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Patrick J Casey

Publications and source records attributed to Patrick J Casey.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Post-prenylation-processing enzymes as new targets in oncogenesis.

RAS and many other oncogenic proteins undergo a complex series of post-translational modifications that are initiated by the addition of an isoprenoid lipid through a process known as prenylation. Following prenylation, these proteins usually undergo endoproteolytic processing by the RCE1 protease and then carboxyl methylation by a unique methyltransferase known as isoprenylcysteine carboxyl methyltransferase (ICMT). Although inhibitors that have been designed to target the prenylation step are now in advanced-stage clinical trials, their utility and efficacy seem to be limited. Recent findings, however, indicate that the inhibition of these post-prenylation-processing steps--particularly that of ICMT-catalysed methylation--might provide a better approach to the control of cancer-cell proliferation.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases↗

Analysis of the kinetic mechanism of recombinant human isoprenylcysteine carboxylmethyltransferase (Icmt).

BACKGROUND: Isoprenylcysteine carboxyl methyltransferase (Icmt) is the third of three enzymes that posttranslationally modify proteins that contain C-terminal CaaX motifs. The processing of CaaX proteins through this so-called prenylation pathway via a route initiated by addition of an isoprenoid lipid is required for both membrane targeting and function of the proteins. The involvement of many CaaX proteins such as Ras GTPases in oncogenesis and other aberrant proliferative disorders has led to the targeting of the enzymes involved in their processing for therapeutic development, necessitating a detailed understanding of the mechanisms of the enzymes. RESULTS: In this study, we have investigated the kinetic mechanism of recombinant human Icmt. In the reaction catalyzed by Icmt, S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet) provides the methyl group that is transferred to the second substrate, the C-terminal isoprenylated cysteine residue of a CaaX protein, thereby generating a C-terminal prenylcysteine methyl ester on the protein. To facilitate the kinetic analysis of Icmt, we synthesized a new small molecule substrate of the enzyme, biotin-S-farnesyl-L-cysteine (BFC). Initial kinetic analysis of Icmt suggested a sequential mechanism for the enzyme that was further analyzed using a dead end competitive inhibitor, S-farnesylthioacetic acid (FTA). Inhibition by FTA was competitive with respect to BFC and uncompetitive with respect to AdoMet, indicating an ordered mechanism with SAM binding first. To investigate the order of product dissociation, product inhibition studies were undertaken with S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (AdoHcy) and the N-acetyl-S-farnesyl-L-cysteine methylester (AFCME). This analysis indicated that AdoHcy is a competitive inhibitor with respect to AdoMet, while AFCME shows a noncompetitive inhibition with respect to BFC and a mixed-type inhibition with respect to AdoMet. These studies established that AdoHcy is the final product released, and that BFC and AFCME bind to different forms of the enzyme. CONCLUSIONS: These studies establish that catalysis by human Icmt proceeds through an ordered sequential mechanism and provide a kinetic framework for analysis of specific inhibitors of this key enzyme.

Animals↗

Crystallographic analysis of CaaX prenyltransferases complexed with substrates defines rules of protein substrate selectivity.

Post-translational modifications are essential for the proper function of many proteins in the cell. The attachment of an isoprenoid lipid (a process termed prenylation) by protein farnesyltransferase (FTase) or geranylgeranyltransferase type I (GGTase-I) is essential for the function of many signal transduction proteins involved in growth, differentiation, and oncogenesis. FTase and GGTase-I (also called the CaaX prenyltransferases) recognize protein substrates with a C-terminal tetrapeptide recognition motif called the Ca1a2X box. These enzymes possess distinct but overlapping protein substrate specificity that is determined primarily by the sequence identity of the Ca1a2X motif. To determine how the identity of the Ca1a2X motif residues and sequence upstream of this motif affect substrate binding, we have solved crystal structures of FTase and GGTase-I complexed with a total of eight cognate and cross-reactive substrate peptides, including those derived from the C termini of the oncoproteins K-Ras4B, H-Ras and TC21. These structures suggest that all peptide substrates adopt a common binding mode in the FTase and GGTase-I active site. Unexpectedly, while the X residue of the Ca1a2X motif binds in the same location for all GGTase-I substrates, the X residue of FTase substrates can bind in one of two different sites. Together, these structures outline a series of rules that govern substrate peptide selectivity; these rules were utilized to classify known protein substrates of CaaX prenyltransferases and to generate a list of hypothetical substrates within the human genome.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases↗

Reciprocal signaling between the transcriptional co-factor Eya2 and specific members of the Galphai family.

As part of a program to elucidate signaling processes controlled by the heterotrimeric G protein Galphaz, a human fetal brain cDNA library was screened for proteins that specifically interact with the activated form of Galphaz. One of the most-encountered molecules in this screen was Eya2, a member of the Eyes absent family of proteins. Mammalian Eya proteins are predominantly cytosolic proteins that are known to interact with members of the Sine oculis (Six) family of homeodomain transcription factors. This interaction facilitates the translocation of Eya into the nucleus, where the Eya/Six complex regulates transcription during critical stages of embryonic development. In vitro binding studies confirmed that Galphaz interacts with Eya2 in an activation-dependent fashion; furthermore, most other members of the Galphai family including Galphai1, Galphai2, and Galphai3 were found to interact with Eya2. It is interesting that one of the most abundant Galphai proteins, Galphao, did not interact with Eya2. Coexpression of the activated forms of Galphai1, Galphai2, and Galphai3, but not Galphao, with Eya2 recruited Eya2 to the plasma membrane, prevented Eya2 translocation into the nucleus, and abrogated Eya2/Six4-mediated transcription. In addition, Eya2 impinged on G protein-mediated signaling, as evidenced by its ability to relieve Galphai2-mediated inhibition of adenylyl cyclase. These results demonstrate that the interaction between the Galphai proteins and Eya2 may impact on seemingly disparate regulatory events involving both classes of proteins.

Adenylyl Cyclase Inhibitors↗

Identification of a role for beta-catenin in the establishment of a bipolar mitotic spindle.

beta-Catenin is a multifunctional protein that is known to participate in two well defined cellular processes, cell-cell adhesion and Wnt-stimulated transcriptional activation. Here we report that beta-catenin participates in a third cellular process, the establishment of a bipolar mitotic spindle. During mitosis, beta-catenin relocalizes to mitotic spindle poles and to the midbody. Furthermore, biochemical fractionation demonstrates the presence of beta-catenin in purified centrosome preparations. Reduction of cellular beta-catenin by RNA interference leads to the failure of centrosomes to fully separate, resulting in a marked increase in the frequency of monoastral mitotic spindles. Our results define a new and important function for beta-catenin in mitosis and demonstrate that beta-catenin is involved in vital biological processes beyond cell adhesion and Wnt signaling.

Animals↗

Analysis of the molecular interaction of the farnesyl moiety of transducin through the use of a photoreactive farnesyl analogue.

Farnesylation of the gamma-subunit of the retinal G-protein, transducin (Talpha/Tbetagamma), is indispensable for light-initiated signaling in photoreceptor cells. However, the farnesyl-mediated molecular interactions important for signaling are not well understood. To explore this issue, we created a functional Tbetagamma analogue in which the farnesyl group was replaced with a (3-azidophenoxy)geranyl (POG) group, a novel farnesyl analogue with a distal photoreactive azido group. In the presence of lipid membranes and/or Talpha-GDP, UV irradiation of POG-modified Tbetagamma (POG-Tbetagamma) invariably yielded a cross-linked product Tgamma-Tbeta, reflecting a constitutive interaction of the Tgamma C-terminal lipid with Tbeta. In addition to the Tgamma-Tbeta adduct, a Tgamma-Talpha cross-link was detected in the aqueous fraction. Reconstitution of POG-Tbetagamma with Talpha and light-activated rhodopsin (Rh) in photoreceptor membranes resulted in cross-linking of Tgamma with a glycerophospholipid, indicating molecular interaction of the farnesyl group with cellular membranes. The Tgamma-phospholipid cross-link was observed only in the presence of both Talpha-GDP and Rh, and was abolished by the addition of GTPgammaS or by replacing Rh with opsin. These findings suggest a transient farnesyl-membrane interaction occurs only in a signaling state formed in a transducin-Rh ternary complex. On the other hand, UV irradiation of POG-Tbetagamma in a soluble complex with phosducin, a negative regulator of G-protein, yielded a Tgamma-phosducin adduct in addition to the Tgamma-Tbeta cross-link. These results illustrate that, rather than being a static membrane anchor, the farnesyl moiety plays an active role in the dynamics of protein-protein and protein-membrane interactions at defined steps in the signal transduction process.

Animals↗

Analysis of the regulation of microtubule dynamics by interaction of RGSZ1 (RGS20) with the neuronal stathmin, SCG10.

Regulators of G protein signaling (RGS proteins) are a diverse family of proteins that act to negatively regulate signaling by heterotrimeric G proteins; however, recent data have implied additional functions for RGS proteins. Previously, we employed the yeast two-hybrid system and identified the microtubule-destabilizing protein, superior cervical ganglia neural-specific 10 protein (SCG10), as a potential effector protein of RGSZ1. This article describes the expression and biochemical purification of both RGSZ1 and SCG10 and details the development of various in vitro assays to evaluate microtubule polymerization?depolymerization. Both turbidimetric and microscopy-based assays can be employed to study the impact that RGS proteins have on SCG10 function. The application of these in vitro assays may help identify a novel role for RGS proteins in regulating the cytoskeletal network.

Animals↗

Inactivation of Icmt inhibits transformation by oncogenic K-Ras and B-Raf.

Isoprenylcysteine carboxyl methyltransferase (Icmt) methylates the carboxyl-terminal isoprenylcysteine of CAAX proteins (e.g., Ras and Rho proteins). In the case of the Ras proteins, carboxyl methylation is important for targeting of the proteins to the plasma membrane. We hypothesized that a knockout of Icmt would reduce the ability of cells to be transformed by K-Ras. Fibroblasts harboring a floxed Icmt allele and expressing activated K-Ras (K-Ras-Icmt(flx/flx)) were treated with Cre-adenovirus, producing K-Ras-Icmt(Delta/Delta) fibroblasts. Inactivation of Icmt inhibited cell growth and K-Ras-induced oncogenic transformation, both in soft agar assays and in a nude mice model. The inactivation of Icmt did not affect growth factor-stimulated phosphorylation of Erk1/2 or Akt1. However, levels of RhoA were greatly reduced as a consequence of accelerated protein turnover. In addition, there was a large Ras/Erk1/2-dependent increase in p21(Cip1), which was probably a consequence of the reduced levels of RhoA. Deletion of p21(Cip1) restored the ability of K-Ras-Icmt(Delta/Delta) fibroblasts to grow in soft agar. The effect of inactivating Icmt was not limited to the inhibition of K-Ras-induced transformation: inactivation of Icmt blocked transformation by an oncogenic form of B-Raf (V599E). These studies identify Icmt as a potential target for reducing the growth of K-Ras- and B-Raf-induced malignancies.

Alleles↗

On the physiological importance of endoproteolysis of CAAX proteins: heart-specific RCE1 knockout mice develop a lethal cardiomyopathy.

Proteins terminating with a CAAX motif, such as the Ras proteins and the nuclear lamins, undergo post-translational modification of a C-terminal cysteine with an isoprenyl lipid via a process called protein prenylation. After prenylation, the last three residues of CAAX proteins are clipped off by Rce1, an integral membrane endoprotease of the endoplasmic reticulum. Prenylation is crucial to the function of many CAAX proteins, but the physiologic significance of endoproteolytic processing has remained obscure. To address this issue, we used Cre/loxP recombination techniques to create mice lacking Rce1 in the heart, an organ where Rce1 is expressed at particularly high levels. The hearts from heart-specific Rce1 knockout mice manifested reduced levels of both the Rce1 mRNA and CAAX endoprotease activity, and the hearts manifested an accumulation of CAAX protein substrates. The heart-specific Rce1 knockout mice initially appeared healthy but died starting at 3-5 months of age. By 10 months of age, approximately 70% of the mice had died. Pathological studies revealed that the heart-specific Rce1 knockout mice had a dilated cardiomyopathy. By contrast, liver-specific Rce1 knockout mice appeared healthy, had normal transaminase levels, and had normal liver histology. These studies indicate that the endoproteolytic processing of CAAX proteins is essential for cardiac function but is less important for the liver.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Structure of mammalian protein geranylgeranyltransferase type-I.

Protein geranylgeranyltransferase type-I (GGTase-I), one of two CaaX prenyltransferases, is an essential enzyme in eukaryotes. GGTase-I catalyzes C-terminal lipidation of >100 proteins, including many GTP- binding regulatory proteins. We present the first structural information for mammalian GGTase-I, including a series of substrate and product complexes that delineate the path of the chemical reaction. These structures reveal that all protein prenyltransferases share a common reaction mechanism and identify specific residues that play a dominant role in determining prenyl group specificity. This hypothesis was confirmed by converting farnesyltransferase (15-C prenyl substrate) into GGTase-I (20-C prenyl substrate) with a single point mutation. GGTase-I discriminates against farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) at the product turnover step through the inability of a 15-C FPP to displace the 20-C prenyl-peptide product. Understanding these key features of specificity is expected to contribute to optimization of anti-cancer and anti-parasite drugs.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases↗

Kinetic studies of protein farnesyltransferase mutants establish active substrate conformation.

The zinc metalloenzyme protein farnesyltransferase (FTase) catalyzes the transfer of a 15-carbon farnesyl moiety from farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) to a cysteine residue near the C-terminus of a protein substrate. Several crystal structures of inactive FTase.FPP.peptide complexes indicate that K164alpha interacts with the alpha-phosphate and that H248beta and Y300beta form hydrogen bonds with the beta-phosphate of FPP [Strickland, C. L., et al. (1998) Biochemistry 37, 16601-16611]. Mutations K164Aalpha, H248Abeta, and Y300Fbeta were prepared and analyzed by single turnover kinetics and ligand binding studies. These mutations do not significantly affect the enzyme affinity for FPP but do decrease the farnesylation rate constant by 30-, 10-, and 500-fold, respectively. These mutations have little effect on the pH and magnesium dependence of the farnesylation rate constant, demonstrating that the side chains of K164alpha, Y300beta, and H248beta do not function either as general acid-base catalysts or as magnesium ligands. Mutation of H248beta and Y300beta, but not K164alpha, decreases the farnesylation rate constant using farnesyl monophosphate (FMP). These data suggest that, contrary to the conclusions derived from analysis of the static crystal structures, the transition state for farnesylation is stabilized by interactions between the alpha-phosphate of the isoprenoid substrate and the side chains of Y300beta and H248beta. These results suggest an active substrate conformation for FTase wherein the C1 carbon of the FPP substrate moves toward the zinc-bound thiolate of the protein substrate to react, resulting in a rearrangement of the diphosphate group relative to its ground state position in the binding pocket.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases↗

High affinity for farnesyltransferase and alternative prenylation contribute individually to K-Ras4B resistance to farnesyltransferase inhibitors.

Farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTIs) block Ras farnesylation, subcellular localization and activity, and inhibit the growth of Ras-transformed cells. Although FTIs are ineffective against K-Ras4B, the Ras isoform most commonly mutated in human cancers, they can inhibit the growth of tumors containing oncogenic K-Ras4B, implicating other farnesylated proteins or suggesting distinct functions for farnesylated and for geranylgeranylated K-Ras, which is generated when farnesyltransferase is inhibited. In addition to bypassing FTI blockade through geranylgeranylation, K-Ras4B resistance to FTIs may also result from its higher affinity for farnesyltransferase. Using chimeric Ras proteins containing all combinations of Ras background, CAAX motif, and K-Ras polybasic domain, we show that either a polybasic domain or an alternatively prenylated CAAX renders Ras prenylation, Ras-induced Elk-1 activation, and anchorage-independent cell growth FTI-resistant. The polybasic domain alone increases the affinity of Ras for farnesyltransferase, implying independent roles for each K-Ras4B sequence element in FTI resistance. Using microarray analysis and colony formation assays, we confirm that K-Ras function is independent of the identity of the prenyl group and, therefore, that FTI inhibition of K-Ras transformed cells is likely to be independent of K-Ras inhibition. Our results imply that relevant FTI targets will lack both polybasic and potentially geranylgeranylated methionine-CAAX motifs.

3T3 Cells↗

Targeting Ras signaling through inhibition of carboxyl methylation: an unexpected property of methotrexate.

The antifolate methotrexate is one of the most successful drugs in cancer chemotherapy. Although its efficacy is widely attributed to a decrease in nucleotide biosynthesis (1), methotrexate is known to increase homocysteine (2), a compound associated with an elevated risk of heart disease, Alzheimer's disease (3), and neural tube defects (4). A potential mechanism for the detrimental effects of homocysteine is cellular hypomethylation from an increase in S-adenosylhomocysteine (5), an inhibitor of methyltransferases including isoprenylcysteine carboxyl methyltransferase (Icmt). Among the substrates of Icmt is the monomeric G protein Ras, a critical component of many signaling pathways that regulate cell growth and differentiation. Because carboxyl methylation of Ras is important for proper plasma membrane localization and function (6), we investigated the role of Icmt in the antiproliferative effect of methotrexate. After methotrexate treatment of DKOB8 cells, Ras methylation is decreased by almost 90%. This hypomethylation is accompanied by a mislocalization of Ras to the cytosol and a 4-fold decrease in the activation of p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase and Akt. Additionally, cells lacking Icmt are highly resistant to methotrexate. Whereas cells expressing wild-type levels of Icmt are inhibited by methotrexate, stable expression of myristoylated H-Ras, which does not require carboxyl methylation for membrane attachment (7), confers resistance to methotrexate. These results suggest that inhibition of Icmt is a critical component of the antiproliferative effect of methotrexate, expanding our understanding of this widely used drug and identifying Icmt as a target for drug discovery.

Animals↗

Overview of the Alliance for Cellular Signaling.

The Alliance for Cellular Signaling is a large-scale collaboration designed to answer global questions about signalling networks. Pathways will be studied intensively in two cells--B lymphocytes (the cells of the immune system) and cardiac myocytes--to facilitate quantitative modelling. One goal is to catalyse complementary research in individual laboratories; to facilitate this, all alliance data are freely available for use by the entire research community.

B-Lymphocytes↗

Reaction path of protein farnesyltransferase at atomic resolution.

Protein farnesyltransferase (FTase) catalyses the attachment of a farnesyl lipid group to numerous essential signal transduction proteins, including members of the Ras superfamily. The farnesylation of Ras oncoproteins, which are associated with 30% of human cancers, is essential for their transforming activity. FTase inhibitors are currently in clinical trials for the treatment of cancer. Here we present a complete series of structures representing the major steps along the reaction coordinate of this enzyme. From these observations can be deduced the determinants of substrate specificity and an unusual mechanism in which product release requires binding of substrate, analogous to classically processive enzymes. A structural model for the transition state consistent with previous mechanistic studies was also constructed. The processive nature of the reaction suggests the structural basis for the successive addition of two prenyl groups to Rab proteins by the homologous enzyme geranylgeranyltransferase type-II. Finally, known FTase inhibitors seem to differ in their mechanism of inhibiting the enzyme.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases↗

Activation of Gz attenuates Rap1-mediated differentiation of PC12 cells.

We previously identified a specific activation-dependent interaction between the alpha subunit of the heterotrimeric G protein, G(z), and a regulator of Rap1 signaling, Rap1GAP (Meng, J., Glick, J. L., Polakis, P., and Casey, P. J. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 36663-36669). We now demonstrate that activated forms of Galpha(z) are able to recruit Rap1GAP from a cytosolic location to the membrane. Using PC12 cells as a model for neuronal differentiation, the influence of G(z) activation on Rap1-mediated cell differentiation was examined. Introduction of constitutively-activated Galpha(z) into PC12 cells markedly attenuated the differentiation process of these cells induced by a cAMP analogue. Treatment of PC12 cells expressing wild type Galpha(z) with a specific agonist to the alpha(2A)-adrenergic receptor also attenuated cAMP-induced PC12 cell differentiation, demonstrating that receptor-mediated activation of G(z) was also effective in this regard. Furthermore, activation of G(z) decreased the ability of the cAMP analogue to trigger both Rap1 and extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) activation. Differentiation of PC12 cells induced by nerve growth factor (NGF) is also thought to be a Rap1-mediated process, and G(z) activation was found to attenuate this process as well. Rap1 activation, ERK phosphorylation, and PC12 cell differentation induced by NGF treatment were all significantly attenuated by either transfection of constitutively activated Galpha(z) or receptor-mediated G(z) activation. Based on these findings, a model is proposed in which activation of G(z) results in recruitment of Rap1GAP to the membrane where it can effectively down-regulate Rap1 signaling. The implications of these findings in regard to a possible role for G(z) in neuronal development are discussed.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose↗

Stereospecificity and kinetic mechanism of human prenylcysteine lyase, an unusual thioether oxidase.

Prenylated proteins contain either a 15-carbon farnesyl or a 20-carbon geranylgeranyl isoprenoid covalently attached to cysteine residues at or near their C terminus. The cellular abundance of prenylated proteins, as well as the stability of the thioether bond, poses a metabolic challenge to cells. A lysosomal enzyme termed prenylcysteine lyase has been identified that degrades a variety of prenylcysteines. Prenylcysteine lyase is a FAD-dependent thioether oxidase that produces free cysteine, an isoprenoid aldehyde, and hydrogen peroxide as products of the reaction. Here we report initial studies of the kinetic mechanism and stereospecificity of this unusual enzyme. We utilized product and dead end inhibitors of prenylcysteine lyase to probe the kinetic mechanism of the multistep reaction. The results with these inhibitors, together with those of other experiments, suggest that the reaction catalyzed by prenylcysteine lyase proceeds through a sequential mechanism. The reaction catalyzed by the enzyme is stereospecific, in that the pro-S hydride of the farnesylcysteine is transferred to FAD to initiate the reaction. With (2R,1'S)-[1'-(2)H(1)]farnesylcysteine as a substrate, a primary deuterium isotope effect of 2 was observed on the steady state rate. However, the absence of an isotope effect on an observed pre-steady-state burst of hydrogen peroxide formation implicates a partially rate-determining proton transfer after a relatively fast C-H (C-D) bond cleavage step. Furthermore, no pre-steady-state burst of cysteine was observed. The finding that the rate of cysteine formation was within 2-fold of the steady-state k(cat) value indicates that cysteine production is one of the primary rate-limiting steps in the reaction. These results provide substantial new information on the catalytic mechanism of prenylcysteine lyase.

Carbon-Sulfur Lyases↗

Prenylcysteine lyase deficiency in mice results in the accumulation of farnesylcysteine and geranylgeranylcysteine in brain and liver.

In in vitro experiments, prenylcysteine lyase (Pcly) cleaves the thioether bond of prenylcysteines to yield free cysteine and the aldehyde of the isoprenoid lipid. However, the importance of this enzyme has not yet been fully defined at the biochemical or physiologic level. In this study, we show that Pcly is expressed at high levels in mouse liver, kidney, heart, and brain. To test whether Pcly deficiency would cause prenylcysteines to accumulate in tissues and result in pathologic consequences, we produced Pcly-deficient cell lines and Pcly-deficient mice (Pcly-/-). Pcly activity levels were markedly reduced in Pcly-/- cells and tissues. Pcly-/- fibroblasts were more sensitive than wild-type fibroblasts to growth inhibition when prenylcysteines were added to the cell culture medium. To determine if the reduced Pcly enzyme activity levels led to an accumulation of prenylcysteines within cells, mass spectrometry was used to measure farnesylcysteine and geranylgeranylcysteine levels in the tissues of Pcly-/- mice and wild-type controls. These studies revealed a striking accumulation of both farnesylcysteine and geranylgeranylcysteine in the brain and liver of Pcly-/- mice. This accumulation did not appear to be accompanied by significant pathologic consequences. Pcly-/- mice were healthy and fertile, and surveys of more than 30 tissues did not uncover any abnormalities. We conclude that prenylcysteine lyase does play a physiologic role in cleaving prenylcysteines in mammals, but the absence of this activity does not lead to major pathologic consequences.

Amino Acid Sequence↗