MAST1 Drives Cisplatin Resistance in Human Cancers by Rewiring cRaf-Independent MEK Activation

Platinum-based chemotherapeutics represent a mainstay of cancer therapy, but resistance limits their curative potential. Through a kinome RNAi screen, we identified microtubule-associated serine/threonine kinase 1 (MAST1) as a main driver of cisplatin resistance in human cancers. Mechanistically, cisplatin but no other DNA-damaging agents inhibit the MAPK pathway by dissociating cRaf from MEK1, while MAST1 replaces cRaf to reactivate the MAPK pathway in a cRaf-independent manner. We show clinical evidence that expression of MAST1, both initial and cisplatin-induced, contributes to platinum resistance and worse clinical outcome. Targeting MAST1 with lestaurtinib, a recently identified MAST1 inhibitor, restores cisplatin sensitivity, leading to the synergistic attenuation of cancer cell proliferation and tumor growth in human cancer cells and patient-derived xenograft models.

Plk1 regulates MEK1/2 and proliferation in airway smooth muscle cells

BACKGROUND

Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) is a serine/threonine protein kinase that has been implicated in the regulation of mitosis. In addition, the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is a key event in the early stage of the growth factor response. The role of Plk1 in MAPK phosphorylation in cells has not been investigated.

METHODS

Immunoblot analysis was used to evaluate Plk1 and MAPK phosphorylation in cells upon stimulation with platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). We also generated stable Plk1 knockdown (KD) cells to assess the role of Plk1 in MAPK activation and cell proliferation. Furthermore, we used a non-phosphorylatable Plk1 mutant to determine the function of Plk1 phosphorylation in these processes.

RESULTS

Treatment with PDGF increased Plk1 phosphorylation at Thr-210 (an indication of Plk1 activation) in human airway smooth muscle cells. Plk1 KD attenuated the PDGF-induced phosphorylation of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 as well as cell proliferation. However, phosphorylation of Raf-1 and AKT upon stimulation with PDGF was not reduced in Plk1 KD cells. Furthermore, the expression of T210A Plk1 (alanine substitution at Thr-210) inhibited the PDGF-stimulated MEK1/2 phosphorylation, ERK1/2 phosphorylation and cell proliferation.

CONCLUSIONS

Together, these findings suggest that Plk1 is activated upon growth factor stimulation, which may control the activation of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2, and smooth muscle cell proliferation.

Nuclear MEK1 sequesters PPARγ and bisects MEK1/ERK signaling: a non-canonical pathway of retinoic acid inhibition of adipocyte differentiation

Uncontrolled adipogenesis and adipocyte proliferation have been connected to human comorbidities. Retinoic acid (RA) is known to inhibit adipocyte differentiation, however the underlying mechanisms have not been adequately understood. This study reports that RA acting as a ligand to RA receptors (RARs and RXRs) is not a sine qua non to the inhibition of adipogenesis. Our intriguing observation of a negative correlation between increased retinoylation and adipogenesis led us to explore retinoylated proteins in adipocytes. Exportin (CRM1) was found to be retinoylated, which in turn can affect the spatio-temporal regulation of the important signaling molecule mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MEK1), likely by disrupting its export from the nucleus. Nuclear enrichment of MEK1 physically sequesters peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), the master regulator of adipogenesis, from its target genes and thus inhibits adipogenesis while also disrupting the MEK1-extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK) signaling cascade. This study is first to report the inhibition of adipocyte differentiation by retinoylation.

MEK1/2 inhibitors in the treatment of gynecologic malignancies

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are a family of ubiquitous eukaryotic signal transduction enzymes which link extracellular stimuli to intracellular gene expression pathways. While several three-tiered MAPK cascades have been elucidated in mammals, the prototypical pathway involves a network of proteins and kinases including the Rat sarcoma protein (Ras), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (Raf or MAP3K), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK or MAP2K), and extracellular signal regulated protein kinase (ERK or MAPK). This MAPK cascade (the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway) is a receptor tyrosine kinase mediated signaling pathway that regulates cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, and cell migration. There are multiple molecular mechanisms of interaction and activation between the upstream nodes of the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK cascade and other cell signaling pathways, all ultimately leading to the activation of the nuclear transcription factor ERK. Important downstream targets include MEK1/2, which comprise the final step leading to ERK transcription factor activation. While multiple conduits exist to activate ERK upstream of MEK, there is little redundancy downstream. Located at this pivotal intersection between a limited number of upstream activators and its exclusive downstream targets, MEK is an appealing molecular target of novel cancer therapies. MEK inhibitors are small molecules that inhibit MEK phosphorylation by binding to a pocket adjacent to the ATP binding site, decreasing both the amount of MEK activity, and the quantity of activated ERK in the cell. Unique allosteric noncompetitive binding sites of MEK inhibitors allow specific targeting of MEK enzymes and prevent cross-activation of other serine/threonine protein kinases through the conserved ATP binding site. This paper reviews the translational evidence in favor of MEK inhibitors in cancer, their role in gynecologic malignancies, and details regarding the status of the fourteen MEK inhibitors currently being clinically tested: trametinib, selumetinib, pimasertib, refametinib, PD-0325901, MEK162, TAK733, RO5126766, WX-554, RO4987655, cobimetinib, AZD8330, MSC2015103B, and ARRY-300.

Progesterone promotes focal adhesion formation and migration in breast cancer cells through induction of protease-activated receptor-1

Progesterone and progestins have been demonstrated to enhance breast cancer cell migration, although the mechanisms are still not fully understood. The protease-activated receptors (PARs) are a family of membrane receptors that are activated by serine proteases in the blood coagulation cascade. PAR1 (F2R) has been reported to be involved in cancer cell migration and overexpressed in breast cancer. We herein demonstrate that PAR1 mRNA and protein are upregulated by progesterone treatment of the breast cancer cell lines ZR-75 and T47D. This regulation is dependent on the progesterone receptor (PR) but does not require PR phosphorylation at serine 294 or the PR proline-rich region mPRO. The increase in PAR1 mRNA was transient, being present at 3  h and returning to basal levels at 18  h. The addition of a PAR1-activating peptide (aPAR1) to cells treated with progesterone resulted in an increase in focal adhesion (FA) formation as measured by the cellular levels of phosphorylated FA kinase. The combined but not individual treatment of progesterone and aPAR1 also markedly increased stress fiber formation and the migratory capacity of breast cancer cells. In agreement with in vitro findings, data mining from the Oncomine platform revealed that PAR1 expression was significantly upregulated in PR-positive breast tumors. Our observation that PAR1 expression and signal transduction are modulated by progesterone provides new insight into how the progestin component in hormone therapies increases the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

Ras/p38 and PI3K/Akt but not Mek/Erk signaling mediate BDNF-induced neurite formation on neonatal cochlear spiral ganglion explants

Neurotrophins participate in regulating the survival, differentiation, and target innervation of many neurons, mediated by high-affinity Trk and low-affinity p75 receptors. In the cochlea, spiral ganglion (SG) neuron survival is strongly dependent upon neurotrophic input, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which increases the number of neurite outgrowth in neonatal rat SG in vitro. Less is known about signal transduction pathways linking the activation of neurotrophin receptors to SG neuron nuclei. In particular, the p38 and cJUN Kinase (JNK), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, which participate in JNK signaling in other neurons, have not been studied. We found that inhibition of Ras, p38, phosphatidyl inositol 3 kinase (PI3K) or Akt signaling reduced or eliminated BDNF mediated increase in number of neurite outgrowth, while inhibition of Mek/Erk had no influence. Inhibition of Rac/cdc42, which lies upstream of JNK, modestly enhanced BDNF induced formation of neurites. Western blotting implicated p38 and Akt signaling, but not Mek/Erk. The results suggest that the Ras/p38 and PI3K/Akt are the primary pathways by which BDNF promotes its effects. Activation of Rac/cdc42/JNK signaling by BDNF may reduce the formation of neurites. This is in contrast to our previous results on NT-3, in which Mek/Erk signaling was the primary mediator of SG neurite outgrowth in vitro. Our data on BDNF agree with prior results from others that have implicated PI3K/Akt involvement in mediating the effects of BDNF on SG neurons in vitro, including neuronal survival and neurite extension. However, the identification of p38 and JNK involvement is entirely novel. The results suggest that neurotrophins can exert opposing effects on SG neurons, the balance of competing signals influencing the generation of neurites. This competition could provide a potential mechanism for the control of neurite number during development.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor induces proliferation, migration, and VEGF secretion in human multiple myeloma cells via activation of MEK-ERK and PI3K/AKT signaling

This study investigated the signaling pathways involved in the different biological effects of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in multiple myeloma (MM). The effects of BDNF on proliferation of MM cell lines and primary myeloma cells were examined by [(3)H]thymidine incorporation assay. The effects of BDNF on MM cells migration were studied by transwell migration assay. Stimulation by BDNF of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production was analyzed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The signal-transduction pathways that are activated in response to BDNF were determined by Western blots. VEGF is induced by BDNF in a dose-dependent manner in MM cells. Stimulation of MM cells with BDNF led to the activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and the MEK-extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase pathways. Using specific signal-transduction inhibitors, we demonstrated that MEK is required for BDNF-induced proliferation, whereas activation of PI3K is required for BDNF-stimulated migration and VEGF production. BDNF affects different cell signaling pathways mediating growth, migration, and VEGF secretion in MM cells. Our observations provided the framework for novel therapeutic strategies targeting BDNF signaling cascades in MM.

The ERK signaling cascade--views from different subcellular compartments

The extracellular signal-regulated kinase cascade is a central signaling pathway that is stimulated by various extracellular stimuli. The signals of these stimuli are then transferred by the cascade's components to a large number of targets at distinct subcellular compartments, which in turn induce and regulate a large number of cellular processes. To achieve these functions, the cascade exhibits versatile and dynamic subcellular distribution that allows proper temporal and spatial modulation of the appropriate processes. In this review, we discuss the intracellular localizations of different components of the ERK cascade, and the impact of these localizations on their activation and specificity.

Insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I receptors differentially mediate insulin-stimulated adhesion molecule production by endothelial cells

Patients with type 2 diabetes are hyperinsulinemic and insulin resistant and develop premature atherosclerosis. High concentrations of insulin stimulate the production of adhesion molecules by endothelial cells (ECs). ECs express abundant IGF-I receptors as well as insulin receptors. Whether IGF-I receptors contribute to insulin-induced endothelial production of adhesion molecules is unknown. Bovine aortic ECs (BAECs) were incubated with insulin (100 nm) for 24 h. The cellular content of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) was measured, and monocyte adhesion to ECs was quantified. Insulin increased both VCAM-1 (P < 0.001) and ICAM-1 (P < 0.0002) content, which was accompanied by an increased number of monocytes adherent to BAECs (P = 0.0001). Inhibition of either MAPK kinase-1 or p38 MAPK but not phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase abolished insulin-mediated production of adhesion molecules. Insulin receptor small interfering RNA knockdown abolished insulin-stimulated increases of ICAM-1 but not VCAM-1. Conversely, IGF-I receptor blockade with either a neutralizing antibody or specific small interfering RNA eliminated insulin-induced VCAM-1 but not ICAM-1 production. Blockade of signaling via either the insulin or IGF-I receptors decreased monocyte adherence to BAECs (P < 0.01 for each). We conclude that insulin and IGF-I receptors differentially mediate the production of adhesion molecules by ECs and monocyte adhesion onto the vascular endothelium in response to the hyperinsulinemic state. Dual-receptor activation may most effectively contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic disease in diabetes.

TGF-beta inhibits CYP17 transcription in H295R cells acting via activin receptor-like kinase 5

OBJECTIVE

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) is a potent inhibitor of 17alpha-hydroxylase/17,20 lyase activity and CYP17 gene expression. We investigated the mechanism how CYP17 is inhibited by TGF-beta in adrenocortical cells.

METHODS

H295R cells were culture and incubated with TGF-beta, transcription inhibitor (DRB), activin receptor-like kinase 5 ALK5 (TbetaRII) inhibitor (SB431542), mitogen activated kinases inhibitors (PD98059 and SB203580), subsequently using reverse transcription and quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) we determined CYP17 expression.

RESULTS

TGF-beta significantly decreased the level of cytochrome P450c17 mRNA and this inhibitory effect of TGF-beta on CYP17 expression required activin receptor-like kinase 5 (ALK5) and on-going transcription. Mitogen activated kinases MEK1 and p38 MAPK are not involved it the inhibitory effect of TGF-beta on CYP17 expression.

CONCLUSION

We concluded that the TGF-beta-dependent decrease of 17alpha-hydroxylase/17,20 lyase activity in the H295R cells is caused by inhibition of CYP17 transcription and is mediated by the ALK5 receptor.

MT1 melatonin receptor internalization underlies melatonin-induced morphologic changes in Chinese hamster ovary cells and these processes are dependent on Gi proteins, MEK 1/2 and microtubule modulation

Melatonin induces cellular differentiation in numerous cell types. Data show that multiple mechanisms are involved in these processes that are cell-type specific and may be receptor dependent or independent. The focus of this study was to specifically assess the role of human MT1 melatonin receptors in cellular differentiation using an MT1-Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) model; one that reproducibly produces measurable morphologic changes in response to melatonin. Using multiple approaches, we show that melatonin induces MT1-CHO cells to hyperelongate through a MEK 1/2, and ERK 1/2-dependent mechanism that is dependent upon MT1 receptor internalization, Gi protein activation, and clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Using immunoprecipitation analysis, we show that MT1 receptors form complexes with Gi(alpha) 2,3, Gq(alpha), beta-arrestin-2, MEK 1/2, and ERK 1/2 in the presence of melatonin. We also show that MEK and ERK activity that is induced by melatonin is dependent on Gi protein activation, clathrin-mediated endocytosis and is modulated by microtubules. We conclude from these studies that melatonin-induced internalization of human MT1 melatonin receptors in CHO cells is responsible for activating both MEK 1/2 and ERK 1/2 to drive these morphologic changes. These events, as mediated by melatonin, require Gi protein activation and endocytosis mediated through clathrin, to form MT1 receptor complexes with beta-arrestin-2/MEK 1/2 and ERK 1/2. The MT1-CHO model is invaluable to mapping out signaling cascades as mediated through MT1 receptors especially because it separates out MEK/ERK 1/2 activation by MT1 receptors from that of receptor tyrosine kinases.

Basic FGF augments hypoxia induced HIF-1-alpha expression and VEGF release in T47D breast cancer cells

AIM

Both hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) play important roles in tumour angiogenesis. This study was designed to clarify the cooperative effect of these two mediators in induction of vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) release from breast cancer and probe possible mechanisms involved.

METHODS

Release of VEGF from a breast cancer cell line (T47D) was quantitated by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Expression of HIF-1 and ERK was assayed using Western blotting. Transient transfection and dual luciferase reporter assay were used to study HIF-1 transactivity.

RESULTS

The data showed that hypoxia induced the expression of HIF-1alpha protein, the transactivity of HIF-1 and the release of VEGF. bFGF further augmented these hypoxic inductions. The PI3K pathway was required for these processes as demonstrated by application of PI3Kinase inhibitor (LY294002) or mutant construct transfections. In contrast, the MEK1 inhibitor PD98059 showed no effect on either activation of HIF-1 or VEGF release, which is in agreement with our finding that ERK1/2 was not activated by hypoxia. Under hypoxic conditions, bFGF activated the MEK1/ERK pathway. PD98059 blocked the activation of ERK1/2 and suppressed bFGF-induced HIF-1 transactivity, yet the protein expression of HIF-1alpha or VEGF release was not affected by PD98059.

CONCLUSION

bFGF augments hypoxia induced VEGF release mainly through the PI3K pathway and partly depending on HIF-1 activity. Elucidation of this mechanism may provide a new target for anti-angiogenesis in cancer therapy.

Opposing functions of CREB and MKK1 synergistically regulate the geometry of dendritic spines in visual cortex

Most excitatory inputs onto pyramidal neurons are made on dendritic spines. The geometry of dendritic spines modulates synaptic function; yet we know little regarding the molecular signals that regulate spine geometry. Here we report that neurons coordinately regulate the geometry of spines to compensate for variability in spine number, by a process requiring the transcription factor CREB and the kinase MKK1. We find that CREB function is induced, whereas MKK1 is inhibited, by activity blockade. To obtain evidence that CREB and MKK1 regulate dendritic spine geometry in vivo, we coexpressed green fluorescent protein and dominant negative CREB or MKK1 in pyramidal neurons of the intact rat visual cortex. Spines on apical dendrites of layer 3 neurons were then characterized by confocal microscopy. We find that CREB and MKK1 regulate spine geometry in opposite ways. MKK1 is required to reduce spine head size when spine density is high, whereas CREB is required to enlarge spines when spine density is low. Our data suggest that CREB and MKK1 might function as complementary negative feedback mechanisms to maintain synaptic drive within bounds.

CXCL12 Activates a Robust Transcriptional Response in Human Prostate Epithelial Cells

CXCL12 is a CXC-type chemokine that plays important roles in hematopoiesis, development, and organization of the immune system and supports the survival or growth of a variety of normal or malignant cell types. Our laboratory recently showed that CXCL12 is secreted by aging stromal fibroblast cells and is a major paracrine factor that specifically stimulates the proliferation of prostate epithelial cells. The current study shows that this CXCL12-mediated proliferative response may be either ERK-dependent or ERK-independent. Moreover, CXCL12 initiates a previously undefined and complex global transcriptional response in prostate epithelial cells. This CXCL12-mediated transcriptional response directly stimulates the expression of genes encoding proteins that are involved in the promotion of cellular proliferation and progression through the cell cycle, tumor metastasis, and cellular motility, and directly represses the transcription of genes encoding proteins involved in cell-cell adhesion and resistance to apoptosis. Thus, CXCL12 may play a major role in the etiology of benign proliferative disease in the context of an aging tissue microenvironment.

B Cell Receptor Cross-Talk: Exposure to Lipopolysaccharide Induces an Alternate Pathway for B Cell Receptor-Induced ERK Phosphorylation and NF-κB Activation

BCR signaling in naive B cells depends on the function of signalosome mediators; however, prior engagement of CD40 or of IL-4R produces an alternate signaling pathway in which Bruton's tyrosine kinase, PI3K, phospholipase Cgamma2, and protein kinase Cbeta are no longer required for BCR-induced downstream events. To explore the range of mediators capable of producing such an alternate pathway for BCR signaling, we examined the TLR4 agonist, LPS. B cell treatment with LPS at relatively low doses altered subsequent BCR signaling such that ERK phosphorylation and NF-kappaB activation occurred in a PI3K-independent manner. This effect of LPS extended to MEK phosphorylation and IkappaBalpha degradation, and it developed slowly over a period of 16-24 h. The involvement of TLRs is suggested by similar effects observed with a structurally distinct TLR agonist, PAM3CSK4 and by the need for MyD88 for induction of alternate BCR signaling by LPS. Thus, LPS-mediated TLR engagement produces an alternate pathway for BCR-triggered signal propagation that differs from the classical, signalosome-dependent pathway.

MAPK kinases as nucleo-cytoplasmic shuttles for PPARgamma

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) is a ligand-activated transcription factor of the nuclear receptor superfamily that regulates genes involved in differentiation, metabolism and immunity. PPARgamma-ligands are used for therapy of type 2 diabetes and hold the promise for treatment of inflammation and cancer. As a central regulatory component, PPARgamma activity is well regulated during various cellular processes, and indeed mitogenic stimulation often suppresses PPARgamma's genomic activity. This downregulation is mediated largely by the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERKs)/mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling cascade, which attenuates PPARgamma's transactivation function either by an inhibitory phosphorylation or by modulating PPARgamma's nucleo-cytoplasmic compartmentalization. The latter is achieved by the mitogen-induced nuclear export of PPARgamma through its direct interaction with the ERK cascade component MAPK/ERK-kinases 1/2 (MEKs). Upon mitogenic stimulation, MEKs translocate into the nucleus, but are rapidly exported from this location by their N-terminal nuclear export signal (NES), in a process that is accompanied by the export of their interacting nuclear PPARgamma molecules. Interestingly, it was recently demonstrated that PPARgamma has cytoplasmatic activities, and therefore, the MEK-dependent shuttle may also represent a mechanism for control of the extra-nuclear/nongenomic actions of PPARgamma. Because of the similarity within nuclear receptor docking motifs, it is possible that the same mechanism may control the nuclear and cytoplasmatic activity of other receptors. The changes in the subcellular localization of PPARgamma may also represent novel targets for selective interference in patients with chronic inflammatory or proliferation-related diseases.

Roles of the MEK1/2 and AKT pathways in CXCL12/CXCR4 induced cholangiocarcinoma cell invasion

AIM: To evaluate the expression of C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) and its signaling cascades, which were previously identified as a key factor for cancer cell progression and metastasis, in cholangiocarcinoma cell lines.

METHODS: The expression of CXCR4 and its signaling cascades were determined in the cholangiocarcinoma cell lines (RMCCA1 and KKU100) by Western blotting. The invasion assays and the detection of actin polymerization were tested in these cholangiocarcinoma cells treated with CXC chemokine ligand -12 (CXCL12).

RESULTS: Expression of CXCR4 was detected in both cholangiocarcinoma cell lines and activation of CXCR4 with CXCL12 triggered the signaling via the extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 (ERK1/2) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and induction of cholangiocarcinoma cell invasion, and displayed high levels of actin polymerization. Addition of CXCR4 inhibitor (AMD3100) abrogated CXCL12-induced phosphorylation of MEK1/2 and Akt in these cells. Moreover, treatment with MEK1/2 inhibitor (U0126) or PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) also attenuated the effect of CXCL12-induced cholangiocarcinoma cell invasion.

CONCLUSION: These results indicated that the activation of CXCR4 and its signaling pathways (MEK1/2 and Akt) are essential for CXCL12-induced cholangiocarcinoma cell invasion. This rises Implications on a potential role for the inhibition of CXCR4 or its signal cascades in the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma.

An α1A-Adrenergic–Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Survival Signaling Pathway in Cardiac Myocytes

Background— In α1-AR knockout (α1ABKO) mice that lacked cardiac myocyte α1-adrenergic receptor (α1-AR) binding, aortic constriction induced apoptosis, dilated cardiomyopathy, and death. However, it was unclear whether these effects were attributable to a lack of cardiac myocyte α1-ARs and whether the α1A, α1B, or both subtypes mediated protection. Therefore, we investigated α1A and α1B subtype–specific survival signaling in cultured cardiac myocytes to test for a direct protective effect of α1-ARs in cardiac myocytes.

Methods and Results— We cultured α1ABKO myocytes and reconstituted α1-AR signaling with adenoviruses expressing α1-GFP fusion proteins. Myocyte death was induced by norepinephrine, doxorubicin, or H 2 O 2 and was measured by annexin V/propidium iodide staining. In α1ABKO myocytes, all 3 stimuli significantly increased apoptosis and necrosis. Reconstitution of the α1A subtype, but not the α1B, rescued α1ABKO myocytes from cell death induced by each stimulus. To address the mechanism, we examined α1-AR activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). In α1ABKO hearts, aortic constriction failed to activate ERK, and in α1ABKO myocytes, expression of a constitutively active MEK1 rescued α1ABKO myocytes from norepinephrine-induced death. In addition, only the α1A-AR activated ERK in α1ABKO myocytes, and expression of a dominant-negative MEK1 completely blocked α1A survival signaling in α1ABKO myocytes.

Conclusions— Our results demonstrate a direct protective effect of the α1A subtype in cardiac myocytes and define an α1A-ERK signaling pathway that is required for myocyte survival. Absence of the α1A-ERK pathway can explain the failure to activate ERK after aortic constriction in α1ABKO mice and can contribute to the development of apoptosis, dilated cardiomyopathy, and death.

ERK1/2 MAP kinases in cell survival and apoptosis

ERK1/2 is an important subfamily of mitogen-activated protein kinases that control a broad range of cellular activities and physiological processes. ERK1/2 can be activated transiently or persistently by MEK1/2 and upstream MAP3Ks in conjunction with regulation and involvement of scaffolding proteins and phosphatases. Activation of ERK1/2 generally promotes cell survival; but under certain conditions, ERK1/2 can have pro-apoptotic functions.

The role of chrysin and the ah receptor in induction of the human UGT1A1 gene in vitro and in transgenic UGT1 mice

The flavonoid chrysin is an important dietary substance and induces UGT1A1 protein expression in cell culture. As a representative of the class of dietary flavonoids, clinical investigations have been considered as a means of inducing hepatic UGT1A1 expression. We demonstrate the necessity of a xenobiotic response element (XRE) in support of chrysin induction of UGT1A1 in the human hepatoma cell line HepG2. Receptor binding assays confirm that chrysin is a ligand for the Ah receptor by competition with [3H]2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). However, key differences in Ah receptor recognition and activation of UGT1A1 by chrysin exist when compared with classical mechanisms of UGT1A1 induction by TCDD. Ah receptor degradation, an indicator of Ah receptor activation, does not occur after chrysin treatment, and chrysin cannot transactivate the Ah receptor in a TCDD-dependent fashion. Knock-down of the Ah receptor by siRNA indicates that chrysin uses the Ah receptor in conjunction with other factors through MAP kinase signaling pathways to maximally induce UGT1A1. Most importantly, oral treatment of chrysin to transgenic mice that express the human UGT1 locus is unable to induce UGT1A1 expression in either the small intestine or liver.

CONCLUSION

Although the implications for chrysin as an atypical agonist of the Ah receptor are intriguing at the molecular level, the relevance of chrysin-induced transcription for the purpose of clinical therapies or to regulate phase 2-dependent glucuronidation is questionable given the lack of in vivo regulation of human UGT1A1 by chrysin in a transgenic animal model.

AtMEK1 mediates stress-induced gene expression of CAT1 catalase by triggering H2O2 production in Arabidopsis

Catalase and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) have been extensively studied for their roles in various stress responses. However, little is known about the triggering mechanisms for stress-induced catalase gene expression or about H(2)O(2) production as a stress signal. It is reported here that ABA-, drought-, and salt stress-induced gene expression of CAT1 catalase is mediated by AtMEK1, an Arabidopsis MAPK kinase, by triggering H(2)O(2) signal production. Both CAT1 expression and AtMEK1 activity were activated by ABA, drought, and salt stresses. The mek1 mutant totally blocked stress-induced CAT1 expression and, interestingly, stress-induced H(2)O(2) production was also blocked. Over-expression of AtMEK1 significantly promoted stress-induced CAT1 expression, and also promoted H(2)O(2) production. These results conclusively indicate that stress-induced CAT1 expression is mediated by AtMEK1 and, furthermore, that the triggering of H(2)O(2) production might be involved in this process, as further proved by the observation that CAT1 expression was induced by applied H(2)O(2.) Surprisingly, the signalling mechanisms for stress-induced gene expression of CAT2 and CAT3 were very different from that of CAT1. Except for drought stress, expression of CAT2 or CAT3 was also activated by salt stress or ABA treatment, and AtMEK1 was not proved to be involved in the drought-induced expression of CAT2 or CAT3. Further studies showed that stomatal movement was much less sensitive to ABA in AtMEK1 mutant (mek1), and over-expression of AtMEK1 in Arabidopsis increased plant resistance to drought or salt stress, which further demonstrated that AtMEK1 is a crucial mediator in plant stress signal transduction.

Erk1/2 MAPK and caldesmon differentially regulate podosome dynamics in A7r5 vascular smooth muscle cells

We tested the hypothesis that the MEK/Erk/caldesmon phosphorylation cascade regulates PKC-mediated podosome dynamics in A7r5 cells. We observed the phosphorylation of MEK, Erk and caldesmon, and their translocation to the podosomes upon phorbol dibutyrate (PDBu) stimulation, together with the nuclear translocation of phospho-MEK and phospho-Erk. After MEK inhibition by U0126, Erk translocated to the interconnected actin-rich columns but failed to translocate to the nucleus, suggesting that podosomes served as a site for Erk phosphorylation. The interconnected actin-rich columns in U0126-treated, PDBu-stimulated cells contained alpha-actinin, caldesmon, vinculin, and metalloproteinase-2. Caldesmon and vinculin became integrated with F-actin at the columns, in contrast to their typical location at the ring of podosomes. Live-imaging experiments suggested the growth of these columns from podosomes that were slow to disassemble. The observed modulation of podosome size and life time in A7r5 cells overexpressing wild-type and phosphorylation-deficient caldesmon-GFP mutants in comparison to untransfected cells suggests that caldesmon and caldesmon phosphorylation modulate podosome dynamics in A7r5 cells. These results suggest that Erk1/2 and caldesmon differentially modulate PKC-mediated formation and/or dynamics of podosomes in A7r5 vascular smooth muscle cells.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1-dependent Golgi unlinking occurs in G2 phase and promotes the G2/M cell cycle transition

Two controversies have emerged regarding the signaling pathways that regulate Golgi disassembly at the G(2)/M cell cycle transition. The first controversy concerns the role of mitogen-activated protein kinase activator mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)1, and the second controversy concerns the participation of Golgi structure in a novel cell cycle "checkpoint." A potential simultaneous resolution is suggested by the hypothesis that MEK1 triggers Golgi unlinking in late G(2) to control G(2)/M kinetics. Here, we show that inhibition of MEK1 by RNA interference or by using the MEK1/2-specific inhibitor U0126 delayed the passage of synchronized HeLa cells into M phase. The MEK1 requirement for normal mitotic entry was abrogated if Golgi proteins were dispersed before M phase by treatment of cells with brefeldin A or if GRASP65, which links Golgi stacks into a ribbon network, was depleted. Imaging revealed that unlinking of the Golgi apparatus begins before M phase, is independent of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 activation, and requires MEK signaling. Furthermore, expression of the GRASP family member GRASP55 after alanine substitution of its MEK1-dependent mitotic phosphorylation sites inhibited both late G(2) Golgi unlinking and the G(2)/M transition. Thus, MEK1 plays an in vivo role in Golgi reorganization, which regulates cell cycle progression.

Involvement of Raf-1/MEK/ERK1/2 signaling pathway in zinc-induced injury in rat renal cortical slices

Zinc is an essential nutrient that can also be toxic. We have previously reported that zinc-related renal toxicity is due, in part, to free radical generation in the renal epithelial cell line, LLC-PK(1) cells. We have also shown that an MEK1/2 inhibitor, U0126, markedly inhibits zinc-induced renal cell injury. In this study, we investigated the role of an upstream MEK/ERK pathway, Raf-1 kinase pathway, and the transcription factor and ERK substrate Elk-1, in rat renal cortical slices exposed to zinc. Immediately after preparing slices from rat renal cortex, the slices were incubated in medium containing Raf-1 and MEK inhibitors. ERK1/2 and Elk-1 activation were determined by Western blot analysis for phosphorylated ERK (pERK) 1/2 and phosphorylated Elk-1 (pElk-1) in nuclear fractions prepared from slices exposed to zinc. Zinc caused not only increases in 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) modified protein and lipid peroxidation, as an index of oxidant stress, and decreases in PAH accumulation, as that of renal cell injury in the slices. Zinc also induced a rapid increase in ERK/Elk-1 activity accompanied by increased expressions of pERK and pElk-1 in the nuclear fraction. A Raf-1 kinase inhibitor and an MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126 significantly attenuated zinc-induced decreases PAH accumulation in the slices. The Raf-1 kinase inhibitor and U0126 also suppressed ERK1/2 activation in nuclear fractions prepared from slices treated with zinc. The present results suggest that a Raf-1/MEK/ERK1/2 pathway and the ERK substrate Elk-1 are involved in free radical-induced injury in rat renal cortical slices exposed to zinc.

SHP-2-Erk signaling regulates Concanavalin A-dependent production of TIMP-2

To search for the signaling critical for the production of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2), we investigated the role of SHP-2 in TIMP-2 production with Concanavalin A (Con A)-treated cells. In wild-type fibroblasts, Con A-treatment dramatically activated TIMP-2 production. In contrast, production of TIMP-2 in response to Con A-treatment was severely impaired in cells expressing mutant SHP-2 whose 65 amino acids in the SH2-N domain were deleted. Con A-treatment activated dual signaling pathways, Erk and p38, in a SHP-2-dependent manner. Pretreatment of wild-type cells with U0126, a potent inhibitor of MEK1, significantly inhibited the production of TIMP-2, whereas SB203580, a specific inhibitor for p38, could not. Finally, expression of exogenous wild-type SHP-2 in SHP-2 mutant cells clearly rescued Erk activation and TIMP-2 production in response to Con A-treatment. Taken together, our results strongly suggest that SHP-2 plays a critical role as a positive modulator for the production of TIMP-2 via MEK1-Erk signaling in fibroblasts.

Cell differentiation dependent expressed CCR6 mediates ERK-1/2, SAPK/JNK, and Akt signaling resulting in proliferation and migration of colorectal cancer cells

The expression of CCL20 (MIP-3alpha), which chemoattracts leukocytes to sites of inflammation, has been shown in intestinal epithelial cells (IEC). Aim of this study was to analyze the role of the CCL20 receptor CCR6 in IEC and colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. Expression of CCR6 and CCL20 was analyzed by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Signaling was investigated by Western blotting, proliferation by MTS assays and chemotactic cell migration by wounding assays. The effect of CCL20 on Fas-induced apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. CCR6 and its ligand CCL20 are expressed in IEC. Moreover, CRC and CRC metastases express CCR6, which is upregulated during IEC differentiation. Stimulation of IEC with CCL20 and proinflammatory stimuli (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, LPS) significantly upregulates CCL20 mRNA expression. CCL20 expression was significantly increased in inflamed colonic lesions in Crohn's disease and correlated significantly with the IL-8 mRNA expression in these lesions (r = 0.71) but was downregulated in CRC metastases. CCL20 activated Akt, ERK-1/2, and SAPK/JNK MAP kinases and increased IL-8 protein expression. The CCL20 mediated activation of these pathways resulted in a 2.6-fold increase of cell migration (P = 0.001) and in a significant increase of cell proliferation (P < 0.05) but did not influence Fas-induced apoptosis. In conclusion, IEC and CRC express CCL20 and its receptor CCR6. CCL20 expression is increased in intestinal inflammation, while CCR6 is upregulated during cell differentiation. CCR6 mediated signals result in increased IEC migration and proliferation suggesting an important role in intestinal homeostasis and intestinal inflammation by mediating chemotaxis of IEC but also in mediating migration of CRC cells.

ERK and Beyond: Insights from B-Raf and Raf-1 Conditional Knockouts

The Raf/MEK/ERK cascade is a highly conserved signal transduction module whose activation reportedly results in a plethora of physiological outcomes. Depending on the cell type or the stimulus used, the pathway has been implicated in proliferation, differentiation, survival, and migration. Their wide range of activities renders the component of the Raf/MEK/ERK pathway prime candidates for molecule-targeted therapies, in particular, but not exclusively, in the context of cancer. Ras, Raf and MEK inhibitors have been developed, and some of them are in advanced clinical trials. Somewhat surprising in view of all this interest, our understanding of the fundamental biology of the ERK pathway in vivo is still scanty. Its investigation has been hampered by the fact that conventional targeting of many of these genes results in embryonic lethality. Recently, we and others have generated mouse strains that allow the conditional ablation of the genes coding for Raf-1, B-Raf and MEK-1. We are using these tools to identify the essential biological functions of these kinases, and to understand how the ERK pathway is wired in vivo. Here, we discuss some of the surprises yielded by the analysis of the role of B-Raf and Raf-1 and of their downstream effectors.

Role of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase in Porphyromonas gingivalis-induced myocardial cell hypertrophy and apoptosis

Secreted factors present in the medium following growth of the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis cause increased cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and apoptosis, whereas secreted factors from Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Prevotella intermedia have no such effects. The purpose of this study was to clarify the role of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular-regulated protein kinase (ERK) pathways in P. gingivalis medium-induced H9c2 myocardial cell hypertrophy and apoptosis. Cellular morphology, DNA fragmentation, nuclear condensation, total mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular-regulated protein kinase-1 (ERK-1), total ERK-1 protein, and phosphorylated ERK-1 protein products in cultured H9c2 myocardial cells were measured by actin immunofluorescence, agarose gel electrophoresis, nuclear condensation, and western blotting following stimulation with P. gingivalis spent growth medium or pre-administration of U0126, a potent MEK-1/2 inhibitor. Components of P. gingivalis spent culture medium not only resulted in increased total MEK-1 and ERK-1 protein products, but also caused increased cellular size, DNA fragmentation, and nuclear condensation in H9c2 cells. These three parameters, and the phosphorylated ERK-1 protein products of H9c2 cells treated with P. gingivalis medium, were all significantly reduced after pre-administration of U0126. The results suggest that P. gingivalis-secreted factors may initiate MEK/ERK signal pathways and lead to myocardial cell hypertrophy and apoptosis.

Stress-induced germ cell apoptosis by a p53 independent pathway in Caenorhabditis elegans

In Caenorhabditis elegans, several distinct apoptosis pathways have been characterized in the germline. The physiological pathway is though to eliminate excess germ cells during oogenesis to maintain gonad homeostasis and it is activated by unknown mechanisms. The DNA damage-induced germ cell apoptosis occurs in response to genotoxic agents and involves the proteins EGL-1 and CED-13, and the DNA damage response protein p53. Germ cell apoptosis can also be induced in response to pathogen infection through an EGL-1 dependent pathway. To gain insight into the mechanism and functions of germ cell apoptosis, we investigated whether and how other forms of stress induce this cell death. We found that oxidative, osmotic, heat shock and starvation stresses induce germ cell apoptosis through a p53 and EGL-1 independent pathway. We also learned that the MAPK kinases MEK-1 and SEK-1, and the p53 antagonist protein ABL-1, are essential for stress-induced germ cell apoptosis. We conclude that in C. elegans responses to various stresses that do not involve genotoxicity include an increase in germ cell apoptosis through the physiological pathway.

Antiphospholipid antibodies from patients with the antiphospholipid syndrome induce monocyte tissue factor expression through the simultaneous activation of NF-kappaB/Rel proteins via the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, and of the MEK-1/ERK pathway

OBJECTIVE

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is characterized by thrombosis and the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). In patients with primary APS, expression of tissue factor (TF) on the surface of monocytes is increased, which may contribute to thrombosis in these patients. However, the intracellular mechanisms involved in aPL-mediated up-regulation of TF on monocytic cells are not understood. This study was undertaken to investigate the intracellular signals induced by aPL that mediate TF activation in monocytes from APS patients.

METHODS

We analyzed, both in vivo and in vitro, aPL interactions with proteins that have signaling functions, including mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAP kinases) and NF-kappaB/Rel proteins.

RESULTS

In vivo studies demonstrated significantly higher levels of both TF messenger RNA and TF protein in monocytes from APS patients compared with controls. At the molecular level, increased proteolysis of IkappaBalpha and activation of NF-kappaB were observed. Constitutive activation of both p38 and ERK-1 MAP kinases was also found. Treatment of normal monocytes with aPL activated ERK-1 and p38 MAP kinases, as well as the IkappaB/NF-kappaB pathway, in a dose-dependent manner. NF-kappaB activation and IkappaBalpha degradation induced by aPL were inhibited by the NF-kappaB inhibitor SN50 and the p38 MAP kinase inhibitor SB203580, thus suggesting crosstalk between these pathways. However, the MEK-1/ERK inhibitor PD98059 did not affect aPL-induced NF-kappaB binding activity. TF expression induced by aPL was significantly inhibited by combined treatment with the 3 inhibitors.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that aPL induces TF expression in monocytes from APS patients by activating, simultaneously and independently, the phosphorylation of MEK-1/ERK proteins, and the p38 MAP kinase-dependent nuclear translocation and activation of NF-kappaB/Rel proteins.

CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein phosphorylation biases cortical precursors to generate neurons rather than astrocytes in vivo

The intracellular mechanisms that bias mammalian neural precursors to generate neurons versus glial cells are not well understood. We demonstrated previously that the growth factor-regulated mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) and its downstream target, the CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) family of transcription factors, are essential for neurogenesis in cultured cortical precursor cells (Ménard et al., 2002). Here, we examined a role for this pathway during cortical cell fate determination in vivo using in utero electroporation of the embryonic cortex. These studies demonstrate that inhibition of the activity of either MEK or the C/EBPs inhibits the genesis of neurons in vivo. Moreover, the MEK pathway mediates phosphorylation of C/EBPbeta in cortical precursors, and expression of a C/EBPbeta construct in which the MEK pathway phosphorylation sites are mutated inhibits neurogenesis. Conversely, expression of a C/EBPbeta construct, in which the same sites are mutated to glutamate and therefore are "constitutively" phosphorylated, enhances neurogenesis in the early embryonic cortex. A subpopulation of precursors in which C/EBP activity is inhibited are maintained as cycling precursors in the ventricular/subventricular zone of the cortex until early in postnatal life, when they have an enhanced propensity to generate astrocytes, presumably in response to gliogenic signals in the neonatal environment. Thus, activation of an MEK-C/EBP pathway in cortical precursors in vivo biases them to become neurons and against becoming astrocytes, thereby acting as a growth factor-regulated switch.

Inhibitors of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 signaling pathway clear prion-infected cells from PrPSc

Prions represent a unique class of infectious agents in which the normal cellular prion protein (PrPC) is converted to an abnormal isoform (PrPSc), which accumulates in the brain and constitutes the major, if not the only, component of the infectious particle. Factors that still remain to be identified may facilitate the conversion of PrPC to PrPSc. In the present study, we first demonstrated that a growth factor of the neurotrophin family, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), stimulates the formation of PrPSc in a gonadotropin-releasing hormone-secreting neuronal cell line (GT1-1 cells) infected with the Rocky Mountain Laboratory (RML) strain of scrapie as determined by Western blot analysis. We then observed that the prion-infected cells can be cleared from PrPSc by treatment with three inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2) [1,4-diamino-2,3-dicyano-1,4-bis(o-aminophenylmercapto)butadiene and 2-(2-amino-3-methyoxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one, as well as alpha-[amino[(4-aminophenyl)thio]methylene]-2-(trifluoromethyl) benzeneacetonitrile, which passes the blood-brain barrier], a component of one of the intracellular signaling pathways activated by BDNF. The MEK1/2 inhibitors were also efficient in clearing PrPSc from prion-infected GT1-1 cells stimulated to accumulate high levels of PrPSc by enhanced serum concentrations in the medium or by the use of a serum-free neuron-specific neurobasal medium. PrPSc did not reappear in the cultures within 5 weeks after completion of treatment. We conclude that inhibitors of the MEK1/2 pathway can efficiently and probably irreversibly clear PrP(Sc) from prion-infected cells. The MEK pathway may therefore be a suitable target for therapeutic intervention in prion diseases.

RIG1 inhibits the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway by suppressing the activation of Ras

The retinoid-inducible gene 1 (RIG1) protein is a retinoid-inducible growth regulator. Previous studies have shown that the RIG1 protein inhibits the signaling pathways of Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinases. However, neither the mode of action nor the site of inhibition of RIG1 is known. This study investigated the effects of RIG1, and the mechanisms responsible for these effects, on the activation of Ras proteins in HtTA cervical cancer cells. RIG1 reduced the levels of activated Ras (Ras-GTP) and total Ras protein in cells transfected with mutated H-, N-, or K-Ras(G12V), or in cells transfected with the wild type H- or N-Ras followed by stimulation with epidermal growth factor. The half-life of Ras protein decreased from more than 36 h in control cells to 18 h in RIG1-transfected cells. RIG1 immunoprecipitated with the Ras protein in co-transfected cellular lysates. In contrast to the predominant plasma membrane localization in control cells, the H-Ras fusion protein EGFP-H-Ras was localized within a discrete cytoplasmic compartment where it co-localized with RIG1. RIG1 inhibited more than 93% of the Elk- and CHOP-mediated transactivation induced by H- or K-Ras(G12V). However, RIG1 did not inhibit the transactivation induced by MEK1 or MEK3, and failed to suppress the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 induced by the constitutively activated B-Raf(V599E). The RIG1 with carboxyl terminal truncation (RIG1DeltaC) did not immunoprecipitate with Ras and had no effect on Ras activation or transactivation of the downstream signal pathways. These data indicate that RIG1 exerts its inhibitory effect at the level of Ras activation, which is independent of Ras subtype but dependent on the membrane localization of the RIG1 protein. This inhibition of Ras activation may be mediated through downregulation of Ras levels and alteration of Ras subcellular distribution.

Mechanistic link between the anti-HCV effect of interferon gamma and control of viral replication by a Ras-MAPK signaling cascade

Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) exerts potent antiviral activity in the hepatitis C virus (HCV) replicon systems. However, the mechanisms underlying the direct antiviral effect have not been determined. We found that the type II transcriptional response to IFN-gamma could be suppressed by inhibition of MEK1/2 kinase activity by MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126 in the hepatoma cell line Huh-7. Using a bicistronic HCV replicon system expressing a luciferase reporter gene in Huh-7 cells (RLuc-replicon), we showed that inhibition of MEK1/2 kinase activity is sufficient to counteract the antiviral activity of IFN-gamma. Expression of a constitutive active form of Ras inhibited the luciferase activity of RLuc-replicon, whereas a dominant-negative mutant of Ras enhanced the reporter activity, indicating that the Ras-MAPK pathway has a role in limiting replication of the viral RNA. Consistent with the involvement of the Ras-MAPK pathway, treatment with epidermal growth factor suppressed HCV protein expression in the RLuc-replicon cells, an effect that could be abolished by U0126. Inhibition of MEK1/2 kinase activity correlated with reduced phosphorylation of the HCV NS5A protein and enhanced RLuc-replicon luciferase reporter activity, in line with recent reports that phosphorylation of NS5A negatively modulates HCV RNA replication. Finally, genetic deletion analysis in yeast supported the role of a MEK-like kinase(s) in the regulation of NS5A phosphorylation. In conclusion, the direct anti-HCV effect of IFN-gamma in cell culture is, at least in part, mediated through the Ras-MAPK signaling pathway, which possibly involves a direct or indirect modulation of NS5A protein phosphorylation.

Dual pathways for nuclear factor kappaB activation by angiotensin II in vascular smooth muscle: phosphorylation of p65 by IkappaB kinase and ribosomal kinase

Activation of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB by angiotensin II (Ang II) plays an essential role in stimulating expression of vascular adhesion molecules, which are essential for vascular inflammation. We report that Ang II activates NF-kappaB by phosphorylating its p65 subunit via a pathway mediated partially by ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK). In investigating other pathway(s) that may be involved, we found that the ability of Ang II to activate NF-kappaB in mouse embryonic fibroblast is suppressed (approximately 70%) either by deletion of IkappaB Kinase (IKK) or by inhibiting or knocking down IKK in vascular smooth muscle cells using a dominant-negative IKK adenovirus or small interference RNA to IKKbeta. Thus, Ang II also stimulates NF-kappaB via IKK. In vitro, we found that Ang II stimulates IKK to phosphorylate myelin basic protein and the p65 subunit of NF-kappaB. The mechanism by which Ang II activates IKK is to increase phosphorylation of IKKbeta in its activation loop (Ser181) rather than IkappaB phosphorylation. Inhibiting both the RSK and IKK pathways completely blocks the Ang II-induced p65 phosphorylation and NF-kappaB activation. These 2 pathways are independent: inhibiting IKK does not block Ang II-induced phosphorylation of RSK, whereas inhibiting mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 does not affect phosphorylation of IKK. Finally, we found that Ang II can induce expression of vascular adhesion molecules by 2 pathways; both IKK and RSK lead to phosphorylation of the p65 subunit of NF-kappaB to increase vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 transcription. The 2 pathways are functionally important because inhibiting IKK and RSK in vascular smooth muscle cells blocks Ang II-induced expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 to limit vascular inflammation.

Geniposide activates GSH S-transferase by the induction of GST M1 and GST M2 subunits involving the transcription and phosphorylation of MEK-1 signaling in rat hepatocytes

Geniposide, an iridoid glycoside isolated from the fruit of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, has biological capabilities of detoxication, antioxidation, and anticarcinogenesis. We have recently found that geniposide possesses a potential for detoxication by inducing GST activity and the expression of GST M1 and GST M2 subunits. In this study, the signaling pathway of geniposide leading to the activation of GSH S-transferase (GST) was investigated. Primary cultured rat hepatocytes were treated with geniposide in the presence or absence of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors and examined for GST activity, expression of GST M1 and M2 subunits, and protein levels of MAPK signaling proteins. Western blotting data demonstrated that geniposide induced increased protein levels of GST M1 and GST M2 (approximately 1.76- and 1.50-fold of control, respectively). The effect of geniposide on the increased protein levels of GST M1 and GST M2 was inhibited by the MEK-1 inhibitor PD98059, but not by other MAPK inhibitors. The GST M1 and GST M2 transcripts as determined by RT-PCR and GST activity were also inhibited concurrently by the MEK-1 inhibitor PD98059. The protein levels of up- and down-stream effectors of the MEK-1, including Ras, Raf, and Erk1/2, and the phosphorylation state of Erk1/2 were found to be induced by geniposide, indicating a two-phase influence of geniposide. The results suggest that geniposide induced GST activity and the expression of GST M1 and GST M2 acting through MEK-1 pathway by activating and increasing expression of Ras/Raf/MEK-1 signaling mediators.

ERK1/2 and MEK1/2 induced by Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (human herpesvirus 8) early during infection of target cells are essential for expression of viral genes and for establishment of infection

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) in vitro target cell infection is characterized by the expression of the latency-associated genes ORF 73 (LANA-1), ORF 72, and K13 and by the transient expression of a very limited number of lytic genes such as lytic cycle switch gene ORF 50 (RTA) and the immediate early (IE) lytic K5, K8, and v-IRF2 genes. During the early stages of infection, several overlapping multistep complex events precede the initiation of viral gene expression. KSHV envelope glycoprotein gB induces the FAK-Src-PI3K-RhoGTPase (where FAK is focal adhesion kinase) signaling pathway. As early as 5 min postinfection (p.i.), KSHV induced the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) via the PI3K-PKCzeta-MEK pathway. In addition, KSHV modulated the transcription of several host genes of primary human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC-d) and fibroblast (HFF) cells by 2 h and 4 h p.i. Neutralization of virus entry and infection by PI-3K and other cellular tyrosine kinase inhibitors suggested a critical role for signaling molecules in KSHV infection of target cells. Here we investigated the induction of ERK1/2 by KSHV and KSHV envelope glycoproteins gB and gpK8.1A and the role of induced ERK in viral and host gene expression. Early during infection, significant ERK1/2 induction was observed even with low multiplicity of infection of live and UV-inactivated KSHV in serum-starved cells as well as in the presence of serum. Entry of UV-inactivated virus and the absence of viral gene expression suggested that ERK1/2 induction is mediated by the initial signal cascade induced by KSHV binding and entry. Purified soluble gpK8.1A induced the MEK1/2 dependent ERK1/2 but not ERK5 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in HMVEC-d and HFF. Moderate ERK induction with soluble gB was seen only in HMVEC-d. Preincubation of gpK8.1A with heparin or anti-gpK8.1A antibodies inhibited the ERK induction. U0126, a selective inhibitor for MEK/ERK blocked the gpK8.1A- and KSHV-induced ERK activation. ERK1/2 inhibition did not block viral DNA internalization and had no significant effect on nuclear delivery of KSHV DNA during de novo infection. Analyses of viral gene expression by quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase PCR revealed that pretreatment of cells with U0126 for 1 h and during the 2-h infection with KSHV significantly inhibited the expression of ORF 73, ORF 50 (RTA), and the IE-K8 and v-IRF2 genes. However, the expression of lytic IE-K5 gene was not affected significantly. Expression of ORF 73 in BCBL-1 cells was also significantly inhibited by preincubation with U0126. Inhibition of ERK1/2 also inhibited the transcription of some of the vital host genes such as DUSP5 (dual specificity phosphatase 5), ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule 1), heparin binding epidermal growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor that were up-regulated early during KSHV infection. Several MAPK-regulated host transcription factors such as c-Jun, STAT1alpha, MEF2, c-Myc, ATF-2 and c-Fos were induced early during infection, and ERK inhibition significantly blocked the c-Fos, c-Jun, c-Myc, and STAT1alpha activation in the infected cells. AP1 transcription factors binding to the RTA promoter in electrophoretic mobility shift assays were readily detected in the infected cell nuclear extracts which were significantly reduced by ERK inhibition. Together, these results suggest that very early during de novo infection, KSHV induces the ERK1/2 to modulate the initiation of viral gene expression and host cell genes, which further supports our hypothesis that beside the conduit for viral DNA delivery into the cytoplasm, KSHV interactions with host cell receptor(s) create an appropriate intracellular environment facilitating infection.

Interleukin-10 suppresses tissue factor expression in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages via inhibition of Egr-1 and a serum response element/MEK-ERK1/2 pathway

Atherosclerosis is considered to be an inflammatory disease. Tissue factor (TF), a prothrombotic molecule expressed by various cell types within atherosclerotic plaques, is thought to play an essential role in thrombus formation after atherosclerotic plaque rupture. Recent studies suggest that the antiinflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) has many antiatherosclerotic properties. Therefore, the effects of IL-10 on TF expression in response to inflammation were investigated. Mouse macrophages were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the presence or absence of IL-10. Pretreatment with IL-10 resulted in a 50% decrease in TF mRNA expression and TF promoter activity. Binding of early growth response gene-1 (Egr-1) to the consensus DNA sequence, a key transcriptional activator of TF expression in response to inflammation, and the expression of Egr-1 mRNA were also inhibited by IL-10. This inhibition was independent of the induction of suppressor of cytokine signaling protein-3 by IL-10. Macrophages that had been transfected with luciferase reporter constructs containing the murine Egr-1 5'-flanking sequence exhibited reduced reporter gene activity in response to LPS stimulation with IL-10 pretreatment. Studies with deletion constructs of the Egr-1 promoter identified the proximal serum response element SRE3 as a potential regulatory site for the IL-10 mediated suppression of Egr-1 expression. Furthermore, activation of the upstream signal-transduction elements, such as mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) 1/2, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, and Elk-1 were also inhibited by IL-10 pretreatment. Taken together, these results demonstrate a pathway for the IL-10 mediated inhibition of TF expression during inflammation and may explain the antiatherosclerotic effects of IL-10.

MAPK activation via 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A receptor is involved in the neuroprotective effects of xaliproden

Motoneurons require neurotrophic factors for their survival and their differentiation. Xaliproden (SR57746A) is a synthetic compound that exhibits in vivo and in vitro neurotrophic effects in several experimental studies. Here we demonstrate that neuroprotective effects of Xaliproden on motoneuron cultures are mediated by the activation of the mitogen activated protein kinase pathway. It is inhibited by PD98059, a selective and irreversible inhibitor of MEK1. The activation of this pathway seems to involve two different proteins, the protein kinase C and the Ras. Indeed, we show that Xaliproden is able to activate the MAP kinases ERK1/2 and PKC in motoneurons. In addition, the use of a 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A receptor antagonist, Pindobind and pertussis toxin, inhibits the effect of Xaliproden on motoneuron survival, suggesting the involvement of this G-protein coupled receptor. Morever, 8-OH-DPAT, an agonist of 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A receptor, increases the survival of mouse motoneurons but not by the same extent as BDNF or xaliproden. Since 8-OH-DPAT does not act synergistically with Xaliproden, it is likely that their neuroprotective properties involve a similar pathway. Taken together, these results indicate that neuroprotective effects of Xaliproden on mouse motoneurons are dependent on the mitogen-activated protein kinase activation via 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A receptor.

Prostacyclin receptor induces STAT1 and STAT3 phosphorylations in human erythroleukemia cells: a mechanism requiring PTX-insensitive G proteins, ERK and JNK

The ability of the human prostacyclin receptor (hIP) to regulate the activities of signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) has not yet been documented. In the present study, we have delineated the mechanism by which hIP induces STAT3 phosphorylations in human erythroleukemia (HEL) cells. Stimulation of endogenous hIP by its specific agonist, cicaprost, resulted in STAT3 Tyr705 and Ser727 phosphorylations in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Cicaprost-induced STAT3 Tyr705 and Ser727 phosphorylations were resistant to pertussis toxin (PTX) treatment, suggesting that these responses were mediated through PTX-insensitive G proteins. In addition, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), but not p38 MAPK, were shown to be phosphorylated by cicaprost in a time- and concentration-dependent manner via PTX-insensitive G proteins. The levels of the interaction between STAT3, ERK and JNK were enhanced by cicaprost treatment. The involvement of Raf-1, MEK1/2 and JNK in cicaprost-induced phosphorylations of STAT3 was illustrated by the use of their selective inhibitors. In contrast, p38 MAPK did not appear to be required. Similar observations were obtained with STAT1 upon stimulation by cicaprost. Taken together, these results demonstrate for the first time that hIP activation by cicaprost can lead to STAT1 and STAT3 phosphorylations via signaling pathways involving PTX-insensitive G proteins, ERK and JNK.

Cardioprotective stress response in the human fetal heart

OBJECTIVE

We propose that the fetal heart is highly resilient to hypoxic stress. Our objective was to elucidate the human fetal gene expression profile in response to simulated ischemia and reperfusion to identify molecular targets that account for the innate cardioprotection exhibited by the fetal phenotype.

METHODS

Primary cultures of human fetal cardiac myocytes (gestational age, 15-20 weeks) were exposed to simulated ischemia and reperfusion in vitro by using a simulated ischemic buffer under anoxic conditions. Total RNA from treated and baseline cells were isolated, reverse transcribed, and labeled with Cy3 or Cy5 and hybridized to a human cDNA microarray for expression analysis. This analysis revealed a highly significant (false discovery rate, <3%) suppression of interleukin 6 transcript levels during the reperfusion phase confirmed by means of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (0.25 +/- 0.11-fold). Interleukin 6 signaling during ischemia and reperfusion was assessed at the protein expression level by means of Western measurements of interleukin 6 receptor, the signaling subunit of the interleukin 6 receptor complex (gp130), and signal transducer of activated transcription 3. Posttranslational changes in the protein kinase B signaling pathway were determined on the basis of the phosphorylation status of protein kinase B, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and glycogen synthase kinase 3beta. The effect of suppression of a prohypertrophic kinase, integrin-linked kinase, with short-interfering RNA was determined in an ischemia and reperfusion-stressed neonatal rat cardiac myocyte model. Endogenous secretion of interleukin 6 protein in culture supernatants was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

Human fetal cardiac myocytes exhibited a significantly lower rate of apoptosis induction during ischemia and reperfusion and after exposure to staurosporine and recombinant interleukin 6 compared with that observed in neonatal rat cardiac myocytes ( P < .05 for all comparisons, analysis of variance). Exposure to exogenously added recombinant interleukin 6 increased the apoptotic rate in both rat and human fetal cardiac myocytes ( P < .05). Short-interfering RNA-mediated suppression of integrin-linked kinase, a prohypertrophy upstream kinase regulating protein kinase B and glycogen synthase kinase 3beta phosphorylation, was cytoprotective against ischemia and reperfusion-induced apoptosis in neonatal rat cardiac myocytes ( P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Human fetal cardiac myocytes exhibit a uniquely adaptive transcriptional response to ischemia and reperfusion that is associated with an apoptosis-resistant phenotype. The stress-inducible fetal cardiac myocyte gene repertoire is a useful platform for identification of targets relevant to the mitigation of cardiac ischemic injury and highlights a novel avenue involving interleukin 6 modulation for preventing the cardiac myocyte injury associated with ischemia and reperfusion.

Roles of the Ras-MEK-mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt-mTOR pathways in Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus-induced transformation of rodent fibroblast and epithelial cell lines

Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV) is the causative agent of ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA), a transmissible lung cancer of sheep. The virus can induce tumors rapidly, and we previously found that the JSRV envelope protein (Env) functions as an oncogene, because it can transform mammalian and avian fibroblast cell lines. (N. Maeda, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 98:4449-4454, 2001). The molecular mechanisms of JSRV Env transformation are of considerable interest. Several reports suggested that the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway is important for transformation of mammalian fibroblasts but not for chicken fibroblasts. In this study, we found that Akt/mTOR is involved in JSRV transformation of mouse NIH 3T3 fibroblasts, because treatment with the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin reduced transformation. We also found that H/N-Ras inhibitor FTI-277 and MEK1/2 inhibitors PD98059 and U0126 strongly inhibited JSRV transformation of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts, suggesting that the H/N-Ras-MEK-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) p44/42 pathway is necessary for the transformation. In RK3E epithelial cells, the MEK1/2 inhibitors also eliminated transformation, but FTI-277 only partially inhibited transformation. It was noteworthy that p38 MAPK inhibitors enhanced JSRV transformation in both fibroblasts and epithelial cells. Treatment of transformed cells with p38 inhibitors both increased levels of phospho-MEK1/2 and phospho-p44/42 and induced rapid enhancement of the transformed phenotype. Immunohistochemical staining of tumor tissues from naturally and experimentally induced OPA and naturally occurring enzootic nasal adenocarcinoma revealed strong activation of MAPK p44/42 in all cases examined. However, p38 activation was not generally observed. These results indicate that signaling through two pathways (in particular, H/N-Ras-MEK-MAPK and, to a lesser extent, Akt-mTOR) is important for JSRV-induced transformation and that p38 MAPK has a negative regulatory effect on transformation, perhaps via MEK1/2 and p44/42.

Activation of the Erk pathway is required for TGF-beta1-induced EMT in vitro

Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) can be tumor-suppressive through the activation of the Smad-mediated signaling pathway. TGF-beta1 can also enhance tumor progression by stimulating epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) through additional pathways. EMT is characterized by the acquisition of a fibroblast-like cell morphology, dissolution of tight junctions, disruption of adherence junctions, and formation of actin stress fibers. There is evidence linking the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways to the induction of TGF-beta1-mediated EMT. However, the role of Erk in the induction of TGF-beta1-mediated EMT remains unclear. TGF-beta1 treatment of normal murine mammary gland (NMuMG) epithelial cells resulted in increased gene expression of Ras, Raf, MEK1/2, and Erk1/2, as shown by microarray analysis and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Upon 24 and 48 hours of treatment with TGF-beta1, NMuMG and mouse cortical tubule (MCT) epithelial cells underwent EMT as shown by changes in cell morphology, delocalization of zonula occludens-1 and E-cadherin from cell-cell junctions, and formation of actin stress fibers. TGF-beta1 treatment also resulted in increased levels of phosphorylated Erk and Erk kinase activity. Treatment with an MEK inhibitor, U0126, inhibited increased Erk phosphorylation and kinase activity, and blocked TGF-beta1-induced EMT in both cell lines. These data show that TGF-beta1 induces the activation of the Erk signaling pathway, which is required for TGF-beta1-mediated EMT in vitro.

Insulin-like growth factor 1 signaling in human gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor cells

Background Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is an autocrine regulator of carcinoid tumors. Blockade of IGF-1 signaling has been proposed as a therapeutic target in the treatment of patients with carcinoid syndrome. We hypothesized that the induction of parallel raf-1/MEK1 pathways will block IGF-1-mediated chromogranin A (CgA) maintenance. Methods Human gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor cells (BON) were treated with IGF-1 (0-500 ng/mL). Raf-1/MEK1 activation was achieved with an estrogen-inducible raf-1 vector that was transduced into BON cells. Activation of IGF-1/raf-1 pathways was determined by phosphorylation of downstream targets p70s6 and ERK1/2. The secreted and intercellular levels of CgA were measured in conditioned media and whole cell extracts by Western and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis. Results IGF-1 and raf-1 pathways were activated successfully in BON cells, as shown by high levels of phosphorylated p70s6 and phosphorylated ERK1/2, respectively. Treatment of BON cells with IGF-1 stimulated the release of CgA, while high intracellular CgA levels were maintained. The activation of raf-1/MEK1 reversed the effect of IGF-1 treatment by the depletion of intracellular CgA. Conclusions The induction of the raf-1/MEK1 pathway blocks IGF-1-mediated intracellular neuroendocrine hormone regulation. Therefore, raf-1/MEK1 activation may be a viable method to block IGF-1-mediated cellular effects and serve as a therapeutic target in gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors.

A transient increase in the activity of Src-family kinases induced by cell detachment delays anoikis of intestinal epithelial cells

Detachment of epithelial cells from the basement membrane (BM) induces apoptosis, a phenomenon now widely known as anoikis. Studies in mammary and intestinal epithelial cells have shown that the loss of attachment to the BM rapidly triggers reversible proapoptotic events from which the cells can recover if they reattach within a certain period. Thus, cells seem to be transiently protected from the initial detachment-induced proapoptotic events. The molecular mechanisms underlying such transient protection against anoikis are unknown. In this paper, we present evidence indicating that detachment of intestinal epithelial cells triggers a transient, yet significant increase in the activity of the tyrosine kinases c-Src and c-Fyn, and that this activation of Src-family kinases (SFK) contributes to the transient protection against anoikis in these cells. The protective signals from SFK are mediated by the PI3K pathway, and caveolin-1. In addition, we show that the MEK1-ERK1/2 pathway acts in a synergistic manner with SFK to protect intestinal epithelial cells from anoikis.

Opposing extracellular signal-regulated kinase and Akt pathways control Schwann cell myelination

Schwann cells are the myelinating glia of the peripheral nervous system, and their development is regulated by various growth factors, such as neuregulin, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). However, the mechanism of intracellular signaling pathways following these ligand stimuli in Schwann cell differentiation remains elusive. Here, we demonstrate that in cultured Schwann cells, neuregulin and PDGF suppressed the expression of myelin-associated protein markers, whereas IGF-I promoted it. Although these ligands activated common downstream signaling pathways [i.e., extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt pathways], the profiles of activation varied among ligands. To elucidate the function of these pathways and the mechanisms underlying Schwann cell differentiation, we used adenoviral vectors to selectively activate or inactivate these pathways. We found that the selective activation of Erk pathways suppressed Schwann cell differentiation, whereas that of PI3K pathways promoted it. Furthermore, lithium chloride, a modulator of glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3beta) promoted Schwann cell differentiation, suggesting the involvement of GSK-3beta as a downstream molecule of PI3K-Akt pathways. Selective activation of PI3K pathways in Schwann cells by gene transfer also demonstrated increased myelination in in vitro Schwann cell-DRG neuron cocultures and in vivo allogenic nerve graft experiments. We conclude that signals mediated by PI3K-Akt are crucial for initiation of myelination and that the effects of growth factors are primarily dependent on the balance between Erk and PI3K-Akt activation. Our results also propose the possibility of augmenting Schwann cell functions by modulating intracellular signals in light of future cell therapies.

Induction of ornithine decarboxylase activity is a necessary step for mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase-induced skin tumorigenesis

A transgenic mouse line overexpressing a constitutively active mutant of MEK1, a downstream effector of Ras, driven by the keratin 14 (K14) promoter, has been used to test the hypothesis that ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) induction during tumor promotion following a single initiating event [i.e., the activation of the Raf/mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Raf/MEK/ERK) pathway], is a necessary step in skin carcinogenesis. K14-MEK mice exhibit moderate hyperplasia, with spontaneous skin tumor development within 5 weeks of birth. Analysis of epidermis and dermis showed induction of MEK protein and ERK1/ERK2 phosphorylation, but no change in Akt-1, suggesting that the PI 3-kinase pathway, another pathway downstream of ras, is not activated. Examination of tumors revealed high levels of ODC protein and activity, indicating that activation of signaling cascades dependent on MEK activity is a sufficient stimulus for ODC induction. When K14-MEK mice were given alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), a suicide inactivator of ODC, in the drinking water from birth, there was a dramatic delay in the onset of tumor growth ( approximately 6 weeks), and only 25% of DFMO-treated mice developed tumors by 15 weeks of age. All untreated K14-MEK mice developed tumors by 6 weeks of age. Treatment of tumor-bearing mice with DFMO reduced both tumor size and tumor number within several weeks. Tumor regression was the result of both inhibition of proliferation and increased apoptosis in tumors. The results establish ODC activation as an important component of the Raf/MEK/ERK pathway, and identify K14-MEK mice as a valuable model with which to study the regulation of ODC in ras carcinogenesis.