Activation of c-Jun amino-terminal kinase by GDNF induces G2/M cell cycle delay linked with actin reorganization

It is well known that the cell cycle is controlled by several cyclin/cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) complexes whose expression and phosphorylation states vary with orderly periodicity. During the cell cycle, activity of the cyclin/Cdk complexes can be regulated directly or indirectly by a number of molecules, including protein kinases and phosphatases, p53, and Cdk inhibitors. Here, we show that the addition of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) induced G2/M cell cycle delay in human SK-N-MC neuroectodermal tumor cells that express RET tyrosine kinase, accompanying actin reorganization. Cell cycle delay at G2/M was characterized by accelerated and prolonged Cdc2 phosphorylation and stabilization of cyclin B1 and Wee1 kinase expression. Interestingly, we found that phosphorylation and/or expression of Cdc2, cyclinB1, and Wee1 was controlled by the Rac1/c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway. Immunohistochemical analysis suggested that the G2/M cell cycle delay may be necessary to prevent the mitotic progression of SK-N-MC cells with perturbed actin cytoskeletons.     

TRAP induces more intense tyrosine phosphorylation than thrombin with differential ultrastructural features

We have analyzed modifications on platelet ultrastructural morphology, cytoskeletal assembly, and tyrosine phosphorylation developing in platelets activated by both thrombin and the thrombin receptor-activating peptide (TRAP). Washed platelets exposed to various concentrations of thrombin or TRAP, for different periods, were: fixed and examined by electron microscopy, or lysed and analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Under similar activating conditions, thrombin and TRAP induced different sequences of activation causing distinctive morphological and biochemical changes. Platelets exposed to thrombin showed centralized organelles encircled by constricted microtubule coils and granules secreting their contents through narrow channels of the open canalicular system. In contrast, activation by TRAP induced swelling of the open canalicular system with organelles remaining randomly dispersed and microtubules peripherally distributed. Compared to thrombin activation, TRAP induced higher rates of actin polymerization; increased association of actin-binding protein, myosin, and alpha-actinin; and higher association of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins with the insoluble cytoskeletal fraction. Secretion of intragranule substances, measured as expression of P-selectin and lysosomal integral membrane protein at the surface level, were similar for both agonists at equivalent concentrations. Our biochemical observations indicate that TRAP causes more intense changes in signaling through tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins associated with the cytoskeletal fraction than thrombin. However, as derived from ultrastructural observations, TRAP seems to be less efficient in triggering cytoskeletal assembly and internal contraction in an organized manner in contrast with the natural protease.     

Regulation of cytokine and chemokine expression by the ribotoxic stress response elicited by Shiga toxin type 1 in human macrophage-like THP-1 cells

Shiga toxins (Stxs) are cytotoxins produced by the enteric pathogens Shigella dysenteriae serotype 1 and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). Stxs bind to a membrane glycolipid receptor, enter cells, and undergo retrograde transport to ultimately reach the cytosol, where the toxins exert their protein synthesis-inhibitory activity by depurination of a single adenine residue from the 28S rRNA component of eukaryotic ribosomes. The depurination reaction activates the ribotoxic stress response, leading to signaling via the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways (Jun N-terminal protein kinase [JNK], p38, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase [ERK]) in human epithelial, endothelial, and myeloid cells. We previously showed that treatment of human macrophage-like THP-1 cells with Stxs resulted in increased cytokine and chemokine expression. In the present study, we show that individual inactivation of ERK, JNK, and p38 MAPKs using pharmacological inhibitors in the presence of Stx1 resulted in differential regulation of the cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and chemokines IL-8, growth-regulated protein-β, macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α), and MIP-1β. THP-1 cells exposed to Stx1 upregulate the expression of select dual-specificity phosphatases (DUSPs), enzymes that dephosphorylate and inactivate MAPKs in mammalian cells. In this study, we confirmed DUSP1 protein production by THP-1 cells treated with Stx1. DUSP1 inhibition by triptolide showed that ERK and p38 phosphorylation is regulated by DUSP1, while JNK phosphorylation is not. Inhibition of p38 MAPK signaling blocked the ability of Stx1 to induce DUSP1 mRNA expression, suggesting that an autoregulatory signaling loop may be activated by Stxs. Thus, Stxs appear to be capable of eliciting signals which both activate and deactivate signaling for increased cytokine/chemokine production in human macrophage-like cells.     

An immediate-early protein of white spot syndrome virus modulates the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase of shrimp

WSSV interacts with integrin during infection of shrimps and modulate the focal adhesion kinase which is known as a regulator of several downstream signaling pathways. Viral protein kinases are thought to be important for virus infection by regulating the host signaling pathways. WSV083 is an immediate-early gene of white spot syndrome virus that contains a Ser/Thr protein kinase domain. So, does WSSV modulate FAK phosphorylation via the WSV083 molecule? In this study, co-transfection of WSV083 and MjFAK genes proceeded in insect cells revealed that the MjFAK phosphorylation and cell adhesion activity could be inhibited by the expression of WSV083. Kinase domain mutants of WSV083 lost its ability of inhibiting FAK phosphorylation. Moreover, silencing of FAK gene through RNAi accelerated the shrimp death rate upon WSSV challenge. These results demonstrate for the first time that modulation of FAK phosphorylation by WSV083 plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of WSSV infection.     

Signal transduction via the histidyl-aspartyl phosphorelay

The histidyl-aspartyl phosphorelay, formerly described as the two-component system, is the predominant mode of signal transduction in bacteria. Adaptation to environmental changes occurs through a sensor histidine protein kinase and a response regulator. The histidine protein kinase is usually a transmembrane receptor and the response regulator is a cytoplasmic protein. Together the histidyl-aspartyl phosphorelay proteins mediate reversible phosphorylation events that control downstream effectors. Following autophosphorylation at a conserved histidine residue, the histidine kinase serves as a phospho-donor for the response regulator. Once phosphorylated, the response regulator mediates changes in gene expression or cellular locomotion. The EnvZ-OmpR phosphorelay system in Escherichia coli , which monitors external osmolarity and responds by differentially modulating the expression of the OmpF and OmpC major outer membrane porins, will be described as a model system. While histidine kinases were thought to be present only in prokaryotes, they have recently been identified in eukaryotic systems. Here, we review the unique and conserved features of this growing family of signal transducers.     

Ultradian rhythm in the intestine of Caenorhabditis elegans is controlled by the C-terminal region of the FLR-1 ion channel and the hydrophobic domain of the FLR-4 protein kinase

Defecation behavior in Caenorhabditis elegans is driven by an endogenous ultradian clock in the intestine. Its periods are positively regulated by FLR-1, an ion channel of the epithelial sodium channel/degenerin superfamily, and FLR-4, a protein kinase with a hydrophobic domain at the carboxyl terminus. FLR-1 has many putative phosphorylation sites in the C-terminal intracellular region. This structure implies that the periods may be regulated by the phosphorylation of FLR-1 by FLR-4, but it remains to be clarified. Here, we show that a truncated FLR-1 lacking the C-terminal intracellular region resulted in longer periods, suggesting that this region is involved in the negative regulation of defecation cycle periods. Contrary to our expectation, FLR-4 was still necessary for the function of the truncated FLR-1. Furthermore, FLR-4 containing a kinase-dead mutation or lacking the whole kinase domain was sufficient for normal defecation cycle periods. FLR-4 was necessary for the stable expression of FLR-1::GFP, and its hydrophobic domain was sufficient also for this function. FLR-1 and FLR-4 are often colocalized in the plasma membrane. These data showed an unexpected role of FLR-4: its hydrophobic domain stabilizes the FLR-1 ion channel, a key regulator of defecation cycle periods in the intestine.     

Regulation of mTOR function in response to hypoxia by REDD1 and the TSC1/TSC2 tumor suppressor complex

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a central regulator of protein synthesis whose activity is modulated by a variety of signals. Energy depletion and hypoxia result in mTOR inhibition. While energy depletion inhibits mTOR through a process involving the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) by LKB1 and subsequent phosphorylation of TSC2, the mechanism of mTOR inhibition by hypoxia is not known. Here we show that mTOR inhibition by hypoxia requires the TSC1/TSC2 tumor suppressor complex and the hypoxia-inducible gene REDD1/RTP801. Disruption of the TSC1/TSC2 complex through loss of TSC1 or TSC2 blocks the effects of hypoxia on mTOR, as measured by changes in the mTOR targets S6K and 4E-BP1, and results in abnormal accumulation of Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF). In contrast to energy depletion, mTOR inhibition by hypoxia does not require AMPK or LKB1. Down-regulation of mTOR activity by hypoxia requires de novo mRNA synthesis and correlates with increased expression of the hypoxia-inducible REDD1 gene. Disruption of REDD1 abrogates the hypoxia-induced inhibition of mTOR, and REDD1 overexpression is sufficient to down-regulate S6K phosphorylation in a TSC1/TSC2-dependent manner. Inhibition of mTOR function by hypoxia is likely to be important for tumor suppression as TSC2-deficient cells maintain abnormally high levels of cell proliferation under hypoxia.     

Akt activation is necessary for growth factor-induced trafficking of functional K(Ca) channels in developing parasympathetic neurons

The protein kinase Akt is a crucial regulator of neuronal survival and apoptosis. Here we show that Akt activation is necessary for mobilization of large-conductance K(Ca) channels in ciliary ganglion (CG) neurons evoked by beta-neuregulin-1 (NRG1) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGFbeta1). Application of NRG1 to embryonic day 9 (E9) CG neurons increased Akt phosphorylation, as observed previously for TGF(beta)1. NRG1- and TGF(beta)1-evoked stimulation of K(Ca) is blocked by inhibitors of PI3K by overexpression of a dominant-negative form of Akt, by overexpression of CTMP, an endogenous negative regulator of Akt, and by application of the Akt inhibitor 1L-6-hydroxymethyl-chiro-inositol 2-(R)-2-O-methyl-3-O-octadecylcarbonate (HIMO). Conversely, overexpression of a constitutively-active form of Akt was sufficient by itself to increase mobilization of functional K(Ca) channels. NRG1 and TGF(beta)1 evoked an Akt-dependent increase in cell-surface SLO alpha-subunits. These procedures have no effect on voltage-activated Ca2+ currents. Thus Akt plays an essential role in the developmental regulation of excitability in CG neurons.     

The protein phosphatase 2A functions in the spindle position checkpoint by regulating the checkpoint kinase Kin4

In budding yeast, a surveillance mechanism known as the spindle position checkpoint (SPOC) ensures accurate genome partitioning. In the event of spindle misposition, the checkpoint delays exit from mitosis by restraining the activity of the mitotic exit network (MEN). To date, the only component of the checkpoint to be identified is the protein kinase Kin4. Furthermore, how the kinase is regulated by spindle position is not known. Here, we identify the protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) in complex with the regulatory subunit Rts1 as a component of the SPOC. Loss of PP2A-Rts1 function abrogates the SPOC but not other mitotic checkpoints. We further show that the protein phosphatase functions upstream of Kin4, regulating the kinase''s phosphorylation and localization during an unperturbed cell cycle and during SPOC activation, thus defining the phosphatase as a key regulator of SPOC function.     

Tonic protein kinase A activity maintains inactive beta2 integrins in unstimulated neutrophils by reducing myosin light-chain phosphorylation: role of myosin light-chain kinase and Rho kinase

Activation of beta2 integrins is necessary for neutrophil adhesion and full activation of neutrophil effector functions. We demonstrated previously that inhibition of protein kinase A (PKA) activity in quiescent neutrophils is sufficient to increase beta2-integrin cell surface expression, affinity, and adhesion. Thus, a tonic level of PKA activity prevents inappropriate activation of beta2 integrins in unstimulated neutrophils. Myosin light-chain (MLC) phosphorylation is an important regulator of leukocyte integrin function and adhesion. Moreover, PKA regulates MLC phosphorylation via inhibiting MLC kinase (MLCK) and MLC dephosphorylation via effects on the Rho kinase (ROCK)/MLC phosphatase pathway. We hypothesize that the tonic inhibitory effect of PKA on beta2-integrin activation neutrophils operates via its inhibition of MLC phosphorylation. We demonstrate here that inhibition of PKA activity with KT5720 activated beta2 integrins and adhesion coincident with an increase in MLC serine 19 (Ser 19) phosphorylation. KT5720-induced activation of beta2 integrins, adhesion, and MLC Ser 19 phosphorylation was abolished by pretreatment with the MLCK inhibitor ML-7 and specific MLCK inhibitory peptides but not the ROCK inhibitor Y-27632. These findings demonstrate that tonic PKA activity prevents activation of beta2 integrins and adhesion by inhibiting MLC phosphorylation via a MLCK-dependent but ROCK-independent pathway.     

Neuropathogenic role of adenylate kinase-1 in Aβ-mediated tau phosphorylation via AMPK and GSK3β

Abnormally hyperphosphorylated tau is often caused by tau kinases, such as GSK3β and Cdk5. Such occurrence leads to neurofibrillary tangle formation and neuronal degeneration in tauopathy, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, little is known about the signaling cascade underlying the pathologic phosphorylation of tau by Aβ(42). In this study, we show that adenylate kinase 1 (AK1) is a novel regulator of abnormal tau phosphorylation. AK1 expression is markedly increased in the brains of AD patients and AD model mice and is significantly induced by Aβ(42) in the primary neurons. Ectopic expression of AK1 alone augments the pathologic phosphorylation of tau at PHF1, CP13 and AT180 epitopes and enhances the formation of tau aggregates. Inversely, downregulation of AK1 alleviates Aβ(42)-induced hyperphosphorylation of tau. AK1 plays a role in Aβ(42)-induced impairment of AMPK activity and GSK3β activation in the primary neurons. Pharmacologic studies show that treatment with an AMPK inhibitor activates GSK3β, and a GSK3β inhibitor attenuates AK1-mediated tau phosphorylation. In a Drosophila model of human tauopathy, the retinal expression of human AK1 severely exacerbates rough eye phenotype and increases abnormal tau phosphorylation. Further, neural expression of AK1 reduces the lifespan of tau transgenic files. Taken together, these observations indicate that the neuronal expression of AK1 is induced by Aβ(42) to increase abnormal tau phosphorylation via AMPK-GSK3β and contributes to tau-mediated neurodegeneration, providing a new upstream modulator of GSK3β in the pathologic phosphorylation of tau.     

Cyclin-dependent kinase regulates the length of S phase through TICRR/TRESLIN phosphorylation

S-phase cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) stimulate replication initiation and accelerate progression through the replication timing program, but it is unknown which CDK substrates are responsible for these effects. CDK phosphorylation of the replication factor TICRR (TopBP1-interacting checkpoint and replication regulator)/TRESLIN is required for DNA replication. We show here that phosphorylated TICRR is limiting for S-phase progression. Overexpression of a TICRR mutant with phosphomimetic mutations at two key CDK-phosphorylated residues (TICRR^TESE) stimulates DNA synthesis and shortens S phase by increasing replication initiation. This effect requires the TICRR region that is necessary for its interaction with MDM two-binding protein. Expression of TICRR^TESE does not grossly alter the spatial organization of replication forks in the nucleus but does increase replication clusters and the number of replication forks within each cluster. In contrast to CDK hyperactivation, the acceleration of S-phase progression by TICRR^TESE does not induce DNA damage. These results show that CDK can stimulate initiation and compress the replication timing program by phosphorylating a single protein, suggesting a simple mechanism by which S-phase length is controlled.     

Phosphorylation of the beta-subunit of CD11/CD18 integrins by protein kinase C correlates with leukocyte adhesion.

Adhesion of activated leukocytes to cells is of critical functional importance. The adhesion is known to be mediated mainly by the CD11/CD18 integrins, also known as leukocytic cell adhesion molecules, or Leu-CAM. We have now studied the phosphorylation of Leu-CAM by protein kinase C and the correlation of phosphorylation with the generation of the adhesive phenotype among human peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes during cell activation. We here show that a good correlation exists between the phosphorylation of the beta subunit of Leu-CAM (CD18), and the extent of cell-to-cell adhesion. The phosphorylated CD18 subunit was associated with both CD11a and CD11b. Purified protein kinase C was able to phosphorylate the beta subunit of isolated Leu-CAM in vitro. The phosphorylation occurred mainly on serine residues.