Biomedical subjects

E N Fish

Publications and source records attributed to E N Fish.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

The Rac1/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway is required for interferon alpha-dependent transcriptional activation but not serine phosphorylation of Stat proteins.

The p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase is activated during engagement of the type I interferon (IFN) receptor and mediates signals essential for IFNalpha-dependent transcriptional activation via interferon-stimulated response elements without affecting formation of the ISGF3 complex. In the present study, we provide evidence that the small GTPase Rac1 is activated in a type I IFN-dependent manner and that its function is required for downstream engagement of the p38 MAP kinase pathway. We also demonstrate that p38 is required for IFNalpha-dependent gene transcription via GAS elements and regulates activation of the promoter of the PML gene that mediates growth inhibitory responses. In studies to determine whether the regulatory effects of p38 are mediated by serine phosphorylation of Stat1 or Stat3, we found that the p38 kinase inhibitors SB203580 or SB202190 or overexpression of a dominant negative p38 mutant do not inhibit phosphorylation of Stat1 or Stat3 on Ser-727 in several IFNalpha-sensitive cell lines. Altogether these data demonstrate that the Rac1/p38 MAP kinase signaling cascade plays a critical role in type I IFN signaling, functioning in cooperation with the Stat-pathway, to regulate transcriptional regulation of IFNalpha-sensitive genes and generation of growth inhibitory responses.

DNA-Binding Proteins↗

PubMed2000

Interferon-dependent activation of the serine kinase PI 3'-kinase requires engagement of the IRS pathway but not the Stat pathway.

Several signaling pathways are activated by interferon alpha (IFNalpha) in hematopoietic cells, including the Jak-Stat and the insulin receptor substrate (IRS) pathways. It has been previously shown that IFNalpha activates the phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3'-kinase via an interaction of the p85 subunit of PI 3'-kinase with IRS proteins. Other studies have proposed that Stat-3 also functions as an adapter for p85. We sought to identify the major pathway that regulates IFNalpha activation of the PI3'-kinase in hematopoietic cells. Our data demonstrate that IFNalpha induces the interaction of p85 with IRS-1 or IRS-2, but not Stat-3, in various hematopoietic cell lines in which IRS-1 and/or IRS-2 and Stat-3 are activated by IFNalpha. In addition, inhibition of PI 3'-kinase activity by preincubation of cells with the PI 3'-kinase inhibitor LY294002 does not affect IFN-dependent formation of SIF complexes that contain Stat-3. To determine whether phosphorylation of tyrosine residues in the IFN receptor is required for activation of the PI 3'-kinase, we performed studies using mouse L929 fibroblasts transfected with mutated human IFNAR1 and/or IFNAR2 subunits of the Type I IFN receptor, lacking tyrosine phosphorylation sites. The serine kinase activity of the PI-3K was activated by human IFNalpha in these cells, suggesting that phosphorylation of the Type I IFN receptor is not essential for PI3K activation. We then determined whether IFNalpha activates the Akt kinase, a known downstream target for PI 3'-kinase that mediates anti-apoptotic signals. Akt was activated by insulin or IGF-1, but not IFNalpha, in the IFNalpha-sensitive U-266 myeloma cell line. Altogether, our data establish that the IRS pathway and not the Stat pathway, is the major pathway regulating engagement of PI 3'-kinase in hematopoietic cells. Furthermore, the selective activation of Akt by insulin/IGF-1 suggests the existence of distinct regulatory activities of PI3'-kinase in growth factor versus interferon signaling.

Cells, Cultured↗

PubMed2000

IFN-gamma activates the C3G/Rap1 signaling pathway.

IFN-gamma transduces signals by activating the IFN-gamma receptor-associated Jak-1 and Jak-2 kinases and by inducing tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of the Stat-1 transcriptional activator. We report that IFN-gamma activates a distinct signaling cascade involving the c-cbl protooncogene product, CrkL adapter, and small G protein Rap1. During treatment of NB-4 human cells with IFN-gamma, c-cbl protooncogene product is rapidly phosphorylated on tyrosine and provides a docking site for the src homology 2 domain of CrkL, which also undergoes IFN-gamma-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation. CrkL then regulates activation of the guanine exchange factor C3G, with which it interacts constitutively via its N terminus src homology 3 domain. This results in the IFN-gamma-dependent activation of Rap1, a protein known to exhibit tumor suppressor activity and mediate growth inhibitory responses. In a similar manner, Rap1 is also activated in response to treatment of cells with type I IFNs (IFN-alpha, IFN-beta), which also engage CrkL in their signaling pathways. On the other hand, IFN-gamma does not induce formation of nuclear CrkL-Stat5 DNA-binding complexes, which are induced by IFN-alpha and IFN-beta, indicating that pathways downstream of CrkL are differentially regulated by different IFN subtypes. Taken altogether, our data demonstrate that, in addition to activating the Stat pathway, IFN-gamma activates a distinct signaling cascade that may play an important role in the generation of its growth inhibitory effects on target cells.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

PubMed2000

All-trans-retinoic acid induces tyrosine phosphorylation of the CrkL adapter in acute promyelocytic leukemia cells.

OBJECTIVE: All-trans-retinoic acid (RA) is a potent inducer of differentiation of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cells in vitro and in vivo. It also exhibits synergistic effects with interferons on the induction of differentiation and growth inhibition in vitro. Recent studies showed that interferons engage a signaling pathway involving the CBL proto-oncogene and the CrkL adapter, which mediates interferon-induced growth inhibitory signals. The objective of this study was to determine whether the CBL-CrkL pathway is activated by treatment of the NB-4 and HL-60 acute leukemia cell lines with RA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effects of RA treatment on CBL and CrkL phosphorylation, as well as on protein-protein interactions, were determined in studies involving immunoprecipitations of cell extracts with specific antibodies and Western blots. In addition, glutathione-S-transferase fusion proteins were used in binding studies to determine whether the SH2 domain of CrkL interacts with CBL in a RA-dependent manner and whether Rapl is activated by RA. RESULTS: Treatment of NB-4 or HL-60 cells with RA resulted in strong tyrosine phosphorylation of CBL, which was time and dose dependent. Similarly, RA induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the CrkL adapter and the association of CrkL with CBL. The RA-dependent interaction of CrkL with CBL was mediated by binding of the SH2 domain of CrkL to tyrosine phosphorylated CBL, suggesting that CBL provides a docking site for engagement of CrkL in a RA-activated cellular pathway. The guanine exchange factor C3G was found to be associated with CrkL at similar levels before and after RA treatment, but Rapl activation downstream of C3G was not inducible by RA. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that the CBL-CrkL pathway is one of the mediators of the effects of RA on APL cells and suggest that one of the mechanisms of synergy between RA and interferons may involve regulation of components of this signaling cascade.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

PubMed2000

Structure-function study of the extracellular domain of the human type I interferon receptor (IFNAR)-1 subunit.

Despite accumulating information about the different effector molecules and signaling cascades that are invoked on interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) binding to the type 1 IFN receptor, little is known about the specifics of the binding interactions between the ligand and the receptor complex. The IFN-alpha/beta receptor (IFNAR)-2 subunit of the IFN receptor is considered the primary binding chain of the receptor, yet it is clear that both receptor subunits, IFNAR-1 and IFNAR-2, cooperate in the high-affinity binding of IFN to the receptor complex. Earlier results from our laboratory suggested that an association of IFNAR-1 with membrane Galalpha1-4Gal-containing glycolipids facilitates receptor-mediated signaling. The data implicated amino acid residues in the SD100 domain of IFNAR-1 in the glycosphingolipid (GSL) modification of the type 1 IFN receptor. Interestingly, the human and murine counterparts of IFNAR-1 exhibit remarkable species specificity despite their considerable amino acid sequence identity. Certainly, those amino acid residues that effect GSL modification of IFNAR-1 are conserved between species, yet specific regions of IFNAR-1 that confer species specificity have not been defined. To delineate further the role of the IFNAR-1 SD100A domain in receptor function, a chimeric cDNA was assembled, in which the SD100A domain of the murine IFNAR-1 chain was replaced with the human sequence. This construct was expressed in IFNAR-1-/- mouse embryonic fibroblasts, and stable transfectants were established. Transfectants are fully sensitive to murine IFN-alpha4 treatment with respect to the induction of IFN-stimulated gene factor 3 (ISGF3) and sis-inducing factor (SIF) signal transducer and activator of transcription factor (Stat) complexes, exhibiting comparable levels of Stat activation to those observed in IFNAR-1-/- cells reconstituted with intact MuIFNAR-1. Similar results were obtained with IFN-induced antiviral and growth inhibitory responses. Viewed together, these data suggest that the SD100A domain of IFNAR-1 does not contribute to species-specific IFN binding.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1999

Catalytically active TYK2 is essential for interferon-beta-mediated phosphorylation of STAT3 and interferon-alpha receptor-1 (IFNAR-1) but not for activation of phosphoinositol 3-kinase.

TYK2, a Janus kinase, plays both structural and catalytic roles in type I interferon (IFN) signaling. We recently reported (Rani, M. R. S., Gauzzi, C., Pellegrini, S., Fish, E., Wei, T., and Ransohoff, R. M. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 1891-1897) that catalytically active TYK2 was necessary for IFN-beta to induce the beta-R1 gene. We now report IFN-beta-mediated activation of STATs and other components in U1 (TYK2-null) cell lines that were complemented with kinase-negative (U1.KR930) or wild-type TYK2 (U1.wt). We found that IFN-beta induced phosphorylation on tyrosine of STAT3 in U1.wt cells but not in U1.KR930 cells, whereas STAT1 and STAT2 were activated in both cell lines. Additionally, IFN-beta-mediated phosphorylation of interferon-alpha receptor-1 (IFNAR-1) was defective in IFN-beta treated U1.KR930 cells, but evident in U1.wt cells. In U1A-derived cells, the p85/p110 phosphoinositol 3-kinase isoform was associated with IFNAR-1 but not STAT3, and the association was ligand-independent. Further, IFN-beta treatment stimulated IFNAR-1-associated phosphoinositol kinase activity equally in either U1.wt or U1.KR930 cells. Our results indicate that catalytically active TYK2 is required for IFN-beta-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT3 and IFNAR-1 in intact cells.

Catalysis↗

PubMed1999

Activation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase by type I interferons.

The p38 mitogen-activated protein (Map) kinase plays a critical role in the generation of signals in response to stress stimuli, but its role in interferon (IFN) signaling and its potential regulatory role in the activation of Jak-signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat) pathway are not known. In the present study, we provide evidence that the p38 Map kinase is rapidly phosphorylated and activated during treatment of cells with Type I interferons (IFNalpha and IFNbeta). Furthermore, the Type I IFN-dependent activation of p38 regulates induction of the catalytic domains of MapKap kinase-2 and MapKap kinase-3, strongly suggesting the existence of an IFNalpha signaling cascade activated downstream of the p38 kinase. The engagement of this pathway in interferon signaling plays a critical role in interferon-dependent transcriptional regulation, as evidenced by the fact that inhibition of p38 activation results in abrogation of interferon-dependent gene transcription via interferon-stimulated response elements. Interestingly, inhibition of the kinase activity of the p38 blocks IFNalpha-induced gene transcription without inhibiting DNA binding or tyrosine phosphorylation of Stat proteins, suggesting that the p38 pathway acts in cooperation with the Stat pathway. Thus, the p38 kinase signaling cascade is activated by the Type I interferon receptor and plays a critical role in interferon signaling and interferon-dependent transcriptional regulation.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1999

Induction of beta-R1/I-TAC by interferon-beta requires catalytically active TYK2.

The beta-R1/I-TAC (interferon-inducible T-cell alpha-chemoattractant) gene encodes an alpha-chemokine that is a potent chemoattractant for activated T-cells. We previously reported that beta-R1 was selectively induced by interferon (IFN)-beta compared with IFN-alpha and that the canonical type I IFN transcription factor interferon-stimulated gene factor 3 (ISGF3) was necessary but not sufficient for beta-R1 induction by IFN-beta. These findings suggested that beta-R1 induction by IFN-beta required an accessory component. To begin characterizing this signaling pathway, we examined the function of TYK2 protein in the IFN-beta-mediated induction of beta-R1. This study was motivated by the observation that beta-R1 could not be induced in TYK2-deficient U1 cells by IFN-beta (Rani, M. R. S., Foster, G. R., Leung, S., Leaman, D., Stark, G. R., and Ransohoff, R. M. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 22878-22884), an unexpected result because IFN-beta evokes substantial expression of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) in U1 cells through a TYK2-independent pathway. We now report beta-R1 expression patterns in U1 cells complemented with wild-type or mutant TYK2 proteins. Complementation with wild-type TYK2 rescued IFN-beta-inducible expression of beta-R1. Cells expressing kinase-deficient deletion or point mutants of TYK2 were refractory to induction of beta-R1 by IFN-beta despite robust expression of other ISGs. Transient transfection analysis of a beta-R1 promoter-reporter confirmed that transcriptional activation of beta-R1 by IFN-beta required competent TYK2 kinase. These studies indicate that the catalytic function of TYK2 is required for IFN-beta-mediated induction of beta-R1. Catalytic TYK2 is the first identified component in an accessory signaling pathway that supplements ISGF3/interferon-stimulated response element signaling for gene induction by type I IFNs.

Catalysis↗

PubMed1999

Activation of a CrkL-stat5 signaling complex by type I interferons.

Type I interferons (IFNalpha and IFNbeta) transduce signals by inducing tyrosine phosphorylation of Jaks and Stats, as well as the CrkL adapter, an SH2/SH3-containing protein which provides a link to downstream pathways that mediate growth inhibition. We report that Stat5 interacts constitutively with the IFN receptor-associated Tyk-2 kinase, and during IFNalpha stimulation its tyrosine-phosphorylated form acts as a docking site for the SH2 domain of CrkL. CrkL and Stat5 then form a complex that translocates to the nucleus. This IFN-inducible CrkL-Stat5 complex binds in vitro to the TTCTAGGAA palindromic element found in the promoters of a subset of IFN-stimulated genes. Thus, during activation of the Type I IFN receptor, CrkL functions as a nuclear adapter protein and, in association with Stat5, regulates gene transcription through DNA binding.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

PubMed1999

Signaling pathways activated by interferons.

Interferons are pleiotropic cytokines that exhibit negative regulatory effects on the growth of normal and malignant hematopoietic cells in vitro and in vivo. There are two different classes of interferons, Type I (alpha, beta, and omega) and Type II (gamma) interferons. Although the precise mechanisms by which these cytokines exhibit their potent effects on hematopoiesis remain unknown, there has been considerable progress in our understanding of the cellular changes that occur upon engagement of interferon receptors. It is now well established that Type I interferons activate multiple signaling pathways in hematopoietic cells, a finding consistent with their pleiotropic biological effects. One major pathway in Type I IFN signaling involves activation of Stat- proteins and formation of complexes that translocate to the nucleus and bind to specific elements to regulate gene transcription. The activation of this pathway (Jak-Stat pathway) is apparently regulated by members of the Jak-family of kinases, which are constitutively associated with the Type I IFN receptor. In addition to the Jak-Stat pathway, multiple other Jak-kinase-dependent signaling cascades are activated, including the IRS-PI 3'-kinase pathway, a pathway involving the vav proto-oncogene product, and a pathway involving adaptor proteins of the Crk-family (CrkL and CrkII). The only Type II interferon, IFNgamma, also activates multiple Jak-kinase-dependent signaling cascades, including the Stat and Crk pathways. Recent evidence suggests that non-Stat pathways play a critical role in the generation of signals for both Type I and Type II interferons and may be the primary mediators of their growth inhibitory effects on hematopoietic cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Activation of the Jak-Stat pathway in cells that exhibit selective sensitivity to the antiviral effects of IFN-beta compared with IFN-alpha.

We determined whether selective activation of components of the Jak-Stat pathway by different type I interferons (IFN) occurs in human myocardial fibroblasts that exhibit much higher sensitivity to the antiviral effects of IFN-beta than of IFN-alpha. Similar levels of activation of the Tyk2 kinase and the Stat3 transcription factor were induced in response to either IFN-beta or IFN-alpha treatment. However, activation of the Jak1 tyrosine kinase was detectable only in IFN-beta-treated but not IFN-alpha-treated cells. Consistent with this, tyrosine phosphorylation of Stat1 and Stat2 and formation of the IFN-stimulated gene factor 3 (ISGF3) complex occurred to a much higher degree in response to IFN-beta stimulation. These findings demonstrate that differential activation of distinct components of the Jak-Stat pathway by different type I IFN can occur. Furthermore, they strongly suggest that such selective activation accounts for the occurrence of differences in the antiviral properties of distinct type I IFN in certain cell types.

Antiviral Agents↗

PubMed1998

RANTES and MIP-1alpha activate stats in T cells.

The chemokines RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted) and MIP (macrophage inflammatory protein)-1alpha have been implicated in regulating T cell functions. RANTES-induced T cell activation is apparently mediated via two distinct signal transduction cascades: one linked to recruitment of pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins and the other linked to protein-tyrosine kinase activation. In this report, we identified that the transcription factors Stat1 and Stat3 (for signal transducers and activators of transcription) are rapidly activated in T cells in response to RANTES and MIP-1alpha. Nuclear extracts from MOLT-4 and Jurkat T cells treated with RANTES or MIP-1alpha contain tyrosine-phosphorylated Stat1:1 and Stat1:3 dimers that exhibit DNA-binding activity. We demonstrated that RANTES and MIP-1alpha treatment of Jurkat cells resulted in transcriptional activation of a Stat-inducible gene, c-fos, with kinetics consistent with Stat activation by these chemokines. RANTES and MIP-1alpha mediate their effects via shared chemokine receptors (CCRs): CCR1, CCR4, and CCR5. Our data revealed a concordance between chemokine-induced Stat activation and c-fos induction and CCR4 and CCR5 expression. These findings indicate that chemokine-mediated activation of G-protein-coupled receptors leads to signal transduction that invokes intracellular phosphorylation intermediates used by other cytokine receptors.

Chemokine CCL3↗

PubMed1997

The IRS-pathway operates distinctively from the Stat-pathway in hematopoietic cells and transduces common and distinct signals during engagement of the insulin or interferon-alpha receptors.

Binding of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) to its receptor on hematopoietic cells activates the signal transducers and activators of transcription (Stat)- and insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-pathways, and regulates expression of antiproliferative and antiviral activities. However, it remains unknown whether these two pathways cooperate in the generation of IFN-alpha responses or function independently, and whether IRS-proteins transduce distinct downstream signals in response to IFNs or insulin/insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1-mediated activation. Our data show that in response to IFN-alpha treatment, IRS-1 functions selectively as a docking protein for the SH2 domains of the p85 subunit of the PI 3'-kinase, but not the SH2 domain of Grb-2 which is engaged during insulin/IGF-1 signaling. In studies with THP-1 human myelomonocytic cells and 32D mouse myeloid cells, which are IRS-defective, we found that the IFN-alpha-regulated activation of Stat-1, Stat-2, and Stat-3 does not require the function of the IRS-system. Furthermore, THP-1 cells are responsive to the protective effect of IFN-alpha against vesicular stomatitis virus. Both 32D and THP-1 cells were resistant to the growth inhibitory effect of IFN-alpha, but this effect was not reversible by expression of IRS-1 or IRS-2 alone in 32D cells. Taken altogether these data show that: (1) The IRS-system transduces common and distinct signals in response to IFN-alpha or insulin/lGF-1 stimulation of hematopoietic cells. (2) The IRS-pathway operates separately from the Stat-pathway, and its function is not essential for the generation of the antiviral effect of IFN-alpha. (3) Neither the IRS- nor the Stat-pathways alone are sufficient to mediate the antiproliferative effects of IFN-alpha in hematopoietic cells, and additional signaling elements are required.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Interaction of p59fyn with interferon-activated Jak kinases.

During IFN alpha stimulation, p59(fyn) associates with the Type I IFNR-associated Tyk-2 kinase in several human hematopoietic cell lines in vivo. This interaction is direct, and is mediated by the SH2 domain in p59(fyn), as shown by binding studies using glutathione-S-transferase fusion proteins and far western blots. Furthermore, in response to IFN alpha-treatment of cells, the SH2 domain of Fyn interacts with the Tyk-2-associated c-cbl proto-oncogene product. In a similar manner, during IFN gamma stimulation, p59(fyn) associates via its SH2 domain with the activated form of the IFN gamma-dependent Jak-2 kinase. These data suggest that p59(fyn) is a common element in IFN alpha and IFN gamma signaling, and is selectively engaged by the Type I or II IFN receptors via specific interactions with distinct Jak kinases.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed1997

Activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase serine kinase by IFN-alpha.

During engagement of the type I IFN receptor, IRS-1 is phosphorylated on tyrosine and associates with the p85 regulatory subunit of the phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3'-kinase, which is a dual-specificity enzyme possessing both lipid and serine kinase activities. We sought to determine whether treatment of cells with IFN-alpha activates the PI 3'-kinase serine kinase. 32P-labeling experiments and phosphoaminoacid analysis of immunoprecipitated IRS-1 protein demonstrated that, in addition to tyrosine phosphorylation, IFN-alpha induces its phosphorylation on serine residues. In vitro kinase assays on alphaIRS-1 immunoprecipitates also demonstrated IFN-alpha-dependent serine phosphorylation of IRS-1, suggesting that the protein associates with an IFN-alpha-regulated serine kinase. Furthermore, IFN-alpha-dependent phosphorylation of IRS-1 was detected in in vitro kinase assays on alpha p85 immunoprecipitates, and was inhibited by pretreatment of cells with the specific PI 3'-kinase inhibitor wortmannin, consistent with a regulatory role of the PI 3'-kinase serine kinase on the phosphorylation of the protein. Treatment of cells with wortmannin also inhibited the phosphorylation of the p85 subunit of PI 3'-kinase and the type I IFN-regulated activation of the Map kinase, but had no inhibitory effect on the IFN-alpha-induced activation of Tyk-2 and Jak-1 kinases nor on the activation of Stat-1, Stat-2, and Stat-3. Taken all together, these data establish that the PI 3'-kinase serine kinase is activated by IFN-alpha and may play an important role in the transmission of type I IFN receptor-generated signals.

Androstadienes↗

PubMed1997

Evidence for RANTES, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and macrophage inflammatory protein-1 beta expression in Kawasaki disease.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with Kawasaki disease mount an immune response directed to their abnormally stimulated vascular endothelium, that is associated with vascular inflammation and injury and a predisposition to arterial aneurysm formation. This suggests that specific pro-inflammatory cytokines may mediate these hyperreactive responses. The selective chemoattractant and activation effects of chemokines on lymphocytes identifies them as potential candidates in mediating selective inflammatory processes in Kawasaki disease. We examined peripheral blood from patients with Kawasaki disease for chemokine gene expression. METHODS: Consecutive samples from 14 patients during the acute, subacute, and convalescent phases of their illness were collected and elaborated for RANTES, macrophage inflammatory protein-1 beta (MIP-1 beta) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) expression. RESULTS: RANTES and MCP-1 gene expression levels were significantly elevated in 12 of the 14 patients, and MIP-1 beta gene expression was elevated in 13 of the 14 patients. There was no obvious correlation between clinical phase of the disease and chemokine expression level, yet elevated expression levels were detected in all phases, including the convalescent phase, when laboratory evidence of lymphocyte activation has been shown to return to normal. Serial samples showed persistence or increased expression of chemokine genes into the convalescent phase in patients with coronary artery lesions. CONCLUSION: Chemokine mediated inflammatory events may persist in the convalescent phase of Kawasaki disease and may contribute to further risk of vascular endothelial cell injury, specifically coronary aneurysm formation.

Chemokine CCL2↗

PubMed1996

Application of genomic DNA affinity chromatography identifies multiple interferon-alpha-regulated Stat2 complexes.

Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha)-induced signal transduction is mediated by the phosphorylation-activation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins Stat1, Stat2, and Stat3. Previous studies have shown that these activated STATs dimerize to form four distinct STAT complexes which translocate to the nucleus and activates transcription by binding to specific promoter elements. The interferon-stimulated gene factor-3 (ISGF3) consists of Stat2 and Stat1 heterodimers in association with a DNA-binding protein, p48, that binds to the interferon stimulated response element. Homo-and heterodimers of Stat1 and Stat3 bind to the palindromic interferon response element (pIRE). In this report we demonstrate the utility of a biochemical procedure that we have developed, based on genomic DNA affinity chromatography, for the identification of IFN-alpha-induced STAT complexes. Using this approach, we identified ISGF3-independent Stat2-containing STAT complexes. Results from the analysis of Stat2 complexes in the electrophoretic mobility shift assay were consistent with genomic DNA affinity chromatography results and identified a Stat2:1 complex that binds with low affinity to the pIRE of the interferon regulatory factor-1 gene. Immunoprecipitation studies of Stat2 revealed an IFN-alpha dependent co-precipitation of both Stat1 and Stat3. Taken together, our results suggest that IFN-alpha activates, in addition to ISGF3, other Stat2-containing STAT complexes, one of which binds to an element related to the interferon regulatory factor-1 pIRE.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1995

Configuration of the interferon-alpha/beta receptor complex determines the context of the biological response.

Constituents of the Type 1 interferon (IFN) receptor (IFNABR) identified to date include the alpha and beta transmembrane subunits and the associated intracellular kinases, Jak 1 and Tyk 2. In this report, we demonstrate that a human cell type that expresses both subunits of IFNABR, together with Jak 1 and Tyk 2, exhibits a limited binding capacity for and is only partially sensitive to the effects of IFN-alpha/beta, despite adequate levels of the cytoplasmic transcription factors Stat1, Stat2, and Stat3. Specifically, a low affinity interaction between IFN-alpha/beta and cell surface receptors results in ISGF3 (Stat1:2) activation and an antiviral response, yet no IFN-inducible growth inhibition. Using a panel of murine cells that are variably configured with respect to the human IFNABR-alpha/beta subunits, we provide evidence that an additional component(s) encoded on human chromosome 21 is required to confer high affinity binding and IFN-inducible growth inhibition to cells that express the alpha and beta subunits of the IFNABR. The data indicate that transcriptional activation that leads to an antiviral response is mediated by IFN-alpha/beta activation of IFNABR-alpha and IFNABR-beta in the context of a low affinity interaction, yet a high affinity interaction is necessary for signal transducing events that mediate growth inhibition. We provide evidence that the extent of ISGF3 activation correlates directly with the magnitude of an antiviral but not a growth inhibitory response.

2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase↗