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PubMed1997

Cloning of a Ca(2+)-ATPase gene and the role of cytosolic Ca2+ in the gibberellin-dependent signaling pathway in aleurone cells.

The ultimate goal of this investigation was to identify intermediary steps in the gibberellin (GA)-dependent signaling pathway in rice aleurone cells. By using a differential display approach, a number of putative GA-responsive genes were isolated. One of them, a GA-responsive Ca(2+)-ATPase gene, was identified and partially characterized. A genomic clone and a cDNA clone were isolated and sequenced. The deduced amino acid sequence showed that this protein resembles an endoplasmic reticulum membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase. In a transient assay in rice aleurone cells, expression of the introduced Ca(2+)-ATPase cDNA bypassed the GA requirement for stimulating the expression of a major target gene, the alpha-amylase c gene (Osamy-c). This result suggests that GA-dependent expression of this Ca(2+)-ATPase gene (OsCa-atpase) plays an important role in the GA-dependent signal-transduction pathway. To investigate the possible involvement of other proteins and genes that may affect the intracellular Ca2+ level, compounds which can block different putative steps in the signal-transduction pathway were introduced into rice aleurone cells, and then the level of the OsCa-atpase transcript or the Osamy-c transcript was monitored. In the presence of GA, the rice Ca(2+)-ATPase and the Ca2+ channels appeared to co-regulate the local concentration of cytosolic Ca2+. The release of Ca2+ from the internal stores to the cytoplasm was presumably initiated by inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate which reached a peak level within 25 min after GA induction. As a second messenger, Ca2+ binds to calmodulin (CaM), and the Ca2+/CaM complex regulates the cytosolic Ca2+ by affecting expression of the OsCa-atpase. Finally, a working model is proposed for the GA-dependent signaling pathway in aleurone cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Activation of the Stat3 signaling pathway is required for differentiation by interleukin-6 in PC12-E2 cells.

The role of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathways in the interleukin-6 (IL-6)-induced morphological differentiation of PC12-E2 cells was assessed using wild type and dominant negative mutants of Stat1 and Stat3, containing Tyr --> Phe (YF), Ser --> Ala (SA), and the double mutations (DM), respectively. FS3-YF or FS3-DM markedly inhibited the IL-6-induced response, but overexpression of FS3-SA caused only a modest inhibition. Expression of all Stat3 mutants had no effect on NGF-induced neurite outgrowth. Overexpression of wild type Stat1 protein inhibited IL-6 activated DNA binding complexes containing Stat3 homodimers, which may explain the partial negative effect of Stat1 on IL-6-induced neurite outgrowth. Specificity of these STAT constructs was confirmed using luciferase reporter gene assays, which showed that IL-6-activated transcription was blocked by expression of FS3-YF and FS3-DM and that FS1 enhanced the interferon gamma-activated transcription. Thus, in PC12-E2 cells, Stat3 homodimers are preferentially activated by IL-6, indicating a role for Stat3 in the regulation of cellular differentiation. Furthermore, IL-6 induced robust neurite outgrowth in PC12-E2 cells expressing dominant negative forms of RAS or SHC or in cells pretreated with the mitogen-activated protein kinase mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibitor, PD98059. Thus, activation of the Stat3 signaling pathway, but not RAS/ERK dependent pathways, is essential for differentiation of PC12-E2 cells by IL-6.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗
PubMed1998

Convergence and divergence of the signaling pathways for insulin and phosphoinositolglycans.

Phosphoinositolglycan molecules isolated from insulin-sensitive mammalian tissues have been demonstrated in numerous in vitro studies to exert partial insulin-mimetic activity on glucose and lipid metabolism in insulin-sensitive cells. However, their ill-defined structures, heterogeneous nature, and limited availability have prohibited the analysis of the underlying molecular mechanism. Phosphoinositolglycan-peptide (PIG-P) of defined and homogeneous structure prepared in large scale from the core glycan of a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol-anchored membrane protein from Saccharomyces cerevisiae has recently been shown to stimulate glucose transport as well as a number of glucose-metabolizing enzymes and pathways to up to 90% (at 2 to 10 microns) of the maximal insulin effect in isolated rat adipocytes, cardiomyocytes, and diaphragms (G. Müller et al., 1997, Endocrinology 138: 3459-3476). Consequently, we used this PIG-P for the present study in which we compare its intracellular signaling with that of insulin. The activation of glucose transport by both PIG-P and insulin in isolated rat adipocytes and diaphragms was found to require stimulation of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase but to be independent of functional p70S6kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinase. The increase in glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase activity in rat adipocytes in response to PIG-P and insulin was dependent on both PI 3-kinase and p70S6kinase. This suggest that the signaling pathways for PIG-P and insulin to glucose transport and metabolism converage at the level of PI 3-kinase. A component of the PIG-P signaling pathway located up-stream of PI 3-kinase was identified by desensitization of isolated rat adipocytes for PIG-P action by combined treatment with trypsin and NaCl under conditions that preserved cell viability and the insulin-mimetic activity of sodium vanadate but completely blunted the insulin response. Incubation of the cells with either trypsin or NaCl alone was ineffective. The desensitized adipocytes were reconstituted for stimulation of lipogenesis by PIG-P by addition of the concentrated trypsin/salt extract. The reconstituted adipocytes exhibited 65-75% of the maximal PIG-P response and similar EC50 values for PIG-P (2 to 5 microns) compared with control cells. A proteinaceous N-ethylmaleimide (NEM)-sensitive component contained in the trypsin/salt extract was demonstrated to bind in a functional manner to the adipocyte plasma membrane of desensitized adipocytes via bipolar interactions. An excess of trypsin/salt extract inhibited PIG-P action in untreated adipocytes in a competitive fashion compatible with a receptor function for PIG-P of this protein. The presence of the putative PIG-P receptor protein in detergent-insoluble complexes prepared from isolated rat adipocytes suggests that caveolae/detergent-insoluble complexes of the plasma membrane may play a role in insulin-mimetic signaling by PIG-P. Furthermore, treatment of isolated rat diaphragms and adipocytes with PIG-P as well as with other agents exerting partially insulin-mimetic activity, such as PI-specific phospholipase C (PLC) and the sulfonylurea glimepiride, triggered tyrosine phosphorylation of the caveolar marker protein caveolin, which was apparently correlated with stimulation of lipogenesis. Strikingly, in adipocytes subjected to combined trypsin/salt treatment, PIG-P, PI-specific PLC, and glimepiride failed completely to provoke insulin-mimetic effects. A working model is presented for a signaling pathway in insulin-sensitive cells used by PIG(-P) molecules which involves GPI structures, the trypsin/salt- and NEM-sensitive receptor protein for PIG-P, and additional proteins located in caveolae/detergent-insoluble complexes.

Adipocytes↗
PubMed1993

Inositol phosphate-diacylglycerol signaling pathway in regulation of intraocular pressure.

To clarify the role of the inositol phosphate diacylglycerol (PI) signaling pathway in the regulation of intraocular pressure (IOP), we examined the effects of the tumor promoter phorbol ester (PMA) and Ca ionophore A23187 on IOP responses in albino rabbits. It was known that PMA stimulates protein kinase C (PKC) directly and that A23187 elevates intracellular Ca2+ concentration. In this study, the topical application of 10 microM PMA or 15 microM A23187 slightly reduced IOP. However, when both 10 microM PMA and 15 microM A23187 were topically applied the IOP was significantly reduced between 2 and 10 hours after A23187 application. The maximum IOP decrease was 5.0 mmHg at 3 hours. This decrease was inhibited by pretreatment with 0.5 microM staurosporin, a PKC inhibitor. These findings suggest that the PI signaling pathway somehow mediates aqueous dynamic changes in the eye.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed1989

Lipid signalling pathways in normal and ras-transfected NIH/3T3 cells.

The role of ras oncogenes in cellular signalling pathways involving phospholipid breakdown was studied in untransfected and proto-H-ras and mutated H-, K- and N-ras transfected NIH/3T3 cells. When the cells were grown at low cell densities, all of the ras transfected cells had 2-4 fold higher diacylglycerol (DAG) levels compared to growing NIH/3T3 cells. At high cell densities, DAG levels decreased in the former and increased in contact inhibited NIH/3T3 cells. In this regard, only cells transformed by mutated cellular and viral H-ras oncogenes (but not by the H-ras proto-oncogene) had elevated DAG levels compared to contact inhibited NIH/3T3 cells. The basal levels of inositol phosphates in ras transfected cells were not significantly different from NIH/3T3 cells and did not vary with cell density. Thus, the elevated DAG levels are not a consequence of increased phosphoinositide hydrolysis. The latter was stimulated by serum and bombesin only in normal and proto-H-ras transfected cells. In contrast, stimulation by bradykinin was observed only in cells transformed by mutated cellular ras oncogenes. Furthermore, aluminum fluoride stimulated phosphoinositide breakdown in the latter cells indicating that there was no uncoupling of the G protein from phospholipase C. Treatment of ras transfected cells with dibutyryl cyclic AMP (DB-cAMP), which causes an inhibition of growth and a reversal of the transformed morphology, did not alter the basal levels of inositol phosphates, DB-cAMP, however, did lower DAG levels in some of the transformed cell lines, but elevated DAG levels in low density NIH/3T3 cells. These findings indicate that the ras gene product p21 is not involved in phosphoinositide hydrolysis and that DAG levels do not correlate with cell growth in either normal or ras transfected NIH/3T3 cells. Thus, p21 appears to alter cell growth through mechanism(s) independent of lipid signalling pathways.

Aluminum↗
PubMed1997

Characterization of PACAP receptors and signaling pathways in rabbit gastric muscle cells.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) receptors and their signaling pathways were characterized in dispersed rabbit gastric muscle cells. 125I-PACAP-27 and 125I-vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) binding to muscle cells were inhibited equally by PACAP and VIP (mean inhibitory concentration 0.8 to 1.3 nM) and desensitized to the same extent (70-80%) by exposure to either peptide. PACAP, like VIP, increased cytosolic free Ca2+ and the formation of L-[3H]citrulline, NO-3/NO-2, guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP), and adenosine 3'5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and induced relaxation (mean effective concentration 1.8 +/- 0.1 nM) that was partly inhibited by NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA), VIP-(10-28), and PACAP 6-38. L-[3H]citrulline and cGMP formation were blocked by nifedipine, L-NNA, and pertussis toxin (PTx), implying activation of a G protein-coupled, Ca(2+)-calmodulin-dependent nitric oxide (NO) synthase. PACAP-induced relaxation was inhibited to the same extent (46-49%) by nifedipine, L-NNA, PTx, and the protein kinase G inhibitor KT-5823; the inhibition reflected the component of relaxation mediated by the NO-cGMP pathway. The residual relaxation was abolished by the protein kinase A inhibitor H-89. The pattern of inhibition of all responses was identical to that observed with VIP. Desensitization with VIP or PACAP abolished cAMP formation but had no effect on L-[3H]citrulline and cGMP formation induced by either peptide. Receptor protection with VIP or PACAP preserved fully all responses (L-[3H]citrulline, cGMP, and cAMP formation and relaxation) to either peptide. The complete cross-competition, cross-desensitization, cross-antagonism, and cross-protection of receptors by either VIP or PACAP are consistent with interaction of both peptides with the same receptors; the receptors consist of two classes, each coupled to a distinct signaling pathway.

Adenylate Cyclase Toxin↗
PubMed1999

Interleukin-1beta regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 involves the p42/44 and p38 MAPK signaling pathways in cardiac myocytes.

The genes encoding inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2, also known as prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase-2) are induced in many types of cells in response to proinflammatory cytokines. We have previously shown that interleukin-1beta (IL) stimulates iNOS and COX-2 mRNA in cardiac myocytes. Because IL has been shown to activate mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways in many different cells, we tested whether the p42/44 and p38 MAPK pathways were involved in IL stimulation of iNOS and COX-2, using a specific inhibitor of p42/44 activation, PD98059 (PD), and the p38 inhibitor SB205380 (SB). Nitrites were measured using the Griess reagent, prostaglandin PGE2 by an enzyme immunoassay, iNOS and COX-2 protein by Western blot analysis, and iNOS mRNA by Northern blot analysis. Tested separately, the p38 kinase and MAPK inhibitors partially reduced IL stimulation of nitrite, iNOS protein, and iNOS mRNA; used together, they completely abolished the effect of IL. SB and PD inhibited IL-stimulated COX-2 protein by 60% and 80%, respectively, and IL-stimulated COX-2 protein was totally prevented by the combination of inhibitors. PGE2 production was inhibited more than 99% by either drug alone, suggesting a posttranslational effect on enzyme activity. To test whether this posttranslational effect involved the cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) isoform, Western blots were probed for cPLA2 protein. Results indicated that IL stimulated cPLA2 activity and synthesis, which was inhibited by SB but not PD. These data indicate that (1) IL induction of iNOS synthesis depends on both the p42/44 and p38 signaling pathways, acting primarily at the level of transcriptional regulation; and (2) IL regulation of COX-2 synthesis involves the p42/44 and p38 signaling pathways, with an additional level of regulation occurring posttranslationally, perhaps at the level of activation of the cPLA2 isoform, which may be involved in intracellular signaling, as well as regulation of arachidonic acid release for COX-2 activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

The patched/hedgehog/smoothened signalling pathway in human breast cancer: no evidence for H133Y SHH, PTCH and SMO mutations.

The patched/hedgehog/smoothened signalling pathway has been implicated in the development of sporadic tumours associated with the naevoid basal cell carcinoma (Gorlin) syndrome (NBCCS). Mutations in sporadic basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) of the skin and medulloblastomas have been found in genes encoding all three proteins of the pathway. A substantial proportion of breast carcinomas has recently been suggested to contain missense mutations in the human patched (PTCH) and sonic hedgehog (SHH) homologues. However, an independent study showed that the implicated mutation in SHH (H133Y) was absent in a large number of BCCs, medulloblastomas, breast, ovary and colorectal tumours. We searched for the H133Y SHH mutation in 84 primary breast carcinomas, but did not detect this change in any sample. In addition, a subset of 45 primary breast tumours was analysed for mutations in the PTCH coding region and 48 samples in previously implicated exons of human smoothened, but no mutations were found. Although our results do not exclude the presence of clonal alterations of these genes in a small proportion of breast carcinomas, these data do not support the existence of frequent mutations in genes encoding major protein partners of this signalling pathway. The absence of nucleotide changes in PTCH may point to another linked gene in the chromosome region 9q22-q23, previously suggested to contain a breast cancer susceptibility gene.

Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome↗
PubMed1991

v-Src activates both protein kinase C-dependent and independent signaling pathways in murine fibroblasts.

Activating the protein-tyrosine kinase activity of v-Src rapidly induced expression of the two 'primary response' genes, TIS10 and Egr-1, in Balb/c 3T3 cells. Depleting cells of protein kinase C (PKC) by prolonged exposure to 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), blocked v-Src-induced TIS10 expression, but had no effect on v-Src-induced Egr-1 gene expression. In addition, the induction of TIS10 and Egr-1 by v-Src could be distinguished using protein kinase inhibitors. Thus, v-Src induced gene expression in murine fibroblasts via two distinguishable signaling pathways: one dependent upon PKC and another that is independent of PKC. Consistent with the use of PKC-mediated signaling pathway by v-Src in murine fibroblasts, we found that activating the kinase activity of v-Src led to increased phosphorylation of a major PKC substrate. Thus, data presented here suggest that v-Src-induced transformation involves the activation of multiple signalling pathways, one of which requires PKC.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗
PubMed1998

Role of nuclear factor-kappa B and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways in IL-1 beta-mediated induction of alpha-PDGF receptor expression in rat pulmonary myofibroblasts.

Induction of the alpha-platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGF-Ralpha) by IL-1beta in lung myofibroblasts enhances mitogenic and chemotactic responses to PDGF, and this could be a mechanism of myofibroblast hyperplasia during lung fibrogenesis. Since the regulation of many genes by IL-1beta involves activation of NF-kappaB and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, we examined these signaling pathways in the control of PDGF-Ralpha expression by IL-1beta in cultured rat lung myofibroblasts. Treatment of cells with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), an antioxidant that inhibits NF-kappaB activation, completely blocked PDGF-Ralpha up-regulation by IL-1beta as assayed by [125I]PDGF-AA binding and PDGF-Ralpha mRNA expression, suggesting a role for NF-kappaB. However, while IL-1beta and TNF-alpha both induced nuclear binding of the Rel proteins p50 and p65 to an NF-kappaB consensus oligonucleotide in gel shift assays and caused transient degradation of inhibitor of NF-kappaB-alpha (IkappaB-alpha) in the cytoplasm of myofibroblasts, only IL-1beta upregulated PDGF-Ralpha. These results suggest that NF-kappaB activation alone is not sufficient for up-regulation of PDGF-Ralpha. An investigation of MAP kinase signaling pathways revealed that IL-1beta or PDTC activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase-2 (ERK-2) and c-jun NH2 terminal kinase-1 (JNK-1) phosphorylation of PHAS-1 and c-Jun substrates, respectively. Pretreatment of cells with the MAP kinase kinase-1 (MEK1) inhibitor PD 98059 blocked IL-1beta-induced activation of ERK-2 by more than 90% but enhanced IL-1beta-stimulated induction of PDGF-Ralpha expression fourfold. Taken together, these data suggest that IL-1beta activates both positive and negative signaling pathways that control the expression of PDGF-Ralpha. IL-1beta appears to mediate its negative effects on PDGF-Ralpha expression via MAP kinase activation, while the factor(s) that mediate induction of PDGF-Ralpha remain to be elucidated.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Inactivation of glycogen synthase kinase-3 by epidermal growth factor is mediated by mitogen-activated protein kinase/p90 ribosomal protein S6 kinase signaling pathway in NIH/3T3 cells.

The role of the p90 ribosomal protein S6 kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase (RSK/MAPK) signaling pathway in regulating glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) activity was investigated. In vitro studies showed that GSK-3 was inactivated by 50% upon incubation with RSK purified from epidermal growth factor (EGF)-stimulated NIH/3T3 cells. Subsequently, the effect of EGF on GSK-3 activity was measured in NIH/3T3 cells that stably overexpressed mutated forms of MAPK kinase (MAPKK). The activation of RSK by EGF was markedly decreased in cell lines expressing the dominant negative MAPKK mutants S222A and K97A and was increased in cells expressing the S222E mutant as compared with control cell lines. EGF induced a rapid decrease in GSK-3 beta activity (50%) in control and S222E cells; however, only 25 and 10% inhibition in GSK-3 beta activity was observed in cell lines expressing the dominant negative mutants K97A and S222A, respectively, suggesting that inhibition of GSK-3 was partially blocked in these cells. Taken together, these results suggest that the action of EGF on GSK-3 inactivation is mediated by the RSK/MAPK signaling pathway in NIH/3T3 cells and provide evidence for a mechanism regulating GSK-3 activity in intact cells.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1999

Calcium mobilization in human myeloid cells results in acquisition of individual dendritic cell-like characteristics through discrete signaling pathways.

We have shown previously that calcium ionophore (CI) treatment of various myeloid origin cells results in rapid acquisition of properties associated with mature, activated dendritic cells. These properties include increased CD83 and costimulatory molecule expression, tendencies to form dendritic processes, loss of CD14 expression by monocytes, and typically an enhanced capacity to sensitize T lymphocytes to Ag. We here analyze the intracellular signaling pathways by which CI induces acquisition of such properties. Thapsigargin, which raises intracellular Ca2+ levels by antagonizing its sequestration, induced immunophenotypic and morphologic changes that paralleled CI treatment. CI-induced activation was broadly attenuated by the Ca2+ chelating compound EGTA and by calmodulin antagonists trifluoperazine dimaleate and W-7. However, antagonists of signaling pathways downstream to calmodulin displayed more selective inhibitory effects. Calcineurin antagonists cyclosporin A and the FK-506 analogue, ascomycin, diminished costimulatory molecule and CD83 expression, as well as formation of dendritic processes in CI-treated myeloid cells, and strongly attenuated the T cell allosensitizing capacity of CI-treated HL-60 cells. These calcineurin antagonists displayed minimal effect on CI-induced CD14 down-regulation in monocytes. In contrast, the calmodulin-dependent protein kinase antagonists, K252a and KT5926, while displaying only modest effects on CI-induced costimulatory molecule and CD83 expression, strongly blocked CD14 down-regulation. These results are consistent with a Ca2+-dependent mechanism for CI-induced differentiation of myeloid cells, and indicate that multiple discrete signaling pathways downstream to calcium mobilization and calmodulin activation may be essential in regulating this process.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1990

Mitogenic signalling pathway of tumour necrosis factor involves the rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of 41,000-Mr and 43,000-Mr cytosol proteins.

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) is a potent mitogen for some fibroblast cell lines. Here we have examined the TNF-mediated changes in protein phosphorylation in Swiss 3T3 and human FS-4 fibroblasts, and compared them with changes observed after the treatment of cells with other mitogens, such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and bombesin. TNF stimulated the rapid phosphorylation of two 41,000-Mr and two 43,000-Mr cytosol proteins on tyrosine, threonine and/or serine, as did PDGF, epidermal growth factor and fibroblast growth factor; the increased levels of this mitogen-induced protein-tyrosine phosphorylation correlated well with the extent of mitogen-induced DNA synthesis as determined by the percentage of labelled nuclei. In contrast, bombesin, which is an even better mitogen for Swiss 3T3 cells than TNF, stimulated the tyrosine phosphorylation of 41,000-Mr and 43,000-Mr proteins only to a limited extent. On the other hand, bombesin and PDGF stimulated the rapid serine phosphorylation of an 80,000-Mr acidic protein, a major substrate for protein kinase C; increased phosphorylation of the 80,000-Mr protein was not observed at all when cells were stimulated with TNF. These results suggest significant differences among the mitogenic signalling pathways of TNF, PDGF and bombesin as regards the involvement of protein kinases; the mitogenic signalling pathway of TNF involves the activation of tyrosine kinase, but not of protein kinase C, whereas bombesin seems to transduce its mitogenic signal mainly through the activation of protein kinase C, and the activation of both kinases seems to be involved in the mitogenic signalling pathway of PDGF.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Signaling pathways to the assembly of an interferon-beta enhanceosome. Chemical genetic studies with a small molecule.

Small molecules that modulate specific protein functions are valuable tools for dissecting complex signaling pathways. Here, we identified a small molecule that induces the assembly of the interferon-beta (IFN-beta) enhanceosome by stimulating all the enhancer-binding activator proteins: ATF2/c-JUN, IRF3, and p50/p65 of NF-kappaB. This compound stimulates mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 1 (MEKK1), which is a member of a family of proteins involved in stress-mediated signaling pathways. Consistent with this, MEKK1 activates IRF3 in addition to ATF2/c-JUN and NF-kappaB for the assembly of the IFN-beta enhanceosome. MEKK1 activates IRF3 through the c-JUN amino-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway but not the p38 and IkappaB kinase (IKK) pathway. Taken together with previous observations, these results implicate that, for the assembly of an IFN-beta enhanceosome, MEKK1 can induce IRF3 and ATF2/c-JUN through the JNK pathway, whereas it can induce NF-kappaB through the IKK pathway. Thus, specific MEKK family proteins may be able to integrate some of multiple signal transduction pathways leading to the specific activation of the IFN-beta enhanceosome.

Enhancer Elements, Genetic↗
PubMed1996

Signalling pathways mediating secretory and mitogenic responses to galanin and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide in the 235-1 clonal rat lactotroph cell line.

The neuropeptides galanin and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) have been implicated in the physiological regulation of lactotroph function. Using the 235-1 clonal lactotroph rat cell line we have studied the signalling pathways mediating the secretory and mitogenic responses to galanin and PACAP. Both peptides stimulated prolactin release to a similar maximal extent. PACAP (100 nM) stimulated an increase in the proliferation rate of 235-1 cells, but was significantly less effective than 100 nM galanin (161.8 +/- 2.3% vs 296.1 +/- 9.1% of control). PACAP stimulated cAMP accumulation with an ED50 of 3.2 nM, and a maximal effect of almost two-fold at a concentration of 100 nM. Galanin depleted cAMP, by 30% at a concentration of 100 nM. The aminosteroid phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor U-73122 virtually abolished maximal peptide stimulated prolactin release. Depletion of inositol phosphates or downregulation of protein kinase C reduced maximal peptide stimulated prolactin release from about 260% to about 160% of unstimulated release. Both peptides at a concentration of 100 nM caused a sustained increase in intracellular calcium when incubated with cells for 30 min. These results demonstrate that both peptides stimulate prolactin release and the proliferation rate of 235-1 cells. The most important signalling pathway for prolactin release activated by both peptides is via PLC, although they also regulate cAMP levels, which are increased by PACAP and decreased by galanin. Despite maximal peptide stimulated prolactin release being equal, galanin has a greater mitogenic effect on 235-1 cells than PACAP, raising the possibility that it activates an additional mitogenic signalling pathway.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Coupling signalling pathways to transcriptional control: nuclear factors responsive to cAMP.

Several endocrine and neuronal functions are governed by the cAMP-dependent signalling pathway. In eukaryotes, transcriptional regulation upon stimulation of the adenylyl cyclase signalling pathway is mediated by a family of cAMP-responsive nuclear factors. This family consists of a large number of members that may act as activators or repressors. These factors contain the basic domain/ leucine zipper motifs and bind as dimers to cAMP-response elements (CRE). The function of CRE-binding proteins (CREBs) is modulated by phosphorylation by several kinases. Direct activation of gene expression by CREB requires phosphorylation by the cAMP-dependent protein kinase A to the serine-133 residue. Among the repressors, ICER (Inducible cAMP Early Repressor) deserves special mention. ICER is generated from an alternative CREM promoter and constitutes the only inducible cAMP-responsive element binding protein. Furthermore, ICER negatively autoregulates the alternative promoter, thus generating a feedback loop. In contrast to the other members of the CRE-binding protein family, ICER expression is tissue specific and developmentally regulated. The kinetics of ICER expression are characteristic of an early response gene. Our results indicate that CREM plays a key physiological and developmental role within the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. We have previously shown that the transcriptional activator CREM is highly expressed in postmeiotic cells. Spermiogenesis is a complex process by which postmeiotic male germ cells differentiate into mature spermatozoa. This process involves remarkable structural and biochemical changes that are under the hormonal control of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. We have addressed the specific role of CREM in spermiogenesis using CREM-mutant mice generated by homologous recombination. Analysis of the seminiferous epithelium from mutant male mice reveals that spermatogenesis stops at the first step of spermiogenesis. Late spermatids are completely absent, while there is a significant increase in apoptotic germ cells. A series of postmeiotic germ cell-specific genes are not expressed. Mutant male mice completely lack spermatozoa. This phenotype is reminiscent of cases of human infertility. We have shown that ICER is regulated in a circadian manner in the pineal gland, the site of the hormone melatonin production. This night-day oscillation is driven by the endogenous clock (located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, SCN). The synthesis of melatonin is regulated by a rate-limiting enzyme, the serotonin N-acetyltransferase (NAT). By using the CREM-deficient mice and by analysis of the regulatory region of the gene encoding the serotonin NAT, we have established that ICER is responsible for the amplitude and rhythmicity of NAT and thus for the oscillation in the hormonal synthesis of melatonin.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1998

Dendritic cell survival and maturation are regulated by different signaling pathways.

Although dendritic cell (DC) activation is a critical event for the induction of immune responses, the signaling pathways involved in this process have not been characterized. In this report, we show that DC activation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can be separated into two distinct processes: first, maturation, leading to upregulation of MHC and costimulatory molecules, and second, rescue from immediate apoptosis after withdrawal of growth factors (survival). Using a DC culture system that allowed us to propagate immature growth factor-dependent DCs, we have investigated the signaling pathways activated by LPS. We found that LPS induced nuclear translocation of the nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB transcription factor. Inhibition of NF-kappaB activation blocked maturation of DCs in terms of upregulation of major histocompatibility complex and costimulatory molecules. In addition, we found that LPS activated the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and that specific inhibition of MEK1, the kinase which activates ERK, abrogated the ability of LPS to prevent apoptosis but did not inhibit DC maturation or NF-kappaB nuclear translocation. These results indicate that ERK and NF-kappaB regulate different aspects of LPS-induced DC activation: ERK regulates DC survival whereas NF-kappaB is responsible for DC maturation.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

EGF receptor regulation of cell motility: EGF induces disassembly of focal adhesions independently of the motility-associated PLCgamma signaling pathway.

A current model of growth factor-induced cell motility invokes integration of diverse biophysical processes required for cell motility, including dynamic formation and disruption of cell/substratum attachments along with extension of membrane protrusions. To define how these biophysical events are actuated by biochemical signaling pathways, we investigate here whether epidermal growth factor (EGF) induces disruption of focal adhesions in fibroblasts. We find that EGF treatment of NR6 fibroblasts presenting full-length WT EGF receptors (EGFR) reduces the fraction of cells presenting focal adhesions from approximately 60% to approximately 30% within 10 minutes. The dose dependency of focal adhesion disassembly mirrors that for EGF-enhanced cell motility, being noted at 0.1 nM EGF. EGFR kinase activity is required as cells expressing two kinase-defective EGFR constructs retain their focal adhesions in the presence of EGF. The short-term (30 minutes) disassembly of focal adhesions is reflected in decreased adhesiveness of EGF-treated cells to substratum. We further examine here known motility-associated pathways to determine whether these contribute to EGF-induced effects. We have previously demonstrated that phospholipase C(gamma) (PLCgamma) activation and mobilization of gelsolin from a plasma membrane-bound state are required for EGFR-mediated cell motility. In contrast, we find here that short-term focal adhesion disassembly is induced by a signaling-restricted truncated EGFR (c'973) which fails to activate PLCgamma or mobilize gelsolin. The PLC inhibitor U73122 has no effect on this process, nor is the actin severing capacity of gelsolin required as EGF treatment reduces focal adhesions in gelsolin-devoid fibroblasts, further supporting the contention that focal adhesion disassembly is signaled by a pathway distinct from that involving PLCgamma. Because both WT and c'973 EGFR activate the erk MAP kinase pathway, we additionally explore here this signaling pathway, not previously associated with growth factor-induced cell motility. Levels of the MEK inhibitor PD98059 that block EGF-induced mitogenesis and MAP kinase phosphorylation also abrogate EGF-induced focal adhesion disassembly and cell motility. In summary, we characterize for the first time the ability of EGFR kinase activity to directly stimulate focal adhesion disassembly and cell/substratum detachment, in relation to its ability to stimulate migration. Furthermore, we propose a model of EGF-induced motogenic cell responses in which the PLCgamma pathway stimulating cell motility is distinct from the MAP kinase-dependent signaling pathway leading to disassembly and reorganization of cell-substratum adhesion.

Animals↗