Deactivation of Akt by a small molecule inhibitor targeting pleckstrin homology domain and facilitating Akt ubiquitination

The phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-triphosphate (PIP3) binding function of pleckstrin homology (PH) domain is essential for the activation of oncogenic Akt/PKB kinase. Following the PIP3-mediated activation at the membrane, the activated Akt is subjected to other regulatory events, including ubiquitination-mediated deactivation. Here, by identifying and characterizing an allosteric inhibitor, SC66, we show that the facilitated ubiquitination effectively terminates Akt signaling. Mechanistically, SC66 manifests a dual inhibitory activity that directly interferes with the PH domain binding to PIP3 and facilitates Akt ubiquitination. A known PH domain-dependent allosteric inhibitor, which stabilizes Akt, prevents the SC66-induced Akt ubiquitination. A cancer-relevant Akt1 (e17k) mutant is unstable, making it intrinsically sensitive to functional inhibition by SC66 in cellular contexts in which the PI3K inhibition has little inhibitory effect. As a result of its dual inhibitory activity, SC66 manifests a more effective growth suppression of transformed cells that contain a high level of Akt signaling, compared with other inhibitors of PIP3/Akt pathway. Finally, we show the anticancer activity of SC66 by using a soft agar assay as well as a mouse xenograft tumor model. In conclusion, in this study, we not only identify a dual-function Akt inhibitor, but also demonstrate that Akt ubiquitination could be chemically exploited to effectively facilitate its deactivation, thus identifying an avenue for pharmacological intervention in Akt signaling.     

Antitumor activity and drug interactions of proteasome inhibitor Bortezomib in human high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome cells

The purpose of this study was to investigate the antitumor effects and drug interactions of the proteasome inhibitor Bortezomib against high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) cells in vitro and in vivo. The high-risk MDS-derived MUTZ-1 cell line and bone marrow mononuclear cells from primary high-risk MDS patients were used to examine antitumor activity and drug interactions for Bortezomib. Apoptotic proteins, including caspase and Bcl-2 family members, as well as the protein FLIP, were studied. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and MAPK signaling pathways were also examined. The PI3K inhibitor LY294002 was used to examine the involvement of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in the induction of apoptosis. Cytarabine (AraC) and daunorubicin (DNR) were used to test for synergistic effects between Bortezomib and chemotherapeutic agents. SCID mice xenografted with MUTZ-1 cells were used for in vivo study. We found that Bortezomib could induce growth arrest and apoptosis in high-risk MDS cells in vitro and in vivo. The mechanisms were related to decreased activation of the PI3K/Akt survival signaling pathway, but not the MAPK pathway, and involved inhibition of the NF-κB activity and downregulation of the Bcl-2/Bax and FLIPL/FLIPS ratios, triggering the activation of caspase cascades. This phenomenon was inhibited by the PI3K inhibitor LY294002. Bortezomib also acted synergistically with the chemotherapeutic agents AraC and DNR, which are associated with the inhibition of NF-κB activity. Our results demonstrate that Bortezomib can induce growth arrest and apoptosis of high-risk MDS cells and had a synergistic effect with two chemotherapeutic agents. Our findings provide new insights for the treatment of high-risk MDS, using either Bortezomib alone, or in combination with conventional antineoplastic agents.     

Signal propagation from membrane messengers to nuclear effectors revealed by reporters of phosphoinositide dynamics and Akt activity

Among various second messengers, phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-triphosphate (PIP3) and phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate [PI(3,4)P2] regulate a variety of cellular processes, such as cell survival, polarization, and proliferation. Many of these functions are achieved via activation of serine/threonine kinase Akt. To investigate the spatiotemporal regulation of these lipids, we constructed a genetically targetable phosphoinositide (PI) indicator by sandwiching pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of Akt and a "pseudoligand" containing acidic amino acid residues, between cyan and yellow mutants of GFP. In living cells, elevations in PIP3 and PI(3,4)P2 by growth factor-induced activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) resulted in a change in fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between the fluorescent proteins, increasing yellow to cyan emission ratios by 10-30%. This response can be reversed by inhibiting PI3K and abolished by mutating the critical residues responsible for PI binding. Differential dynamics of PIs were observed at plasma membrane of NIH 3T3 cells, stimulated by various growth factors. On the other hand, the nuclear targeted indicator showed no response within an hour after platelet-derived growth factor stimulation, suggesting that no appreciable amounts of accessible PIP3 and PI(3,4)P2 were produced in the nucleus. Furthermore, simultaneous imaging of a plasma membrane-targeted PI indicator and a nuclear-targeted Akt activity reporter revealed a gradual and sustained accumulation of Akt activity in the nucleus after rapid and transient production of PIP3 and PI(3,4)P2 at plasma membrane in the same cell. Thus, signal propagation from the lipid messengers at plasma membrane to the effectors in the nucleus is precisely controlled by kinases as well as lipid and protein phosphatases.     

Calpain interacts with class IA phosphoinositide 3-kinases regulating their stability and signaling activity

Class IA phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) are signaling enzymes with key roles in the regulation of essential cellular functions and disease, including cancer. Accordingly, their activity is tightly controlled in cells to maintain homeostasis. The formation of multiprotein complexes is a ubiquitous mechanism to regulate enzyme activity but the contribution of protein-protein interactions to the regulation of PI3K signaling is not fully understood. We designed an affinity purification quantitative mass spectrometry strategy to identify proteins interacting dynamically with PI3K in response to pathway activation, with the view that such binding partners may have a functional role in pathway regulation. Our study reveals that calpain small subunit 1 interacts with PI3K and that the association between these proteins is lower in cells stimulated with serum compared to starved cells. Calpain and PI3K activity assays confirmed these results, thus demonstrating that active calpain heterodimers associate dynamically with PI3K. In addition, calpains were found to cleave PI3K proteins in vitro (resulting in a reduction of PI3K lipid kinase activity) and to regulate endogenous PI3K protein levels in vivo. Further investigations revealed that calpains have a role in the negative regulation of PI3K/Akt pathway activity (as measured by Akt and ribosomal S6 phosphorylation) and that their inhibition promotes cell survival during serum starvation. These results indicate that the interaction between calpain and PI3K is a novel mechanism for the regulation of class IA PI3K stability and activity.     

The phosphatidylinositol (PI)-5-phosphate 4-kinase type II enzyme controls insulin signaling by regulating PI-3,4,5-trisphosphate degradation

Phosphatidylinositol-5-phosphate (PI-5-P) is a newly identified phosphoinositide with characteristics of a signaling lipid but no known cellular function. PI-5-P levels are controlled by the type II PI-5-P 4-kinases (PIP4K IIs), a family of kinases that converts PI-5-P into phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PI-4,5-P2). The PI-5-P pathway is an alternative route for PI-4,5-P2 synthesis as the bulk of this lipid is generated by the canonical pathway in which phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PI-4-P) is the intermediate. Here we examined the effect of activation of the PI-5-P pathway on phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling by expressing PIP4K II beta in cells that lack this enzyme. Although PIP4K II generates PI-4,5-P2, a substrate for PI3K, expression of this enzyme reduced rather than increased phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate (PI-3,4,5-P3) levels in cells stimulated with insulin or cells expressing activated PI3K. This reduction in PI-3,4,5-P3 levels resulted in decreased activation of the downstream protein kinase, Akt/PKB. Consistent with these results, expression of IpgD, a bacterial phosphatase that converts PI-4,5-P2 to PI-5-P, resulted in Akt activation, and this effect was partially reversed by PIP4K II beta. PIP4K II beta expression did not impair insulin-dependent association of PI3K with insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) but abbreviated Akt activation, indicating that PIP4K II regulates PI-3,4,5-P3 degradation rather than synthesis. These data support a model in which the PI-5-P pathway controls insulin signaling that leads to Akt activation by regulating a PI-3,4,5-P3 phosphatase.     

PI3K/Akt通路阻断在恶性肿瘤治疗中的研究进展

在肺癌的发生发展过程中,常伴有PI3K/Akt信号通路的异常活化,过度激活后,可导致一系列反应,包括肿瘤牛长、血管生成、增殖和转移.本文拟就PI3K/Akt信号通路的组成与功能、调节、抗肿瘤细胞凋亡以及治疗等方面的研究进展作一综述,并就其通路的阻断作用在肺癌治疗中的应用作介绍,期待以PI3K/Akt信号通路中关键分子为...     

PI3K/Akt通路阻断在恶性肿瘤治疗中的研究进展

在肺癌的发生发展过程中,常伴有PI3K/Akt信号通路的异常活化,过度激活后,可导致一系列反应,包括肿瘤牛长、血管生成、增殖和转移.本文拟就PI3K/Akt信号通路的组成与功能、调节、抗肿瘤细胞凋亡以及治疗等方面的研究进展作一综述,并就其通路的阻断作用在肺癌治疗中的应用作介绍,期待以PI3K/Akt信号通路中关键分子为靶点对肺癌治疗研究提供参考.     

Molecular aspects of gefitinib antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effects in PTEN-positive and PTEN-negative prostate cancer cell lines

To date, no effective therapeutic treatment allows abrogation of the progression of prostate cancer (PCa) to more invasive forms. One of the major targets for the therapy in PCa can be epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which signals via the phosphoinositide 3'-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, among others. Despite multiple reports of overexpression in PCa, the reliance on activated EGFR and its downstream signalling to the PI3K and/or MAPK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathways has not been fully elucidated. We reported that the EGFR-selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib (ZD1839; Iressa) is able to induce growth inhibition, G(1) arrest and apoptosis in PCa cells and that its effectiveness is associated primarily with phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted from chromosome 10 (PTEN) expression (and thus Akt activity). In fact PTEN-negative PCa cells are slowly sensitive to gefitinib treatment, because this molecule is unable to downregulate PI3K/Akt activity. PI3K inhibition, by LY294002 or after PTEN transfection, restores EGFR-stimulated Akt signalling and sensitizes the cells to pro-apoptotic action of gefitinib. The MAPK pathway seems to be involved primarily on cell-growth modulation because dual blockade of EGFR and ERK1/2 phosphorylation potentiates growth inhibition (both not cell apoptosis) in PTEN-positive PCa cells and reduced EGF-mediated growth in PTEN-negative cells. Thus the effectiveness of gefitinib requires growth factor receptor-stimulated PI3K/Akt and MAPK signalling to be intact and functional. The loss of the PTEN activity leads to uncoupling of this signalling pathway, determining a partial gefitinib resistance. Moreover, gefitinib sensitivity may be maintained in these cells through its inhibitory potential in MAPK/ERK pathway activity, modulating proliferative EGFR-triggered events. Therefore, our data suggest that the inhibition of EGFR signalling can result in a significant growth reduction and in increased apoptosis in EGFR-overexpressing PCa cells with different modalities, which are regulated by PTEN status, and this may have relevance in the clinical setting of PCa.     

Growth factor-induced phosphoinositide 3-OH kinase/Akt phosphorylation in smooth muscle cells: induction of cell proliferation and inhibition of cell death

OBJECTIVE: The signaling pathways mediating proliferation and apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) are not well established. It has previously been shown that activation of the phosphoinositide 3-OH kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway or the ERK 1/2 pathway can mediate anti-apoptotic function in different cell types. This study determined the specific contribution of the PI3K/Akt and ERK pathway in the regulation of apoptosis and proliferation of VSMC. METHODS AND RESULTS: Incubation of rat VSMC with FCS, insulin or IGF-1 time-dependently stimulated the phosphorylation of Akt, however FCS but not insulin or IGF-1 activated the MAP-kinase ERK 1/2. Moreover, insulin inhibited H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis via the Akt pathway as demonstrated by pharmacological inhibition of the PI3K or overexpression of a dominant negative Akt mutant. In contrast, FCS inhibited H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis via the Akt and also the ERK pathway. FCS, but not insulin or IGF-1 induced VSMC proliferation, suggesting that Akt activation is necessary but not sufficient for VSMC proliferation. FCS-induced proliferation of VSMC was only mediated via the Akt pathway and not the ERK pathway. CONCLUSIONS: These results define a link between cell proliferation and programmed cell death in VSMC via the same signal transduction pathway, namely activation of the serine/threonine kinase Akt, which may have significant implication for the development of vascular diseases or remodeling.     

Murine cirrhosis induces hepatocyte epithelial mesenchymal transition and alterations in survival signaling pathways

Hepatocytes that reside in a chronically-injured liver have altered growth responses compared to hepatocytes in normal liver. Transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) is upregulated in the cirrhotic liver, and cirrhotic hepatocytes, unlike normal hepatocytes exposed to this cytokine, exhibit decreased apoptosis. In fetal hepatocytes, TGFbeta also induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and signaling changes in cell survival pathways. Here, chronic murine liver injury was induced by twice-weekly carbon tetrachloride administration for 8 weeks. Normal liver-derived hepatocytes (NLDH) and cirrhotic liver-derived hepatocytes (CLDH) were examined for EMT and the small mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (Smad), phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K/Akt), and mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways were investigated. Immunofluorescence imaging of cirrhotic livers demonstrated increased vimentin expression, which was confirmed by immunoblot analysis. In vitro, CLDH exhibited increased vimentin and type 1 collagen expression within cellular extensions consistent with EMT. Treatment with TGFbeta augmented the EMT response in CLDH. In contrast, untreated NLDH did not display features of EMT but responded to TGFbeta with increased vimentin expression and EMT characteristics. In response to PI3K/Akt inhibition, CLDH had decreased basal and insulin-stimulated p-Akt expression and decreased apoptosis compared to NLDH. In both NLDH and CLDH, vimentin expression was dependent on PI3K/Akt activity. CLDH demonstrated increased basal p-extracellular signal-regulated kinase expression that was independent of Smad and PI3K/Akt signaling. Inhibition of the MAPK pathway produced a marked increase in CLDH apoptosis. CONCLUSION: CLDH have increased vimentin and type 1 collagen expression and morphologic features consistent with EMT. In addition, compared to NLDH, the cellular signaling phenotype of CLDH changes from a MAPK-independent pathway to a MAPK-dependent cell survival pathway. These findings may have clinical implications for chemoprevention of hepatocellular carcinoma in the cirrhotic liver.     

Phosphoinositol lipids bind to phosphatidylinositol 3 (PI3)-kinase enhancer GTPase and mediate its stimulatory effect on PI3-kinase and Akt signalings

Phosphatidylinositol 3 (PI3)-kinase enhancer (PIKE) is a nuclear GTPase that enhances PI3-kinase activity in a GTP-dependent manner. Both PIKE-L and -A isoforms contain GTPase, pleckstrin homology (PH), ADP ribosylation factor-GTPase-activating protein, and two ankyrin repeats domains, and C-terminal ADP ribosylation factor-GTPase-activating protein activates its internal GTPase activity. However, whether PH domain modulates the intramolecular action and subsequently influences its downstream signalings remains elusive. Here we show that PH domain from PIKE-L robustly binds PI(3,4,5)P(3) and exclusively resides in the nucleus. By contrast, the mutant (K679,687N), unable to bind phosphoinositol lipids, translocates to the cytoplasm. This mutation substantially compromises the stimulatory effects on PI3-kinase by PIKE-L. Surprisingly, PH domain from PIKE-A distributes in the cytoplasm. Similar mutation in PH domain of PIKE-A abolishes its binding to PI(3,4,5)P(3) and significantly decreases its activation of Akt. Moreover, amplified PIKE-A from human cancers contains mutations and highly stimulates Akt kinase activity, correlating with its GTPase activity. Thus, phosphatidylinositols regulate PIKE GTPase activity, mediating its downstream PI3-kinase/Akt signaling through a feedback mechanism by binding to its PH domain.     

Sulfatase 2 protects hepatocellular carcinoma cells against apoptosis induced by the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 and ERK and JNK kinase inhibitors

Background: Sulfatase 2 (SULF2), an extracellular heparan sulphate 6‐O‐endosulphatase, has an oncogenic effect in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that is partially mediated through glypican 3, which promotes heparin‐binding growth factor signalling and HCC cell growth. SULF2 also increases phosphorylation of the anti‐apoptotic Akt kinase substrate GSK3β and SULF2 expression is associated with a decreased apoptotic index in human HCCs. Methods: We investigated the functional and mechanistic effects of SULF2 on drug‐induced apoptosis of HCC cells using immunohistochemistry, Western immunoblotting, gene transfection, real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, MTT and apoptosis assays and immunocytochemistry. Results: The increased expression of SULF2 in human HCCs was confirmed by immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. Treatment with inhibitors of MEK, JNK and PI3 kinases decreased the viability of SULF2‐negative Hep3B HCC cells and induced apoptotic caspase 3 and 7 activity, which was most strongly induced by the PI3K inhibitor LY294002. Forced expression of SULF2 in Hep3B cells significantly decreased activity of the apoptotic caspases 3 and 7 and induced resistance to LY294002‐induced apoptosis. As expected, LY294002 inhibited activation of Akt kinase by PI3K. Conversely, knockdown of SULF2 using an shRNA construct targeting the SULF2 mRNA induced profound cell growth arrest and sensitized the endogenously SULF2‐expressing HCC cell lines Huh7 and SNU182 to drug‐induced apoptosis. The effects of knockdown of SULF2 on HCC cells were mediated by decreased Akt phosphorylation, downregulation of cyclin D1 and the anti‐apoptotic molecule Bcl‐2, and upregulation of the pro‐apoptotic molecule BAD. Conclusion: The prosurvival, anti‐apoptotic effect of SULF2 in HCC is mediated through activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway.     

A member of Forkhead family transcription factor, FKHRL1, is one of the downstream molecules of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt activation pathway in erythropoietin signal transduction

The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway is important for the regulation of a number of cellular responses. Serine/threonine kinase Akt (protein kinase B; PKB) is downstream of PI3K and activated by growth factors. This study found that erythropoietin (EPO) induced tyrosine phosphorylation of Akt in a time- and dose-dependent manner in EPO-dependent human leukemia cell line UT-7/EPO. In vitro kinase assay using histone H2B and glucose synthase kinase as substrates demonstrated that Akt was actually activated by EPO. EPO-induced phosphorylation of Akt was completely blocked by a PI3K-specific inhibitor, LY294002, at 10 micromol/L, indicating that activation of Akt by EPO is dependent on PI3K activity. In addition, overexpression of the constitutively active form of Akt on UT-7/EPO cells partially blocked apoptosis induced by withdrawal of EPO from the culture medium. This finding suggested that the PI3K-Akt activation pathway plays some role in the antiapoptotic effect of EPO. EPO induced phosphorylation of a member of the trancription factor Forkhead family, FKHRL1, at threonine 32 and serine 253 in a dose- and time-dependent manner in UT-7/EPO cells. Moreover, results showed that Akt kinase activated by EPO directly phosphorylated FKHRL1 protein and that FKHRL1 phosphorylation was completely dependent on PI3K activity as is the case for Akt. In conjunction with the evidence that FKHRL1 is expressed in normal human erythroid progenitor cells and erythroblasts, the results suggest that FKHRL1 plays an important role in erythropoiesis as one of the downstream target molecules of PI3K-Akt.     

Aging is associated with decreased pancreatic acinar cell regeneration and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt activation

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The effects of aging on pancreatic acinar cell proliferation have not been clearly defined. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-mediated phosphorylation of Akt is a critical step for proliferation of various cell types and insulin secretion from pancreatic endocrine cells; however, its role in acinar cell proliferation is not known. The purpose of this study was to (1) delineate the effects of aging on pancreatic regeneration after partial pancreatectomy (Px) and (2) define the involvement of the PI3K/Akt pathway in pancreatic regeneration. METHODS: Following partial Px, pancreatic regeneration and activation of the PI3K pathway were compared in young and aged mice. Activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway was evaluated by Akt phosphorylation (pAkt). The role of the PI3K pathway in pancreatic regeneration after partial Px was assessed by effects of a pharmacologic PI3K inhibitor wortmannin or small interfering RNA (siRNA) to the p85alpha regulatory subunit. To confirm further the critical role of the PI3K/Akt pathway in pancreatic acinar cell proliferation, IGF-1-mediated cell proliferation was determined in cultured acinar cells pretreated with wortmannin or p85alpha siRNA. RESULTS: Pancreatic regeneration and pAkt expression after partial Px were significantly decreased with aging. Treatment with wortmannin or p85alpha siRNA reduced pancreatic regeneration after partial Px. The IGF-1-mediated cell proliferation in vitro was completely blocked by wortmannin or p85alpha siRNA but not by the MEK/ERK inhibitor PD98059. CONCLUSIONS: PI3K/Akt activation plays a critical role in the regeneration of pancreatic acini after resection. Furthermore, pancreatic regeneration is markedly attenuated in the aged pancreas most likely because of decreased PI3K/Akt activation.     

Targeting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in pancreatic β‐cells to enhance their survival and function: An emerging therapeutic strategy for type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease caused by the destruction of the insulin‐producing β‐cells within the pancreas. Islet transplantation represents one cure; however, during islet preparation and post transplantation significant amounts of β‐cell death occur. Therefore, prevention and cure of T1D is dependent upon the preservation of β‐cell function and the prevention of β‐cell death. Phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling represents a promising therapeutic target for T1D due to its pronounced effects on cellular survival, proliferation, and metabolism. A growing amount of evidence indicates that PI3K/Akt signaling is a critical determinant of β‐cell mass and function. Modulation of the PI3K/Akt pathway, directly (via the use of highly specific protein and peptide‐based biologics, excretory/secretory products of parasitic worms, and complex constituents of plant extracts) or indirectly (through microRNA interactions) can regulate the β‐cell processes to ultimately determine the fate of β‐cell mass. An important consideration is the identification of the specific PI3K/Akt pathway modulators that enhance β‐cell function and prevent β‐cell death without inducing excessive β‐cell proliferation, which may carry carcinogenic side effects. Among potential PI3K/Akt pathway agonists, we have identified a novel parasite‐derived protein, termed FhHDM‐1 (Fasciola hepatica helminth defense molecule 1), which efficiently stimulates the PI3K/Akt pathway in β‐cells to enhance function and prevent death without concomitantly inducing proliferation unlike several other identified stimulators of PI3K/Akt signaling . As such, FhHDM‐1 will inform the design of biologics aimed at targeting the PI3K/Akt pathway to prevent/ameliorate not only T1D but also T2D, which is now widely recognized as an inflammatory disease characterized by β‐cell dysfunction and death. This review will explore the modulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway as a novel strategy to enhance β‐cell function and survival.     

Putative role of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt signaling pathway in the survival of granulosa cells

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is an important differentiation and survival factor for granulosa cells. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that IGF-1 promotes survival of porcine granulosa cells by signaling though the phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase/Akt signal transduction pathway. Treatment with IGF-1 (100 ng/ml) for 10 min stimulated PI 3-kinase and Akt protein kinase activity. IGF-I stimulated the phosphorylation and activation of Akt in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The PI 3-kinase inhibitors wortmannin and LY294002 blocked IGF-1 induced increases in PI 3-kinase activity and phosphorylation of Akt. Additionally, IGF-1 treatment prevented apoptosis. The survival response to IGF-I was blocked by treatment with either wortmannin or LY294002. These data suggest that IGF-I-induced phosphorylation of Akt is mediated through PI 3-kinase and that inactivation of this pathway results in granulosa cell apoptosis. We conclude that the P1 3-kinase/Akt signaling serves as a functional survival pathway in the ovary.     

Protein kinase B (c-Akt), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and STAT5 are activated by erythropoietin (EPO) in HCD57 erythroid cells but are constitutively active in an EPO-independent, apoptosis-resistant subclone (HCD57-SREI cells).

We found that erythropoietin (EPO) and stem cell factor (SCF) activated protein kinase B (PKB/Akt) in EPO-dependent HCD57 erythroid cells. To better understand signals controlling proliferation and viability, erythroid cells that resist apoptosis in the absence of EPO were subcloned and characterized (HCD57-SREI cells). Constitutive activations of PKB/Akt, STAT5a, and STAT5b were noted in these EPO-independent cells. PI3-kinase activity was an upstream activator of PKB/Akt because the PI3-kinase inhibitor LY294002 blocked both constitutive PKB/Akt and factor-dependent PKB/Akt activity. The LY294002 study showed that proliferation and viability of both HCD57-SREI and HCD57 cells correlated with the activity of PKB/Akt; however, PKB/Akt activity alone did not protect these cells from apoptosis. Treatment of HCD57 cells with SCF also activated PKB/Akt, but did not protect from apoptosis. This result suggested that PKB/PI3-kinase activity is necessary but not sufficient to promote viability and/or proliferation. Constitutive STAT5 activity, activated through an unknown pathway not including JAK2 or EPOR, may act in concert with the constitutive PI3-kinase/PKB/Akt pathway to protect the EPO-independent HCD57-SREI cells from apoptosis and promote limited proliferation.     

Beta-adrenergic receptor mediated protection against doxorubicin-induced apoptosis in cardiomyocytes: the impact of high ambient glucose

Recent studies have demonstrated that the beta2-adrenergic receptor (beta2AR)-Galphai signaling pathway exerts a cardiac antiapoptotic effect. The goals of this study were to determine the intracellular signaling factors involved in beta2AR-mediated protection against doxorubicin-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cardiomyocyte and explore the impact of high ambient glucose on the antiapoptotic effect. Under physiological glucose environment (100 mg/dl), beta2AR stimulation prevented doxorubicin-induced apoptosis, which was attenuated by cotreatment with wortmannin, a phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, or transfection of a dominant-negative Akt. Inhibition of Src kinase with 4-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d] pyrimidine or cSrc small interfering RNA 32 also attenuated the antiapoptotic effect. Inhibition of platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) with AG1296 reversed the beta2AR-induced antiapoptotic effect. Transfection of an active Src cDNA (Y529F) alone was sufficient to render the cells resistant to apoptosis, and the resistance was blocked by wortmannin. Transfection of an active PI3K minigene (iSH2-p110) alone also induced resistance to apoptosis, and the resistance was reversed by an Akt-inhibitor but not by AG1296. High ambient glucose (450 mg/dl) caused two major effects: 1) it significantly reduced betaAR-induced PDGFR phosphorylation, Src kinase activity, and activation of PI3K signaling pathway; and 2) it partially attenuated beta2AR-induced antiapoptotic effect. These data provide in vitro evidence supporting a signaling cascade by which beta2AR exerts a protective effect against doxorubicin-induced apoptosis via sequential involvement of Galphai, Gbetagamma, Src, PDGFR, PI3K, and Akt. High ambient glucose significantly attenuates beta2AR-mediated cardioprotection by suppressing factors involved in this cascade including PDGFR, Src, and PI3K/Akt.     

PI3Kδ inhibitor, GS-1101 (CAL-101), attenuates pathway signaling, induces apoptosis, and overcomes signals from the microenvironment in cellular models of Hodgkin lymphoma

GS-1101 (CAL-101) is an oral PI3Kδ-specific inhibitor that has shown preclinical and clinical activity in non-Hodgkin lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. To investigate the potential role of PI3Kδ in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), we screened 5 HL cell lines and primary samples from patients with HL for PI3Kδ isoform expression and constitutive PI3K pathway activation. Inhibition of PI3Kδ by GS-1101 resulted in the inhibition of Akt phosphorylation. Cocultures with stroma cells induced Akt activation in HL cells, and this effect was blocked by GS-1101. Conversely, production of the stroma-stimulating chemokine, CCL5, by HL cells was reduced by GS-1101. GS-1101 also induced dose-dependent apoptosis of HL cells at 48 hours. Reductions in cell viability and apoptosis were enhanced when combining GS-1101 with the mTOR inhibitor everolimus. Our findings suggest that excessive PI3Kδ activity is characteristic in HL and support clinical evaluation of GS-1101, alone and in combination, as targeted therapy for HL.