Simian virus 40 small tumor antigen inhibits dephosphorylation of protein kinase A-phosphorylated CREB and regulates CREB transcriptional stimulation

Protein phosphatases 1 and 2A are both required for long-term depression and associated dephosphorylation of cAMP response element binding protein in hippocampal area CA1 in vivo

Evidence shows that the serine/threonine protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) plays a critical role in synaptic plasticity and memory. Little is known about the contribution of the serine/threonine phosphatase 1 (PP2A) to synaptic plasticity. Both protein phosphatases can target the transcription factor cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), whose phosphorylation at Ser133, we previously found, was downregulated during long-term depression (LTD) of glutamatergic transmission in area CA1 of the adult hippocampus in vivo. Other work from our group showed that the activity of PP2A, as well as that of PP1, is increased after LTD induction in area CA1 in vivo. We therefore investigated here whether both protein phosphatases are necessary for LTD in area CA1, and whether they both are involved in the LTD-associated modification of CREB. We found that inhibition of either PP1 or PP2A interferes with the establishment of LTD. Furthermore, inhibition of either enzyme alone abrogated the LTD-associated dephosphorylation of CREB. Interestingly, inhibition of PP1 disrupted CREB dephosphosphorylation rapidly after LTD-inducing stimulation, whereas inhibition of PP2A did not blunt the CREB modification until a later time point. Thus, both PP1 and PP2A regulate CREB during LTD in area CA1, although possibly through different signaling pathways. Our results demonstrate that PP2A, similar to PP1, plays an essential role in the molecular events that underlie LTD at glutamatergic synapses in hippocampal area CA1 in vivo. We propose that one of the mechanisms through which these protein phosphatases may contribute to the prolonged maintenance of LTD is through the regulation of CREB.

A novel SV40 TAg transgenic model of asbestos-induced mesothelioma: malignant transformation is dose dependent

Although it has been clear for >40 years that mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos, not all patients with this disease have a history of asbestos exposure. Other factors, including non-asbestos fibers and ionizing radiation, are known to cause malignant transformation of mesothelial cells. In addition, it is likely that genetics will play some role in susceptibility. Recently, it has been suggested that SV40 viral oncogenes could contribute to the carcinogenicity of asbestos. To better understand the role of SV40, we used the mesothelin promoter to construct MexTAg mice that express SV40 large T antigen (TAg) in the mesothelial compartment. We generated four MexTAg lines that carry high, intermediate, and low copy numbers of the transgene. All of these mice show a relatively low level of spontaneous tumor development. High-copy, 299h mice rapidly developed mesotheliomas when exposed to asbestos, and these tumors were faster growing and more invasive than those developing in wild-type and single-copy (266s) mice. In addition, we found a direct relationship between transgene copy number and survival after exposure to asbestos. A single copy of TAg was sufficient to immortalize mesothelial cells in vitro, but these cells did not show evidence of malignant transformation. In contrast, cell lines developed from mesothelial cells of animals carrying multiple copies of TAg were growth factor independent and could be cloned at limiting dilution in soft agar. These data provide the first in vivo demonstration of co-carcinogenicity between SV40 and asbestos.

Protein phosphatase 2A is a negative regulator of IL-2 production in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Decreased IL-2 production in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) represents a central component of the disease immunopathology. We report that the message, protein, and enzymatic activity of the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2Ac), but not PP1, are increased in patients with SLE regardless of disease activity and treatment and in a disease-specific manner. Treatment of SLE T cells with PP2Ac-siRNA decreased the protein levels and activity of PP2Ac in a specific manner and increased the levels of phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein and its binding to the IL2 and c-fos promoters, as well as increased activator protein 1 activity, causing normalization of IL-2 production. Our data document increased activity of PP2A as a novel SLE disease-specific abnormality and define a distinct mechanism whereby it represses IL-2 production. We propose the use of PP2Ac-siRNA as a novel tool to correct T cell IL-2 production in SLE patients.

Viruses and cancer: lessons from the human polyomavirus, JCV

The possible role of eucaryotic viruses in the development of cancer has been the subject of intense investigation during the past 50 years. Thus far, a strong link between some RNA and DNA viruses and various cancers in humans has been established and the transforming activity of several of the viruses in cell culture and their oncogenecity in experimental animals has been well documented. Perhaps, one of the most common themes among the oncogenic viruses rests in the ability of one or more of the viral proteins to deregulate pathways involved in the control of cell proliferation. For example, inactivation of tumor suppressors through their association with viral transforming proteins, and/or impairment of signal transduction pathways upon viral infection and expression of viral proteins are among the key biological events that can either trigger and/or contribute to the process of cancer. In recent years, more attention has been paid to human polyomaviruses, particularly JC virus (JCV), which infects greater than 80% of the human population, due to the ability of this virus to induce a fatal demyelinating disease in the brain, its presence in various tumors of central nervous system (CNS) and non-CNS origin, and the oncogenic potential of this virus in several laboratory animal models. Here, we will focus our attention on JCV and describe several pathways employed by the virus to contribute to and/or accelerate cancer development.

Protein phosphatase 2A: a highly regulated family of serine/threonine phosphatases implicated in cell growth and signalling

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) comprises a family of serine/threonine phosphatases, minimally containing a well conserved catalytic subunit, the activity of which is highly regulated. Regulation is accomplished mainly by members of a family of regulatory subunits, which determine the substrate specificity, (sub)cellular localization and catalytic activity of the PP2A holoenzymes. Moreover, the catalytic subunit is subject to two types of post-translational modification, phosphorylation and methylation, which are also thought to be important regulatory devices. The regulatory ability of PTPA (PTPase activator), originally identified as a protein stimulating the phosphotyrosine phosphatase activity of PP2A, will also be discussed, alongside the other regulatory inputs. The use of specific PP2A inhibitors and molecular genetics in yeast, Drosophila and mice has revealed roles for PP2A in cell cycle regulation, cell morphology and development. PP2A also plays a prominent role in the regulation of specific signal transduction cascades, as witnessed by its presence in a number of macromolecular signalling modules, where it is often found in association with other phosphatases and kinases. Additionally, PP2A interacts with a substantial number of other cellular and viral proteins, which are PP2A substrates, target PP2A to different subcellular compartments or affect enzyme activity. Finally, the de-regulation of PP2A in some specific pathologies will be touched upon.

CREB activation induces adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells

Obesity is the result of numerous, interacting behavioral, physiological, and biochemical factors. One increasingly important factor is the generation of additional fat cells, or adipocytes, in response to excess feeding and/or large increases in body fat composition. The generation of new adipocytes is controlled by several "adipocyte-specific" transcription factors that regulate preadipocyte proliferation and adipogenesis. Generally these adipocyte-specific factors are expressed only following the induction of adipogenesis. The transcription factor(s) that are involved in initiating adipocyte differentiation have not been identified. Here we demonstrate that the transcription factor, CREB, is constitutively expressed in preadipocytes and throughout the differentiation process and that CREB is stimulated by conventional differentiation-inducing agents such as insulin, dexamethasone, and dibutyryl cAMP. Stably transfected 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were generated in which we could induce the expression of either a constitutively active CREB (VP16-CREB) or a dominant-negative CREB (KCREB). Inducible expression of VP16-CREB alone was sufficient to initiate adipogenesis as determined by triacylglycerol storage, cell morphology, and the expression of two adipocyte marker genes, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma 2, and fatty acid binding protein. Alternatively, KCREB alone blocked adipogenesis in cells treated with conventional differentiation-inducing agents. These data indicate that activation of CREB was necessary and sufficient to induce adipogenesis. Finally, CREB was shown to bind to putative CRE sequences in the promoters of several adipocyte-specific genes. These data firmly establish CREB as a primary regulator of adipogenesis and suggest that CREB may play similar roles in other cells and tissues.

Signaling from polyomavirus middle T and small T defines different roles for protein phosphatase 2A

Polyomavirus causes a broad spectrum of tumors as the result of the action of its early proteins. This work compares signaling from middle T antigen (MT), the major transforming protein, to that from small T antigen (ST). The abilities of MT mutants to promote cell cycle progression in serum-starved NIH 3T3 cells were compared. Transformation-defective mutants lacking association with SHC or with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) retained the ability to induce DNA synthesis as measured by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation. Only when both interactions were lost in the Y250F/Y315F double mutant was MT inactive. ST promoted cell cycle progression in a manner dependent on its binding of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). Since the Y250F/Y315F MT mutant was wild type for PP2A binding yet unable to promote cell cycle progression, while ST was capable of promoting cell cycle progression, these experiments revealed a functional difference in MT and ST signaling via PP2A. Assays testing the abilities of MT and ST to induce the c-fos promoter and to activate c-jun kinase led to the same conclusion. ST, but not Y250F/Y315F MT, was able to activate the c-fos promoter through its interaction with PP2A. In contrast, MT, but not ST, was able to activate c-jun kinase by virtue of its interaction with PP2A.

Mechanisms of transcriptional regulation of cellular genes by SV40 large T- and small T-antigens

During the past decade a number of virus-encoded transcriptional trans-activators that regulate the expression of viral genes have been reported. These trans-activators may also affect the expression or activity of several cellular genes or gene products to create an optimal cellular environment that favors viral replication. Among the better-studied viral trans-activating proteins are the Simian virus 40 large T- and small t-antigens. During the last few years, mechanisms by which these two viral proteins influence cellular gene expression start to emerge. They are grouped provisionally and reflect the methods used to determine the effects of large T-antigen. Large T-antigen may influence cellular gene expression by: i. altering mRNA levels of cellular transcription factors; ii. interacting with and regulating the DNA-binding or transcriptional activity of specific transcription factors; iii. functionally substitution of eukaryotic transcription factors; iv. direct binding to DNA; or v. regulating components of signaling transduction pathways. Small t-ag seems to exert its effect mainly through inhibiting a cellular phosphatase, protein phosphatase 2A, thereby modulating components of signal transduction pathways and preventing dephosphorylation of several transcription factors. However, small t-ag may also control cellular gene expression by regulating mRNA levels of transcription factors or by interacting with other transcription factors.

Association of glucocorticoid insensitivity with increased expression of glucocorticoid receptor beta

In many chronic inflammatory disorders, glucocorticoid (GC) insensitivity is a challenging clinical problem associated with life-threatening disease progression. The molecular basis of GC insensitivity, however, is unknown. Alternative splicing of the GC receptor (R) pre-messenger RNA generates a second GCR, termed GCR-beta, which does not bind GCs but antagonizes the transactivating activity of the classic GCR, termed GCR-alpha. In the current study, we demonstrate that GC-insensitive asthma is associated with a significantly higher number of GCR-beta-immunoreactive cells in peripheral blood than GC-sensitive asthmatics or normal controls. Furthermore, we show that patients with GC-insensitive asthma have cytokine-induced abnormalities in the DNA binding capability of the GCR. These abnormalities can be reproduced by transfection of cell lines with the GCR-beta gene resulting in significant reduction of their GCR-alpha DNA binding capacity. We conclude that increased expression of GCR-beta is cytokine inducible and may account for GC insensitivity in this common inflammatory condition.

Protein phosphatase 2A is a critical regulator of protein kinase C zeta signaling targeted by SV40 small t to promote cell growth and NF-kappaB activation

We have reported that inhibition of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) by expression of SV40 small t stimulates the mitogenic MAP kinase cascade. Here, we show that SV40 small t can substitute for tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) or serum and stimulate atypical protein kinase C zeta (PKC zeta) activity, resulting in MEK activation, cell proliferation and NF-kappaB-dependent gene transcriptional activation in CV-1 and NIH 3T3 cells. These effects were abrogated by co-expression of kinase-deficient PKC zeta and inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase p85alpha-p110 by wortmannin, LY294002 and a dominant-negative mutant of p85alpha. In contrast, expression of kinase-inactive ERK2 inhibited small t-dependent cell growth but was unable to abolish small t-induced NF-kappaB transactivation. Our results provide the first in vivo evidence for a critical regulatory role of PP2A in bifunctional PKC zeta signaling pathways controlled by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Constitutive activation of PKC zeta and NF-kappaB following inhibition of PP2A supports new mechanisms by which SV40 small t promotes cell growth and transformation. By establishing PP2A as a key player in the response of cells to growth factors and stress signals like TNF-alpha, our findings could explain why PP2A is a primary target utilized during SV40 infection to alter cellular behavior.

Induction of cyclin D1 by simian virus 40 small tumor antigen

Cell-cycle progression is mediated by a co-ordinated interaction between cyclin-dependent kinases and their target proteins including the pRB and E2F/DP-1 complexes. Immunoneutralization and antisense experiments have established that the abundance of cyclin D1, a regulatory subunit of the cyclin-dependent kinases, may be rate-limiting for G1 phase progression of the cell cycle. Simian virus 40 (SV40) small tumor (t) antigen is capable of promoting G1 phase progression and augments substantially the efficiency of SV40 transformation through several distinct domains. In these studies, small t antigen stimulated cyclin D1 promoter activity 7-fold, primarily through an AP-1 binding site at -954 with additional contributions from a CRE site at -57. The cyclin D1 AP-1 and CRE sites were sufficient for activation by small t antigen when linked to an heterologous promoter. Point mutations of small t antigen between residues 97-103 that reduced PP2A binding were partially defective in the induction of the cyclin D1 promoter. These mutations also reduced activation of MEK1 and two distinct members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase family, the ERKs (extracellular signal regulated kinases) and the SAPKs (stress-activated protein kinases), in transfected cells. Dominant negative mutants of either MEK1, ERK or SEK1, reduced small t-dependent induction of the cyclin D1 promoter. SV40 small t induction of the cyclin D1 promoter involves both the ERK and SAPK pathways that together may contribute to the proliferative and transformation enhancing activity of small t antigen.

Serine/threonine protein phosphatases

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