Association between GRB2/Sos and insulin receptor substrate 1 is not sufficient for activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases by interleukin-4: implications for Ras activation by insulin

Impact of insulin and insulin resistance on brain dopamine signalling and reward processing- an underexplored mechanism in the pathophysiology of depression?

Type 2 diabetes and major depressive disorder (MDD) are the leading causes of disability worldwide and have a high comorbidity rate with fatal outcomes. Despite the long-established association between these conditions, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown. Since the discovery of insulin receptors in the brain and the brain's reward system, evidence has accumulated indicating that insulin modulates dopaminergic (DA) signalling and reward behaviour. Here, we review the evidence from rodent and human studies, that insulin resistance directly alters central DA pathways, which may result in motivational deficits and depressive symptoms. Specifically, we first elaborate on the differential effects of insulin on DA signalling in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) - the primary DA source region in the midbrain - and the striatum as well as its effects on behaviour. We then focus on the alterations induced by insulin deficiency and resistance. Finally, we review the impact of insulin resistance in DA pathways in promoting depressive symptoms and anhedonia on a molecular and epidemiological level and discuss its relevance for stratified treatment strategies.

Mechanisms of Dupilumab

The Th2 cytokines interleukin 4 (IL-4) and IL-13 and the heterodimeric IL-4 receptor (IL-4R) complexes that they interact with play a key role in the pathogenesis of allergic disorders. Dupilumab is a humanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody that targets the IL-4 receptor alpha chain (IL-4Rα), common to both IL-4R complexes: type 1 (IL-4Rα/γc; IL-4 specific) and type 2 (IL-4Rα/IL-13Rα1; IL-4 and IL-13 specific). In this review, we detail the current state of knowledge of the different signalling pathways coupled to the IL-4R complexes and examine the possible mechanisms of Dupilumab action and survey its clinical efficacy in different allergic disorders. The development of Dupilumab and the widening spectrum of its clinical applications is relevant to the current emphasis on precision medicine approaches to the blockade of pathways involved in allergic diseases.

IL-4 and IL-13 Receptor Signaling From 4PS to Insulin Receptor Substrate 2: There and Back Again, a Historical View

In this historical perspective, written in honor of Dr. William E. Paul, we describe the initial discovery of one of the dominant substrates for tyrosine phosphorylation stimulated by IL-4. We further describe how this “IL-4-induced phosphorylated substrate” (4PS) was characterized as a member of the insulin receptor substrate (IRS) family of large adaptor proteins that link IL-4 and insulin receptors to activation of the phosphatidyl-inositol 3′ kinase pathway as well as other downstream signaling pathways. The relative contribution of the 4PS/IRS pathway to the early models of IL-4-induced proliferation and suppression of apoptosis are compared to our more recent understanding of the complex interplay between positive and negative regulatory pathways emanating from members of the IRS family that impact allergic responses.

Association of rs1801157 single nucleotide polymorphism of CXCL12 gene in breast cancer in Pakistan and in-silico expression analysis of CXCL12-CXCR4 associated biological regulatory network

Background

C-X-C chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12) has important implications in breast cancer (BC) pathogenesis. It is selectively expressed on B and T lymphocytes and is involved in hematopoiesis, thymocyte trafficking, stem cell motility, neovascularization, and tumorigenesis. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1801157 of CXCL12 gene has been found to be associated with higher risk of BC.

Methods

Our study focuses on the genotypic and allelic distribution of SNP (rs1801157; G/A) in Pakistani population as well as its association with the clinico-pathological features. The association between rs1801157 genotypes (G/A) and BC risks was assessed by a multivariate logistic regression (MLR) analysis. Genotyping was performed in both healthy individuals and patients of BC using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Furthermore, in-silico approaches were adapted to investigate the association of CXCL12 and its receptor CXCR4 with genes/proteins involved in BC signalling.

Results

Significant differences in allelic and genotypic distribution between BC patients and healthy individuals of genotype (G/G) and (A/G) (p < 0.05) were observed. The frequency of the allele G in the BC group (77%) was significantly higher as compared to control group (61%) (p = 0.01). The association of genotype GG with clinico-pathological features including age, stages of cancer and organ (lung, liver, bones and brain) metastasis (p > 0.05) was assessed. In a MLR analysis, a number of variables including age, weight of an individual, affected lymph nodes, hormonal status (estrogen and progesterone receptor), alcohol consumption and family history associated with the GG genotype (GG:AA, odds ratio (OR) = 1.30, 95% CI [1.06–1.60]) were found to be independent risk factors for BC. Our in-vitro results suggest that genotype GG is possibly increasing the risk of BC in Pakistani cohorts. in-silico analysis finds that CXCL12–CXCR4 is associated with an increased expression of PDZK1, PI3k and Akt which lead the breast tumor towards metastasis.

Conclusion

Multiple targets such as CXCL12, CXCR4, PDZK1, PI3k and Akt can be inhibited in combined strategies to treat BC metastasis.

Insulin promotes proliferation, survival, and invasion in endometrial carcinoma by activating the MEK/ERK pathway

The involvement of insulin in endometrial carcinoma (EC) was investigated using radioimmunoassay, Western blot, immunoprecipitation, MTT, and Annexin V-FITC/PI assays in tissue samples and cultured cells. Serum levels of insulin, p-p52Shc, p-p46Shc, Shc·Grb2 complexes, p-MEK, p-ERK, and cyclin D1 were elevated in patients with EC. Expression of key proteins in the MEK/ERK pathway, including p-p52Shc, Shc·Grb2 complexes, p-MEK, p-ERK, and cyclin D1, was significantly higher in patients with advanced FIGO stage, high grade, and lymph-node metastasis and correlated positively with serum insulin concentration. Insulin promotes Ishikawa 3-H-12 cell proliferation, survival, and invasion, and these effects induced by insulin were significantly blocked by MEK inhibitor PD98059. Insulin thus promotes EC cell proliferation, survival, and invasion via the MEK/ERK pathway.

Molecular basis of signaling specificity of insulin and IGF receptors: neglected corners and recent advances

Insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) receptors utilize common phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt and Ras/extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling pathways to mediate a broad spectrum of "metabolic" and "mitogenic" responses. Specificity of insulin and IGF action in vivo must in part reflect expression of receptors and responsive pathways in different tissues but it is widely assumed that it is also determined by the ligand binding and signaling mechanisms of the receptors. This review focuses on receptor-proximal events in insulin/IGF signaling and examines their contribution to specificity of downstream responses. Insulin and IGF receptors may differ subtly in the efficiency with which they recruit their major substrates (IRS-1 and IRS-2 and Shc) and this could influence effectiveness of signaling to "metabolic" and "mitogenic" responses. Other substrates (Grb2-associated binder, downstream of kinases, SH2Bs, Crk), scaffolds (RACK1, β-arrestins, cytohesins), and pathways (non-receptor tyrosine kinases, phosphoinositide kinases, reactive oxygen species) have been less widely studied. Some of these components appear to be specifically involved in "metabolic" or "mitogenic" signaling but it has not been shown that this reflects receptor-preferential interaction. Very few receptor-specific interactions have been characterized, and their roles in signaling are unclear. Signaling specificity might also be imparted by differences in intracellular trafficking or feedback regulation of receptors, but few studies have directly addressed this possibility. Although published data are not wholly conclusive, no evidence has yet emerged for signaling mechanisms that are specifically engaged by insulin receptors but not IGF receptors or vice versa, and there is only limited evidence for differential activation of signaling mechanisms that are common to both receptors. Cellular context, rather than intrinsic receptor activity, therefore appears to be the major determinant of whether responses to insulin and IGFs are perceived as "metabolic" or "mitogenic."

The Interleukin (IL)‐2 Family Cytokines: Survival and Proliferation Signaling Pathways in T Lymphocytes

Lymphocyte populations in the immune system are maintained by a well-organized balance between cellular proliferation, cellular survival and programmed cell death (apoptosis). One of the primary functions of many cytokines is to coordinate these processes. In particular, the interleukin (IL)-2 family of cytokines, which consists of six cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, IL-15 and IL-21) that all share a common receptor subunit (gammac), plays a major role in promoting and maintaining T lymphocyte populations. The details of the molecular signaling pathways mediated by these cytokines have not been fully elucidated. However, the three major pathways clearly involved include the JAK/STAT, MAPK and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (P13K) pathways. The details of these pathways as they apply to the IL-2 family of cytokines is discussed, with a focus on their roles in proliferation and survival signaling.

Type I IL-4Rs selectively activate IRS-2 to induce target gene expression in macrophages

Although interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-13 participate in allergic inflammation and share a receptor subunit (IL-4Ralpha), they have different functions. We compared cells expressing type I and II IL-4Rs with cells expressing only type II receptors for their responsiveness to these cytokines. IL-4 induced highly efficient, gammaC-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS-2), whereas IL-13 was less effective, even when phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) was maximal. Only type I receptor, gammaC-dependent signaling induced efficient association of IRS-2 with the p85 subunit of phosphoinositide 3-kinase or the adaptor protein growth factor receptor-bound protein 2. In addition, IL-4 signaling through type I IL-4Rs induced more robust expression of a subset of genes associated with alternatively activated macrophages than did IL-13. Thus, IL-4 activates signaling pathways through type I IL-4Rs qualitatively differently from IL-13, which cooperate to induce optimal gene expression.

Combinatorial Signal Transduction Responses Mediated by Interleukin-2 and -4 Receptors in a Helper TH2 Cell Line

The cytokines interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-4 are important regulators of the adaptive immune response, due in part to their effects on clonal expansion and differentiation of T cells. When IL-2 and IL-4 are administered together, both antagonistic and synergistic effects have been reported, but little is known in general concerning the mechanisms underlying such combinatorial effects. We found evidence for both effects in the proliferation responses of the IL-2 and IL-4 responsive T cell line, HT-2; IL-4 delays the onset of cell growth yet ultimately allows a higher cell density to be achieved in static culture. At the level of signal transduction pathways, we found that IL-4 partially inhibits IL-2 receptor-mediated pathways (PI3K/Akt, Ras/Erk, and STAT5a/b) and does not prolong their transient kinetics. This mode of antagonism, but not the effects on cell proliferation, is overcome at higher concentrations of IL-2 that are sufficient to saturate the signaling responses. By comparison, IL-4-stimulated activation of STAT6 is unaffected by IL-2 and shows sustained kinetics, and we speculate that this or another IL-4 receptor-specific pathway is responsible for the effects of IL-4 on IL-2-stimulated proliferation. A possibly related observation is that IL-4 induces a dramatic cell adhesion phenotype.

Induction of genes involved in cell cycle progression by interleukin-4

Interleukin-4 (IL-4) can elicit diverse cellular responses, including differentiation, fusion, and proliferation, and these are all critical to establishment of an effective immune response. In this report, we provide evidence that IL-4 induces the proliferation of T lymphocytes with the coordinate transcriptional induction of the cell cycle regulatory genes encoding Cdc25A and the minichromosome maintenance (MCM) family. This specific gene induction appears to be due to activation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription, Stat6, and in part to phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). The function of another family of transcription factors, E2F, is known to induce cell cycle-regulated gene expression by binding to specific DNA target sites. We demonstrate that IL-4-activated Stat6 dimers can bind to a subset of E2F target sites and stimulate gene expression by binding to these DNA elements. Our results support a role for the Stat6 signal pathway in regulating a subset of E2F-responsive genes. In addition, activation of PI3K may play a complementary role in the induction of cell cycle-regulated genes in response to IL-4.

MAP kinase activation by interleukin-9 in lymphoid and mast cell lines

Interleukin-9 (IL-9) stimulates the proliferation of mast cells and lymphocytes. In the present study, we showed that IL-9 induced a transient phosphorylation of MEK, ERK2 and p90/RSK in murine lymphoid and mast cell lines. ERK2 in vitro kinase activity was also increased upon IL-9 stimulation. Similar results were obtained with IL-4, which had not been previously reported to activate these kinases in hematopoietic cells. Analysis of IL-9 receptor mutants showed that activation of the pathway was correlated with proliferation and with phosphorylation of the adaptor protein SHC, but not IRS2 or GAB2. The MEK inhibitor PD98059 reduced the mitogenic response to IL-4 and IL-9. In addition, expression of a dominant-negative RAS variant blocked ERK phosphorylation and significantly decreased Ba/F3 cell growth in the presence of IL-9, but did not affect expression of pim-1, a STAT target gene. In summary, these results indicate that IL-9 can transiently activate the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, which contributes to growth stimulation of hematopoietic cell lines.

Specificity of interleukin-2 receptor gamma chain superfamily cytokines is mediated by insulin receptor substrate-dependent pathway

Interleukins 9 (IL-9) and 4 are cytokines within the IL-2 receptor gamma chain (IL-2R gamma) superfamily that possess similar and unique biological functions. The signaling mechanisms, which may determine cytokine specificity and redundancy, are not well understood. IRS proteins are tyrosine-phosphorylated following IL-9 and IL-4 stimulation, a process in part mediated by JAK tyrosine kinases (Yin, T. G., Keller, S. R., Quelle, F. W., Witthuhn, B. A., Tsang, M. L., Lienhard, G. E., Ihle, J. N., and Yang, Y. C. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 20497--20502). In the present study, we used 32D cells stably transfected with insulin receptor (32D(IR)), which do not express any IRS proteins, as a model system to study the requirement of different structural domains of IRS proteins in IL-9- and IL-4-mediated functions. Overexpression of IRS-1 and IRS-2, but not IRS-4, induced proliferation of 32D(IR) cells in response to IL-9. The pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of IRS proteins is required for IRS-mediated proliferation stimulated by IL-9. The phosphotyrosine binding and Shc and IRS-1 NPXY binding domains are interchangeable for IRS to transduce the proliferative effect of IL-4. Therefore, the PH domain plays different roles in coupling IRS proteins to activated IL-9 and IL-4 receptors. The role of IRS proteins in determining cytokine specificity was corroborated by their ability to interact with different downstream signaling molecules. Although phosphatidylinositol 3' -kinase (PI3K) and Grb-2 interact with tyrosine-phosphorylated IRS proteins, Shp-2 only binds to IRS proteins following IL-4, but not IL-9, stimulation. Although PI3K activity is necessary for the IRS-1/2-mediated proliferative effect of IL-9 and IL-4, Akt activation is only required for cell proliferation induced by IL-4, but not IL-9. These data suggest that IRS-dependent signaling pathways work by recruiting different signaling molecules to determine specificity of IL-2R gamma superfamily cytokines.

Cloning and characterization of PHIP, a novel insulin receptor substrate-1 pleckstrin homology domain interacting protein

Insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) protein is a major substrate of the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase and is essential for transducing many of the biological effects of insulin including mitogenesis, gene expression, and glucose transport. The N terminus of IRS-1 contains a pleckstrin homology (PH) domain that is critical for recognition and subsequent phosphorylation of IRS-1 by the activated insulin receptor. Here we report the isolation of a novel protein, PHIP (PH-interacting protein), which selectively binds to the PH domain of IRS-1 in vitro and stably associates with IRS-1 in vivo. Importantly, mutants of the IRS-1 PH domain that disrupt the PH fold fail to bind to PHIP. Anti-phosphotyrosine immunoblots of PHIP revealed no discernible insulin receptor-regulated phosphorylation, suggesting that PHIP is not itself a substrate of the insulin receptor. In contrast to full-length PHIP, overexpression of the PH-binding region of PHIP has a pronounced inhibitory effect on insulin-induced IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation levels. Furthermore, expression of this dominant-negative PHIP mutant leads to a marked attenuation of insulin-stimulated mitogen-activated protein kinase activity. We conclude that PHIP represents a novel protein ligand of the IRS-1 PH domain that may serve to link IRS-1 to the insulin receptor.

The carboxyl terminus of v-Abl protein can augment SH2 domain function

Abelson murine leukemia virus (Ab-MLV) transforms NIH 3T3 and pre-B cells via expression of the v-Abl tyrosine kinase. Although the enzymatic activity of this molecule is absolutely required for transformation, other regions of the protein are also important for this response. Among these are the SH2 domain, involved in phosphotyrosine-dependent protein-protein interactions, and the long carboxyl terminus, which plays an important role in transformation of hematopoietic cells. Important signals are sent from each of these regions, and transformation is most likely orchestrated by the concerted action of these different parts of the protein. To explore this idea, we compared the ability of the v-Src SH2 domain to substitute for that of v-Abl in the full-length P120 v-Abl protein and in P70 v-Abl, a protein that lacks the carboxyl terminus characteristic of Abl family members. Ab-MLV strains expressing P70/S2 failed to transform NIH 3T3 cells and demonstrated a greatly reduced capacity to mediate signaling events associated with the Ras-dependent mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway. In contrast, Ab-MLV strains expressing P120/S2 were indistinguishable from P120 with respect to these features. Analyses of additional mutants demonstrated that the last 162 amino acids of the carboxyl terminus were sufficient to restore transformation. These data demonstrate that an SH2 domain with v-Abl substrate specificity is required for NIH 3T3 transformation in the absence of the carboxyl terminus and suggest that cooperativity between the extreme carboxyl terminus and the SH2 domain facilitates the transmission of transforming signals via the MAP kinase pathway.

Domains of the insulin-like growth factor I receptor required for the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases

The type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-IR) activates the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1 and -2). The two major substrates of the IGF-IR, insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and the Shc proteins, are known to contribute to this activation. We investigated the domains of the IGF-IR required for the activation of the ERK proteins. To facilitate this study, we used a cell line (32D cells) that lacks IRS-1. In the absence of IRS-1, ERK activation is inhibited if the IGF-IR is mutated at two domains: tyrosine Y950 and a serine quartet at 1280-1283. Expression of IRS-1 in 32D cells expressing the double mutant IGF-IR restores ERK activation. The importance of the C-terminus of the IGF-IR in ERK activation (in the absence of IRS-1) is confirmed by the failure of the insulin receptor to give a sustained activation of ERK. In this model system, there is a good, but not exact, correlation between ERK activation and cell survival after withdrawal of growth factors.

Possible involvement of Shc in IL-4-induced germline epsilon transcription in a human B cell line

The IL-4Ralpha contains the I4R motif which binds to the phosphotyrosine binding domain of several adaptor proteins, including IRS-1/2 and Shc. Although the involvement of IRS-1/2 in IL-4-induced PI3-kinase activation is known, there is little information on the role of Shc in IL-4 signaling. In this study, we found the preferential utilization of Shc by the IL-4Ralpha in a human Burkitt's B lymphoma cell line, DND39. IL-4 induced the association of tyrosine-phosphorylated Shc with the IL-4Ralpha, whereas no detectable tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 or IRS-2 was induced. IL-4-induced germline epsilon promoter activation was enhanced by overexpression of Shc and was inhibited by truncated Shc lacking the collagen-homologous domain. We further found the association of Shc with PLCgamma1. Although direct tyrosine phosphorylation of PLCgamma1 was not detectable, the amount of PLCgamma1 coprecipitable with anti-phosphotyrosine was increased after IL-4 stimulation. These results suggest that Shc can function as an adaptor protein of the IL-4Ralpha and mediate the germline epsilon transcription.

IRS-4 mediates protein kinase B signaling during insulin stimulation without promoting antiapoptosis

Insulin receptor substrate (IRS) proteins are tyrosine phosphorylated and mediate multiple signals during activation of the receptors for insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and various cytokines. In order to distinguish common and unique functions of IRS-1, IRS-2, and IRS-4, we expressed them individually in 32D myeloid progenitor cells containing the human insulin receptor (32D(IR)). Insulin promoted the association of Grb-2 with IRS-1 and IRS-4, whereas IRS-2 weakly bound Grb-2; consequently, IRS-1 and IRS-4 enhanced insulin-stimulated mitogen-activated protein kinase activity. During insulin stimulation, IRS-1 and IRS-2 strongly bound p85alpha/beta, which activated phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase, protein kinase B (PKB)/Akt, and p70(s6k), and promoted the phosphorylation of BAD. IRS-4 also promoted the activation of PKB/Akt and BAD phosphorylation during insulin stimulation; however, it weakly bound or activated p85-associated PI 3-kinase and failed to mediate the activation of p70(s6k). Insulin strongly inhibited apoptosis of interleukin-3 (IL-3)-deprived 32D(IR) cells expressing IRS-1 or IRS-2 but failed to inhibit apoptosis of cells expressing IRS-4. Consequently, 32D(IR) cells expressing IRS-4 proliferated slowly during insulin stimulation. Thus, the activation of PKB/Akt and BAD phosphorylation might not be sufficient to inhibit the apoptosis of IL-3-deprived 32D(IR) cells unless p85-associated PI 3-kinase or p70(s6k) are strongly activated.

Multiple signaling pathways of the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor in protection from apoptosis

The type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R), activated by its ligands, protects several cell types from a variety of apoptotic injuries. The main signaling pathway for IGF-1R-mediated protection from apoptosis has been previously elucidated and rests on the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, Akt/protein kinase B, and the phosphorylation and inactivation of BAD, a member of the Bcl-2 family of proteins. In 32D cells (a murine hemopoietic cell line devoid of insulin receptor substrate 1 [IRS-1]), the IGF-1R activates alternative pathways for protection from apoptosis induced by withdrawal of interleukin-3. One of these pathways leads to the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase, while a third pathway results in the mitochondrial translocation of Raf and depends on the integrity of a group of serines in the C terminus of the receptor that are known to interact with 14.3.3 proteins. All three pathways, however, result in BAD phosphorylation. The presence of multiple antiapoptotic pathways may explain the remarkable efficacy of the IGF-1R in protecting cells from apoptosis.

Synthetic peptide sequence from the C-terminus of the insulin-like growth factor-I receptor that induces apoptosis and inhibition of tumor growth

Although the type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-IR) is a potent inhibitor of apoptosis, its C-terminus sequence sends contradictory signals, including a clearly proapoptotic signal. We have synthesized a peptide, peptide 2, having the sequence of the IGF-IR from residue 1282 to residue 1298 (C-terminus of the beta subunit). To favor its uptake into cells, we linked it to a stearic acid moiety at its NH-terminus. Peptide 2 is taken up by the cells, where it inhibits DNA synthesis and causes apoptosis, while a scrambled peptide (with stearic acid) and peptide 2 without stearic acid are completely ineffective. Peptide 2 is more effective when cells are in anchorage-independent conditions than when they grow in monolayer cultures. Accordingly, we find that peptide 2 can inhibit the growth of a human prostatic cell line in nude mice. The proapoptotic effect of peptide 2 is inhibited by the expression of Bcl-2 or by a dominant negative mutant of caspase 9. These and other data indicate that peptide 2 does not seem to be competing directly with the IGF-IR for common substrates, but that its proapoptotic effect is related to its ability to activate the caspase cascade.

Actinomycin D as a novel SH2 domain ligand inhibits Shc/Grb2 interaction in B104-1-1 (neu*-transformed NIH3T3) and SAA (hEGFR-overexpressed NIH3T3) cells

Actinomycins, a family of bicyclic chromopeptide lactones with strong antineoplastic activity, were screened as inhibitors of Shc/Grb2 interaction in in vitro assay systems. To investigate the effects of actinomycin D on Shc/Grb2 interaction in cell-based experiments, we used SAA (normal hEGFR-overexpressed NIH3T3) cells and B104-1-1 (neu*-transformed NIH3T3) cells, because a large number of the Shc/Grb2 complexes were detected. Associated protein complexes containing Shc were immunoprecipitated from actinomycin D-treated cell lysates with polyclonal anti-Shc antibody. Then the association with Grb2 was assessed by immunoblotting with monoclonal anti-Grb2 antibody. The result of the immunoblotting experiment revealed that actinomycin D inhibited Shc/Grb2 interaction in a dose-dependent manner in both B104-1-1 and EGF-stimulated SAA cells. The inhibition of Shc/Grb2 interaction by actinomycin D in B104-1-1 cells also reduced tyrosine phosphorylation of MAP kinase (Erk1/Erk2), one of the major components in the Ras-MAP kinase signaling pathway. These results suggest that actinomycin D could be a non-phosphorylated natural and cellular membrane-permeable SH2 domain antagonist.

The IL-4 receptor: signaling mechanisms and biologic functions

Interleukin-4 is a multifunctional cytokine that plays a critical role in the regulation of immune responses. Its effects depend upon binding to and signaling through a receptor complex consisting of the IL-4R alpha chain and the common gamma chain (gamma c), resulting in a series of phosphorylation events mediated by receptor-associated kinases. In turn, these cause the recruitment of mediators of cell growth, of resistance to apoptosis, and of gene activation and differentiation. Here we describe our current understanding of the organization of the IL-4 receptor, of the signaling pathways that are induced as a result of receptor occupancy, and of the various mechanisms through which receptor function is modulated. We particularly emphasize the modular nature of the receptor and the specialization of different receptor regions for distinct functions, most notably the independent regulation of cell growth and gene activation.

Mechanism of protein kinase B activation by insulin/insulin-like growth factor-1 revealed by specific inhibitors of phosphoinositide 3-kinase--significance for diabetes and cancer

Protein kinase B (PKB) is a member of the second messenger subfamily of protein kinases. The three isoforms of PKB identified have an amino-terminal pleckstrin homology domain, a central kinase domain, and a carboxy-terminal regulatory domain. PKB is the major downstream target of receptor tyrosine kinases that signal via the phosphoinositide (PI) 3-kinase. The crucial role of lipid second messengers in PKB activation has been dissected through the use of the PI 3-kinase-specific inhibitors wortmannin and LY294002. Receptor-activated PI 3-kinase synthesises the lipid second messenger PI-3,4,5-trisphosphate, leading to the recruitment of PKB to the membrane. Membrane attachment of PKB is mediated by its pleckstrin homology domain binding to PI-3,4,5-trisphosphate or PI-3,4-bisphosphate with high affinity. Activation of PKB alpha and beta is then achieved at the plasma membrane by phosphorylation of Thr308/309 in the A-loop of the kinase domain and Ser473/474 in the carboxy-terminal regulatory region, respectively. The upstream kinase that phosphorylates PKB on Thr308, termed PI-dependent protein kinase-1, has been identified and extensively characterised. A candidate for the Ser473/474 kinase, termed the integrin-linked kinase, has been identified recently. Activated PKB is implicated in glucose metabolism, transcriptional control, and in the regulation of apoptosis in many different cell types. Stimulation of PKB activity protects cells from apoptosis by phosphorylation and inactivation of the pro-apoptotic protein BAD. These results could explain why PKB is overexpressed in some ovarian, breast, and pancreatic carcinomas.

Growth and differentiation signals by the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor in hemopoietic cells are mediated through different pathways

The type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-IR) plays an important role in the growth of cells both in vivo and in vitro. The IGF-IR is also capable of inducing differentiation in a number of cell types, raising the question of how the same receptor can send two seemingly contradictory signals, one for growth and one for differentiation. Using 32D cells, which are murine hemopoietic cells, we show that the activated IGF-IR can induce differentiation along the granulocytic pathway in a manner similar to the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. We find that one of the major substrates of the IGF-IR, the insulin receptor substrate-1 inhibits IGF-I-mediated differentiation of 32D cells. In the absence of insulin receptor substrate-1, functional impairment of another major substrate of the IGF-IR, the Shc proteins, is associated with a decrease in the extent of differentiation. Although the end points of the respective pathways remain to be defined, these results show for the first time that IGF-I-mediated growth or differentiation of hemopoietic cells may depend on a balance between two of its substrates.

Insulin regulation of the Ras activation/inactivation cycle

In addition to mediating a number of metabolic functions, insulin also uses mitogenic pathways to maintain cellular homeostasis. Many of these mitogenic responses are mediated by signals through the small molecular weight guanine nucleotide binding protein, Ras. In the last decade, great progress has been made in understanding the molecular mechanisms which regulate the insulin mediated conversion of Ras from its inactive, GDP-bound state, to the activated GTP-bound form. More recently, it has been appreciated that insulin also regulates the inactivation of this pathway, namely by uncoupling the protein complexes whose formation is required for Ras activation. This review addresses molecular mechanism which both positively and negatively regulate this mitogenic signalling pathway.

Insulin receptor substrate-1 is the predominant signaling molecule activated by insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin, and interleukin-4 in estrogen receptor-positive human breast cancer cells

Because insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), insulin, and interleukin-4 (IL-4) have known biological effects in breast cancer cells and signal through insulin-receptor substrate (IRS) adaptor proteins, we examined the expression and function of IRS-1 and IRS-2 in breast tumors and cell lines. IRS-1 and IRS-2 were expressed by cell lines and primary breast tumor specimens. IGF-I, insulin, and IL-4 treatment of MCF-7 and ZR-75, and IGF-I treatment of T47-D breast cancer cells, resulted in much greater tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 compared with IRS-2. Furthermore, IGF-I stimulated greater tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 than either insulin or IL-4. IGF-I treatment also enhanced association of the p85 regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase with IRS-1 and stimulated increased enzymatic activity compared with IL-4 and insulin in all three cell lines. Similarly, mitogen-activated protein kinase activity was greater in IGF-I-stimulated cells. To determine the functional significance of the activation of these pathways, we inhibited activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase with wortmannin and mitogen-activated protein kinase with PD098059. Both compounds inhibited IGF-stimulated growth, suggesting that both pathways contributed to the mitogenic response to IGF-I. We conclude that IRS-1, and not IRS-2, is the predominant signaling molecule activated by IGF-I, insulin, and IL-4. Furthermore, enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 by IGF-I, compared with either insulin or IL-4, is associated with greater activation of mitogenic downstream signaling pathways resulting in enhanced cell growth.

Stat proteins control lymphocyte proliferation by regulating p27Kip1 expression

The proliferation of lymphocytes in response to cytokine stimulation is essential for a variety of immune responses. Recent studies with signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (Stat6)-deficient mice have demonstrated that this protein is required for the normal proliferation of lymphocytes in response to interleukin-4 (IL-4). In this report, we show that the impaired IL-4-induced proliferative response of Stat6-deficient lymphocytes is not due to an inability to activate alternate signaling pathways, such as those involving insulin receptor substrates, or to a failure to upregulate IL-4 receptor levels. Cell cycle analysis showed that the percentage of Stat6-deficient lymphocytes that transit from the G1 to the S phase of the cell cycle following IL-4 stimulation is lower than that of control lymphocytes. Although the regulation of many genes involved in the control of cytokine-induced proliferation is normal in Stat6-deficient lymphocytes, protein levels of the cdk inhibitor p27Kip1 were found to be markedly dysregulated. p27Kip1 is expressed at significantly higher levels in Stat6-deficient lymphocytes than in control cells following IL-4 stimulation. The higher level of p27Kip1 expression seen in IL-4-stimulated Stat6-deficient lymphocytes correlates with decreased cdk2-associated kinase activity and is the result of the increased accumulation of protein rather than altered mRNA expression. Similarly, higher levels of p27Kip1 protein expression are also seen following IL-12 stimulation of Stat4-deficient lymphocytes than are seen following stimulation of control cells. These data suggest that Stat proteins may control the cytokine-induced proliferative response of activated T cells by regulating the expression of cell cycle inhibitors so that cyclin-cdk complexes may function to promote transition from the G1 to the S phase of the cell cycle.

Insulin differentially regulates SAPKs/JNKs and ERKs in CHO cells overexpressing human insulin receptors

In the present study, we compared the ability of insulin to regulate SAPKs/JNKs and ERKs in CHO cells overexpressing human insulin receptors. We show that acute insulin treatment induced a time-dependent increase both in SAPK/JNK and ERK activity but with distinct kinetics. PI-3-kinase inhibition by wortmannin completely blocked insulin activation of SAPKs/JNKs, whereas it partially decreased ERK activation. Prolonged exposure to insulin caused a marked inhibition of SAPK/JNK activity while it induced a sustained activation of ERKs. Insulin inhibition of SAPKs/JNKs was partly due to decreased tyrosine phosphorylation of JNK2. These data indicate that insulin differentially regulates SAPKs/JNKs and ERKs. Moreover, they provide the first evidence that insulin exerts opposite effects on SAPK/JNK activity according to the time of cell treatment.

Receptor-like protein-tyrosine phosphatase alpha specifically inhibits insulin-increased prolactin gene expression

A physiologically relevant response to insulin, stimulation of prolactin promoter activity in GH4 pituitary cells, was used as an assay to study the specificity of protein-tyrosine phosphatase function. Receptor-like protein-tyrosine phosphatase alpha (RPTPalpha) blocks the effect of insulin to increase prolactin gene expression but potentiates the effects of epidermal growth factor and cAMP on prolactin promoter activity. RPTPalpha was the only protein-tyrosine phosphatase tested that did this. Thus, the effect of RPTPalpha on prolactin-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) promoter activity is specific by two criteria. A number of potential RPTPalpha targets were ruled out by finding (a) that they are not affected or (b) that they are not on the pathway to insulin-increased prolactin-CAT activity. The negative effect of RPTPalpha on insulin activation of the prolactin promoter is not due to reduced phosphorylation or kinase activity of the insulin receptor or to reduced phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 or Shc. Inhibitor studies suggest that insulin-increased prolactin gene expression is mediated by a Ras-like GTPase but is not mitogen-activated protein kinase dependent. Experiments with inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase suggest that insulin-increased prolactin-CAT expression is phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-independent. These results suggest that RPTPalpha may be a physiological regulator of insulin action.

Activation of Src family kinases by hepatitis B virus HBx protein and coupled signaling to Ras

The HBx protein of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a small transcriptional transactivator that is essential for infection by the mammalian hepadnaviruses and is thought to be a cofactor in HBV-mediated liver cancer. HBx stimulates signal transduction pathways by acting in the cytoplasm, which accounts for many but not all of its transcriptional activities. Studies have shown that HBx protein activates Ras and downstream Ras signaling pathways including Raf, mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase kinase kinase (MEK), and MAP kinases. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of activation of Ras by HBx because it has been found to be central to the ability of HBx protein to stimulate transcription and to release growth arrest in quiescent cells. In contrast to the transient but strong stimulation of Ras typical of autocrine factors, activation of Ras by HBx protein was found to be constitutive but moderate. HBx induced the association of Ras upstream activating proteins Shc, Grb2, and Sos and stimulated GTP loading onto Ras, but without directly participating in complex formation. Instead, HBx is shown to stimulate Ras-activating proteins by functioning as an intracellular cytoplasmic activator of the Src family of tyrosine kinases, which can signal to Ras. HBx protein stimulated c-Src and Fyn kinases for a prolonged time. Activation of Src is shown to be indispensable for a number of HBx activities, including activation of Ras and the Ras-Raf-MAP kinase pathway and stimulation of transcription mediated by transcription factor AP-1. Importantly, HBx protein expressed in cultured cells during HBV replication is shown to activate the Ras signaling pathway. Mechanisms by which HBx protein might activate Src kinases are discussed.

Interleukin-4 and -13 inhibit tumor necrosis factor-alpha mRNA translational activation in lipopolysaccharide-induced mouse macrophages

The production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages can be markedly inhibited by the two closely related cytokines, interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13. To investigate the molecular mechanism of this inhibition, we analyzed the effect of the two cytokines on TNF-alpha production and TNF-alpha mRNA accumulation in the mouse macrophage cell lines RAW 264.7 and J774 stimulated by LPS. Whereas LPS-induced TNF-alpha production is strongly suppressed by both cytokines, TNF-alpha mRNA accumulation is not significantly affected, indicating that IL-4 and IL-13 induce a translational repression of TNF-alpha mRNA. Transfection of reporter gene constructs containing different regions of the TNF-alpha gene revealed that the inhibitory action of IL-4 and IL-13 is mediated by the UA-rich sequence present in the TNF-alpha mRNA 3'-untranslated region.

Roles of insulin receptor substrate-1 and Shc on insulin-like growth factor I receptor signaling in early passages of cultured human fibroblasts

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) improves glucose metabolism and growth in patients with leprechaunism. We investigated signal transduction through IGF-I receptor in comparison with epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor in early passages of cultured skin fibroblasts from a normal subject and a patient with leprechaunism whose insulin receptor tyrosine kinase was almost nonexistent. Insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) became tyrosine-phosphorylated and bound growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (GRB2) quickly by IGF-I. The association of Shc with GRB2 by IGF-I was detected by immunoblot with anti-Shc antibody but was hardly visible with antiphosphotyrosine antibody, which was in marked contrast to efficient tyrosine phosphorylation of Shc by EGF. However, the potency of IGF-I for DNA synthesis was far stronger than EGF, which was not parallel with the potency of these growth factors to activate Shc or MAP kinase. Rather, phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase activity, which was activated by IGF-I about 5- to 10-fold more strongly than EGF, appeared to correlate with mitogenesis. Signal transduction pathways following IGF-I receptor or EGF receptor activation were indistinguishable between the normal subject and the patient. Our results strongly suggest that in human skin fibroblasts, which represent a more physiological cell culture: 1) IRS-1, rather than Shc, is the major tyrosine-phosphorylated protein binding GRB2 in initial phase of IGF-I signaling; 2) mitogenic potency of receptor tyrosine kinases such as IGF-I receptor and EGF receptor may not be determined solely by the amount of Shc-GRB2 complex or the activity of MAP kinase; and 3) in contrast to previous reports, IGF-I and EGF receptor signalings are not defective in leprechaunism.

Insulin internalization and other signaling pathways in the pleiotropic effects of insulin

Insulin is the major anabolic hormone in humans and affects multiple cellular processes. Insulin rapidly regulates short-term effects on carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism and is also a potent growth factor controlling cell proliferation and differentiation. The metabolic and growth-related effects require insulin binding to its receptor and receptor phosphorylation. Evidence suggests these events result in subsequent substrate phosphorylation and activation of multiple signaling pathways involving Src homology domain-containing proteins and the internalization of the insulin:receptor complex. The role of insulin internalization in insulin action is largely speculative. For more than two decades, extensive investigation has been carried out by numerous laboratories of the mechanisms by which insulin causes its pleiotropic responses and the cellular processing of insulin receptors. This chapter reviews our current knowledge of the phosphorylation signaling pathways activated by insulin and presents evidence that substrates other than insulin receptor substrate-1 are involved in insulin's regulation of immediate-early gene expression. We also review the mechanisms involved in insulin internalization and present evidence that internalization may play a key role in insulin action through both signal transduction processes and translocation of insulin to the cell cytoplasm and nucleus.

Recombinant human alpha 2-HS glycoprotein inhibits insulin-stimulated mitogenic pathway without affecting metabolic signalling in Chinese hamster ovary cells overexpressing the human insulin receptor

Insulin acts on its target tissues by specific interaction with the cell surface insulin receptor (IR). The IR possesses an intrinsic tyrosine kinase (TK) activity which is stimulated by insulin binding. This TK activity is required for many aspects of insulin signalling. We had earlier reported that human plasma alpha 2-HS glycoprotein (alpha 2-HSG) inhibits insulin-stimulated mitogenesis at the level of IR-TK (Mol Endo 7: 1445-1455, 1993). In the present study, using recombinant alpha 2-HSG, which possesses 50-100 times the specific activity of plasma alpha 2-HSG, we have further investigated the molecular basis of this effect. We examined the insulin-stimulated Ras signalling pathway in Chinese Hamster Ovary cells overexpressing the human IR. alpha 2-HSG inhibits insulin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 and the subsequent association of GRB2, as well as Sos, with IRS-1. This inhibition results in reduced guanine nucleotide exchange in p21ras. alpha 2-HSG also inhibits the stimulation of Raf phosphorylation, in response to insulin, leading to inhibition of MEK activity. In a parallel pathway, alpha 2-HSG also inhibits insulin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of Shc. However, alpha 2-HSG does not affect any of the metabolic actions of insulin rested in these cells. These results suggest that, while insulin's mitogenic effects can be abolished by inhibition of insulin-induced IR-TK, propagation of signals for metabolic activities might utilize alternate of rescue mechanisms.

Interleukin-4-induced STAT6 recognizes and activates a target site in the promoter of the interleukin-4 receptor gene

This study addresses the function of STAT6 in interleukin-4-stimulated gene expression. A specific STAT6 DNA-binding target site has been identified in the promoter of the interleukin-4 receptor gene, and STAT6 is shown to be involved in mediating activation of gene expression via this site. STAT6 can mediate transcription of a heterologous reporter gene construct containing the interleukin-4 receptor STAT6 binding site. In addition, evidence is provided that demonstrates a distinct effect of STAT6 DNA binding specificity on transcriptional regulation since transcription was not stimulated from a competent but different DNA binding site. To confirm the role of STAT6 in gene activation, STAT6 mutant proteins were generated and analyzed for their ability to function in interleukin-4-induced transcription. Although the interleukin-2 gamma chain receptor subunit has been demonstrated to be a component of the interleukin-4 receptor, it is not required for specific gene activation.

Insulin signalling and insulin actions in the muscles and livers of insulin-resistant, insulin receptor substrate 1-deficient mice

We and others recently generated mice with a targeted disruption of the insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) gene and demonstrated that they exhibited growth retardation and had resistance to the glucose-lowering effect of insulin. Insulin initiates its biological effects by activating at least two major signalling pathways, one involving phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) and the other involving a ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) cascade. In this study, we investigated the roles of IRS-1 and IRS-2 in the biological action in the physiological target organs of insulin by comparing the effects of insulin in wild-type and IRS-1-deficient mice. In muscles from IRS-1-deficient mice, the responses to insulin-induced PI3-kinase activation, glucose transport, p70 S6 kinase and MAP kinase activation, mRNA translation, and protein synthesis were significantly impaired compared with those in wild-type mice. Insulin-induced protein synthesis was both wortmannin sensitive and insensitive in wild-type and IRS-1 deficient mice. However, in another target organ, the liver, the responses to insulin-induced PI3-kinase and MAP kinase activation were not significantly reduced. The amount of tyrosine-phosphorylated IRS-2 (in IRS-1-deficient mice) was roughly equal to that of IRS-1 (in wild-type mice) in the liver, whereas it only 20 to 30% of that of IRS-1 in the muscles. In conclusion, (i) IRS-1 plays central roles in two major biological actions of insulin in muscles, glucose transport and protein synthesis; (ii) the insulin resistance of IRS-1-deficient mice is mainly due to resistance in the muscles; and (iii) the degree of compensation for IRS-1 deficiency appears to be correlated with the amount of tyrosine-phosphorylated IRS-2 (in IRS-1-deficient mice) relative to that of IRS-1 (in wild-type mice).

Interaction of insulin receptor substrate-2 (IRS-2) with the insulin and insulin-like growth factor I receptors. Evidence for two distinct phosphotyrosine-dependent interaction domains within IRS-2

Insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS-2) has recently been shown to be a substrate of the insulin receptor (IR). In this study we utilize the yeast two-hybrid system and assays of in vitro interaction to demonstrate that IRS-2 interacts directly with the IR and the insulin-like growth factor I receptor. We show that, like IRS-1, the region of IRS-2 that contains the putative phosphotyrosine binding and SAIN elements (188-591) is sufficient for receptor interaction and that this interaction is dependent upon the NPX(p)Y (where (p)Y is phosphotyrosine) motifs within the juxtamembrane domains of the receptors. In addition to this amino-terminal NPX(p)Y-binding domain, an additional domain of strong interaction was identified in the central region of IRS-2 and was localized between amino acids 591 and 733. This interaction was found to be dependent upon receptor phosphorylation but was NPX(p)Y-independent. This region does not appear to have either an SH2 or a phosphotyrosine binding domain. Both of the interactions could also be demonstrated in vitro using IRS-2 glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins. We conclude that IRS-2, unlike IRS-1, can interact with tyrosine-phosphorylated receptors such as the IR and insulin-like growth factor I receptor via multiple independent binding motifs. Our findings suggest the existence of a previously unidentified phosphotyrosine-dependent binding domain within the central region of IRS-2.

Interleukin-4 induces activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphorylation of shc in human keratinocytes

Most cytokines stimulate the p21ras pathway, leading to MAP kinase activation. One exception is interleukin-4 (IL-4), which has been shown not to activate this pathway in hematopoietic cells. However, IL-4 acts on a broad range of cells, including keratinocytes, in which it induces IL-6 production. We report here that IL-4 stimulation of human keratinocytic cell lines or primary cultures activates MAP kinase. In these cells, IL-4 stimulation induces the tyrosine phosphorylation of p42/44 MAP kinase as well as its catalytic activity. We also observed an increased phosphorylation of p46shc, an SH2-containing protein involved in the Ras pathway, as a result of IL-4 stimulation in human keratinocytic cell lines but not in T lymphocytes.

Two naturally occurring mutant insulin receptors phosphorylate insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) but fail to mediate the biological effects of insulin. Evidence that IRS-1 phosphorylation is not sufficient for normal insulin action

Two naturally occurring mutant insulin receptors, Arg-1174 --> Gln and Leu-1178 --> Pro, found in patients with dominantly inherited Type A insulin resistance, showed unusual signaling properties when stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Both mutant receptors were expressed on the cell surface and bound insulin normally, but showed markedly impaired autophosphorylation in response to insulin. In addition, the in vitro tyrosine kinase activity of both mutant receptors toward an artificial substrate was also severely impaired. Despite these defects of kinase activity, anti-phosphotyrosine immunoblotting of whole cell lysates and anti-phosphotyrosine immunoprecipitation of 32P-labeled cells showed insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of a protein of approximately 185 kDa to an extent comparable to that seen in CHO cells expressing wild-type human insulin receptors. Anti-insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) immunoprecipitation followed by anti-phosphotyrosine immunoblotting confirmed that this tyrosine-phosphorylated protein was IRS-1. In contrast, CHO cells expressing an insulin receptor mutated at the ATP binding site (Lys-1030 --> Arg) showed no insulin-stimulated autophosphorylation or phosphorylation of IRS-1. Despite exhibiting apparently normal insulin stimulation of IRS-1 tyrosine-phosphorylation, cells expressing the Arg-1174 --> Gln or Pro-1178 --> Leu receptors showed marked impairment in insulin stimulation of glycogen synthesis, thymidine incorporation, and activation of MAP kinase. The inability of these mutant receptors to signal normally to metabolic and mitogenic responses suggests that insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 alone is insufficient to fully mediate insulin action.

Interaction between the phosphotyrosine binding domain of Shc and the insulin receptor is required for Shc phosphorylation by insulin in vivo

Stimulation of the insulin receptor (IR) results in tyrosine phosphorylation of the intermediate molecules insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), IRS-2, and Shc, which then couple the IR to downstream signaling pathways by serving as binding sites for signaling molecules with SH2 domains. It has been proposed that direct binding of IRS-1, IRS-2, and Shc to an NPX-Tyr(P) motif in the juxtamembrane region of the IR is required for tyrosine phosphorylation of these molecules by the IR. In this regard, Shc and IRS-1 contain domains that are distinct from SH2 domains, referred to as the phosphotyrosine binding (PTB) or phosphotyrosine interaction (PI) domains, which bind phosphotyrosine in the context of an NPX-Tyr(P) motif. To further clarify the role of the Shc PTB/PI domain, we identified a mutation in this domain that abrogated binding of Shc to the IR in vitro. Interestingly, this mutation completely abolished Shc phosphorylation by the IR in vivo whereas mutation of the arginine in the FLVRES motif of the Shc SH2 domain did not affect Shc phosphorylation by insulin. In addition, we identified specific amino acids on the IR that are required for the IR to stimulate Shc but not IRS-1 phosphorylation in vivo. As with the PTB/PI domain Shc mutant, the ability of these mutant receptors to phosphorylate Shc correlates with the binding of the PTB/PI domain of Shc to similar sequences in vitro. These findings support a model in which binding of the PTB/PI domain of Shc directly to the NPX-Tyr(P) motif on the IR mediates Shc phosphorylation by insulin.

A Grb2-associated docking protein in EGF- and insulin-receptor signalling

The protein Grb2 plays a central role in signalling by receptor protein-tyrosine kinases, where its SH2 domain binds to the receptor and its two SH3 domains link to effectors. One target effector is Sos, so Grb2 links receptor protein-tyrosine kinases with the Ras signalling pathway. The SH3 domains can also couple to other signalling proteins, including Vav, c-Abl and dynamin. We have identified several bands in glial and medulloblastoma tumours that are recognized by Grb2 but these did not correspond to any known protein. Here we use recombinant Grb2 to isolate a complementary DNA called Gab1 (for Grb2-associated binder-1). Gab1 shares amino-acid homology and several structural features with IRS-1 (insulin-receptor substrate-1; refs 6,7), is a substrate of the EGF and insulin receptors, and can act as a docking protein for several SH2-containing proteins. Over-expression of Gab1 enhances cell growth and results in transformation. We conclude that Gab1 is a new protein in EGF and insulin receptor signalling which could integrate signals from different systems.

IL-4 function can be transferred to the IL-2 receptor by tyrosine containing sequences found in the IL-4 receptor alpha chain

IL-4 binds to a cell surface receptor complex that consists of the IL-4 binding protein (IL-4R alpha) and the gamma chain of the IL-2 receptor complex (gamma c). The receptors for IL-4 and IL-2 have several features in common; both use the gamma c as a receptor component, and both activate the Janus kinases JAK-1 and JAK-3. In spite of these similarities, IL-4 evokes specific responses, including the tyrosine phosphorylation of 4PS/IRS-2 and the induction of CD23. To determine whether sequences within the cytoplasmic domain of the IL-4R alpha specify these IL-4-specific responses, we transplanted the insulin IL-4 receptor motif (I4R motif) of the huIL-4R alpha to the cytoplasmic domain of a truncated IL-2R beta. In addition, we transplanted a region that contains peptide sequences shown to block Stat6 binding to DNA. We analyzed the ability of cells expressing these IL-2R-IL-4R chimeric constructs to respond to IL-2. We found that IL-4 function could be transplanted to the IL-2 receptor by these regions and that proliferative and differentiative functions can be induced by different receptor sequences.

The type I interferon receptor mediates tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 2

Binding of interferon alpha (IFN alpha) to its receptor induces activation of the Tyk-2 and Jak-1 tyrosine kinases and tyrosine phosphorylation of multiple downstream signaling elements, including the Stat components of the interferon-stimulated gene factor 3 (ISGF-3). IFN alpha also induces tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1, the principle substrate of the insulin receptor. In this study we demonstrate that various Type I IFNs rapidly stimulate tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-2. This is significant since IRS-2 is the major IRS protein found in hematopoietic cells. The IFN alpha-induced phosphorylated form of IRS-2 associates with the p85 regulatory subunit of the phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase, suggesting that this kinase participates in an IFN alpha-signaling cascade downstream of IRS-2. We also provide evidence for an interaction of IRS-2 with Tyk-2, suggesting that Tyk-2 is the kinase that phosphorylates this protein during IFN alpha stimulation. A conserved region in the pleckstrin homology domain of IRS-2 may be required for the interaction of IRS-2 with Tyk-2, as shown by the selective binding of glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion proteins containing the IRS-2-IH1PH or IRS-1-IH1PH domains to Tyk-2 but not other Janus kinases in vitro.

Insulin receptor substrate 1 and 2 (IRS1 and IRS2): what a tangled web we weave

The insulin receptor is a transmembrane tyrosine kinase that is essential for mediating multiple intracellular signalling cascades that lead ultimately to the biological actions of insulin Tyrosine phosphorylation o f the cytosolic proteins insulin receptor substrate 1 and 2 (IRS1 and IRS2) produces protein 'scaffolding' for the assembly of effector proteins containing Src homology 2 (SH2) domains, thereby generating multisubunit signalling complexes. Although IRS1 was originally isolated as a specific insulin receptor substrate, both IRS1 and IRS2 appear to play a broader role, functioning also as proximal substrates in growth hormone and cytokine receptor signalling. Current data establish IRS1 and IRS2 as critical effectors integrating various cell-type-specific signals into distinct, but overlapping, biological responses.

Differential activation of the Ras/extracellular-signal-regulated protein kinase pathway is responsible for the biological consequences induced by the Axl receptor tyrosine kinase

To understand the mechanism of Axl signaling, we have initiated studies to delineate downstream components in interleukin-3-dependent 32D cells by using a chimeric receptor containing the recombinant epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor extracellular and transmembrane domains and the Axl kinase domain (EAK [for EGF receptor-Axl kinase]). We have previously shown that upon exogenous EGF stimulation, 32D-EAK cells are capable of proliferation in the absence of interleukin-3. With this system, we determined that EAK-induced cell survival and mitogenesis are dependent upon the Ras/extracellular-signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) cascade. Although the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase pathway is activated upon EAK signaling, it appears to be dispensable for the biological actions of the Axl kinase. Furthermore, we demonstrated that different threshold levels of Ras/ERK activation are needed to induce a block to apoptosis or proliferation in 32D cells. Recently, we have identified an Axl ligand, GAS6. Surprisingly, GAS6-stimulated 32D-Axl cells exhibited no blockage to apoptosis or mitogenic response which is correlated with the absence of Ras/ERK activation. Taken together, these data suggest that different extracellular domains dramatically alter the intracellular response of the Axl kinase. Furthermore, our data suggest that the GAS6-Axl interaction does not induce mitogenesis and that its exact role remains to be determined.

JAK2, Ras, and Raf are required for activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase by growth hormone

Protein-tyrosine kinases (PTKs) of the JAK family have been characterized on the basis of their ability to mediate the rapid induction of transcription of interferon-responsive genes through the stimulation of a class of latent cytoplasmic transcription factors known as signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs). STAT activation, which has been described as being Ras-independent, requires tyrosine phosphorylation, but STAT transactivating activity is enhanced by phosphorylation on serine as well, probably by extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase(s) (ERK/MAPK). STATs can be activated upon binding of ligands to receptor PTKs, to G-protein-linked receptors, and to cytokine receptors. Whether JAKs are required for the activation of signaling pathways other than that leading to STAT activation is not known. The binding of growth hormone (GH) to its receptor (GHR) activates JAK2 and STATs as well as ERK/MAP kinases. We have used a transient transfection system in 293 cells to evaluate the requirement for JAK2 in the activation of ERK2/MAPK by GH. We found that JAK2 is required for GH-simulated activation of ERK2/MAPK. Employing the transient expression of dominant negative forms of H-Ras and Raf-1, we determined that the GHR/JAK2-mediated activation of ERK2/MAPK is dependent on both Ras and Raf. Thus, JAK protein-tyrosine kinases may represent a common component in the activation of the ERK2/MAPK and STAT signaling pathways, which appear to bifurcate upstream of Ras activation but converge with ERK/MAPK phosphorylation of STATs.

Dominant-negative mutants of Grb2 induced reversal of the transformed phenotypes caused by the point mutation-activated rat HER-2/Neu

To clarify the role of the Shc-Grb2-Sos trimer in the oncogenic signaling of the point mutation-activated HER-2/neu receptor tyrosine kinase (named p185), we interfered with the protein-protein interactions in the Shc.Grb2.Sos complex by introducing Grb2 mutants with deletions in either amino- (delta N-Grb2) or carboxyl-(delta C-Grb2) terminal SH3 domains into B104-1-1 cells derived from NIH3T3 cells expressing the point mutation-activated HER-2/neu. We found that the transformed phenotypes of the B104-1-1 cells were largely reversed by the delta N-Grb2. The effect of the delta C-Grb2 was much weaker. Biochemical analysis showed that the delta N-Grb2 was able to associate Shc but not p185 or Sos, while the delta C-Grb2 bound to Shc, p185, and Sos. The p185-mediated Ras activation was severely inhibited by the delta N-Grb2 but not the delta C-Grb2. Taken together, these data demonstrate that interruption of the interaction between Shc and the endogenous Grb2 by the delta N-Grb2 impairs the oncogenic signaling of the activated p185, indicating that (i) the delta N-Grb2 functions as a strong dominant-negative mutant, and (ii) Shc/Grb2/Sos pathway plays a major role in mediating the oncogenic signal of the activated p185. Unlike the delta N-Grb2, delta C-Grb2 appears to be a relatively weak dominant-negative mutant, probably due to its ability to largely fulfill the biological functions of the wild-type Grb2.

Differential activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and S6 kinase signaling pathways by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and insulin. Evidence for involvement of a TPA-stimulated protein-tyrosine kinase

AG-18, an inhibitor of protein-tyrosine kinases, was employed to study the role of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins in insulin- and phorbol ester-induced signaling cascades. When incubated with Chinese hamster ovary cells overexpressing the insulin receptor, AG-18 reversibly inhibited insulin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substate-1, with minimal effects either on receptor autophosphorylation or on phosphorylation of Shc64. Under these conditions, AG-18 inhibited insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of the ribosomal protein S6, while no inhibition of insulin-induced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase or MAPK was detected. In contrast, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced activation of MAPK kinase and MAPK and phosphorylation of S6 were inhibited by AG-18. This correlated with inhibition of TPA-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins, the most prominent ones being pp114 and pp120. We conclude that Tyr-phosphorylated insulin receptor substrate-1 is the main upstream regulator of insulin-induced S6 phosphorylation by p70s6k, whereas MAPK signaling seems to be activated in these cells primarily through the adaptor molecule Shc. In contrast, TPA-induced S6 phosphorylation is mediated by the MAPK/p90rsk cascade. A key element of this TPA-stimulated signaling pathway is an AG-18-sensitive protein-tyrosine kinase.