Gab-Family Adapter Proteins Act Downstream of Cytokine and Growth Factor Receptors and T- and B-Cell Antigen Receptors

Gab1 is an integrator of cell death versus cell survival signals in oxidative stress

Upon the addition of different growth factors and cytokines, the Gab1 docking protein is tyrosine phosphorylated and in turn activates different signaling pathways. On the basis of the large body of evidence concerning cross talk between the signaling pathways activated by growth factors and oxidative stress, we decided to investigate the role of Gab1 in oxidative injury. We stimulated wild-type mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEF) or MEF with a homozygous deletion of the Gab1 gene (-/- MEF) with H(2)O(2). Our results show that Gab1 is phosphorylated in a dose- and time-dependent manner after H(2)O(2) triggering. Gab1 then recruits molecules such as SHP2, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and Shc. Gab1 phosphorylation is sensitive to the Src family kinase inhibitor PP2. Furthermore, we demonstrate that Gab1 is required for H(2)O(2)-induced c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation but not for ERK2 or p38 activation. Reconstitution of Gab1 in -/- MEF rescues JNK activation, and we find that this is dependent on the SHP2 binding site in Gab1. Cell viability assays reveal that Gab1 has a dual role in cell survival: a positive one through its interaction with PI3K and a negative one through its interaction with SHP2. This is the first report identifying Gab1 as a component in oxidative stress signaling and one that is required for JNK activation.

Tyrosine phosphorylation of a novel 100-kDa protein coupled to CD28 in resting human T cells is enhanced by a signal through TCR/CD3 complex

For T cell activation, two signals are required, i.e., a T cell receptor (TCR)/CD3-mediated main signal and a CD28-mediated costimulatory signal. CD28 binds to its ligand (CD80 or CD86) and transduces the most important costimulatory signal. The cytoplasmic domain of the CD28 molecule, composed of 41 amino acids, does not contain any intrinsic enzyme activity. The cytoplasmic domain of CD28 is remarkably conserved among species and is associated with a number of signaling molecules that affect the main signal. We report here that a tyrosine phosphorylated 100-kDa protein (ppl00) was coupled to the CD28 cytoplasmic domain in Jurkat and human peripheral T cells. The pp100 was distinguished from other CD28 associated molecules such as Vav, STAT5, PI 3-kinase, Valosin-containing protein (VCP), Nucleolin, Gab2 (Grb2-associated binding protein 2), and STAT6. The tyrosine phosphorylation of pp100 coprecipitated with CD28 was enhanced by CD3 stimulation by the specific antibody, tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor and PKC activator. Tyrosine phosphorylation of pp100 was attenuated by the prior addition of PKC inhibitor. These findings indicate that pp100 is a novel tyrosine phosphorylated protein coupled to CD28 under continuous control of tyrosine phosphatases and might play a role in T cell activation augmented by a TCR/CD3-mediated main signal.

Critical role for PI 3-kinase in the control of erythropoietin-induced erythroid progenitor proliferation

The production of red blood cells is tightly regulated by erythropoietin (Epo). The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) pathway was previously shown to be activated in response to Epo. We studied the role of this pathway in the control of Epo-induced survival and proliferation of primary human erythroid progenitors. We show that phosphoinositide 3 (PI 3)-kinase associates with 4 tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins in primary human erythroid progenitors, namely insulin receptor substrate-2 (IRS2), Src homology 2 domain-containing inositol 5'-phosphatase (SHIP), Grb2-associated binder-1 (Gab1), and the Epo receptor (EpoR). Using different in vitro systems, we demonstrate that 3 alternative pathways independently lead to Epo-induced activation of PI 3-kinase and phosphorylation of its downstream effectors, Akt, FKHRL1, and P70S6 kinase: through direct association of PI 3-kinase with the last tyrosine residue (Tyr479) of the Epo receptor (EpoR), through recruitment and phosphorylation of Gab proteins via either Tyr343 or Tyr401 of the EpoR, or through phosphorylation of IRS2 adaptor protein. The mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway was also activated by Epo in erythroid progenitors, but we found that this process is independent of PI 3-kinase activation. In erythroid progenitors, the functional role of PI 3-kinase was both to prevent apoptosis and to stimulate cell proliferation in response to Epo stimulation. Finally, our results show that PI 3-kinase-mediated proliferation of erythroid progenitors in response to Epo occurs mainly through modulation of the E3 ligase SCF(SKP2), which, in turn, down-regulates p27(Kip1) cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor via proteasome degradation.

Development of an efficient "substrate-trapping" mutant of Src homology phosphotyrosine phosphatase 2 and identification of the epidermal growth factor receptor, Gab1, and three other proteins as target substrates

Src homology containing phosphotyrosine phosphatase 2 (SHP2) is a positive effector of growth factor, cytokine, and integrin signaling. However, neither its physiological substrate nor its mechanism of action in tyrosine kinase signaling has been demonstrated. We reasoned that the identification of physiological substrates of SHP2 would be a stepping stone in elucidating its mechanism of action, and, thus, we constructed a potent trapping mutant of SHP2. Surprisingly, the frequently used Asp to Ala substitution did not give rise to a trapping mutant. However, we were able to develop an efficient trapping mutant of SHP2 by introducing Asp to Ala and Cys to Ser double mutations. The double mutant (DM) protein identified the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), the Grb2 binder 1, and three other, as yet unidentified, phosphotyrosyl proteins as candidate physiological substrates. Given that substrate trapping occurred in intact cells and that the interaction was very specific, it is highly likely that EGFR and Gab1 represent physiological SHP2 substrates. Therefore, the DM protein would serve as an important tool in future SHP2 studies, including identification of p190, p150, and p90.

Gab3-deficient mice exhibit normal development and hematopoiesis and are immunocompetent

Gab proteins are intracellular scaffolding and docking molecules involved in signaling pathways mediated by various growth factor, cytokine, or antigen receptors. Gab3 has been shown to act downstream of the macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor, c-Fms, and to be important for macrophage differentiation. To analyze the physiological role of Gab3, we used homologous recombination to generate mice deficient in Gab3. Gab3(-/-) mice develop normally, are visually indistinguishable from their wild-type littermates, and are healthy and fertile. To obtain a detailed expression pattern of Gab3, we generated Gab3-specific monoclonal antibodies. Immunoblotting revealed a predominant expression of Gab3 in lymphocytes and bone marrow-derived macrophages. However, detailed analysis demonstrated that hematopoiesis in mice lacking Gab3 is not impaired and that macrophages develop in normal numbers and exhibit normal function. The lack of Gab3 expression during macrophage differentiation is not compensated for by increased levels of Gab1 or Gab2 mRNA. Furthermore, Gab3-deficient mice have no major immune deficiency in T- and B-lymphocyte responses to protein antigens or during viral infection. In addition, allergic responses in Gab3-deficient mice appeared to be normal. Together, these data demonstrate that loss of Gab3 does not result in detectable defects in normal mouse development, hematopoiesis, or immune system function.

Negative feedback of T cell activation through inhibitory adapters and costimulatory receptors

Antigen recognition by the T cell receptor (TCR) complex induces the formation of a TCR signalosome by recruiting various signaling molecules, generating the recognition signals for T cell activation. The activation status and functional outcome are positively and negatively regulated by dynamic organization of the signalosome and by costimulation signals. We have studied the negative regulation of T cell activation, particularly through inhibitory adapters and costimulation receptors that are little expressed in resting cells but are induced upon T cell activation. We described Grb-associated binder 2 (Gab2) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) as a representative inhibitory adapter and a negative costimulation receptor, respectively, both of which exhibit negative feedback. Gab2 functions as a signal branch for activation vs. inhibition, as phosphorylation of either Src homology 2 (SH2) domain-containing leukocyte phosphoprotein of 76 kDa (SLP-76) or Gab2 by zeta-associated protein of 70 kDa (ZAP-70) determines the fate of the response. As a professional inhibitory receptor, CTLA-4 inhibits T cell response by competition of ligand binding with positive costimulator receptor CD28, and also induces inhibitory signaling. The trafficking and the cell surface expression of CTLA-4 are dynamically regulated and induced. CTLA-4 is accumulated in lysosomes and secreted to the T cell-APC contact site upon TCR stimulation. As T cell activation proceeds, these inhibitory adapters and costimulation receptors are induced and suppress/regulate the responses as negative feedback.

Gads/Grb2-mediated association with LAT is critical for the inhibitory function of Gab2 in T cells

A docking protein, Gab2, is recruited to the vicinity of the TCR complex and inhibits downstream signaling by interaction with negative regulators. However, the molecular mechanisms of this recruitment remain unclear. We have found that Gab2 associates with LAT upon TCR stimulation and that LAT is essential for Gab2 phosphorylation. By analysis of several Gab2 mutants, the c-Met binding domain (MBD) of Gab2 was found to be both necessary and sufficient for stimulation-induced LAT binding. Within the MBD domain, a novel Grb2 SH3 binding motif, PXXXR, is critical for constitutive association with Gads/Grb2. Through this association, Gab2 is recruited to the lipid raft after TCR ligation and exerts inhibitory function. The in vivo significance of this association is illustrated by the fact that T-cell responses are impaired in transgenic mice expressing wild-type Gab2 but not in mice expressing mutant Gab2 lacking the motif. Furthermore, T cells from Gab2-deficient mice showed enhanced proliferative responses upon TCR stimulation. These results indicate that Gads/Grb2-mediated LAT association is critical for the inhibitory function of Gab2, implying that Gab2 induced in stimulated T cells may exert an efficient negative feedback loop by recruiting inhibitory molecules to the lipid raft and competing with SLP-76 through Gads binding.

Membrane targeting of Grb2-associated binder-1 (Gab1) scaffolding protein through Src myristoylation sequence substitutes for Gab1 pleckstrin homology domain and switches an epidermal growth factor response to an invasive morphogenic program

The hepatocyte growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase Met promotes cell dissociation and the inherent morphogenic program of epithelial cells. In a search for substrates downstream from Met, we have previously identified the Grb2-associated binder-1 (Gab1) as critical for the morphogenic program. Gab1 is a scaffold protein that acts to diversify the signal downstream from the Met receptor through its ability to couple with multiple signal transduction pathways. Gab1 contains a pleckstrin homology (PH) domain with specificity for phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate. The phospholipid binding capacity of the Gab1 PH domain is required for the localization of Gab1 at sites of cell-cell contact in colonies of epithelial cells and for epithelial morphogenesis, suggesting that PH domain-dependent subcellular localization of Gab1 is a prerequisite for function. We have investigated the requirement for membrane localization of Gab1 for biological activity. We show that substitution of the Gab1 PH domain with the myristoylation signal from the c-Src protein is sufficient to replace the Gab1 PH domain for epithelial morphogenesis. The membrane targeting of Gab1 enhances Rac activity in the absence of stimulation and switches a nonmorphogenic noninvasive response to epidermal growth factor to a morphogenic invasive program. These results suggest that the subcellular localization of Gab1 is a critical determinant for epithelial morphogenesis and invasiveness.

The PI-3 kinase/Akt pathway and T cell activation: pleiotropic pathways downstream of PIP3

Ligation of the T cell receptor for antigen (TCR) and/or costimulatory receptor CD28 results in rapid activation of phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI-3 kinase). It remains unclear, however, precisely how this activation occurs and also how the newly generated phospholipid products trigger the various events associated with T cell activation. Here we discuss the current understanding of how PI-3 kinase is activated by the TCR and CD28 and what roles its products play in T cell activation. We also review recent advances in understanding the function of Akt in particular, especially its role in CD28 costimulation. Several functional targets of Akt are discussed in this regard: inducible transcription, cell survival, glucose metabolism, and the cellular translational machinery. These pathways have been associated with TCR/CD28 costimulation, and they have also been implicated as targets of Akt.

Gab1 is required for EGF receptor signaling and the transformation by activated ErbB2

Grb2-associated binder-1 (Gab1) is a pleckstrin homology (PH) domain-containing adapter molecule that is believed to function downstream of receptors for growth factors and cytokines. We previously found that deficiency in the mouse Gab1 gene led to embryonic lethality and defects in ERK activation in response to growth factors and cytokines. Here, we established immortalized Gab1-/- cell lines and analysed roles of Gab1 in growth factor-mediated signaling and oncogenesis. EGF-dependent activation of c-Raf and Mek1/2, which function upstream of ERKs, was perturbed in Gab1-/- cells. EGF-mediated upregulation of GTP-bound form of Ras was also reduced in these cells. EGF-dependent GTP/GDP exchange activity for Ras was suppressed in the Gab1-/- cells and expression of a constitutively active Sos restored ERK activation in these cells, indicating that Gab1 functions upstream of Ras. Furthermore, activated form of ErbB2 (active ErbB2)-mediated transformation, such as colony formation in soft agar and tumor formation in nude mice, was strongly suppressed when the Gab1-/- cells were transfected with active ErbB2, whereas the active Sos efficiently induced transformation of Gab1-/- cells. The data show that Gab1 plays an essential role in EGF-receptor/ErbB-mediated cell proliferation and oncogenesis.

Epidermal growth factor-induced DNA synthesis. Key role for Src phosphorylation of the docking protein Gab2

We have previously demonstrated that phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) is necessary and sufficient to account for epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced mitogenesis in rat primary hepatocytes. A cytosolic Gab2-containing complex accounts for >80% of the total EGF-induced PI3-kinase activity (Kong, M., Mounier, C., Wu, J., and Posner, B. I. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 36035-36042), suggesting a key role for Gab2 in EGF-induced mitogenesis. Here, we demonstrate that PP1, a selective inhibitor of Src family kinases, blocks the EGF-induced Gab2 tyrosine phosphorylation without inhibiting EGF-induced phosphorylation of the EGF receptor, ErbB3, or Shc. We also show that Gab2 phosphorylation is increased in Csk knockout cells in which Src family kinases are constitutively activated. Furthermore, PP1 blocks Gab2-associated downstream events including EGF-induced PI3-kinase activation, Akt phosphorylation, and DNA synthesis. We demonstrate that Gab2 and Src are constitutively associated. Since this association involves the proline-rich sequences of Gab2, it probably involves the Src homology 3 domain of Src kinase. Mutation of the proline-rich sequences in Gab2 prevented EGF-induced Gab2 phosphorylation, PI3-kinase/Akt activation, and DNA synthesis, demonstrating that Gab2 phosphorylation is critical for EGF-induced mitogenesis and is not complemented by ErbB3 or Shc phosphorylation. We also found that overexpression of a Gab2 mutant lacking SHP2 binding sites increased EGF-induced Gab2 phosphorylation and the activation of PI3-kinase but blocked activation of MAPK. In addition, we demonstrated that the Src-induced response was down-regulated by Gab2-associated SHP2. In summary, our results have defined the role for Src activation in EGF-induced hepatic mitogenesis through the phosphorylation of Gab2 and the activation of the PI3-kinase cascade.

Role of protein tyrosine phosphatases in T cell activation

The last decade has seen an exponentially increasing interest in the molecular mechanisms of signal transduction. In T cells, much of the focus has been on protein tyrosine kinase (PTK)-mediated signaling from the T cell receptor (TCR) and cytokine receptors, while the study of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases) has lagged behind. However, recent discoveries have revealed that several PTPases play important roles in many different aspects of T cell physiology. We predict that the phosphatases will become a 'hot topic' in the field within the next few years. This review summarizes the current understanding of the regulation and biology of PTPases in T lymphocyte activation.

A role for Grb2-associated binder-1 in growth hormone signaling

GH signaling begins with activation of the GH receptor (GHR)-associated cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase, Janus kinase-2. GH-induced Janus kinase-2 activation leads to engagement of several signaling pathways, including the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), mitogen-activated protein kinase, phosphoinositol 3-kinase, and signal transducer and activator of transcription-5 (STAT5) pathways. Previous work suggests that ERK activation in response to GH may be modulated by several proteins acting as docking molecules, including the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and insulin receptor substrate-1. In this study we investigate potential roles for the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain-containing insulin receptor substrate-like protein, Grb-2-associated binder-1 (Gab1), in GH signaling. We find in 3T3-F442A preadipocytes that GH promotes tyrosine phosphorylation of Gab1 and its association with SHP2, an Src homology 2-containing cytoplasmic tyrosine phosphatase. The Grb2 adapter protein, in contrast, is specifically coimmunoprecipitated with Gab1, even in the absence of GH exposure. Using a COS-7 cell transient reconstitution system, we observed that GH-induced Gab1 tyrosine phosphorylation is dependent on the Gab1 PH domain, whereas GH-induced coimmunoprecipitation of SHP2 requires tyrosine 627 of Gab1, as previously reported for EGF-induced Gab1-SHP2 association. Deletion of the Gab1 PH domain significantly attenuates GH-induced ERK activation and trans-activation of a c-fos enhancer-driven reporter construct compared with wild-type Gab1 in this system. In contrast, GH-induced STAT5 tyrosine phosphorylation and STAT5-dependent trans-activation are similar in cells expressing wild-type or PH domain-deleted Gab1. Notably, neither the ERK nor the STAT5 GH-dependent signaling outcome is affected by expression of the Gab1 mutant with tyrosine 627 changed to phenylalanine. Finally, we observed GH-dependent translocation of a wild-type, but not a PH domain-deleted, Gab1-green fluorescent protein chimera from the cytoplasm to the plasma membrane. Our results suggest selective involvement of Gab1 in GH-induced ERK activation and implicate the Gab1 PH domain as critical in this involvement.

Role of the SHP-2 tyrosine phosphatase in cytokine-induced signaling and cellular response

Cytokines and growth factors are important extracellular regulatory proteins. They exert their biological functions through binding to their cognate receptors on the cell surface and triggering intracellular signaling cascades. However, the intracellular signaling mechanisms of cytokines and growth factors are not well understood. Accumulating evidence has shown that protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation carried out by protein kinases and protein phosphatases are fundamental biochemical events in intracellular signal transduction. SHP-2, a Src homology (SH) 2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP), is widely involved in a variety of signaling pathways triggered by cytokines and growth factors, including the MAP kinase, Jak-Stat, and PI3 kinase pathways. Recent studies have clearly demonstrated that this phosphatase plays an important role in transducing signals relayed from the cell surface to the nucleus, and is a critical intracellular regulator in cytokine and growth factor-induced cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation.

Crk synergizes with epidermal growth factor for epithelial invasion and morphogenesis and is required for the met morphogenic program

Activation of the Met receptor tyrosine kinase through its ligand, hepatocyte growth factor, stimulates cell spreading, cell dispersal, and the inherent morphogenic program of various epithelial cell lines. Although both hepatocyte growth factor and epidermal growth factor (EGF) can activate downstream signaling pathways in Madin-Darby canine kidney epithelial cells, EGF fails to promote the breakdown of cell-cell junctional complexes and initiate an invasive morphogenic program. We have undertaken a strategy to identify signals that synergize with EGF in this process. We provide evidence that the overexpression of the CrkII adapter protein complements EGF-stimulated pathways to induce cell dispersal in two-dimensional cultures and cell invasion and branching morphogenesis in three-dimensional collagen gels. This finding correlates with the ability of CrkII to promote the breakdown of adherens junctions in stable cell lines and the ability of EGF to stimulate enhanced Rac activity in cells overexpressing CrkII. We have previously shown that the Gab1-docking protein is required for branching morphogenesis downstream of the Met receptor. Consistent with a role for CrkII in promoting EGF-dependent branching morphogenesis, the binding of Gab1 to CrkII is required for the branching morphogenic program downstream of Met. Together, our data support a role for the CrkII adapter protein in epithelial invasion and morphogenesis and underscores the importance of considering the synergistic actions of signaling pathways in cancer progression.

Epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor alpha mimic the effects of insulin in human fat cells and augment downstream signaling in insulin resistance

The ability of the growth factors epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor alpha, and platelet-derived growth factor to exert insulin-like effects on glucose transport and lipolysis were examined in human and rat fat cells. No effects were found in rat fat cells, whereas EGF (EC(50) for glucose transport approximately 0.02 nm) and transforming growth factor alpha (EC(50) approximately 0.2 nm), but not platelet-derived growth factor, mimicked the effects of insulin (EC(50) approximately 0.2 nm) on both pathways. EGF receptors, but not EGF, were abundantly expressed in human fat cells as well as in human skeletal muscle. EGF increased the tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins (the EGF receptor, insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1, IRS-2, and Grb2-associated binder 1), whereas Shc and Gab2 were only weakly and inconsistently phosphorylated. p85, the regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase), was also found to associate with all of these docking molecules, showing that EGF activated PI 3-kinase pools that were additional to those of insulin. EGF and/or insulin increased protein kinase B/Akt serine phosphorylation to a similar extent, whereas mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation was more pronounced for EGF than for insulin. The impaired insulin-stimulated downstream signaling, measured as protein kinase B/Akt serine phosphorylation, in insulin-resistant cells (Type 2 diabetes) was improved by the addition of EGF. Thus, EGF receptors, but not EGF, are abundantly expressed in human fat cells and skeletal muscle. EGF mimics the effects of insulin on both the metabolic and mitogenic pathways but utilize in part different signaling pathways. Both insulin and EGF increase the tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of IRS-1 and IRS-2, whereas EGF is also capable of activating additional PI 3-kinase pools and, thus, can augment the downstream signaling of insulin in insulin-resistant states like Type 2 diabetes.

Macromolecular protein signaling complexes and mast cell responses: a view of the organization of IgE-dependent mast cell signaling

The generation of signals following engagement of cell surface receptors is an ordered process that requires tight regulation as spurious signals could result in unwanted, and possibly deleterious, cellular responses. Like other cell surface receptors, stimulation of a mast cell via the high affinity IgE receptor (FcepsilonRI) causes multiple biochemical events that ultimately result in cell activation and effector responses. Recently, our knowledge of how these events are ordered has increased. We now have identified some of the molecules involved, how they are organized into macromolecular complexes by FcepsilonRI stimulation, and the role of some of the constituents of these macromolecular signaling complexes in mast cell effector responses. In brief, we review the knowledge on macromolecular signaling complexes used by FcepsilonRI in mast cell activation and provide our view on the regulation of signal generation and its effect on mast cell activation.

Fyn kinase initiates complementary signals required for IgE-dependent mast cell degranulation

Fc epsilon RI activation of mast cells is thought to involve Lyn and Syk kinases proximal to the receptor and the signaling complex organized by the linker for activation of T cells (LAT). We report here that Fc epsilon RI also uses a Fyn kinase-dependent pathway that does not require Lyn kinase or the adapter LAT for its initiation, but is necessary for mast cell degranulation. Lyn-deficiency enhanced Fyn-dependent signals and degranulation, but inhibited the calcium response. Fyn-deficiency impaired degranulation, whereas Lyn-mediated signaling and calcium was normal. Thus, Fc epsilon RI-dependent mast cell degranulation involves cross-talk between Fyn and Lyn kinases.

Regulation of phospholipase C-gamma2 and phosphoinositide 3-kinase pathways by adaptor proteins in B lymphocytes

The importance of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and phospholipase C (PLC)-gamma2 in B cell function and development has been highlighted by gene targeting experiments in mice. In fact, these knockout mice exhibit a profound inhibition of proliferative responses upon B cell receptor (BCR) engagement. The molecular connections between these effectors and upstream tyrosine kinases such as Syk have been studied intensively in the past few years. This mechanism involves the action of cytoplasmic adaptor molecules, which participate in forming multicomponent signaling complexes, thereby directing the appropriate subcellular localization of effector enzymes. In addition to these cytoplasmic adaptor proteins, cell surface coreceptors can be viewed as transmembrane adaptor proteins, because coreceptors can also change the localization of effector enzymes, which in turn modulates the BCR-initiated signals.

Distinct recruitment and function of Gab1 and Gab2 in Met receptor-mediated epithelial morphogenesis

The Gab family of docking proteins (Gab1 and Gab2) are phosphorylated in response to various cytokines and growth factors. Gab1 acts to diversify the signal downstream from the Met receptor tyrosine kinase through the recruitment of multiple signaling proteins, and is essential for epithelial morphogenesis. To determine whether Gab1 and Gab2 are functionally redundant, we have examined the role of Gab2 in epithelial cells. Both Gab1 and Gab2 are expressed in epithelial cells and localize to cell-cell junctions. However, whereas overexpression of Gab1 promotes a morphogenic response, the overexpression of Gab2 fails to induce this response. We show that Gab2 recruitment to the Met receptor is dependent on the Grb2 adapter protein. In contrast, Gab1 recruitment to Met is both Grb2 dependent and Grb2 independent. The latter requires a novel amino acid sequence present in the Met-binding domain of Gab1 but not Gab2. Mutation of these residues in Gab1 impairs both association with the Met receptor and the ability of Gab1 to promote a morphogenic response, whereas their insertion into Gab2 increases Gab2 association with Met, but does not confer on Gab2 the ability to promote epithelial morphogenesis. We propose that the Grb2-independent recruitment of Gab proteins to Met is necessary but not sufficient to promote epithelial morphogenesis.

Analysis of IL-6-mediated growth control of myeloma cells using a gp130 chimeric receptor approach

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) has been shown to be a key growth factor for myeloma cells. To study IL-6 signal transduction in multiple myeloma (MM), we employed chimeric receptors composed of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) extracellular domain, gp130 transmembrane domain, and full-length or truncated gp130 cytoplasmic domains lacking regions previously shown to be necessary for MAPK, STAT1, and STAT3 activation. The IL-6-dependent KAS-6/1 MM cell line was transfected with various chimeric receptor constructs and assayed for EGF responsiveness. EGF stimulation surprisingly stimulated DNA synthesis in all transfectants, regardless of receptor length. When cell proliferation was assayed instead, only transfectants capable of inducing high levels of STAT3 activation proliferated in response to EGF. Additional studies revealed that EGF stimulation resulted in tyrosine phosphorylation of endogenous gp130 in cells expressing the chimeric receptor. Replacing the gp130 transmembrane region with the EGFR transmembrane domain diminished but did not disrupt this interaction. This receptor interaction was also observed in the IL-6-dependent MM cell line ANBL-6. In summary, although our results suggest that STAT activation is crucial in gp130-mediated proliferation of myeloma cells, these results must be interpreted with caution given our demonstration of the interaction between chimeric and endogenous receptors in myeloma cells. Importantly, this interaction has not been noted in studies utilizing the same gp130 chimeric receptor system in non-MM cells.

Receptor-specific regulation of phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase activation by the protein tyrosine phosphatase Shp2

Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) play distinct roles in multiple biological systems. Many RTKs transmit similar signals, raising questions about how specificity is achieved. One potential mechanism for RTK specificity is control of the magnitude and kinetics of activation of downstream pathways. We have found that the protein tyrosine phosphatase Shp2 regulates the strength and duration of phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PI3K) activation in the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor signaling pathway. Shp2 mutant fibroblasts exhibit increased association of the p85 subunit of PI3K with the scaffolding adapter Gab1 compared to that for wild-type (WT) fibroblasts or Shp2 mutant cells reconstituted with WT Shp2. Far-Western analysis suggests increased phosphorylation of p85 binding sites on Gab1. Gab1-associated PI3K activity is increased and PI3K-dependent downstream signals are enhanced in Shp2 mutant cells following EGF stimulation. Analogous results are obtained in fibroblasts inducibly expressing dominant-negative Shp2. Our results suggest that, in addition to its role as a positive component of the Ras-Erk pathway, Shp2 negatively regulates EGF-dependent PI3K activation by dephosphorylating Gab1 p85 binding sites, thereby terminating a previously proposed Gab1-PI3K positive feedback loop. Activation of PI3K-dependent pathways following stimulation by other growth factors is unaffected or decreased in Shp2 mutant cells. Thus, Shp2 regulates the kinetics and magnitude of RTK signaling in a receptor-specific manner.

Critical role for Gab2 in transformation by BCR/ABL

The BCR/ABL oncogene causes chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in humans and a CML-like disease, as well as lymphoid leukemia, in mice. p210 BCR/ABL is an activated tyrosine kinase that phosphorylates itself and several cellular signaling proteins. The autophosphorylation site tyrosine 177 binds the adaptor Grb2 and helps determine the lineage and severity of BCR/ABL disease: Tyr177 mutation (BCR/ABL-Y177F) dramatically impairs myeloid leukemogenesis, while diminishing lymphoid leukemogenesis. The critical signal(s) from Tyr177 has remained unclear. We report that Tyr177 recruits the scaffolding adaptor Gab2 via a Grb2/Gab2 complex. Compared to BCR/ABL-expressing Ba/F3 cells, BCR/ABL-Y177F cells exhibit markedly reduced Gab2 tyrosine phosphorylation and association of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) and Shp2 with Gab2 and BCR/ABL, and decreased PI3K/Akt and Ras/Erk activation, cell proliferation, and spontaneous migration. Remarkably, bone marrow myeloid progenitors from Gab2 (-/-) mice are resistant to transformation by BCR/ABL, whereas lymphoid transformation is diminished as a consequence of markedly increased apoptosis. BCR/ABL-evoked PI3K/Akt and Ras/Erk activation also are impaired in Gab2 (-/-) primary myeloid and lymphoid cells. Our results identify Gab2 and its associated proteins as key determinants of the lineage and severity of BCR/ABL transformation.

ERK negatively regulates the epidermal growth factor-mediated interaction of Gab1 and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase

We have examined the ability of epidermal growth factor (EGF)-stimulated ERK activation to regulate Grb2-associated binder-1 (Gab1)/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) interactions. Inhibiting ERK activation with the MEK inhibitor U0126 increased the EGF-stimulated association of Gab1 with either full-length glutathione S-transferase-p85 or the p85 C-terminal Src homology 2 (SH2) domain, a result reproduced by co-immunoprecipitation of the native proteins from intact cells. This increased association of Gab1 and the PI3K correlates with an increase in PI3K activity and greater phosphorylation of Akt. This result is in direct contrast to what we have previously reported following HGF stimulation where MEK inhibition decreased the HGF-stimulated association of Gab1 and p85. In support of this divergent effect of ERK on Gab1/PI3K association following HGF and EGF stimulation, U0126 decreased the HGF-stimulated association of p85 and the Gab1 c-Met binding domain but did not alter the EGF-stimulated association of p85 and the c-Met binding domain. An examination of the mechanism of this effect revealed that the treatment of cells with EGF + U0126 increased the tyrosine phosphorylation of Gab1 as well as its association with another SH2-containing protein, SHP2. Furthermore, overexpression of a catalytically inactive form of SHP2 or pretreatment with pervanadate markedly increased EGF-stimulated Gab1 tyrosine phosphorylation. These experiments demonstrate that EGF and HGF-mediated ERK activation result in divergent effects on Gab1/PI3K signaling. HGF-stimulated ERK activation increases the Gab1/PI3K association, whereas EGF-stimulated ERK activation results in a decrease in the tyrosine phosphorylation of Gab1 and a decreased association with the PI3K. SHP2 is shown to associate with and dephosphorylate Gab1, suggesting that EGF-stimulated ERK might act through the regulation of SHP2.

Adapter molecule Grb2-associated binder 1 is specifically expressed in marginal zone B cells and negatively regulates thymus-independent antigen-2 responses

Grb2-associated binder 1 (Gab1) is a member of the Gab/daughter of sevenless family of adapter molecules involved in the signal transduction pathways of a variety of growth factors, cytokines, and Ag receptors. To know the role for Gab1 in hematopoiesis and immune responses in vivo, we analyzed radiation chimeras reconstituted with fetal liver (FL) cells of Gab1(-/-) mice, because Gab1(-/-) mice are lethal to embryos. Transfer of Gab1(-/-) FL cells of 14.5 days post-coitum rescued lethally irradiated mice, indicating that Gab1 is not essential for hematopoiesis. Although mature T and B cell subsets developed normally in the peripheral lymphoid organs, reduction of pre-B cells and increase of myeloid cells in the Gab1(-/-) FL chimeras suggested the regulatory roles for Gab1 in hematopoiesis. The chimera showed augmented IgM and IgG1 production to thymus-independent (TI)-2 Ag, although they showed normal responses for thymus-dependent and TI-1 Ags, indicating its negative role specific to TI-2 response. Gab1(-/-) splenic B cells stimulated with anti-delta-dextran plus IL-4 plus IL-5 showed augmented IgM and IgG1 production in vitro that was corrected by the retrovirus-mediated transfection of the wild-type Gab1 gene, clearly demonstrating the cell-autonomous, negative role of Gab1. Furthermore, we showed that the negative role of Gab1 required its Src homology 2-containing tyrosine phosphatase-2 binding sites. Cell fractionation analysis revealed that nonfollicular B cells were responsible for the augmented Ab production in vitro. Consistent with these results, the Gab1 gene was expressed in marginal zone B cells but not follicular B cells. These results indicated that Gab1 is a unique negative regulator specific for TI-2 responses.

Tyrosine kinase oncogenes in normal hematopoiesis and hematological disease

Tyrosine kinase oncogenes are formed as a result of mutations that induce constitutive kinase activity. Many of these tyrosine kinase oncogenes that are derived from genes, such as c-Abl, c-Fes, Flt3, c-Fms, c-Kit and PDGFRbeta, that are normally involved in the regulation of hematopoiesis or hematopoietic cell function. Despite differences in structure, normal function, and subcellular location, many of the tyrosine kinase oncogenes signal through the same pathways, and typically enhance proliferation and prolong viability. They represent excellent potential drug targets, and it is likely that additional mutations will be identified in other kinases, their immediate downstream targets, or in proteins regulating their function.

The adapter molecule Gab2 regulates Fc epsilon RI-mediated signal transduction in mast cells

The recently cloned scaffolding molecule Gab2 can assemble multiple molecules involved in signaling pathways. Bone marrow-derived mast cells isolated from Gab2(-/-) mice have defective signaling probably due to the lack of the activation of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3-kinase). In this study, we investigated the role of Gab2 using the rat basophilic leukemia 2H3 cell line mast cells. Fc epsilon RI aggregation induced the tyrosine phosphorylation of Gab2 and translocation of a significant fraction of it from the cytosol to the plasma membrane. As in other cells, Gab2 was found to associate with several signaling molecules including Src homology 2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 2, Grb2, Lyn, and phospholipase C gamma (PLC gamma). The association of Gab2 with Lyn and PLC gamma were enhanced after receptor aggregation. Overexpression of Gab2 in rat basophilic leukemia 2H3 cell line cells inhibited the Fc epsilon RI-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the subunits of the receptor, and the phosphorylation and/or activation of Syk and mitogen-activated protein kinase. Downstream events such as calcium mobilization, degranulation, and induction of TNF-alpha and IL-6 gene transcripts were decreased in Gab2 overexpressing cells, although Akt phosphorylation as a measure of PI3-kinase activation was unaffected. These results suggest that in addition to the positive effects mediated by PI3-kinase that are apparent in Gab2(-/-) mast cells, Gab2 by interacting with Lyn and PLC gamma may have negative regulatory effects on Fc epsilon RI-induced mast cell signaling and functions.

Tyrosine 759 of the cytokine receptor gp130 is involved in Listeria monocytogenes susceptibility

Interleukin-6 family cytokines have been implicated in adaptive and innate immunity, hematopoiesis, and inflammation. This cytokine family shares a signal-transducing receptor subunit called gp130. gp130(F759/F759) knockin mice carry a point mutation at the SHP2-binding site of gp130 due to the replacement of tyrosine-759 (Y759 for human gp130) with phenylalanine (F). To explore the effect of this point mutation on the host response to bacterial infection, gp130(F759/F759) knockin mice were infected with Listeria monocytogenes. gp130(F759/F759) knockin mice began to die at 3 to 4 days post infection (p.i.) and showed higher mortality than did controls. Listeria titers at 3 days p.i. in the peritoneal cavity, spleen, and liver were significantly higher in gp130(F759/F759)knockin mice than in controls. Nitric oxide production, upregulation of the mRNA levels of a variety of cytokines, and listericidal activity in gp130(F759/F759) macrophages were unchanged. However, gp130(F759/F759) knockin mice displayed significantly lower levels of interferon (IFN)gamma in serum and in the culture supernatant from peritoneal exudate cells and splenocytes, in response to Listeria infection. These results suggest that the Y759 point mutation in gp130 attenuates the early phase of defense against Listeria infection, possibly owing to insufficient elevation of IFNgamma levels, and thus gp130 is a possible candidate gene for Listeria susceptibility.

Downregulation of IL-6-induced STAT3 tyrosine phosphorylation by TGF-beta1 is mediated by caspase-dependent and -independent processes

To explore the possible cross-talk between the IL-6 and TGF-beta1 pathways in AML blast cells, the effect of TGF-beta1 pretreatment on IL-6-induced STAT3 tyrosine phosphorylation was studied. A reduction of STAT3 tyrosine phosphorylation after TGF-beta1 pretreatment was observed in four out of 40 AML cases (10%), although all of the AML cases responded to TGF-beta1 by means of SMAD3 translocation. The reduced IL-6-mediated STAT3 tyrosine phosphorylation after pre-treatment with TGF-beta1 was associated with apoptosis and coincided with the degradation of certain cellular proteins, including JAK1 and -2 and Tyk2, without affecting the ERK expression and phosphorylation. Furthermore, treatment of AML blasts with the cytostatic agent VP16, as an alternative way to induce apoptosis, resulted in a similar degree of degradation of JAK kinases and concomitant reduction of IL-6-mediated STAT3 tyrosine phosphorylation. Although degradation of JAK kinases could be rescued by incubating the cells with the pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-fmk, the attenuating effect of TGF-beta1 treatment on the STAT3 tyrosine phosphorylation was still partly present. It was shown that in AML cells cultured in the presence of Z-VAD-fmk, TGF-beta1 pretreatment resulted in a reduction of JAK1 phosphorylation upon IL-6 stimulation. Expression of SOCS1 and -3 could be ruled out as a possible cause of reduced JAK1 phosphorylation levels in the investigated AML case.

Role of the docking protein Gab2 in beta(1)-integrin signaling pathway-mediated hematopoietic cell adhesion and migration

Gab2, a newly identified pleckstrin homology domain-containing docking protein, is a major binding protein of SHP-2 tyrosine phosphatase in interleukin (IL)-3-stimulated hematopoietic cells. Its signaling mechanism remains largely unknown. We report here an important regulatory role for Gab2 in beta(1) integrin signaling pathway that mediates hematopoietic cell adhesion and migration. Cross-linking of the beta(1) integrin on Ba/F3 cells induced rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of Gab2 and its association with Syk kinase, SHP-2 phosphatase, and the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol (PI)-3 kinase. In addition, Gab2 was also constitutively associated with SHP-1 phosphatase via its C-terminal Src homology 2 domain. Overexpression of the pleckstrin homology domain or a mutant Gab2 molecule lacking SHP-2 binding sites resulted in significant reductions in Ba/F3 cell adhesion and migration. Biochemical analyses revealed that enforced expression of Gab2 mutant molecules dramatically reduced beta(1)-integrin ligation-triggered PI3 kinase activation, whereas Erk kinase activation remained unaltered. Furthermore, transduction of primary hematopoietic progenitor cells from viable motheaten mice with these mutant Gab2 molecules also significantly ameliorated their enhanced migration capacity associated with the SHP1 gene mutation. Taken together, these results suggest an important signaling role for Gab2 in regulating hematopoietic cell adhesion and migration.

The gift of Gab

Gab proteins, including mammalian Gab1, Gab2, Gab3, Drosophila DOS and Caenorhabditis elegans Soc1, comprise a growing family of scaffolding/docking molecules involved in multiple signaling pathways mediated by receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and non-RTK receptors. This paper reviews the structure/function relationships of Gab proteins and their biological roles during normal growth, differentiation and development programs.

LIF-induced STAT3 signaling in murine versus human embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells

Self-renewal and the maintenance of pluripotency of mouse embryonal stem (ES) cells in vitro requires exogenous leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). Mouse ES cells can be cultured and kept undifferentiated in the absence of embryonal feeder-cell layers when exogenous LIF concentrations are maintained above a threshold concentration. An important downstream target of LIF signal transduction in mouse ES cells is the transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). In contrast to mouse ES cells, human ES cells are unresponsive to LIF and depend on feeder cells for undifferentiated growth. Here, we investigated the activation patterns of LIF-downstream effectors in mouse and human embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells. We report that LIF induces both ERK-1 as well as STAT3 activation in mouse P19 EC cells. LIF enhances the proliferation rate of P19 EC cells, which depends on ERK activity but does not require activation of STAT3. In contrast, LIF does not activate STAT3, ERK, or the gp130 receptor in human N tera-2/D1 EC cells, although all receptor components are expressed. The negative feedback protein suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS-1) is constitutively expressed in N tera-2/D1 EC cells, suggesting that LIF signal transduction is inhibited by elevated levels of SOCS-1 expression.

Requirement of Gab2 for mast cell development and KitL/c-Kit signaling

Mast cells are thought to participate in a variety of immune responses, such as parasite resistance and the allergic reaction. Mast cell development depends on stem cell factor (Kit ligand) and its receptor, c-Kit. Gab2 is an adaptor molecule containing a pleckstrin homology domain and potential binding sites for SH2 and SH3 domains. Gab2 is phosphorylated on tyrosine after stimulation with cytokines and growth factors, including KitL. Gab2-deficient mice were created to define the physiological requirement for Gab2 in KitL/c-Kit signaling and mast cell development. In Gab2-deficient mice, the number of mast cells was reduced markedly in the stomach and less severely in the skin. Bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) from the Gab2-deficient mice grew poorly in response to KitL. KitL-induced ERK MAP kinase and Akt activation were impaired in Gab2-deficient BMMCs. These data indicate that Gab2 is required for mast cell development and KitL/c-Kit signaling.

Regulation of the Erk2-Elk1 signaling pathway and megakaryocytic differentiation of Bcr-Abl(+) K562 leukemic cells by Gab2

In the blast crisis phase of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), Bcr-Abl(+) myeloblasts fail to undergo terminal maturation. The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase has been shown to mediate terminal differentiation of myeloid cells. Interestingly, Bcr-Abl(+) CML cell lines established from blast crisis were found to have low Erk MAP kinase activity. In this study, we analyzed the role of the Gab2 docking protein in regulation of the Erk MAP kinase in Bcr-Abl(+) K562 human CML cells. Overexpression of Gab2 in K562 cells resulted in transcriptional activation of the c-fos serum response element (SRE) promoter, whereas overexpression of SHP2, Grb2, and CrkL had no effect. Activation of the c-fos SRE transcriptional activity by Gab2 required tyrosine 604, which is a SHP2 docking site on Gab2, and the SHP2 tyrosine phosphatase activity. Elk1, c-Jun, and CHOP trans-reporting assays indicated that overexpression of Gab2 selectively activated the Erk2-Elk1 signaling pathway. To determine cellular consequences of elevating the Gab2 level in K562 cells, stable cell lines for doxycycline-inducible expression of the wild-type Gab2 (Gab2WT) and an SHP2-binding defective Gab2 (Gab2Tyr604Phe) were established. Analysis of these cell lines indicated that induction of Gab2WT expression, but not Gab2Tyr604Phe expression, led to Erk activation, growth arrest, cell spreading, and enlargement; expression of megakaryocyte/platelet lineage-specific integrins alphaIIb/beta3 (CD41/CD61); and upregulation of RNA for megakaryocyte/platelet proteins. All of these changes are characteristics of megakaryocytic differentiation. Together, these results reveal Gab2 as a limiting signaling component for Erk MAP kinase activation and terminal differentiation of K562 CML cells.

Concomitant activation of the PI3K-Akt and the Ras-ERK signaling pathways is essential for transformation by the V-SEA tyrosine kinase oncogene

V-SEA is the transforming component of S13 Avian Erythroblastosis Retrovirus that causes erythroblastosis and anemia in chicken. Like all members in the family (MET, RON, SEA), its cytosolic domain possesses two tyrosine autophosphorylation sites in the tandemly arranged bidentate motif that serve as docking sites for SH2 domain-containing proteins. Here, we investigated phosphotyrosine-dependent activation of signaling pathways and their significance in V-SEA-induced transformation and/or proliferation. We demonstrated that V-SEA activates the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway primarily in Y557- and secondarily in Y564-dependent manner. V-SEA was also shown to induce the tyrosine phosphorylation of the Gab2 protein, leading to PI3K association and thus providing an alternative route for PI3K activation. On the other hand, activation of the Ras-ERK pathway is primarily via Y564 and secondarily via Y557. A dominant-negative form of Ras inhibited V-SEA-induced ERK phosphorylation in concentration dependent manner suggesting the importance of the Grb2-Ras signaling axis in V-SEA-induced ERK activation. The biological significance of activation of the PI3K-Akt and the Ras-ERK pathways in V-SEA-induced transformation was analysed in the V-SEA-RAT1 and V-SEA-3T3 cell lines by employing specific inhibitors, LY294002 and PD98059 compounds. Both the PD and LY compounds inhibited cell growth, but only the PD compound caused reversion of the transformed phenotype. In addition, both compounds inhibited focal colony formation by the transformants in soft agar. Thus, transformation by the V-SEA oncogene is a function of the concomitant activation of, at least, the PI3K-Akt and Ras-ERK signaling pathways that regulate cell growth and morphology.

Enhanced hematopoiesis by hematopoietic progenitor cells lacking intracellular adaptor protein, Lnk

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) give rise to variety of hematopoietic cells via pluripotential progenitors and lineage-committed progenitors and are responsible for blood production throughout adult life. Amplification of HSCs or progenitors represents a potentially powerful approach to the treatment of various blood disorders and to applying gene therapy by bone marrow transplantation. Lnk is an adaptor protein regulating the production of B cells. Here we show that Lnk is also expressed in hematopoietic progenitors in bone marrow, and that in the absence of Lnk, the number and the hematopoietic ability of progenitors are significantly increased. Augmented growth signals through c-Kit partly contributed to the enhanced hematopoiesis by lnk-/- cells. Lnk was phosphorylated by and associated with c-Kit, and selectively inhibited c-Kit-mediated proliferation by attenuating phosphorylation of Gab2 and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade. These observations indicate that Lnk plays critical roles in the expansion and function of early hematopoietic progenitors, and provide useful clues for the amplification of hematopoietic progenitor cells.

Molecular events associated with CD4-mediated Down-regulation of LFA-1-dependent adhesion

We have previously shown that CD4 ligand binding inhibits LFA-1-dependent adhesion between CD4+ T cells and B cells in a p56(lck)- and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase)-dependent manner. In this work, downstream events associated with adhesion inhibition have been investigated. By using HUT78 T cell lines, CD4 ligands were shown to induce a dissociation of LFA-1 from cytohesin, a cytoplasmic protein known to bind LFA-1 and to enhance the affinity/avidity of LFA-1 for its ligand ICAM-1. A dissociation of PI3-kinase from cytohesin is also observed. In parallel, we have found that CD4 ligand binding induced a redistribution of PI3-kinase and of the tyrosine phosphatase SHP-2 to the membrane and induced a transient formation of protein interactions including PI3-kinase; an adaptor protein, Gab2; SHP-2; and a SH2 domain-containing inositol phosphatase, SHIP. By using antisense oligonucleotides or transfection of transdominant mutants, down-regulation of adhesion was shown to require the Gab2/PI3-kinase association and the expression of SHIP and SHP-2. We therefore propose that CD4 ligands, by inducing these molecular associations, lead to sustained local high levels of D-3 phospholipids and possibly regulate the cytohesin/LFA-1 association.

Gab3, a new DOS/Gab family member, facilitates macrophage differentiation

Using the FDC-P1 cell line expressing the exogenous macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) receptor, Fms, we have analyzed the role of a new mammalian DOS/Gab-related signaling protein, called Gab3, in macrophage cell development of the mouse. Gab3 contains an amino-terminal pleckstrin homology domain, multiple potential sites for tyrosine phosphorylation and SH2 domain binding, and two major polyproline motifs potentially interacting with SH3 domains. Among the growing family of Gab proteins, Gab3 exhibits a unique and overlapping pattern of expression in tissues of the mouse compared with Gab1 and Gab2. Gab3 is more restricted to the hematopoietic tissues such as spleen and thymus but is detectable at progressively lower levels within heart, kidney, uterus, and brain. Like Gab2, Gab3 is tyrosine phosphorylated after M-CSF receptor stimulation and associates transiently with the SH2 domain-containing proteins p85 and SHP2. Overexpression of exogenous Gab3 in FD-Fms cells dramatically accelerates macrophage differentiation upon M-CSF stimulation. Unlike Gab2, which shows a constant mRNA expression level after M-CSF stimulation, Gab3 expression is initially absent or low in abundance in FD cells expressing the wild-type Fms, but Gab3 mRNA levels are increased upon M-CSF stimulation. Moreover, M-CSF stimulation of FD-FmsY807F cells (which grow but do not differentiate) fails to increase Gab3 expression. These results suggest that Gab3 is important for macrophage differentiation and that differentiation requires the early phosphorylation of Gab2 followed by induction and subsequent phosphorylation of Gab3.

CD5-negative regulation of B cell receptor signaling pathways originates from tyrosine residue Y429 outside an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif

CD5 is a cell surface receptor that negatively regulates B cell function, but whose relationship to the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM) family of B cell inhibitory receptors is unclear. Using Fcgamma type IIB receptor-CD5 chimeras encompassing the cytoplasmic domain of CD5, we previously showed that a particular region of the molecule containing two tyrosine residues, Y429 and Y441, in an amino acid stretch similar to the Src autophosphorylation motif and a putative ITIM, respectively, antagonized early signaling events triggered through the B cell receptor (BCR). In this study, we provide evidences that only Y429 is mandatory for the inhibition by CD5 of the calcium response activated via the BCR. This residue also efficiently controls inhibition of the Ras/extracellular signal-related kinase-2 pathway. Analyzing the membrane translocation of the AKT protooncogene using its 3'-phosphoinositide-specific pleckstrin homology domain fused to the green fluorescent protein as a probe, we also show that CD5 strongly impairs its cellular redistribution and demonstrate the role played by Y429 in this process. We finally report that Y429 controls almost exclusively CD5 phosphorylation as well as inhibition of BCR-triggered IL-2 production upon coaggregation of the two receptors. Thus, CD5 uses an ITIM-independent strategy, centered on Y429, the major tyrosine-phosphorylated residue in its cytoplasmic domain, to inhibit BCR activation.

Docking protein Gab2 is phosphorylated by ZAP-70 and negatively regulates T cell receptor signaling by recruitment of inhibitory molecules

To maintain various T cell responses and immune equilibrium, activation signals triggered by T cell antigen receptor (TCR) must be regulated by inhibitory signals. Gab2, an adaptor protein of the insulin receptor substrate-1 family, has been shown to be involved in the downstream signaling from cytokine receptors. We investigated the functional role of Gab2 in TCR-mediated signal transduction. Gab2 was phosphorylated by ZAP-70 and co-precipitated with phosphoproteins, such as ZAP-70, LAT, and CD3zeta, upon TCR stimulation. Overexpression of Gab2 in Jurkat cells or antigen-specific T cell hybridomas resulted in the inhibition of NF-AT activation, interleukin-2 production, and tyrosine phosphorylation. The structure-function relationship of Gab2 was analyzed by mutants of Gab2. The Gab2 mutants lacking SHP-2-binding sites mostly abrogated the inhibitory activity of Gab2, but its inhibitory function was restored by fusing to active SHP-2 as a chimeric protein. A mutant with defective phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase binding capacity also impaired the inhibitory activity, and the pleckstrin homology domain-deletion mutant revealed a crucial function of the pleckstrin homology domain for localization to the plasma membrane. These results suggest that Gab2 is a substrate of ZAP-70 and functions as a switch molecule toward inhibition of TCR signal transduction by mediating the recruitment of inhibitory molecules to the TCR signaling complex.

Alterations of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways in the erythropoietin-independent Spi-1/PU.1 transgenic proerythroblasts

During the cell transformation processes leading to erythroleukemia, erythroid progenitors often become erythropoietin (Epo)-independent for their proliferation. The biochemical events that could lead an erythroleukemic cell to growth factor-independence were investigated using spi-1 transgenic poerythroblasts. Spi-1/PU.1 is a myeloid and B-cell transcription factor of the ETS family and is activated by insertional mutagenesis during Friend erythroleukemia. Its overexpression in proerythroblasts induces their differentiation arrest without altering their erythropoietin requirement for proliferation (HS1 cells). At a later step, genetic alterations most probably occur allowing spi-1 transgenic poerythroblasts to proliferate in the absence of erythropoietin (HS2 cells). The signaling transduction pathways in HS1 and HS2 proerythroblasts were analyzed. The authors have previously shown that the Jak/STAT pathway was not activated in Epo-independent cells, but remained sensitive to Epo stimulation. In the present study, it is shown that the Epo-independent proliferation of HS2 cells requires active phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. In these cells, PI3K was constitutively associated with the molecular adapters Grb2 and Gab1, and with the phosphatases SHP-2 and SHIP. Moreover, PI3K activity was correlated with the constitutive phosphorylation of serine-threonine protein kinase (AKT) in HS2 cells. Lastly, a constitutive activation of the MAPKs extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) in HS2 cells was observed that occurs in a PI3K-independent manner, but depends strictly on the activity of the protein kinase C (PKC). These results suggest that constitutive activations of PI3K/AKT and PKC/MAPK pathways can act in synergy to lead a proerythroblast to proliferate without Epo.

Expression of Gab1 lacking the pleckstrin homology domain is associated with neoplastic progression

An in vitro transformation system of carcinogen-treated Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) cell cultures represents multistep genetic and nongenetic changes that develop during the neoplastic progression of normal cells to tumor cells in vivo. During this neoplastic progression, SHE cells demonstrate an altered response to epidermal growth factor (EGF). In the present report, we examined the role of the adapter protein Gab1 (Grb2-associated binder-1) in the neoplastic progression of SHE cells. We used two asbestos-transformed SHE cell clones in different neoplastic stages: a 10W+8 clone, which is immortal and retains the ability to suppress the tumorigenicity of tumor cells in cell-cell hybrid experiments, and a 10W-1 clone, which has lost this tumor suppressor ability. 10W+8 cells expressed full-length 100-kDa Gab1 and associated 5.2-kb mRNA. Upon repeated cell passaging, 10W-1 cells showed increasing expression of a novel 87-kDa form of Gab1 as well as 4.6-kb mRNA with diminishing expression of the original 100-kDa Gab1. cDNA encoding the 87-kDa Gab1 predicts a form of Gab1 lacking the amino-terminal 103 amino acids (Gab1(Delta1-103)), which corresponds to loss of most of the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain. Gab1(Delta1-103) retains the ability to be phosphorylated in an EGF-dependent manner and to associate with the EGF receptor and SHP-2 upon EGF stimulation. The endogenous expression of Gab1(Delta1-103) in 10W-1 cells appeared closely related to EGF-dependent colony formation in soft agar. Moreover, transfection and expression of Gab1(Delta1-103), but not Gab1, in 10W+8 cells enhanced their EGF-dependent colony formation in soft agar. These results demonstrate that Gab1 is a target of carcinogen-induced transformation of SHE cells and that the expression of a Gab1 variant lacking most of the PH domain plays a specific role in the neoplastic progression of SHE cells.

Crk family adaptors-signalling complex formation and biological roles

Crk family adaptors are widely expressed and mediate the timely formation of signal transduction protein complexes upon a variety of extracellular stimuli, including various growth and differentiation factors. Selective formation of multi-protein complexes by the Crk and Crk-like (CRKL) proteins depends on specific motifs recognized by their SH2 and SH3 domains. In the case of the first SH3 domains [SH3(1)] a P-x-x-P-x-K motif is crucial for highly selective binding, while the SH2 domains prefer motifs which conform to the consensus pY-x-x-P. Crk family proteins are involved in the relocalization and activation of several different effector proteins which include guanine nucleotide releasing proteins like C3G, protein kinases of the Abl- and GCK-families and small GTPases like Rap1 and Rac. Crk-type proteins have been found not only in vertebrates but also in flies and nematodes. Major insight into the function of Crk within organisms came from the genetic model organism C. elegans, where the Crk-homologue CED-2 regulates cell engulfment and phagocytosis. Other biological outcomes of the Crk-activated signal transduction cascades include the modulation of cell adhesion, cell migration and immune cell responses. Crk family adaptors also appear to play a role in mediating the action of human oncogenes like the leukaemia-inducing Bcr-Abl protein. This review summarizes some key findings and highlights recent insights and open questions.

Role of STAT3 and PI 3-kinase/Akt in mediating the survival actions of cytokines on sensory neurons

The binding of cytokines to the gp130 receptor activates the STAT3, MEK/MAPK, and PI3K/Akt signalling pathways. To assess the relative importance of these pathways in promoting the survival of cytokine-dependent neurons, we conditionally inactivated STAT3 in mice and inhibited MEK, PI3K, and Akt in cultured neurons using pharmacological reagents and by expressing specific inhibitory proteins. Inactivation of STAT3 enhanced the death of the cytokine-dependent sensory neurons of the nodose ganglion in vivo and substantially reduced the response of these neurons to CNTF and LIF in vitro. LY294002, an inhibitor of PI3K, but not PD98059, an inhibitor of MEK, markedly reduced the response of these neurons to CNTF, as did dominant-negative PI3K, dominant-negative Akt, and overexpression of Ruk (a natural PI3K inhibitor). These results demonstrate that STAT3 and PI3K/Akt signalling play major roles in mediating the survival response of neurons to cytokines.

High resolution mapping of mast cell membranes reveals primary and secondary domains of Fc(epsilon)RI and LAT

In mast cells, cross-linking the high-affinity IgE receptor (Fc(epsilon)RI) initiates the Lyn-mediated phosphorylation of receptor ITAMs, forming phospho-ITAM binding sites for Syk. Previous immunogold labeling of membrane sheets showed that resting Fc(epsilon)RI colocalize loosely with Lyn, whereas cross-linked Fc(epsilon)RI redistribute into specialized domains (osmiophilic patches) that exclude Lyn, accumulate Syk, and are often bordered by coated pits. Here, the distribution of Fc(epsilon)RI beta is mapped relative to linker for activation of T cells (LAT), Grb2-binding protein 2 (Gab2), two PLCgamma isoforms, and the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase), all implicated in the remodeling of membrane inositol phospholipids. Before activation, PLCgamma1 and Gab2 are not strongly membrane associated, LAT occurs in small membrane clusters separate from receptor, and PLCgamma2, that coprecipitates with LAT, occurs in clusters and along cytoskeletal cables. After activation, PLCgamma2, Gab2, and a portion of p85 colocalize with Fc(epsilon)RI beta in osmiophilic patches. LAT clusters enlarge within 30 s of receptor activation, forming elongated complexes that can intersect osmiophilic patches without mixing. PLCgamma1 and another portion of p85 associate preferentially with activated LAT. Supporting multiple distributions of PI3-kinase, Fc(epsilon)RI cross-linking increases PI3-kinase activity in anti-LAT, anti-Fc(epsilon)RIbeta, and anti-Gab2 immune complexes. We propose that activated mast cells propagate signals from primary domains organized around Fc(epsilon)RIbeta and from secondary domains, including one organized around LAT.

Further evidence for the involvement of insulin receptor substrates in epidermal growth factor-induced activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase

In accordance with our recent results obtained with cultured rat hepatocytes [Fujioka, T. & Ui, M. (2001) Eur. J. Biochem. 268, 25-34], epidermal growth factor (EGF) gave rise to transient tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrates (IRS-1 and IRS-2), thereby activating the bound phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells normally abundant in EGF receptors (EGFR) and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells transfected with full-length EGFR. These actions of EGF, although much smaller in magnitude than those of insulin or IGF-I in the same cells, were accompanied by tyrosine phosphorylation of EGFR rather than insulin or IGF-I receptors, never observed in wild-type CHO cells expressing no EGFR, and totally inhibited by an inhibitor of EGFR kinase, AG1478, that was without effect on insulin or IGF-I actions. Recombinant IRS-1 was phosphorylated on tyrosines upon incubation with purified EGFR from A431 cells and 32P-labeled ATP. When CHO cells were transfected with C-terminal truncated EGFR lacking three NPXY motifs responsible for direct binding to phosphotyrosine-binding domains of IRSs, no effect of EGF could be observed. We suggest that tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 or IRS-2 could mediate EGFR-induced activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in mammalian cells.

Essential role for Gab2 in the allergic response

Dos/Gab family scaffolding adapters (Dos, Gab1, Gab2) bind several signal relay molecules, including the protein-tyrosine phosphatase Shp-2 and phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase (PI(3)K); they are also implicated in growth factor, cytokine and antigen receptor signal transduction. Mice lacking Gab1 die during embryogenesis and show defective responses to several stimuli. Here we report that Gab2-/- mice are viable and generally healthy; however, the response (for example, degranulation and cytokine gene expression) of Gab2-/- mast cells to stimulation of the high affinity immunoglobulin-epsilon (IgE) receptor Fc(epsilon)RI is defective. Accordingly, allergic reactions such as passive cutaneous and systemic anaphylaxis are markedly impaired in Gab2-/- mice. Biochemical analyses reveal that signalling pathways dependent on PI(3)K, a critical component of Fc(epsilon)RI signalling, are defective in Gab2-/- mast cells. Our data identify Gab2 as the principal activator of PI(3)K in response to Fc(epsilon)RI activation, thereby providing genetic evidence that Dos/Gab family scaffolds regulate the PI(3)K pathway in vivo. Gab2 and/or its associated signalling molecules may be new targets for developing drugs to treat allergy.