Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

B C Berk

Publications and source records attributed to B C Berk.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Retinoic acid-induced tissue transglutaminase and apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Retinoids exert antiproliferative and prodifferentiating effects in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and reduce neointimal mass in balloon-injured blood vessels. The mechanisms through which retinoids carry out these effects are unknown but likely involve retinoid receptor-mediated changes in gene expression. Here we report the cloning, chromosomal mapping, and biological activity of the retinoid-response gene rat tissue transglutaminase (tTG). Northern blotting studies showed that tTG is rapidly and dose-dependently induced in a protein synthesis-independent manner after stimulation with the natural retinoid all-trans retinoic acid (atRA). The induction of tTG was selective for atRA and its stereoisomers 9-cis and 13-cis RA, because little or no elevation in mRNA expression was observed with a panel of growth factors. Western blotting and immunofluorescence confocal microscopy showed an accumulation of cytosolic tTG protein after atRA stimulation. Radiolabeled cross-linking studies revealed a corresponding elevation in in vitro tTG activity. The increase in tTG activity was reduced in the presence of 2 distinct inhibitors of tTG (monodansylcadaverine and cystamine). atRA-induced tTG mRNA and protein expression were followed by a significant elevation in SMC apoptosis. Such retinoid-induced programmed cell death could be partially inhibited with each tTG inhibitor and was completely blocked when both inhibitors were used simultaneously. These results establish a role for atRA in the sequential stimulation of tTG and apoptosis in cultured SMCs. atRA-mediated apoptosis in SMCs seems to require the participation of active tTG, suggesting a potential mechanistic link between this retinoid-inducible gene and programmed cell death.

Animals↗

Cyclophilin A is a secreted growth factor induced by oxidative stress.

Reactive oxygen species have been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, hypertension, and restenosis, in part by promoting vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) growth. Many VSMC growth factors are secreted by VSMC and act in an autocrine manner. Here we demonstrate that cyclophilin A (CyPA), a member of the immunophilin family, is secreted by VSMCs in response to oxidative stress and mediates extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) activation and VSMC growth by reactive oxygen species. Human recombinant CyPA can mimic the effects of secreted CyPA to stimulate ERK1/2 and cell growth. The peptidyl-prolyl isomerase activity is required for ERK1/2 activation by CyPA. In vivo, CyPA expression and secretion are increased by oxidative stress and vascular injury. These findings are the first to identify CyPA as a secreted redox-sensitive mediator, establish CyPA as a VSMC growth factor, and suggest an important role for CyPA and enzymes with peptidyl-prolyl isomerase activity in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases.

1,2-Dihydroxybenzene-3,5-Disulfonic Acid Disodium ↗

Angiotensin II induces transactivation of two different populations of the platelet-derived growth factor beta receptor. Key role for the p66 adaptor protein Shc.

Several signal transduction events induced by angiotensin II (AngII) binding to the angiotensin II type 1 receptor resemble those evoked by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) binding to the PDGF-beta receptor (PDGFbeta-R). We report here, in agreement with previous data, that AngII and PDGF-B-chain homodimer (PDGF-BB) stimulate tyrosine phosphorylation of the PDGFbeta-R. Both AngII and PDGF-BB stimulated the phosphorylation of PDGFbeta-R via the binding of tyrosine-phosphorylated Shc to PDGFbeta-R. Both PDGF-BB- and AngII-induced phosphorylation of the Shc.PDGFbeta-R complex was inhibited by antioxidants such as N-acetylcysteine and Tiron, but not by calcium chelation. However, transactivation of PDGFbeta-R by AngII (measured by PDGFbeta-R tyrosine phosphorylation) differed significantly from PDGF-BB. Evidence to support different mechanisms of PDGFbeta-R phosphorylation includes differences in the time course of PDGFbeta-R phosphorylation, differing effects of inhibitors of the endogenous PDGFbeta-R tyrosine kinase and Src family tyrosine kinases, differing results when the PDGFbeta-R was directly immunoprecipitated (PDGFbeta-R-antibody) versus coimmunoprecipitated (Shc-antibody), and cell fractionation studies that suggested that the Shc.PDGFbeta-R complexes phosphorylated by AngII and PDGF-BB were located in separate subcellular compartments. These studies are the first to suggest that transactivation of tyrosine kinase receptors by G protein-coupled receptors involves a unique pathway that regulates a population of tyrosine kinase receptors different from the endogenous tyrosine kinase ligand.

Angiotensin II↗

Src and Cas mediate JNK activation but not ERK1/2 and p38 kinases by reactive oxygen species.

c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) is activated by a number of cellular stimuli such as inflammatory cytokines and environmental stresses. Reactive oxygen species also cause activation of JNK; however, the signaling cascade that leads to JNK activation remains to be elucidated. Because recent reports showed that expression of Cas, a putative Src substrate, stimulates JNK activation, we hypothesized that the Src kinase family and Cas would be involved in JNK activation by reactive oxygen species. An essential role for both Src and Cas was demonstrated. First, the specific Src family tyrosine kinase inhibitor, PP2, inhibited JNK activation by H(2)O(2) in a concentration-dependent manner but had no effect on extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 and p38 activation. Second, JNK activation in response to H(2)O(2) was completely inhibited in cells derived from transgenic mice deficient in Src but not Fyn. Third, expression of a dominant negative mutant of Cas prevented H(2)O(2)-mediated JNK activation but had no effect on extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 and p38 activation. Finally, the importance of Src was further supported by the inhibition of both H(2)O(2)-mediated Cas tyrosine phosphorylation and Cas.Crk complex formation in Src-/- but not Fyn-/- cells. These results demonstrate an essential role for Src and Cas in H(2)O(2)-mediated activation of JNK and suggest a new redox-sensitive pathway for JNK activation mediated by Src.

Animals↗

The third cytoplasmic loop of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor exerts differential effects on extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/ERK2) and apoptosis via Ras- and Rap1-dependent pathways.

The third cytoplasmic loop of the angiotensin (Ang) II type 1 receptor (AT(1)) is important for receptor coupling to G proteins and activation of downstream events. Therefore, we determined whether specific AT(1) sequences were required for kinase activation and inhibition of apoptosis by transfecting wild-type (AT1Rwt) and mutated AT(1) into 293 cells. Ang II stimulated a 19.4-fold increase in extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/ERK2) activity in 293 cells transfected with AT1Rwt. However, in 293 cells that expressed a receptor in which amino acids 221 and 222 were deleted (AT1R[Del221/222]), Ang II-mediated ERK1/ERK2 activation was inhibited by >85%. In contrast, c-Jun NH(2)-terminal protein kinase (JNK) activation was similar in AT1Rwt- and AT1R(Del221/222)-transfected cells. Activation of ERK1/ERK2 by AT1Rwt was independent of Ca(2+), whereas the low level of ERK1/ERK2 activation by AT1R(Del221/222) was completely Ca(2+) dependent. Activation of ERK1/ERK2 in AT1Rwt required Ras, whereas AT1R(Del221/222) required Rap1. These results demonstrate the presence of 2 different pathways for ERK1/ERK2 activation by Ang II, which differ in their requirements for Ca(2+) and small G proteins (Ras versus Rap1). Furthermore, Ang II prevented serum deprivation-induced apoptosis in cells transfected with AT1Rwt but not AT1R(Del221/222). AKT was only phosphorylated by Ang II in AT1Rwt-transfected cells. Overexpression of constitutively active AKT significantly reduced serum deprivation-induced apoptosis in cells transfected with AT1R(Del221/222). This study shows for the first time a direct link between kinase activation and inhibition of apoptosis dependent on amino acids 221 and 222 in the third cytoplasmic loop of the AT(1).

Calcium↗

Reactive oxygen species activate p90 ribosomal S6 kinase via Fyn and Ras.

Reactive oxygen species and growth factors stimulate similar intracellular signal transduction events including activation of Src kinase family members and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2). A potentially important downstream effector of Src and ERK1/2 is p90 ribosomal S6 kinase (p90RSK), which plays an important role in cell growth by activating several transcription factors as well as the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger. In the present study, we determined whether H(2)O(2) activates p90RSK to gain insight into signal transduction mechanisms activated by reactive oxygen species. H(2)O(2) (200 microM) stimulated ERK1/2 and p90RSK activity in lymphocytes, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts. The MEK-1 inhibitor, PD98059 (30 microM), inhibited H(2)O(2)-mediated activation of ERK1/2 but not of p90RSK. An essential role for Fyn and Ras in p90RSK activation was suggested by five findings. 1) The tyrosine kinase inhibitor, herbimycin A, and the specific Src kinase family inhibitor, PP1, blocked p90RSK activation by H(2)O(2) in a concentration-dependent manner. 2) p90RSK activation by H(2)O(2) was significantly reduced in fibroblasts derived from transgenic mice deficient in Fyn, but not c-Src. 3) H(2)O(2) rapidly activated Ras (peak at 2-5 min), which preceded p90RSK activation (peak at 20 min). 4) Dominant negative Ras completely blocked H(2)O(2)-induced activation of p90RSK. 5) In Fyn-/- fibroblasts, activation of Ras by H(2)O(2) was significantly attenuated. These results show essential roles for Fyn and Ras in H(2)O(2)-mediated activation of p90RSK and establish redox-sensitive regulation of Ras and p90RSK as a new function for Fyn.

Animals↗

Purification and identification of secreted oxidative stress-induced factors from vascular smooth muscle cells.

Reactive oxygen species have been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and hypertension, in part by promoting vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) growth. We have previously shown that LY83583, a generator of O-(2), activated extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) with early (10 min) and late (2 h) peaks and stimulated VSMC growth. To investigate whether secreted oxidative stress-induced factors (termed SOXF) from VSMC were responsible for late ERK1/2 activation in response to LY83583, we purified putative SOXF proteins from conditioned medium (2 h of LY83583 exposure) by sequential chromatography based on activation of ERK1/2. Proteins identified by capillary chromatography, electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry, and data base searching included heat shock protein 90-alpha (HSP90-alpha) and cyclophilin B. Western blot analysis of conditioned medium showed specific secretion of HSP90-alpha but not HSP90-beta. Immunodepletion of HSP90-alpha from conditioned medium significantly inhibited conditioned medium-induced ERK1/2 activation. Human recombinant HSP90-alpha reproduced the effect of conditioned medium on ERK1/2 activation. These results show that brief oxidative stress causes sustained release of protein factors from VSMC that can stimulate ERK1/2. These factors may be important mediators for the effects of reactive oxygen species on vascular function.

1,2-Dihydroxybenzene-3,5-Disulfonic Acid Disodium ↗

Identification of flow-dependent endothelial nitric-oxide synthase phosphorylation sites by mass spectrometry and regulation of phosphorylation and nitric oxide production by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor LY294002.

Endothelial cells release nitric oxide (NO) acutely in response to increased laminar fluid shear stress, and the increase is correlated with enhanced phosphorylation of endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS). Phosphoamino acid analysis of eNOS from bovine aortic endothelial cells labeled with [(32)P]orthophosphate demonstrated that only phosphoserine was present in eNOS under both static and flow conditions. Fluid shear stress induced phosphate incorporation into two specific eNOS tryptic peptides as early as 30 s after initiation of flow. The flow-induced tryptic phosphopeptides were enriched, separated by capillary electrophoresis with intermittent voltage drops, also known as "peak parking," and analyzed by collision-induced dissociation in a tandem mass spectrometer. Two phosphopeptide sequences determined by tandem mass spectrometry, TQpSFSLQER and KLQTRPpSPGPPPAEQLLSQAR, were confirmed as the two flow-dependent phosphopeptides by co-migration with synthetic phosphopeptides. Because the sequence (RIR)TQpSFSLQER contains a consensus substrate site for protein kinase B (PKB or Akt), we demonstrated that LY294002, an inhibitor of the upstream activator of PKB, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, inhibited flow-induced eNOS phosphorylation by 97% and NO production by 68%. Finally, PKB phosphorylated eNOS in vitro at the same site phosphorylated in the cell and increased eNOS enzymatic activity by 15-20-fold.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Shear stress stimulation of p130(cas) tyrosine phosphorylation requires calcium-dependent c-Src activation.

Fluid shear stress (flow) modulates endothelial cell function via specific intracellular signaling events. Previously we showed that flow activated ERK1/2 in an integrin-dependent manner (Takahashi, M., and Berk, B. C. (1996) J. Clin. Invest. 98, 2623-2631). p130 Crk-associated substrate (Cas), a putative c-Src substrate, was originally identified as a highly phosphorylated protein that is localized to focal adhesions and acts as an adapter protein. Recent reports have shown that Cas is important in cardiovascular development and actin filament assembly. Flow (shear stress = 12 dynes/cm(2)) stimulated Cas tyrosine phosphorylation within 1 min in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Phosphorylation peaked at 5 min (3.5 +/- 0.7-fold) and was sustained to 20 min. Tyrosine phosphorylation of Cas was functionally important because flow stimulated association of Cas with Crk in a time- and force-dependent manner. Flow-mediated activation of c-Src, phosphorylation of Cas, and association of Cas with Crk were all inhibited by calcium chelation and pretreatment with the Src family-specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor PP1. To determine the role of c-Src in flow-stimulated phosphorylation of Cas, we transduced cells with adenovirus encoding kinase-inactive Src. Expression of kinase-inactive Src prevented flow-induced Cas tyrosine phosphorylation but not ERK1/2 activation. Calcium-dependent activation of c-Src and tyrosine phosphorylation of Cas defines a new flow-stimulated signal pathway, different from ERK1/2 activation. This pathway may be involved in focal adhesion remodeling and actin filament assembly.

Benzoquinones↗

Fyn and JAK2 mediate Ras activation by reactive oxygen species.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) activate Ras and the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) cascade. Because JAK2 is a critical mediator for Ras/Raf/ERK activation by several hormones, we examined the role of JAK2 in ROS signal events. H(2)O(2) stimulated JAK2 activity in fibroblasts with peak at 2-5 min. To determine the specific role of Src and Fyn as mediators of JAK2 activation and its downstream events, we used fibroblasts derived from transgenic mice deficient in Src (Src-/-) or Fyn (Fyn-/-). H(2)O(2)-stimulated JAK2 activity was completely inhibited in Fyn-/- cells. Shc tyrosine phosphorylation and Ras activation by H(2)O(2) were also significantly reduced in Fyn-/- cells, but not altered in Src-/- cells. Activation of JAK2 was restored when Fyn-/- cells were transfected with B-Fyn but not with Src. Inhibiting JAK2 activity with the specific inhibitor AG-490 prevented H(2)O(2) stimulated Shc and Ras activation. H(2)O(2)-mediated ERK1/2 activation in Fyn-/- cells and AG-490 treated cells was completely inhibited at an early time (5 min), but not at late times (20-40 min) after stimulation. These results define a new redox-sensitive pathway for Ras activation and rapid ERK1/2 activation, which is mediated by Fyn and JAK2.

Animals↗

Shear stress-mediated extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation is regulated by sodium in endothelial cells. Potential role for a voltage-dependent sodium channel.

Fluid shear stress is an important regulator of endothelial cell (EC) function. To determine whether mechanosensitive ion channels participate in the EC response to shear stress, we characterized the role of ion transport in shear stress-mediated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) stimulation. Replacement of all extracellular Na+ with either N-methyl-D-glucamine or choline chloride increased the ERK1/2 stimulation in response to shear stress by 1.89 +/- 0.1-fold. The Na+ effect was concentration-dependent (maximal effect, </=12.5 mM) and was specific for shear stress-mediated ERK1/2 activation as epidermal growth factor-stimulated ERK1/2 activation was unaffected by removal of extracellular Na+. Shear stress-mediated ERK1/2 activation was potentiated by the voltage-gated sodium channel antagonist, tetrodotoxin (100 nM), to a magnitude similar to that achieved with extracellular Na+ withdrawal. Transfection of Chinese hamster ovary cells with a rat brain type IIa voltage-gated sodium channel completely inhibited shear stress-mediated ERK1/2 activation in these cells. Inhibition was reversed by performing the experiment in sodium-free buffer or by including tetrodotoxin in the buffer. Western blotting of bovine and human EC lysates with SP19 antibody detected a 250-kDa protein consistent with the voltage-gated sodium channel. Degenerate polymerase chain reaction of cDNA from primary human EC yielded transcripts whose sequences were identical to the sodium channel SCN4a and SCN8a alpha subunit genes. These results indicate that shear stress-mediated ERK1/2 activation is regulated by extracellular sodium and demonstrate that ion transport via Na+ channels modulates EC responses to shear stress.

Animals↗

p90(RSK) is a serum-stimulated Na+/H+ exchanger isoform-1 kinase. Regulatory phosphorylation of serine 703 of Na+/H+ exchanger isoform-1.

The Na+/H+ exchanger isoform-1 (NHE-1) is the key member of a family of exchangers that regulates intracellular pH and cell volume. Activation of NHE-1 by growth factors is rapid, correlates with increased NHE-1 phosphorylation and cell alkalinization, and plays a role in cell cycle progression. By two-dimensional tryptic peptide mapping of immunoprecipitated NHE-1, we identify serine 703 as the major serum-stimulated amino acid. Mutation of serine 703 to alanine had no effect on acid-stimulated Na+/H+ exchange but completely prevented the growth factor-mediated increase in NHE-1 affinity for H+. In addition, we show that p90 ribosomal S6 kinase (p90(RSK)) is a key NHE-1 kinase since p90(RSK) phosphorylates NHE-1 serine 703 stoichiometrically in vitro, and transfection with kinase-inactive p90(RSK) inhibits serum-induced phosphorylation of NHE-1 serine 703 in transfected 293 cells. These findings establish p90(RSK) as a serum-stimulated NHE-1 kinase and a mediator of increased Na+/H+ exchange in vivo.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Opposing effects of reactive oxygen species and cholesterol on endothelial nitric oxide synthase and endothelial cell caveolae.

Synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is critical for normal vascular homeostasis. eNOS function is rapidly regulated by agonists and blood flow and chronically by factors that regulate mRNA stability and gene transcription. Recently, localization of eNOS to specialized plasma membrane invaginations termed caveolae has been proposed to be required for maximal eNOS activity. Because caveolae are highly enriched in cholesterol, and hypercholesterolemia is associated with increased NO production, we first studied the effects of cholesterol loading on eNOS localization and NO production in cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs). Caveolae-enriched fractions were prepared by OptiPrep gradient density centrifugation. Treatment of BAECs with 30 microgram/mL cholesterol for 24 hours stimulated significant increases in total eNOS protein expression (1.50-fold), eNOS associated with caveolae-enriched membranes (2.23-fold), and calcium ionophore-stimulated NO production (1.56-fold). Because reactive oxygen species (ROS) contribute to endothelial dysfunction in hypercholesterolemia, we next studied the effects of ROS on eNOS localization and caveolae number. Treatment of BAECs for 24 hours with 1 micromol/L LY83583, a superoxide-generating napthoquinolinedione, decreased caveolae number measured by electron microscopy and prevented the cholesterol-mediated increases in eNOS expression. In vitro exposure of caveolae-enriched membranes to ROS (xanthine plus xanthine oxidase) dissociated caveolin more readily than eNOS from the membranes. These results show that cholesterol treatment increases eNOS expression, whereas ROS treatment decreases eNOS expression and the association of eNOS with caveolin in caveolae-enriched membranes. Our data suggest that oxidative stress modulates endothelial function by regulating caveolae formation, eNOS expression, and eNOS-caveolin interactions.

Animals↗

Fluid shear stress stimulates big mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (BMK1) activity in endothelial cells. Dependence on tyrosine kinases and intracellular calcium.

Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases including ERK1/2 and JNK play an important role in shear stress-mediated gene expression in endothelial cells (EC). A new MAP kinase termed big MAP kinase 1 (BMK1/ERK5) has been shown to phosphorylate and activate the transcription factor MEF2C, which is highly expressed in EC. To determine the effects of shear stress on BMK1, bovine aortic EC were exposed to steady laminar flow (shear stress = 12 dynes/cm2). Flow activated BMK1 within 10 min with peak activation at 60 min (7.1 +/- 0.6-fold) in a force-dependent manner. Flow was the most powerful activator of BMK1, significantly greater than H2O2 or sorbitol. An important role for non-Src tyrosine kinases in flow-mediated BMK1 activation was demonstrated by inhibition with herbimycin A, but not with the Src inhibitor PP1 or overexpression of kinase-inactive c-Src. BMK1 activation was calcium-dependent as shown by inhibition with 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid/acetoxymethyl ester or thapsigargin. As shown by specific inhibitors or activators, flow-mediated BMK1 activation was not regulated by the following: intracellular redox state; intracellular NO; protein kinase A, C, or G; calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase; phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase; or arachidonic acid metabolism. In summary, flow potently stimulates BMK1 in EC by a mechanism dependent on a tyrosine kinase(s) and calcium mobilization, but not on c-Src, redox state, or NO production.

Animals↗