Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “PHOSPHOINOSITIDES”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,297 records · Page 72Linked to original sources

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase regulation of T cell receptor-mediated interleukin-2 gene expression in normal T cells.

Phosphoinositide (PI) 3-kinase has been implicated in T cell receptor (TCR) signaling, either as a positive or a negative regulatory molecule. Here, we show that for normal mouse lymph node T cells, PI 3-kinase activity is required for interleukin-2 (IL-2) production following TCR-mediated activation. Furthermore, in normal T cells, inhibition of PI 3-kinase prevented activation of enzymes in the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) signaling pathway (MEK-1 and ERK-2). Overexpression of a dominant-negative mutant of PI 3-kinase and pharmacological inhibitors of PI 3-kinase prevented transcriptional activation of AP-1 and NF-AT, transcription factors regulated by ERK-2 and pivotal for IL-2 gene expression. Although a constitutively active form of Akt kinase, a downstream mediator of PI 3-kinase function, enhanced TCR-induced IL-2 gene transcription, it could not bypass the requirement for PI 3-kinase activity. Therefore, PI 3-kinase is likely to be involved in signaling for IL-2 production in at least two steps in the TCR-initiated signaling pathway.

Androstadienes↗

Primary structure, tissue distribution, and expression of mouse phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1, a protein kinase that phosphorylates and activates protein kinase Czeta.

Phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK1) is a recently identified serine/threonine kinase that phosphorylates and activates Akt and p70(S6K), two downstream kinases of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. To further study the potential role of PDK1, we have screened a mouse liver cDNA library and identified a cDNA encoding the enzyme. The predicted mouse PDK1 (mPDK1) protein contained 559 amino acids and a COOH-terminal pleckstrin homology domain. A 7-kilobase mPDK1 mRNA was broadly expressed in mouse tissues and in embryonic cells. In the testis, a high level expression of a tissue-specific 2-kilobase transcript was also detected. Anti-mPDK1 antibody recognized multiple proteins in mouse tissues with molecular masses ranging from 60 to 180 kDa. mPDK1 phosphorylated the conserved threonine residue (Thr402) in the activation loop of protein kinase C-zeta and activated the enzyme in vitro and in cells. Our findings suggest that there may be different isoforms of mPDK1 and that the protein is an upstream kinase that activates divergent pathways downstream of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase.

3-Phosphoinositide-Dependent Protein Kinases↗

Dissociation of apoptosis from proliferation, protein kinase B activation, and BAD phosphorylation in interleukin-3-mediated phosphoinositide 3-kinase signaling.

Interleukin-3 (IL-3) acts as both a growth and survival factor for many hemopoietic cells. IL-3 treatment of responsive cells leads to the rapid and transient activation of Class IA phosphoinositide-3-kinases (PI3Ks) and the serine/threonine kinase Akt/protein kinase B (PKB) and phosphorylation of BAD. Each of these molecules has been implicated in anti-apoptotic signaling in a wide range of cells. Using regulated expression of dominant-negative p85 (Deltap85) in stably transfected IL-3-dependent BaF/3 cells, we have specifically investigated the role of class IA PI3K in IL-3 signaling. The major functional consequence of Deltap85 expression in these cells is a highly reproducible, dramatic reduction in IL-3-induced proliferation. Expression of Deltap85 reduces IL-3-induced PKB phosphorylation and activation and phosphorylation of BAD dramatically, to levels seen in unstimulated cells. Despite these reductions, the levels of apoptosis observed in the same cells are very low and do not account for the reduction in IL-3-dependent proliferation we observe. These results show that Deltap85 inhibits both PKB activity and BAD phosphorylation without significantly affecting levels of apoptosis, suggesting that there are targets other than PKB and BAD that can transmit survival signals in these cells. Our data indicate that the prime target for PI3K action in IL-3 signaling is at the level of regulation of proliferation.

Animals↗

Protein kinase C-zeta and phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 are required for insulin-induced activation of ERK in rat adipocytes.

The mechanisms used by insulin to activate the multifunctional intracellular effectors, extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), are only partly understood and appear to vary in different cell types. Presently, in rat adipocytes, we found that insulin-induced activation of ERK was blocked (a) by chemical inhibitors of both phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase C (PKC)-zeta, and, moreover, (b) by transient expression of both dominant-negative Deltap85 PI3K subunit and kinase-inactive PKC-zeta. Further, insulin effects on ERK were inhibited by kinase-inactive 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK-1), and by mutation of Thr-410 in the activation loop of PKC-zeta, which is the target of PDK-1 and is essential for PI3K/PDK-1-dependent activation of PKC-zeta. In addition to requirements for PI3K, PDK-1, and PKC-zeta, we found that a tyrosine kinase (presumably the insulin receptor), the SH2 domain of GRB2, SOS, RAS, RAF, and MEK1 were required for insulin effects on ERK in the rat adipocyte. Our findings therefore suggested that PDK-1 and PKC-zeta serve as a downstream effectors of PI3K, and act in conjunction with GRB2, SOS, RAS, and RAF, to activate MEK and ERK during insulin action in rat adipocytes.

3-Phosphoinositide-Dependent Protein Kinases↗

Evidence that 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 mediates phosphorylation of p70 S6 kinase in vivo at Thr-412 as well as Thr-252.

Protein kinase B and p70 S6 kinase are members of the cyclic AMP-dependent/cyclic GMP-dependent/protein kinase C subfamily of protein kinases and are activated by a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-dependent pathway when cells are stimulated with insulin or growth factors. Both of these kinases are activated in cells by phosphorylation of a conserved residue in the kinase domain (Thr-308 of protein kinase B (PKB) and Thr-252 of p70 S6 kinase) and another conserved residue located C-terminal to the kinase domain (Ser-473 of PKB and Thr-412 of p70 S6 kinase). Thr-308 of PKBalpha and Thr-252 of p70 S6 kinase are phosphorylated by 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK1) in vitro. Recent work has shown that PDK1 interacts with a region of protein kinase C-related kinase-2, termed the PDK1 interacting fragment (PIF). Interaction with PIF converts PDK1 from a form that phosphorylates PKB at Thr-308 alone to a species capable of phosphorylating Ser-473 as well as Thr-308. This suggests that PDK1 may be the enzyme that phosphorylates both residues in vivo. Here we demonstrate that PDK1 is capable of phosphorylating p70 S6 kinase at Thr-412 in vitro. We study the effect of PIF on the ability of PDK1 to phosphorylate p70 S6 kinase. Surprisingly, we find that PDK1 bound to PIF is no longer able to interact with or phosphorylate p70 S6 kinase in vitro at either Thr-252 or Thr-412. The expression of PIF in cells prevents insulin-like growth factor 1 from inducing the activation of the p70 S6 kinase and its phosphorylation at Thr-412. Overexpression of PDK1 in cells induces the phosphorylation of p70 S6 kinase at Thr-412 in unstimulated cells, and a catalytically inactive mutant of PDK1 prevents the phosphorylation of p70 S6K at Thr-412 in insulin-like growth factor 1-stimulated cells. These observations indicate that PDK1 regulates the activation of p70 S6 kinase and provides evidence that PDK1 mediates the phosphorylation of p70 S6 kinase at Thr-412.

3-Phosphoinositide-Dependent Protein Kinases↗

Phosphoinositides are required for store-mediated calcium entry in human platelets.

We have recently observed that small GTP-binding proteins are important for mediation of store-mediated Ca(2+) entry in human platelets through the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton. Because it has been shown in platelets and other cells that small GTP-binding proteins regulate the activity of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase, whose products, phosphoinositides, play a key role in the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton, we have investigated the role of these lipid kinases in store-mediated Ca(2+) entry. Treatment of platelets with LY294002, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3- and phosphatidylinositol 4-kinases, resulted in a concentration-dependent inhibition of Ca(2+) entry stimulated by thapsigargin or the physiological agonist, thrombin. In addition, wortmannin, another inhibitor of these kinases, which is structurally unrelated to LY294002, significantly reduced store-mediated Ca(2+) entry. The inhibitory effect of LY294002 was not mediated either by blockage of Ca(2+) channels or by modification of membrane potential. LY294002 inhibited actin polymerization stimulated by thrombin or thapsigargin. These results indicate that both phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase are required for activation of store-mediated Ca(2+) entry in human platelets and that the mechanism could involve the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton.

1-Phosphatidylinositol 4-Kinase↗

A 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK1) docking site is required for the phosphorylation of protein kinase Czeta (PKCzeta ) and PKC-related kinase 2 by PDK1.

Members of the AGC subfamily of protein kinases including protein kinase B, p70 S6 kinase, and protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms are activated and/or stabilized by phosphorylation of two residues, one that resides in the T-loop of the kinase domain and the other that is located C-terminal to the kinase domain in a region known as the hydrophobic motif. Atypical PKC isoforms, such as PKCzeta, and the PKC-related kinases, like PRK2, are also activated by phosphorylation of their T-loop site but, instead of possessing a phosphorylatable Ser/Thr in their hydrophobic motif, contain an acidic residue. The 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase (PDK1) activates many members of the AGC subfamily of kinases in vitro, including PKCzeta and PRK2 by phosphorylating the T-loop residue. In the present study we demonstrate that the hydrophobic motifs of PKCzeta and PKCiota, as well as PRK1 and PRK2, interact with the kinase domain of PDK1. Mutation of the conserved residues of the hydrophobic motif of full-length PKCzeta, full-length PRK2, or PRK2 lacking its N-terminal regulatory domain abolishes or significantly reduces the ability of these kinases to interact with PDK1 and to become phosphorylated at their T-loop sites in vivo. Furthermore, overexpression of the hydrophobic motif of PRK2 in cells prevents the T-loop phosphorylation and thus inhibits the activation of PRK2 and PKCzeta. These findings indicate that the hydrophobic motif of PRK2 and PKCzeta acts as a "docking site" enabling the recruitment of PDK1 to these substrates. This is essential for their phosphorylation by PDK1 in cells.

3-Phosphoinositide-Dependent Protein Kinases↗

Mechanism of phosphorylation of protein kinase B/Akt by a constitutively active 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1.

Phosphorylation of Thr(308) in the activation loop and Ser(473) at the carboxyl terminus is essential for protein kinase B (PKB/Akt) activation. However, the biochemical mechanism of the phosphorylation remains to be characterized. Here we show that expression of a constitutively active mutant of mouse 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK1(A280V)) in Chinese hamster ovary cells overexpressing the insulin receptor was sufficient to induce PKB phosphorylation at Thr(308) to approximately the same extent as insulin stimulation. Phosphorylation of PKB by PDK1(A280V) was not affected by treatment of cells with inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase or by deletion of the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of PKB. C(2)-ceramide, a cell-permeable, indirect inhibitor of PKB phosphorylation, did not inhibit PDK1(A280V)-catalyzed PKB phosphorylation in cells and had no effect on PDK1 activity in vitro. On the other hand, co-expression of full-length protein kinase C-related kinase-1 (PRK1/PKN) or 2 (PRK2) inhibited PDK1(A280V)-mediated PKB phosphorylation. Replacing alanine at position 280 with valine or deletion of the PH domain enhanced PDK1 autophosphorylation in vitro. However, deletion of the PH domain of PDK1(A280V) significantly reduced PDK1(A280V)-mediated phosphorylation of PKB in cells. In resting cells, PDK1(A280V) localized in the cytosol and at the plasma membrane. However, PDK1(A280V) lacking the PH domain localized predominantly in the cytosol. Taken together, our findings suggest that the wild-type PDK1 may not be constitutively active in cells. In addition, activation of PDK1 is sufficient to phosphorylate PKB at Thr(308) in the cytosol. Furthermore, the PH domain of PDK1 may play both positive and negative roles in regulating the in vivo function of the enzyme. Finally, unlike the carboxyl-terminal fragment of PRK2, which has been shown to bind PDK1 and allow the enzyme to phosphorylate PKB at both Thr(308) and Ser(473), full-length PRK2 and its related kinase PRK1/PKN may both play negative roles in PKB-mediated downstream biological events.

3-Phosphoinositide-Dependent Protein Kinases↗

3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1, an Akt1 kinase, is involved in dephosphorylation of Thr-308 of Akt1 in Chinese hamster ovary cells.

To investigate the role of 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1) in the Akt1 phosphorylation state, wild-type (wt) PDK1 and its kinase dead (kd) mutant were expressed using an adenovirus gene transduction system in Chinese hamster ovary cells stably expressing insulin receptor. Immunoblotting using anti-phosphorylated Akt1 antibody revealed Thr-308 already to be maximally phosphorylated at 1 min but completely dephosphorylated at 5 min, with insulin stimulation, whereas insulin-induced Akt1 activation was maintained even after dephosphorylation of Thr-308. Overexpression of wt-PDK1 further increased insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of Thr-308, also followed by rapid dephosphorylation. The insulin-stimulated Akt1 activity was also enhanced by wt-PDK1 expression but was maintained even at 15 min. Thus, phosphorylation of Thr-308 is not essential for maintaining the Akt1 activity once it has been achieved. Interestingly, the insulin-stimulated phosphorylation state of Thr-308 was maintained even at 15 min in cells expressing kd-PDK1, suggesting that kd-PDK1 has a dominant negative effect on dephosphorylation of Thr-308 of Akt1. Calyculin A, an inhibitor of PP1 and PP2A, also prolonged the insulin-stimulated phosphorylation state of Thr-308. In addition, in vitro experiments revealed PP2A, but not PP1, to dephosphorylate completely Thr-308 of Akt1. These findings suggest that a novel pathway involving dephosphorylation of Akt1 at Thr-308 by a phosphatase, possibly PP2A, originally, identified as is regulated downstream from PDK1, an Akt1 kinase.

3-Phosphoinositide-Dependent Protein Kinases↗

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase induces the transcriptional activity of MEF2 proteins during muscle differentiation.

The activity of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3-K) is essential for the differentiation of skeletal muscle cells by largely unknown mechanisms. Here we show that inhibition of PI3-K activity by the pharmacological agent LY294002 affects early processes of myoblast differentiation including the transcriptional activation of myogenin. Previous studies indicated that transcription of myogenin was dependent on MyoD and MEF2 proteins. We find that expression of a dominant negative form of PI3-K or growth in the presence of LY294002 inhibits cellular activity of MEF2 but not of MyoD. Evidence reveals that whereas MEF2 transcriptional activity is inhibited, its DNA binding activity remains unaffected. Recent studies demonstrated that phosphorylation by p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) induced transcriptional activity of MEF2 proteins. We show that the phosphorylation of MEF2 occurring during muscle differentiation is prevented if the activity of PI3-K is inhibited. However, our results also indicate that p38 MAPK is not affected by PI3-K in muscle cells. Nevertheless, p38 MAPK can substitute for PI3-K in the induction of MEF2 and muscle transcription. Together, these findings indicate that PI3-K affects skeletal muscle differentiation by inducing phosphorylation and transcriptional activity of MEF2 proteins in a parallel but distinct route from p38 MAPK.

Base Sequence↗

p38 Kinase-dependent MAPKAPK-2 activation functions as 3-phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-2 for Akt in human neutrophils.

Akt activation requires phosphorylation of Thr(308) and Ser(473) by 3-phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 and 2 (PDK1 and PDK2), respectively. While PDK1 has been cloned and sequenced, PDK2 has yet to be identified. The present study shows that phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-dependent p38 kinase activation regulates Akt phosphorylation and activity in human neutrophils. Inhibition of p38 kinase activity with SB203580 inhibited Akt Ser(473) phosphorylation following neutrophil stimulation with formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine, FcgammaR cross-linking, or phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate. Concentration inhibition studies showed that Ser(473) phosphorylation was inhibited by 0.3 microm SB203580, while inhibition of Thr(308) phosphorylation required 10 microm SB203580. Transient transfection of HEK293 cells with adenoviruses containing constitutively active MKK3 or MKK6 resulted in activation of both p38 kinase and Akt. Immunoprecipitation and glutathione S-transferase (GST) pull-down studies showed that Akt was associated with p38 kinase, MK2, and Hsp27 in neutrophils, and Hsp27 dissociated from the complex upon activation. Active recombinant MK2 phosphorylated recombinant Akt and Akt in anti-Akt, anti-MK2, anti-p38, and anti-Hsp27 immunoprecipitates, and this was inhibited by an MK2 inhibitory peptide. We conclude that Akt exists in a signaling complex containing p38 kinase, MK2, and Hsp27 and that p38-dependent MK2 activation functions as PDK2 in human neutrophils.

3-Phosphoinositide-Dependent Protein Kinases↗

p21-activated kinase (PAK1) is phosphorylated and activated by 3-phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK1).

In this study, we show that phosphorylated 3-phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1) phosphorylates p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) in the presence of sphingosine. We identify threonine 423, a conserved threonine in the activation loop of kinase subdomain VIII, as the PDK1 phosphorylation site on PAK1. Threonine 423 is a previously identified PAK1 autophosphorylation site that lies within a PAK consensus phosphorylation sequence. After pretreatment with phosphatases, autophosphorylation of PAK1 occurred at all major sites except threonine 423. A phosphothreonine 423-specific antibody detected phosphorylation of recombinant, catalytically inactive PAK1 after incubation with wild-type PAK1, indicating phosphorylation of threonine 423 occurs by an intermolecular mechanism. The biological significance of PDK1 phosphorylation of PAK1 at threonine 423 in vitro is supported by the observation that these two proteins interact in vivo and that PDK1-phosphorylated PAK1 has an increased activity toward substrate. An increase of phosphorylation of catalytically inactive PAK1 was observed in COS-7 cells expressing wild-type, but not catalytically inactive, PDK1 upon elevation of intracellular sphingosine levels. PDK1 phosphorylation of PAK1 was not blocked by pretreatment with wortmannin or when PDK1 was mutated to prevent phosphatidylinositol binding, indicating this process is independent of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity. The data presented here provide evidence for a novel mechanism for PAK1 regulation and activation.

3-Phosphoinositide-Dependent Protein Kinases↗

A critical role for phosphoinositide 3-kinase upstream of Gab1 and SHP2 in the activation of ras and mitogen-activated protein kinases by epidermal growth factor.

Although the mechanisms involved in the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) by receptor tyrosine kinases do not display an obvious role for phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks), we have observed in the nontransformed cell line Vero stimulated with epidermal growth factor (EGF) that wortmannin and LY294002 nearly abolished MAPK activation. The effect was observed under strong stimulation and was independent of EGF concentration. In addition, three mutants of class Ia PI3Ks were found to inhibit MAPK activation to an extent similar to their effect on Akt/protein kinase B activation. To determine the importance of PI3K lipid kinase activity in MAPK activation, we have used the phosphatase PTEN and the pleckstrin homology domain of Tec kinase. Overexpression of these proteins, but not control mutants, was found to inhibit MAPK activation, suggesting that the lipid products of class Ia PI3K are necessary for MAPK signaling. We next investigated the location of PI3K in the MAPK cascade. Pharmacological inhibitors and dominant negative forms of PI3K were found to block the activation of Ras induced by EGF. Upstream from Ras, although association of Grb2 with its conventional effectors was independent of PI3K, we have observed that the recruitment of the tyrosine phosphatase SHP2 required PI3K. Because SHP2 was also essential for Ras activation, this suggested the existence of a PI3K/SHP2 pathway leading to the activation of Ras. In addition, we have observed that the docking protein Gab1, which is involved in PI3K activation during EGF stimulation, is also implicated in this pathway downstream of PI3K. Indeed, the association of Gab1 with SHP2 was blocked by PI3K inhibitors, and expression of Gab1 mutant deficient for binding to SHP2 was found to inhibit Ras stimulation without interfering with PI3K activation. These results show that, in addition to Shc and Grb2, a PI3K-dependent pathway involving Gab1 and SHP2 is essential for Ras activation under EGF stimulation.

Animals↗

The carboxyl terminus of protein kinase c provides a switch to regulate its interaction with the phosphoinositide-dependent kinase, PDK-1.

The function of protein kinase C family members depends on two tightly coupled phosphorylation mechanisms: phosphorylation of the activation loop by the phosphoinositide-dependent kinase, PDK-1, followed by autophosphorylation at two positions in the COOH terminus, the turn motif, and the hydrophobic motif. Here we address the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of protein kinase C betaII by PDK-1. Co-immunoprecipitation studies reveal that PDK-1 associates preferentially with its substrate, unphosphorylated protein kinase C, by a direct mechanism. The exposed COOH terminus of protein kinase C provides the primary interaction site for PDK-1, with co-expression of constructs of the carboxyl terminus effectively disrupting the interaction in vivo. Disruption of this interaction promotes the autophosphorylation of protein kinase C, suggesting that the binding of PDK-1 to the carboxyl terminus protects it from autophosphorylation. Studies with constructs of the COOH terminus reveal that the intrinsic affinity of PDK-1 for phosphorylated COOH terminus is over an order of magnitude greater than that for unphosphorylated COOH terminus, contrasting with the finding that PDK-1 does not bind phosphorylated protein kinase C effectively. However, effective binding of the phosphorylated species can be induced by the activated conformation of protein kinase C. This suggests that the carboxyl terminus becomes masked following autophosphorylation, a process that can be reversed by the conformational changes accompanying activation. Our data suggest a model in which PDK-1 provides two points of regulation of protein kinase C: 1) phosphorylation of the activation loop, which is regulated by the intrinsic activity of PDK-1, and 2) phosphorylation of the carboxyl terminus, which is regulated by the release of PDK-1 to allow autophosphorylation.

3-Phosphoinositide-Dependent Protein Kinases↗

Internalin B activates nuclear factor-kappa B via Ras, phosphoinositide 3-kinase, and Akt.

Internalin B (InlB), a 630-amino acid protein loosely attached to the surface of Listeria monocytogenes, participates in the entry of the bacterium into mammalian cells. This process requires the activation of phosphoinositide (PI) 3-kinase by InlB. Previously, we demonstrated that InlB activates the transcription factor Nuclear Factor-kappaB in murine J774 macrophage-like cells, an event that also requires PI 3-kinase. Here we have further investigated this phenomenon. InlB activated the small G-protein Ras in J774 cells. Inhibition of Ras with the farnesyltransferase inhibitor manumycin A inhibited NF-kappaB activation and the recruitment of the p85 subunit of PI 3-kinase, implying that Ras is required for PI 3-kinase activation. InlB also activated the PI 3-kinase downstream effector, Akt, as assessed by increased phosphorylation of Akt on serine 473. Transfection of Hep2 cells with dominant negative Ras N17 or dominant negative Akt inhibited the induction of a reporter gene linked to the interleukin-8 promoter by InlB. Furthermore, the Ras inhibitor manumycin A, the PI 3-kinase inhibitor LY294002, and an Akt inhibitor all blocked the induction of interleukin-8 by InlB. Our study is the first report of a bacterial product activating a pathway involving Ras, PI 3-kinase, and Akt, which leads to NF-kappaB activation. This process could be involved in host defense or the inhibition of apoptosis during infection.

Animals↗

Involvement of Hsp90 in signaling and stability of 3-phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1.

Serine/threonine kinase Akt is thought to mediate many biological actions toward anti-apoptotic responses. Screening of drugs that could interfere with the Akt signaling pathway revealed that Hsp90 inhibitors (e.g. geldanamycin, radicicol, and its analogues) induced Akt dephosphorylation, which resulted in Akt inactivation and apoptosis of the cells. Hsp90 inhibitors did not directly affect Akt kinase activity in vitro. Thus, we examined the effects of Hsp90 inhibitors on upstream Akt kinases, phosphatidylinositide-3-OH kinase (PI3K) and 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK1). Hsp90 inhibitors had no effect on PI3K protein expression. In contrast, treatment of the cells with Hsp90 inhibitors decreased the amount of PDK1 without directly inhibiting PDK1 kinase activity. We found that the kinase domain of PDK1 was essential for complex formation with Hsp90 and that Hsp90 inhibitors suppressed PDK1 binding to Hsp90. PDK1 degradation mechanisms revealed that inhibition of PDK1 binding to Hsp90 caused proteasome-dependent degradation of PDK1. Treatment of proteasome inhibitors increased the amount of detergent-insoluble PDK1 in Hsp90 inhibitor-treated cells. Therefore, the association of PDK1 with Hsp90 regulates its stability, solubility, and signaling. Because Akt binding to Hsp90 is also involved in the maintenance of Akt kinase activity, Hsp90 plays an important role in PDK1-Akt survival signaling pathway.

3-Phosphoinositide-Dependent Protein Kinases↗

Novel cytoplasmic proteins of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae up-regulate human MUC5AC mucin transcription via a positive p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway and a negative phosphoinositide 3-kinase-Akt pathway.

Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is an important human pathogen that causes chronic otitis media with effusion (COME) in children and exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults. Mucin overproduction, a hallmark of both diseases, has been shown to directly cause conductive hearing loss in COME and airway obstruction in COPD. The molecular mechanisms underlying mucin overproduction in NTHi infections still remain unclear. Here, we show that NTHi strongly up-regulates MUC5AC mucin transcription only after bacterial cell disruption. Maximal up-regulation is induced by heat-stable bacterial cytoplasmic proteins, whereas NTHi surface membrane proteins induce only moderate MUC5AC transcription. These results demonstrate an important role for cytoplasmic molecules from lysed bacteria in the pathogenesis of NTHi infections, and may well explain why many patients still have persistent symptoms such as middle ear effusion in COME after intensive antibiotic treatment. Furthermore, our results indicate that activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase is required for NTHi-induced MUC5AC transcription, whereas activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase-Akt pathway leads to down-regulation of NTHi-induced MUC5AC transcription via a negative cross-talk with p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. These studies may bring new insights into molecular pathogenesis of NTHi infections and lead to novel therapeutic intervention for COME and COPD.

Adult↗

Association of the X-linked lymphoproliferative disease gene product SAP/SH2D1A with 2B4, a natural killer cell-activating molecule, is dependent on phosphoinositide 3-kinase.

Natural killer (NK) cells express an activating receptor, 2B4, that enhances cellular cytotoxicity. Upon NK cell activation by ligation of 2B4, the intracellular domain of 2B4 associates with the X-linked lymphoproliferative disease (XLP) gene product, signaling lymphocytic activation molecule-associated protein/SH2D1A (SAP/SH2D1A). Defective intracellular association of 2B4 with mutated SAP/SH2D1A is likely to underlie the defects in cytotoxicity observed in NK cells from patients with XLP. We report here a role for phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) in the recruitment and association of SAP/SH2D1A to 2B4 in human NK cells. The activation of normal NK cells by ligation of 2B4 leads to the phosphorylation of 2B4, recruitment of SAP/SH2D1A, and association of the p85 regulatory subunit of PI3K. The inhibition of PI3K enzymatic activity with either wortmannin or LY294002 prior to 2B4 ligation does not alter the association of 2B4 with the p85 subunit but prevents the recruitment of SAP/SH2D1A to 2B4. In addition, PI3K inhibitors significantly diminish the cytotoxic function of primary NK cells. This observed inhibition of cytotoxicity, present in normal NK cells, was less apparent or absent in NK cells derived from a patient with XLP. These data indicate that the cytotoxicity of activated NK cells is mediated by the association of 2B4 and SAP/SH2D1A, and that this association is dependent upon the activity of PI3K.

Amino Acid Sequence↗