Regulation of the Cyclin B Degradation System by an Inhibitor of Mitotic Proteolysis

The initiation of anaphase and exit from mitosis depend on the anaphase-promoting complex (APC), which mediates the ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis of anaphase-inhibiting proteins and mitotic cyclins. We have analyzed whether protein phosphatases are required for mitotic APC activation. In Xenopus egg extracts APC activation occurs normally in the presence of protein phosphatase 1 inhibitors, suggesting that the anaphase defects caused by protein phosphatase 1 mutation in several organisms are not due to a failure to activate the APC. Contrary to this, the initiation of mitotic cyclin B proteolysis is prevented by inhibitors of protein phosphatase 2A such as okadaic acid. Okadaic acid induces an activity that inhibits cyclin B ubiquitination. We refer to this activity as inhibitor of mitotic proteolysis because it also prevents the degradation of other APC substrates. A similar activity exists in extracts of Xenopus eggs that are arrested at the second meiotic metaphase by the cytostatic factor activity of the protein kinase mos. In Xenopus eggs, the initiation of anaphase II may therefore be prevented by an inhibitor of APC-dependent ubiquitination.

Yeast Dam1p Is Required to Maintain Spindle Integrity during Mitosis and Interacts with the Mps1p Kinase

We have identified a mutant allele of the DAM1 gene in a screen for mutations that are lethal in combination with the mps1-1 mutation. MPS1 encodes an essential protein kinase that is required for duplication of the spindle pole body and for the spindle assembly checkpoint. Mutations in six different genes were found to be lethal in combination with mps1-1, of which only DAM1 was novel. The remaining genes encode a checkpoint protein, Bub1p, and four chaperone proteins, Sti1p, Hsc82p, Cdc37p, and Ydj1p. DAM1 is an essential gene that encodes a protein recently described as a member of a microtubule binding complex. We report here that cells harboring the dam1-1 mutation fail to maintain spindle integrity during anaphase at the restrictive temperature. Consistent with this phenotype, DAM1 displays genetic interactions with STU1, CIN8, and KAR3, genes encoding proteins involved in spindle function. We have observed that a Dam1p-Myc fusion protein expressed at endogenous levels and localized by immunofluorescence microscopy, appears to be evenly distributed along short mitotic spindles but is found at the spindle poles at later times in mitosis.

Radiation-induced Release of Transforming Growth Factor α Activates the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Pathway in Carcinoma Cells, Leading to Increased Proliferation and Protection from Radiation-induced Cell Death

Exposure of A431 squamous and MDA-MB-231 mammary carcinoma cells to ionizing radiation has been associated with short transient increases in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) pathways. Irradiation (2 Gy) of A431 and MDA-MB-231 cells caused immediate primary activations (0–10 min) of the EGFR and the MAPK and JNK pathways, which were surprisingly followed by later prolonged secondary activations (90–240 min). Primary and secondary activation of the EGFR was abolished by molecular inhibition of EGFR function. The primary and secondary activation of the MAPK pathway was abolished by molecular inhibition of either EGFR or Ras function. In contrast, molecular inhibition of EGFR function abolished the secondary but not the primary activation of the JNK pathway. Inhibition of tumor necrosis factor α receptor function by use of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies blunted primary activation of the JNK pathway. Addition of a neutralizing monoclonal antibody versus transforming growth factor α (TGFα) had no effect on the primary activation of either the EGFR or the MAPK and JNK pathways after irradiation but abolished the secondary activation of EGFR, MAPK, and JNK. Irradiation of cells increased pro-TGFα cleavage 120–180 min after exposure. In agreement with radiation-induced release of a soluble factor, activation of the EGFR and the MAPK and JNK pathways could be induced in nonirradiated cells by the transfer of media from irradiated cells 120 min after irradiation. The ability of the transferred media to cause MAPK and JNK activation was blocked when media were incubated with a neutralizing antibody to TGFα. Thus radiation causes primary and secondary activation of the EGFR and the MAPK and JNK pathways in autocrine-regulated carcinoma cells. Secondary activation of the EGFR and the MAPK and JNK pathways is dependent on radiation-induced cleavage and autocrine action of TGFα. Neutralization of TGFα function by an anti-TGFα antibody or inhibition of MAPK function by MEK1/2 inhibitors (PD98059 and U0126) radiosensitized A431 and MDA-MB-231 cells after irradiation in apoptosis, 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), and clonogenic assays. These data demonstrate that disruption of the TGFα–EGFR–MAPK signaling module represents a strategy to decrease carcinoma cell growth and survival after irradiation.

Plo1 Kinase Recruitment to the Spindle Pole Body and Its Role in Cell Division in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Polo kinases execute multiple roles during cell division. The fission yeast polo related kinase Plo1 is required to assemble the mitotic spindle, the prophase actin ring that predicts the site for cytokinesis and for septation after the completion of mitosis (Ohkura et al., 1995; Bahler et al., 1998). We show that Plo1 associates with the mitotic but not interphase spindle pole body (SPB). SPB association of Plo1 is the earliest fission yeast mitotic event recorded to date. SPB association is strong from mitotic commitment to early anaphase B, after which the Plo1 signal becomes very weak and finally disappears upon spindle breakdown. SPB association of Plo1 requires mitosis-promoting factor (MPF) activity, whereas its disassociation requires the activity of the anaphase-promoting complex. The stf1.1 mutation bypasses the usual requirement for the MPF activator Cdc25 (Hudson et al., 1990). Significantly, Plo1 associates inappropriately with the interphase SPB of stf1.1 cells. These data are consistent with the emerging theme from many systems that polo kinases participate in the regulation of MPF to determine the timing of commitment to mitosis and may indicate that pole association is a key aspect of Plo1 function. Plo1 does not associate with the SPB when septation is inappropriately driven by deregulation of the Spg1 pathway and remains SPB associated if septation occurs in the presence of a spindle. Thus, neither Plo1 recruitment to nor its departure from the SPB are required for septation; however, overexpression of plo1+ activates the Spg1 pathway and causes transient Cdc7 recruitment to the SPB and multiple rounds of septation.

Stimulation of β1-Integrin Function by Epidermal Growth Factor and Heregulin-β Has Distinct Requirements for erbB2 but a Similar Dependence on Phosphoinositide 3-OH Kinase

Integrins and growth factor receptors are important participants in cellular adhesion and migration. The EGF receptor (EGFR) family of tyrosine kinases and the β1-integrin adhesion receptors are of particular interest, given the implication for their involvement in the initiation and progression of tumorigenesis. We used adhesion and chemotaxis assays to further elucidate the relationship between these two families of transmembrane signaling molecules. Specifically, we examined integrin-mediated adhesive and migratory characteristics of the metastatic breast carcinoma cell line MDA-MB-435 in response to stimulation with growth factors that bind to and activate the EGFR or erbB3 in these cells. Although ligand engagement of the EGFR stimulated modest β1-dependent increases in cell adhesion and motility, heregulin-β (HRGβ) binding to the erbB3 receptor initiated rapid and potent induction of breast carcinoma cell adhesion and migration and required dimerization of erbB3 with erbB2. Pharmacologic inhibitors of phosphoinositide 3-OH kinase (PI 3-K) or transient expression of dominant negative forms of PI 3-K inhibited both EGF- and HRGβ-mediated adhesion and potently blocked HRGβ- and EGF-induced cell motility. Our results illustrate the critical role of PI 3-K activity in signaling pathways initiated by the EGFR or erbB3 to up-regulate β1-integrin function.

The Protein Kinase Cdr2, Related to Nim1/Cdr1 Mitotic Inducer, Regulates the Onset of Mitosis in Fission Yeast

Cdc2–Cyclin B, the protein kinase that catalyzes the onset of mitosis, is subject to multiple forms of regulation. In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe and most other species, a key mode of Cdc2–Cyclin B regulation is the inhibitory phosphorylation of Cdc2 on tyrosine-15. This phosphorylation is catalyzed by the protein kinases Wee1 and Mik1 and removed by the phosphatase Cdc25. These proteins are also regulated, a notable example being the inhibition of Wee1 by the protein kinase Nim1/Cdr1. The temperature-sensitive mutation cdc25–22 is synthetic lethal with nim1/cdr1 mutations, suggesting that a synthetic lethal genetic screen could be used to identify novel mitotic regulators. Here we describe that such a screen has identified cdr2+, a gene that has an important role in the mitotic control. Cdr2 is a 775 amino acid protein kinase that is closely related to Nim1 and mitotic control proteins in budding yeast. Deletion of cdr2 causes a G2-M delay that is more severe than that caused by nim1/cdr1 mutations. Genetic studies are consistent with a model in which Cdr2 negatively regulates Wee1. This model is supported by experiments showing that Cdr2 associates with the N-terminal regulatory domain of Wee1 in cell lysates and phosphorylates Wee1 in vitro. Thus, Cdr2 is a novel mitotic control protein that appears to regulate Wee1.

A WD Repeat Protein Controls the Cell Cycle and Differentiation by Negatively Regulating Cdc2/B-Type Cyclin Complexes

In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, p34cdc2 plays a central role controlling the cell cycle. We recently isolated a new gene named srw1+, capable of encoding a WD repeat protein, as a multicopy suppressor of hyperactivated p34cdc2. Cells lacking srw1+ are sterile and defective in cell cycle controls. When starved for nitrogen source, they fail to effectively arrest in G1 and die of accelerated mitotic catastrophe if regulation of p34cdc2/Cdc13 by inhibitory tyrosine phosphorylation is compromised by partial inactivation of Wee1 kinase. Fertility is restored to the disruptant by deletion of Cig2 B-type cyclin or slight inactivation of p34cdc2. srw1+ shares functional similarity with rum1+, having abilities to induce endoreplication and restore fertility to rum1 disruptants. In the srw1 disruptant, Cdc13 fails to be degraded when cells are starved for nitrogen. We conclude that Srw1 controls differentiation and cell cycling at least by negatively regulating Cig2- and Cdc13-associated p34cdc2 and that one of its roles is to down-regulate the level of the mitotic cyclin particularly in nitrogen-poor environments.

Roles for Basal and Stimulated p21Cip-1/WAF1/MDA6 Expression and Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Signaling in Radiation-induced Cell Cycle Checkpoint Control in Carcinoma Cells

We investigated the role of the cdk inhibitor protein p21Cip-1/WAF1/MDA6 (p21) in the ability of MAPK pathway inhibition to enhance radiation-induced apoptosis in A431 squamous carcinoma cells. In carcinoma cells, ionizing radiation (2 Gy) caused both primary (0–10 min) and secondary (90–240 min) activations of the MAPK pathway. Radiation induced p21 protein expression in A431 cells within 6 h via secondary activation of the MAPK pathway. Within 6 h, radiation weakly enhanced the proportion of cells in G1 that were p21 and MAPK dependent, whereas the elevation of cells present in G2/M at this time was independent of either p21 expression or MAPK inhibition. Inhibition of the MAPK pathway increased the proportion of irradiated cells in G2/M phase 24–48 h after irradiation and enhanced radiation-induced apoptosis. This correlated with elevated Cdc2 tyrosine 15 phosphorylation, decreased Cdc2 activity, and decreased Cdc25C protein levels. Caffeine treatment or removal of MEK1/2 inhibitors from cells 6 h after irradiation reduced the proportion of cells present in G2/M phase at 24 h and abolished the ability of MAPK inhibition to potentiate radiation-induced apoptosis. These data argue that MAPK signaling plays an important role in the progression/release of cells through G2/M phase after radiation exposure and that an impairment of this progression/release enhances radiation-induced apoptosis. Surprisingly, the ability of irradiation/MAPK inhibition to increase the proportion of cells in G2/M at 24 h was found to be dependent on basal p21 expression. Transient inhibition of basal p21 expression increased the control level of apoptosis as well as the abilities of both radiation and MEK1/2 inhibitors to cause apoptosis. In addition, loss of basal p21 expression significantly reduced the capacity of MAPK inhibition to potentiate radiation-induced apoptosis. Collectively, our data argue that MAPK signaling and p21 can regulate cell cycle checkpoint control in carcinoma cells at the G1/S transition shortly after exposure to radiation. In contrast, inhibition of MAPK increases the proportion of irradiated cells in G2/M, and basal expression of p21 is required to maintain this effect. Our data suggest that basal and radiation-stimulated p21 may play different roles in regulating cell cycle progression that affect cell survival after radiation exposure.

Characterization of PDZ-binding kinase, a mitotic kinase

hDlg, the human homologue of the Drosophila Discs-large (Dlg) tumor suppressor protein, is known to interact with the tumor suppressor protein APC and the human papillomavirus E6 transforming protein. In a two-hybrid screen, we identified a 322-aa serine/threonine kinase that binds to the PDZ2 domain of hDlg. The mRNA for this PDZ-binding kinase, or PBK, is most abundant in placenta and absent from adult brain tissue. The protein sequence of PBK has all the characteristic protein kinase subdomains and a C-terminal PDZ-binding T/SXV motif. In vitro, PBK binds specifically to PDZ2 of hDlg through its C-terminal T/SXV motif. PBK and hDlg are phosphorylated at mitosis in HeLa cells, and the mitotic phosphorylation of PBK is required for its kinase activity. In vitro, cdc2/cyclin B phosphorylates PBK. This evidence shows how PBK could link hDlg or other PDZ-containing proteins to signal transduction pathways regulating the cell cycle or cellular proliferation.

MEK kinase 1 is critically required for c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation by proinflammatory stimuli and growth factor-induced cell migration

Exposure of eukaryotic cells to extracellular stimuli results in activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades composed of MAPKs, MAPK kinases (MAP2Ks), and MAPK kinase kinases (MAP3Ks). Mammals possess a large number of MAP3Ks, many of which can activate the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) MAPK cascade when overexpressed, but whose biological function is poorly understood. We examined the function of the MAP3K MEK kinase 1 (MEKK1) in proinflammatory signaling. Using MEKK1-deficient embryonic stem cells prepared by gene targeting, we find that, in addition to its function in JNK activation by growth factors, MEKK1 is required for JNK activation by diverse proinflammatory stimuli, including tumor necrosis factor α, IL-1, double-stranded RNA, and lipopolysaccharide. MEKK1 is also essential for induction of embryonic stem cell migration by serum factors, but is not required for activation of other MAPKs or the IκB kinase signaling cascade.

Aberrant B cell receptor signaling from B29 (Igβ, CD79b) gene mutations of chronic lymphocytic leukemia B cells

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) B cells characteristically exhibit low or undetectable surface B cell receptor (BCR) and diminished responses to BCR-mediated signaling. These features suggest that CLL cells may have sustained mutations affecting one or more of the BCR proteins required for receptor surface assembly and signal transduction. Loss of expression and mutations in the critical BCR protein B29 (Igβ, CD79b), are prevalent in CLL and could produce the hallmark features of these leukemic B cells. Because patient CLL cells are intractable to manipulation, we developed a model system to analyze B29 mutations. Jurkat T cells stably expressing μ, κ, and mb1 efficiently assembled a functional BCR when infected with recombinant vaccinia virus bearing wild-type B29. In contrast, a B29 CLL mutant protein truncated in the transmembrane domain did not associate with μ or mb1 at the cell surface. Another B29 CLL mutant lacking the C-terminal immunoreceptor tyrosine activation motif tyrosine and distal residues brought the receptor to the surface as well as wild-type B29 but showed significant impairment in anti-IgM-stimulated signaling events including mitogen-activated protein kinase activation. These findings demonstrate that B29 mutations previously identified in CLL patients can affect BCR-dependent signaling and may contribute to the unresponsive B cell phenotype in CLL. Finally, the features of the B29 mutations in CLL predict that they may be generated by somatic hypermutation.

Inhibition of calcium/calmodulin kinase II alpha subunit expression results in epileptiform activity in cultured hippocampal neurons

Several models that develop epileptiform discharges and epilepsy have been associated with a decrease in the activity of calmodulin-dependent kinase II. However, none of these studies has demonstrated a causal relationship between a decrease in calcium/calmodulin kinase II activity and the development of seizure activity. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of directly reducing calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase activity on the development of epileptiform discharges in hippocampal neurons in culture. Complimentary oligonucleotides specific for the α subunit of the calcium/calmodulin kinase were used to decrease the expression of the enzyme. Reduction in kinase expression was confirmed by Western analysis, immunocytochemistry, and exogenous substrate phosphorylation. Increased neuronal excitability and frank epileptiform discharges were observed after a significant reduction in calmodulin kinase II expression. The epileptiform activity was a synchronous event and was not caused by random neuronal firing. Furthermore, the magnitude of decreased kinase expression correlated with the increased neuronal excitability. The data suggest that decreased calmodulin kinase II activity may play a role in epileptogenesis and the long-term plasticity changes associated with the development of pathological seizure activity and epilepsy.

l-Selectin activates the Ras pathway via the tyrosine kinase p56lck

Selectins mediate rolling, the initial step of leukocyte adhesion to endothelial cells [Springer, T. A. (1995) Annu. Rev. Physiol. 57, 827–872 and Butcher, E. C. (1991) Cell 67, 1033–1036]. In this study we show that l-selectin triggering of Jurkat cells using different antibodies or glycomimetics resulted in activation of the src-tyrosine kinase p56lck; tyrosine phosphorylation of intracellular proteins, in particular mitogen-activating protein kinase and l-selectin; and association of Grb2/Sos with l-selectin. This association correlated with an activation of p21Ras, mitogen-activating protein kinase, Rac2, and a transient increase of O2− synthesis. Stimulation of the Ras pathway by l-selectin requires functional p56lck, since p56lck-deficient Jurkat cells (JCaM1.6) do not show tyrosine phosphorylation, association of l-selectin with Grb2/Sos, and activation of Ras upon l-selectin triggering. Transfection of JCaM1.6 cells with p56lck reconstitutes the observed signaling events. Genetic inhibition of Ras or Rac2 prevented Rac2 stimulation and O2− synthesis, respectively. The specificity and the physiological significance of the observed signaling cascade is indicated by stimulation of l-selectin-transfected P815, l-selectin-positive CEM or peripheral blood lymphocytes resulting in the same activation events as in Jurkat cells. Our results point to a signaling cascade from l-selectin via p56lck, Grb2/Sos, Ras, and Rac2 to O2− .

Role of Syk in B-cell development and antigen-receptor signaling

Antigen receptors (BCRs) on developing B lymphocytes play two opposing roles—promoting survival of cells that may later bind a foreign antigen and inhibiting survival of cells that bind too strongly to self-antigens. It is not known how these opposing outcomes are signaled by BCRs on immature B cells. Here we analyze the effect of a null mutation in the Syk tyrosine kinase on maturing B cells displaying a transgene-encoded BCR that binds hen egg lysozyme (HEL). In the absence of HEL antigen, HEL-specific BCRs are expressed normally on the surface of Syk-deficient immature B-lineage cells, but this fails to promote maturation beyond the earliest stages of B-lineage commitment. Binding of HEL antigen, nevertheless, triggers phosphorylation of CD79α/β BCR subunits and modulation of receptors from the surface in Syk-deficient cells, but it cannot induce an intracellular calcium response. Continuous binding of low- or high-avidity forms of HEL, expressed as self-antigens, fails to restore the signal needed for maturation. Compared with the effects in the same system of null mutations in other BCR signaling elements, such as CD45 and Lyn kinase, these results indicate that Syk is essential for transmitting a signal that initiates the program of B-lymphocyte maturation.

Highly efficient electro-gene therapy of solid tumor by using an expression plasmid for the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene

We report successful electro-gene therapy (EGT) by using plasmid DNA for tumor-bearing mice. Subcutaneously inoculated CT26 tumor was subjected to EGT, which consists of intratumoral injection of a naked plasmid encoding a marker gene or a therapeutic gene, followed by in vivo electroporation (EP). When this treatment modality is carried out with the plasmid DNA for the green fluorescent protein gene, followed by in vivo EP with the optimized pulse parameters, numerous intensely bright green fluorescent signals appeared within the tumor. EGT, by using the “A” fragment of the diphtheria toxin gene significantly inhibited the growth of tumors, by about 30%, on the flank of mice. With the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene, followed by systemic injection of ganciclovir, EGT was far more effective in retarding tumor growth, varying between 50% and 90%, compared with the other controls. Based on these results, it appears that EGT can be used successfully for treating murine solid tumors.