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Phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and its downstream targets in SARS coronavirus-infected cells.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has become a global public health emergency. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of SARS-induced cytopathic effects (CPEs) is a rational approach for the prevention of SARS, and an understanding of the cellular stress responses induced by viral infection is important for understanding the CPEs. Polyclonal antibodies, which recognized nucleocapsid (N) and membrane (M) proteins, detected viral N and M proteins in virus-infected Vero E6 cells at least 6 and 12 h post-infection (h.p.i.), respectively. Furthermore, detection of DNA ladder and cleaved caspase-3 in the virus-infected cells at 24h.p.i. indicated that SARS-CoV infection induced apoptotic cell death. Phosphorylation of p38 MAPK was significantly up-regulated at 18 h.p.i. in SARS-CoV-infected cells. The downstream targets of p38 MAPK, MAPKAPK-2, HSP-27, CREB, and eIF4E were phosphorylated in virus-infected cells. The p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580, inhibited effectively phosphorylation of HSP-27, CREB, and eIF4E in SARS-CoV-infected cells. However, viral protein synthesis was not affected by treatment of SB203580.

Activating Transcription Factor 1↗

Cholecystokinin stimulates the recruitment of the Src-RhoA-phosphoinositide 3-kinase pathway by Vav-2 downstream of G(alpha13) in pancreatic acini.

In isolated rat pancreatic acini, Src, RhoA, PI3-K, Vav-2, G(alpha12), and G(alpha13) were detected by immunoblotting. CCK enhanced the levels of these proteins, and the levels of Src and RhoA were reduced by the Src inhibitor herbimycin A and the Rho inhibitor pravastatin. The PI3-K inhibitor wortmannin reduced the level of PI3-K. These inhibitors also decreased amylase secretion in CCK-treated pancreatic acini without altering basal secretion. Immunoprecipitation studies indicated that CCK caused Src to associate with Vav-2, RhoA, and PI3-K and RhoA and Src to associate with Vav-2. Ras, RasGAP, and SOS did not coimmunoprecipitate with Vav-2, and RasGAP and SOS did not coimmunoprecipitate with RhoA. CCK also enhanced Vav-2 and RhoA to coimmunoprecipitate with G(alpha13). We conclude that CCK stimulates the recruitment of the Src-RhoA-PI3-K signaling pathway by Vav-2 downstream of G(alpha13) in pancreatic acini.

Amylases↗

Ran binding protein 9 interacts with Raf kinase but does not contribute to downstream ERK1/2 activation in skeletal myoblasts.

Raf kinase is the upstream activator of MEK1/2 leading to phosphorylation and activation of ERK1/2. Sustained activation of Raf represses skeletal muscle-specific reporter gene transcription and formation of multinucleated myofibers. Inhibition of myogenesis by activated Raf involves downstream ERK1/2 as well as undefined mediators. To identify Raf-interacting proteins that may influence repression of muscle formation, a yeast two-hybrid screen was performed using a MEK1-binding defective Raf (RafBXB-T481A) as bait. Twenty cDNAs coding for Raf-interacting proteins were identified including Ran binding protein 9 (RanBP9), a protein previously reported to interact with receptor tyrosine kinases. Forced expression of RanBP9 in myogenic cells did not alter myogenesis. Co-expression of RanBP9 with constitutively active RafBXB, but not RafBXB-T481A, synergistically inhibited MyoD-directed muscle reporter gene transcription. Knockdown of RanBP9 expression did not restore the differentiation program to Raf-expressing myoblasts. Thus, RanBP9 physically associates with Raf but does not substantially contribute to the inhibitory actions of the kinase.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Protein kinase Cdelta signaling downstream of the EGF receptor mediates migration and invasiveness of prostate cancer cells.

Tumor progression to the invasive phenotype occurs secondary to upregulated signaling from growth factor receptors that drive key cellular responses like proliferation, migration, and invasion. We hypothesized that Protein kinase Cdelta (PKCdelta)-mediated transcellular contractility is required for migration and invasion of prostate tumor cells. Two invasive human prostate cancer cell lines, DU145 cells overexpressing wildtype human EGFR (DU145WT) and PC3 cells, were studied. PKCdelta is overexpressed in these cells relative to normal prostate epithelial cells, and is activated downstream of EGFR leading to cell motility via modulation of myosin light chain activity. Abrogation of PKCdelta using Rottlerin and specific siRNA significantly decreased migration and invasion of both cell lines in vitro. Both PKCdelta and phosphorylated PKCdelta protein levels were higher in human prostate cancer tissue relative to normal donor prostate as assessed by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Thus, we conclude that PKCdelta inhibition can limit migration and invasion of prostate cancer cells.

Carcinoma↗

ZD7288 inhibits exocytosis in an HCN-independent manner and downstream of voltage-gated calcium influx in pituitary lactotrophs.

Pituitary lactotrophs fire action potentials spontaneously and the associated voltage-gated calcium influx is sufficient to maintain high prolactin release. Here we studied the role of hyperpolarization-activated cation channels in pacemaking activity, calcium signaling, and prolactin secretion in these cells. A slowly developing and hyperpolarization-activated inward current was identified but only in a fraction of lactotrophs. The current was blocked by ZD7288, a relatively specific blocker of these channels. However, the pacemaking activity increased in ZD7288-treated cells independently of the presence of this current. This in turn facilitated voltage-gated calcium influx and transiently stimulated prolactin secretion. Sustained ZD7288 application in concentrations that are commonly used to block the hyperpolarization-activated cation channels inhibited hormone release at elevated intracellular calcium concentrations. Agonist and Bay K 8644-stimulated prolactin release was also inhibited by ZD7288, indicating that this compound attenuates the exocytotic pathway downstream of calcium influx.

Animals↗

Radiocontrast media cause dephosphorylation of Akt and downstream signaling targets in human renal proximal tubular cells.

Radiocontrast medium induced nephrotoxicity is a major clinical problem. There is considerable interest in reducing the incidence of acute renal failure due to the use of radiocontrast media (RCM). Reduction of renal blood flow and direct toxic effect on renal tubular epithelial cells have been postulated as major causes of RCM nephropathy. Understanding the molecular mechanisms by which RCM cause cell damage may allow the development of pharmacological therapy to prevent their nephrotoxicity. In this work we have investigated the signaling pathways that may be affected by RCM. The incubation of human renal tubular proximal cells with sodium diatrizoate, iopromide and iomeprol caused a marked dephosphorylation of the kinase Akt on Ser473 within 5min of incubation. RCM also caused a decrease in cell viability, which was substantially alleviated by transfecting the cells with a constitutively active form of Akt. Further downstream targets of Akt, including the Forkhead family of transcription factors FKHR and FKHRL1, were also dephosphorylated by RCM at Thr24 and Thr32, respectively. The P70S6 kinase was also dephosphorylated at Thr389 and Ser371 by RCM. However there was a more dramatic decrease in phosphorylation of the phosphorylated form of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and of the extracellular-signal regulated kinases (ERK) 1/2 caused by sodium diatrizoate than by iopromide. These results demonstrate the effect of RCM on some intracellular signaling pathways that may allow understanding of the mechanism of their toxicity and may allow the development of strategies to overcome their adverse effects.

Cell Line↗

Apoptosis of macrophages induced by Trichomonas vaginalis through the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase that locates at downstream of mitochondria-dependent caspase activation.

Trichomonas vaginalis, a flagellated protozoan parasite, is the causative organism of trichomoniasis. We have recently demonstrated that T. vaginalis induces apoptotic cell death via a Bcl-x(L)-dependent pathway in RAW264.7 macrophages. In this study, we attempted to characterize in detail the signaling cascades resulting in T. vaginalis-induced macrophage apoptosis, focusing particularly on mitochondrial changes and the role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) activation. We found that T. vaginalis induced mitochondrial changes including the release of cytochrome c and the serial activation of caspases, leading to the activation of p38 MAPK in macrophages. These biochemical changes culminated in the apoptosis of the host cells. Caspase inhibitors induced a significant inhibition of T. vaginalis-induced nuclear damage, as well as the activation of p38 MAPK. Treatment with the p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580, or the overexpression of kinase-inactive p38 MAPK, induced an attenuation of T. vaginalis-induced apoptosis but not cytochrome c release, the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, or PARP cleavage. Furthermore, SB203580 treatment to human macrophages consistently blocked T. vaginalis-induced apoptosis. Collectively, our findings indicate that p38 MAPK signaling cascade is requisite to apoptosis of T. vaginalis-infected macrophage, and this apoptotic process occurs via the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, which is located downstream of mitochondria-dependent caspase activation, conferring insight into the plausible molecular mechanism of T. vaginalis-immune evasion from macrophage attack.

Animals↗

A rapid and sensitive ELISA to quantify an HBsAg specific monoclonal antibody and a plant-derived antibody during their downstream purification process.

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to quantify the mAb CB.Hep-1 during downstream purification process was standardized and validated. This assay is characterized by a short time of incubation at high temperature, allowing the detection of this antibody with high specificity and sensitivity. Detection of antigen-antibody reaction was achieved using a horseradish peroxidase conjugated anti-mouse IgG whose enzyme activity was revealed with o-phenylenediamine substrate. The immunoassay is linear in a range between 3.12 and 50 ng/mL, with a recovery of 98.55-107.62%. According to results, it is possible to estimate the mAb CB.Hep-1 concentration with high precision and reproducibility. The intra- and interassay coefficient of variation ranged from 0.25 to 8.64% and 1.84 to 9.43%, respectively. Significant differences were not observed in the plant-derived antibody quantification by HRP-ELISA and PhoA-ELISA (n=18), demonstrating that plant endogenous peroxidases do not produce interferences in the quantification of this molecule. Therefore, both antibodies can be tested with the same immunoassay with high precision, specificity and accuracy during their respective purification processes without interference of the buffers and sample characteristics.

Animals↗

Downstream processing of oncoretroviral and lentiviral gene therapy vectors.

Retroviral vectors from both oncoretroviral and lentiviral origins have a great potential as gene delivery vehicles. A number of research groups have devoted considerable effort to the development of large-scale production strategies for retroviral vectors. However, the manufacturing of clinical-grade vectors for gene therapy, especially for in vivo applications, additionally requires scaleable purification strategies to remove the contaminants present in the harvested supernatants while preserving the functionality of the vectors. In this article, we review recent advances made in the field of downstream processing of retroviral vectors. The methods currently described in the literature for clarification, concentration and purification of retroviral vectors will be presented, with special emphasis on novel chromatography methods that open up the possibility to selectively and efficiently purify retroviruses on a large-scale. Problems associated with stability and quantification of retroviral particles will be outlined and future challenges will be discussed.

DNA, Viral↗

Evaluation of the role of AMP-activated protein kinase and its downstream targets in mammalian hibernation.

Mammalian hibernation requires an extensive reorganization of metabolism that typically includes a greater than 95% reduction in metabolic rate, selective inhibition of many ATP-consuming metabolic activities and a change in fuel use to a primary dependence on the oxidation of lipid reserves. We investigated whether the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) could play a regulatory role in this reorganization. AMPK activity and the phosphorylation state of multiple downstream targets were assessed in five organs of thirteen-lined ground squirrels (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus) comparing euthermic animals with squirrels in deep torpor. AMPK activity was increased 3-fold in white adipose tissue from hibernating ground squirrels compared with euthermic controls, but activation was not seen in liver, skeletal muscle, brown adipose tissue or brain. Immunoblotting with phospho-specific antibodies revealed an increase in phosphorylation of eukaryotic elongation factor-2 at the inactivating Thr56 site in white adipose tissue, liver and brain of hibernators, but not in other tissues. Acetyl-CoA carboxylase phosphorylation at the inactivating Ser79 site was markedly increased in brown adipose tissue from hibernators, but no change was seen in white adipose tissue. No change was seen in the level of phosphorylation of the Ser565 AMPK site of hormone-sensitive lipase in adipose tissues of hibernating animals. In conclusion, AMPK does not appear to participate in the metabolic re-organization and/or the metabolic rate depression that occurs during ground squirrel hibernation.

AMP-Activated Protein Kinases↗

RhoA acts downstream of Wnt5 and Wnt11 to regulate convergence and extension movements by involving effectors Rho kinase and Diaphanous: use of zebrafish as an in vivo model for GTPase signaling.

Gastrulation shapes the early embryos by forming three germ layers, ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm. In vertebrates, this process requires massive cell rearrangement including convergence and extension (CE) movements that involve narrowing and lengthening of embryonic tissues as well as cell elongation. Such polarization and movements require precise reorganization and regulation of the cytoskeleton network and cell adhesion. Rho small GTPases are key regulators for dynamic actin cytoskeleton. However, the signaling mechanisms underlying their functions in CE remain to be further elucidated. We have cloned the zebrafish Danio rerio rhoA and by capitalizing on the specific functional knockdown using morpholinos against rhoA and the availability of CE mutants defective in Wnt signaling, we showed that rhoA morphants were reminiscent to noncanonical wnt mutants with serious disruption in CE movements. Injection of rhoA mRNA effectively rescued such defects in wnt5 and wnt11 mutants. Furthermore, CE defects in rhoA knockdown or wnt mutants can be suppressed through functional bypass after ectopic expression of the two mammalian Rho effectors, the Rho kinase and Diaphanous (mDia). These results provide the first evidence that the RhoA in vivo acts downstream of Wnt5 and Wnt11 to effect, without affecting cell fates, on the CE movements in zebrafish embryos. Significantly, it elicits such effect via both effectors, Rho kinase and Dia. These findings also support the versatility of the zebrafish as a model to further investigate the roles of various classes of small GTPases in regulating cell dynamics in vivo.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The very C-terminus of PRK1/PKN is essential for its activation by RhoA and downstream signaling.

PRK1 is a lipid- and Rho GTPase-activated serine/threonine protein kinase implicated in the regulation of receptor trafficking, cytoskeletal dynamics and tumorigenesis. Although Rho binding has been mapped to the HR1 region in the regulatory domain of PRK1, the mechanism involved in the control of PRK1 activation following Rho binding is poorly understood. We now provide the first evidence that the very C-terminus beyond the hydrophobic motif in PRK1 is essential for the activation of this kinase by RhoA. Deletion of the HR1 region did not completely abolish the binding of PRK1-DeltaHR1 to GTPgammaS-RhoA nor the activation of this mutant by GTPgammaS-RhoA in vitro. In contrast, removing of the last six amino acid residues from the C-terminus of PRK1 or truncating of a single C-terminal residue from PRK1-DeltaHR1 completely abrogated the activation of these mutants by RhoA both in vitro and in vivo. The critical dependence of the very C-terminus of PRK1 on the signaling downstream of RhoA was further demonstrated by the failure of the PRK1 mutant lacking its six C-terminal residues to augment lisophosphatidic acid-elicited neurite retraction in neuronal cells. Thus, we show that the HR1 region is necessary but not sufficient in eliciting a full activation of PRK1 upon binding of RhoA. Instead, such activation is controlled by the very C-terminus of PRK1. Our results also suggest that the very C-terminus of PRK1, which is the least conserved among members of the protein kinase C superfamily, is a potential drug target for pharmacological intervention of RhoA-mediated signaling pathways.

Animals↗

KIF18A promotes chromosome congression in cooperation with CENP-E downstream of CENP-C.

Chromosome congression is a key process that acts to align chromosomes at the spindle equator via kinetochore-microtubule interactions, with defects in chromosome alignment leading to chromosomal instability. However, defining the mechanisms that underlie chromosome congression is limited due to the multiple factors that act in parallel to regulate chromosome movement. Here, we conducted a genome-wide Cas9-based functional genetics screen using a hypomorphic CENP-C mutant that affects its kinetochore interactions. Our analysis identified KIF18A, whose knockout resulted in synthetic lethality with the CENP-C mutant. Further analysis revealed that the synthetic defect was due to a reduction in CENP-E function in the CENP-C mutant. Our work suggests that KIF18A promotes chromosome alignment in cooperation with CENP-E downstream of CENP-C during early prometaphase. Thus, our analysis enables us to dissect parallel molecular mechanisms for chromosome congression and identify sensitivities and biomarkers that might guide anti-KIF18A chemotherapeutics.

Kinesins↗

Nonylphenolic compounds in drinking and surface waters downstream of treated textile and pulp and paper effluents: a survey and preliminary assessment of their potential effects on public health and aquatic life.

Eleven drinking water treatment plants, located downstream of textile plants or pulp and paper mills, have been sampled monthly during a year for the analysis of 17 nonylphenol ethoxylates (NP1-17EO) and two nonylphenoxycarboxylic acids (NP1-2EC). At all but one plant, results in the drinking water, for the sum of these 19 substances, range between below detection levels and 6.7 microg/l. Annual means are between 0.02 and 2.8 microg/l. At the other plant, the yearly average concentration is 10.4 microg/l and the monthly maximum is 43.3 microg/l. In the surface (pre-treatment) water, the annual mean concentrations of the 11 plants range between 0.14 and 17.8 microg/l and the recorded instantaneous maximum is 55.3 microg/l. According to Canadian health authorities, drinking water is a negligible route of human exposure to nonylphenolic compounds, even at the highest concentrations found in this study. After transformation of the data into nonylphenol equivalents, about 20% of the surface water samples exceed the Canadian 1 microg/l nonylphenol water quality guideline for the protection of aquatic life. Some results also exceed Québec's 6 microg/l nonylphenol guideline. The efficiency of the plants in removing nonylphenolic compounds from drinking water is highly variable, ranging from 11% to 99%.

Animals↗

Downstream processing of recombinant proteins from transgenic feedstock.

The search for inexpensive production systems capable of producing large quantities of recombinant protein has resulted in the development of new technology platforms based on transgenic plants and animals. Over the past decade, these transgenic systems have been used to produce several products and potential therapeutic proteins. Improvements continue to be made, not only in how the proteins are expressed but also in how the end products are obtained. As improvements in expression are realized, cost-saving measures will increasingly focus on downstream processing.

Animals↗

MEL-28 is downstream of the Ran cycle and is required for nuclear-envelope function and chromatin maintenance.

Early embryonic development depends on the faithful execution of basic cell biological processes whose coordination remains largely unknown. With a global network analysis, we found MEL-28 to be associated with two types of complexes, one implicated in nuclear-envelope function and the other in chromatin organization. Here, we show that MEL-28, a protein that shuttles between the nucleus and the kinetochore during the cell cycle, is required for the structural and functional integrity of the nuclear envelope. In addition, mel-28(RNAi) embryos exhibit defects in chromosome condensation, pronuclear migration, kinetochore assembly, and spindle assembly. This combination of mel-28(RNAi) phenotypes resemble those caused by depleting members of the Ran cycle in C. elegans, a conserved cellular signaling pathway that is required for mitotic spindle assembly, nuclear-envelope reformation after mitosis, and nucleocytoplasmic exchange (reviewed in). Although MEL-28 localization to the nuclear periphery is not dependent on nuclear pore components, it is dependent on RAN-1 and other key components of the Ran cycle. Thus, MEL-28 is downstream of the Ran cycle and is required for both proper nuclear-envelope function and chromatin maintenance.

Animals↗

MAX1 encodes a cytochrome P450 family member that acts downstream of MAX3/4 to produce a carotenoid-derived branch-inhibiting hormone.

The plant shoot body plan is highly variable, depending on the degree of branching. Characterization of the max1-max4 mutants of Arabidopsis demonstrates that branching is regulated by at least one carotenoid-derived hormone. Here we show that all four MAX genes act in a single pathway, with MAX1, MAX3, and MAX4 acting in hormone synthesis, and MAX2 acting in perception. We propose that MAX1 acts on a mobile substrate, downstream of MAX3 and MAX4, which have immobile substrates. These roles for MAX3, MAX4, and MAX2 are consistent with their known molecular identities. We identify MAX1 as a member of the cytochrome P450 family with high similarity to mammalian Thromboxane A2 synthase. This, with its expression pattern, supports its suggested role in the MAX pathway. Moreover, the proposed enzymatic series for MAX hormone synthesis resembles that of two already characterized signal biosynthetic pathways: prostaglandins in animals and oxilipins in plants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Pathways of neurodegeneration and experimental models of basal ganglia disorders: downstream effects of mitochondrial inhibition.

The basal ganglia circuit plays a key role in the regulation of voluntary movements as well as in behavioural control and cognitive functions. The main pathogenic role of mitochondrial dysfunctions is now accepted in the neurodegenerative process and the mitochondria have been successfully used as subcellular targets to obtain relevant experimental models of basal ganglia neurodegenerative disorders. Mitochondrial toxins act through an inhibition of the respiratory chain complexes. These toxins, by uncoupling cellular respiration, shift the cell into a state of oxidative stress and trigger several bidirectional links with the excitotoxic process. Moreover, the in vitro inhibition of the respiratory chain complexes alters the electrophysiological properties of the neurons. The downstream effects triggered by mitochondrial complexes inhibition provide a model integrating genetic and environmental pathogenic factors to explain the selective neuronal vulnerability.

Animals↗