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Interleukin-7 inactivates the pro-apoptotic protein Bad promoting T cell survival.

Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is a cytokine that is required for T cell development and survival. The anti-apoptotic function of IL-7 is partly through induction of Bcl-2 synthesis and cytosolic retention of Bax. Here we show that the Bcl-2 homology 3 domain-only protein, Bad, is involved in cell death following IL-7 withdrawal from D1 cells, an IL-7-dependent murine thymocyte cell line. IL-7 stimulation resulted in the inactivation of Bad by phosphorylation at Ser-112, -136, and -155. The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway has been implicated previously in Bad phosphorylation. In response to IL-7, the PI3K/Akt pathway induced phosphorylation at Ser-136 and -155, but Ser-112 was partly independent of the PI3K/Akt pathway, indicating an as yet unknown pathway in this response. Following IL-7 withdrawal, dephosphorylated Bad translocated from cytosol to mitochondria, bound to Bcl-2, and accelerated cell death. Thus, the inactivation of Bad contributes to the survival function of IL-7.

Animals↗

Induction of androgen receptor expression by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt downstream substrate, FOXO3a, and their roles in apoptosis of LNCaP prostate cancer cells.

The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway plays important roles for prostate cancer cell survival, and the androgen receptor (AR) plays essential roles for prostate cancer cell proliferation. How these two signals cooperate to control cell growth and death, however, remains unclear and debated. Here we provide the first linkage by the identification of Forkhead transcription factor FOXO3a, the PI3K/Akt downstream substrate, as a positive regulator for the induction of AR gene expression. Both Western blot and real time PCR assays demonstrate that FOXO3a can induce AR expression at the protein and mRNA levels, and gel shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays further demonstrate that FOXO3a can induce 5' AR promoter activity via binding to the consensus DNA-binding sequence in the AR 5' promoter -1290 to -1297 (5'-TTGTTTCA-3'). Under normal growth conditions, blocking PI3K/Akt signals by LY294002 causes LNCaP cell arrest in G1 phase rather than apoptosis. However, further blocking of AR functions by AR small interfering RNA leads to dramatic LNCaP cell death, suggesting that AR may play important protective roles when the PI3K/Akt signal pathway is blocked by LY294002. Together, our data provide the first model to explain how PI3K/Akt and AR can cooperate to control LNCaP cell growth and death under normal conditions.

Androgen Receptor Antagonists↗

5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-beta-D-ribofuranoside inhibits cancer cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo via AMP-activated protein kinase.

5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-beta-4-ribofuranoside (AICAR) is widely used as an AMP-kinase activator, which regulates energy homeostasis and response to metabolic stress. Here, we investigated the effect of AICAR, an AMPK activator, on proliferation of various cancer cells and observed that proliferation of all the examined cell lines was significantly inhibited by AICAR treatment due to arrest in S-phase accompanied with increased expression of p21, p27, and p53 proteins and inhibition of PI3K-Akt pathway. Inhibition in in vitro growth of cancer cells was mirrored in vivo with increased expression of p21, p27, and p53 and attenuation of Akt phosphorylation. Anti-proliferative effect of AICAR is mediated through activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) as iodotubericidin and dominant-negative AMPK expression vector reversed the AICAR-mediated growth arrest. Moreover, constitutive active AMPK arrested the cells in S-phase by inducing the expression of p21, p27, and p53 proteins and inhibiting Akt phosphorylation, suggesting the involvement of AMPK. AICAR inhibited proliferation in both LKB and LKB knock-out mouse embryo fibroblasts to similar extent and arrested cells at S-phase when transfected with dominant negative expression vector of LKB. Altogether, these results indicate that AICAR can be utilized as a therapeutic drug to inhibit cancer, and AMPK can be a potential target for treatment of various cancers independent of the functional tumor suppressor gene, LKB.

AMP-Activated Protein Kinases↗

The Kasumi-1 cell line: a t(8;21)-kit mutant model for acute myeloid leukemia.

The Kasumi-1 cell line is an intensively investigated model system of Acute Myeloid Leukemia with t(8;21) translocation, that represents 1 of the 2 main subtypes of Core Binding Factor Leukemia (CBFL). Since establishment in 1991 the Kasumi-1 cell line has provided the tool to study the peculiar molecular, morphologic, immunophenotypic findings of AML with t(8;21) and the functional consequences of the AML1-ETO fusion oncogene on myeloid differentiation. Leukemogenesis involves multiple genetic changes and, as suggested by murine experiments and other findings in humans, AML1-ETO expression may not be sufficient for full blown leukemia. In agreement with the "two hits" model of leukemogenesis, based on the cooperation between 1 class of mutations that impair hematopoietic differentiation and a second class of mutations that confer a proliferative and/or survival advantage to hematopoietic progenitors an activating mutation in the tyrosine kinase domain of the c-kit gene was identified in the AML1/ETO expressing Kasumi-1 cell line. The dosage of the Asn822Lys mutated allele was shown to be about 5-fold compared to the normal allele and c-kit amplification was found to map to minute 4cen-q11 marker chromosomes, likely derived from the extra chromosome 4 recorded in the newly established cell line. The combination of t(8;21) and trisomy 4 leading to enhanced dosage of a mutated kit allele is a feature of a few CBFL patients reproduced by the Kasumi-1 cell model. The Kasumi-1 cell line, paralleling the commitment stage of CBF leukemia also provides a valuable resource to investigate the effect of tyrosine kinase kit mutant on the main KIT-regulated signal transduction pathways, i.e. MAPK, PI3K/AKT and STAT3 and the diverse inhibitory effect exerted by STI 571 on these KIT mutant activated pathways. PI3K-dependent activation of AKT and STAT activation was observed in Kasumi-1 cells. Contrary to the expectations for an amplified tyrosine kinase kit mutant, we found that STI 571 inhibited KIT Asn822Lys tyrosine phosphorylation and downstream JNK and STAT3 effectors in Kasumi-1 cells, but had no effect on constitutive activation of AKT, suggesting that signaling by tyrosine kinases other than KIT may be responsible for its activation in Kasumi-1 cells. Independent findings on the same model system provide complementary insights into designing strategies for treatment of CBF leukemia associated with mutations in the KIT catalytic domain.

Acute Disease↗

Emerging roles of phosphatidylinositol 3-monophosphate as a dynamic lipid second messenger.

The lipid products of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) are involved in many cellular responses such as proliferation, migration and survival. Disregulation of PI3K-activated pathways is implicated in different disease including diabetes and cancer. Among the different products of PI3Ks, phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate (PtdIns-3,4,5-P3) has a well established role in signal transduction whereas the monophosphate phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate (PtdIns-3-P) has been considered for a long time just a cellular component confined in endosomal structures. Only recently several evidence have indicated that PtdIns-3-P can also act as a dynamic intracellular second messenger. The role of PtdIns-3-P as mediator of crucial intracellular signals is therefore just beginning to be appreciated. Here we review some of the latest evidence showing that pools of PtdIns-3-P can be generated upon cellular stimulation in compartments different from the "classical" endosomal region. We describe several proteins that can be targets in mediating signals deriving from such stimulated PtdIns-3-P pools. In addition we describe the potential mechanism of switching on and off such signals. Taken together all this evidence suggest a novel, key role for PtdIns-3-P in signal transduction.

Cell Movement↗

The B lymphocyte adaptor molecule of 32 kD (Bam32) regulates B cell antigen receptor signaling and cell survival.

The B lymphocyte-associated adaptor protein 32 kD in size (Bam32) is expressed at high levels in germinal center (GC) B cells. It has an NH(2)-terminal src homology 2 (SH2) domain which binds phospholipase C (PLC)gamma 2, and a COOH-terminal pleckstrin homology (PH) domain. Thus, Bam32 may function to integrate protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathways in B cells. To further define the role Bam32 plays in B cells, we generated Bam32-deficient DT40 cells. These Bam32(-/-) cells exhibited lower levels of B cell antigen receptor (BCR)-induced calcium mobilization with modest decreases in tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase C (PLC)gamma 2. Moreover, BCR-induced activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways was impaired in Bam32(-/-) cells but not the activation of Akt-related pathways. Activation of downstream transcription factors such as nuclear factor of activated T cells (NF-AT) and nuclear factor of kappa binding (NF-kappa B) was also impaired in Bam32(-/-) cells. Furthermore, Bam32(-/-) cells were more susceptible to BCR-induced death. Taken together, these findings suggest that Bam32 functions to regulate BCR-induced signaling and cell survival most likely in germinal centers.

Animals↗

Impaired Akt activity down-modulation, caspase-3 activation, and apoptosis in cells expressing a caspase-resistant mutant of RasGAP at position 157.

RasGAP bears two caspase-3 cleavage sites that are used sequentially as caspase activity increases in cells. When caspase-3 is mildly activated, RasGAP is first cleaved at position 455. This leads to the production of an N-terminal fragment, called fragment N, that activates the Ras-PI3K-Akt pathway and that promotes cell survival. At higher caspase activity, RasGAP is further cleaved at position 157 generating two small N-terminal fragments named N1 and N2. We have now determined the contribution of this second cleavage event in the regulation of apoptosis using cells in which the wild-type RasGAP gene has been replaced by a cDNA encoding a RasGAP mutant that cannot be cleaved at position 157. Our results show that cleavage of fragment N at position 157 leads to a marked reduction in Akt activity. This is accompanied by efficient processing of caspase-3 that favors cell death in response to various apoptotic stimuli. In nontumorigenic cells, fragments N1 and N2 do not modulate apoptosis. Therefore, the role of the second caspase-mediated cleavage of RasGAP is to allow the inactivation of the antiapoptotic function of fragment N so that caspases are no longer hampered in their ability to kill cells.

Animals↗

Gelsolin-induced epithelial cell invasion is dependent on Ras-Rac signaling.

Gelsolin is a widely distributed actin binding protein involved in controlling cell morphology, motility, signaling and apoptosis. The role of gelsolin in tumor progression, however, remains poorly understood. Here we show that expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged gelsolin in MDCK-AZ, MDCKtsSrc or HEK293T cells promotes invasion into collagen type I. In organ culture assays, MDCK cells expressing gelsolin-GFP invaded pre-cultured chick heart fragments. Gelsolin expression inhibited E-cadherin-mediated cell aggregation but did not disrupt the E-cadherin-catenin complex. Co-expression of dominant-negative Rac1N17, but not RhoAN19 or Cdc42N17, counteracted gelsolin-induced invasion, suggesting a requirement for Rac1 activity. Increased ARF6, PLD or PIP5K 1alpha activity canceled out gelsolin-induced invasion. Furthermore, we found that invasion induced by gelsolin is dependent on Ras activity, acting through the PI3K-Rac pathway via the Ras guanine nucleotide exchange factor Sos-1. These findings establish a connection between gelsolin and the Ras oncogenic signaling pathway.

ADP-Ribosylation Factor 6↗

Coordinated functions of Akt/PKB and ETS1 in tubule formation.

We investigated the inter-relationship between two downstream effectors of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the serine threonine kinase Akt (also known as protein kinase B) and the transcription factor ETS1, during tubulogenesis. Human endothelial cell culture and the in vivo Drosophila tracheal systems are employed in comparative analysis. We show that VEGF stimulates the expression of ETS1 through a phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt-dependent pathway in primary endothelial cells. Activation of Akt results in vessel formation in vitro, a process that is blocked by expression of antisense ETS1. The functional relationship between ETS and Akt was then tested in the homologous tubular system in Drosophila. Contrary to expectation, ETS1 and Akt did not form a linear positive regulatory pathway in vivo. Instead, genetic analyses suggest that the Drosophila ETS1 homologue Pointed is required for cell motility per se while Drosophila Akt (Dakt1) is responsible for organized and restricted cell movement that is essential for tubule formation. Taken together, our results show that ETS1 and Akt control different aspects of cell motility that are integrated in the precise regulation of vascular tubule formation.

Animals↗

COMMD9-regulated endothelial cell abnormality-induced hypercoagulability is associated with Budd-Chiari syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) presents diagnostic and treatment challenges owing to its insidious onset. Genetic variants associated with BCS vary geographically; in Asian populations, the condition is primarily caused by membranous obstruction composed of endothelial cells (ECs). A better understanding of the genetic pathogenesis of membranous BCS may offer new insights into disease mechanisms. METHODS: This study employed whole-exome sequencing to identify candidate genes responsible for EC abnormalities in 485 patients with membranous BCS and 329 patients with vascular malformations (VaMs). Functional investigations were conducted to validate the selected genes in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: Whole-exome data revealed that the frequency of variants in the vascular function-related KLHDC2 exceeded that of JAK2 in BCS. Knockdown of KLHDC2 promoted adhesion and suppressed proliferation of ECs. In addition, 92 genes enriched for rare variants overlapped between BCS and VaMs. Systems biology analysis revealed two gene clusters, including COMMD9, enriched in proteins intolerant to loss-of-function mutations. Furthermore, suppression of COMMD9 impaired EC migration and tube formation, inhibited subintestinal angiogenic sprouting in zebrafish, and elevated EC adhesion. Transcriptomic analysis linked COMMD9 to EC abnormalities via the PI3K-Akt pathway. Commd9 knockdown promoted venous hypercoagulability in vivo following drug or ligation-induced stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that multiple rare genetic variants, particularly in COMMD9, are involved in the development of membranous BCS by regulating hypercoagulability induced by EC abnormalities. These findings may help guide future clinical research towards improved understanding and treatment of BCS.

Budd–Chiari syndrome↗

Feedback inhibition of Akt signaling limits the growth of tumors lacking Tsc2.

The PTEN and TSC2 tumor suppressors inhibit mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling and are defective in distinct hamartoma syndromes. Using mouse genetics, we find that Pten and Tsc2 act synergistically to suppress the severity of a subset of tumors specific to loss of each of these genes. Interestingly, we find that the slow-growing tumors specific to Tsc2+/- mice exhibit defects in signaling downstream of Akt. However, Pten haploinsufficiency restores Akt signaling in these tumors and dramatically enhances their severity. This study demonstrates that attenuation of the PI3K-Akt pathway in tumors lacking TSC2 contributes to their benign nature.

Animals↗

Regulation of cellular growth by the Drosophila target of rapamycin dTOR.

The TOR protein kinases (TOR1 and TOR2 in yeast; mTOR/FRAP/RAFT1 in mammals) promote cellular proliferation in response to nutrients and growth factors, but their role in development is poorly understood. Here, we show that the Drosophila TOR homolog dTOR is required cell autonomously for normal growth and proliferation during larval development, and for increases in cellular growth caused by activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway. As in mammalian cells, the kinase activity of dTOR is required for growth factor-dependent phosphorylation of p70 S6 kinase (p70(S6K)) in vitro, and we demonstrate that overexpression of p70(S6K) in vivo can rescue dTOR mutant animals to viability. Loss of dTOR also results in cellular phenotypes characteristic of amino acid deprivation, including reduced nucleolar size, lipid vesicle aggregation in the larval fat body, and a cell type-specific pattern of cell cycle arrest that can be bypassed by overexpression of the S-phase regulator cyclin E. Our results suggest that dTOR regulates growth during animal development by coupling growth factor signaling to nutrient availability.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein-induced apoptosis is attenuated by insulin-activated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt through p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase.

1. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) is involved in oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL)-induced apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). We also sought to determine whether this apoptosis is regulated by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway. 2. Low-density lipoprotein was oxidized with CuSO4 and used as oxLDL. Using HUVEC, we determined whether LDL/oxLDL induces apoptosis by DNA fragmentation and the cell cycle distribution (SubG1 method). The mechanism and activation of p38 MAPK and Akt were determined by western blot analysis. 3. The results showed that oxLDL induced DNA fragmentation, whereas cell cycle distribution showed that it also significantly increased the rate of cell death compared with the LDL group. SB203580 significantly inhibited cell death induced by oxLDL, as did the administration of insulin. Western blot analysis showed the activation of p38 MAPK by oxLDL, but not with LDL. It was found that Akt was activated in the presence of insulin. In the presence of either SB203580 or insulin, activation of p38 MAPK was significantly inhibited compared with stimulation by oxLDL alone. However, application of both insulin and wortmannin resulted in no significant difference compared with HUVEC stimulated by oxLDL only. 4. The results showed that apoptosis in HUVEC can be induced by oxLDL and involves p38 MAPK. It was also demonstrated that insulin inhibited oxLDL-induced apoptosis and may inhibit the activation of p38 MAPK through the PI3K/Akt pathway.

Apoptosis↗

Induction of uPA gene expression by the blockage of E-cadherin via Src- and Shc-dependent Erk signaling.

Loss of E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion and expression of proteolytic enzymes characterize the transition from benign lesions to invasive, metastatic tumor, a rate-limiting step in the progression from adenoma to carcinoma in vivo. A soluble E-cadherin fragment found recently in the serum and urine of cancer patients has been shown to disrupt cell-cell adhesion and to drive cell invasion in a dominant-interfering manner. Physical disruption of cell-cell adhesion can be mimicked by the function-blocking antibody Decma. We have shown previously in MCF7 and T47D cells that urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) activity is up-regulated upon disruption of E-cadherin-dependent cell-cell adhesion. We explored the underlying molecular mechanisms and found that blockage of E-cadherin by Decma elicits a signaling pathway downstream of E-cadherin that leads to Src-dependent Shc and extracellular regulated kinase (Erk) activation and results in uPAgene activation. siRNA-mediated knockdown of endogenous Src-homology collagen protein (Shc) and subsequent expression of single Shc isoforms revealed that p46(Shc) and p52(Shc) but not p66(Shc) were able to mediate Erk activation. A parallel pathway involving PI3K contributed partially to Decma-induced Erk activation. This report describes that disruption of E-cadherin-dependent cell-cell adhesion induces intracellular signaling with the potential to enhance tumorigenesis and, thus, offers new insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of tumor development.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Unequal neuroprotection afforded by the acetylcholinesterase inhibitors galantamine, donepezil, and rivastigmine in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells: role of nicotinic receptors.

Donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine are three drugs with acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-inhibiting activity that are currently being used to treat patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease. We have studied the neuroprotective effects of these drugs, in comparison with nicotine, on cell death caused by beta-amyloid (Abeta) and okadaic acid, two models that are relevant to Alzheimer's pathology, in the human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y. Galantamine and donepezil showed a U-shaped neuroprotective curve against okadaic acid toxicity; maximum protection was achieved at 0.3 microM galantamine and at 1 microM donepezil; at higher concentrations, protection was diminished. Rivastigmine showed a concentration-dependent effect; maximum protection was achieved at 3 microM. When apoptosis was induced by Abeta25-35, galantamine, donepezil, and rivastigmine showed maximum protection at the same concentrations: 0.3, 1, and 3 microM, respectively. Nicotine also afforded protection against Abeta- and okadaic acid-induced toxicity. The neuroprotective effects of galantamine, donepezil, and nicotine were reversed by the alpha7 nicotinic antagonist methyllycaconitine but not by the alpha4beta2 nicotinic antagonist dihydro-beta-erythroidine. The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt blocker 2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-1(4H)-benzopyran-4-one hydrochloride (LY294002) reversed the protective effects of galantamine, donepezil, and nicotine but not that of rivastigmine. In contrast, the bcl-2 antagonist ethyl[2-amino-6-bromo-4-(1-cyano-2-ethoxy-2-oxoethyl)]-4H-chromene-3-carboxylate (HA 14-1) reversed the protective effects of the three AChE inhibitors and that of nicotine. Our results show that galantamine, donepezil, and rivastigmine afford neuroprotection through a mechanism that is likely unrelated to AChE inhibition. Such neuroprotection seemed to be linked to alpha7 nicotinic receptors and the PI3K-Akt pathway in the case of galantamine and donepezil but not for rivastigmine.

Aconitine↗

The mGluR5 antagonist 6-methyl-2-(phenylethynyl)pyridine decreases ethanol consumption via a protein kinase C epsilon-dependent mechanism.

Glutamatergic neurotransmission plays a critical role in addictive behaviors, and recent evidence indicates that genetic or pharmacological inactivation of the type 5 metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR5) reduces the self-administration of cocaine, nicotine, and alcohol. Because mGluR5 is coupled to activation of protein kinase C (PKC), and targeted deletion of the epsilon isoform (PKCepsilon) in mice reduces ethanol self-administration, we investigated whether there is a functional link between mGluR5 and PKCepsilon. Here, we show that acute administration of the mGluR5 agonist (R,S)-2-chloro-5-hydroxyphenylglycine to mice increases phosphorylation of PKCepsilon in its activation loop (T566) as well as in its C-terminal region (S729). Increases in phospho-PKCepsilon are dependent not only on mGluR5 stimulation but also on phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K). In addition, the selective mGluR5 antagonist 6-methyl-2-(phenylethynyl)pyridine (MPEP) reduced basal levels of phosphorylation of PKCepsilon at S729. We also show that MPEP dose dependently reduced ethanol consumption in wild-type but not in PKCepsilon-null mice, suggesting that PKCepsilon is an important signaling target for modulation of ethanol consumption by mGluR5 antagonists. Radioligand binding experiments using [(3)H]MPEP revealed that these genotypic differences in response to MPEP were not a result of altered mGluR5 levels or binding in PKCepsilon-null mice. Our data indicate that mGluR5 is coupled to PKCepsilon via a PI3K-dependent pathway and that PKCepsilon is required for the ability of the mGluR5 antagonist MPEP to reduce ethanol consumption.

Alcohol Drinking↗

Differential regulation of phosphorylation of the cAMP response element-binding protein after activation of EP2 and EP4 prostanoid receptors by prostaglandin E2.

The EP2 and EP4 prostanoid receptors are G-protein-coupled receptors whose activation by their endogenous ligand, prostaglandin (PG) E2, stimulates the formation of intracellular cAMP. We have previously reported that the stimulation of cAMP formation in EP4-expressing cells is significantly less than in EP2-expressing cells, despite nearly identical levels of receptor expression (J Biol Chem 277:2614-2619, 2002). In addition, a component of EP4 receptor signaling, but not of EP2 receptor signaling, was found to involve the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). In this study, we report that PGE2 stimulation of cells expressing either the EP2 or EP4 receptor results in the phosphorylation of the cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) at serine-133. Pretreatment of cells with N-[2-(4-bromocinnamylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinoline (H-89), an inhibitor of protein kinase A (PKA), attenuated the PGE2-mediated phosphorylation of CREB in EP2-expressing cells, but not in EP4-expressing cells. Pretreatment of cells with wortmannin, an inhibitor of PI3K, had no effects on the PGE2-mediated phosphorylation of CREB in either EP2- or EP4-expressing cells, although it significantly increased the PGE2-mediated activation of PKA in EP4-expressing cells. However, combined pretreatment with H-89 and wortmannin blocked PGE2-mediated phosphorylation in EP2-expressing cells as well as in EP2-expressing cells. PGE2-mediated intracellular cAMP formation was not affected by pretreatment with wortmannin, or combined treatment with wortmannin and H-89, in either the EP2- or EP4-expressing cells. These findings suggest that PGE2 stimulation of EP4 receptors, but not EP2 receptors, results in the activation of a PI3K signaling pathway that inhibits the activity of PKA and that the PGE2-mediated phosphorylation of CREB by these receptors occurs through different signaling pathways

Androstadienes↗

Transformation of madin-darby canine kidney epithelial cells by sheep retrovirus envelope proteins.

Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV) and enzootic nasal tumor virus (ENTV) induce epithelial tumors in the airways of sheep and goats. In both of these simple retroviruses, the envelope (Env) protein is the active oncogene. Furthermore, JSRV Env can transform cultured cells by two distinct mechanisms. In rat and mouse fibroblasts, the cytoplasmic tail of JSRV Env is essential for transformation, which involves activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway, and the virus receptor hyaluronidase 2 (Hyal2) is not involved. In contrast, in the BEAS-2B human bronchial epithelial cell line, transformation is mediated by JSRV Env binding to Hyal2 followed by Hyal2 degradation and activation of the receptor tyrosine kinase RON, the activity of which is normally suppressed by Hyal2. Here we show that JSRV and ENTV Env proteins can also transform Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) epithelial cells, but by a mechanism similar to that observed in fibroblast cell lines. In particular, the cytoplasmic tail of Env is required for transformation, the PI3K/Akt pathway is activated, expression of RON (which is not normally expressed in MDCK cells) does not affect transformation, and canine Hyal2 appears uninvolved. These results show that the JSRV and ENTV Env proteins can transform epithelial cells besides BEAS-2B cells and argue against a model for Env transformation involving different pathways that are uniquely active in fibroblasts or epithelial cells.

Amino Acid Motifs↗