Characterization of cDNA clones for the human c-yes gene

The Lyn kinase C-lobe mediates Golgi export of Lyn through conformation-dependent ACSL3 association

The Src-family tyrosine kinase Lyn has a role in signal transduction at the cytoplasmic face of the plasma membrane upon extracellular ligand stimulation. After synthesis in the cytoplasm, Lyn accumulates on the Golgi and is subsequently transported to the plasma membrane. However, the mechanism of Lyn trafficking remains elusive. We show here that the C-lobe of the Lyn kinase domain is associated with long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 3 (ACSL3) on the Golgi in a manner that is dependent on Lyn conformation but is independent of its kinase activity. Formation of a closed conformation by CSK prevents Lyn from associating with ACSL3, resulting in blockade of Lyn export from the Golgi. Overexpression and knockdown of ACSL3 accelerates and blocks Golgi export of Lyn, respectively. The post-Golgi route of Lyn, triggered by ACSL3, is distinct from that of vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (VSV-G) and of caveolin. Moreover, an ACSL3 mutant lacking the LR2 domain, which is required for the catalytic activity, retains the ability to associate with Lyn and accelerate Golgi export of Lyn. These results suggest that initiation of Golgi export of Lyn involves association of ACSL3 with the Lyn C-lobe, which is exposed to the molecular surface in an open conformation.

Differential trafficking of Src, Lyn, Yes and Fyn is specified by the state of palmitoylation in the SH4 domain

Src-family tyrosine kinases (SFKs), which participate in a variety of signal transduction events, are known to localize to the cytoplasmic face of the plasma membrane through lipid modification. Recently, we showed that Lyn, an SFK member, is exocytosed to the plasma membrane via the Golgi region along the secretory pathway. We show here that SFK trafficking is specified by the palmitoylation state. Yes is also a monopalmitoylated SFK and is biosynthetically transported from the Golgi pool of caveolin to the plasma membrane. This pathway can be inhibited in the trans-Golgi network (TGN)-to-cell surface delivery by temperature block at 19 degrees C or dominant-negative Rab11 GTPase. A large fraction of Fyn, a dually palmitoylated SFK, is directly targeted to the plasma membrane irrespective of temperature block of TGN exit. Fyn(C6S), which lacks the second palmitoylation site, is able to traffic in the same way as Lyn and Yes. Moreover, construction of Yes(S6C) and chimeric Lyn or Yes with the Fyn N-terminus further substantiates the importance of the dual palmitoylation site for plasma membrane targeting. Taken together with our recent finding that Src, a nonpalmitoylated SFK, is rapidly exchanged between the plasma membrane and late endosomes/lysosomes, these results suggest that SFK trafficking is specified by the palmitoylation state in the SH4 domain.

Nuclear localization of Src-family tyrosine kinases is required for growth factor-induced euchromatinization

Src-family kinases (SFKs), which participate in various signaling events, are found at not only the plasma membrane but also several subcellular compartments, including the nucleus. Nuclear structural changes are frequently observed during transcription, cell differentiation, senescence, tumorigenesis, and cell cycle. However, little is known about signal transduction in the alteration of chromatin texture. Here, we develop a pixel imaging method for quantitatively evaluating chromatin structural changes. Growth factor stimulation increases euchromatic hypocondensation and concomitant heterochromatic hypercondensation in G(1) phase, and the levels reach a plateau by 30 min, sustain for at least 5 h and return to the basal levels after 24 h. Serum-activated SFKs in the nucleus were more frequently detected in the euchromatin areas than the heterochromatin areas. Nuclear expression of kinase-active SFKs, but not unrelated Syk kinase, drastically increases both euchromatinization and heterochromatinization in a manner dependent on the levels of nuclear tyrosine phosphorylation. However, growth factor stimulation does not induce chromatin structural changes in SYF cells lacking SFKs, and reintroduction of one SFK member into SYF cells can, albeit insufficiently, induce chromatin structural changes. These results suggest that nuclear tyrosine phosphorylation by SFKs plays an important role in chromatin structural changes upon growth factor stimulation.

Differential mitotic activation of endogenous c-Src, c-Yes, and Lyn in HeLa cells

Src-family tyrosine kinases (SFKs) play an important role in mitosis. Despite overlapping expression of multiple SFK members, little is known about how individual SFK members are activated in M phase. Here, we examined mitotic activation of endogenous c-Src, c-Yes, and Lyn, which are co-expressed in HeLa cells. c-Src, c-Yes, and Lyn were activated at different levels in M phase, and the activation was inhibited by Cdc2 inactivation. Mitotic c-Src and c-Yes exhibited normal- and retarded-electrophoretic-mobility forms on SDS-polyacrylamide gels, whereas Lyn did not show mobility retardation. Like c-Src, the retardation of electrophoretic mobility of c-Yes was caused by Cdc2-mediated phosphorylation. The normal- and retarded-mobility forms of c-Src were comparably activated, but activation of the retarded-mobility form of c-Yes was higher than that of the normal-mobility form of c-Yes. Thus, these results suggest that endogenous c-Src, c-Yes, and Lyn are differentially activated through Cdc2 activation during M phase.

Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) of augmentation cystoplasties

OBJECTIVE

Tumors arising within augmentation cystoplasties are aggressive, have poor prognosis and the majority are not detected at follow-up cystoscopy. Genetic changes in tumors precede morphological abnormalities. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether genetic abnormalities detected by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) could be used to identify those patients with augmentation cystoplasties at increased risk of tumorigenesis.

METHODS

Bladder biopsy samples were obtained from 16 augmentation cystoplasty patients both distant from and near to the enterovesical anastomosis. CGH was used to detect genetic abnormalities in DNA extracted from the biopsies, archival specimens of two augmentation cystoplasties and two de novo bladder adenocarcinomas.

RESULTS

A greater number of amplifications on 2p, 3q, 8q, 9p, 17p, 18pq and 20pq, were observed in bladder biopsies obtained near to the enterovesical anastomosis compared to those taken distant to the suture line. CGH of archival augmentation cystoplasty tumor DNA indicated abnormalities at several loci with amplifications at 2q, 5q, 10p and 21pq, while deletions occurred at 5p and 16p.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study suggest that the urothelium adjacent to the bladder and/or bowel anastomosis in augmentation cystoplasties is genetically unstable. Furthermore, longitudinal studies are required to establish whether or not patients exhibiting genetic instability following augmentation cystoplasty are at greater risk of developing tumors than those with genetically stable epithelia.

Methionine aminopeptidase 2 and cancer

Methionine aminopeptidase (MetAP) is a bifunctional protein that plays a critical role in the regulation of post-translational processing and protein synthesis. In yeasts and humans, two proteins are known to possess MetAP activity, which are known as MetAP1 and MetAP2. MetAP2 has attracted much more attention than MetAP1 due to the discovery of MetAP2 as a target molecule of the anti-angiogenic compounds, fumallin and ovalicin. MetAP2 plays an important role in the development of different types of cancer. Recently, we observed a high expression of MetAP2 in human colorectal cancer tissues and colon cancer cell lines. In addition, pp60(c-src) expression was correlated with the expression of MetAP2 and N-myristoyltransferase. In this review, we discuss the recent developments of MetAP2 and its inhibitors. Future detailed studies related to MetAP2 and apoptosis will shed light on the involvement of this enzyme in the regulation of various apoptotic factors.

Role of Yes kinase during early zebrafish development

We have identified the Yes kinase in zebrafish eggs and investigated its role in development of the zebrafish embryo. In situ hybridization as well as immunofluorescence techniques demonstrated that Yes kinase is maternally expressed and is localized to the cortical region of the unfertilized egg. Fertilization resulted in concentration of Yes kinase to the blastodisc where it continued to be localized to the blastoderm cells through cleavage, gastrulation, and later development. Yes kinase activity was found to decrease abruptly at fertilization, then increase progressively during epiboly, and was maintained at high levels throughout gastrulation. The role of Yes kinase in development was tested by treating embryos with chemical protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitors such as 4-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-(t-butyl) pyrazolo[3,4-d] pyrimidine (PP2) and by injection of antisense morpholinos. Both treatments resulted in the arrest of development at the beginning of the epiboly. Co-immunoprecipitation studies demonstrated that Yes kinase participates in a stable complex with focal adhesion kinase (FAK), which is phosphorylated in vitro. These results demonstrate that Yes kinase plays an important role in epiboly and indicate that Yes kinase participates in signaling by focal adhesion kinase during early development.

Approach for defining endogenous reference genes in gene expression experiments

The quantification of gene expression by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has revolutionized the field of gene expression analysis. Due to its sensitivity and flexibility it is becoming the method of choice for many investigators. However, good normalization protocols still have to be implemented to facilitate data exchange and comparison. We have designed primers for 10 unrelated genes and developed a simple protocol to detect genes with stable expression that are suitable for use as endogenous reference genes for further use in the normalization of gene expression data obtained by real-time PCR. Using this protocol, we were able to identify human proteosome subunit Y as a reliable endogenous reference gene for human umbilical vein endothelial cells treated for up to 18 h with TNFalpha, IL-4, or IFNgamma and for B cells isolated from healthy controls and patients suffering from IgA nephropathy. Other optional endogenous reference genes that can be considered are phosphomannomutase (PPMM) and actin for endothelial cells and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and PPMM for B cells.

Nonreceptor tyrosine kinase c-Yes interacts with occludin during tight junction formation in canine kidney epithelial cells

Occludin is an integral membrane protein that is tyrosine phosphorylated when localized at tight junctions. When Ca(2+) was depleted from the culture medium, occludin tyrosine phosphorylation was diminished from Madin-Darby canine kidney epithelial cells in 2 min. This dephosphorylation was correlated with a significant reduction in transepithelial electrical resistance (TER), indicating a global loss of the tight junction barrier function. Reconstitution of Ca(2+) resulted in a robust tyrosine rephosphorylation of occludin that was temporally associated with an increase in TER. Moreover, we demonstrate in this study that occludin was colocalized with the nonreceptor tyrosine kinase c-Yes at cell junction areas and formed an immunoprecipitable complex with c-Yes in vivo. This complex dissociated when the cells were incubated in medium without Ca(2+) or treated with a c-Yes inhibitor, CGP77675. In the presence of CGP77675 after Ca(2+) repletion, occludin tyrosine phosphorylation was completely abolished and both tight junction formation and the increase of the TER were inhibited. Our study thus provides strong evidence that occludin tyrosine phosphorylation is tightly linked to tight junction formation in epithelial cells, and that the nonreceptor tyrosine kinase c-Yes is involved in the regulation of this process.

Effects of HIV-1 Nef on cellular gene expression profiles

The early human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) accessory protein Nef makes an important contribution to virulence, but the mechanisms by which Nef influences pathogenesis remain unclear. Many well-studied effects of Nef, like CD4 and class I MHC downregulation, occur posttranslationally. However, Nef has the potential to affect gene expression by interfering with cell signaling pathways and by virtue of structural features such as the Pro-X-X-Pro motif, which may interact with src homology region-3 domains of src-like kinases. We used a cDNA microarray screening strategy to identify cellular genes whose steady state transcriptional levels may be affected by Nef. We generated HeLa cell lines expressing wild-type or mutant HIV-1 nef protein sequences. Using cDNA microarray technology, we compared the patterns of cellular gene expression in the various cell lines to the pattern in non-Nef-expressing HeLa cells. By matching the patterns of cellular gene expression in HeLa cell lines expressing various Nefs with that of parental HeLa cells, we identified several cellular genes whose expression was modulated differentially by Nef and its mutants. We confirmed the differential expression of selected genes by RNA filter blotting. Genes expressed at higher levels included proteases, transcription factors, protein kinases, nuclear import/export proteins, adaptor molecules and cyclins, some of which have previously been implicated as being important for HIV replication and pathogenesis. The results indicate that Nef expression can alter the expression of cellular genes and suggest that this alteration in cellular gene expression may serve to optimize the cell to support the subsequent stages of viral replication.

Hsp27-induced MMP-9 expression is influenced by the Src tyrosine protein kinase yes

The small heat shock protein hsp27 is associated with aggressive tumor behavior in certain subsets of breast cancer patients. Previously we demonstrated that hsp27 overexpression in breast cancer cells increased in vitro and in vivo invasiveness, suggesting that hsp27 influences the metastatic process. To investigate this role for hsp27, we have utilized MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells that overexpress hsp27 and cDNA expression array technology. We demonstrate that hsp27 overexpression up-regulates MMP-9 expression and activity and down-regulates Yes expression. Furthermore, our results suggest that Yes may be involved in regulating MMP-9 expression, as well as in vitro invasion. Reconstitution of Yes expression by transfection into hsp27-overexpressing cells decreased MMP-9 expression, and increased in vitro invasiveness, abrogating the phenotype conferred by hsp27 overexpression. Therefore, our results provide a new potential mechanism by which hsp27 affects the metastatic cascade-through regulation of MMP-9 and Yes expression.

Active recombinant human tyrosine kinase c-Yes: expression in baculovirus system, purification, comparison to c-Src, and inhibition by a c-Src inhibitor

C-Yes is a non-receptor-type tyrosine kinase of the Src family that is most closely related to c-Src. C-Yes has been implicated in development of some human cancers. Here we report on the expression, purification, and characterization of the active human recombinant c-Yes. A full-length human c-Yes clone has been generated and the protein was expressed in insect Sf9 cells. Active c-Yes was purified by liquid chromatography to yield a preparation with a high specific activity (160 nmol/min/mg using an optimal Src substrate peptide). In a comparison between human c-Yes and c-Src enzymes, relative phosphorylation efficiencies on nine protein and four peptide substrates were different. However, the recently described Src inhibitor CGP77675 inhibited human c-Yes with a potency similar to that of c-Src (IC(50) value of 6.5 nM). The purified preparation of active c-Yes provides a good basis for further enzymatic characterization and for the development of c-Yes-specific inhibitors.

Multiple roles for Src in a PDGF-stimulated cell

The observation that platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) increases the catalytic activity of Src family members (Src) suggests that they contribute to PDGF-dependent responses. The role of Src in PDGF-dependent cell cycle progression, phosphorylation of proteins, and chemotaxis has been tested by investigators using a variety of cell types and approaches, and it appears that the contribution of Src is highly variable. This idea is perhaps best illustrated by the finding that Src plays radically different roles downstream of the PDGF alpha- and beta-receptor subunits. Hence, Src is a versatile signal relay enzyme, whose contribution to a signaling cascade depends on variables such as the nature of the receptor via which the cell is activated, as well as the cell type itself.

Expression of c-yes oncogene product in various animal tissues and spontaneous canine tumours

An immunohistochemical study of various visceral organs of normal adult dogs, cats, pigs, horses, cows, and chickens (five of each species) and of 185 spontaneous canine tumours was carried out using paraffin wax sections and a commercially available antibody to the human c- yes oncogene product. Among the adult normal tissues of six animal species, epithelial cells of the proximal and distal renal tubules, the myocardium, hepatocytes, cerebellar Purkinje cells and adrenal cortical cells were positive for c- yes product. Among the foetal tissues of dogs and chickens, a positive reaction was observed on canine chorionic villi cells and chick yolk sac surface epithelium, and on epithelial cells of the renal tubules, hepatocytes and the myocardium. These findings suggest that the c- yes proto-oncogene may play a physiological role in the cell growth and metabolism of these adult and foetal tissues. Of the 185 tumours tested, 59 (31.9 per cent) expressed the c- yes oncogene product. The c- yes -positive tumours accounted for 44.4 per cent (12/27) of the skin tumours, 5.5 per cent (1/18) of the round cell tumours, 35. 7 per cent (10/28) of the soft tissue tumours, 21.4 per cent (3/14) of the testicular tumours, 29.1 per cent (23/79) of the mammary tumours, and 52.6 per cent (10/19) of the other tumours types. Expression of the c- yes oncogene appeared to be common in spontaneously arising canine tumours, and the degree of expression varied considerably by tumour type.

Expression, purification, and initial characterization of human Yes protein tyrosine kinase from a bacterial expression system

Protein tyrosine kinase Yes is a cellular homolog of v-Yes, the oncogenic protein product of avian sarcoma virus Y73. Yes is a member of the Src family and its activation has been associated with several types of human cancer. Human Yes has not been previously characterized enzymatically. To carry out biochemical characterizations of this enzyme, we expressed it as a fusion protein with glutathione S-transferase in Escherichia coli, to allow purification in a single step. The affinity-purified GST-Yes has a specific activity of 1.3 nmol min-1 mg-1 with polyE4Y as substrate and Km values of 100 microg ml-1 for polyE4Y and 70 microM for ATP-Mg. The enzyme has a preference for magnesium over manganese ion for maximal activity. The divalent metal cation serves two essential functions for the activity of Yes: one as a part of the phosphate-donating substrate ATP-Mg and the other as an essential activator. The enzyme undergoes autophosphorylation without apparent activation. Finally, we show that the enzyme is inactivated by incubation with protein tyrosine kinase Csk in an ATP-Mg-dependent manner, indicating that cellular Yes can be regulated by Csk phosphorylation. These represent the first biochemical characterization of human Yes protein tyrosine kinase.

Expression of mixed lineage kinase-1 in pancreatic beta-cell lines at different stages of maturation and during embryonic pancreas development

Events controlling differentiation to insulin-secreting beta-cells in the pancreas are not well understood, although beta-cells are thought to arise from pluripotent ductal precursor cells. To search for signaling proteins that might be involved in beta-cell maturation, we analyzed protein kinase expression in two developmentally and functionally distinct pancreatic beta-cell lines, RIN-5AH and RIN-A12, by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. A number of tyrosine and serine/threonine kinases were identified in both lines. One protein kinase, mixed lineage kinase-1 (MLK-1), was expressed at both the RNA and protein levels in RIN-5AH cells, which display an immature beta-cell phenotype, but was not detected in the more mature RIN-A12 cells. Furthermore, levels of MLK-1 mRNA and protein were increased after brief stimulation of RIN-5AH cells with either the differentiation inducer, sodium butyrate, or with serum after serum starvation. These increases in expression were independent of phenotypic markers such as insulin secretion or surface expression of major histocompatibility class I- and A2B5-reactive ganglioside. In addition, increases in MLK-1 expression in the stimulated RIN-5AH cells were accompanied by phosphorylation of MLK-1 on serine but not tyrosine. Antisense oligonucleotides to two distinct regions of MLK-1 caused RIN-5AH cells, but not RIN-A12 cells, to adopt a highly undifferentiated morphology, with a reduction in DNA synthesis and MLK-1 protein levels and elevated glucagon mRNA levels, but with no effect on insulin mRNA. In an immunohistochemical survey of embryonic mouse tissues, we found that temporal expression of MLK-1 was regulated in a tissue-specific manner. In the embryonic pancreas, MLK-1 expression was evident in ductal cells from day 13 to 16 but was not detected in late stage gestation or neonatal pancreas. These data suggest that MLK-1 is regulated in immature pancreatic beta-cells and their ductal precursors at the level of functional maturity and may therefore play a role in beta-cell development.

Myristoylation

N-myristoylation is an acylation process absolutely specific to the N-terminal amino acid glycine in proteins. This maturation process concerns about a hundred proteins in lower and higher eukaryotes involved in oncogenesis, in secondary cellular signalling, in infectivity of retroviruses and, marginally, of other virus types. Thy cytosolic enzyme responsible for this activity, N-myristoyltransferase (NMT), studied since 1987, has been purified from different sources. However, the studies of the specificities of the various NMTs have not progressed in detail except for those relating to the yeast cytosolic enzyme. Still to be explained are differences in species specificity and between various putative isoenzymes, also whether the data obtained from the yeast enzyme can be transposed to other NMTs. The present review discusses data on the various addressing processes subsequent to myristoylation, a patchwork of pathways that suggests myristoylation is only the first step of the mechanisms by which a protein associates with the membrane. Concerning the enzyme itself, there are evidences that NMT is also present in the endoplasmic reticulum and that its substrate specificity is different from that of the cytosolic enzyme(s). These differences have major implications for their differential inhibition and for their respective roles in several pathologies. For instance, the NMTs from mammalians are clearly different from those found in several microorganisms, which raises the question whether the NMT may be a new targets for fungicides. Finally, since myristoylation has a central role in virus maturation and oncogenesis, specific NMT inhibitors might lead to potent antivirus and anticancer agents.

The role of Src family kinases in the normal and neoplastic gastrointestinal tract

Src family kinases are a group of non-receptor tyrosine kinases that mediate signal transduction pathways involved in the growth and differentiation of normal tissues. Considerable evidence exists for a role of these proteins in neoplastic progression in various organ systems including the nervous, hematopoietic and skeletal systems. In addition, the role of the Src kinase family has been characterized for colon cancer, but only limited progress has been made in delineating the role of Src kinases in the normal gastrointestinal (GI) tract and extracolonic GI cancers. In this review, we provide an up-to-date assessment of the Src family kinases in the normal and neoplastic GI tract.

Expression of protooncogene-encoded mRNA by colonic epithelial cells in inflammatory bowel disease

Protooncogenes are cell cycle-related genes that are involved in cell growth of proliferation. Alterations in the level of expression of these genes, or expression of aberrant gene productions, have been observed in tumors and precancerous conditions. To determine if expression of these genes is altered in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) --who are at risk for development of colon cancer--we assayed transcripts of 15 protooncogenes in colonic epithelial cells of IBD patients and controls. Nine of these genes (H-ras, c-myc, c-fos, c-jun, junB, N-myc, c-abl, c-yes, and p53) were expressed in epithelial cells, whereas two (RB1 and N-ras) were not. expression of four other genes (c-src, K-ras, c-raf, and c-myb) was observed, but the intensity of these bands was too low for densitometric analysis. The steady-state levels of transcripts of H-ras and five nuclear protooncogenes (c-myc, c-fos, c-jun, junB, and N-myc) were lower in epithelial cells from involved or uninvolved IBD samples than in normal epithelial cells from either sporadic colon cancer or diverticulitis patients. The level of c-fos mRNA was two- to threefold higher in involved than in uninvolved areas of the colons of two ulcerative colitis (UC) patients, but not in one Crohn's disease (CD) patient. Message abundance of c-abl transcripts was two- to threefold lower in UC epithelial cells than in either the CD or control samples. The steady-state level of c-yes-encoded mRNA was considerably higher in IBD patients resected for colon cancer than in patients resected for active chronic IBD or in controls. The level of p53 message was constant in these samples. Increased levels of c-fos mRNA in involved UC relative to uninvolved UC may be related to the disease process. Decreased expression of c-abl transcript in UC may be a diagnostic marker for UC and may be related to the rate of cell turnover in these diseases. Enhanced expression of c-yes in IBD patients with tumors compared to active chronic IBD and controls suggests that expression of this gene may be a marker for development of colon cancer in IBD.

Nuclear import of protein kinases and cyclins

Karyophilic and acidic clusters were found in most nonmembrane serine/threonine protein kinases whose primary structure was examined. These karyophilic clusters might mediate the anchoring of the kinase molecules to transporter proteins for their regulated nuclear import and might constitute the nuclear localization signals (NLS) of the kinase molecules. In contrast to protein transcription factors that are exclusively nuclear possessing strong karyophilic peptides composed of at least four arginines (R) and lysines (K) within an hexapeptide flanked by proline and glycine helix-breakers, protein kinases often contain one histidine and three K+R residues; this is proposed to specify a weak NLS structure resulting in the nuclear import of a fraction of the total cytoplasmic kinase molecules as well as in their weak retention in the different ionic strength nuclear environment. Putative NLS peptides in protein kinases may also contain hydrophobic or bulky aromatic amino acids proposed to further diminish their capacity to act as strong NLS. Most kinases lacking karyophilic clusters (c-Mos, v-Mos, sea star MAP, and yeast KIN28, SRA1, SRA3, TPK1, TPK2) also lack acidic clusters, which is in contrast to most kinases containing both acidic and karyophilic peptides; this and the presence of R/K clusters in the transporter proteins supports a role of acidic clusters on kinases in nuclear import. Cyclins B lack karyophilic signals and are proposed to be imported into nuclei via their association with Cdc2.

rTS gene expression is associated with altered cell sensitivity to thymidylate synthase inhibitors

rTS is a recently discovered gene, phylogenetically conserved and found to be expressed in a wide variety of cell lines. rTS has also been found to be overexpressed in two cell lines resistant to FU and to MTX. The MTX-resistant cell line was found to have a high degree of cross resistance to several TS inhibitors. An apparent paradox to this correlation of rTS overexpression and resistance to TS inhibitors is the observation that expression of transfected rTS alpha results in enhanced sensitivity of cells to the TS inhibitor prodrug TFT and a modest increase in resistance to FUdR. Since immunoprecipitation of TS leads to the co-immunoprecipitation of two proteins within the expected molecular weight range of the two rTS proteins, it may be that both proteins bind to TS in vivo and modify its activity. Preliminary data substantiate this conclusion. It is conceivable that the ratio of the two rTS proteins associated with TS in vivo may differentially alter TS activity depending upon their stoichiometry or possibly posttranslational modification. Thus it may be possible for rTS to confer greater sensitivity to one pyrimidine analog (e.g., TFT) which is a product analog but to increase resistance or have a minor effect on a substrate analog (e.g., FdUMP) by stabilizing different conformations of TS. The structure of the rTS proteins suggests they are expected to have catalytic activity which involves proton abstraction from an alpha-carbon of a carboxyl group. Whether this enzyme activity is functional and related to pyrimidine metabolism awaits further study.

Physical mapping of the holoprosencephaly critical region in 18p11.3

Holoprosencephaly (HPE) is a common developmental defect that results in a spectrum of craniofacial malformations. HPE is genetically heterogeneous, some cases being associated with deletions of the short arm of chromosome 18. In order to map the putative HPE gene located on 18p (HPE4) more precisely, six patients with various cytogenetic 18p deletions and clinical features of HPE have been characterized by using a combination of somatic cell hybrid analysis and FISH. By using a set of 27 chromosome 18p-specific markers, the deletion in each patient was characterized. The HPE minimal critical region on 18p was defined on a molecular level, localizing the HPE4 gene to 18p11.3.

Sequence of the canine c-yes proto-oncogene

Cloning of the canine yes oncogene was attempted from a cDNA library derived from a healthy canine spleen using a human c-yes-1 probe. The nucleotide and amino acid sequences revealed that the canine yes gene contained an open reading frame consisting of 539 amino acids. Its product had a molecular mass of 60,368 Daltons and showed 95.9 per cent and 90.4 per cent homology with human and chick p61c-yes, respectively. Moreover, the product had a myristylation signal, src homology region (SH) 3, SH2, and tyrosine kinase domains showing 98.8 per cent and 96.0 per cent homology with those of human beings and chickens, respectively. These findings indicate that the products of the canine yes gene may have non-receptor-type tyrosine kinase activity on the cell membrane, as is the case in human and chick p61c-yes.

Specific binding of Fyn and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase to the B cell surface glycoprotein CD19 through their src homology 2 domains

CD19 is a B cell surface protein capable of forming non-covalent molecular complexes with a number of other B cell surface proteins including the CD21/CD81/Leu-13 complex as well as with surface immunoglobulin. CD19 tyrosine phosphorylation increases after B cell activation, and is proposed to play a role in signal transduction through its cytoplasmic domain, which contains nine tyrosine residues. Several second messenger proteins have been shown to immunoprecipitate with CD19, including p59 Fyn (Fyn), p59 Lyn (Lyn) and phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI-3 kinase). These associations are predicted to occur via the src-homology 2 (SH2) domains of the second messenger proteins. Two of the cytoplasmic tyrosines in the CD19 cytoplasmic region contain the consensus binding sequence for the PI-3 kinase SH2 domain (YPO4-X-X-M). However, the reported consensus binding sequence for the Fyn and Lyn SH2 domains (YPO4-X-X-I/L) is not found in CD19. We investigated the capacity of CD19 cytoplasmic tyrosines to bind both Fyn and PI-3 kinase SH2-domain fusion proteins. In activated B cells, both Fyn and PI-3 kinase SH2-domain fusion proteins precipitate CD19. Using synthetic tyrosine-phosphorylated peptides comprising each of the CD19 cytoplasmic tyrosines and surrounding amino acids, we investigated the ability of the Fyn SH2 and PI-3 kinase SH2 fusion proteins to bind to the different CD19 cytoplasmic phosphotyrosine peptides. ELISA revealed that the two CD19 cytoplasmic tyrosine residues contained within the Y-X-X-M sequences (Y484 and Y515) bound preferentially to the PI-3 kinase SH2-domain fusion proteins. Two different tyrosines (Y405 and Y445) bound preferentially to the Fyn SH2-domain fusion protein via a novel sequence, Y-E-N-D/E, different from that previously reported for the Fyn SH2 domain. In precipitation studies, peptide Y484 was able to compete with tyrosine phosphorylated CD19 specifically for binding to the PI-3 kinase SH2 domain fusion proteins, while peptides Y405 and Y445 were able to compete specifically for binding to the Fyn SH2 domain fusion proteins. These results indicate that CD19 may be capable of binding both Fyn and PI-3 kinase concurrently, suggesting a mechanism for CD19 signal transduction, in which binding of PI-3 kinase to the Fyn SH3 domain results in activation of PI-3 kinase.

Mammalian myristoyl CoA: protein N-myristoyltransferase

Myristoyl CoA:Protein N-myristoyltransferase (NMT) is the enzyme which catalyses the covalent transfer of myristate from myristoyl CoA to the amino-terminal glycine residue of protein substrates. Although NMT is ubiquitous in eukaryotic cells, the enzyme levels and cellular distribution vary among tissues. In this article, we describe the properties of mammalian NMT(s) with reference to subcellular distribution, molecular weights, substrate specificity and the possible involvement of NMT in pathological processes. The cytosolic fraction of bovine brain contains majority of NMT activity. In contrast, rabbit colon and rat liver NMT activity was predominantly particulate. Regional differences in NMT activity have been observed in both rabbit intestine and bovine brain. Results from our laboratory along with the existing knowledge, provide evidence for the existence of tissue specific isozymes of NMT.

The non-receptor tyrosine kinase Lyn is localised in the developing murine blood-brain barrier

The blood-brain barrier, formed by brain endothelium, is critical for brain function. The development of the blood-brain barrier involves brain angiogenesis and endothelial cell differentiation, processes which require active signal transduction pathways. The differentiation of brain endothelial cells to the "blood-brain-barrier phenotype" involves cytoskeletal changes which modulate the tightness of the barrier. In order to identify signal transduction proteins involved in blood-brain barrier development, cDNA from bovine and murine brain endothelial cells was used in a polymerase chain reaction for cloning of DNA encoding Src homology 3 domains. Src homology 3 domains are structural domains found in many signal transduction proteins. These domains often mediate interaction of signaling proteins with the cytoskeleton and therefore may play a role in the regulation of the cytoskeletal changes which occur during blood-brain-barrier development. Unexpectedly, all bovine and murine clones analyzed from polymerase chain reactions encoded the Src homology 3 domain of one protein, namely the non-receptor tyrosine kinase, Lyn, which is involved in signal transduction in cells of the hemopoietic system. In situ hybridization analyses confirmed the presence of lyn mRNA in developing blood vessels in embryonic and early post-natal mouse brain, but not in endothelium outside the brain. In bovine brain endothelial cells in primary culture, p53lyn is highly abundant and present in two forms which have different patterns of tyrosine phosphorylation. These data suggest that Lyn may be involved in transduction of growth and differentiation signals required for blood-brain-barrier development.

Toxic principle of selva ant venom is a pore-forming protein transformer

Ectatomin (Ea) is a newly isolated main toxic component of Ectatomma tuberculatum ant venom. Structural and electrophysiological studies were performed with purified Ea. The protein consists of two homologous polypeptide chains (37 and 34 residues) and forms a four alpha-helix bundle in aqueous solution. On insertion into artificial bilayer membranes, two Ea molecules form an ion pore. Our results suggest that the 'inside-out' mechanism of pore formation requires a significant movement of Ea helical parts. The pore formation in the cell membrane might well explain the toxic activity of Ea, not excluding at the same time its intracellular activities.

Gene amplification in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Among 426 consecutively ascertained and karyotypically abnormal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) tumours, cytological evidence for gene amplification in the form of homogeneously staining regions (HSRs) was encountered in nine cases of large cell diffuse lymphoma (LC-DL). The mean age of patients with HSRs was 62.9 years and four died within a year of diagnosis. To identify candidate gene(s) amplified in these tumours, we performed a Southern blot analysis of tumour DNA using probes for 23 known protooncogenes and the multidrug resistance gene, PGY1. Besides a two-fold amplification of the BCL2 gene in two cases, no evidence for overt amplification of any of the genes assayed was found. To confirm DNA amplification in these specimens we performed the DNA in-gel renaturation assay. Evidence for presence of amplified DNA fragments was obtained in four of seven specimens. These results suggest amplification of a novel gene(s). To our knowledge, this is the first formal study of gene amplification in a large consecutively ascertained series of fresh lymphoma biopsies.

A role for the fyn oncogene in metastasis of methylcholanthrene-induced fibrosarcoma A cells

Expression of various oncogenes (ras, myc, erbB2, src, fyn, yes and sis) in a high-metastatic clone (MH-02) derived from a murine methylcholanthrene-induced fibrosarcoma A (Meth A) was compared with those of its parent clone (ML-01) by Northern blot analysis. Two oncogenes, fyn, belonging to the tyrosine-kinase family, and sis, belonging to the cellular-growth-factor family, were found to have higher signals (3.6-fold and 1.8-fold respectively) in MH-02 than in ML-01 cells. To explore the possibility that higher expression of these oncogenes is involved in enhanced metastasis of the MH-02 clone, ML-01 was transfected by a fyn vector and the metastatic potential of the transfectant was examined. Mice administered fyn-transfected ML-01 cells had significantly increased metastatic nodules in the lung, as compared with those whose ML-01 cells were transfected with control vector without the fyn gene. The result indicates that the fyn gene is one of the factors governing the metastatic potential of Meth A cells.

Neuronal localization of the tyrosine-specific protein kinase p62c-yes in rat basal ganglia

The cellular localization of the tyrosine-specific protein kinase p62c-yes, the product of the proto-oncogene c-yes, has been examined in the striatonigral neurons which interconnect the rat neostriatum and substantia nigra. Although p62c-yes was more enriched in the neostriatum than in the substantia nigra, excitotoxin-induced necrosis of nerve cells in the neostriatum led to 50-60% decreases of p62c-yes both in the lesioned neostriatum and in the ipsilateral substantia nigra. Hence, the p62c-yes tyrosine kinase is present both in the cell body region and in the axonal and nerve terminal region of the striatonigral neurons. This localization indicates that the enzyme may be involved in both presynaptic and postsynaptic functions in mammalian forebrain neurons.

ZAP-70: a 70 kd protein-tyrosine kinase that associates with the TCR zeta chain

Protein-tyrosine kinases (PTKs) play an integral role in T cell activation. Stimulation of the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) results in tyrosine phosphorylation of a number of cellular substrates. One of these is the TCR zeta chain, which can mediate the transduction of extracellular stimuli into cellular effector functions. We have recently identified a 70 kd tyrosine phosphoprotein (ZAP-70) that associates with zeta and undergoes tyrosine phosphorylation following TCR stimulation. Here we report the isolation of a cDNA clone encoding ZAP-70. ZAP-70 represents a novel PTK and is expressed in T and natural killer cells. Moreover, tyrosine phosphorylation and association of ZAP-70 with zeta require the presence of src family PTKs and provide a potential mechanism by which the src family PTKs and ZAP-70 may interact to mediate TCR signal transduction.

Large scale cDNA sequencing for analysis of quantitative and qualitative aspects of gene expression

Large scale sequencing of cDNAs provides a complementary approach to structural analysis of the human genome by generating expressed sequence tags (ESTs). We have initiated the large-scale sequencing of a 3'-directed cDNA library from the human liver cell line HepG2, that is a non-biased representation of the mRNA population. 982 random cDNA clones were sequenced yielding more than 270 kilobases. A significant portion of the identified genes encoded secretable proteins and components for protein-synthesis. The abundance of cDNA species varied from 2.2% to less than 0.004%. Fifty two percent of the mRNA were abundant species consisting of 173 genes and the rest were non-abundant, consisting of about 6,600 genes.

Cross-linking of surface immunoglobulin activates src-related tyrosine kinases in WEHI 231 cells

Crosslinking of sIgM on the B cell line WEHI 231 with anti-sIgM antibody induces protein tyrosine phosphorylation, implicating protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) in sIg-mediated signal transduction. We have analyzed this cell line for members of the src family of PTKs and have evaluated whether these PTKs might be involved in the process of sIgM-mediated signaling. Our results show that Blk, Lyn, Lck, and Hck are detectable in WEHI 231 cells. Addition of antibodies to sIgM were found to variably stimulate the activities of Blk, Lyn, Lck, and Hck as measured by immune-complex protein kinase assays. Autophosphorylation of these src PTKs, as assessed by reaction with anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies, increased over the time course of sIgM-mediated activation. Co-immunoprecipitation studies to investigate the potential physical interaction of src PTKs with the sIgM receptor complex revealed that, under digitonin and Brij 96 lysis conditions Lyn, Lck, Hck, but not Blk associated with sIgM.

Examination of B lymphoid cell lines for membrane immunoglobulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation and src-family tyrosine kinase mRNA expression

Crosslinking of membrane immunoglobulin (mIg) on B cells induces two signal transduction pathways: protein tyrosine phosphorylation and phosphoinositide turnover. A panel of murine and human B cell-lines, representing different stages of B cell development, was examined for the presence of anti-immunoglobulin-induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Of 10 B cell lines examined, only one, the human Raji cell line, had no detectably induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation. The pattern of proteins that were phosphorylated on tyrosine in response to mIg crosslinking differed somewhat in cell lines representing different stages of B cell development. Differences in the levels of constitutive phosphorylation of proteins were also observed between the cell lines. The identity of the tyrosine kinase(s) activated by membrane immunoglobulin ligation is not known. However, members of the src family of intracellular tyrosine kinases have been implicated as signal transduction molecules. As the tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins is a general phenomenon of signal transduction by membrane immunoglobulin, the tyrosine kinase(s) activated by it might be expected to be present in all cell lines in which the tyrosine phosphorylation signalling occurs. Therefore we examined these B cells for expression of mRNAs encoding the eight known src-like tyrosine kinases. Surprisingly, all eight kinase mRNAs were expressed in at least some of the B cell lines examined. The expression pattern of the fyn, hck, and lck genes suggests that expression of these kinases may be developmentally regulated in the B cell lineage. Three of the kinases, p55blk, p53/p56lyn and p60src, were detected in all 10 B cell lines. Whereas the src gene shows a ubiquitous pattern of expression, the expression of the blk and lyn genes is mostly restricted to cells of hematopoietic origin, and more especially B lymphoid cells. Thus, p55blk and p53/p56lyn may be particularly good candidates for the membrane immunoglobulin-activated tyrosine kinase.

Isolation of the avian transforming retrovirus, AS42, carrying the v-maf oncogene and initial characterization of its gene product

A novel avian transforming retrovirus was isolated from a chicken musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma. This virus (called AS42) induces tumors histopathologically indistinguishable from the original sarcoma after a long latent period when inoculated into newborn chickens. AS42 also exhibits a weak transforming activity when infected into chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF). This virus is replication-defective and associated with a helper virus of subgroup A (called ASAV). An AS42-specific protein of about 100 kDa was immunoprecipitated from lysates of AS42-transformed CEF with antiserum directed against avian retrovirus virion proteins. Molecular analysis of the genomic structure of the AS42 virus has revealed that this 100-kDa protein represents a novel oncogene, v-maf of cellular origin, which is fused with a part of the viral gag gene (Nishizawa et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86, 7711-7715, 1989). Interestingly, some size variation was observed among the gag-maf fusion proteins found in individual clones of transformed CEF. Consistent with this observation, Southern blot analyses and nucleotide sequence determination of several independent isolates of proviral DNA indicated that this virus segregates multiple forms of deletion mutants, probably through homologous recombinations among the repetitive sequences present within the v-maf coding region.

A protein-tyrosine phosphatase with sequence similarity to the SH2 domain of the protein-tyrosine kinases

The phosphorylation of proteins at tyrosine residues is critical in cellular signal transduction, neoplastic transformation and control of the mitotic cycle. These mechanisms are regulated by the activities of both protein-tyrosine kinases (PTKs) and protein-tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases). As in the PTKs, there are two classes of PTPases: membrane associated, receptor-like enzymes and soluble proteins. Here we report the isolation of a complementary DNA clone encoding a new form of soluble PTPase, PTP1C. The enzyme possesses a large noncatalytic region at the N terminus which unexpectedly contains two adjacent copies of the Src homology region 2 (the SH2 domain) found in various nonreceptor PTKs and other cytoplasmic signalling proteins. As with other SH2 sequences, the SH2 domains of PTP1C formed high-affinity complexes with the activated epidermal growth factor receptor and other phosphotyrosine-containing proteins. These results suggest that the SH2 regions in PTP1C may interact with other cellular components to modulate its own phosphatase activity against interacting substrates. PTPase activity may thus directly link growth factor receptors and other signalling proteins through protein-tyrosine phosphorylation.

Characterization of two 85 kd proteins that associate with receptor tyrosine kinases, middle-T/pp60c-src complexes, and PI3-kinase

Affinity-purified bovine brain phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) contains two major proteins of 85 and 110 kd. Amino acid sequence analysis and cDNA cloning reveals two related 85 kd proteins (p85 alpha and p85 beta), which both contain one SH3 and two SH2 regions (src homology regions). When expressed, these 85 kd proteins bind to and are substrates for tyrosine-phosphorylated receptor kinases and the polyoma virus middle-T antigen/pp60c-src complex, but lack PI3-kinase activity. However, an antiserum raised against p85 beta immunoprecipitates PI3-kinase activity. The active PI3-kinase complex containing p85 alpha or p85 beta and the 110 kd protein binds to PDGF but not EGF receptors. p85 alpha and p85 beta may mediate specific PI3-kinase interactions with a subset of tyrosine kinases.

DNA methylation and oncogene expression in methapyrilene-induced rat liver tumors and in treated hepatocytes in culture

Continued exposure of rats to carcinogenic doses of methapyrilene (MP) leads to elevated levels of 5-methyl-deoxycytidine (5MC) in liver DNA. Since gene expression often correlates with DNA methylation, we investigated these parameters in the MP-induced hepatocellular carcinomas of Fischer 344 rats. DNA was hypermethylated in liver tissue surrounding the tumors relative to liver tissue of untreated controls of the same age, while tumor DNA was not; DNA methylation declined to normal levels when MP treatment ceased. Gene expression analysis showed measurable levels of mRNA for c-Ki-ras, erb-B, erb-B2, hck, src, lyn, vav, trk, raf-1, l-myc, c-jun, c-yes, c-myc, c-abl, and p53. No significant differences in expression for these and other oncogenes were seen between tumors and surrounding livers, although erb-B2 and vav showed visible decreases compared with normal liver. Hypermethylation of DNA and expression of these oncogenes in MP-treated tissues were not correlated. Levels of mRNA for the same genes in MP-treated hepatocytes in culture were similar to in vivo levels; analysis of DNA synthesis levels showed that this gene expression pattern occurred in the absence of proliferation bursts or toxicity in these cells, thus suggesting that treatment in vivo may produce the same results.