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Inhibition of cell transformation by sulindac sulfide is confined to specific oncogenic pathways.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been shown to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). They are also known to induce the regression of colorectal adenomas, which are precursors to CRC. Despite these evidences, the exact mechanism by which NSAIDs exerts its anti-oncogenic effect is not completely understood. Using a focus formation assay, here we show that sulindac sulfide, a NSAID, specifically inhibits cell transformation mediated by oncogenic Ha-Ras, but not by other established oncogene products such as v-Src, Galpha12, and Galpha13. Our results suggest that the ability of sulindac sulfide to suppress transformation is confined to specific oncogenic pathways. Further studies of the sulindac-resistant oncogenic pathways may lead to identification of novel therapeutic agents that are effective in the prevention or treatment of CRC.

3T3 Cells↗

Autophosphorylation is required for high kinase activity and efficient transformation ability of proteins encoded by host range alleles of v-src.

pp60v-src is a nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinase that can transform both chicken and rodent fibroblasts. The src homology 2 (SH2) domain of this protein serves a critical role in the regulation of protein tyrosine kinase activity. The host range proteins pp60v-src-L, which contains a deletion of a highly conserved residue (Phe-172) in the SH2 domain, and pp60v-src-PPP, which contains a change from a Leu to a Phe at amino acid 186 in the SH2 domain, transform chicken but not rat cells and have slightly reduced kinase activity measured in vitro. The data presented here show that these altered proteins require autophosphorylation on Tyr-416 for high kinase activity and transforming ability. In the absence of autophosphorylation, there is a further decrease of at least threefold in in vitro kinase activity relative to the phosphorylated host range parental protein, no morphological transformation, a reduction in anchorage independent growth, and no disruption of the actin cytoskeleton. In addition, these SH2 mutations abolish the ability of the SH2 domain to bind a phosphorylated peptide that corresponds to the autophosphorylation site of pp60src. Thus, like mutant alleles of c-src encoding transformation competent proteins, and unlike v-src, transformation by pp60v-src-F172 delta and pp60v-src-L186F is dependent on phosphorylation of Y-416 for high kinase activity and transformation ability. The dependence of transformation on phosphotyrosine is not a reflection of an intramolecular interaction between the autophosphorylation site and the SH2 domains since purified SH2 domains are incapable of binding phosphorylated autophosphorylation site peptides in vitro.

Alleles↗

The chicken--a laboratory animal of the class Aves.

Prague inbred lines of chickens represent a unique system of MHC(B) congenic partners differing in the immune-based resistance/susceptibility to v-src-induced oncogenesis. Mapping in chickens can be facilitated by the availability of inbred lines, since many well described differences in disease susceptibility and MHC(B) haplotypes exist among the defined lines. Long-term intensive research on human, mouse, and rat MHC has established a canonical picture of this multigene complex. The chicken MHC(B) is clearly the best characterized outside the mammals and it was the first MHC clearly different from the paradigmatic structure of the above mentioned mammalian species. Chickens were in many aspects the poor relatives of mice, and they had to wait for introduction of molecular biology methods. But, when it happened, the newly gained data could be easily reconciled with classical genetic studies using available congenic chicken lines. We have established permanent tumor cell lines from ex vivo tumors induced by the LTR, v-src, LTR provirus in inbred chickens. These cells express a high level of the v-src oncogene and are of defined MHC(B) genotype. We witness a dramatic acceleration of the development of chicken (avian) genomics. The chicken is not only a good comparative model for basic science, but it is also an object of the poultry industry, which is threatened by several avian diseases. The reason for genome mapping in chickens is thus more than academic.

Animals↗

A strategy for screening anti-tumor drugs utilizing oncogenes encoded in retroviral vectors.

A novel strategy for isolating potential anti-tumor drugs is presented. It is predicated on the idea that future anti-tumor drugs will be specific inhibitors of the signal-transduction pathways responsible for cell proliferation. Briefly, retroviral vectors are used to introduce focus-forming oncogenes into a test population of target cells, which are grown to confluence and treated with signal-transduction inhibitors. The inhibitors are screened for the ability to suppress the development of transformed foci without killing the confluent monolayer of non-transformed quiescent cells. For this work, a panel of inhibitors was first screened against the oncogene ras. The protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor CGP 41251 and the protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitor CGP 45047 suppressed ras-induced focus formation and left a viable monolayer of quiescent cells. Focus inhibition was reversible; conversely, drug addition to developing foci retarded further expansion. CGP 41251 generally blocked proliferation of ras or control cells, suggesting that oncogenes cannot substitute for PKC. PTK inhibitors erbstatin and CGP 520 and phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid failed to inhibit focus formation at concentrations toxic to the monolayer. Lavendustin A and CGP 47778A showed neither focus inhibition nor toxicity. In the complementary screen, a single inhibitor (CGP 41251) was tested against several oncogenes, including src, raf and polyomavirus middle T antigen. Focus formation by all oncogenes was suppressed. The strategy has several advantages over current drug-screening assays, and it can be adapted to large-scale screening with many drugs and many oncogenes.

3T3 Cells↗

Polyoma middle T antigen or v-src desensitizes human epidermal growth factor receptor function and interference by a monensin-resistant mutation in mouse Balb/3T3 cells.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced down-regulation of its receptor is an obligatory pathway for cellular regulation of EGF-specific receptor (EGF-R) in normal and malignant cells. BNER4 cells are mouse Balb/3T3 cells transfected with the human EGF-R complementary DNA (cDNA). Polyoma middle T antigen-transfectants of BNER4, B4/MT-2, B4/MT-13, B4/MT-23, and B4/MT-24, showed diminished down-regulation of cell surface human EGF-R in response to EGF relative to the parental BNER4 cells. Also, the v-src-transfectants B4/SRC-13 and B4/SRC-24 showed much less down-regulation than BNER4 cells, whereas H-ras-transfectants of BNER4, B4/RAS-24 and B4/RAS-25, showed EGF-induced down-regulation of the cell surface EGF-R similar to that of BNER4. EGF induced DNA synthesis more than 20-fold in BNER4, but induced only about a 1.5- to 6-fold increase in the middle T antigen- and v-src-transfectants. EGF-Rs of the middle T antigen-transfectants were metabolically stable in the presence of EGF in comparison with their parental BNER4 cells. EGF-Rs of BNER4 cells degraded with half-lives of about 2 h in the presence of EGF, but those of the middle T antigen transformants were found to be highly stabilized in the presence of EGF. On the other hand, transfection with polyoma middle T antigen (MTAg) cDNA causes malignant transformation of Balb/3T3 cells, but not its monensin (an ionophoric antibiotic)-resistant mutant MO-5 cells, which have no significant EGF binding activity. Transfection of human EGF-R cDNA into MO-5 leads to the expression of high levels of human EGF-R in MNER31. Unlike the polyoma MTAg transfectants of BNER4, EGF-R in polyoma MTAg cDNA-transfectants into MNER31, M31/MT-13 and M31/MT-14, were down-regulated to levels similar to those of their parental MNER31. Exposure to EGF induced a more than 10-fold increase in DNA synthesis of quiescent BNER4, MNER31, M31/MT-13, and M31/MT-14 cells. Polyoma middle T antigen or v-src appears to modulate EGF-induced down-regulation of EGF-R, possibly through interaction of the receptor with the viral oncogenes, and this interaction may be altered in the mutant.

3T3 Cells↗

Uncoupling of the pathways which link MAP kinase to c-fos transcription and AP-1 in response to growth stimuli.

The v-Src oncoprotein induces mitogenesis and transformation of cells through multiple effects on diverse signalling pathways that are influenced by the cellular context in which v-Src is expressed. Here we have examined the effects of a temperature-sensitive (ts) v-Src on transcription of the c-fos proto-oncogene, in serum-deprived and growing Rat-1 fibroblasts. We have also considered the role of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, a known mediator of ternary complex formation at the c-fos serum response element (SRE), which results in transcriptional enhancement in response to growth factors. In cells exponentially growing in the presence of serum, activation of v-Src stimulated MAP kinase and c-fos transcription. In cells made quiescent by serum deprivation, however, v-Src did not induce a c-fos transcriptional response, nor was there stimulation of ternary complex formation, despite normal activation of MAP kinase. Thus, activation of MAP kinase and stimulation of c-fos transcription and ternary complex formation are uncoupled in the absence of serum growth factors. Stimulation of c-fos by v-Src in growing cells, however, coincided with formation of a complex with an oligonucleotide spanning the c-Sis-inducible element (SIE) upstream from the SRE, suggesting that the signal transduction and activator of transcription (STAT) family of transcription factors, which bind here, may function in response to the v-Src oncoprotein. During these studies, we also observed that addition of fresh serum growth factors to growing Rat-1 fibroblasts expressing ts v-Src at the restrictive temperature resulted in substantially impaired activation of MAP kinase. This interference with normal growth factor signalling implies that catalytically inactive Src acts in a dominant negative manner by blocking normal activation of MAP kinase, although not at the expense of c-fos transcription. Thus, serum-induced c-fos transcription can also occur in an MAP kinase-independent manner.

Animals↗

Origin, originality, functions, subversions and molecular signalling of macropinocytosis.

Macropinocytosis refers to the formation of primary large endocytic vesicles of irregular size and shape, generated by actin-driven evaginations of the plasma membrane, whereby cells avidly incorporate extracellular fluid. Macropinosomes resemble "empty" phagosomes and show no difference with the "spacious phagosomes" triggered by the enteropathogenic bacteria Salmonella and Shigella. Macropinosomes may fuse with lysosomes or regurgitate their content back to the extracellular space. In multiple cell types, macropinocytosis is a transient response to growth factors. When amoebas are cultured under axenic conditions, macropinocytosis is induced so as to fulfil nutritional requirements. In immature dendritic cells, macropinocytosis allows for extensive sampling of soluble antigens; after a few days of maturation, this activity vanishes as processed peptides are being presented. Macropinosomes are also formed at the leading edge of motile leukocytes or neurons. In all these examples, macropinocytosis appears tightly regulated. Transformation of fibroblasts by Src or Ras also results in constitutive formation of macropinosomes at "ruffling" zones, that could be related to accelerated cell motility. Like phagocytosis, macropinocytosis depends on signalling to the actin cytoskeleton. We have explored this signalling in transformed cells. v-Src and K-Ras activate PI3K and PLC, as demonstrated by in situ production of the corresponding lipid products. Pharmacological inhibitors of PI3K and PLC and stable transfection leading to a dominant-negative PI3-kinase construct in transformed fibroblasts abolish macropinocytosis, demonstrating that both enzyme activities are essential. Conversely, stable transfection leading to a dominant-positive P13K in non-transformed fibroblasts is sufficient to induce macropinocytosis. Combination of experiments allows to conclude that P13K and PLC act in sequential order. In non-polarized cells expressing a thermosensitive v-Src mutant, v-Src kinase activation accelerates fluid-phase endocytosis. In polarized MDCK cells, this stimulation occurs selectively at the apical domain and the response is selectively abrogated by pharmacological inhibitors of P13K and PLC. Thus, two paradigmatic oncogenes cause constitutive macropinocytosis. For v-Src, this response is polarized at the apical membrane. It is suggested that, in enterocytes that do not normally phagocytose, the P13K-PLC signalling pathway leading to selective induction of macropinocytosis at the luminal surface has been subverted by enteropathogenic bacteria to penetrate via "spacious phagosomes".

Animals↗

Laminin-sulfatide binding initiates basement membrane assembly and enables receptor signaling in Schwann cells and fibroblasts.

Endoneurial laminins (Lms), beta1-integrins, and dystroglycan (DG) are important for Schwann cell (SC) ensheathment and myelination of axons. We now show that SC expression of galactosyl-sulfatide, a Lm-binding glycolipid, precedes that of Lms in developing nerves. This glycolipid anchors Lm-1 and -2 to SC surfaces by binding to their LG domains and enables basement membrane (BM) assembly. Revealingly, non-BM-forming fibroblasts become competent for BM assembly when sulfatides are intercalated into their cell surfaces. Assembly is characterized by coalescence of sulfatide, DG, and c-Src into a Lm-associated complex; by DG-dependent recruitment of utrophin and Src activation; and by integrin-dependent focal adhesion kinase phosphorylation. Collectively, our findings suggest that sulfated glycolipids are key Lm anchors that determine which cell surfaces can assemble Lms to initiate BM assembly and DG- and integrin-mediated signaling.

Animals↗

Functional demonstration of connexin-protein binding using surface plasmon resonance.

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) allows examination of protein-protein interactions in real time, from which both binding affinities and kinetics can be directly determined. We have used the SPR technique to search for proteins in heart tissue that would be candidate binding partners for the cardiac gap junction protein, connexin43 (Cx43). Heart lysate showed a strong, pH-dependent binding to the carboxyl terminus (CT) of Cx43 (amino acids 254-382) covalently linked to an SPR cuvette. Binding was inhibited by the presence of v-src transfected 3T3 cell lysate, suggesting that binding partners in these two lysates may compete for overlapping epitopes on Cx43CT. The combined application of proteomic and functional studies is expected to identify which proteins within heart tissue interact with Cx43 and what roles they may play in gap junction function.

3T3 Cells↗

Deletion of the SH3 domain of Src interferes with regulation by the phosphorylated carboxyl-terminal tyrosine.

A current model for the regulation of the Src protein-tyrosine kinase proposes that the COOH-terminal phosphotyrosine, Tyr-527, binds to the Src homology 2 (SH2) region in an intramolecular interaction that represses the kinase domain. This model is consistent with the activation of Src by mutations in the SH2 domain or COOH terminus. Mutations in the SH3 domain also activate Src, although this region is not thought to bind phosphotyrosine. Seidel-Dugan et al. (Seidel-Dugan, C., Meyer, B. E., Thomas, S. M., and Brugge, J. S. (1992) Mol. Cell. Biol. 12, 1835-1845) have shown that Src mutants with deletions in the SH2 or SH3 domain transform chicken embryo fibroblasts and have increased kinase activity. These mutant proteins are underphosphorylated at Tyr-527, a change that could in itself activate the mutants. Therefore, it is not possible to distinguish whether the SH2 and SH3 domains are needed for phosphorylation of Tyr-527 or for Src to adopt or maintain the repressed state. We have artificially increased the level of Tyr-527 phosphorylation of SH2 and SH3 deletion mutants by coexpressing them with the Tyr-527 kinase, Csk, in yeast cells. We find that both the SH2 and SH3 domains are needed for inhibition of Src by Csk. The SH2 domain is needed for efficient phosphorylation by Csk, both in yeast cells and in vitro. The SH3 domain is needed for Src to be inhibited when Tyr-527 is phosphorylated by Csk. This suggests that the SH3 domain cooperates with the SH2 domain and phosphorylated Tyr-527 to inhibit the kinase domain. Dephosphorylation of SH3 domain mutants at Tyr-527 in fibroblasts could be a consequence of a failure of the proposed SH2/phosphotyrosine interaction.

Animals↗

Hypoxic activation of nuclear factor-kappa B is mediated by a Ras and Raf signaling pathway and does not involve MAP kinase (ERK1 or ERK2).

We have previously shown that hypoxia causes the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B), and the phosphorylation of its inhibitory subunit, I kappa B alpha, on tyrosine residues. With the use of dominant negative mutants of Ha-Ras and Raf-1, we investigated some of the early signaling events leading to the activation of NF-kappa B by hypoxia. Both dominant negative alleles of Ha-Ras and Raf-1 inhibited NF-kappa B induction by hypoxia, suggesting that the hypoxia-induced pathway of NF-kappa B induction is dependent on Ras and Raf-1 kinase activity. Furthermore, although conditions of low oxygen can also activate mitogen-activated protein kinases (ERK1 and ERK2), these kinases do not appear to be involved in regulating NF-kappa B by low oxygen conditions, as dominant negative mutants of mitogen-activated protein kinase do not inhibit NF-kappa B activation by hypoxia. Since Ras and Raf-1 have been previously shown to work downstream from membrane-associated tyrosine kinases such as Src, we determined if the Src membrane-associated kinase was also activated by low oxygen conditions. We detected an increase in Src proto-oncogene activity within 15-30 min of cellular exposure to hypoxia. We postulate that Src activation by hypoxia may be one of the earliest events that precedes Ras activation in the signaling cascade which ultimately leads to the phosphorylation and dissociation of the inhibitory subunit of NF-kappa B, I kappa B alpha.

3T3 Cells↗

Design and characterization of non-phosphopeptide inhibitors for Src family SH2 domains.

The development of novel non-phosphopeptide inhibitors for the Src family SH2 domain is described. Several commercially available hydroxyl aromatic acids have been appended off the N-terminus of pYEEIE and the potent phosphopeptide inhibitors of GST-Lck-SH2 were identified via ELISA. The most potent inhibitor, caffeic acid-pYEEIE, exhibited approximately 30-fold more binding activity than Ac-pYEEIE. Non-phosphopeptides were synthesized by replacing phosphotyrosine of caffeic acid-pYEEIE with tyrosine or 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA). Caffeic acid-DOPA-EEIE that did not contain phosphotyrosine and its isosteres exhibited less than 20 times decreased binding affinity for GST-Lck-SH2 than Ac-pYEEIE. Moreover, it had a similar binding affinity for the GST-Lck-SH2, GST-Src-SH2, and GST-Fyn-SH2 domains. This study showed that the pY-1 positions of the phosphopeptide inhibitors and of the non-phosphopeptide inhibitors played an important role in the binding for the SH2 domain and that the non-phosphopeptide inhibitor must be a new lead in the development of SH2 inhibitors.

Caffeic Acids↗

Transformation by T-antigen and other oncogenes delays Hsp25 accumulation in heat shocked NIH 3T3 fibroblasts.

We have recently reported that transformation of murine NIH 3T3 cells by v-fos oncogene interfered with Hsp70 and Hsp25 accumulation after heat shock. Here, we have investigated the effect mediated by other oncogenes on the accumulation of these stress proteins. We report that T-antigen transformation of NIH 3T3 cells delayed and reduced the accumulation of Hsp25 after heat shock and decreased the heat-mediated phosphorylation of this protein. This decreased level of Hsp25 correlated with a reduced accumulation of the corresponding mRNA and was related to T-antigen level. In contrast, T-antigen had no effect on the expression of the major stress protein Hsp70 nor did it interfere with the level of Hsp90 or Hsp60. We report also that v-src or Ha-ras oncogenes delayed Hsp25 accumulation after heat shock but that only v-src reduced the heat-induced phosphorylation of this protein. v-src, but not Ha-ras, interfered with Hsp70 expression and none of these oncogenes had an effect on Hsp60 or Hsp90 levels. Taken together, these observations suggest that an altered accumulation of Hsp25 after heat shock is a common characteristic of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts transformed by different oncogenes.

3T3 Cells↗

Dental abnormalities associated with failure of tooth eruption in src knockout and op/op mice.

c-src knockout and op/op mice develop osteopetrosis as a result of defective osteoclast function and osteoclast formation, respectively. The mutant mice can be distinguished readily from their wild-type littermates around 10-12 days after birth because their incisors do not erupt, but the morphology of their teeth and surrounding bone has not been reported previously in detail. Histologic examination of jaws of src-mutant mice reveals unerupted, abnormal incisors within their bony crypts. The tooth roots are distorted by foci of haphazard proliferation of odontogenic epithelium associated with primitive tooth structures that strongly resemble the tumor-like lesions in humans, known as odontomas. The crowns of the incisors are fused to the adjacent bone, and the developing periodontal ligament is disordered and hypocellular. Osteoclasts are present in the bone surrounding the distorted teeth, but as in other bones in these mice they lack ruffled borders and thus do not resorb effectively. Similar odontogenic proliferation is present around unerupted incisors in op/op mice which form very few osteoclasts, but the amount is significantly less than in src mutant mice. Molars fail to erupt in both types of mutant mice, but they are not accompanied by aberrant odontogenic proliferation. These findings and previous reports of similar abnormalities in jaws from op/op rats suggest that failure of incisor eruption and associated proliferation of odontogenic epithelium in osteopetrotic rodents are a direct result of defective osteoclastic bone resorption.

Animals↗

Differential regulation of the p72-74 RAF-1 kinase in 3T3 fibroblasts expressing ras or src oncogenes.

The c-raf-1 protooncogene encodes a p72-74 serine/threonine-specific kinase that has been implicated in growth factor-mediated signal transduction and malignant transformation. Here, we compared the effects of Ha-c-ras and v-src oncogenes on the regulation of p72-74 RAF-1 kinase in NIH3T3 cells. In both serum-starved and platelet-derived growth factor-treated v-src-transformed cells, the RAF-1 kinase was constitutively activated, displaying characteristic retarded mobility in electrophoretic gels and elevated activity in in vitro kinase assays. In contrast, the RAF-1 protein from quiescent ras-transformed cells did not exhibit constitutively shifted gel mobility or elevated kinase activity but did respond normally with regard to platelet-derived growth factor- and phorbol myristate acetate-induced changes in p72-74 RAF-1 phosphorylation and kinase activity. 3T3 cells transformed by ras, however, contained elevated levels of p72-74 RAF-1 protein (as determined by immunoblotting), suggesting an indirect influence on this kinase. Quantitative differences in the levels and subcellular distribution of immunodetectable protein kinase C enzymes did not account for the differences between src- and ras-transformed 3T3 cells with regard to regulation of the RAF kinase. These findings in serum-deprived 3T3 cells demonstrate that expression of a ras oncogene can be insufficient for full activation of the p72-74 RAF-1 kinase, implying necessity for an additional growth factor-mediated stimulus.

Animals↗

Trisomy 20 in a papillary urothelial carcinoma of the ureter.

To contribute to the knowledge on tumorigenesis and the evolution of urothelial carcinoma of the ureter, we analyzed the clinical, histological, and cytogenetic aspects of a case. Primary cell cultures obtained from tumor specimens showed a trisomy of chromosome 20 where the c-src proto-oncogene, already described in literature as having an important role in the etiology and progression of some tumors, is located. In our case trisomy 20 is the only present marker and for this reason we think that it could play a role in the tumorigenesis of the urothelial carcinoma of the ureter.

Carcinoma, Papillary↗

Identification of Src, Fyn, and Lyn SH3-binding proteins: implications for a function of SH3 domains.

Src homology 3 (SH3) domains mediate protein-protein interactions necessary for the coupling of cellular proteins involved in intracellular signal transduction. We previously established solution-binding conditions that allow affinity isolation of Src SH3-binding proteins from cellular extracts (Z. Weng, J. A. Taylor, C. E. Turner, J. S. Brugge, and C. Seidel-Dugan, J. Biol. Chem. 268:14956-14963, 1993). In this report, we identified three of these proteins: Shc, a signaling protein that couples membrane tyrosine kinases with Ras; p62, a protein which can bind to p21rasGAP; and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K, a pre-mRNA-binding protein. All of these proteins contain proline-rich peptide motifs that could serve as SH3 domain ligands, and the binding of these proteins to the Src SH3 domain was inhibited with a proline-rich Src SH3 peptide ligand. These three proteins, as well as most of the other Src SH3 ligands, also bound to the SH3 domains of the closely related protein tyrosine kinases Fyn and Lyn. However, Src- and Lyn-specific SH3-binding proteins were also detected, suggesting subtle differences in the binding specificity of the SH3 domains from these related proteins. Several Src SH3-binding proteins were phosphorylated in Src-transformed cells. The phosphorylation of these proteins was not detected in cells transformed by a mutant variant of Src lacking the SH3 domain, while there was little change in tyrosine phosphorylation of other Src-induced phosphoproteins. In addition, the coprecipitation of v-Src with two tyrosyl-phosphorylated proteins with M(r)s of 62,000 and 130,000 was inhibited by incubation with a Src SH3 peptide ligand, suggesting that the binding of these substrate proteins is dependent on interactions with the SH3 domain. These results strongly suggest a role for the Src SH3 domain in the recruitment of substrates to this protein tyrosine kinase, either through direct interaction with the SH3 domain or indirectly through interactions with proteins that bind to the SH3 domain.

3T3 Cells↗

The E-cadherin complex contains the src substrate p120.

Using normal MDCK cells, and MDCK cells stably transfected with a temperature-sensitive viral src allele (pp60 ts-v-src), we have examined the composition and tyrosine phosphorylation of the E-cadherin complex. E-cadherin is a transmembrane calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion molecule that is complexed with cytoplasmic proteins including alpha-catenin, beta-catenin, plakoglobin (gamma-catenin), and actin. We have identified two heterodimeric complexes which demonstrate that alpha-catenin interacts directly with beta-catenin, or with plakoglobin, in the absence of E-cadherin. beta-Catenin has previously been shown to bind directly to E-cadherin. We propose that E-cadherin associates with alpha-catenin, and thereby the actin cytoskeleton, via either beta-catenin or plakoglobin. We have further identified three new but related protein components of the E-cadherin complex, which are each cross-reactive by Western blot analysis to antibodies directed against p120, a phosphotyrosine substrate of src, and a phosphotyrosine, phosphoserine, and phosphothreonine substrate of growth factor-stimulated signaling pathways. Greater quantities of the p120-related proteins were found present in the E-cadherin immunoprecipitates of ts-src MDCK cells compared to normal MDCK cells, while two of the p120 cross-reactive species were significantly tyrosine phosphorylated in both normal and ts-src MDCK cells. The association of p120-related species with the E-cadherin complex adds them to our consideration of possible modulators of cadherin function. Likewise, the newly identified alpha-catenin-beta-catenin and alpha-catenin-plakoglobin dimers may have interesting biological properties, conceivably including the titration of catenins between cadherin and APC complexes.

Animals↗