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Biomedical subjects

H F Lodish

Publications and source records attributed to H F Lodish.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Critical role of Smads and AP-1 complex in transforming growth factor-beta -dependent apoptosis.

Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) induces not only cell growth inhibition but also apoptosis in hepatocytes, myeloid cells, and epithelial cells. Although Smad proteins are identified as key signal transducers in TGF-beta1-dependent growth inhibition, their roles in the induction of apoptosis are unclear. We show here that both Smad proteins and AP-1 complex are involved in TGF-beta1 signaling for apoptosis. Overexpression of a dominant-negative Smad3 mutant or Smad7, both of which impair Smad-mediated signal transduction, inhibits TGF-beta1-dependent apoptosis. Only the JunD. FosB form of the AP-1 complex is markedly activated during TGF-beta1-dependent apoptosis. FosB substantially enhances Smad3. Smad4-dependent transcription, and dominant-negative FosB blocks TGF-beta1-dependent apoptosis but not growth inhibition. Expression of JunD.FosB enhances induction of apoptosis by TGF-beta1. Moreover, JunD.FosB binds to the 12-O-tetradecanoyl-13-acetate-responsive gene promoter element and recruits Smad3.Smad4 to form a multicomponent complex. These results suggest that Smad proteins and AP-1 complex synergize to mediate TGF-beta1-dependent apoptosis.

Animals↗

Importin beta mediates nuclear translocation of Smad 3.

Smad proteins are intracellular mediators of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and related cytokines. Although ligand-induced nuclear translocation of Smad proteins is clearly established, the pathway mediating this import is yet to be determined. We previously identified a nuclear localization signal (NLS) in the N-terminal region of Smad 3, the major Smad protein involved in TGF-beta signal transduction. This basic motif (Lys(40-)Lys-Leu-Lys-Lys(44)), conserved among all the pathway-specific Smad proteins, is required for Smad 3 nuclear import in response to ligand. Here we studied the nuclear import pathway of Smad 3 mediated by this NLS. We demonstrate that the isolated Smad 3 MH1 domain displays significant specific binding to importin beta, which is diminished or eliminated by mutations in the NLS. Full-size Smad 3 exhibits weak but specific binding to importin beta, which is enhanced after phosphorylation by the type I TGF-beta receptor. In contrast, no interaction was observed between importin alpha and Smad 3 or its MH1 domain, indicating that nuclear translocation of Smad proteins may occur through direct binding to importin beta. We propose that activation of all of the pathway-specific Smad proteins (Smads 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, and 9) exposes the conserved NLS motif, which then binds directly to importin beta and triggers nuclear translocation.

Activin Receptors, Type I↗

A distinct nuclear localization signal in the N terminus of Smad 3 determines its ligand-induced nuclear translocation.

Smad proteins are intracellular mediators of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) and related cytokines and undergo ligand-induced nuclear translocation. Here we describe the identification of a nuclear localization signal (NLS) in the N-terminal region of Smad 3, the major Smad protein involved in TGF-beta signaling. An NLS-like basic motif (Lys(40)-Lys-Leu-Lys-Lys(44)), conserved among all pathway-specific Smad proteins, not only is responsible for constitutive nuclear localization of the isolated Smad 3 MH1 domain but also is crucial for Smad 3 nuclear import in response to ligand. Mutations in this motif completely abolished TGF-beta-induced nuclear translocation but had no impact on ligand-induced phosphorylation of Smad 3, complex formation with Smad 4, or specific binding to DNA. Hence Smad 3 proteins with NLS mutations are dominant-negative inhibitors of TGF-beta-induced transcriptional activation. Smad 4, which cannot translocate into the nucleus in the absence of Smad 3 or another pathway-specific Smad, contains a Glu in place of the last Lys in this motif. Smad 3 harboring the same mutation (K44E) does not undergo ligand-induced nuclear import. Conversely, the isolated Smad 4 MH1 domain does not accumulate in the nucleus but becomes nuclear enriched when Glu(49) is replaced with Lys. We propose that this highly conserved five-residue NLS motif determines ligand-induced nuclear translocation of all pathway-specific Smads.

Activin Receptors, Type I↗

Generation of mammalian cells stably expressing multiple genes at predetermined levels.

Expression of cloned genes at desired levels in cultured mammalian cells is essential for studying protein function. Controlled levels of expression have been difficult to achieve, especially for cell lines with low transfection efficiency or when expression of multiple genes is required. An internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) has been incorporated into many types of expression vectors to allow simultaneous expression of two genes. However, there has been no systematic quantitative analysis of expression levels in individual cells of genes linked by an IRES, and thus the broad use of these vectors in functional analysis has been limited. We constructed a set of retroviral expression vectors containing an IRES followed by a quantitative selectable marker such as green fluorescent protein (GFP) or truncated cell surface proteins CD2 or CD4. The gene of interest is placed in a multiple cloning site 5' of the IRES sequence under the control of the retroviral long terminal repeat (LTR) promoter. These vectors exploit the approximately 100-fold differences in levels of expression of a retrovirus vector depending on its site of insertion in the host chromosome. We show that the level of expression of the gene downstream of the IRES and the expression level and functional activity of the gene cloned upstream of the IRES are highly correlated in stably infected target cells. This feature makes our vectors extremely useful for the rapid generation of stably transfected cell populations or clonal cell lines expressing specific amounts of a desired protein simply by fluorescent activated cell sorting (FACS) based on the level of expression of the gene downstream of the IRES. We show how these vectors can be used to generate cells expressing high levels of the erythropoietin receptor (EpoR) or a dominant negative Smad3 protein and to generate cells expressing two different cloned proteins, Ski and Smad4. Correlation of a biologic effect with the level of expression of the protein downstream of the IRES provides strong evidence for the function of the protein placed upstream of the IRES.

Animals↗

Pantophysin is a phosphoprotein component of adipocyte transport vesicles and associates with GLUT4-containing vesicles.

Pantophysin, a protein related to the neuroendocrine-specific synaptophysin, recently has been identified in non-neuronal tissues. In the present study, Northern blots showed that pantophysin mRNA was abundant in adipose tissue and increased during adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells. Immunoblot analysis of subcellular fractions showed pantophysin present exclusively in membrane fractions and relatively evenly distributed in the plasma membrane and internal membrane fractions. Sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation demonstrated that pantophysin and GLUT4 exhibited overlapping distribution profiles. Furthermore, immunopurified GLUT4 vesicles contained pantophysin, and both GLUT4 and pantophysin were depleted from this vesicle population following treatment with insulin. Additionally, a subpopulation of immunopurified pantophysin vesicles contained insulin-responsive GLUT4. Consistent with the interaction of synaptophysin with vesicle-associated membrane protein 2 in neuroendocrine tissues, pantophysin associated with vesicle-associated membrane protein 2 in adipocytes. Furthermore, in [(32)P]orthophosphate-labeled cells, pantophysin was phosphorylated in the basal state. This phosphorylation was unchanged in response to insulin; however, insulin stimulated the phosphorylation of a 77-kDa protein associated with alpha-pantophysin immunoprecipitates. Although the functional role of pantophysin in vesicle trafficking is unclear, its presence on GLUT4 vesicles is consistent with the emerging role of soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive protein receptor (SNARE) factor complex and related proteins in regulated vesicle transport in adipocytes. In addition, pantophysin may provide a marker for the analysis of other vesicles in adipocytes.

3T3 Cells↗

Analysis of receptor signaling pathways by mass spectrometry: identification of vav-2 as a substrate of the epidermal and platelet-derived growth factor receptors.

Oligomerization of receptor protein tyrosine kinases such as the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) by their cognate ligands leads to activation of the receptor. Transphosphorylation of the receptor subunits is followed by the recruitment of signaling molecules containing src homology 2 (SH2) or phosphotyrosine interaction domains (PID). Additionally, several cytoplasmic proteins that may or may not associate with the receptor undergo tyrosine phosphorylation. To identify several components of the EGFR signaling pathway in a single step, we have immunoprecipitated molecules that are tyrosine phosphorylated in response to EGF and analyzed them by one-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by mass spectrometry. Combining matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) and nanoelectrospray tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) led to the identification of nine signaling molecules, seven of which had previously been implicated in EGFR signaling. Several of these molecules were identified from low femtomole levels of protein loaded onto the gel. We identified Vav-2, a recently discovered guanosine nucleotide exchange factor that is expressed ubiquitously, as a substrate of the EGFR. We demonstrate that Vav-2 is phosphorylated on tyrosine residues in response to EGF and associates with the EGFR in vivo. Binding of Vav-2 to the EGFR is mediated by the SH2 domain of Vav-2. In keeping with its ubiquitous expression, Vav-2 seems to be a general signaling molecule, since it also associates with the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor and undergoes tyrosine phosphorylation in fibroblasts upon PDGF stimulation. The strategy suggested here can be used for routine identification of downstream components of cell surface receptors in mammalian cells.

ErbB Receptors↗

Cloning of a receptor subunit required for signaling by thymic stromal lymphopoietin.

Signaling by type I cytokines involves the formation of receptor homodimers, heterodimers or higher order receptor oligomers. Here we report the cloning of a type I cytokine receptor subunit that is most closely related to the common cytokine receptor gamma chain (gamma c). Binding and crosslinking experiments demonstrate that this protein is the receptor for a recently described interleukin 7 (IL-7)-like factor, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP). Binding of TSLP to the thymic stromal lymphopoietin receptor (TSLPR) is increased markedly in the presence of the IL-7 receptor alpha chain (IL-7R alpha). IL-7R alpha-expressing but not parental 32D cells proliferate in the presence of exogenous TSLP. Moreover, a combination of IL-7R alpha and TSLPR is required for TSLP-dependent activation of a STAT5-dependent reporter construct. Thus it is shown that IL-7R alpha is a component of both the IL-7 and TSLP receptors, which helps to explain why deletion of the gene that encodes IL-7R alpha affects the lymphoid system more severely than deletion of the gene encoding IL-7 does. Cloning of TSLPR should facilitate an understanding of TSLP function and its signaling mechanism.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Specificity in transforming growth factor beta-induced transcription of the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 gene: interactions of promoter DNA, transcription factor muE3, and Smad proteins.

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) regulates a broad range of biological processes, including cell growth, development, differentiation, and immunity. TGF-beta signals through its cell surface receptor serine kinases that phosphorylate Smad2 or Smad3 proteins. Because Smad3 and its partner Smad4 bind to only 4-bp Smad binding elements (SBEs) in DNA, a central question is how specificity of TGF-beta-induced transcription is achieved. We show that Smad3 selectively binds to two of the three SBEs in PE2.1, a TGF-beta-inducible fragment of the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 promoter, to mediate TGF-beta-induced transcription; moreover, a precise 3-bp spacer between one SBE and the E-box, a binding site for transcription factor muE3 (TFE3), is essential for TGF-beta-induced transcription. Whereas an isolated Smad3 MH1 domain binds to TFE3, TGF-beta receptor-mediated phosphorylation of full-length Smad3 enhances its binding to TFE3. Together, these studies elucidate an important mechanism for specificity in TGF-beta-induced transcription of the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 gene.

Base Sequence↗

BCR-ABL and v-SRC tyrosine kinase oncoproteins support normal erythroid development in erythropoietin receptor-deficient progenitor cells.

Erythropoietin (Epo)-independent differentiation of erythroid progenitors is a major characteristic of myeloproliferative disorders, including chronic myeloid leukemia. Epo receptor (EpoR) signaling is crucial for normal erythroid development, as evidenced by the properties of Epo(-/-) and EpoR(-/-) mice, which contain a normal number of fetal liver erythroid progenitors but die in utero from a severe anemia attributable to the absence of red cell maturation. Here we show that two constitutively active cytoplasmic protein tyrosine kinases, P210(BCR-ABL) and v-SRC, can functionally replace the EpoR and support full proliferation, differentiation, and maturation of fetal liver erythroid progenitors from EpoR(-/-) mice. These protein tyrosine kinases can also partially complement the myeloid growth factors IL-3, IL-6, and Steel factor, which are normally required in addition to Epo for erythroid development. Additionally, BCR-ABL mutants that lack residues necessary for transformation of fibroblasts or bone marrow cells can fully support normal erythroid development. These results demonstrate that activated tyrosine kinase oncoproteins implicated in tumorigenesis and human leukemia can functionally complement for cytokine receptor signaling pathways to support normal erythropoiesis in EpoR-deficient cells. Moreover, terminal differentiation of erythroid cells requires generic signals provided by activated protein tyrosine kinases and does not require a specific signal unique to a cytokine receptor.

Animals↗

SnoN and Ski protooncoproteins are rapidly degraded in response to transforming growth factor beta signaling.

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) regulates a variety of physiologic processes, including growth inhibition, differentiation, and induction of apoptosis. Some TGF-beta-initiated signals are conveyed through Smad3; TGF-beta binding to its receptors induces phosphorylation of Smad3, which then migrates to the nucleus where it functions as a transcription factor. We describe here the association of Smad3 with the nuclear protooncogene protein SnoN. Overexpression of SnoN represses transcriptional activation by Smad3. Activation of TGF-beta signaling leads to rapid degradation of SnoN and, to a lesser extent, of the related Ski protein, and this degradation is likely mediated by cellular proteasomes. These results demonstrate the existence of a cascade of the TGF-beta signaling pathway, which, upon TGF-beta stimulation, leads to the destruction of protooncoproteins that antagonize the activation of the TGF-beta signaling.

Cell Line↗

A deletion in the gene for transforming growth factor beta type I receptor abolishes growth regulation by transforming growth factor beta in a cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

Spontaneous regression of skin lesions is characteristic of lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP), a clonal cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorder. A minority of LyP patients progress to anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) in which skin lesions no longer regress and extracutaneous dissemination often occurs. In 1 such case, we developed a tumor cell line, JK cells, and show that these cells are resistant to the growth inhibitory effects of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) due to the loss of cell surface expression of the TGF-beta type I receptor (TbetaR-I). Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and sequencing of JK cell TbetaR-I cDNA clones identified a deletion that spanned the last 178 bp of exon 1, including the initiating methionine. Hybridization of a radiolabeled fragment internal to the deletion was detected in the genomes of TGF-beta-responsive cells, but not in JK cells, indicating that they contain no wild-type TbetaR-I gene. PCR primers that flanked the deleted TbetaR-I region amplified a single band from JK cell genomic DNA that lacked the last 178 bp of exon 1 and all of the approximately 5 kb of intron 1. This JK cell-specific genomic TbetaR-I PCR product was distinct from products amplified from TGF-beta-responsive cells and was also readily detected in tumor biopsies obtained before the establishment of the JK cell line. Our results identify the first inactivating mutation in TbetaR-I gene in a human lymphoma that renders it insensitive to growth inhibition by TGF-beta.

Activin Receptors, Type I↗

Two compartments for insulin-stimulated exocytosis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes defined by endogenous ACRP30 and GLUT4.

Insulin stimulates adipose cells both to secrete proteins and to translocate the GLUT4 glucose transporter from an intracellular compartment to the plasma membrane. We demonstrate that whereas insulin stimulation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes has no effect on secretion of the alpha3 chain of type VI collagen, secretion of the protein hormone adipocyte complement related protein of 30 kD (ACRP30) is markedly enhanced. Like GLUT4, regulated exocytosis of ACRP30 appears to require phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase activity, since insulin-stimulated ACRP30 secretion is blocked by pharmacologic inhibitors of this enzyme. Thus, 3T3-L1 adipocytes possess a regulated secretory compartment containing ACRP30. Whether GLUT4 recycles to such a compartment has been controversial. We present deconvolution immunofluorescence microscopy data demonstrating that the subcellular distributions of ACRP30 and GLUT4 are distinct and nonoverlapping; in contrast, those of GLUT4 and the transferrin receptor overlap. Together with supporting evidence that GLUT4 does not recycle to a secretory compartment via the trans-Golgi network, we conclude that there are at least two compartments that undergo insulin-stimulated exocytosis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes: one for ACRP30 secretion and one for GLUT4 translocation.

3T3 Cells↗

Fetal anemia and apoptosis of red cell progenitors in Stat5a-/-5b-/- mice: a direct role for Stat5 in Bcl-X(L) induction.

The erythropoietin receptor (EpoR) is essential for production of red blood cells; a principal function of EpoR is to rescue committed erythroid progenitors from apoptosis. Stat5 is rapidly activated following EpoR stimulation, but its function in erythropoiesis has been unclear since adult Stat5a-/-5b-/- mice have normal steady-state hematocrit. Here we show that Stat5 is essential for the high erythropoietic rate during fetal development. Stat5a-/-5b-/- embryos are severely anemic; erythroid progenitors are present in low numbers, show higher levels of apoptosis, and are less responsive to Epo. These findings are explained by a crucial role for Stat5 in EpoR's antiapoptotic signaling: it mediates the immediate-early induction of Bcl-X(L) in erythroid cells through direct binding to the Bcl-X promoter.

Anemia↗

Activation of the erythropoietin receptor by the gp55-P viral envelope protein is determined by a single amino acid in its transmembrane domain.

The spleen focus forming virus (SFFV) gp55-P envelope glycoprotein specifically binds to and activates murine erythropoietin receptors (EpoRs) coexpressed in the same cell, triggering proliferation of erythroid progenitors and inducing erythroleukemia. Here we demonstrate specific interactions between the single transmembrane domains of the two proteins that are essential for receptor activation. The human EpoR is not activated by gp55-P but by mutation of a single amino acid, L238, in its transmembrane sequence to its murine counterpart serine, resulting in its ability to be activated. The converse mutation in the murine EpoR (S238L) abolishes activation by gp55-P. Computational searches of interactions between the membrane-spanning segments of murine EpoR and gp55-P provide a possible explanation: the face of the EpoR transmembrane domain containing S238 is predicted to interact specifically with gp55-P but not gp55-A, a variant which is much less effective in activating the murine EpoR. Mutational studies on gp55-P M390, which is predicted to interact with S238, provide additional support for this model. Mutation of M390 to isoleucine, the corresponding residue in gp55-A, abolishes activation, but the gp55-P M390L mutation is fully functional. gp55-P is thought to activate signaling by the EpoR by inducing receptor oligomerization through interactions involving specific transmembrane residues.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Transforming growth factor-beta induces formation of a dithiothreitol-resistant type I/Type II receptor complex in live cells.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) binds to and signals via two serine-threonine kinase receptors, the type I (TbetaRI) and type II (TbetaRII) receptors. We have used different and complementary techniques to study the physical nature and ligand dependence of the complex formed by TbetaRI and TbetaRII. Velocity centrifugation of endogenous receptors suggests that ligand-bound TbetaRI and TbetaRII form a heteromeric complex that is most likely a heterotetramer. Antibody-mediated immunofluorescence co-patching of epitope-tagged receptors provides the first evidence in live cells that TbetaRI. TbetaRII complex formation occurs at a low but measurable degree in the absence of ligand, increasing significantly after TGF-beta binding. In addition, we demonstrate that pretreatment of cells with dithiothreitol, which inhibits the binding of TGF-beta to TbetaRI, does not prevent formation of the TbetaRI.TbetaRII complex, but increases its sensitivity to detergent and prevents TGF-beta-activated TbetaRI from phosphorylating Smad3 in vitro. This indicates that either a specific conformation of the TbetaRI. TbetaRII complex, disrupted by dithiothreitol, or direct binding of TGF-beta to TbetaRI is required for signaling.

Activin Receptors, Type I↗

Expression cloning of LDLB, a gene essential for normal Golgi function and assembly of the ldlCp complex.

The Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell mutants ldlC and ldlB, which exhibit almost identical phenotypes, define two genes required for multiple steps in the normal medial and trans Golgi-associated processing of glycoconjugates. The LDLC gene encodes ldlCp, an approximately 80-kDa protein, which in wild-type, but not ldlB, cells associates reversibly with the cytoplasmic surface of the Golgi apparatus. Here, we have used a retrovirus-based expression cloning system to clone a murine cDNA, LDLB, that corrects the pleiotropic mutant phenotypes of ldlB cells. The corresponding mRNA was not detected in ldlB mutants. LDLB encodes an approximately 110-kDa protein, ldlBp, which lacks homology to known proteins and contains no common structural motifs. Database searches identified short segments of homology to sequences from Drosophila melanogaster, Arabidopsis thaliana, and Caenorhabditis elegans, and the essentially full-length homologous human sequence (82% identity); however, as was the case for ldlCp, no homologue was identified in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We have found that in wild-type cell cytosols, ldlCp is a component of an approximately 950-kDa "ldlCp complex," which is smaller, approximately 700 kDa, in ldlB cytosols. Normal assembly of this complex is ldlBp-dependent and may be required for Golgi association of ldlCp and for the normal activities of multiple luminal Golgi processes.

3T3 Cells↗

Interaction of the Ski oncoprotein with Smad3 regulates TGF-beta signaling.

TGF-beta treatment of cells induces a variety of physiologic responses, including growth inhibition, differentiation, and induction of apoptosis. TGF-beta induces phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of Smad3. We describe here the association of Smad3 with the nuclear protooncogene protein Ski in response to the activation of TGF-beta signaling. Association with Ski represses transcriptional activation by Smad3, and overexpression of Ski renders cells resistant to the growth-inhibitory effects of TGF-beta. The transcriptional repression as well as the growth resistance to TGF-beta by overexpression of Ski can be overcome by overexpression of Smad3. These results demonstrate that Ski is a novel component of the TGF-beta signaling pathway and shed light on the mechanism of action of the Ski oncoprotein.

Animals↗