to the myeloid lineage. Transcriptional activation of CSF1R requires interaction between members of the E26 transformation-specific family of transcription factors (Ets) (notably PU.1), C/EBP, RUNX, AP-1/ATF, interferon regulatory factor (IRF), STAT, KLF, REL, FUS/TLS (fused in sarcoma/ranslocated in liposarcoma) families, and conserved regulatory elements within the mouse and human CSF1R locus. One element, the Fms-intronic regulatory element (FIRE), within intron 2, is conserved functionally across all the amniotes. Lineage commitment in multipotent progenitors also requires down-regulation of specific transcription factors such as MYB, FLI1, basic leucine zipper transcriptional factor ATF-like (BATF3), GATA-1, and PAX5 that contribute to differentiation of alternative lineages and repress CSF1R transcription. Many of these transcription factors regulate each other, interact at the protein level, and are themselves downstream targets of CSF1R signaling. Control of CSF1R transcription involves feed–forward and feedback signaling in which CSF1R is both a target and a participant; and dysregulation of CSF1R expression and/or function is associated with numerous pathological conditions. In this review, we describe the regulatory network behind CSF1R expression during differentiation and development of cells of the mononuclear phagocyte system.

Inhibition of PI3K signaling spurs new therapeutic opportunities in inflammatory/autoimmune diseases and hematological malignancies

The phosphoinositide 3-kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin/protein kinase B (PI3K/mTOR/Akt) signaling pathway is central to a plethora of cellular mechanisms in a wide variety of cells including leukocytes. Perturbation of this signaling cascade is implicated in inflammatory and autoimmune disorders as well as hematological malignancies. Proteins within the PI3K/mTOR/Akt pathway therefore represent attractive targets for therapeutic intervention. There has been a remarkable evolution of PI3K inhibitors in the past 20 years from the early chemical tool compounds to drugs that are showing promise as anticancer agents in clinical trials. The use of animal models and pharmacological tools has expanded our knowledge about the contribution of individual class I PI3K isoforms to immune cell function. In addition, class II and III PI3K isoforms are emerging as nonredundant regulators of immune cell signaling revealing potentially novel targets for disease treatment. Further complexity is added to the PI3K/mTOR/Akt pathway by a number of novel signaling inputs and feedback mechanisms. These can present either caveats or opportunities for novel drug targets. Here, we consider recent advances in 1) our understanding of the contribution of individual PI3K isoforms to immune cell function and their relevance to inflammatory/autoimmune diseases as well as lymphoma and 2) development of small molecules with which to inhibit the PI3K pathway. We also consider whether manipulating other proximal elements of the PI3K signaling cascade (such as class II and III PI3Ks or lipid phosphatases) are likely to be successful in fighting off different immune diseases.

Phosphatases: the new brakes for cancer development?

The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway plays a pivotal role in the maintenance of processes such as cell growth, proliferation, survival, and metabolism in all cells and tissues. Dysregulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway occurs in patients with many cancers and other disorders. This aberrant activation of PI3K/Akt pathway is primarily caused by loss of function of all negative controllers known as inositol polyphosphate phosphatases and phosphoprotein phosphatases. Recent studies provided evidence of distinct functions of the four main phosphatases—phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN), Src homology 2-containing inositol 5′-phosphatase (SHIP), inositol polyphosphate 4-phosphatase type II (INPP4B), and protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A)—in different tissues with respect to regulation of cancer development. We will review the structures and functions of PTEN, SHIP, INPP4B, and PP2A phosphatases in suppressing cancer progression and their deregulation in cancer and highlight recent advances in our understanding of the PI3K/Akt signaling axis.

Enzymatic and non-enzymatic activities of SHIP-1 in signal transduction and cancer

PI3K cascade is a central signaling pathway regulating cell proliferation, growth, differentiation, and survival. Tight regulation of the PI3K signaling pathway is necessary to avoid aberrant cell proliferation and cancer development. Together with SHIP-1, the inositol phosphatases PTEN and SHIP-2 are the gatekeepers of this pathway. In this review, we will focus on SHIP-1 functions. Negative regulation of immune cell activation by SHIP-1 is well characterized. Besides its catalytic activity, SHIP-1 also displays non-enzymatic activity playing role in several immune pathways. Indeed, SHIP-1 exhibits several domains that mediate protein-protein interaction. This review emphasizes the negative regulation of immune cell activation by SHIP-1 that is mediated by its protein-protein interaction.

A solution for stripping antibodies from polyvinylidene fluoride immunoblots for multiple reprobing

Available protocols for stripping antibodies from immunoblots involve the use of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) or low-pH buffers. SDS was shown to remove transferred proteins from membranes, and low-pH buffer was shown to inefficiently strip off antibodies. A solution containing 6M guanidine hydrochloride, 0.2% nondenaturing detergent, and a reducing agent can rapidly strip off tightly bound antibodies from aged polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) immunoblots at room temperature without removing significant amounts of transferred protein.

PIP3 pathway in regulatory T cells and autoimmunity

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play an important role in preventing both autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Many recent studies have focused on defining the signal transduction pathways essential for the development and the function of Tregs. Increasing evidence suggest that T-cell receptor (TCR), interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor (IL-2R), and co-stimulatory receptor signaling are important in the early development, peripheral homeostasis, and function of Tregs. The phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K)-regulated pathway (PIP3 pathway) is one of the major signaling pathways activated upon TCR, IL-2R, and CD28 stimulation, leading to T-cell activation, proliferation, and cell survival. Activation of the PIP3 pathway is also negatively regulated by two phosphatidylinositol phosphatases SHIP and PTEN. Several mouse models deficient for the molecules involved in PIP3 pathway suggest that impairment of PIP3 signaling leads to dysregulation of immune responses and, in some cases, autoimmunity. This review will summarize the current understanding of the importance of the PIP3 pathway in T-cell signaling and the possible roles this pathway performs in the development and the function of Tregs.

Prediction of Binding Sites of Peptide Recognition Domains: An Application on Grb2 and SAP SH2 Domains

Determination of the binding motif and identification of interaction partners of the modular domains such as SH2 domains can enhance our understanding of the regulatory mechanism of protein-protein interactions. We propose here a new computational method to achieve this goal by integrating the orthogonal information obtained from binding free energy estimation and peptide sequence analysis. We performed a proof-of-concept study on the SH2 domains of SAP and Grb2 proteins. The method involves the following steps: (1) estimating the binding free energy of a set of randomly selected peptides along with a sample of known binders; (2) clustering all these peptides using sequence and energy characteristics; (3) extracting a sequence motif, which is represented by a hidden Markov model (HMM), from the cluster of peptides containing the sample of known binders; and (4) scanning the human proteome to identify binding sites of the domain. The binding motifs of the SAP and Grb2 SH2 domains derived by the method agree well with those determined through experimental studies. Using the derived binding motifs, we have predicted new possible interaction partners for the Grb2 and SAP SH2 domains as well as possible interaction sites for interaction partners already known. We also suggested novel roles for the proteins by reviewing their top interaction candidates.

M-CSF stimulated differentiation requires persistent MEK activity and MAPK phosphorylation independent of Grb2-Sos association and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity

Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) is a physiological regulator of monocyte-macrophage lineage. Ectopic expression of the M-CSF receptor (M-CSFR, or Fms) in murine myeloid cell line FDC-P1 (FD/Fms cells) results in M-CSF-dependent macrophage differentiation. Previously, we observed that M-CSF induces two temporally distinct phases of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation. Here we show that levels of phosphorylated MAPK kinase MEK1 follow the same kinetics as MAPK phosphorylation, characterized by an early and transient phase (the first 30 min of M-CSF stimulation) and a late and persistent phase from 4 h of stimulation. The MEK inhibitor U0126 strongly inhibited both phases of MAPK phosphorylation as well as FD/Fms cell differentiation, indicating that MAPK may relay M-CSF differentiation signaling downstream of M-CSFR. Treatment of FD/Fms cells with U0126 during the first hour of M-CSF stimulation reversibly blocked the early phase of MAPK phosphorylation but did not affect differentiation. In contrast, U0126 still inhibited FD/Fms cell differentiation when its addition was delayed by 24 h. This demonstrated that late and persistent MEK activity is specifically required for macrophage differentiation to occur. Furthermore, disrupting Grb2-Sos complexes with a specific blocking peptide did not prevent FD/Fms cells differentiation in response to M-CSF, nor did it abolish MAPK phosphorylation. The role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase), another potential regulator of the MAPK pathway, was examined using the specific inhibitor LY294002. This compound could not impede FD/Fms cell commitment to macrophage differentiation and did not significantly affect MAPK phosphorylation in response to M-CSF. Therefore, M-CSF differentiation signaling in myeloid progenitor cells is mediated through persistent MEK activity but it is not strictly dependent upon Grb2-Sos interaction or PI 3-kinase activity.

Multiple regions of internalin B contribute to its ability to turn on the Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway

Internalin B (InlB) is a protein present on the surface of Listeria monocytogenes that mediates bacterial entry into mammalian cells. It is thought that InlB acts by binding directly to the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor, present on the surface of host cells. Binding of InlB to the HGF receptor results in mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and phosphoinositide 3-kinase activation, followed by changes in the organization of the actin cytoskeleton. Here we have compared signaling by HGF and InlB. Whereas stimulation with equivalent concentrations of HGF and InlB elicits similar activation of the HGF receptor, we observed striking differences in downstream activation of MAP kinase. InlB leads to a greater activation of the Ras-MAP kinase pathway than does HGF. The leucine-rich repeat region, which was previously shown to be sufficient for binding and activation of the HGF receptor, lacks the ability to super-activate the Ras-MAP kinase pathway. Analysis of a series of deletion mutants suggests that it is the B repeat region between the leucine-rich repeat and GW domains that endows InlB with an increased ability to turn on the Ras-MAP kinase pathway. These unexpected observations suggest that HGF and InlB use alternative mechanisms to turn on cellular signaling pathways.

C-Cbl binds the CSF-1 receptor at tyrosine 973, a novel phosphorylation site in the receptor's carboxy-terminus

The colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) receptor is a protein-tyrosine kinase that regulates the proliferation and differentiation of monocyte and macrophage precursors. Binding of CSF-1 to its receptor results in activation of the kinase domain and autophosphorylation on a number of tyrosine residues. Phosphorylated tyrosine residues function as binding sites for SH2 domain-containing signaling proteins. It is known that activated receptors are internalized and degraded, but the mechanics of this process remain largely unknown. Recently, evidence has started to emerge that the ubiquitin-protein ligase c-Cbl is involved in CSF-1 receptor degradation. In addition, there is evidence that the CSF-1 receptor carboxy-terminus is involved in down regulation of the receptor. Here we show that the c-Cbl tyrosine kinase-binding (TKB) domain binds in vitro and in vivo to the CSF-1 receptor. Binding is dependent on the receptor's protein-kinase activity. Deletion of the carboxy-terminus or mutation of Tyr 973 blocks binding. We further provide evidence that the CSF-1 receptor's carboxy-terminus is a substrate for autophosphorylation. Our observations are consistent with a model in which receptor autophosphorylation at Tyr 973 creates a binding site for c-Cbl. Association of c-Cbl with the receptor leads to ubiquitination, followed by receptor degradation.

The pre-B cell receptor signaling for apoptosis is negatively regulated by Fc gamma RIIB

Many studies have shown that FcgammaRIIB is a negative regulator of B cell receptor signaling, and even though FcgammaRIIB is expressed through all developmental stages of the B cell lineage, its involvement in pre-B cell receptor (pre-BCR) signaling has not been examined. To investigate FcgammaRIIB function at the pre-B cell stage, we have established pre-BCR positive pre-B cell lines from normal mice and FcgammaRIIB-deficient mice, named PreBR and Fcgamma(-/-)PreBR, respectively. These cell lines are able to differentiate into immature B cells in vitro by removal of IL-7. In PreBR, apoptosis was moderately induced by F(ab')(2) anti-mu Ab, but not by intact anti-mu Ab. Phosphorylation of SH2-containing inositol 5-phosphatase (SHIP) and Dok, which are involved in FcgammaRIIB signaling, was induced by anti-mu cross-linking in PreBR. In contrast, apoptosis was strongly induced by both the F(ab')(2) and intact anti-mu Abs in Fcgamma(-/-)PreBR, and the level of phosphorylation of SHIP or Dok was much lower in Fcgamma(-/-)PreBR than those observed in PreBR. Restoration of FcgammaRIIB to Fcgamma(-/-)PreBR followed by anti-mu cross-linking blocked severe apoptosis, and up-regulated SHIP and Dok phosphorylation. The results demonstrate that FcgammaRIIB negatively regulates pre-BCR-mediated signaling for apoptosis.

Regulation of osteoclast differentiation by fibroblast growth factor 2: stimulation of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand/osteoclast differentiation factor expression in osteoblasts and inhibition of macrophage colony-stimulating factor function in osteoclast precursors

This study investigated the mechanism of direct and indirect actions of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) on osteoclast differentiation using two mouse cell culture systems. In the coculture system of osteoblasts and bone marrow cells, FGF-2 stimulated osteoclast formation. This effect was decreased markedly by osteoprotegerin (OPG) or NS-398, a selective cyclo-oxygenase 2 (COX-2) inhibitor. FGF-2 (> or = 10(-9) M) stimulated receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand/osteoclast differentiation factor (RANKL/ODF) messenger RNA (mRNA) expression from 2 h to 7 days in cultured osteoblasts. NS-398 did not affect the early induction but decreased the later one, indicating that the later effect is mediated by COX-2 induction in osteoblasts. To study the direct action of FGF-2 on osteoclast precursors, we used mouse macrophage-like cell line C7 cells that can differentiate into osteoclasts in the presence of soluble RANKL/ODF (sRANKL/ODF) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). Although osteoblasts expressed all FGF receptors (FGFR-1 to -4), only FGFR-1 was detected in C7 cells at various differentiation stages. FGF-2 alone or in combination with sRANKL/ODF did not induce osteoclastogenesis from C7 cells; however, FGF-2 from lower concentrations (> or = 10(-11) M) significantly decreased osteoclast formation induced by M-CSF in the presence of sRANKL/ODF. FGF-2 did not alter mRNA levels of M-CSF receptor (Fms) or RANK in C7 cells. Immunoprecipitation/ immunoblotting analyses revealed that tyrosine phosphorylation of several cellular proteins including Fms in C7 cells induced by M-CSF was inhibited by FGF-2 in the presence of sRANKL/ODF. We conclude that FGF-2 regulates osteoclast differentiation through two different mechanisms: (1) an indirect stimulatory action via osteoblasts to induce RANKL/ODF partly through COX-2 induction and prostaglandin production and (2) a direct inhibitory action on osteoclast precursors by counteracting M-CSF signaling.

Embryonic and hematopoietic stem cells express a novel SH2-containing inositol 5'-phosphatase isoform that partners with the Grb2 adapter protein

SH2-containing inositol 5'-phosphatase (SHIP) modulates the activation of immune cells after recruitment to the membrane by Shc and the cytoplasmic tails of receptors. A novel SHIP isoform of approximately 104 kd expressed in primitive stem cell populations (s-SHIP) is described. It was found that s-SHIP is expressed in totipotent embryonic stem cells to the exclusion of the 145-kd SHIP isoform expressed in differentiated hematopoietic cells. s-SHIP is also expressed in primitive hematopoietic stem cells, but not in lineage-committed hematopoietic cells. In embryonic stem cells, s-SHIP partners with the adapter protein Grb2 without tyrosine phosphorylation and is present constitutively at the cell membrane. It is postulated that s-SHIP modulates the activation threshold of primitive stem cell populations.

Signaling via Shc family adapter proteins

The adapter protein Shc was initially identified as an SH2 containing proto-oncogene involved in growth factor signaling. Since then a number of studies in multiple systems have implicated a role for Shc in signaling via many different types of receptors, such as growth factor receptors, antigen receptors, cytokine receptors, G-protein coupled receptors, hormone receptors and integrins. In addition to the ubiquitous ShcA, two other shc gene products, ShcB and ShcC, which are predominantly expressed in neuronal cells, have also been identified. ShcA knockout mice are embryonic lethal and have clearly suggested an important role for ShcA in vivo. Based on dominant negative studies and mouse embryos deficient in ShcA, a clear role for Shc in leading to mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation has been established. However MAPK activation may not be the sole function of Shc proteins. Although Shc has also been linked to other signaling events such as c-Myc activation and cell survival, the mechanistic understanding of these signaling events remains poorly characterized. Given the apparently central role that Shc plays signaling via many receptors, delineating the precise mechanism(s) of Shc-mediated signaling may be critical to our understanding of the effects mediated through these receptors.

Tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins in primary human myeloid leukemic cells stimulated by macrophage colony-stimulating factor: analysis by disease type and comparison with normal human hematopoietic cells

We investigated tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins in primary human leukemic cells stimulated by macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) in 60 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and 5 patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia and compared the findings for leukemic cells with those of normal human monocytes and bone marrow immature hematopoietic cells. M-CSF induced tyrosine phosphorylation of p140-200, p110, p60, p44, and p42 frequently, and that of p95 and p55 less frequently, in primary myeloid leukemic cells, whereas M-CSF-induced phosphorylation of proteins was not detected in the normal human hematopoietic cells tested. Of these phosphoproteins, p140-200 was phosphorylated in all patients who responded to M-CSF and was considered to be almost identical to Fms, a product of the c-fms proto-oncogene. M-CSF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation was observed frequently (89%) in AML of French-American-British class M4 and infrequently in all other subtypes of AML, including M5. In chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, M-CSF-induced protein phosphorylation was prominent in blast crisis but was not detected in the chronic phase. Both bone marrow immature cells and mature monocytes showed low responsiveness to M-CSF. These findings for responsiveness to M-CSF were correlated with the amount of Fms in each type of cell. We also identified tyrosine phosphorylation of Vav, Shc, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase by M-CSF in some cases. These findings clarified an M-CSF-specific pattern of protein tyrosine phosphorylation and the responsiveness to M-CSF of primary human myeloid cells. Particularly, enhanced phosphorylation responses to M-CSF and increased amounts of Fms protein were observed in restricted human hematopoietic cells with a premature myelomonocytic character.

Proteomic analysis of macrophage differentiation. p46/52(Shc) Tyrosine phosphorylation is required for CSF-1-mediated macrophage differentiation

Macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF or CSF-1) acts to regulate the development and function of cells of the macrophage lineage. Murine myeloid FDC-P1 cells transfected with the CSF-1 receptor (FD/WT) adopt a macrophage-like morphology when cultured in CSF-1. This process is abrogated in FDC-P1 cells transfected with the CSF-1 receptor with a tyrosine to phenyalanine substitution at position 807 (FD/807), suggesting that a molecular interaction critical to differentiation signaling is lost (Bourette, R. P., Myles, G. M., Carlberg, K., Chen, A. R., and Rohrschneider, L. R. (1995) Cell Growth Differ. 6, 631--645). A detailed examination of lysates of CSF-1-treated FD/807 cells by two-dimensional SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) revealed a number of proteins whose degree of tyrosine phosphorylation was modulated by the Y807F mutation. Included in this category were three phosphorylated proteins that co-migrated with p46/52(Shc). Immunoprecipitation, Western blotting, and in vitro binding studies suggest that they are indeed p46/52(Shc). A key regulator of differentiation in a number of cell systems, ERK was observed to exhibit an activity that correlated with the relative degree of differentiation induced by CSF-1 in the two cell types. Transfection of cells with a non-tyrosine-phosphorylatable form of p46/52(Shc) prevented the normally observed CSF-1-mediated macrophage differentiation as determined by adoption of macrophage-like morphology and expression of the monocyte/macrophage lineage cell surface marker, Mac-1. These results are the first to suggest that p46/52(Shc) may play a role in CSF-1-induced macrophage differentiation. Additionally, a number of proteins were identified by two-dimensional SDS-PAGE whose degree of tyrosine phosphorylation is also modulated by the Y807F substitution. This group of molecules may contain novel signaling molecules important in macrophage differentiation.

Colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor utilizes multiple signaling pathways to induce cyclin D2 expression

Colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) induces expression of immediate early gene, such as c-myc and c-fos and delayed early genes such as D-type cyclins (D1 and D2), whose products play essential roles in the G1 to S phase transition of the cell cycle. Little is known, however, about the cytoplasmic signal transduction pathways that connect the surface CSF-1 receptor to these genes in the nucleus. We have investigated the signaling mechanism of CSF-1-induced D2 expression. Analyses of CSF-1 receptor autophosphorylation mutants show that, although certain individual mutation has a partial inhibitory effect, only multiple combined mutations completely block induction of D2 in response to CSF-1. We report that at least three parallel pathways, the Src pathway, the MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway, and the c-myc pathway, are involved. Induction of D2 is partially inhibited in Src(-/-) bone marrow-derived macrophages and by Src inhibitor PP1 and is enhanced in v-Src-overexpressing cells. Activation of myc's transactivating activity selectively induces D2 but not D1. Blockade of c-myc expression partially blocks CSF-1-induced D2 expression. Complete inhibition of the MEK/ERK pathway causes 50% decrease of D2 expression. Finally, simultaneous inhibition of Src, MEK activation, and c-myc expression additively blocks CSF-1-induced D2 expression. This study indicates that multiple signaling pathways are involved in full induction of a single gene, and this finding may also apply broadly to other growth factor-inducible genes.

Characterization of RasGRP2, a plasma membrane-targeted, dual specificity Ras/Rap exchange factor

Ras proteins operate as molecular switches in signal transduction pathways downstream of tyrosine kinases and G-protein-coupled receptors. Ras is switched from the inactive GDP-bound state to the active GTP-bound state by guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs). We report here the cloning and characterization of RasGRP2, a longer alternatively spliced form of the recently cloned RapGEF, CalDAG-GEFI. A unique feature of RasGRP2 is that it is targeted to the plasma membrane by a combination of N-terminal myristoylation and palmitoylation. In vivo, RasGRP2 selectively catalyzes nucleotide exchange on N- and Ki-Ras, but not Ha-Ras. RasGRP2 also catalyzes nucleotide exchange on Rap1, but this RapGEF activity is less potent than that associated with CalDAG-GEFI. The nucleotide exchange activity of RasGRP2 toward N-Ras is stimulated by diacylglycerol and inhibited by calcium. The effects of diacylglycerol and calcium are additive but are not accompanied by any detectable change in the subcellular localization of RasGRP2. In contrast, CalDAG-GEFI is localized predominantly to the cytosol and lacks Ras exchange activity in vivo. However, prolonged exposure to phorbol esters, or growth in serum, results in localization of CalDAG-GEFI to the cell membrane and restoration of Ras exchange activity. Expression of RasGRP2 or CalDAG-GEFI in NIH3T3 cells transfected with wild type N-Ras results in an accelerated growth rate but not morphologic transformation. Thus, under appropriate growth conditions, CalDAG-GEFI and RasGRP2 are dual specificity Ras and Rap exchange factors.

p56(dok-2) as a cytokine-inducible inhibitor of cell proliferation and signal transduction

p56(dok-2) acts as a multiple docking protein downstream of receptor or non-receptor tyrosine kinases. However, the role of p56(dok-2) in biological functions of cells is not clear. We found that transcription of the p56(dok-2) gene in macrophages was increased markedly in response to cytokines such as macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), granulocyte/macrophage-CSF and interleukin-3 (IL-3). Forced expression of p56(dok-2) inhibited M-CSF-, granulocyte-CSF-, IL-3- and stem cell factor-induced proliferation of myeloid leukemia cells, M-NFS-60. The p56(dok-2)-overexpressing cells showed an impaired induction of c-myc but not of c-jun, junB or c-fos when stimulated with M-CSF. Consistent with these results, the peritoneal cavity of the hairless (hr/hr) strain of mutant mice, whose cells expressed less p56(dok-2) than wild-type mice, contained more macrophages than that of +/hr mice. Moreover, the inhibition of endogenous p56(dok-2) expression in macrophage-like tumor cells, J774A.1, by stable expression of antisense p56(dok-2) mRNA accelerated cell proliferation. The study identifies a novel role for p56(dok-2) as a molecule that negatively regulates signal transduction and cell proliferation mediated by cytokines in a feedback loop.

Expression of Mona (monocytic adapter) in myeloid progenitor cells results in increased and prolonged MAP kinase activation upon macrophage colony-stimulating factor stimulation

Mona is an SH3 and SH2 domain-containing adapter molecule that is induced during monocytic differentiation. Here we have first shown that M-CSFR is the major Mona partner in M-CSF signaling, the interaction being mediated through tyrosine 697 of the receptor. Next we asked whether Mona expression would alter the Ras/MAP kinase pathway since Mona is a likely competitor of Grb2 for binding to M-CSFR. We found that M-CSF induced late and massive phosphorylation of ERK molecules in Mona-expressing myeloid cells compared to non-expressing cells. These results suggest that Mona expression might modify M-CSF signaling during monocytic differentiation.

The Shc adaptor protein forms interdependent phosphotyrosine-mediated protein complexes in mast cells stimulated with interleukin 3

The Shc adaptor protein possesses 2 distinct phosphotyrosine (pTyr) recognition modules—the pTyr binding (PTB) domain and the Src homology 2 (SH2) domain—and multiple potential sites for tyrosine (Tyr) phosphorylation (Tyr residues 239, 240, and 317). On stimulation of hematopoietic cells with interleukin 3 (IL-3), Shc becomes phosphorylated and may therefore contribute to IL-3 signaling. We investigated the interactions mediated by the Shc modular domains and pTyr sites in IL-3–dependent IC2 premast cells. The Shc PTB domain, rather than the SH2 domain, associated both in vitro and in vivo with the Tyr-phosphorylated β subunit of the IL-3 receptor and with the SH2-containing 5′ inositol phosphatase (SHIP), and it recognized specific NXXpY phosphopeptides from these binding partners. In IL-3–stimulated mast cells, Shc phosphorylation occurred primarily on Tyr239 and 317 and was dependent on a functional PTB domain. Phosphorylated Tyr317, and to a lesser extent, Tyr239, bound the Grb2 adaptor and SHIP. Furthermore, a pTyr317 Shc phosphopeptide selectively recognized Grb2, Sos1, SHIP, and the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3′ kinase from mast cells, as characterized by mass spectrometry. These results indicate that Shc undergoes an interdependent series of pTyr-mediated interactions in IL-3–stimulated mast cells, resulting in the recruitment of proteins that regulate the Ras pathway and phospholipid metabolism.

The Shc adaptor protein forms interdependent phosphotyrosine-mediated protein complexes in mast cells stimulated with interleukin 3

The Shc adaptor protein possesses 2 distinct phosphotyrosine (pTyr) recognition modules—the pTyr binding (PTB) domain and the Src homology 2 (SH2) domain—and multiple potential sites for tyrosine (Tyr) phosphorylation (Tyr residues 239, 240, and 317). On stimulation of hematopoietic cells with interleukin 3 (IL-3), Shc becomes phosphorylated and may therefore contribute to IL-3 signaling. We investigated the interactions mediated by the Shc modular domains and pTyr sites in IL-3–dependent IC2 premast cells. The Shc PTB domain, rather than the SH2 domain, associated both in vitro and in vivo with the Tyr-phosphorylated β subunit of the IL-3 receptor and with the SH2-containing 5′ inositol phosphatase (SHIP), and it recognized specific NXXpY phosphopeptides from these binding partners. In IL-3–stimulated mast cells, Shc phosphorylation occurred primarily on Tyr239 and 317 and was dependent on a functional PTB domain. Phosphorylated Tyr317, and to a lesser extent, Tyr239, bound the Grb2 adaptor and SHIP. Furthermore, a pTyr317 Shc phosphopeptide selectively recognized Grb2, Sos1, SHIP, and the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3′ kinase from mast cells, as characterized by mass spectrometry. These results indicate that Shc undergoes an interdependent series of pTyr-mediated interactions in IL-3–stimulated mast cells, resulting in the recruitment of proteins that regulate the Ras pathway and phospholipid metabolism.

Regulation of urokinase plasminogen activator gene transcription in the RAW264 murine macrophage cell line by macrophage colony-stimulating factor (CSF-1) is dependent upon the level of cell-surface receptor

Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (CSF-1) binds to a receptor (CSF-1R) encoded by the c-fms proto-oncogene and activates transcription of the urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) gene in murine bone-marrow-derived macrophages. This article demonstrates that the murine macrophage cell line RAW264 responds to CSF-1 with inducible phosphorylation of cytoplasmic proteins on tyrosine residues but fails to induce transcription of uPA. The defect was correlated with a selective failure to maintain CSF-1Rs on the cell surface, whereas all RAW264 cells contained abundant CSF-1Rs within the presumptive Golgi/endoplasmic reticulum compartment. Transfection with a CSF-1R expression plasmid permitted CSF-1-dependent activation of the signalling pathway targeting an Ets/AP1 (activator protein 1) element in the uPA promoter that has been shown previously to be a target of oncogenic ras and protein kinase C pathways. Mutation of the expressed CSF-1R at either Y807 or Y559, sites of receptor tyrosine phosphorylation implicated in signal transduction, reduced but did not abolish uPA promoter activation by CSF-1. Activation by mutant CSF-1R plasmids was additive; there was no evidence of mutual complementation. The results indicate that maintenance of elevated uPA transcription by CSF-1 requires new receptors emerging continuously on the cell surface. Parallel, partly redundant, signalling pathways arising from phosphorylated tyrosines on the CSF-1R activate multiple cis-acting elements on the complex uPA promoter.

SHP-1 regulation of p62(DOK) tyrosine phosphorylation in macrophages

SHP-1 plays key roles in the modulation of hematopoietic cell signaling. To ascertain the impact of SHP-1 on colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1)-mediated survival and proliferative signaling, we compared the CSF-1 responses of primary bone marrow macrophages (BMM) from wild-type and SHP-1-deficient motheaten (me/me) mice. CSF-1-induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation levels were similar in wild-type and me/me BMM, except for the constitutive hyperphosphorylation of a 62-kDa phosphoprotein (pp62) in me/me macrophages. pp62 was identified as the RASGAP-associated p62(DOK) and was shown to be the major CSF-1R-associated tyrosine-phosphorylated protein in CSF-1-treated BMM. p62(DOK) was found to be constitutively associated with SHP-1 in BMM and in 293T cells, co-expressing p62(dok) and either wild-type or catalytically inert SHP-1 (SHP-1 C453S). In both cell types, the interaction of SHP-1 with p62(DOK) occurred independently of p62(DOK) tyrosine phosphorylation, but only the tyrosine-phosphorylated p62(DOK) was bound by SHP-1 C453S in a far Western analysis. These findings suggest a constitutive association of SHP-1 and p62(DOK) that is either conformation-dependent or indirect as well as a direct, inducible association of the SHP-1 catalytic domain with tyrosine-phosphorylated p62(DOK). p62(DOK) hyperphosphorylation is not associated with altered CSF-1-induced RAS signaling or proliferation. However, whereas wild-type macrophages undergo cell death following CSF-1 removal, me/me macrophages exhibit prolonged survival in the absence of growth factor. Thus, p62(DOK) is a major SHP-1 substrate whose tyrosine phosphorylation correlates with growth factor-independent survival in macrophages.

Role of the Src homology 2 (SH2) domain and C-terminus tyrosine phosphorylation sites of SH2-containing inositol phosphatase (SHIP) in the regulation of insulin-induced mitogenesis

To examine the role of SHIP in insulin-induced mitogenic signaling, we used a truncated SHIP lacking the SH2 domain (deltaSH2-SHIP) and a Y917/1020F-SHIP (2F-SHIP) in which two tyrosines contributing to Shc binding were mutated to phenylalanine. Wild-type (WT)-, deltaSH2-, and 2F-SHIP were transiently transfected into Rat1 fibroblasts overexpressing insulin receptors (HIRc). Insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of WT-SHIP and deltaSH2-SHIP, whereas tyrosine phosphorylation of 2F-SHIP was not detectable, indicating that 917/1020-Tyr are key phosphorylation sites on SHIP. Although SHIP can bind via its 917/1020-Tyr residues and SH2 domain to Shc PTB domain and 317-Tyr residue, respectively, insulin-induced SHIP association with Shc was more greatly decreased in 2F-SHIP cells than that in deltaSH2-SHIP cells. Insulin stimulation of Shc association with Grb2, which is important for p21ras-MAP kinase activation, was decreased by overexpression of WT- and 2F-SHIP. Importantly, insulin-induced Shc x Grb2 association was not detectably reduced in deltaSH2-SHIP cells. In accordance with the extent of Shc association with Grb2, insulin-induced MAP kinase activation was relatively decreased in both WT-SHIP and 2F-SHIP cells, but not in deltaSH2-SHIP cells. To examine the functional role of SHIP in insulin's biological action, insulin-induced mitogenesis was compared among these transfected cells. Insulin stimulation of thymidine incorporation and bromodeoxyuridine incorporation was decreased in WT-SHIP cells compared with that of control HIRc cells. Expression of 2F-SHIP also significantly reduced insulin-induced mitogenesis, whereas it was only slightly affected by overexpression of deltaSH2-SHIP. Furthermore, the reduction of insulin-induced mitogenesis in WT-SHIP cells was partly compensated by coexpression of Shc. These results indicate that SHIP plays a negative regulatory role in insulin-induced mitogenesis and that the SH2 domain of SHIP is important for its negative regulatory function.

Role of Src in the Modulation of Multiple Adaptor Proteins in FcRI Oxidant Signaling

Cross-linking of Fc receptors for IgA, FcR (CD89), on monocytes/macrophages is known to enhance phagocytic activity and generation of oxygen free radicals. We provide evidence here that the FcR signals through the γ subunit of FcɛRI in U937 cells differentiated with interferon γ (IFNγ). Our results provide the first evidence that FcR-mediated signals modulate a multimolecular adaptor protein complex containing Grb2, Shc, SHIP, CrkL, Cbl, and SLP-76. Cross-linking of FcRI using anti-FcRI induces the phosphorylation of the γ subunit as detected by mobility retardation on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Stimulation of FcRI induced the tyrosine phosphorylation of Shc and increased the association of Grb2 with Shc and CrkL. Grb2 associates constitutively with Sos, and the latter undergoes mobility shift upon FcRI stimulation. The complex adapter proteins, Cbl and SLP-76, are physically associated in myeloid cells and both proteins undergo tyrosine phosphorylation upon FcR stimulation. These data indicate that the stimulation of FcR results in the modulation of adaptor complexes containing tyrosine-phosphorylated Cbl, Shc, SHIP, Grb2, and Crkl. Experiments performed with the Src kinase inhibitor, PP1, provide the first evidence that Src kinase activation is required for FcRI-induced production of superoxide anions and provide insight into the mechanism for FcR-mediated activation of downstream oxidant signaling in myeloid cells.

Role of Src in the Modulation of Multiple Adaptor Proteins in FcRI Oxidant Signaling

Cross-linking of Fc receptors for IgA, FcR (CD89), on monocytes/macrophages is known to enhance phagocytic activity and generation of oxygen free radicals. We provide evidence here that the FcR signals through the γ subunit of FcɛRI in U937 cells differentiated with interferon γ (IFNγ). Our results provide the first evidence that FcR-mediated signals modulate a multimolecular adaptor protein complex containing Grb2, Shc, SHIP, CrkL, Cbl, and SLP-76. Cross-linking of FcRI using anti-FcRI induces the phosphorylation of the γ subunit as detected by mobility retardation on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Stimulation of FcRI induced the tyrosine phosphorylation of Shc and increased the association of Grb2 with Shc and CrkL. Grb2 associates constitutively with Sos, and the latter undergoes mobility shift upon FcRI stimulation. The complex adapter proteins, Cbl and SLP-76, are physically associated in myeloid cells and both proteins undergo tyrosine phosphorylation upon FcR stimulation. These data indicate that the stimulation of FcR results in the modulation of adaptor complexes containing tyrosine-phosphorylated Cbl, Shc, SHIP, Grb2, and Crkl. Experiments performed with the Src kinase inhibitor, PP1, provide the first evidence that Src kinase activation is required for FcRI-induced production of superoxide anions and provide insight into the mechanism for FcR-mediated activation of downstream oxidant signaling in myeloid cells.

Membrane-targeting of signalling molecules by SH2/SH3 domain-containing adaptor proteins

SH2/SH3 domain-containing adaptor proteins play a critical role in regulating tyrosine kinase signalling pathways. The major function of these adaptors, such as Grb2, Nck, and Crk, is to recruit proline-rich effector molecules to tyrosine-phosphorylated kinases or their substrates. In recent years dozens of novel proteins have emerged that are capable of associating with the SH2 and the SH3 domains of adaptors. In this review, the author attempts to summarise these novel binding partners of Grb2, Nck, and Crk, and to discuss current controversies regarding function and regulation of protein multicomplexes held together by SH2/SH3 adaptor molecules at the plasma membrane.

The role of SHIP in growth factor induced signalling

The recently cloned, hemopoietic-specific, src homology 2 (SH2)-containing inositol phosphatase, SHIP, is rapidly gaining prominence as a potential regulator of all phosphatidylinositol (PI)-3 kinase mediated events since it has been shown both in vitro and in vivo to hydrolyze the 5' phosphate from phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate (PI-3,4,5-P3). Thus SHIP, and its more widely expressed counterpart, SHIP2, could play a central role in determining PI-3,4,5-P3 and PI-3,4-P2 levels in many cell types. To explore the in vivo function of SHIP further we recently generated a SHIP knock out mouse and in this review we discuss experiments carried out with bone marrow derived mast cells (BMMCs) from these animals.

Protein phosphatase 2A is expressed in response to colony-stimulating factor 1 in macrophages and is required for cell cycle progression independently of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase activity

Colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1) is required for the development of monocytes/macrophages from progenitor cells and for the survival and activation of mature macrophages. The receptor for CSF-1 is the product of the c-fms proto-oncogene, which, on binding ligand, can stimulate a mitogenic response in the appropriate cells. To investigate which genes are regulated in response to CSF-1-stimulation in murine bone-marrow-derived macrophages (BMM), we employed mRNA differential display reverse transcriptase-mediated PCR to identify cDNA species induced by CSF-1. Both Northern and Western blot analyses confirmed the increased expression of one of the cDNA species identified as coding for the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), an observation not previously reported during the response to a growth factor. To determine the significance of the increased expression of PP2A in response to CSF-1, the PP2A inhibitor okadaic acid (OA) was added to CSF-1-treated BMM and found to inhibit DNA synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. Further analysis with flow cytometry in the presence of OA led to the novel conclusion that PP2A activity is critical for CSF-1-driven BMM cell cycle progression in both early G1 and S phases. Surprisingly, in the light of previous studies with other cells, the PP2A-dependent proliferation could be dissociated from activation by extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) in macrophages because OA did not affect either the basal or CSF-1-induced ERK activity in BMM. Two-dimensional SDS/PAGE analysis of lysates of 32P-labelled BMM, which had been treated with CSF-1 in the presence or absence of OA, identified candidate substrates for PP2A.

A Novel Spliced Form of SH2-Containing Inositol Phosphatase Is Expressed During Myeloid Development

SH2-containing Inositol Phosphatase (SHIP) is a 145 kD protein expressed in hematopoietic cells. SHIP is phosphorylated on tyrosine after receptor binding by several cytokines and has a negative role in hematopoiesis. We cloned a murine complementary DNA (cDNA) sequence for an isoform of SHIP with an internal 183 nucleotide deletion, encoding a protein 61 amino acids shorter than 145 kD SHIP. This deletion eliminates potential SH3-domain binding regions and a potential binding site for the p85 subunit of Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase. Using polyclonal anti-SHIP antibodies, we and others have previously observed a 135 kD SHIP isoform that is coexpressed with 145 kD SHIP. Here, we used monoclonal antibodies raised against the region deleted in the spliced form to show that the product of the novel spliced SHIP cDNA is antigenically identical to the 135 kD SHIP isoform. Like 145 kD SHIP, 135 kD SHIP expression was induced on differentiation of bone marrow cells. After macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) stimulation of FDC-P1(Fms) myeloid cells, both 145 and 135 kD SHIP forms were tyrosine phosphorylated and could be coimmunoprecipitated with antibodies to Shc and Grb2. However, experiments showed only a weak association of 135 kD SHIP with p85. A potentially analogous 135 kD SHIP species also appears in human differentiated leukocytes.

c-Jun is a JNK-independent coactivator of the PU.1 transcription factor

The ETS domain transcription factor PU.1 is necessary for the development of monocytes and regulates, in particular, the expression of the monocyte-specific macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) receptor, which is critical for monocytic cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation. The bZIP transcription factor c-Jun, which is part of the AP-1 transcription factor complex, is also important for monocytic differentiation, but the monocyte-specific M-CSF receptor promoter has no AP-1 consensus binding sites. We asked the question of whether c-Jun could promote the induction of the M-CSF receptor by collaborating with PU.1. We demonstrate that c-Jun enhances the ability of PU.1 to transactivate the M-CSF receptor promoter as well as a minimal thymidine kinase promoter containing only PU.1 DNA binding sites. c-Jun does not directly bind to the M-CSF receptor promoter but associates via its basic domain with the ETS domain of PU.1. Consistent with our observation that AP-1 binding does not contribute to c-Jun coactivation is the observation that the activation of PU.1 by c-Jun is blocked by overexpression of c-Fos. Phosphorylation of c-Jun by c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase on Ser-63 and -73 does not alter the ability of c-Jun to enhance PU.1 transactivation. Activated Ras enhances the transcriptional activity of PU.1 by up-regulating c-Jun expression without changing the phosphorylation pattern of PU.1. The activation of PU.1 by Ras is blocked by a mutant c-Jun protein lacking the basic domain. The expression of this mutant form of c-Jun also completely blocks 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced M-CSF receptor promoter activity during monocytic differentiation. We propose therefore that c-Jun acts as a c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase-independent coactivator of PU.1, resulting in M-CSF receptor expression and development of the monocytic lineage.

p85 subunit of PI3 kinase does not bind to human Flt3 receptor, but associates with SHP2, SHIP, and a tyrosine-phosphorylated 100-kDa protein in Flt3 ligand-stimulated hematopoietic cells

Flt3/Flk2 belongs to class III receptor tyrosine kinases. Like other members of type III receptor tyrosine kinases, murine Flt3 induces tyrosine phosphorylation of p85 and subsequently activation of PI3 kinase upon FL binding. While p85 binds murine Flt3 at Y958 in the carboxyl terminus of the receptor, human Flt3 does not have a potential p85-binding site in the carboxyl terminus. In this study, we examined whether p85 binds to human Flt3 in Baf3/Flt3 and THP-1 cells. In contrast to murine Flt3, p85 is not tyrosine phosphorylated after FL stimulation, nor does it bind Flt3 in both cell lines. Instead p85 associates inducibly with tyrosine phosphorylated SHP-2 and constitutively with SHIP and two tyrosine phosphorylated proteins with molecular weights about 100-kDa (p100) and 120-kDa (p120) in Baf3/Flt3 cells. The p100 associates with both p85 and SHP-2. In THP-1 cells, p85 associates inducibly with tyrosine phosphorylated SHIP, p100 and p120. These results indicate that p85 does not bind human Flt3, but forms a complex with SHP-2, SHIP, p100 and p120 in hematopoietic cells.

Roles of Lck, Syk and ZAP-70 tyrosine kinases in TCR-mediated phosphorylation of the adapter protein Shc

The adapter protein Shc has been implicated in mitogenic signaling via growth factor receptors, antigen receptors and cytokine receptors. Recent studies have suggested that tyrosine phosphorylation of Shc may play a key role in T lymphocyte proliferation via interaction of phosphorylated Shc with downstream molecules involved in activation of Ras and Myc proteins. However, the sites on Shc that are tyrosine phosphorylated in response to TCR engagement and the ability of different T cell tyrosine kinases to phosphorylate Shc have not been defined. In this report, we show that during TCR signaling, the tyrosines Y239, Y240 and Y317 of Shc are the primary sites of tyrosine phosphorylation. Mutation of all three tyrosines completely abolished tyrosine phosphorylation of Shc following TCR stimulation. Our data also suggest that multiple T cell tyrosine kinases contribute to tyrosine phosphorylation on Shc. In T cells, CD4/Lck-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation on Shc was markedly diminished when Y317 was mutated, suggesting a preference of Lck for the Y317 site. The syk-family kinases (Syk and ZAP-70) were able to phosphorylate the Y239 and Y240 sites, and less efficiently the Y317 site. Moreover, co-expression of Syk or ZAP-70 with Lck resulted in enhanced phosphorylation of Shc on all three sites, suggesting a synergy between the syk-family and scr-family kinases. Of the two potential Grb2 binding sites (Y239 and Y317), Y239 appears to play a greater role in recruiting Sos through Grb2. These studies have implications for Ras activation and mitogenic signaling during T cell activation.

Colony-stimulating factor-1 stimulates the formation of multimeric cytosolic complexes of signaling proteins and cytoskeletal components in macrophages

Stimulation of macrophages with colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) results in the protein tyrosine phosphorylation of the CSF-1 receptor (CSF-1R) and many other, primarily cytosolic, proteins. Stimulation by CSF-1 at 4 degreesC was used to facilitate the purification and identification of the proteins of the cytosolic anti-phosphotyrosine (PY)-reactive fraction (alphaPY-RF) involved in downstream signaling pathways. Confocal microscopy revealed that the PY proteins are in close proximity to the CSF-1R at the plasma membrane. The alphaPY-RF contained pre-existing complexes of PY proteins and non-PY proteins which generally increased in size and PY protein content following CSF-1 stimulation. PY proteins identified by microsequencing and Western blotting include Cbl, STAT3, STAT5a, STAT5b, SHP-1, Shc, and two novel proteins pp57 and pp37. Other proteins included cytoskeletal/contractile proteins (paxillin, vimentin, elongation factor-1alpha, F-actin, tropomyosin, and myosin regulatory light chain), Ras family signaling proteins (p85 (phosphoinositide 3-kinase), Vav, Ras-GTPase-activating protein SH3 domain-binding protein, and Grb2), DnaJ-like protein, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. CSF-1 induced the de novo recruitment of Cbl, STAT3, STAT5a, STAT5b, p85, SHP-1, Shc, vimentin, and Grb2 to complexes and caused pre-existing complexes involving Vav, elongation factor-1alpha, and F-actin to increase in size. These studies indicate that CSF-1-induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation is associated with the reorganization of complexes of cytoskeletal, signaling, and other proteins that mediate CSF-1-regulated motility and growth.

Targeted disruption of SHIP leads to hemopoietic perturbations, lung pathology, and a shortened life span

SHIP is a 145-kD SH2-containing inositol-5-phosphatase widely expressed in hemopoietic cells. It was first identified as a tyrosine phosphoprotein associated with Shc in response to numerous cytokines. SHIP has been implicated in FcgammaRIIB receptor-mediated negative signaling in B cells and mast cells and is postulated to down-regulate cytokine signal transduction in myeloid cells. To define further its role in the proliferation and differentiation of hemopoietic progenitors, as well as its function in mature cells, we have generated embryonic stem cells and mice bearing a targeted disruption of both SHIP alleles. Here we show that although SHIP null mice are viable and fertile, they fail to thrive and survival is only 40% by 14 weeks of age. Mortality is associated with extensive consolidation of the lungs resulting from infiltration by myeloid cells. Increased numbers of granulocyte-macrophage progenitors are observed in both the bone marrow and spleen of SHIP-/- mice, perhaps as a consequence of hyper-responsiveness to stimulation by macrophage-colony stimulating factor, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor, interleukin-3, or Steel factor as observed in vitro. In contrast, numbers of bone marrow lymphoid and late erythroid progenitors (CFU-E) are reduced. Thus, homozygous disruption of SHIP establishes the crucial role of this molecule in modulating cytokine signaling within the hemopoietic system and provides a powerful model for further delineating its function.

The Related Adhesion Focal Tyrosine Kinase (RAFTK) Is Tyrosine Phosphorylated and Participates in Colony-Stimulating Factor-1/Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor Signaling in Monocyte-Macrophages

RAFTK, a novel nonreceptor protein kinase, has been shown to be involved in focal adhesion signal transduction pathways in neuronal PC12 cells, megakaryocytes, platelets, and T cells. Because focal adhesions may modulate cytoskeletal functions and thereby alter phagocytosis, cell migration, and adhesion in monocyte-macrophages, we investigated the role of RAFTK signaling in these cells. RAFTK was abundantly expressed in THP1 monocytic cells as well as in primary alveolar and peripheral blood-derived macrophages. Colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1)/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) stimulation of THP1 cells increased the tyrosine phosphorylation of RAFTK; similar increases in phosphorylation were also detected after lipopolysaccharide stimulation. RAFTK was phosphorylated with similar kinetics in THP1 cells and peripheral blood-derived macrophages. Immunoprecipitation analysis showed associations between RAFTK and the signaling molecule phosphatidylinositol-3 (PI-3) kinase. PI-3 kinase enzyme activity also coprecipitated with the RAFTK antibody, further confirming this association. The CSF-1/M-CSF receptor c-fms and RAFTK appeared to associate in response to CSF-1/M-CSF treatment of THP1 cells. Inhibition of RAFTK by a dominant-negative kinase mutant reduced CSF-1/M-CSF–induced MAPK activity. These data indicate that RAFTK participates in signal transduction pathways mediated by CSF-1/M-CSF, a cytokine that regulates monocyte-macrophage growth and function.

The Related Adhesion Focal Tyrosine Kinase (RAFTK) Is Tyrosine Phosphorylated and Participates in Colony-Stimulating Factor-1/Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor Signaling in Monocyte-Macrophages

RAFTK, a novel nonreceptor protein kinase, has been shown to be involved in focal adhesion signal transduction pathways in neuronal PC12 cells, megakaryocytes, platelets, and T cells. Because focal adhesions may modulate cytoskeletal functions and thereby alter phagocytosis, cell migration, and adhesion in monocyte-macrophages, we investigated the role of RAFTK signaling in these cells. RAFTK was abundantly expressed in THP1 monocytic cells as well as in primary alveolar and peripheral blood-derived macrophages. Colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1)/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) stimulation of THP1 cells increased the tyrosine phosphorylation of RAFTK; similar increases in phosphorylation were also detected after lipopolysaccharide stimulation. RAFTK was phosphorylated with similar kinetics in THP1 cells and peripheral blood-derived macrophages. Immunoprecipitation analysis showed associations between RAFTK and the signaling molecule phosphatidylinositol-3 (PI-3) kinase. PI-3 kinase enzyme activity also coprecipitated with the RAFTK antibody, further confirming this association. The CSF-1/M-CSF receptor c-fms and RAFTK appeared to associate in response to CSF-1/M-CSF treatment of THP1 cells. Inhibition of RAFTK by a dominant-negative kinase mutant reduced CSF-1/M-CSF–induced MAPK activity. These data indicate that RAFTK participates in signal transduction pathways mediated by CSF-1/M-CSF, a cytokine that regulates monocyte-macrophage growth and function.

The SH2-Containing Inositol Polyphosphate 5-Phosphatase, Ship, Is Expressed During Hematopoiesis and Spermatogenesis

Ship is a recently identified SH2-containing inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase that has been implicated as an important signaling molecule in cell-culture systems. To understand the physiologic function of Ship in vivo, we performed expression studies of Ship during mouse development. Results of this study demonstrate the expression of ship to be in late primitive-streak stage embryos (7.5 days postcoitus [dpc]), when hematopoiesis is thought to begin, and the expression is restricted to the hematopoietic lineage in mouse embryo. In adult mice, Ship expression continues to be in the majority of cells from hematopoietic origin, including granulocytes, monocytes, and lymphocytes, and is also found in the spermatids of the testis. Furthermore, the level of Ship expression is developmentally regulated during T-cell maturation. These results suggest a possible role for Ship in the differentiation and maintenance of the hematopoietic lineages and in spermatogenesis.

Polyoma middle T antigen in HL-60 cells accelerates hematopoietic myeloid and monocytic cell differentiation

Expression of the polyoma virus middle T antigen in HL-60 cells accelerates their differentiation in response to both monocytic and granulocytic differentiation-inducing agents. Middle T-expressing cells treated with the granulocytic inducer retinoic acid or the monocytic inducer 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 differentiated 24 h earlier than parental, mock-electroporated, or vector control cell lines. The rapid onset of differentiation correlated with an increase in the cellular level of the middle T protein as well as two known retinoic-acid-inducible markers in HL-60 cells: the paxillin and transglutaminase gene products. The accelerated functional differentiation response and expression of retinoic-acid-inducible markers indicate that middle T played a causal role in differentiation. Thus, expression of the polyoma middle T antigen in HL-60 cells enhanced a variety of molecular changes associated with cellular differentiation.

Multiple myeloma: increasing evidence for a multistep transformation process

Multiple Myeloma (Mm) is a clonal B-cell neoplasm that affects terminally differentiated B cells (ie, plasma cells) and may proceed through different phases: an inactive phase in which tumor cells are nonproliferating mature plasma cells, an active phase with a small percentage (<1%) of proliferating plasmablastic cells, and a fulminant phase with the frequent occurrence of extramedullary proliferation and an increase in plasmablastic cells. During the past years, considerable progress has been made in identifying some of the critical components of neoplastic transformation in MM. This review intends to propose a model of a stepwise malignant transformation during MM pathogenesis. Both diagnostic and therapeutic implications of this model will be discussed.