Haemopoietic growth factor regulation of protein kinases and genes associated with cell proliferation

Haemopoietic growth factors stimulate a number of common biochemical and molecular events despite the high specificity of individual ligand-receptor interactions. Analysis of three distinct colony-stimulating factors (CSFs), interleukin 3 (IL-3), granulocyte-CSF and granulocyte macrophage-CSF, and the lymphocytotropic growth factor IL-2 revealed remarkably similar distal subcellular biochemical signals, although the mode of initial membrane signal transduction may differ significantly. Both early progenitor cell growth factors, such as IL-3, and late-acting factors, such as CSF-1, stimulate tyrosine and serine/threonine substrate phosphorylations. One substrate (p68) is phosphorylated in response to many CSFs and to IL-2, suggesting that it plays a highly conserved role in the signal transduction processes of many different receptor(s). The proliferative CSFs and IL-2 also stimulate the expression of many of the same genes, including protooncogenes, the ornithine decarboxylase gene, and members of the phylogenetically ancient family of stress response genes. Thus although initial membrane events may differ among the proliferative stimulants, the biochemical and molecular convergence of signalling pathways on highly conserved cellular substrates and on the programme of gene expression is seen.

Phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase contributes to the transformation of hematopoietic cells by the D816V c-Kit mutant

Stem cell factor (SCF) binds the receptor tyrosine kinase c-Kit and is critical for normal hematopoiesis. Substitution of valine for aspartic acid 816 (D816V) constitutively actives human c-Kit, and this mutation is found in patients with mastocytosis, leukemia, and germ cell tumors. Immortalized murine progenitor cells (MIHCs) transduced with wild-type c-Kit proliferate in response to SCF, whereas cells expressing D816V c-Kit (MIHC-D816V) are factor-independent and tumorigenic. However, the mechanisms mediating transformation by D816V c-Kit are unknown. The objective of this study was to identify signaling components that contribute to D816V c-Kit-mediated transformation. SCF stimulates association of p85PI3K with phosphorylated tyrosine 721 of wild-type c-Kit. Phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K) subsequently contributes to the activation of Akt and Jnks. In contrast, these studies demonstrated that the D816V c-Kit mutant was constitutively associated with phosphorylated p85PI3K, and, downstream of PI3K, Jnk 1 and Jnk 2 were activated but Akt was not. Interestingly, Erks 1 and 2 were not constitutively activated by D816V c-Kit. Thus, D816V c-Kit maintains the activity of PI3K but not of all signaling pathways activated by wild-type c-Kit. Further, all pathways downstream of PI3K are not constitutively active in MIHC-D816V cells. Studies with a PI3K inhibitor and D816V/Y721F c-Kit, a mutant incapable of recruiting PI3K, indicate that constitutive activation of PI3K through direct recruitment by D816V c-Kit plays a role in factor-independent growth of MIHC and is critical for tumorigenicity.

Lyn is required for normal stem cell factor-induced proliferation and chemotaxis of primary hematopoietic cells

Stem cell factor (SCF) binds to c-Kit and is an important mediator of survival, growth, and function of hematopoietic progenitor cells and mast cells. Lyn and other Src family members are activated by SCF and associate with phosphorylated tyrosine residues in the c-Kit juxtamembrane region. However, studies using c-Kit mutants incapable of directly recruiting Src family members suggest this kinase family plays a minimal role in c-Kit stimulus-response coupling mechanisms. The objective of this study was to specifically target Lyn and subsequently address its role in SCF-mediated responses of primary hematopoietic progenitor cells and mast cells. To this end, a dominant-inhibitory Lyn mutant and Lyn-deficient mice were used. Transfection of normal murine mast cells with kinase-inactive Lyn impaired SCF-induced growth. Further, SCF-induced proliferation and chemotaxis of Lyn-deficient mast cells were less than for wild-type mast cells. SCF-induced growth of progenitor cells lacking Lyn was also reduced compared with that of wild-type progenitor cells. Impairment of SCF-mediated responses of Lyn-deficient mast cells and progenitor cells did not result from reductions in surface expression of c-Kit. These studies demonstrate that Lyn is required for normal SCF-mediated responses of primary progenitors and for a differentiated lineage.

Maturation of erythroid cells and erythroleukemia development are affected by the kinase activity of Lyn

This study examined the impact of the tyrosine kinase Lyn on erythropoietin-induced intracellular signaling in erythroid cells. In J2E erythroleukemic cells, Lyn coimmunoprecipitated with numerous proteins, including SHP-1, SHP-2, ras-GTPase-activating protein, signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) 5a, STAT5b, and mitogen-activated protein kinase; however, introduction of a dominant-negative Lyn (Y397F Lyn) inhibited the interaction of Lyn with all of these molecules except SHP-1. Cells containing the dominant-negative Lyn displayed altered intracellular phosphorylation patterns, including mitogen-actiated protein kinase, but not erythropoietin receptor, Janus-activated kinase (JAK) 2, or STAT5. As a consequence, erythropoietin-initiated differentiation and basal proliferation were severely impaired. Y397F Lyn reduced the protein levels of erythroid transcription factors erythroid Kruppel-like factor and GATA-1 up to 90%, which accounts for the inability of J2E cells expressing Y397F Lyn to synthesize hemoglobin. Although Lyn was shown to bind several sites on the cytoplasmic domain of the erythropoietin receptor, it was not activated when a receptor mutated at the JAK2 binding site was ectopically expressed in J2E cells indicating that JAK2 is the primary kinase in erythropoietin signaling and that Lyn is a secondary kinase. In normal erythroid progenitors, erythropoietin enhanced phosphorylation of Lyn; moreover, exogenous Lyn increased colony forming unit-erythroid, but not burst forming uniterythroid, colonies from normal progenitors, demonstrating a stage-specific effect of the kinase. Significantly, altering Lyn activity in J2E cells had a profound effect on the development of erythroleukemias in vivo: the mortality rate was markedly reduced and latent period extended when either wild-type Lyn or Y397F Lyn was introduced into these cells. Taken together, these data show that Lyn plays an important role in intracellular signaling in nontransformed and leukemic erythroid cells.

Early signaling pathways activated by c-Kit in hematopoietic cells

c-Kit is a receptor tyrosine kinase that binds stem cell factor (SCF). Structurally, c-Kit contains five immunoglobulin-like domains extracellularly and a catalytic domain divided into two regions by a 77 amino acid insert intracellularly. Studies in white spotting and steel mice have shown that functional SCF and c-Kit are critical in the survival and development of stem cells involved in hematopoiesis, pigmentation and reproduction. Mutations in c-Kit are associated with a variety of human diseases. Interaction of SCF with c-Kit rapidly induces receptor dimerization and increases in autophosphorylation activity. Downstream of c-Kit, multiple signal transduction components are activated, including phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase, Src family members, the JAK/STAT pathway and the Ras-Raf-MAP kinase cascade. Structure-function studies have begun to address the role of these signaling components in SCF-mediated responses. This review will focus on the biochemical mechanism of action of SCF in hematopoietic cells.

Signaling via Src family kinases is required for normal internalization of the receptor c-Kit

Stem cell factor (SCF) exerts its biological effects by binding to a specific receptor, the tyrosine kinase c-Kit, which is expressed on the cell surface. Although normal cellular trafficking of growth factor receptors may play a critical role in the modulation of receptor function, the mechanisms that regulate the distribution of c-Kit on the cell surface and the internalization of c-Kit have not been fully defined. We investigated whether signal transduction via Src family kinases is required for normal c-Kit trafficking. Treatment of the SCF-responsive human hematopoietic cell line MO7e with the inhibitor of Src family kinases PP1 blocked SCF-induced capping of c-Kit and internalization of c-Kit. c-Kit was able to associate with clathrin in the presence of PP1, suggesting that entry of c-Kit into clathrin-coated pits occurs independently of Src family kinases. SCF-induced internalization of c-Kit was also diminished in the D33-3 lymphoid cell line in which expression of Lyn kinase was disrupted by homologous recombination. These results indicate that Src family kinases play a role in ligand-induced trafficking of c-Kit.

Lyn is activated during late G1 of stem-cell-factor-induced cell cycle progression in haemopoietic cells

Stem cell factor (SCF) binds the receptor tyrosine kinase c-Kit and is critical in haemopoiesis. Recently we found that the Src family member Lyn is highly expressed in SCF-responsive cells, associates with c-Kit and is activated within minutes of the addition of SCF. Here we show that SCF activates Lyn a second time, hours later, during SCF-induced cell cycle progression. In cells arrested at specific phases of the cell cycle with the drugs mimosine, aphidicolin and nocodazole, maximal Lyn kinase activity occurred in late G(1) and through the G(1)/S transition. Similarly, kinetic studies of SCF-induced cell cycle progression found that activation of Lyn preceded the G(1)/S transition and was maintained into early S-phase. Activation of Lyn was paralleled by two events critical for the G(1)/S transition, increases in cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (Cdk2) activity and phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma gene product (Rb). Lyn was associated with Cdk2; Cdk2-associated Lyn was heavily phosphorylated on serine and threonine residues both in vitro and in situ during S-phase. Inhibition of Lyn activity with PP1 disrupted association with Cdk2 and decreased the numbers of cells entering S-phase. The degree of phosphorylation of Rb in PP1-treated cells suggested an increased number of cells arrested in the middle of G(1). These findings demonstrate that SCF activates the Src family member Lyn before the G(1)/S transition of the cell cycle and suggest that Lyn is involved in SCF-induced cell cycle progression.

Lck associates with and is activated by Kit in a small cell lung cancer cell line: inhibition of SCF-mediated growth by the Src family kinase inhibitor PP1

At least 70% of small cell lung cancers (SCLCs) express the Kit receptor tyrosine kinase and its ligand, stem cell factor (SCF). In an effort to define the signal transduction pathways activated by Kit in SCLC, we focused on Src family kinases and, in particular, Lck, a Src-related tyrosine kinase that is expressed in hemopoietic cells and certain tumors, including SCLC. SCF treatment of the H526 cell line induced a physical association between Kit and Lck that, in vitro, was dependent on phosphorylation of the juxtamembrane domain of Kit. Stimulation of Kit with recombinant SCF resulted in a rapid 3-6-fold increase in the specific activity of Lck, which was similar in magnitude to the activation of Lck resulting from the cross-linking of the T-cell receptor complex of Jurkat cells. Lck activity peaked by 5 min after SCF addition, and the elevated activity persisted for at least 30 min in the presence of SCF, with kinetics similar to the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase. PP1, an inhibitor of Src family kinases with selectivity for Lck, completely inhibited SCF-mediated growth but had little effect on insulin-like growth factor-I-mediated growth. PP1 antagonized both SCF-mediated proliferation and inhibition of apoptosis. PP1 had no effect on Kit kinase activity but was shown to block total Lck activity by at least 90% by immune complex kinase assay. Low levels of Src, Hck, and Yes were also expressed in the H526 cell line; only Yes showed a consistent increase in specific activity, which was also inhibited by PP1 following SCF treatment. These data demonstrate that, in the H526 SCLC cell line, Lck and, possibly, Yes are downstream of Kit in a signal transduction pathway; the inhibition by PP1 of SCF-mediated proliferation and inhibition of apoptosis suggests that Src family kinases are intermediates in the signaling pathways that regulate these processes.

Stem cell factor, the JAK-STAT pathway and signal transduction

Recent work has demonstrated the importance of Janus family kinases (JAKs) and signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) in the stimulus-response coupling of receptors lacking intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity. In particular, the JAK-STAT pathway appears critical in signal transduction by interferon as well as numerous hematopoietic growth factors interacting with members of the hemapoietin receptor superfamily. Although ligands that interact with receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK), such as epidermal growth factor (EGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and colony stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1), have been shown to induce increases in phosphorylation of both JAKs and STATs, little is known about activation of this pathway by stem cell factor (SCF). This review will summarize what is known about the JAK/STAT pathway in relation to SCF signal transduction.

Lyn associates with the juxtamembrane region of c-Kit and is activated by stem cell factor in hematopoietic cell lines and normal progenitor cells

Stem cell factor (SCF) is a cytokine critical for normal hematopoiesis. The receptor for SCF is c-Kit, a receptor tyrosine kinase. Our laboratory is interested in delineating critical components of the SCF signal transduction pathway in hematopoietic tissue. The present study examines activation of Src family members in response to SCF. Stimulation of cell lines as well as normal progenitor cells with SCF rapidly increased tyrosine phosphorylation of the Src family member Lyn. Peak responses were noted 10-20 min after SCF treatment, and phosphorylation of Lyn returned to basal levels 60-90 min after stimulation. SCF also induced increases in Lyn kinase activity in vitro. Lyn coimmunoprecipitated with c-Kit, and studies with GST fusion proteins demonstrated that Lyn readily associated with the juxtamembrane region of c-Kit. Treatment of cells with either Lyn antisense oligonucleotides or PP1, a Src family inhibitor, resulted in dramatic inhibition of SCF-induced proliferation. These data demonstrate that SCF rapidly activates Lyn and suggest that Lyn is critical in SCF-induced proliferation in hematopoietic cells.

Stat1 associates with c-kit and is activated in response to stem cell factor

Interaction of stem cell factor (SCF), a haematopoietic growth factor, with the receptor tyrosine kinase c-kit leads to autophosphorylation of c-kit as well as tyrosine phosphorylation of various substrates. Little is known about the role of the JAK/STAT pathway in signal transduction via receptor tyrosine kinases, although this pathway has been well characterized in cytokine receptor signal transduction. We recently found that the Janus kinase Jak2 associates with c-kit and that SCF induces rapid and transient phosphorylation of Jak2. Here we present evidence that SCF activates the transcription factor Stat1. Phosphorylated c-kit co-immunoprecipitates with Stat1 within 1 min of SCF stimulation of the human cell line MO7e. Co-precipitation experiments using glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins indicate that association with c-kit is mediated by the Stat1 SH2 domain. Stat1 is rapidly tyrosine-phosphorylated in response to SCF in MO7e cells, the murine cell line FDCP-1 and normal progenitor cells. SCF-induced phosphorylation of Jak2 and Stat1 was also observed in murine 3T3 fibroblasts stably transfected with full-length human c-kit receptor. Furthermore c-kit directly phosphorylates Stat1 fusion proteins in in vitro kinase assays. Electrophoretic mobility-shift assays with nuclear extracts from SCF-stimulated cell lines and normal progenitor cells indicate that activated Stat1 binds the m67 oligonucleotide, a high-affinity SIE promoter sequence. These results demonstrate that Stat1 is activated in response to SCF, and suggest that Stat1 is a component of the SCF signal-transduction pathway.

The Csk-like proteins Lsk, Hyl, and Matk represent the same Csk homologous kinase (Chk) and are regulated by stem cell factor in the megakaryoblastic cell line MO7e

Recently, the cDNAs for Lsk, Matk and Hyl, three Csk-related protein tyrosine kinases, have been cloned. We have examined the relationship of Lsk, Matk and Hyl, and found that the gene for each of these proteins is localized to the same region of human chromosome 19. Further, the proteins encoded by Lsk and Matk cDNAs are immunologically similar. These data strongly suggest that Lsk, Hyl and Matk are the same gene product. Previous reports demonstrating expression of Hyl and Matk in hematopoietic lineages led us to investigate the regulation of Lsk expression in response to stem cell factor (SCF) and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in M07e, a human leukemic cell line. Induction of Lsk/Hyl/Matk protein and mRNA was observed after treatment with SCF but not with GM-CSF. GM-CSF and IL-3, potent mitogens, had no effect on Lsk/Hyl/Matk expression. In contrast, PMA induced Lsk/Hyl/Matk but did not stimulate proliferation. Therefore, induction of Lsk/ Hyl/Matk does not correlate with the capacity to stimulate proliferation. None of the stimuli examined increased Csk protein or mRNA expression. These data demonstrate differential regulation of Csk family members by cytokines and suggest a role for Lsk/ Hyl/Matk in responses mediated by SCF and PMA. Further, our data demonstrate that, as has been seen in blood monocytes, cytokine driven translational control of Lsk/Hyl/ Matk is likely a critical mode of regulation. Lastly, since our studies strongly suggest that the Lsk, Hyl and Matk kinases are related and regulated distinctly from Csk, we and several of the original authors have agreed to rename this kinase the Csk homologous kinase (Chk).

JAK2 is associated with the c-kit proto-oncogene product and is phosphorylated in response to stem cell factor

Stem cell factor (SCF) is a hematopoietic growth factor that interacts with the receptor tyrosine kinase, c-kit. We have found that SCF-stimulates rapid and transient tyrosine phosphorylation of JAK2 in human and murine cell lines, as well as in normal human progenitor cells. JAK2 and c-kit were associated in unstimulated cells with further recruitment of JAK2 to the c-kit receptor complex after SCF stimulation. Treatment of cells with JAK2 antisense oligonucleotides resulted in a 46% decrease in SCF-induced proliferation. These data demonstrate that SCF induces tyrosine phosphorylation of JAK2 and suggest that JAK2 is a component of the SCF signal transduction pathway.

JAK2 is constitutively associated with c-Kit and is phosphorylated in response to stem cell factor

Stem cell factor (SCF) interacts with the receptor tyrosine kinase c-Kit and has potent effects on hematopoiesis. We have examined the role of JAK2 in the SCF signal transduction pathway. JAK2 and c-Kit were constitutively associated, and treatment with SCF resulted in rapid and transient tyrosine phosphorylation of JAK2. Incubation of cells with JAK2 antisense oligonucleotides resulted in significant decreases in SCF-induced proliferation. These data suggest that JAK2 plays a role in SCF-induced proliferation.

Thrombopoietin induces tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of the Janus kinase, JAK2

Thrombopoietin (TPO) is a recently characterized growth and differentiation factor for megakaryocytes and platelets that exerts its effects via the receptor, c-MpI. This receptor is a member of the hematopoietin receptor superfamily and is essential for megakaryocyte maturation; however, the molecular mechanisms of TPO and c-MpI action have not been elucidated. Recently, the Janus kinases have emerged as important elements in signaling via this family of receptors. In this report, we show that, in the M07e megakaryocytic cell line, which expresses c-MpI and proliferates in response to TPO, TPO induces phosphorylation of a number of substrates between 80 and 140 kD. Specifically, we show that stimulation with TPO induces the rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of a 130-kD protein that we identify as the Janus kinase, JAK2. However, no detectable tyrosine phosphorylation of JAK1, JAK3, or TYK2 was observed. TPO also induced activation of JAK2 phosphotransferase activity in vitro. Taken together, these data indicate that JAK2 likely plays a key role in TPO-mediated signal transduction.

Regulation of JAK3 expression in human monocytes: phosphorylation in response to interleukins 2, 4, and 7

The Janus family of kinases (JAKs) has been shown to be involved in the signal transduction of a number of cytokine receptors. Recently, we have cloned a novel JAK family member, JAK3, that is expressed in natural killer and activated T cells and is coupled functionally and physically to the interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor in these cells. Here we report that JAK3 was expressed at low but detectable levels in human monocytes. In contrast, JAK3 expression was strongly induced during activation by interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) or lipopolysaccharide. Moreover, JAK3 became tyrosine phosphorylated in response to IL-2, IL-4, and IL-7 but not response to IFN-gamma or granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Together, these findings suggest that JAK3 is functionally important in activated monocytes and cells of the myeloid lineage and is involved in signaling responses of cytokines that use the common gamma-chain of the IL-2 receptor.

Phosphorylation of a Fes-related protein in response to granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor

Previous work has suggested that a 97-kDa protein (p97) is involved in the signal transduction pathway of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) as well as interleukin 3, erythropoietin, and interleukin 2. We have examined the relationship of p97 to the protein tyrosine kinase Fes in the GM-CSF signal transduction pathway in erythroid and myeloid cell lines. GM-CSF stimulation of three different cell lines induced tyrosine phosphorylation of p97 as well as a number of other phosphotyrosylproteins. Although each cell line expressed the proto-oncogene product Fes, antisera specific for Fes did not recognize p97 in immunoblotting experiments. Furthermore, immunodepletion of Fes did not reduce the amount of p97 in GM-CSF-treated cells. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis demonstrated that p97 and Fes have similar charge to mass ratios, and limited proteolytic mapping of p97 and Fes suggested that these proteins may be related but are not identical. Our studies demonstrate that p97 is not Fes but is probably a Fes-related protein.

Stem cell factor induces phosphorylation of a 200 kDa protein which associates with c-kit

Stem cell factor (SCF) promotes limited proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells and is potently synergistic in combination with growth factors such as granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin 3 (IL-3) or erythropoietin (Epo). We have examined tyrosine phosphorylation induced by SCF in the megakaryoblastic cell line Mo7e and found phosphorylation of proteins of 200, 145, 120, 58 and 55 kDa. The dominant phosphotyrosylproteins in SCF treated cells were 200 and 145 kDa. Our studies indicated that the 145 kDa protein was c-kit, the receptor for SCF. Subsequent work was directed towards further characterizing the 200 kDa protein. Surface labeling of Mo7e cells suggested that p200 had an extracellular domain and could be induced to associate with c-kit after stimulation with SCF. The rapid phosphorylation of p200 and its immediate association with c-kit suggest that p200 is potentially a component of the SCF signal transduction pathway.

Hck expression correlates with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor-induced proliferation in HL-60 cells

The human myeloid cell line HL-60 expresses approximately 300 high-affinity granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptors (GM-CSFRs), yet treatment of these cells with GM-CSF does not result in enhanced cellular proliferation or increases in protein tyrosine phosphorylation. In contrast, GM-CSF induces rapid increases in protein tyrosine phosphorylation and proliferative responses in HL-60 cells pretreated for 3 days in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Similarly, HL-60 cells pretreated with retinoic acid or 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 were also capable of responding to GM-CSF. Interestingly, each of these treatments resulted in increased expression of the src-like tyrosine kinase hck. Stimulation with GM-CSF increased hck autophosphorylation in DMSO-treated HL-60 cells, suggesting that hck is a component of the GM-CSF signal transduction pathway. To determine if hck has a role in the DMSO-induced recoupling of the GM-CSFR, we overexpressed hck in HL-60 cells. The resulting cell line (HL-60/hck) expresses hck mRNA and protein at levels comparable with DMSO-treated HL-60 cells. Stimulation of HL-60/hck cells with GM-CSF results in activation of hck, increases in protein tyrosine phosphorylation, and increased proliferation. These results show that cytokine receptors can exist in an uncoupled form and suggest that in HL-60 cells, appropriate levels of the src-like tyrosine kinase hck are critical for functional coupling of the GM-CSFR to biologic responses.

PDGF-independent activation of PDGF-beta receptors in NIH-3T3 cells transformed by c-met protooncogene

We have previously reported that c-met protooncogene, a member of a new class of receptor tyrosine-kinase gene family, is transforming when overexpressed in NIH-3T3 cells. In this paper, we report that the c-met protooncogene-transformed cells proliferate in a serum- and growth factor-free medium and exhibit constitutive tyrosine phosphorylation of several cellular proteins including the met protooncogene-encoded p145 and p185. Further investigations revealed platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-independent phosphorylation of PDGF-beta receptors in the transformed cells. Phosphoamino acid analysis revealed phosphorylation of PDGF receptors at tyrosine and serine residues. The PDGF receptor phosphorylation is unlikely to occur via autocrine production of PDGF since we could not detect PDGF activity both at the RNA level and at a functional protein level. Additionally, phospholipase C-gamma (PLC-gamma) a substrate of activated PDGF receptors, was found to be physically associated with PDGF receptors in the absence of PDGF stimulation in transformed cells. Furthermore, PDGF receptors coimmunoprecipitated along with PLC-gamma. Taken together, our results demonstrate a PDGF-independent phosphorylation and activation of PDGF-beta receptor in NIH-3T3 cells transformed by c-met protooncogene.

Activation of the erythropoietin receptor by the Friend spleen focus-forming virus gp55 glycoprotein induces constitutive protein tyrosine phosphorylation

The erythropoietin receptor (EPO-R) can be activated to signal cell growth by binding either EPO or gp55, the Friend spleen focus-forming virus (SFFV) glycoprotein. EPO binding induces tyrosine kinase activity and rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of several cellular substrates. To test for gp55-induced tyrosine kinase activity, we performed immunoblots on two murine cell lines that stably express EPO-R and gp55. Stimulation of the parental cell line, Ba/F3, with murine interleukin-3 (IL-3) resulted in rapid, dose-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of a 97-Kd substrate. Stimulation with IL-3 or EPO of the Ba/F3 cells expressing the recombinant EPO-R (Ba/F3-EPO-R) resulted in tyrosine phosphorylation of the same p97 substrate. These latter cells, when transformed to growth factor-independence by the Friend gp55 glycoprotein, exhibited constitutive tyrosine phosphorylation of the 97-Kd substrate. Other growth factor-independent Ba/F3 subclones, transformed with either the oncoprotein, v-abl, or with a constitutively activated EPO-R, also had constitutive phosphorylation of a 97-Kd substrate. In CTLL-2-EPO-R cells, a T-lymphocyte line stably transfected with the EPO-R, the 97-Kd substrate was tyrosine-phosphorylated in response to IL-2 or EPO. The 97-Kd protein was constitutively phosphorylated in CTLL-2-EPO-R-gp55 cells. In conclusion, a 97-Kd protein found in two murine cell lines is tyrosine-phosphorylated in response to multiple growth factors and viral oncoproteins, and appears to be a central phosphoprotein in signal transduction.

Characterization of a 97-kDa phosphotyrosylprotein regulated by multiple cytokines

We have examined the signal transduction pathways of a number of cytokines that interact with receptors that are members of the hematopoietin receptor superfamily. A 97-kDa protein was phosphorylated on tyrosine in response to stimulation of appropriate target cells with interleukin (IL)-2, IL-3, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (CSF), granulocyte-CSF, or erythropoietin. These data suggest that a 97-kDa phosphotyrosylprotein represents a point of convergence for signal transduction by a number of growth factor receptors that do not have homology with any known protein tyrosine kinase. To address the possibility that p97 may represent a tyrosine kinase involved in multiple signal transduction pathways, we tested the capacity of this protein to bind a tyrosine kinase substrate or ATP. Indeed, a 97-kDa phosphotyrosylprotein purified from IL-2-stimulated lymphoid cells as well as granulocyte-macrophage-CSF-stimulated myeloid cells bound to a polymer of glutamic acid and tyrosine which is a tyrosine kinase substrate. Further, a 97-kDa phosphotyrosylprotein present in both lineages also bound 8-azido-ATP. These data indicate that a 97-kDa phosphotyrosylprotein with properties consistent with those of a protein tyrosine kinase is involved in the signal transduction pathways of certain members of the newly identified hematopoietin receptor superfamily and may represent an early point of convergence in the stimulus-response coupling of multiple cytokine receptors.

Dissociation of human cytokine receptor expression and signal transduction

We have examined the relationship between granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-3 (IL-3) receptor expression and signal transduction in populations of HL-60 cells differing in proliferative capacity to these cytokines. GM-CSF or IL-3 stimulation of HL-60 cells pretreated with either dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or retinoic acid results in increases in proliferative response as well as both tyrosine and serine phosphorylation. In contrast, neither GM-CSF or IL-3 stimulation of parental HL-60 cells (those not treated with DMSO or retinoic acid) produced any changes in either proliferation or protein phosphorylation. Thus, although parental HL-60 cells expressed both GM-CSF and IL-3 receptors, treatment with either DMSO or retinoic acid was necessary to confer the capacity for signal transduction as assessed by both a biologic and biochemical response. Pretreatment of cells with genistein, a protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor, resulted in inhibition of GM-CSF-induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation as well as proliferation. These data show a strong correlation between cytokine-induced increases in protein phosphorylation and subsequent biologic responses. Further, this work demonstrates that cytokine receptor expression and signal transduction can be disassociated and suggests the potential for independent regulation of these two components of signal transduction.

Association of the erythropoietin receptor with protein tyrosine kinase activity

We have examined the signal transduction mechanism of the hematopoietic growth factor erythropoietin (Epo). Epo stimulation of Ba/F3 cells transfected with the Epo receptor resulted in increases in tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins of 97, 75, and 55 kDa. Epo-induced increases in tyrosine phosphorylation of a 97-kDa protein were also detected within the Epo receptor complex, suggesting that a protein tyrosine kinase is associated with the Epo receptor. Protein tyrosine kinase activity was found within the Epo receptor complex and modulation of this activity was observed after treatment of cells with Epo. Furthermore, constitutively high amounts of protein kinase activity were observed in Epo receptor complexes isolated from autonomously growing cells coexpressing the Epo receptor and the leukemogenic glycoprotein gp55. The dominant phosphotyrosylprotein found associated with the Epo receptor was 97 kDa. An Epo receptor-associated protein of identical molecular mass was also found to bind ATP, a characteristic critical for protein kinases. Collectively, these data demonstrate that the Epo receptor is associated with protein tyrosine kinase activity and further suggest that a 97-kDa phosphotyrosylprotein associated with the Epo receptor is a protein tyrosine kinase involved in Epo-mediated signal transduction.

Specific protein kinases modulated during T cell mitogenesis. Activity of a 55-kDa serine kinase is associated with growth arrest in human T cells

The intracellular events which are involved in controlling the G1 to S phase transition during the eucaryotic cell cycle are important to define in order to understand the mechanisms by which mitogenic and growth arrest-inducing agents control cell growth. Because a change in protein kinase activity is associated with the initial response of cells to mitogenic stimulants and growth factors, we used a kinase renaturation assay to identify specific protein kinases which are modulated as human T cells make the G1 to S phase transition after mitogenic stimulation with lectin. We identified four protein serine/threonine kinases of 180, 97, 85, and 38 kilodaltons which are increased in activity as these cells enter S phase. A-55 kDa serine/threonine kinase (PK55) was shown to have maximal activity during G0 and its activity was reduced by 95% upon movement into S phase. PK55 is inducible in human T cells by removal of interleukin 2 and low serum incubation which arrests cells in G1 phase, indicating that it is closely associated with G1 phase growth arrest. Furthermore, a similar PK55 activity was induced upon growth arrest in HL-60 cells treated with dimethyl sulfoxide and in Daudi cells treated with interferon alpha. Because the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PK-A) family has been shown to be antiproliferative to lectin stimulated T cells, we were interested in determining whether PK55 was in fact an isozyme of PK-A. Comparative analysis using a specific peptide inhibitor of PK-A activity revealed that PK55 is catalytically distinct from PK-A. This data suggest that increases in PK55 may be associated with the growth-arrested state and further that PK55 is distinct from PK-A.

Regulation of c-myc and ornithine decarboxylase expression by distinct protein kinase systems in IL-3-dependent myeloid cells

We have investigated whether PK-C-regulated events are independent of those biochemical events related to IL-3-induced tyrosine kinase activation by 32Dcl cells. The depletion of functional PK-C isoform activity by prolonged PMA treatment reduced the proliferative response to IL-3 by half that of untreated control cells. PK-C-deficient 32Dcl cells were unable to respond to PMA for the induction of c-myc and ODC mRNA accumulation. PK-C down-regulation did not affect IL-3-induced tyrosine phosphorylation and inhibited IL-3-regulated c-myc and ODC mRNA expression by only 30%. However, PK-C down-regulation had a pronounced inhibitory effect on IL-3 regulation of ODC enzymatic activity. While a PK-C-dependent and -independent pathway for the regulation of c-myc and ODC mRNA expression could be demonstrated, the regulation of ODC enzymatic activity appeared to require an intact PK-C system. The data suggest that the optimum biological and biochemical responses to IL-3 requires both pathways intact, however, tyrosine kinase activation and significant increases in gene products associated with proliferation can be achieved in the absence of a functional PK-C system.

Migration of dog polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leukocytes to formylated peptides

Formylated peptides are potent stimulants of polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leukocyte (PMN) migration from species such as humans and rabbits. Interestingly, PMNs from dogs, cats, pigs and cows have been reported as refractory to N-formyl-l-methionyl-l-leucyl-l-phenylalanine (FMLP) and generally are believed not to express formylpeptide receptors. Formylpeptides are a major component of conditioned media from E. coli cultures and believed to be a significant element in inflammatory responses elicited by E. coli. Our studies have found that E. coli filtrate was a potent stimulant of dog PMN migration. Inhibition of migration to E. coli filtrates by the antagonist t-botyloxycarbonyl-l-methionyl-l-leucyl-l-phenylalanine (t-boc-MLP) demonstrated that the migration was mediated through the formylated peptide receptor. Migration in response to peptides with higher affinity for the formylpeptide receptor than FMLP was further evidence for these receptors on the dog PMN. PMNs from dogs migrated in response to FMLP at high concentrations (100 microM); however, pretreatment with phorbol myristate acetate resulted in increased migration of dog PMNs in response to concentrations of FMLP as low as 1 pM. These results demonstrate that dog PMNs are responsive to formylpeptides and that these responses can be up-regulated by PMA. Thus PMNs from a species previously thought incapable of responding to formylpeptides can respond to formylpeptide analogs with high affinity for the receptor as well as be primed for enhanced migration to FMLP by PMA.

Signal transduction of human interleukin 3 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor through serine and tyrosine phosphorylation

To elucidate the rapid events in signal transduction of human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin 3 (IL 3), we examined phosphorylation of proteins on both serine and tyrosine residues in a cytokine-stimulated human myeloid cell line. We found increases in tyrosine phosphorylation within 30 s of stimulation with GM-CSF or IL 3, with peak responses occurring within 2 min. IL 3 and GM-CSF also induced serine phosphorylation, though 10 min of stimulation was required for maximum phosphate incorporation. Interestingly, both IL 3 and GM-CSF stimulated phosphate incorporation in identical substrates, a 68 kDa seryl-phosphoprotein (p68) and a 140 kDa tyrosyl-phosphoprotein (p140). Treatment of AML 193 cells with phorbol myristate acetate resulted in serine phosphorylation of p68; however, p140 was not phosphorylated on tyrosine. Depletion of protein kinase C isoenzymes with high concentrations of phorbol myristate acetate resulted in p68 phosphorylation, which was not further increased by IL 3 or GM-CSF. In contrast, cytokine-induced phosphorylation on tyrosine of p140 was observed after protein kinase C depletion. These data demonstrate the co-ordinate yet independent serine and tyrosine phosphorylation in IL 3- and GM-CSF-treated human myeloid cells, and thus suggest a common set of protein kinases stimulated by each separate ligand.

Interleukin-2 regulation of diadenosine 5',5'''-p1 p4-tetraphosphate (Ap4A) levels and DNA synthesis in cloned murine T lymphocytes

The levels or diadenosine 5', 5'''-p1, p4, tetraphosphate (Ap4A), a putative signal molecule associated with DNA synthesis, has been measured in murine T lymphocytes. The level or Ap4A detected correlated with the stimulation of DNA synthesis in murine T lymphocytes. In interleukin-2 (IL-2) dependent cells previously deprived of IL-2, new DNA synthesis can be induced by adding IL-2; the synthesis of DNA is preceded by an increase in Ap4A levels. A significant increase in DNA synthesis was observed after the Ap4A concentration exceeded the Kd of DNA polymerase alpha for Ap4A. Similarly, in cells blocked from synthesizing DNA by hydroxyurea, the levels or Ap4A are maintained only in the presence of IL-2. Once IL-2 is removed, the potential to synthesize DNA decreases and is preceded by decreases in the level or Ap4A. The DNA synthesis potential decreases rapidly after the Ap4A concentration fell below the Kd of DNA polymerase alpha for Ap4A. It is possible that Ap4A is a second messenger molecule required for the proliferation of lymphocytes and that the production of Ap4A in IL-2 dependent murine T lymphocytes is regulated by the homologous growth factor.