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The roles of the Drosophila JAK/STAT pathway.

The JAK/STAT signal transduction pathway has been conserved throughout evolution such that true structural and functional homologues of components originally identified in vertebrate systems are also present in the model genetic system Drosophila melanogaster. In addition to roles during larval hematopoiesis reminiscent of the requirement for this pathway in mammalian systems, the JAK/STAT pathway in Drosophila is also involved in a number of other developmental events. Recent data has demonstrated further roles for the JAK/STAT pathway in the establishment of sexual identity via the early embryonic expression of Sex lethal, the segmentation of the embryo via the control of pair rule genes including even skipped and the establishment of polarity within the adult compound eye via a mechanism that includes the four jointed gene. Use of the powerful genetics in the model organism Drosophila may identify new components of the JAK/STAT pathway, define new roles for this pathway, and provide insights into the function of this signal transduction system. Here we review the roles of STAT and its associated signaling pathway during both embryonic and adult stages of Drosophila development and discuss future prospects for the identification and characterization of novel pathway components and targets. Oncogene (2000).

Animals↗

IL-6 inhibits apoptosis of human myeloma cell line XG-7 through activation of JAK/STAT pathway and up-regulation of Mcl-1.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: IL-6 can protect myeloma cells from apoptosis induced by various stimuli. A series of intracellular molecules might participate in this process. Our aim in this study is to investigate which anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins (Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, Mcl-1) and which signal transduction pathway(JAK/STAT, Ras/MAPK, PI-3K/Akt) can mediate the anti-apoptotic effect of IL-6 on a human myeloma cell line XG-7. METHODS: Apoptosis of XG-7 cells was analyzed by flow cytometry with propidium iodide(PI) staining of nuclei. The expression of three Bcl-2 family proteins in XG-7 cells were monitored by immunoblot assay. AG490, PD98059, and LY294002, three specific antagonists for JAK/STAT, Ras/MAPK, and PI-3K/Akt signal transduction pathways respectively, were used to determine which signal transduction pathway was responsible for the effect of IL-6 on XG-7 cells. RESULTS: IL-6 inhibited the apoptosis of XG-7 cells and up-regulated the expression of only one of the three anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins-Mcl-1. In addition, up-regulation of Mcl-1 expression induced by IL-6 was significantly inhibited in the presence of AG490, while not of PD98059 and LY294002. CONCLUSIONS: IL-6 inhibited apoptosis of XG-7 cells through up-regulation of Mcl-1 and the activation of JAK/STAT rather than Ras/MAPK nor PI-3K/Akt signal transduction pathway.

Apoptosis↗

GFP reporters detect the activation of the Drosophila JAK/STAT pathway in vivo.

JAK/STAT signaling is essential for a wide range of developmental processes in Drosophila melanogaster. The mechanism by which the JAK/STAT pathway contributes to these processes has been the subject of recent investigation. However, a reporter that reflects activity of the JAK/STAT pathway in all Drosophila tissues has not yet been developed. By placing a fragment of the Stat92E target gene Socs36E, which contains at least two putative Stat92E binding sites, upstream of GFP, we generated three constructs that can be used to monitor JAK/STAT pathway activity in vivo. These constructs differ by the number of Stat92E binding sites and the stability of GFP. The 2XSTAT92E-GFP and 10XSTAT92E-GFP constructs contain 2 and 10 Stat92E binding sites, respectively, driving expression of enhanced GFP, while 10XSTAT92E-DGFP drives expression of destabilized GFP. We show that these reporters are expressed in the embryo in an overlapping pattern with Stat92E protein and in tissues where JAK/STAT signaling is required. In addition, these reporters accurately reflect JAK/STAT pathway activity at larval stages, as their expression pattern overlaps that of the activating ligand unpaired in imaginal discs. Moreover, the STAT92E-GFP reporters are activated by ectopic JAK/STAT signaling. STAT92E-GFP fluorescence is increased in response to ectopic upd in the larval eye disc and mis-expression of the JAK kinase hopscotch in the adult fat body. Lastly, these reporters are specifically activated by Stat92E, as STAT92E-GFP reporter expression is lost cell-autonomously in stat92E homozygous mutant tissue. In sum, we have generated in vivo GFP reporters that accurately reflect JAK/STAT pathway activation in a variety of tissues. These reporters are valuable tools to further investigate and understand the role of JAK/STAT signaling in Drosophila.

Animals↗

Characterisation of Upd2, a Drosophila JAK/STAT pathway ligand.

The characterisation of ligands that activate the JAK/STAT pathway has the potential to throw light onto a comparatively poorly understood aspect of this important signal transduction cascade. Here, we describe our analysis of the only invertebrate JAK/STAT pathway ligands identified to date, the Drosophila unpaired-like family. We show that upd2 is expressed in a pattern essentially identical to that of upd and demonstrate that the proteins encoded by this region activate JAK/STAT pathway signalling. Mutational analysis demonstrates a mutual semi-redundancy that can be visualised in multiple tissues known to require JAK/STAT signalling. In order to better characterise the in vivo function of these ligands, we developed a reporter based on a natural JAK/STAT pathway responsive enhancer and show that ectopic upd2 expression can effectively activate the JAK/STAT pathway. While both Upd and Upd2 are secreted JAK/STAT pathway agonists, tissue culture assays show that the signal-sequences of Upd and Upd2 confer distinct properties, with Upd associated primarily with the extracellular matrix and Upd2 secreted into the media. The differing biophysical characteristics identified for Upd-like molecules have implications for their function in vivo and adds another aspect to our understanding of cytokine signalling in Drosophila.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The Jak/STAT pathway in model organisms: emerging roles in cell movement.

The JAK/STAT pathway was originally identified in mammals. Studies of this pathway in the mouse have revealed that JAK/STAT signaling plays a central role during hematopoeisis and other developmental processes. The role of JAK/STAT signaling in blood appears to be conserved throughout evolution, as it is also required during fly hematopoeisis. Studies in Dictyostelium, Drosophila, and zebrafish have shown that the JAK/STAT pathway is also required in an unusually broad set of developmental decisions, including cell proliferation, cell fate determination, cell migration, planar polarity, convergent extension, and immunity. There is increasing evidence that the versatility of this pathway relies on its cooperation with other signal transduction pathways. In this review, we discuss the components of the JAK/STAT pathway in model organisms and what is known about its requirement in cellular and developmental processes. In particular, we emphasize recent insights into the role that this pathway plays in the control of cell movement.

Animals↗

Combined inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor and JAK/STAT pathways results in greater growth inhibition in vitro than single agent therapy.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibition with small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors results in antitumor activity in only a minority of patients whose tumors express EGFR. One hypothesis to explain this suboptimal clinical activity is that multiple growth regulatory pathways are abnormal in most EGFR-expressing cancers. Given the importance of Stat-3 signaling pathway in epidermoid tumors, we hypothesized that blocking complementary pathways in an epidermal growth factor (EGF)-driven model of proliferation in the A431 cell line would demonstrate improved antiproliferative activity. Exposure of A431 cells to the EGF results in a significant increase in EGFR and Stat-3 phosphorylation. However, inhibition of EGFR by AG1478 fails to decrease EGF-induced Stat-3 phosphorylation. This suggests that EGF continues to drive Stat-3 phosphorylation through other receptors. Our study suggests that residual ErbB2 activation by EGF, despite EGFR blockade, is responsible for persistent downstream activation of Stat-3. In this setting, combined exposure to an EGFR blocker and Stat-3 blocker (AG490) results in significantly greater tumor growth inhibition than either agent alone. We conclude that targeting multiple pathways (EGFR and JAK/STAT pathways) in EGF-driven tumors may result in greater antiproliferative activity than blocking EGFR alone.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

The JAK/STAT pathway and Drosophila development.

The JAK/STAT signal transduction pathway plays a critical role in mammalian cells, particularly in hematopoiesis and immune responses. Several components of this pathway have been identified and characterized in Drosophila. Mutational analyses of these components have revealed a number of interesting developmental roles, and provide a mechanism to identify other interacting molecules and pathways. Hence, the JAK/STAT pathway in Drosophila serves as an attractive model for in vivo functional analyses of JAK/STAT signaling.

Animals↗

The JAK/STAT pathway is not sufficient to sustain the antiproliferative response in an interferon-resistant human melanoma cell line.

The mechanism of resistance of malignant melanoma to treatment with interferon-alpha is unknown, and currently there is no reliable method of predicting response. Signalling via the JAK/STAT pathway is known to mediate many interferon-regulated events and has been implicated in mediating the antiproliferative response. The objective of this study was to determine whether defects in JAK/STAT signalling may be responsible for interferon resistance. The in vitro response to interferon was determined in a panel of established melanoma cell lines, and the components and functioning of the JAK/STAT pathway were examined in sensitive and resistant cell lines. Two melanoma cell lines, characterized as sensitive (MM418) and resistant (MeWo) to the antiproliferative effect of interferon, were both shown by Western blotting to possess all the protein components of the JAK/STAT pathway, and were shown to be capable of producing functional transcription factors using an electrophoretic mobility shift assay and a ribonuclease protection assay of known interferon-induced genes. In addition, both cell lines had intact antiviral and HLA upregulation responses. These data suggest that there is no defect in the JAK/STAT pathway per se in the MeWo cell line, and that the substantial resistance to interferon must be mediated through components either downstream or additional to this signalling pathway. Others have shown JAK/STAT defects to be responsible for interferon resistance in some melanoma cell lines. However, our results highlight the likely heterogeneity in the mechanisms leading to interferon resistance both in cell lines and tumours, and suggest that a clinical assay based on analysis of components of the JAK/STAT pathway may have only limited use as a predictor of interferon response.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Activation of JAK/STAT pathway transduces cytoprotective signal in rat acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: We reported that the activation of gp130 transduced hypertrophic and cytoprotective signals via Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway in cardiac myocytes. Recent in vivo experiments have demonstrated that the JAK/STAT pathway is activated in acute pressure overload hearts. The present study was designed to examine whether the JAK/STAT pathway is also activated in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and to determine its pathophysiological roles in ischemic heart disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: AMI model was generated by the ligation of proximal left anterior descending coronary artery of male Wistar rat. They were sacrificed at various time points ranging from 1 to 24 h after coronary ligation and their hearts were examined. Tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT3 was observed in the myocardium obtained from both the ischemic area and the healthy border area adjacent to the infarcted area. The AMI rats were next randomly assigned to two groups, one with coronary ligation only (group M), and the other with coronary ligation with AG-490 treatment (1 mg/kg i.v., every 4 h), a specific JAK2 inhibitor (group A). In group A, phosphorylation of STAT3 was significantly suppressed and caspase-3 activity and Bax expression were significantly increased in the myocardium after AMI. In group M, few apoptotic myocytes were identified in the border area by means of TUNEL assay. However, a significant increase in apoptotic cells was observed in group A. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of JAK2 inhibitor resulted in deterioration of myocardial viability in AMI hearts. The JAK/STAT pathway is activated in AMI myocardium and plays a pivotal role in cytoprotective signaling.

Analysis of Variance↗

Involvement of gp130-mediated signaling in pressure overload-induced activation of the JAK/STAT pathway in rodent heart.

Previously, we showed that the JAK/STAT pathway was activated in pressure-overloaded rat heart, and that angiotensin II was partially involved in this activation. The present study was designed to investigate whether gp130-mediated signaling is involved in this activation, and if so, which interleukin (IL)-6 family cytokine is involved. Pressure overload was produced by ligation of the abdominal aorta of Wistar rats or ICR mice. IP-Western blot was performed to detect tyrosine phosphorylation of STATs, gp130, and the association of gp130 with JAK kinases. The serum concentration of IL-6 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Expression of IL-6, IL-11, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), oncostatin M (OSM), and cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) mRNA was quantitated. After pressure overload, rapid phosphorylation of STAT1 and STAT3 was observed at 5 min, STAT1 was rephosphorylated at 60 min, and intense phosphorylation of STAT3 was observed at 60 min. Both the phosphorylation of gp130 and the association of gp130 with JAK1 and JAK2 were increased after pressure overload. IL-6 was significantly increased by two-fold in the pressure-overloaded rats. Only CT-1 mRNA expression could be detected by Northern blot, and it increased after pressure overload. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction revealed that IL-6 mRNA expression was increased 9.5-fold. IL-11, LIF, CNTF, and OSM expression were unaffected by pressure overload. These results suggested that gp130-mediated signaling was involved in the pressure overload-induced activation of the JAK/STAT pathway, and that IL-6 and CT-1 might be involved in this activation.

Animals↗

Somatic control of germline sexual development is mediated by the JAK/STAT pathway.

Germ cells must develop along distinct male or female paths to produce the sperm or eggs required for sexual reproduction. In both mouse and Drosophila, the sexual identity of germ cells is influenced by the sex of the surrounding somatic tissue (for example, refs 1, 2, reviewed in refs 3, 4); however, little is known about how the soma controls germline sex determination. Here we show that the janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway provides a sex-specific signal from the soma to the germ line in Drosophila embryonic gonads. The somatic gonad expresses a JAK/STAT ligand, unpaired (upd), in a male-specific manner, and activates the JAK/STAT pathway in male germ cells at the time of gonad formation. Furthermore, the JAK/STAT pathway is necessary for male-specific germ cell behaviour during early gonad development, and is sufficient to activate aspects of male germ cell behaviour in female germ cells. Our findings provide direct evidence that the JAK/STAT pathway mediates a key signal from the somatic gonad that regulates male germline sexual development.

Animals↗

Activation of the JAK/STAT pathway in vascular smooth muscle by serotonin.

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is a vasoconstrictor and mitogen whose levels are elevated in diabetes. Previous studies have shown the presence of 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B, and 5-HT1B receptors in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). There are currently no data regarding 5-HT2B and 5-HT1B receptor activation of the JAK/STAT pathway in VSMCs and resultant potential alterations in 5-HT signaling in diabetes. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that 5-HT differentially activates the JAK/STAT pathway in VSMCs under conditions of normal (5 mM) and high (25 mM) glucose. Treatment of rat VSMCs with 5-HT (10(-6) M) resulted in time-dependent activation ( approximately 2-fold) of JAK2, JAK1, and STAT1, but not STAT3 (maximal at 5 min, returned to baseline by 30 min). The 5-HT2B receptor agonist BW723C86 and the 5-HT1B receptor agonist CGS12066A (10(-9)-10(-5) M, 5-min stimulation) did not activate the JAK/STAT pathway. Treatment with the 5-HT2A receptor antagonist ketanserin (10 nM) inhibited JAK2 activation by 5-HT. Treatment of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats with ketanserin (5 mg.kg-1.day-1) reduced activation of JAK2 and STAT1 but not STAT3 in endothelium-denuded thoracic aorta in vivo. 5-HT (10(-6) M) treatment resulted in increased cell proliferation and increased DNA synthesis, which were inhibited by the JAK2 inhibitor AG490. Further studies with apocynin, diphenyleneiodonium chloride, catalase, and virally transfected superoxide dismutase had no effect at either glucose concentration on activation of the JAK/STAT pathway by 5-HT. Therefore, we conclude that 5-HT activates JAK2, JAK1, and STAT1 via the 5-HT2A receptors in a reactive oxygen species-independent manner under both normal and high glucose conditions.

Animals↗

Negative regulation of the JAK/STAT pathway.

Cytokines induce a variety of biological responses by binding to specific cell surface receptors and activating cytoplasmic signal transduction pathways, such as the JAK/STAT pathway. Although these responses are generally transient, few molecules have been characterised that switch the signal off. Several different steps of the signal transduction pathway appear to be targeted by negative regulators, including the receptor/ligand complex, JAK kinases, and STAT transcription factors. Negative regulation is achieved by dephosphorylation of signalling intermediates by protein tyrosine phosphatases such as SHP-1, and by proteolytic degradation. Recent studies have identified two new families of negative regulatory molecules, SOCS and PIAS, which function in novel ways to suppress signal transduction pathways. The duration and intensity of a cell's response to cytokine therefore appear to be determined by the net effect of several regulatory mechanisms.

Animals↗

Suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS): inhibitors of the JAK/STAT pathway.

The suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) are recently identified inhibitors of cytokine and growth factor (GF) signaling that act via the Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) pathway. Cytokine-mediated JAK/STAT signaling controls a number of important biologic responses, including immune function, cellular growth, differentiation, and hematopoieses. The SOCS family consists of eight proteins: CIS and SOCS1-SOCS7, which contain a central SH2 domain, a conserved C-terminus referred to as the SOCS box, and a unique N-terminus. The expression of SOCS-1 to -3 and CIS is induced by cytokine or GF stimulation, resulting in the inhibition of JAK/STAT-mediated cytokine signaling by what appears to be a classic negative feedback loop. In this article we review cytokine/GF signaling by the JAK/STAT pathway, discovery of the SOCS family, the regulation of SOCS expression, mechanism(s) of SOCS action, and we summarize some of the biochemical and genetic studies investigating the physiologic role of SOCS in regulating cytokine activity.

Animals↗

Bradykinin activates the Janus-activated kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway in vascular endothelial cells: localization of JAK/STAT signalling proteins in plasmalemmal caveolae.

Bradykinin (BK) is an important physiological regulator of endothelial cell function. In the present study, we have examined the role of the Janus-activated kinase (JAK)/signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) pathway in endothelial signal transduction through the BK B2 receptor (B2R). In cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs), BK activates Tyk2 of the JAK family of tyrosine kinases. Activation results in the tyrosine phosphorylation and subsequent nuclear translocation of STAT3. BK also activates the mitogen-activated p44 and p42 protein kinases, resulting in STAT3 serine phosphorylation. Furthermore, Tyk2 and STAT3 form a complex with the B2R in response to BK stimulation. Under basal conditions, Tyk2, STAT3 and the B2R are localized either partially or entirely in endothelial plasmalemmal caveolae. Following BK stimulation of BAECs, however, the B2R and STAT3 are translocated out of caveolae. Taken together, these data suggest that BK activates the JAK/STAT pathway in endothelial cells and that JAK/STAT signalling proteins are localized in endothelial caveolae. Moreover, caveolar localization of the B2R and STAT3 appears to be regulated in an agonist-dependent manner.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

The maternal JAK/STAT pathway of Drosophila regulates embryonic dorsal-ventral patterning.

Activation of NFkappaB plays a pivotal role in many cellular processes such as inflammation, proliferation and apoptosis. In Drosophila, nuclear translocation of the NFkappaB-related transcription factor Dorsal is spatially regulated in order to subdivide the embryo into three primary dorsal-ventral (DV) domains: the ventral presumptive mesoderm, the lateral neuroectoderm and the dorsal ectoderm. Ventral activation of the Toll receptor induces degradation of the IkappaB-related inhibitor Cactus, liberating Dorsal for nuclear translocation. In addition, other pathways have been suggested to regulate Dorsal. Signaling through the maternal BMP member Decapentaplegic (Dpp) inhibits Dorsal translocation along a pathway parallel to and independent of Toll. In the present study, we show for the first time that the maternal JAK/STAT pathway also regulates embryonic DV patterning. Null alleles of loci coding for elements of the JAK/STAT pathway, hopscotch (hop), marelle (mrl) and zimp (zimp), modify zygotic expression along the DV axis. Genetic analysis suggests that the JAK kinase Hop, most similar to vertebrate JAK2, may modify signals downstream of Dpp. In addition, an activated form of Hop results in increased levels of Cactus and Dorsal proteins, modifying the Dorsal/Cactus ratio and consequently DV patterning. These results indicate that different maternal signals mediated by the Toll, BMP and JAK/STAT pathways may converge to regulate NFkappaB activity in Drosophila.

Animals↗

Angiotensin II activation of the JAK/STAT pathway in mesangial cells is altered by high glucose.

BACKGROUND: Both high glucose (HG) and angiotensin II (Ang II) causes glomerular mesangial cell (GMC) growth and increased synthesis of matrix proteins like collagen IV contributing to diabetic nephropathy. We have recently found that exposure of vascular smooth muscle cells to HG augments the Ang II activation of the growth promoting JAK/STAT pathway. We hypothesized that Ang II activation of the JAK/STAT pathway is altered by HG in GMC, and that this pathway might be linked to the Ang II-induced growth and overproduction of collagen IV in GMC in HG conditions. METHODS: GMC were cultured under normal glucose (NG; 5.5 mmol/L) and HG (25 mmol/L) for 48 hours and stimulated with Ang II (0.1 micromol/L) for various times. GMC lysate was then immunoprecipitated and/or immunoblotted with SHP-1, SHP-2 and phosphospecific JAK2 and STAT antibodies. The HG and Ang II induced growth and collagen IV synthesis studies were performed in GMC transfected with JAK2 antisense or JAK2 sense. GMC growth was monitored via [3H]-thymidine incorporation, and collagen IV synthesis via ELISA. RESULTS: We found that Ang II-induced JAK2, STAT1, STAT3, STAT5A/B and SHP-2 phosphorylations were enhanced by HG, whereas that of SHP-1 was reduced. Ang II-induced growth and collagen IV synthesis also were increased under HG conditions. Transfection of GMC with JAK2 antisense oligonucleotides blocked the Ang II-induced growth and collagen IV synthesis in both NG and HG conditions. CONCLUSION: These results provide evidence that activation of the JAK/STAT pathway by HG or/and Ang II may be of importance in the increased GMC cell growth and collagen IV synthesis that is seen in diabetic nephropathy.

Angiotensin II↗

Novel level of signalling control in the JAK/STAT pathway revealed by in situ visualisation of protein-protein interaction during Drosophila development.

It is commonly accepted that activation of most signalling pathways is induced by ligand receptor dimerisation. This belief has been challenged for some vertebrate cytokine receptors of the JAK/STAT pathway. Here we study whether DOME, the Drosophila receptor of the JAK/STAT pathway, can dimerise and if the dimerisation is ligand-dependent. To analyse DOME homo-dimerisation, we have applied a beta-gal complementation technique that allows the detection of protein interactions in situ. This technique has been used previously in cell culture but this is the first time that it has been applied to whole embryos. We show that this technique, which we rename betalue-betalau technique, can be used to detect DOME homo-dimerisation in Drosophila developing embryos. Despite DOME being ubiquitously expressed, dimerisation is developmentally regulated. We investigate the state of DOME dimerisation in the presence or absence of ligand and show that DOME dimerisation is not ligand-induced, indicating that ligand independent cytokine receptor dimerisation is a conserved feature across phyla. We have further analysed the functional significance of ligand-independent receptor dimerisation by comparing the effects of ectopic ligand expression in cells in which the receptor is, or is not, dimerised. We show that ligand expression can only activate STAT downstream targets or affect embryo development in cells in which the receptor is dimerised. These results suggest a model in which ligand-independent dimerisation of the JAK/STAT receptor confers cells with competence to activate the pathway prior to ligand reception. Thus, competence to induce the JAK/STAT signalling pathway in Drosophila can be regulated by controlling receptor dimerisation prior to ligand binding. These results reveal a novel level of JAK/STAT signalling regulation that could also apply to vertebrates.

Alleles↗