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Conformational regulation of alpha 4 beta 1-integrin affinity by reducing agents. "Inside-out" signaling is independent of and additive to reduction-regulated integrin activation.

The alpha(4)beta(1)-integrin (very late antigen-4 (VLA-4), CD49d/CD29) is an adhesion receptor involved in the interaction of lymphocytes, dendritic cells, and stem cells with the extracellular matrix and endothelial cells. This and other integrins have the ability to regulate their affinity for ligands through a process termed "inside-out" signaling that affects cell adhesion avidity. Several mechanisms are known to regulate integrin affinity and conformation: conformational changes induced by separation of the C-terminal tails, divalent ions, and reducing agents. Recently, we described a fluorescent LDV-containing small molecule that was used to monitor VLA-4 affinity changes in live cells (Chigaev, A., Blenc, A. M., Braaten, J. V., Kumaraswamy, N., Kepley, C. L., Andrews, R. P., Oliver, J. M., Edwards, B. S., Prossnitz, E. R., Larson, R. S., and Sklar, L. A. (2001) J. Biol. Chem. 276, 48670-48678). Using the same molecule, we also developed a fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based assay to probe the "switchblade-like" opening of VLA-4 upon activation. Here, we investigated the effect of reducing agents on the affinity and conformational state of the VLA-4 integrin simultaneously with cell activation initiated by inside-out signaling through G protein-coupled receptors or Mn(2+) in live cells in real time. We found that reducing agents (dithiothreitol and 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid) induced multiple states of high affinity of VLA-4, where the affinity change was accompanied by an extension of the integrin molecule. Bacitracin, an inhibitor of the reductive function of the plasma membrane, diminished the effect of dithiothreitol, but had no effect on inside-out signaling. Based on this result and differences in the kinetics of integrin activation, we conclude that conformational activation of VLA-4 by inside-out signaling is independent of and additive to reduction-regulated integrin activation.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Rotaviruses interact with alpha4beta7 and alpha4beta1 integrins by binding the same integrin domains as natural ligands.

Group A rotaviruses are major intestinal pathogens that express potential alpha4beta1 and alpha4beta7 integrin ligand sequences Leu-Asp-Val and Leu-Asp-Ile in their outer capsid protein VP7, and Ile-Asp-Ala in their spike protein VP4. Monkey rotavirus SA11 can use recombinant alpha4beta1 as a cellular receptor. In this study a new potential alpha4beta1, alpha4beta7 and alpha9beta1 integrin ligand sequence, Tyr-Gly-Leu, was identified in VP4. It was shown that several human and monkey rotaviruses bound alpha4beta1 and alpha4beta7, but not alpha9beta1. Binding to alpha4beta1 mediated the infectivity and growth of monkey rotaviruses, and binding to alpha4beta7 mediated their infectivity. A porcine rotavirus interacted with alpha4 integrins at a post-binding stage to facilitate infection. Activation of alpha4beta1 increased rotavirus infectivity. Cellular treatment with peptides containing the alpha4 integrin ligand sequences Tyr-Gly-Leu and Ile-Asp-Ala eliminated virus binding to alpha4 integrins and infectivity. In contrast, rotavirus recognition of alpha4 integrins was unaffected by a peptide containing the sequence Leu-Asp-Val or by a mutation in the VP7 Leu-Asp-Val sequence. VP4 involvement in rotavirus recognition of alpha4beta1 was demonstrated with rotavirus reassortants. Swapping and point mutagenesis of alpha4 surface loops showed that rotaviruses required the same alpha4 residues and domains for binding as the natural alpha4 integrin ligands: mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1, fibronectin and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1. Several rotaviruses are able to use alpha4beta7 and alpha4beta1 for cell binding or entry, through the recognition of the same alpha4-subunit domains as natural alpha4 ligands.

Animals↗

Intercellular adhesion molecule-4 binds alpha(4)beta(1) and alpha(V)-family integrins through novel integrin-binding mechanisms.

The LW blood group glycoprotein, ICAM-4, is a member of the intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) family expressed in erythroid cells. To begin to address the function of this molecule, ligands for ICAM-4 on hemopoietic and nonhemopoietic cell lines were identified. Peptide inhibition studies suggest that adhesion of cell lines to an ICAM-4-Fc construct is mediated by an LDV-inhibitable integrin on hemopoietic cells and an RGD-inhibitable integrin on nonhemopoietic cells. Antibody inhibition studies identified the hemopoietic integrin as alpha(4)beta(1.) Antibody inhibition studies on alpha(4)beta(1)-negative, nonhemopoietic cell lines suggested that adhesion of these cells is mediated by alpha(V) integrins (notably alpha(V)beta(1) and alpha(V)beta(5)). The structure of ICAM-4 modeled on the crystal structure of ICAM-2 was used to identify surface-exposed amino acid residues for site-directed mutagenesis. Neither an unusual LETS nor an LDV motif in the first domain of ICAM-4 was critical for integrin binding. ICAM-4 is the first ICAM family member shown to be a ligand for integrins other than those of the beta(2) family, and the data suggest that ICAM-4 has a novel integrin-binding site(s). These findings suggest a role for ICAM-4 in normal erythropoiesis and may also be relevant to the adhesive interactions of sickle cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A functional comparison of mutations in integrin beta cytoplasmic domains: effects on the regulation of tyrosine phosphorylation, cell spreading, cell attachment and beta1 integrin conformation.

Cell adhesion is a multistep process that requires the interaction of integrins with their ligands in cell attachment, the activation of integrin-triggered signals, and cell spreading. Integrin beta subunit cytoplasmic domains (beta tails) participate in regulating each of these steps; however, it is not known whether the same or different regions within beta tails are required. We generated a panel of amino acid substitutions within the beta1 and beta3 cytoplasmic domains to determine whether distinct regions within beta3 tails regulate different steps in adhesion. We expressed these beta cytoplasmic domains in the context of interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor (tac) chimeras and tested their ability to activate tyrosine phosphorylation, to regulate beta1 integrin conformation and to inhibit beta1 integrin function in cell attachment and spreading. We found that many of the mutant beta3 and beta3 chimeras either had no effect on these parameters or dramatically inhibited the function of the beta tail in most assays. However, one set of analogous Ala substitutions in the beta1 and beta3 tails differentially affected the ability of the tac-beta3 and tac-beta3 chimeras to activate tyrosine phosphorylation. The tac-beta1 mutant containing Ala substitutions for the VTT motif did not signal, whereas the analogous tac-beta3 mutant was able to activate tyrosine phosphorylation, albeit not to wild-type levels. We also identified a few mutations that inhibited beta tail function in only a subset of assays. Ala substitutions for the Val residue in the VTT motif of the beta1 tail or for the conserved Asp and Glu residues in the membrane-proximal region of the beta3 tail greatly diminished the ability of tac-beta1 and tac-beta3 to inhibit cell spreading, but had minimal effects in other assays. Ala substitutions for the Trp and Asp residues in the conserved WDT motif in the beta1 tail had dramatic effects on the ability of tac-beta1 to regulate integrin conformation and function in cell spreading, but had no or intermediate effects in other assays. The identification of mutations in the beta1 and beta3 tails that specifically abrogated the ability of these beta tails to regulate beta1 integrin conformation and function in cell spreading suggests that distinct protein interactions with beta tails regulate beta cytoplasmic domain function in these processes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Paxillin binding to the alpha 4 integrin subunit stimulates LFA-1 (integrin alpha L beta 2)-dependent T cell migration by augmenting the activation of focal adhesion kinase/proline-rich tyrosine kinase-2.

Engagement of very late Ag-4 (integrin alpha(4)beta(1)) by ligands such as VCAM-1 markedly stimulates leukocyte migration mediated by LFA-1 (integrin alpha(L)beta(2)). This form of integrin trans-regulation in T cells requires the binding of paxillin to the alpha(4) integrin cytoplasmic domain. This conclusion is based on the abolition of trans-regulation in Jurkat T cells by an alpha(4) mutation (alpha(4)(Y991A)) that disrupts paxillin binding. Furthermore, cellular expression of an alpha(4)-binding fragment of paxillin that blocks the alpha(4)-paxillin interaction, selectively blocked VCAM-1 stimulation of alpha(L)beta(2)-dependent cell migration. The alpha(4)-paxillin association mediates trans-regulation by enhancing the activation of tyrosine kinases, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and/or proline-rich tyrosine kinase-2 (Pyk2), based on two lines of evidence. First, disruption of the paxillin-binding site in the alpha(4) tail resulted in much less alpha(4)beta(1)-mediated phosphorylation of Pyk2 and FAK. Second, transfection with cDNAs encoding C-terminal fragments of Pyk2 and FAK, which block the function of the intact kinases, blocked alpha(4)beta(1) stimulation of alpha(L)beta(2)-dependent migration. These results define a proximal protein-protein interaction of an integrin cytoplasmic domain required for trans-regulation between integrins, and establish that augmented activation of Pyk2 and/or FAK is an immediate signaling event required for the trans-regulation of integrin alpha(L)beta(2) by alpha(4)beta(1).

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Alpha 4 beta 1 integrin-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation in human T cells: characterization of Crk- and Fyn-associated substrates (pp105, pp115, and human enhancer of filamentation-1) and integrin-dependent activation of p59fyn1.

Integrin adhesion receptors transduce signals that transmit information from the extracellular environment to the cell interior. Although integrins lack intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity, stimulation of the alpha 4 beta 1 integrin on human H9 T cells results in rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins in the 105 to 115 kDa range. In this study, we report that alpha 4 integrin stimulation of H9 T cells results in tyrosine phosphorylation of three distinct proteins: pp105, pp115, and human enhancer of filamentation 1 (HEF1), all of which associate with the adapter protein c-Crk. However, pp115 can be distinguished from pp105 and HEF1 by its ability to associate with the SH2 domain of the tyrosine kinase p59fyn. Both pp105 and pp115 are antigenically distinct from HEF1, p130Cas, pp125FAK, Pyk2, p120cbl, and the p110 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. The functional significance of pp115 association with p59fyn is suggested by the ability of alpha 4 integrin stimulation to activate Fyn tyrosine kinase activity. These studies show that alpha 4 integrin stimulation of T cells results in the tyrosine phosphorylation of several distinct substrates. The association of these substrates with intracellular signaling intermediates, such as Crk and Fyn, may play a critical role in integrin-mediated regulation of T cell function.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

In vivo roles of integrins during leukocyte development and traffic: insights from the analysis of mice chimeric for alpha 5, alpha v, and alpha 4 integrins.

Mice chimeric for integrins alpha(5), alpha(V), or alpha(4) were used to dissect the in vivo roles of these adhesion receptors during leukocyte development and traffic. No major defects were observed in the development of lymphocytes, monocytes, or granulocytes or in the traffic of lymphocytes to different lymphoid organs in the absence of alpha(5) or alpha(V) integrins. However, in agreement with previous reports, the absence of alpha(4) integrins produced major defects in development of lymphoid and myeloid lineages and a specific defect in homing of lymphocytes to Peyer's patches. In contrast, the alpha(4) integrin subunit is not essential for localization of T lymphocytes into intraepithelial and lamina propria compartments in the gut, whereas one of the partners of alpha(4), the beta(7) chain, has been shown to be essential. However, alpha(4)-deficient T lymphocytes cannot migrate properly during the inflammatory response induced by thioglycolate injection into the peritoneum. Finally, in vitro proliferation and activation of lymphocytes deficient for alpha(5), alpha(V), or alpha(4) integrins upon stimulation with different stimuli were similar to those seen in controls. These results show that integrins play distinct roles during in vivo leukocyte development and traffic.

Animals↗

Synaptic integrins in developing, adult, and mutant muscle: selective association of alpha1, alpha7A, and alpha7B integrins with the neuromuscular junction.

Differentiation of both pre- and postsynaptic structures at the skeletal neuromuscular junction is organized by the basal lamina that occupies the synaptic cleft. As beta1 integrins are a major class of receptors for basal lamina components, we stained muscles with antibodies to the 10 integrin alpha subunits known to form dimers with beta1, to determine if any of these molecules were concentrated at synaptic sites on muscle fibers. In both developing and adult muscle, the integrin alpha1 chain was selectively associated with presynaptic cells (Schwann cells and/or nerve terminals), while alpha7 was present on both synaptic and extrasynaptic portions of the muscle fiber surface. Thus alpha1 and alpha7 integrins are present in synaptic membranes. Expression of the alpha7 chain was analyzed further by staining with antibodies specific for three alternatively spliced products of the alpha7 gene (A, B, and C), all of which were expressed in muscle. The alpha7A and alpha7B isoforms were confined to synaptic sites in adult muscle, while alpha7C was present both synaptically and extrasynaptically. In developing muscle, alpha7A appeared postnatally and specifically at the synapse; alpha7B was present throughout the muscle fiber perinatally, becoming confined to the synapse in the second postnatal week; and alpha7C was present extrasynaptically both perinatally and in adulthood. Thus, two of the alpha7 integrins are synapse-specific, and all three show distinct spatiotemporal patterns of expression within a single cell type. Finally, we asked whether perturbation of laminin expression affected the distribution of the alpha7 integrins. In normal mice, laminin beta2 is concentrated in synaptic basal lamina. In beta2-null mutant mice, alpha7A was still present at synaptic sites, but alpha7B was absent. This result provides genetic evidence that basal lamina composition is a determinant of integrin distribution.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Expression of integrin subunit beta1B in integrin beta1-deficient GD25 cells does not interfere with alphaVbeta3 functions.

We have expressed the beta1B integrin subunit in beta1-deficient GD25 cells to examine beta1B functions without the interference of endogenous beta1A expression. As previously reported [Retta et al., 1998, Mol. Biol. Cell 9, 715-731], the beta1B integrins did not mediate cell adhesion under normal culture conditions, while the presence of 0.3 mM Mn(2+) allowed beta1B integrins to support adhesion. Mn(2+), as well as the small soluble peptide GRGDS, induced a beta1B conformation, which was recognized by the mAb 9EG7, a marker for active or ligand-bound integrins. beta1B integrins were found to localize to a subset of focal contacts in a ligand-independent manner on fibronectin, but not on vitronectin. However, clustering of beta1B did not induce tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK, p130(Cas), or paxillin, as studied by beta1B-mediated adhesion, to fibronectin in the presence of Mn(2+) or to anti-beta1 antibody in DMEM. Induction of ligand-occupied conformation by the GRGDS peptide during the adhesion to anti-beta1 antibody also failed to trigger FAK phosphorylation. Stimulation of tyrosine phosphorylation on FAK, p130(Cas), and paxillin by adhesion via integrin alphaVbeta3 to fibronectin or vitronectin was not disturbed in GD25-beta1B cells compared to the untransfected GD25 cells, nor were any negative effects of beta1B observed on alphaVbeta3-mediated cell attachment, spreading, and actin organization, or on the cell proliferation rate. These results show that the reported negative effects of beta1B on adhesive events do not apply to alphaVbeta3-dependent interactions and suggest that they may specifically act on beta1 integrins.

Actins↗

Cholesterol distribution in plasma membranes of beta1 integrin-expressing and beta1 integrin-deficient fibroblasts.

The effect of integrin receptors on the level and transmembrane localization of cholesterol molecules was investigated in beta1 integrin-expressing (beta1) and beta1 integrin-deficient (beta1 null) cells. We found that the content of specific raft components-cholesterol, sphingomyelin, and caveolin-was increased in integrin-expressing cells. Integrin presence affected as well the transmembrane distribution of cholesterol-a higher percent was found in the plasma membrane outer monolayer of beta1 compared to beta1 null cells. Sphingomyelin depletion reduced the presence of cholesterol in the outer membrane monolayer of both cell lines, but the differences in cholesterol asymmetry, observed between beta1 and beta1 null cells before sphingomyelinase treatment were preserved. These findings implied that integrin receptors affected the non-random transmembrane distribution of cholesterol. Finally, a higher percent of detergent-resistant membranes was obtained from beta1 integrin-expressing cells, suggesting that the presence of these receptors in the membranes influenced the formation and/or stabilization of lipid raft domains.

Cell Line↗

Integrin-linked kinase: integrin's mysterious partner.

Integrin-mediated cell adhesion regulates a vast number of biological processes including migration, survival and proliferation of cells. It is therefore not surprising that defects in integrin function are often rate-limiting for development and profoundly affect the progression of several diseases. The functions of integrins are mediated through the recruitment of cytoplasmic plaque proteins. One of these is integrin-linked kinase, which connects integrins to the actin cytoskeleton and transduces signals through integrins to the extracellular matrix and from integrins to various subcellular compartments.

Actinin↗

Cholesterol alters the interaction of glycosphingolipid GM3 with alpha5beta1 integrin and increases integrin-mediated cell adhesion to fibronectin.

Integrins bind to their ligand in the extracellular matrix (ECM), such as fibronectin (FN), through a specific interaction between the amino acid motifs in the ligand, and binding sites in the extracellular domains of the integrin molecule generated jointly by its alpha and beta subunits. It has been proposed that membrane cholesterol and glycosphingolipids (GSLs) can regulate integrin-ECM interactions and it has been demonstrated that increased membrane cholesterol leads to increased cell adhesion to FN. Here, we have shown that a specific glycosphingolipid GM3 binds directly to alpha5beta1 integrin and an increase in membrane cholesterol results in the redistribution of GM3-associated alpha5beta1 integrin molecules specifically on the surface that is in contact with the substratum. Our results suggest that GM3-associated alpha5beta1 integrins bind less avidly to FN than GM3-free integrins and that cholesterol and GM3 play an interdependent role in the distribution of alpha5beta1integrin molecules in the membrane and regulation of cell adhesion.

Animals↗

alpha(v) integrins regulate cell proliferation through integrin-linked kinase (ILK) in ovarian cancer cells.

Integrins regulate both adhesion and signaling processes involved in proliferation and survival. alpha(v)beta(3) and alpha(v)beta(5) integrins have been shown to mediate cell adhesion and migration. Here we used human ovarian cancer cell lines (IGROV1, SKOV-3) that express alpha(v)beta(3) and alpha(v)beta(5) to study their role in cell proliferation and the signaling pathways involved. We found that alpha(v) integrins regulate cell proliferation through activation of integrin-linked kinase (ILK). An anti-alpha(v)-blocking antibody specifically inhibits the growth of IGROV1 and SKOV-3. The inhibition of cell proliferation involves alpha(v)beta(3) in IGROV1 cells, and both alpha(v)beta(3) and alpha(v)beta(5) in SKOV-3 cells. The reduced growth rate induced by alpha(v) integrin blockade is linked in both cell lines to G1/S cell cycle arrest. alpha(v) integrin blockade by neutralizing antibody as well as cyclic-RGD peptide caused an inhibition of ILK activity and phosphorylation of PKB/Akt on serine-473 but not on threonine-308, and was accompanied by an increase in p27(Kip1) expression. Overexpression of wild-type ILK rescued the phosphorylation of PKB/Akt on serine-473 in cells treated with anti-alpha(v) antibody. Inhibition of ILK by a pharmacological inhibitor results in inhibition of cell proliferation, PKB/Akt phosphorylation and increase of p27(Kip1). These results demonstrate that alpha(v) integrins regulate ovarian cancer cell proliferation through ILK.

Adenocarcinoma↗

A nonpeptide integrin antagonist can inhibit epithelial cell ingestion of Streptococcus pyogenes by blocking formation of integrin alpha 5beta 1-fibronectin-M1 protein complexes.

Streptococcus pyogenes can be efficiently internalized by a variety of human epithelial cells. beta-lactam antibiotics, commonly used to treat S. pyogenes infections, do not readily permeate mammalian cells. There is growing evidence that the ability of streptococci to enter host cells contributes to the frequent failure of antibiotics to eradicate the organism from infected individuals. Recent studies have suggested that host cell entry requires the formation of a complex of a bacterial fibronectin (Fn) binding protein (e.g., M1 protein or protein F1/SfbI), human Fn, and the epithelial cell Fn receptor, integrin alpha5beta1. We report here that a low molecular weight, nonpeptide antagonist of integrin alpha5beta1, SJ755, can inhibit internalization of streptococci by primary human tonsillar epithelial cells and immortalized human epithelial (A549) cells, thus increasing the extent of bacterial killing by antibiotics. SJ755 blocked Fn binding by human tonsillar epithelial and A549 cells, suggesting that integrin alpha5beta1 is the major Fn receptor expressed by both cell types. SJ755 did not affect Fn binding by purified M1 protein or M1(+) bacteria. Purified M1 protein failed to associate with integrin alpha5beta1 unless the integrin had been prebound by Fn. Also, SJ755 blocked formation of alpha5beta1-Fn-M1 complexes in vitro. These results support the previous proposal that Fn functions as a molecular bridge between M1 protein and integrin alpha5beta1. Furthermore, these results suggest that integrin antagonists may enhance the efficacy of antibiotics in treatment of S. pyogenes infections.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗

Isolation, cloning, and sequence analysis of the integrin subunit alpha10, a beta1-associated collagen binding integrin expressed on chondrocytes.

We have found that chondrocytes express a novel collagen type II-binding integrin, a new member of the beta1-integrin family. The integrin alpha subunit, which has a Mr of 160 kDa reduced, was isolated from bovine chondrocytes by collagen type II affinity purification. The human homologue was obtained by screening a human chondrocyte library with a bovine cDNA probe. Cloning and cDNA sequence analysis of the human integrin alpha subunit designated alpha10 show that it shares the general structure of other integrin alpha subunits. The predicted amino acid sequence consists of a 1167-amino acid mature protein, including a signal peptide (22 amino acids), a long extracellular domain (1098 amino acids), a transmembrane domain (25 amino acids), and a short cytoplasmic domain (22 amino acids). The extracellular part contains a 7-fold repeated sequence, an I-domain (199 amino acids) and three putative divalent cation-binding sites. The deduced amino acid sequence of alpha10 is 35% identical to the integrin subunit alpha2 and 37% identical to the integrin subunit alpha1. Northern blot analysis shows a single mRNA of 5.4 kilobases in chondrocytes. A peptide antibody against the predicted sequence of the cytoplasmic domain of alpha10 immunoprecipitated two proteins with masses of 125 and 160 kDa from chondrocyte lysates under reducing conditions. The peptide antibody specifically stained chondrocytes in tissue sections of human articular cartilage, showing that alpha10 beta1 is expressed in cartilage tissue.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Dynamitin controls Beta 2 integrin avidity by modulating cytoskeletal constraint on integrin molecules.

Dynamitin, a subunit of the microtubule-dependent motor complex, was implicated in cell adhesion by binding to MacMARCKS (Macrophage-enriched myristoylated alanine-rice C kinase substrate). However, how dynamitin is involved in cell adhesion is unclear despite the fact that both MacMARCKS and microtubules regulate beta(2) integrin activation. We report that dynamitin regulates beta(2) integrin avidity toward iC3b by modulating the lateral mobility of beta(2) integrin molecules. Using the single particle tracking method, we found that integrin molecular mobility in cells expressing the fusion protein CFP (cyan fluorescent protein)-dynamitin or CFP-MB (the MacMARCKS binding domain peptide of dynamitin) increased 6-fold over the control cells, suggesting that disturbing dynamitin function dramatically altered the cytoskeletal constraint on beta(2) integrin molecules. Further mechanistic studies revealed that overexpression of dynamitin stimulated the phosphorylation of endogenous MacMARCKS protein, which lead to the enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin. This effect of dynamitin correlates with the observation that higher concentration of PKC inhibitor is required to block beta(2) integrin mobility in dynamitin-expressing cells. Although dynamitin acts at the point of MacMARCKS phosphorylation, it is upstream of RhoA, because its effect was blocked by RhoA inhibitor. Thus, we conclude that dynamitin is a part of the cytoskeletal constraint that locks beta(2) integrin in the inactive form.

Animals↗

14-3-3 zeta mediates integrin-induced activation of Cdc42 and Rac. Platelet glycoprotein Ib-IX regulates integrin-induced signaling by sequestering 14-3-3 zeta.

Integrin-induced cytoskeletal reorganizations are initiated by Cdc42 and Rac1 but little is known about mechanisms by which integrins activate these Rho GTPases. 14-3-3 proteins are adaptors implicated in binding and regulating the function and subcellular location of numerous signaling molecules. In platelets, the 14-3-3 zeta isoform interacts with the glycoprotein (GP) Ibalpha subunit of the adhesion receptor GP Ib-IX. In this study, we show that integrin-induced activation of Cdc42, activation of Rac, cytoskeletal reorganizations, and cell spreading were inhibited in Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing full-length GP Ibalpha compared with GP Ibalpha lacking the 14-3-3 zeta binding site. Activation of Rho GTPases and cytoskeletal reorganizations were restored by expression of 14-3-3 zeta. Spreading in cells expressing truncated GP Ibalpha was inhibited by co-expressing a chimeric receptor containing interleukin 2 receptor alpha and GP Ibalpha cytoplasmic domain. These results identify a previously unrecognized function of 14-3-3 zeta, that of mediating integrin-induced signaling. They show that 14-3-3 zeta mediates Cdc42 and Rac activation. They also reveal a novel function of platelet GP Ib-IX, that of regulating integrin-induced cytoskeletal reorganizations by sequestering 14-3-3 zeta. Signaling across integrins initiates changes in cell behavior such as spreading, migration, differentiation, apoptosis, or cell division. Thus, introduction of the 14-3-3 zeta binding domain of GP Ibalpha into target cells might provide a method for regulating integrin-induced pathways in a variety of pathological conditions.

14-3-3 Proteins↗

Integrin-mediated activation of MAP kinase is independent of FAK: evidence for dual integrin signaling pathways in fibroblasts.

Integrin-mediated cell adhesion causes activation of MAP kinases and increased tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK). Autophosphorylation of FAK leads to the binding of SH2-domain proteins including Src-family kinases and the Grb2-Sos complex. Since Grb2-Sos is a key regulator of the Ras signal transduction pathway, one plausible hypothesis has been that integrin-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK leads to activation of the Ras cascade and ultimately to mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinase activation. Thus, in this scenario FAK would serve as an upstream regulator of MAP kinase activity. However, in this report we present several lines of evidence showing that integrin-mediated MAP kinase activity in fibroblasts is independent of FAK. First, a beta1 integrin subunit deletion mutant affecting the putative FAK binding site supports activation of MAP kinase in adhering fibroblasts but not tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK. Second, fibroblast adhesion to bacterially expressed fragments of fibronectin demonstrates that robust activation of MAP kinase can precede tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK. Finally, we have used FRNK, the noncatalytic COOH-terminal domain of FAK, as a dominant negative inhibitor of FAK autophosphorylation and of tyrosine phosphorylation of focal contacts. Using retroviral infection, we demonstrate that levels of FRNK expression sufficient to completely block FAK tyrosine phosphorylation were without effect on integrin-mediated activation of MAP kinase. These results strongly suggest that integrin-mediated activation of MAP kinase is independent of FAK and indicate the probable existence of at least two distinct integrin signaling pathways in fibroblasts.

3T3 Cells↗