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Glomerular prostaglandins modulate vascular reactivity of the downstream efferent arterioles.

The balance of vascular resistance in afferent (Af-) and efferent arterioles (Ef-Arts) is a crucial factor that determines glomerular hemodynamics. We have recently reported that when Ef-Arts were perfused from the distal end of the Af-Art through the glomerulus (orthograde perfusion; OP), both angiotensin II (Ang II) and norepinephrine (NE) induced much weaker constriction than they did when Ef-Arts were perfused from the distal end (retrograde perfusion; RP). This difference was not affected by inhibiting synthesis of nitric oxide. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that glomerular prostaglandins (PGs) may modulate vascular reactivity of the downstream Ef-Art. In addition, we examined the possible modulatory role of PGs in the Af-Art responses to Ang II or NE. Both Ang II and NE caused dose-dependent constriction of Ef-Arts with either OP or RP; however, the constriction was stronger in RP. At 10(-8) M, Ang II decreased Ef-Art diameter by 35 +/- 3.5% in OP (N = 9) compared to 73 +/- 3.9% in RP (N = 5), while 10(-6) M NE decreased the diameter by 25 +/- 3.6% in OP (N = 9) compared to 62 +/- 7.2% in RP (N = 5). Pretreatment with 5 x 10(-5) M indomethacin (Indo) did not alter basal diameter with either method of perfusion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Angiotensin II↗

Replication fork reactivation downstream of a blocked nascent leading strand.

Unrepaired lesions in the DNA template pose a threat to accurate replication. Several pathways exist in Escherichia coli to reactivate a blocked replication fork. The process of recombination-dependent restart of broken forks is well understood, but the consequence of replication through strand-specific lesions is less well known. Here we show that replication can be restarted and leading-strand synthesis re-initiated downstream of an unrepaired block to leading-strand progression, even when the 3'-OH of the nascent leading strand is unavailable. We demonstrate that the loading by a replication restart system of a single hexamer of the replication fork helicase, DnaB, on the lagging-strand template is sufficient to coordinate priming by the DnaG primase of both the leading and lagging strands. These observations provide a mechanism for damage bypass during fork reactivation, demonstrate how daughter-strand gaps are generated opposite leading-strand lesions during the replication of ultraviolet-light-irradiated DNA, and help to explain the remarkable speed at which even a heavily damaged DNA template is replicated.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

CD69 acts downstream of interferon-alpha/beta to inhibit S1P1 and lymphocyte egress from lymphoid organs.

Naive lymphocytes continually enter and exit lymphoid organs in a recirculation process that is essential for immune surveillance. During immune responses, the egress process can be shut down transiently. When this occurs locally it increases lymphocyte numbers in the responding lymphoid organ; when it occurs systemically it can lead to immunosuppression as a result of the depletion of recirculating lymphocytes. Several mediators of the innate immune system are known to cause shutdown, including interferon alpha/beta (IFN-alpha/beta) and tumour necrosis factor, but the mechanism has been unclear. Here we show that treatment with the IFN-alpha/beta inducer polyinosine polycytidylic acid (hereafter 'poly(I:C)') inhibited egress by a mechanism that was partly lymphocyte-intrinsic. The transmembrane C-type lectin CD69 was rapidly induced and CD69-/- cells were poorly retained in lymphoid tissues after treatment with poly(I:C) or infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. Lymphocyte egress requires sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor-1 (S1P1), and IFN-alpha/beta was found to inhibit lymphocyte responsiveness to S1P. By contrast, CD69-/- cells retained S1P1 function after exposure to IFN-alpha/beta. In coexpression experiments, CD69 inhibited S1P1 chemotactic function and led to downmodulation of S1P1. In a reporter assay, S1P1 crosslinking led to co-crosslinking and activation of a CD69-CD3zeta chimaera. CD69 co-immunoprecipitated with S1P1 but not the related receptor, S1P3. These observations indicate that CD69 forms a complex with and negatively regulates S1P1 and that it functions downstream of IFN-alpha/beta, and possibly other activating stimuli, to promote lymphocyte retention in lymphoid organs.

Animals↗

EB1 and APC bind to mDia to stabilize microtubules downstream of Rho and promote cell migration.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) stimulates Rho GTPase and its effector, the formin mDia, to capture and stabilize microtubules in fibroblasts. We investigated whether mammalian EB1 and adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) function downstream of Rho-mDia in microtubule stabilization. A carboxy-terminal APC-binding fragment of EB1 (EB1-C) functioned as a dominant-negative inhibitor of microtubule stabilization induced by LPA or active mDia. Knockdown of EB1 with small interfering RNAs also prevented microtubule stabilization. Expression of either full-length EB1 or APC, but not an APC-binding mutant of EB1, was sufficient to stabilize microtubules. Binding and localization studies showed that EB1, APC and mDia may form a complex at stable microtubule ends. Furthermore, EB1-C, but not an APC-binding mutant, inhibited fibroblast migration in an in vitro wounding assay. These results show an evolutionarily conserved pathway for microtubule capture, and suggest that mDia functions as a scaffold protein for EB1 and APC to stabilize microtubules and promote cell migration.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein↗

Golgi-localized GAP for Cdc42 functions downstream of ARF1 to control Arp2/3 complex and F-actin dynamics.

The small GTP-binding ADP-ribosylation factor 1 (ARF1) acts as a master regulator of Golgi structure and function through the recruitment and activation of various downstream effectors. It has been proposed that members of the Rho family of small GTPases also control Golgi function in coordination with ARF1, possibly through the regulation of Arp2/3 complex and actin polymerization on Golgi membranes. Here, we identify ARHGAP10--a novel Rho GTPase-activating protein (Rho-GAP) that is recruited to Golgi membranes through binding to GTP-ARF1. We show that ARHGAP10 functions preferentially as a GAP for Cdc42 and regulates the Arp2/3 complex and F-actin dynamics at the Golgi through the control of Cdc42 activity. Our results establish a role for ARHGAP10 in Golgi structure and function at the crossroads between ARF1 and Cdc42 signalling pathways.

ADP-Ribosylation Factor 1↗

ROCK and Dia have opposing effects on adherens junctions downstream of Rho.

Adherens junctions (AJs) are crucial for maintaining the integrity of epithelial tissues and are often disrupted during tumour progression. Rho family proteins have been shown to regulate adherens junctions. We find that activation of the effector kinase ROCK and acto-myosin contraction disrupts AJs downstream of Rho. In contrast, signalling through the Rho effector Dia1 is required to ensure a dynamically stable interface between cells and the maintenance of adherens junction complexes. The ability of Dia1 to regulate the actin network is crucial for the localization of adherens junction components to the cell periphery.

Actins↗

Myosin X is a downstream effector of PI(3)K during phagocytosis.

Phagocytosis is a phosphatidylinositol-3-OH-kinase (PI(3)K)-dependent process in macrophages. We identified Myo10 (Myosin-X), an unconventional myosin with pleckstrin homology (PH) domains, as a potential downstream target of PI(3)K. Myo10 was recruited to phagocytic cups in a wortmannin-sensitive manner. Expression of a truncation construct of Myo10 (Myo10 tail) in a macrophage cell line or cytosolic loading of anti-Myo10 antibodies in bovine alveolar macrophages inhibited phagocytosis. In contrast, expression of a Myo10 tail construct containing a point mutation in one of its PH domains failed to inhibit phagocytosis. Expression of Myo10 tail inhibited spreading, but not adhesion, on IgG-coated substrates, consistent with a function for Myo10 in pseudopod extension. We propose that Myo10 provides a molecular link between PI(3)K and pseudopod extension during phagocytosis.

Androstadienes↗

Human and murine FMR-1: alternative splicing and translational initiation downstream of the CGG-repeat.

Fragile X syndrome is associated with massive expansion of a CGG trinucleotide repeat within the FMR-1 gene and transcriptional silencing of the gene due to abnormal methylation. Partial cDNA sequence of the human FMR-1 has been reported. We report here the isolation and characterization of cDNA clones encoding the murine homologue, fmr-1, which exhibit marked sequence identity with the human gene, including the conservation of the CGG repeat. A conserved ATG downstream of the CGG repeat in human and mouse and an in-frame stop codon in other human 5' cDNA sequences demarcate the FMR-1 coding region and confine the CGG repeat to the 5' untranslated region. We also present evidence for alternative splicing of the FMR-1 gene in mouse and human brain and show that one of these splicing events alters the FMR-1 reading frame, predicting isoforms with novel carboxy termini.

Alternative Splicing↗

Prostaglandin E2 EP1 receptors: downstream effectors of COX-2 neurotoxicity.

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), a rate-limiting enzyme for prostanoid synthesis, has been implicated in the neurotoxicity resulting from hypoxia-ischemia, and its inhibition has therapeutic potential for ischemic stroke. However, COX-2 inhibitors increase the risk of cardiovascular complications. We therefore sought to identify the downstream effectors of COX-2 neurotoxicity, and found that prostaglandin E(2) EP1 receptors are essential for the neurotoxicity mediated by COX-2-derived prostaglandin E(2). EP1 receptors disrupt Ca(2+) homeostasis by impairing Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchange, a key mechanism by which neurons cope with excess Ca(2+) accumulation after an excitotoxic insult. Thus, EP1 receptors contribute to neurotoxicity by augmenting the Ca(2+) dysregulation underlying excitotoxic neuronal death. Pharmacological inhibition or gene inactivation of EP1 receptors ameliorates brain injury induced by excitotoxicity, oxygen glucose deprivation and middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. An EP1 receptor inhibitor reduces brain injury when administered 6 hours after MCA occlusion, suggesting that EP1 receptor inhibition may be a viable therapeutic option in ischemic stroke.

Animals↗

HIV-2 genomic RNA contains a novel type of IRES located downstream of its initiation codon.

Eukaryotic translation initiation begins with assembly of a 48S ribosomal complex at the 5' cap structure or at an internal ribosomal entry segment (IRES). In both cases, ribosomal positioning at the AUG codon requires a 5' untranslated region upstream from the initiation site. Here, we report that translation of the genomic RNA of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 takes place by attachment of the 48S ribosomal preinitiation complex to the coding region, with no need for an upstream 5' untranslated RNA sequence. This unusual mechanism is mediated by an RNA sequence that has features of an IRES with the unique ability to recruit ribosomes upstream from its core domain. A combination of translation assays and structural studies reveal that sequences located 50 nucleotides downstream of the AUG codon are crucial for IRES activity.

Base Pairing↗

Gene regulatory mechanisms downstream of DNA methylation.

Cytosine DNA methylation is a conserved epigenetic modification that regulates gene expression, represses transposable elements and maintains genome stability across diverse eukaryotes. Although major advances have uncovered the pathways involved in the establishment, maintenance and removal of DNA methylation, the downstream mechanisms by which this mark influences transcriptional programmes and shapes chromatin structure are less well understood. Here, we review how specialized reader proteins and transcription factors interpret DNA methylation to preserve methylation patterns, recruit effector complexes, regulate chromatin accessibility and interact with parallel epigenetic systems to mediate transcriptional silencing and activation across mammals and plants. We highlight that robust transcriptional and epigenetic states emerge from overlapping, layered and partially redundant DNA methylation-dependent mechanisms. Together, these insights provide a framework for understanding how DNA methylation shapes the epigenome to regulate development, differentiation and disease progression.

Journal Article↗

The efficacy of Herceptin therapies is influenced by the expression of other erbB receptors, their ligands and the activation of downstream signalling proteins.

ErbB2 and EGFR are attractive oncology therapeutic targets as their overexpression in tumors predicts a poorer clinical outcome in a variety of epithelial malignancies. However, clinical results with therapeutic compounds targeting these receptors have been mixed. Therefore, there is a need for improved predictive biomarkers for these targeted therapeutics. In this study we analysed tissue microarrays of patients treated with combination chemotherapy and Herceptin for expression or phosphorylation of signalling proteins associated with erbB receptors to identify protein biomarkers that are predictive of breast cancer patient response. A comparison of expression or phosphorylation of these markers with patient outcome revealed that response to Herceptin depended not only on expression levels of erbB2 but also on expression of EGFR, expression of erbB ligands, expression of other receptors and phosphorylation of downstream proteins. Elucidating the biological effects of EGFR/erbB2 targeted therapeutics will enable patient tumor profiling to identify likely responders and the determination of biologically effective doses that allows chronic administration of these agents in order to maximise efficacy.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Intestinal Na+-K+-ATPase activity and molecular events downstream of interferon-gamma receptor stimulation.

This study evaluated the effects of human interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) on Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity and the intracellular signaling pathways involved in human intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells. Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity was determined as the difference between total and ouabain-sensitive ATPase. p38 MAP kinase activity was analyzed by Western blotting using the p38 MAP kinase assay kit. Total and phosphorylated STAT1 protein levels were detected using the PhosphoPlus Stat1. IFN-gamma decreased Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The IFN-gamma-induced decrease in Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity was accompanied by no changes in the abundance of alpha(1) subunit Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase. Downregulation of protein kinase C (PKC) with phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) prevented the inhibitory effect of IFN-gamma on Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity. Inhibition of Raf-1, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK/MEK), p38 MAPK and STAT1 with, respectively, GW 5074, PD 98059, SB 203580 and epigallocatechin gallate prevented inhibition of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity by IFN-gamma. Treatment with IFN-gamma markedly increased the expression of total and phospho-STAT1, this being accompanied by activation of p38 MAPK. Activation of phospho-STAT1 by IFN-gamma was almost abolished by epigallocatechin gallate and markedly reduced by SB 203580, but insensitive to downregulation of PKC. The increase in short circuit current (I(sc)) by 1.0 and 2.5 micrograms ml(-1) amphotericin B was markedly attenuated in IFN-gamma-treated cells. However, the inhibitory effect of PDBu on the amphotericin B-induced increase in I(sc) was of similar magnitude in vehicle- and IFN-gamma-treated cells. It is concluded that IFN-gamma markedly attenuates Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity. The transduction mechanisms set into motion by IFN-gamma involve the activation of PKC downstream STAT1 phosphorylation and Raf-1, MEK, ERK2 and p38 MAPK pathways, in a complex sequence of events.

Caco-2 Cells↗

PKN3 is required for malignant prostate cell growth downstream of activated PI 3-kinase.

Chronic activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/PTEN signal transduction pathway contributes to metastatic cell growth, but up to now effectors mediating this response are poorly defined. By simulating chronic activation of PI3K signaling experimentally, combined with three-dimensional (3D) culture conditions and gene expression profiling, we aimed to identify novel effectors that contribute to malignant cell growth. Using this approach we identified and validated PKN3, a barely characterized protein kinase C-related molecule, as a novel effector mediating malignant cell growth downstream of activated PI3K. PKN3 is required for invasive prostate cell growth as assessed by 3D cell culture assays and in an orthotopic mouse tumor model by inducible expression of short hairpin RNA (shRNA). We demonstrate that PKN3 is regulated by PI3K at both the expression level and the catalytic activity level. Therefore, PKN3 might represent a preferred target for therapeutic intervention in cancers that lack tumor suppressor PTEN function or depend on chronic activation of PI3K.

Animals↗

The ups and downs of Rho-kinase and penile erection: upstream regulators and downstream substrates of rho-kinase and their potential role in the erectile response.

In the absence of arousal stimuli, the activity of the Rho-kinase-mediated signaling pathway promotes vasoconstriction of the cavernosal arterioles and sinuses, keeping the penis in the nonerect state. Upon sexual arousal or during nocturnal tumescence, nitric oxide (NO), released from nonadrenergic/noncholinergic nerves or from local endothelial cells, induces cavernosal vasodilation, resulting in an elevation in blood flow and intracavernosal pressure to initiate the erectile response. Although NO is thought to be the principal stimulator of penile erection, the signaling mechanism(s) of NO-mediated cavernosal vasodilation is unknown. In this article, we will consider the novel hypothesis that NO induces penile erection through the inhibition of endogenous Rho-kinase-mediated vasoconstriction. Additionally, we will look downstream of Rho-kinase, introducing a potential role for various substrates in the mechanism of Rho-kinase-mediated constriction in the cavernosal vasculature.

Animals↗

The PEA3 Ets transcription factor is a downstream target of the HER2/Neu receptor tyrosine kinase.

The HER2/neu gene, which is overexpressed in 20-30% of human breast tumors, encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase that functions through multiple signaling pathways to regulate the activity of nuclear transcription factors. We have reported that PEA3, an Ets family transcription factor, is overexpressed in HER2/Neu-induced breast tumors and their metastases. To account for the increased levels of PEA3 in these tumors we have suggested that HER2/Neu enhances PEA3 transcriptional activity, which then acts to stimulate expression of the PEA3 gene. This hypothesis is consistent with the occurrence of PEA3 binding sites in the PEA3 promoter and with the ability of PEA3 to transactivate this promoter. To learn whether HER2/Neu indeed regulates PEA3 activity we measured the capacity of constitutively-activated HER2/Neu to affect PEA3-dependent reporter gene expression. Coexpression of PEA3 and HER2/Neu stimulated PEA3-dependent reporter gene expression to a much greater extent than did either protein alone suggesting that HER2/Neu upregulates the transcriptional activity of PEA3. To define the pathway whereby HER2/Neu functions we employed dominant-negative mutants of signaling proteins known to be downstream of HER2/Neu. Overexpression of Rap1a, a Ras-related protein capable of antagonizing Ras function, completely inhibited the ability of HER2/Neu to stimulate PEA3-dependent gene expression. Ras is known to stimulate at least two mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades, the extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) cascade and the stress-activated kinase (SAPK) or Jun kinase (JNK) cascade. Similarly, HER2/Neu activated both ERKs and SAPKs/JNKs in a Ras-dependent fashion. Dominant-inhibitory mutants in either the ERK or SAPK/JNK cascades partially inhibited HER2/Neu activation of PEA3-dependent gene expression. These findings suggest that HER2/Neu regulates PEA3 activity through two different Ras-dependent MAPK pathways.

Animals↗

Concomitant activation of pathways downstream of Grb2 and PI 3-kinase is required for MET-mediated metastasis.

The Met tyrosine kinase - the HGF receptor - induces cell transformation and metastasis when constitutively activated. Met signaling is mediated by phosphorylation of two carboxy-terminal tyrosines which act as docking sites for a number of SH2-containing molecules. These include Grb2 and p85 which couple the receptor, respectively, with Ras and PI 3-kinase. We previously showed that a Met mutant designed to obtain preferential coupling with Grb2 (Met2xGrb2) is permissive for motility, increases transformation, but - surprisingly - is impaired in causing invasion and metastasis. In this work we used Met mutants optimized for binding either p85 alone (Met2xPI3K) or p85 and Grb2 (MetPI3K/Grb2) to evaluate the relative importance of Ras and PI 3-kinase as downstream effectors of Met. Met2xPI3K was competent in eliciting motility, but not transformation, invasion, or metastasis. Conversely, MetP13K/Grb2 induced motility, transformation, invasion and metastasis as efficiently as wild type Met. Furthermore, the expression of constitutively active PI 3-kinase in cells transformed by the Met2xGrb2 mutant, fully rescued their ability to invade and metastasize. These data point to a central role for PI 3-kinase in Met-mediated invasiveness, and indicate that simultaneous activation of Ras and PI 3-kinase is required to unleash the Met metastatic potential.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Mammalian Chk2 is a downstream effector of the ATM-dependent DNA damage checkpoint pathway.

In response to DNA damage and replication blocks, cells activate pathways that arrest the cell cycle and induce the transcription of genes that facilitate repair. In mammals, ATM (ataxia telangiectasia mutated) kinase together with other checkpoint kinases are important components in this response. We have cloned the rat and human homologs of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Rad 53 and Schizosaccharomyces pombe Cds1, called checkpoint kinase 2 (chk2). Complementation studies suggest that Chk2 can partially replace the function of the defective checkpoint kinase in the Cds1 deficient yeast strain. Chk2 was phosphorylated and activated in response to DNA damage in an ATM dependent manner. Its activation in response to replication blocks by hydroxyurea (HU) treatment, however, was independent of ATM. Using mass spectrometry, we found that, similar to Chk1, Chk2 can phosphorylate serine 216 in Cdc25C, a site known to be involved in negative regulation of Cdc25C. These results suggest that Chk2 is a downstream effector of the ATM-dependent DNA damage checkpoint pathway. Activation of Chk2 might not only delay mitotic entry, but also increase the capacity of cultured cells to survive after treatment with gamma-radiation or with the topoisomerase-I inhibitor topotecan.

Alkylating Agents↗