Focal adhesion kinase: at the crossroads of signal transduction

1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 induces vascular smooth muscle cell migration via activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase

The steroid hormone 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1alpha, 25-(OH)2D3] promotes vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) growth and calcification, but the precise mechanism by which 1alpha, 25-(OH)2D3 regulates VSMC migration is unknown. In rat aortic SMCs, we found that 1alpha, 25-(OH)2D3 (0.1 to 100 nmol/L) induced a dose-dependent increase in VSMC migration. This response required the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3 kinase) because 1alpha, 25-(OH)2D3-induced migration was completely abolished by the PI3 kinase inhibitors, LY294002 (10 micromol/L) or wortmannin (30 nmol/L). Furthermore, the RNA polymerase inhibitor, 5,6-dichlorobenzimidazole riboside (50 micromol/L), did not affect 1alpha, 25-(OH)2D3-induced VSMC migration, suggesting that gene transcription is not involved in this rapid response. Using analogs of 1alpha, 25-(OH)2D3, which have been characterized for their abilities to induce either transcriptional or nontranscriptional responses of 1alpha, 25-(OH)2D3, we found that 1alpha,25-dihydroxylumisterol, which is a potent agonist of the rapid, nongenomic responses, was equipotent with 1alpha, 25-(OH)2D3 in inducing PI3 kinase activity and VSMC migration. Moreover, 1beta, 25-(OH)2D3, which specifically antagonizes the nongenomic actions of 1alpha, 25-(OH)2D3, abolished 1alpha, 25-(OH)2D3-induced PI3 kinase activity and VSMC migration, whereas the inhibitor of the genomic actions of vitamin D, (23S)-25-dehydro-1alpha-OH-D3-26,23-lactone, did not affect these responses. These results indicate that 1alpha, 25-(OH)2D3 induces VSMC migration independent of gene transcription via PI3 kinase pathway, and suggest a possible mechanism by which 1alpha, 25-(OH)2D3 may contribute to neointima formation in atherosclerosis and vascular remodeling.

Nck-2 interacts with focal adhesion kinase and modulates cell motility

Nck-2 is a ubiquitously expressed adaptor protein comprising primarily three N-terminal SH3 domains and one C-terminal SH2 domain. We report here that Nck-2 interacts with focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a cytoplasmic protein tyrosine kinase critically involved in the cellular control of motility. Using a mutational strategy, we have found that the formation of the Nck-2-FAK complex is mediated by interactions involving multiple SH2 and SH3 domains of Nck-2. The Nck-2 SH2 domain-mediated interaction with FAK is dependent on phosphorylation of Tyr397, a site that is involved in the regulation of cell motility. A fraction of Nck-2 co-localizes with FAK at cell periphery in spreading cells. Furthermore, overexpression of Nck-2 modestly decreased cell motility, whereas overexpression of a mutant form of Nck-2 containing the SH2 domain but lacking the SH3 domains significantly promoted cell motility. These results identify a novel interaction between Nck-2 and FAK and suggest a role of Nck-2 in the modulation of cell motility.

Cas, Fak and Pyk2 function in diverse signaling cascades to promote Yersinia uptake

The interplay between pathogen-encoded virulence factors and host cell signaling networks is critical for both the establishment and clearance of microbial infections. Yersinia uptake into host cells serves as an in vitro model for exploring how host cells respond to Yersinia adherence. In this study, we provide insight into the molecular nature and regulation of signaling networks that contribute to the uptake process. Using a reconstitution approach in Fak-/- fibroblasts, we have been able to specifically address the interplay between Fak, Cas and Pyk2 in this process. We show that both Fak and Cas play roles in the Yersinia uptake process and that Cas can function in a novel pathway that is independent of Fak. Fak-dependent Yersinia uptake does not appear to involve Cas-Crk signaling. By contrast, Cas-mediated uptake in the absence of Fak requires Crk as well as the protein tyrosine kinases Pyk2 and Src. In spite of these differences, the requirement for Rac1 activity is a common feature of both pathways. Furthermore, blocking the function of either Fak or Cas induces similar morphological defects in Yersinia internalization, which are manifested by incomplete membrane protrusive activity that is consistent with an inhibition of Rac1 activity. Pyk2 also functions in Yersinia uptake by macrophages, which are physiologically important for clearing Yersinia infections. Taken together, these data provide new insight into the host cellular signaling networks that are initiated upon infection with Y. pseudotuberculosis. Importantly, these findings also contribute to a better understanding of other cellular processes that involve actin remodeling, including the host response to other microbial pathogens, cell adhesion and migration.

Indomethacin delays gastric restitution: association with the inhibition of focal adhesion kinase and tensin phosphorylation and reduced actin stress fibers

Repair of superficial gastric mucosal injury is accomplished by the process of restitution-migration of epithelial cells to restore continuity of the mucosal surface. Actin filaments, focal adhesions, and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) play crucial roles in cell motility essential for restitution. We studied whether epidermal growth factor (EGF) and/or indomethacin (IND) affect cell migration, actin stress fiber formation, and/or phosphorylation of FAK and tensin in wounded gastric monolayers. Human gastric epithelial monolayers (MKN 28 cells) were wounded and treated with either vehicle or 0.5 mM IND for 16 hr followed by EGF. EGF treatment significantly stimulated cell migration and actin stress fiber formation, and increased FAK localization to focal adhesions, and phosphorylation of FAK and tensin, whereas IND inhibited all these at the baseline and EGF-stimulated conditions. IND-induced inhibition of FAK phosphorylation preceded changes in actin polymerization, indicating that actin depolymerization might be the consequence of decreased FAK activity. In in vivo experiments, rats received either vehicle or IND (5 mg/kg i.g.), and 3 min later, they received water or 5% hypertonic NaCl; gastric mucosa was obtained at 1, 4, and 8 hr after injury. Four and 8 hr after hypertonic injury, FAK phosphorylation was induced in gastric mucosa compared with controls. IND pretreatment significantly delayed epithelial restitution in vivo, and reduced FAK phosphorylation and recruitment to adhesion points, as well as actin stress fiber formation in migrating surface epithelial cells. Our study indicates that FAK, tensin, and actin stress fibers are likely mediators of EGF-stimulated cell migration in wounded human gastric monolayers and potential targets for IND-induced inhibition of restitution.

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) regulates insulin-stimulated glycogen synthesis in hepatocytes

Experimental data support a role for FAK, an important component of the integrin signaling pathway, in insulin action. To test the hypothesis that FAK plays a regulatory role in hepatic insulin action, we overexpressed wild type (WT), a kinase inactive (KR), or a COOH-terminal focal adhesion targeting (FAT) sequence-truncated mutant of FAK in HepG2 hepatoma cells. In control untransfected (NON) and vector (CMV2)- and WT-transfected cells, insulin stimulated an expected 54 +/- 13, 37 +/- 4, and 47 +/- 12 increase in [U-(14)C]glucose incorporation into glycogen, respectively. This was entirely abolished in the presence of either KR (-1 +/- 7%) or FAT mutants (0 +/- 8%, n = 5, p < 0.05 for KR or FAT versus other groups), and this was associated with a significant attenuation of incremental insulin-stimulated glycogen synthase (GS) activity. Insulin-stimulated serine phosphorylation of Akt/protein kinase B was significantly impaired in mutant-transfected cells. Moreover, the ability of insulin to inactivate GS kinase-3beta (GSK-3beta), the regulatory enzyme immediately upstream of GS, by serine phosphorylation (308 +/- 16, 321 +/- 41, and 458 +/- 34 optical densitometric units (odu) in NON, CMV2, and WT, respectively, p < 0.02 for WT versus CMV2) was attenuated in the presence of either FAT (205 +/- 14, p < 0.01) or KR (189 +/- 4, p < 0.005) mutants. FAK co-immunoprecipitated with GSK-3beta, but only in cells overexpressing the KR (374 +/- 254 odu) and FAT (555 +/- 308) mutants was this association stimulated by insulin compared with NON (-209 +/- 92), CMV2 (-47 +/- 70), and WT (-39 +/- 31 odu). This suggests that FAK and GSK-3beta form both a constitutive association and a transient complex upon insulin stimulation, the dissociation of which requires normal function and localization of FAK. We conclude that FAK regulates the activity of Akt/protein kinase B and GSK-3beta and the association of GSK-3beta with FAK to influence insulin-stimulated glycogen synthesis in hepatocytes. Insulin action may be subject to regulation by the integrin signaling pathway, ensuring that these growth and differentiation-promoting pathways act in a coordinated and/or complementary manner.

FAK blunts adenosine-homocysteine-induced endothelial cell apoptosis: requirement for PI 3-kinase

Treatment of cultured bovine pulmonary endothelial cells (BPAEC) with adenosine (Ado) alone or in combination with homocysteine (Hc) leads to disruption of focal adhesion complexes, caspase-dependent degradation of components of focal adhesion complexes, and subsequent apoptosis. Endothelial cells transiently overexpressing paxillin or p130(Cas) cDNAs underwent Ado-Hc-induced apoptosis to an extent similar to that of cells transfected with vector alone. However, overexpression of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) cDNA blunted Ado-Hc-induced apoptosis. FAK constructs lacking the central catalytic domain or containing a point mutation, rendering the catalytic domain enzymatically inactive, did not provide protection from apoptosis. Constructs containing a mutation in the major autophosphorylation site (tyrosine-397) similarly did not prevent cell death. A FAK mutant in amino acid 395, deficient in phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) binding, was not able to blunt apoptosis. Finally, overexpression of FAK did not provide protection from apoptosis in the presence of LY-294002, a PI 3-kinase inhibitor. Taken together, these data suggest that the survival signals mediated by overexpression of FAK in response to Ado-Hc-induced apoptosis require a PI 3-kinase-dependent pathway.

Trichostatin A-induced detransformation correlates with decreased focal adhesion kinase phosphorylation at tyrosine 861 in ras-transformed fibroblasts

To elucidate the role of focal adhesion kinase (pp125FAK) in transformation, its phosphorylation in transformed fibroblasts was compared with that of detransformed fibroblasts induced by a histone deacetylase inhibitor, trichostatin A (TSA). Inhibition of histone deacetylase activity in two different ras-transformed fibroblast lines by TSA induced a morphological change into a flattened and more spread morphology, implying detransformation. These morphological changes included increased spreading ability of transformed NIH 3T3 cells on fibronectin. Of the six tyrosine phosphorylation sites in pp125FAK, phosphorylation at position 861 (Tyr-861) was clearly decreased during detransformation by TSA. It resulted from decreased activity of Src family tyrosine kinase and/or decreased amount of Src kinase interacting with pp125FAK. Furthermore, phosphorylation of Tyr-861 was reduced substantially by the Src family kinase inhibitor, PP1, while overexpression of Src kinase increased its phosphorylation, implying that Src kinase regulates phosphorylation of pp125FAK at Tyr-861. All of these findings suggest that increased phosphorylation of pp125FAK at Tyr-861 correlates with Ras-induced transformation of fibroblasts, and TSA is able to detransform them through regulation of pp125FAK phosphorylation at Tyr-861 by an Src family kinase.

[Functional alterations of astroglia on brain pathologies and their intracellular mechanisms]

A phenotypic alteration of astroglia, "astroglial activation", is a common phenomenon observed on brain pathologies. The hypertrophy/hyperplasia of activated astroglia causes a glial scar, which prevents synaptic re-generation. In contrast, many neurotrophic substances are produced by the activated astroglia. Thus, the functional alteration of astroglia is important in tissue repair processes of the damaged CNS. Endothelins (ETs) are involved in the pathophysiological responses of the CNS. We found that injection of ETs into rat brain induced activated astroglia. A selective ETB-receptor antagonist attenuated the induction of activated astroglia. In cultured astroglia, ETs reproduce the functional alterations characterizing activated astroglia; i.e., increases in proliferation, morphological changes and stimulation of several gene transcriptions. ETs re-organized astroglial cytoskeletal actin through a small GTP-binding protein, rho, which may underlie the astroglial hypertrophy. Analysis of gene expression showed that transcriptions of neurotrophic factors (GDNF and BDNF) were stimulated by ETs. ETs stimulated astroglial proliferation by both adhesion-dependent and -independent mechanisms, where FAK and ERK plays key roles, respectively. These findings suggest important roles of ETs in the regulation of astroglial functions.

Cell Junction Dynamics in the Testis: Sertoli-Germ Cell Interactions and Male Contraceptive Development

Spermatogenesis is an intriguing but complicated biological process. However, many studies since the 1960s have focused either on the hormonal events of the hypothalamus-pituitary-testicular axis or morphological events that take place in the seminiferous epithelium. Recent advances in biochemistry, cell biology, and molecular biology have shifted attention to understanding some of the key events that regulate spermatogenesis, such as germ cell apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, Sertoli-germ cell communication, and junction dynamics. In this review, we discuss the physiology and biology of junction dynamics in the testis, in particular how these events affect interactions of Sertoli and germ cells in the seminiferous epithelium behind the blood-testis barrier. We also discuss how these events regulate the opening and closing of the blood-testis barrier to permit the timely passage of preleptotene and leptotene spermatocytes across the blood-testis barrier. This is physiologically important since developing germ cells must translocate across the blood-testis barrier as well as traverse the seminiferous epithelium during their development. We also discuss several available in vitro and in vivo models that can be used to study Sertoli-germ cell anchoring junctions and Sertoli-Sertoli tight junctions. An in-depth survey in this subject has also identified several potential targets to be tackled to perturb spermatogenesis, which will likely lead to the development of novel male contraceptives.

A chemical genetic screen for direct v-Src substrates reveals ordered assembly of a retrograde signaling pathway

Using an ATP analog that is a specific substrate for an analog-specific allele of v-Src, we identified several novel cytoskeletal substrates that control actin assembly processes. A screen for less abundant v-Src substrates revealed the scaffolding protein Dok-1 as a direct substrate of v-Src. Further studies suggest that v-Src phosphorylation sites on Dok-1 are critical for its binding to RasGAP and Csk, negative regulators of Src signaling. This results in the downregulation of growth-promoting signals of the Src family kinases and the Ras pathway. Identification of the direct substrates of v-Src leads to a model for the precise order of assembly of a retrograde signaling pathway in v-Src-transformed cells and has provided new insight into the balance between those signals that promote cell transformation mediated by v-Src catalyzed tyrosine phosphorylation and those that inhibit it.

Peptide analog of fibronectin that inhibits cell migration and ERK 1/2 activity

Two analogs of the peptide mimicking the 1977-1991 C- terminal part of fibronectin have been synthesized and tested. AWLI simulated human fibronectin fragment 1977-1991, whereas AWLII hybridized to both RGD and 1977-1991 fragments. AWLI and AWLII peptides inhibited the migration of the ovarian carcinoma cell line OVP10 regardless of the presence RGD. AWLI peptide inhibited spontaneous and fibronectin-activated cell migration and ERK1/2 activity. Neither AWLI nor fibronectin induced changes in FAK proteins, as could be judged from Western blots. In conclusion, it seems that the C-terminal fragment of fibronectin inhibits ERK1/2-dependent (random) migration of ovarian carcinoma cells.

Glutamate activates PP125(FAK) through AMPA/kainate receptors in Bergmann glia

Glial glutamate receptors are likely to play a role in plasticity, learning, and memory and in a number of neuropathologies. An enhanced glutamate-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation has been detected in such processes. Using primary cultures of chick Bergmann glia cells and chick cerebellar slices, we addressed whether glial glutamate receptors can activate the nonreceptor tyrosine kinase pp125 focal adhesion kinase (pp125(FAK)). A dose- and time-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of pp125(FAK) was found in both preparations upon glutamate treatment. This effect was mediated through alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoaxazolepropionate (AMPA)/kainate (KA) receptors, as shown by its inhibition by the specific antagonists 2,3-dioxo-6-nitro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrobenzo[f]quinoxaline-7- sulfonamide (NBQX) and 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (DNQX) and the lack of effect of metabotropic agonists. FAK tyrosine phosphorylation was dependent on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity. As expected, an increase in pp125(FAK) catalytic activity was found upon glutamate treatment. Immunprecipitation experiments demonstrated that FAK associates with ionotropic glutamate receptors. Taken together, these results suggest a role for glial glutamate receptors in cytoskeletal rearrengments and focal adhesion contact formation and provide new insight into the signaling transactions elicited by this neurotransmitter in glial cells.

Involvement of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinases in glycine-extended gastrin-induced dissociation and migration of gastric epithelial cells

The various molecular forms of gastrin can act as promoters of proliferation and differentiation in different regions of the gastrointestinal tract. We report a novel stimulatory effect of glycine-extended gastrin(17) only on cell/cell dissociation and cell migration in a non-tumorigenic mouse gastric epithelial cell line (IMGE-5). In contrast, both amidated and glycine-extended gastrin(17) stimulated proliferation of IMGE-5 cells via distinct receptors. Glycine-extended gastrin(17)-induced dissociation preceded migration and was blocked by selective inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) but did not require mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activation. Furthermore, glycine-extended gastrin(17) induced a PI3-kinase-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of the adherens junction protein beta-catenin, partial dissociation of the complex between beta-catenin and the transmembrane protein E-cadherin, and delocalization of beta-catenin into the cytoplasm. Long lasting activation of MAP kinases by glycine-extended gastrin(17) was specifically required for the migratory response, in contrast to the involvement of a rapid and transient MAP kinase activation in the proliferative response to both amidated and glycine-extended gastrin(17). Therefore, the time course of MAP kinase activation appears to be a critical determinant of the biological effects mediated by this pathway. Together with the involvement of PI3-kinase in the dissociation of adherens junctions, long term activation of MAP kinases seems responsible for the selectivity of this novel effect of G(17)-Gly on the adhesion and migration of gastric epithelial cells.

Signalling of GPI-anchored CD157 via focal adhesion kinase in MCA102 fibroblasts

CD157, a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein, has previously been shown to mediate tyrosine phosphorylation of a 130 kDa protein (p130) in several cell lines. In this study, we have identified the p130 protein to be focal adhesion kinase (FAK or pp125(FAK)). FAK undergoes phosphorylation at Tyr-397 and Tyr-861 in intact MCA102 cells stably transfected with CD157 (MCA/CD157). MCA/CD157 cells, which displayed a rounded and compact cell morphology, exhibited a dispersed distribution, in contrast to a more closely associated and elongated spindle cell shape in the vector-transfected cells. MCA/CD157 cells proliferated at a rate 20-25% slower than the control cells. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, that FAK is a downstream signalling molecule of CD157.

Mouse alpha1-syntrophin binding to Grb2: further evidence of a role for syntrophin in cell signaling

Syntrophins have been proposed to serve as adapter proteins. Syntrophins are found in the dystrophin glycoprotein complex (DGC); defects in the constituents of this complex are linked to various muscular dystrophies. Blot overlay experiments demonstrate that alpha-dystroglycan, beta-dystroglycan, and syntrophins all bind Grb2, the growth factor receptor bound adapter protein. Mouse alpha1-syntrophin sequences were produced as chimeric fusion proteins in bacteria and found to also bind Grb2 in a Ca2+-independent manner. This binding was localized to the proline rich sequences adjacent to and overlapping with the N-terminal pleckstrin homology domain (PH1). Grb2 bound syntrophin with an apparent KD of 563 +/- 15 nM. Grb2-C-SH3 domain bound syntrophin with slightly higher affinity than Grb2-N-SH3 domain. Crk-L, an SH2/SH3 protein of similar domain structure but different specificity, does not bind these syntrophin sequences.

Escherichia coli cytotoxic necrotizing factor and Pasteurella multocida toxin induce focal adhesion kinase autophosphorylation and Src association

Cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1 and Pasteurella multocida toxin induced dose- and time-dependent increases in focal adhesion kinase (FAK) Tyr397 phosphorylation in Swiss 3T3 cells. FAK autophosphorylation was sensitive to inhibitors of p160/ROCK and coincided with the formation of stable complexes between FAK and Src family members.

Signal transduction via the growth hormone receptor

Rapid progress has been made recently in the definition of growth hormone (GH) receptor signal transduction pathways. It is now apparent that many cytokines, including GH, share identical or similar signalling components to exert their cellular effects. This review provides a brief discourse on the signal transduction pathways, which have been demonstrated to be utilized by GH. The identification of such pathways provides a basis for understanding the pleiotropic actions of GH. The mechanisms by which the specific cellular effects of GH are achieved remain to be elucidated.

Invited review: focal adhesion and small heat shock proteins in the regulation of actin remodeling and contractility in smooth muscle

Smooth muscle cells are able to adapt rapidly to chemical and mechanical signals impinging on the cell surface. It has been suggested that dynamic changes in the actin cytoskeleton contribute to the processes of contractile activation and mechanical adaptation in smooth muscle. In this review, evidence for functionally important changes in actin polymerization during smooth muscle contraction is summarized. The functions and regulation of proteins associated with "focal adhesion complexes" (membrane-associated dense plaques) in differentiated smooth muscle, including integrins, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), c-Src, paxillin, and the 27-kDa small heat shock protein (HSP27) are described. Integrins in smooth muscles are key elements of mechanotransduction pathways that communicate with and are regulated by focal adhesion proteins that include FAK, c-Src, and paxillin as well as proteins known to mediate cytoskeletal remodeling. Evidence that functions of FAK and c-Src protein kinases are closely intertwined is discussed as well as evidence that focal adhesion proteins mediate key signal transduction events that regulate actin remodeling and contraction. HSP27 is reviewed as a potentially significant effector protein that may regulate actin dynamics and cross-bridge function in response to activation of p21-activated kinase and the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway by signaling pathways linked to integrin proteins. These signaling pathways are only part of a large number of yet to be defined pathways that mediate acute adaptive responses of the cytoskeleton in smooth muscle to environmental stimuli.

pp60c-src and related tyrosine kinases: a role in the assembly and reorganization of matrix adhesions

Activation of tyrosine kinases during integrin-mediated cell-matrix adhesion is involved both in the regulation of focal contact assembly and in the initiation of signaling processes at the cell-matrix adhesive interface. In order to determine the role of pp60c-src and related kinases in these processes, we have compared the dynamic reorganization of phosphotyrosine, vinculin, focal adhesion kinase and tensin in cells with altered expression of Src-family kinases. Both null cells for pp60c-src and triple knockout cells for pp60c-src, pp59fyn, and pp62c-yes exhibited decreased phosphotyrosine levels in focal contacts when compared with wild-type cells. pp60c-src-null cells also exhibited faster assembly of cell-matrix adhesions and a more exuberant recruitment of FAK to these sites. Tensin, which normally segregates into fibrillar adhesions was localized in large focal contacts in the two mutant cell lines, suggesting involvement of pp60c-src in the segregation of focal contacts and fibrillar adhesions. Moreover, treatment of wild-type cells with tyrphostin AG1007, which inhibits both pp60c-src and FAK activity, induced accumulation of tensin in peripheral focal adhesions. These findings demonstrate that Src family kinases, and pp60c-src in particular, have a central role in regulating protein dynamics at cell-matrix interfaces, both during early stages of interaction and in mature focal contacts.

Y-27632, an inhibitor of Rho-associated kinases, prevents tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase and paxillin induced by bombesin: dissociation from tyrosine phosphorylation of p130(CAS)

A rapid increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), paxillin, and Crk-associated substrate (CAS) are prominent early events triggered by many G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), but the mechanisms involved remain unclear. Here, we examined whether the Rho-associated protein serine/threonine kinase family (ROCK) is a critical Rho effector in the pathway that links GPCR activation to the tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK, CAS, and paxillin. Treatment of Swiss 3T3 cells with Y-27632, a preferential inhibitor of ROCK, dramatically inhibited the formation of actin stress fibers, the assembly of focal contacts, and the increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK and paxillin induced by bombesin in these cells. Surprisingly, we found that treatment with Y-27632 did not produce any detectable effect on bombesin-elicited CAS tyrosine phosphorylation even at the highest concentrations of Y-27632 tested. HA-1077, a preferential inhibitor of ROCK activity structurally unrelated to Y-27632, also attenuated the increase in the tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK and paxillin but did not affect the tyrosine phosphorylation of CAS induced by bombesin in Swiss 3T3 cells. The results demonstrate that ROCK-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK and paxillin can be dissociated from a ROCK-independent pathway leading to tyrosine phosphorylation of CAS.

Focal adhesion kinase activates Stat1 in integrin-mediated cell migration and adhesion

Recent studies suggest that focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is important for cell migration. We now suggest a mechanism by which FAK activates the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway, regulating cell adhesion and migration. In particular, we observe that FAK is capable of activating Stat1, but not Stat3. Co-immunoprecipitation and in vitro binding assays demonstrate that Stat1 is transiently and directly associated with FAK during cell adhesion, and Stat1 is activated in this process. FAK with a C-terminal deletion (FAKDeltaC14) completely abolishes this interaction, indicating this association is dependent on the C-terminal domain of FAK, which is required for FAK localization at focal contacts. Moreover, Stat1 activation during cell adhesion is diminished in FAK-deficient cells, correlating with decreased migration in these cells. Finally, we show that depletion of Stat1 results in an enhancement of cell adhesion and a decrease in cell migration. Thus, our results have demonstrated, for the first time, a critical signaling pathway from integrin/FAK to Stat1 that reduces cell adhesion and promotes cell migration.

Energetic determinants of tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion proteins during hypoxia/reoxygenation of kidney proximal tubules

Anaerobic mitochondrial metabolism of alpha-ketoglutarate and aspartate or alpha-ketoglutarate and malate can prevent and reverse severe mitochondrial dysfunction during reoxygenation after 60 minutes of hypoxia in kidney proximal tubules.(34) The present studies demonstrate that, during hypoxia, paxillin, focal adhesion kinase, and p130(cas) migrated faster by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, their phosphotyrosine (pY) content decreased to approximately 5% of that in oxygenated tubules without changes in total protein, and the normally basal immunostaining of beta1 and alpha6 integrin subunits, pY, and paxillin was lost or markedly decreased. During reoxygenation without supplemental substrates, recovery of pY and basal localization of the focal adhesion proteins was poor. alpha-Ketoglutarate and aspartate, which maintained slightly higher levels of ATP during hypoxia, also maintained 2.5-fold higher levels of pY during this period, and promoted full recovery of pY content and basal localization of focal adhesion proteins during subsequent reoxygenation. Similarly complete recovery was made possible by provision of alpha-ketoglutarate and aspartate or alpha-ketoglutarate and malate only during reoxygenation. These data emphasize the importance of very low energy thresholds for maintaining the integrity of key structural and biochemical components required for cellular survival and reaffirm the value of approaches aimed at conserving or generating energy in cells injured by hypoxia or ischemia.

Src family kinases are required for integrin-mediated but not for G protein-coupled receptor stimulation of focal adhesion kinase autophosphorylation at Tyr-397

Plating suspended Swiss 3T3 cells onto fibronectin-coated dishes promoted phosphorylation of endogenous focal adhesion kinase (FAK) at Tyr-397, the major autophosphorylation site, and at Tyr-577, located in the activation loop, as revealed by site-specific antibodies that recognize the phosphorylated form of these residues. Treatment with the selective Src family kinase inhibitor pyrazolopyrimidine 2 (PP-2) markedly reduced the phosphorylation of both Tyr-397 and Tyr-577 induced by fibronectin. Furthermore, fibronectin-mediated FAK phosphorylation at Tyr-397 was dramatically reduced in SYF cells (deficient in Src, Yes, and Fyn expression). Stimulation of Swiss 3T3 cells with bombesin also induced a rapid increase in the phosphorylation of endogenous FAK at Tyr-397. In contrast to the results obtained with fibronectin, PP-2 did not prevent FAK Tyr-397 phosphorylation stimulated by bombesin at a concentration (10 micrometer) that suppressed bombesin-induced FAK Tyr-577 phosphorylation. Similarly, PP-2 did not prevent Tyr-397 phosphorylation in Swiss 3T3 cells stimulated with other G protein-coupled receptor agonists including vasopressin, bradykinin, endothelin, and lysophosphatidic acid. Lysophosphatidic acid also induced FAK phosphorylation at Tyr-397 in SYF cells. Our results identify, for first time, the existence of Src-dependent and Src-independent pathways leading to FAK autophosphorylation at Tyr-397 stimulated by adhesion-dependent signals and G protein-coupled receptor agonists in the same cell.

The cytoskeletal/non-muscle isoform of alpha-actinin is phosphorylated on its actin-binding domain by the focal adhesion kinase

alpha-Actinin is tyrosine-phosphorylated in activated human platelets (Izaguirre, G., Aguirre, L., Ji, P., Aneskievich, B., and Haimovich, B. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 37012--37020). Analysis of platelet RNA by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction revealed that alpha-actinin expressed in platelets is identical to the cytoskeletal/non-muscle isoform. A construct of this isoform containing a His(6) tag at the amino terminus was generated. Robust tyrosine phosphorylation of the recombinant protein was detected in cells treated with the tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor vanadate. The tyrosine phosphorylation site was localized to the amino-terminal domain by proteolytic digestion. A recombinant alpha-actinin protein containing a Tyr --> Phe mutation at position 12 (Y12F) was no longer phosphorylated when expressed in vanadate-treated cells, indicating that tyrosine 12 is the site of phosphorylation. The wild type recombinant protein was not phosphorylated in cells lacking the focal adhesion kinase (FAK). Re-expression of FAK in these cells restored alpha-actinin phosphorylation. Purified wild type alpha-actinin, but not the Y12F mutant, was phosphorylated in vitro by wild type as well as a Phe-397 mutant of FAK. In contrast, no phosphorylation was detected in the presence of a kinase-dead FAK. Tyrosine phosphorylation reduced the amount of alpha-actinin that cosedimented with actin filaments. These results establish that alpha-actinin is a direct substrate for FAK and suggest that alpha-actinin mediates FAK-dependent signals that could impact the physical properties of the cytoskeleton.

The role of the Src homology 3-Src homology 2 interface in the regulation of Src kinases

The regulatory fragment of Src kinases, comprising Src homology (SH) 3 and SH2 domains, is responsible for controlled repression of kinase activity. We have used a multidisciplinary approach involving crystallography, NMR, and isothermal titration calorimetry to study the regulatory fragment of Fyn (FynSH32) and its interaction with a physiological activator: a fragment of focal adhesion kinase that contains both phosphotyrosine and polyproline motifs. Although flexible, the preferred disposition of SH3 and SH2 domains in FynSH32 resembles the inactive forms of Hck and Src, differing significantly from LckSH32. This difference, which results from variation in the SH3-SH2 linker sequences, will affect the potential of the regulatory fragments to repress kinase activity. This surprising result implies that the mechanism of repression of Src family members may vary, explaining functional distinctions between Fyn and Lck. The interaction between FynSH32 and focal adhesion kinase is restricted to the canonical SH3 and SH2 binding sites and does not affect the dynamic independence of the two domains. Consequently, the interaction shows no enhancement by an avidity effect. Such an interaction may have evolved to gain specificity through an extended recognition site while maintaining rapid dissociation after signaling.

A new focal adhesion protein that interacts with integrin-linked kinase and regulates cell adhesion and spreading

Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is a multidomain focal adhesion (FA) protein that functions as an important regulator of integrin-mediated processes. We report here the identification and characterization of a new calponin homology (CH) domain-containing ILK-binding protein (CH-ILKBP). CH-ILKBP is widely expressed and highly conserved among different organisms from nematodes to human. CH-ILKBP interacts with ILK in vitro and in vivo, and the ILK COOH-terminal domain and the CH-ILKBP CH2 domain mediate the interaction. CH-ILKBP, ILK, and PINCH, a FA protein that binds the NH(2)-terminal domain of ILK, form a complex in cells. Using multiple approaches (epitope-tagged CH-ILKBP, monoclonal anti-CH-ILKBP antibodies, and green fluorescent protein-CH-ILKBP), we demonstrate that CH-ILKBP localizes to FAs and associates with the cytoskeleton. Deletion of the ILK-binding CH2 domain abolished the ability of CH-ILKBP to localize to FAs. Furthermore, the CH2 domain alone is sufficient for FA targeting, and a point mutation that inhibits the ILK-binding impaired the FA localization of CH-ILKBP. Thus, the CH2 domain, through its interaction with ILK, mediates the FA localization of CH-ILKBP. Finally, we show that overexpression of the ILK-binding CH2 fragment or the ILK-binding defective point mutant inhibited cell adhesion and spreading. These findings reveal a novel CH-ILKBP-ILK-PINCH complex and provide important evidence for a crucial role of this complex in the regulation of cell adhesion and cytoskeleton organization.

Traction force microscopy of migrating normal and H-ras transformed 3T3 fibroblasts

Mechanical interactions between cell and substrate are involved in vital cellular functions from migration to signal transduction. A newly developed technique, traction force microscopy, makes it possible to visualize the dynamic characteristics of mechanical forces exerted by fibroblasts, including the magnitude, direction, and shear. In the present study such analysis is applied to migrating normal and transformed 3T3 cells. For normal cells, the lamellipodium provides almost all the forces for forward locomotion. A zone of high shear separates the lamellipodium from the cell body, suggesting that they are mechanically distinct entities. Timing and distribution of tractions at the leading edge bear no apparent relationship to local protrusive activities. However, changes in the pattern of traction forces often precede changes in the direction of migration. These observations suggest a frontal towing mechanism for cell migration, where dynamic traction forces at the leading edge actively pull the cell body forward. For H-ras transformed cells, pockets of weak, transient traction scatter among small pseudopods and appear to act against one another. The shear pattern suggests multiple disorganized mechanical domains. The weak, poorly coordinated traction forces, coupled with weak cell-substrate adhesions, are likely responsible for the abnormal motile behavior of H-ras transformed cells.

Endothelins increase tyrosine phosphorylation of astrocytic focal adhesion kinase and paxillin accompanied by their association with cytoskeletal components

Astrocytic endothelin receptors are involved in the appearance of activated astrocytes upon injury of the brain [Ishikawa N. et al. (1997) Eur. J. Neurosci. 9, 895-901; Koyama Y. et al. (1999) Glia 26, 268-271]. To clarify signal transduction triggered by endothelin receptors, we examined the effects of endothelins on protein tyrosine phosphorylation in cultured rat astrocytes. Endothelin-1 (1 nM) increased tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase and paxillin. The tyrosine phosphorylation was also induced by endothelin-1 (1 nM) and Ala(1,3,11,15)-endothelin-1 (10nM), an endothelin-B receptor agonist. BQ788 (100 nM), an endothelin-B receptor antagonist, inhibited the effects of endothelin-3. Orthovanadate (VO(4)(3-)), a tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, but not bradykinin (1 microM), angiotensin II (100 nM), A23187 (5 microM) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (100 nM), increased tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase and paxillin. The tyrosine phosphorylation by endothelin-3 was not prevented by pertussis toxin, Ca(2+) chelation, protein kinase C inhibitors (calphostin C and staurosporine) or wortmannin. Immunocytochemical staining showed that endothelin-3 and VO(4)(3-) induced redistribution of focal adhesion kinase and paxillin to focal adhesions concomitant with stress fiber formation in dibutyryl cyclic-AMP-treated astrocytes. Treatment with endothelin-3 and VO(4)(3-) increased focal adhesion kinase and paxillin associated with astrocytic cytoskeletal fraction. In the presence of cytochalasin B, an actin disrupting agent, endothelin-3 and VO(4)(3-) did not phosphorylate focal adhesion kinase and paxillin. Application of cytochalasin B after treatment with endothelin-3 and VO(4)(3-) stimulated dephosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase and paxillin. These results suggest that the associations of focal adhesion kinase and paxillin with cytoskeletal components are required in the endothelin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the astrocytic proteins.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase-dependent proteolysis of focal adhesion complexes in endothelial cell apoptosis

Adenosine and/or homocysteine causes endothelial cell apoptosis, a mechanism requiring protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) activity. We investigated the role of focal adhesion contact disruption in adenosine-homocysteine endothelial cell apoptosis. Analysis of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), paxillin, and vinculin demonstrated disruption of focal adhesion complexes after 4 h of treatment with adenosine-homocysteine followed by caspase-induced proteolysis of FAK, paxillin, and p130(CAS). No significant changes were noted in tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK or paxillin. Pretreatment with the caspase inhibitor Z-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone prevented adenosine-homocysteine-induced DNA fragmentation and FAK, paxillin, and p130(CAS) proteolysis. Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-ase activity was detectable in endothelial cells after 4 h of treatment with adenosine-homocysteine. The PTPase inhibitor sodium orthovanadate did not prevent endothelial cell retraction or FAK, paxillin, or vinculin redistribution. Sodium orthovanadate did block adenosine-homocysteine-induced FAK, paxillin, and p130(CAS) proteolysis and Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-ase activity. Thus disruption of focal adhesion contacts and caspase-induced degradation of focal adhesion contact proteins occurs in adenosine-homocysteine endothelial cell apoptosis. Focal adhesion contact disruption induced by adenosine-homocysteine is independent of PTPase or caspase activation. These studies demonstrate that disruption of focal adhesion contacts is an early, but not an irrevocable, event in endothelial cell apoptosis.

Trophoblast giant-cell differentiation involves changes in cytoskeleton and cell motility

Trophoblast giant-cell differentiation is well-characterized at the molecular level, yet very little is known about how molecular changes affect the cellular functions of trophoblast in embryo implantation. We have found, using both explanted E7.5 mouse embryo ectoplacental cone and the rat choriocarcinoma (Rcho-1) cell line, that trophoblast differentiation is distinguished by dramatic changes in cytoarchitecture and cell behavior. Undifferentiated trophoblast cells contain little organized actin and few small, peripheral focal complexes and exhibit high membrane protrusive activity, while differentiated trophoblast giant cells contain prominent stress fibers, large internal as well as peripheral focal adhesions, and become immotile. The dramatic changes in cell behavior and cytoskeletal organization of giant cells correlate with changes in the activities of the Rho family of small GTPases and a decrease in tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase. Together, these data provide detailed insight into the cellular properties of trophoblast giant cells and suggest that giant-cell differentiation is characterized by a transition from a motile to a specialized epithelial phenotype. Furthermore, our data support a phagocytic erosion, rather than a migratory infiltration, mechanism for trophoblast giant-cell invasion of the uterine stroma.

Integrin alpha3beta1 engagement disrupts intercellular adhesion

During tissue morphogenesis and tumor invasion, epithelial cells must undergo intercellular rearrangement in which cells are repositioned with respect to one another and the surrounding mesenchymal extracellular matrix. Using three-dimensional aggregates of squamous epithelial cells, we show that such intercellular rearrangements can be triggered by activation of beta1 integrins after their ligation with extracellular matrices. On nonadherent substrates, multicellular aggregates (MCAs) formed rapidly via E-cadherin junctional complexes and over time became compacted spheroids exhibiting a more epithelial phenotype. After MCAs were replated on culture substrates, the spheroids collapsed to yield tightly arranged cell monolayers. Cell-cell contact induced rapid elevation in E-cadherin levels, which was due to an increase in the metabolic stability of junctional receptors. During MCA remodeling of cell-cell adhesions, and monolayer formation, their E-cadherin levels fell rapidly. Similar behavior was obtained regardless of which ECM ligand-collagen type I, fibronectin, or laminin 1-MCAs were seeded on. In contrast, when seeded onto a matrix elaborated by squamous epithelial cells, cells in the MCA attached, spread, lost cell-cell junctions, and dispersed. Analysis identified laminin 5 as the active ECM ligand in this matrix, and MCA dispersion required functional beta1 integrin and specifically alpha3beta1. Furthermore, substrate-immobilized anti-integrin antibody effectively reproduced the epithelial-mesenchymal-like transition induced by the laminin 5 matrix. During the early stages of aggregate rearrangement and collapse, cells on laminin 5 substrates, but not those on collagen I substrates, exhibited intense cortical arrays of F-actin, microspikes, and fascin accumulation at their peripheral surfaces. These results suggest that engagement of specific integrin-ligand pairs regulates cadherin junctional adhesions during events common to epithelial morphogenesis and tumor invasion.

Rat seminiferous epithelium contains a unique junction (Ectoplasmic specialization) with signaling properties both of cell/cell and cell/matrix junctions

The seminiferous epithelium contains unique actin related cell-cell junctions, termed ectoplasmic specializations (ESs). Turnover of these junctions is fundamental to sperm release and to movement of spermatocytes from basal to adluminal compartments of the epithelium during spermatogenesis. In this study we report several novel observations related to the spatial and temporal distribution of integrin-related signaling molecules at ESs. We confirm the presence of beta(1)-integrin at these sites and further demonstrate co-localization of integrin linked kinase (ILK). beta(1)-Integrin and ILK were shown by immunoprecipitation to associate in whole cell lysates of seminiferous epithelium. This observation provides the first evidence for a direct beta(1)-integrin/ILK interaction in noncultured epithelium. Pan-cadherin and beta-catenin antibodies did not react at ESs. Rather, antibodies reacted with desmosome-like junctions that are present both at basal junctional complexes between Sertoli cells and at sites of attachment to spermatogenic cells. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a known integrin-associated molecule, did not codistribute with beta(1)-integrins and did not associate with these adhesion molecules in immunoprecipitation studies. Although FAK was expressed in the epithelium, it appeared to be limited to the cytoplasm of early spermatogenic cells. Significantly, polyclonal antibodies against phosphotyrosine-containing residues reacted strongly at ESs, with highest levels detected during sperm release and turnover of basal junction complexes. Our observations indicate that ESs share cell signaling features both of cell-cell junctions and of cell-extracellular matrix junctions.

Hierarchical cleavage of focal adhesion kinase by caspases alters signal transduction during apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Purified intestinal epithelial cells die of detachment-induced apoptosis due to loss of cell anchorage during isolation. Anchorage-dependent cells form focal adhesions, sites of enhanced cell-matrix attachment that confer survival signals. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a component of the focal adhesion signaling complex, transduces these antiapoptotic signals. In this report, the molecular events leading to cleavage of FAK by caspases during apoptosis and its functional implications are defined.

METHODS

Cytosolic extracts of human intestinal epithelial cells undergoing detachment-induced apoptosis were analyzed by Western blotting, immunoprecipitation, and kinase assay.

RESULTS

FAK is cleaved by the ordered proteolytic activity of 2 different members of the caspase-3 family. The first cleavage is mediated by caspase-3, generating a 94/92-kilodalton-terminal fragment, which is processed by caspase-6 to an 84-kilodalton fragment. After apoptosis is initiated, the level of FAK phosphorylation is rapidly decreased, and the phosphorylation pattern of FAK-associated proteins is dramatically modified, showing significant yet divergent changes in signal transduction.

CONCLUSIONS

Cleavage of FAK during apoptosis of normal human cells is an example of the sequential, highly regulated, and coordinate action of caspases that not only dismantle a cell by proteolysis, but also alter the cell's signaling machinery.

Integrin-mediated signaling in osteoblasts on titanium implant materials

The intracellular signaling pathway for osteoblast adhesion to the orthopedic implant material Ti6Al4V (TIV) was investigated and compared to integrin-mediated adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins. Primary osteoblasts from fetal rat calvaria were plated onto TIV, fibronectin (FN), and poly-L-lysine (PLL) and the levels of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and AP-1 transcription factors, c-fos and c-jun, were compared by Western and Northern blots. Cells on all substrates showed maximum FAK phosphorylation within 60 min and then a decrease at 2 and 24 h. However, the subsequent signal transduction pathway differed on PLL compared to TIV and FN. MAPK was phosphorylated similarly in osteoblasts attached to FN and TIV, whereas cells on PLL demonstrated no MAPK phosphorylation. On TIV and FN, c-fos and c-jun mRNA levels were maximal within 1 h and then plateaued or declined by 2 h. On PLL, they increased at 2 h. Within 1 h, c-fos protein was stimulated in cells attached to TIV and FN and decreased in cells on PLL. c-jun protein increased on all substrates compared to unplated cells. Cytoskeletal changes visualized by phalloidin fluorescence microscopy at 4 h of culture were delayed on TIV compared to FN. In addition, approximately 50% fewer cells adhered to TIV compared to FN or PLL. By 24 h, a well-spread cytoskeleton with focal adhesion sites was apparent on TIV and FN, but cells on PLL were rounded with minimal cell spreading. During 6 days of culture, cells on FN and TIV proliferated, whereas the number of cells on PLL remained the same or decreased, depending on the initial plating density. We conclude that osteoblast adhesion to TIV implants is similar to osteoblast adhesion to FN and leads to osteoblast proliferation. These data provide evidence for the biocompatibility of TIV at a molecular level.

Involvement of focal adhesion kinase in Escherichia coli invasion of human brain microvascular endothelial cells

Escherichia coli K1 traversal across the blood-brain barrier is an essential step in the pathogenesis of neonatal meningitis. We have previously shown that invasive E. coli promotes the actin rearrangement of brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMEC), which constitute a lining of the blood-brain barrier, for invasion. However, signal transduction mechanisms involved in E. coli invasion are not defined. In this report we show that tyrosine kinases play a major role in E. coli invasion of human BMEC (HBMEC). E. coli induced tyrosine phosphorylation of HBMEC cytoskeletal proteins, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), and paxillin, with a concomitant increase in the association of paxillin with FAK. Overexpression of a dominant interfering form of the FAK C-terminal domain, FRNK (FAK-related nonkinase), significantly inhibited E. coli invasion of HBMEC. Furthermore, we found that FAK kinase activity and the autophosphorylation site (Tyr397) are important in E. coli invasion of HBMEC, whereas the Grb2 binding site (Tyr925) is not required. Immunocytochemical studies demonstrated that FAK is recruited to focal plaques at the site of bacterial entry. Consistent with the invasion results, overexpression of FRNK, a kinase-negative mutant (Arg454 FAK), and a Src binding mutant (Phe397 FAK) inhibited the accumulation of FAK at the bacterial entry site. The overexpression of FAK mutants in HBMEC also blocked the E. coli-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK and its association with paxillin. These observations provide evidence that FAK tyrosine phosphorylation and its recruitment to the cytoskeleton play a key role in E. coli invasion of HBMEC.

Integrins as mediators of epithelial cell-matrix interactions in the human small intestinal mucosa

The intestinal epithelium is a highly dynamic tissue, which depends on a variety of factors for the regulation of its rapid renewal and expression of digestive functions. Over the last 10 years, it has become evident that among these factors are cell interactions with the extracellular matrix, more specifically with the underlying basement membrane, through a series of specific cell membrane receptors, many of which are integrins. Integrins regulate the assembly of adhesive junctions as well as the activation of various signaling pathways, leading to the modulation of gene expression. The analysis of the integrin repertoire along the crypt-villus axis in the human small intestinal epithelium identifies a number of beta1 and beta4 integrins, showing differential patterns of expression relative to its two functional compartments. Among them are the integrins alpha3beta1, alpha7Bbeta1 and the functional form of alpha6beta4 that appear to be related, in concert with the distribution of their ligands, to the process of intestinal cell differentiation, and the integrins alpha2beta1, alpha1beta1, alpha5beta1, and the non-functional form of alpha6beta4 that seem to be coupled with the undifferentiated/proliferative status of crypt cells. These observations delineate the potential complexity of the organization of epithelial cell-matrix interactions involved in the maintenance of the human intestinal crypt-villus axis.

The mechanism of effect of growth hormone on preadipocyte and adipocyte function

Growth hormone (GH) is not only the major regulator of postnatal somatic growth but also exerts profound effects on body composition through a combination of anabolic, lipolytic and antinatriuretic actions. GH enhancement of the lipolytic activity of adipose tissue in combination with a reduction of triglyceride accumulation via inhibition of lipoprotein lipase activity appears to be the major mechanism by which GH results in a reduction of the total fat mass. Recently, much progress has been made in understanding the molecular mechanism by which GH affects cellular function. This review provides a brief discourse and summary of the mechanism of effects of GH on preadipocyte/adipocyte function. It is intended to provide a functional understanding of the mechanism of action of GH as it relates to adipogenesis and adipocyte function.

Coupling of PAK-interacting exchange factor PIX to GIT1 promotes focal complex disassembly

The p21-activated kinase PAK is targeted to focal complexes (FCs) through interactions with the SH3 domains of the PAK-interacting exchange factor PIX and Nck. PIX is a Rac GTP exchange factor that also binds the G-protein-coupled receptor kinase-interacting protein known as GIT1. Overexpression of GIT1 in fibroblasts or epithelial cells causes a loss of paxillin from FCs and stimulates cell motility. This is due to the direct interaction of a C-terminal 125-residue domain of GIT1 with paxillin, under the regulation of PIX. In its activated state, GIT1 can promote FC disassembly independent of actin-myosin contractile events. Additionally, GIT directly couples to a key component of FCs, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), via a conserved Spa2 homology domain. We propose that GIT1 and FAK cooperate to promote motility both by directly regulating focal complex dynamics and by the activation of Rac.

Signaling and invasin-promoted uptake via integrin receptors

The invasin protein encoded by enteropathogenic Yersinia allows entry of bacteria into intestinal M cells by binding to integrin receptors. In cultured cells, invasin-mediated uptake requires proteins involved in endocytosis and signaling to the cell cytoskeleton. At least four different factors have been demonstrated to play a role in regulating the efficiency of invasin-promoted uptake. These include receptor-ligand affinity, receptor clustering, signaling through focal adhesion kinase, and stimulation of cytoskeletal rearrangements by small GTP binding proteins.

Tyrosine phosphorylation of p125(Fak), p130(Cas), and paxillin does not require extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation in Swiss 3T3 cells stimulated by bombesin or platelet-derived growth factor

The experiments presented here were designed to examine the contribution of the extracellular signal-regulated mitogen-activated protein kinases (ERKs) to the tyrosine phosphorylation of the focal adhesion proteins p125(Fak), p130(Cas), and paxillin induced by G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and tyrosine kinase receptors in Swiss 3T3 cells. Stimulation of these cells with bombesin, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), endothelin, and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) led to a marked increase in the tyrosine phosphorylation of these focal adhesion proteins and in ERK activation. Exposure of the cells to two structurally unrelated mitogen-activated protein kinase or ERK kinase (MEK) inhibitors, PD98059 and U0126, completely abrogated ERK activation but did not prevent tyrosine phosphorylation of p125(Fak), p130(Cas), and paxillin. Furthermore, different dose-response relationships were obtained for tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion proteins and for ERK activation in response to PDGF. Putative upstream events in the activation of focal adhesion proteins including actin cytoskeletal reorganization and myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation were also not prevented by inhibition of ERK activation. Thus, our results demonstrate that the activation of the ERK pathway is not necessary for the increase of the tyrosine phosphorylation of p125(Fak), p130(Cas), and paxillin induced by either GPCRs or tyrosine kinase receptors in Swiss 3T3 cells.

Autocrine human growth hormone enhancement of human mammary carcinoma cell spreading is Jak2 dependent

We investigated the role of autocrine production of human (h) GH in the attachment and spreading of mammary carcinoma cells in vitro. We used a previously described model system for the study of the autocrine/paracrine role of GH in which the hGH gene (MCF-hGH) or a translation-deficient hGH gene (MCF-MUT) was stably transfected into MCF-7 cells. No differences in attachment to a collagen matrix between MCF-hGH and MCF-MUT cells were observed in either serum-free medium (SFM) or medium containing exogenous hGH, 5% serum, or 10% serum. In contrast, MCF-hGH cells spread more rapidly on a collagen matrix than did MCF-MUT cells. Exogenous hGH and 10% serum interacted with autocrine production of hGH in an additive manner to increase cell spreading. MCF-hGH cells formed filipodia and stress fibers earlier than MCF-MUT cells during the process of cell spreading and possessed marked differences in morphology after spreading. MCF-MUT cells displayed uniform and symmetrical formation of stress fibers, whereas MCF-hGH cells displayed irregular and elongated stress fiber formation. The level of cytoplasmic phosphotyrosine was increased in MCF-hGH compared with MCF-MUT cells during spreading and displayed colocalization with Janus kinase 2 (JAK2). Basal JAK2 tyrosine phosphorylation was increased, and it increased further on spreading in MCF-hGH cells compared with MCF-MUT cells. Transient transfection of JAK2 complementary DNA resulted in interaction with autocrine hGH to increase the rate of cell spreading in MCF-hGH cells compared with MCF-MUT cells. Treatment with a selective JAK2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor (AG 490) reduced the rate of MCF-hGH cell spreading to the rate of MCF-MUT cell spreading. Thus, we conclude that autocrine production of hGH enhances the rate of mammary carcinoma cell spreading in a JAK2-dependent manner.

Fibronectin fragments induce MMP activity in mouse mammary epithelial cells: evidence for a role in mammary tissue remodeling

Mammary gland form and function are regulated by interactions between epithelium and extracellular matrix. Major glycoprotein components of extracellular matrix have been identified that give survival, proliferation and differentiation signals to mammary epithelial cells. We provide evidence that proteolytic fragments of the extracellular matrix glycoprotein, fibronectin, suppress growth and can promote apoptosis of mouse mammary epithelial cells. During mammary gland involution, total fibronectin and fibronectin fragment levels are increased. The peak levels of fibronectin protein and fragments are observed 4–6 days post-weaning, coincident with the peak in epithelial cell death. Using a model for hormone withdrawal-induced death of mammary epithelium, elevated levels of fibronectin proteolytic fragments were associated with apoptosis in TM-6 cells, a tumorigenic mouse mammary epithelial cell line. Treatment of TM-6 cells with exogenous fibronectin fragments (FN120) reduced cell number, and induced apoptosis and matrix degrading protease activity. Inhibition of matrix protease activity rescued TM-6 cell viability, indicating that FN120-induced cell loss is mediated through matrix protease activity. In a three-dimensional model for mammary gland development, FN120 reduced alveolar-like and promoted ductal-like development by a matrix protease-dependent mechanism. These data suggest that during post-lactational involution, fibronectin fragments may contribute to epithelial cell loss and dissolution of mammary alveoli by inducing matrix degrading proteinases.

Clustering of cell surface (beta)1,4-galactosyltransferase I induces transient tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase and loss of stress fibers

It is well appreciated that clustering of receptors for the extracellular matrix, most notably the integrins, elicits intracellular signal cascades. One of the first indications that integrin-dependent signaling has occurred is by the activation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK). Another, although less well understood, receptor for the extracellular matrix is (beta)1, 4-galactosyltransferase I (GalT). GalT participates during lamellipodia formation and cell migration by recognizing terminal N-acetylglucosamine residues on basal lamina glycosides. In this study, we investigated whether GalT is also capable of eliciting intracellular signal cascades, specifically FAK activation, in response to ligand binding and/or aggregation. 3T3 fibroblasts were treated with two different reagents capable of aggregating GalT, either antibodies raised against recombinant GalT or multivalent polymers of N-acetylglucosamine, and the effects on tyrosine phosphorylation were analyzed. Both reagents induced an initial tyrosine phosphorylation (1-2 minutes) and subsequent dephosphorylation (5-10 minutes) of proteins with molecular mass 67 and 125 kDa. These proteins were identified as paxillin and FAK, respectively, by immunoprecipitation with anti-paxillin and anti-FAK antibodies. Preimmune IgG, anti-GalT Fab fragments, irrelevant polymers and monomeric N-acetylglucosamine had no effect. The ability of GalT aggregation to induce transient tyrosine phosphorylation was dependent upon cell density. In addition, FAK dephosphorylation was found to be sensitive to the phosphatase inhibitor, sodium pervanadate. Similar to the integrins, GalT requires association with the cytoskeleton in order to function as a matrix receptor. To determine if the transient tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK was dependent upon GalT binding to the cytoskeleton, stably transfected fibroblasts expressing different amounts of GalT were treated with polymeric N-acetylglucosamine. Cells expressing increased levels of GalT associated with the cytoskeleton showed increased levels of FAK tyrosine phosphorylation and prolonged dephosphorylation, relative to control cells. In contrast, cells in which a dominant negative form of GalT prevents association with the cytoskeleton showed no or weak response to polymeric N-acetylglucosamine. Concomitant with the GalT-stimulated dephosphorylation of FAK, cells treated with anti-GalT antibodies or polymeric N-acetylglucosamine showed a loss of actin stress fibers and focal adhesions. Pervanadate treatment inhibited the GalT-dependent loss of actin stress fibers. To confirm the requirement of GalT in transient FAK phosphorylation and stress fiber reorganization in this system, we created cells homozygous null for the GalT isoform that functions as a matrix receptor. These cells were incapable of phosphorylating FAK in response to GalT agonists and, interestingly, showed a lack of lamellar stress fibers when cultured on basal lamina matrices. These data suggest that GalT function as a basal lamina receptor involves transient activation of FAK and an associated reorganization of stress fibers.

Tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase by PDGF is dependent on ras in human hepatic stellate cells

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a widely expressed nonreceptor tyrosine kinase found in focal adhesions. FAK has been indicated as a point of convergence of other signaling pathways including platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptors, and recently, FAK tyrosine phosphorylation has been shown to be stimulated by PDGF. In the present study we assessed the role of Ras as a possible intermediate protein regulating PDGF-induced FAK tyrosine phosphorylation in human hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), liver-specific pericytes primarily involved in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. For this purpose, cells were first subjected to retroviral-mediated gene transfer with a dominant-negative mutant of Ras (N17Ras). This resulted in a marked inhibition of PDGF-induced FAK tyrosine phosphorylation together with the expected reduction of PDGF-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase activity (ERK). Afterward, the effects of pharmacological agents potentially affecting Ras isoprenylation were evaluated. PDGF-induced FAK tyrosine phosphorylation, ERK activity and intracellular calcium increase, as well as the biological effects of this growth factor, (i.e., mitogenesis and cell migration) were effectively blocked by GGTI-298, an inhibitor of geranylgeranyltransferase I. Inhibition of Ras processing obtained with FTI-277, an inhibitor of farnesyltransferase, resulted in detectable effects only at high doses. Taken together, these results establish that Ras operates as a protein-linking PDGF-beta receptor to FAK in human HSCs, and that signaling molecules requiring geranylgeranylation may also be involved in this process.

Caspase 3 cleavage of the Ste20-related kinase SLK releases and activates an apoptosis-inducing kinase domain and an actin-disassembling region

We have demonstrated that a novel Ste20-related kinase, designated SLK, mediates apoptosis and actin stress fiber dissolution through distinct domains generated by caspase 3 cleavage. Overexpression of SLK in C2C12 myoblasts stimulated the disassembly of actin stress fibers and focal adhesions and induced apoptosis, as determined by annexin V binding and terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling analysis. SLK was cleaved by caspase 3 in vitro and in vivo during c-Myc-, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and UV-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, cleavage of SLK released two domains with distinct activities: an activated N-terminal kinase domain that promoted apoptosis and cytoskeletal rearrangements and a C-terminus domain that disassembled actin stress fibers. Moreover, our analysis has identified a novel conserved region (termed the AT1-46 homology domain) that efficiently promotes stress fiber disassembly. Finally, transient transfection of SLK also activated the c-Jun N-terminal kinase signaling pathway. Our results suggest that caspase-activated SLK represents a novel effector of cytoskeletal remodeling and apoptosis.

Expression of FGFR3 with the G380R achondroplasia mutation inhibits proliferation and maturation of CFK2 chondrocytic cells

A G380R substitution in the transmembrane-spanning region of FGFR3 (FGFR3Ach) results in constitutive receptor kinase activity and is the most common cause of achondroplastic dwarfism in humans. The epiphyseal growth plates of affected individuals are disorganized and hypocellular and show aberrant chondrocyte maturation. To examine the molecular basis of these abnormalities, we used a chondrocytic cell line, CFK2, to stably express the b variant of wild-type FGFR3 or the the constitutively active FGFR3Ach. Overexpression of FGFR3 had minimal effects on CFK2 proliferation and maturation compared with the severe growth retardation found in cells expressing FGFR3Ach. Cells expressing the mutant receptor also showed an abnormal apoptotic response to serum deprivation and failed to undergo differentiation under appropriate culture conditions. These changes were associated with altered expression of integrin subunits, which effectively led to a switch in substrate preference of the immature cell from fibronectin to type II collagen. These in vitro observations support those from in vivo studies indicating that FGFR3 mediates an inhibitory influence on chondrocyte proliferation. We now suggest that the mechanism is related to altered integrin expression.

Integrin-linked kinase is localized to cell-matrix focal adhesions but not cell-cell adhesion sites and the focal adhesion localization of integrin-linked kinase is regulated by the PINCH-binding ANK repeats

Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is a ubiquitously expressed protein serine/threonine kinase that has been implicated in integrin-, growth factor- and Wnt-signaling pathways. In this study, we show that ILK is a constituent of cell-matrix focal adhesions. ILK was recruited to focal adhesions in all types of cells examined upon adhesion to a variety of extracellular matrix proteins. By contrast, ILK was absent in E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell adherens junctions. In previous studies, we have identified PINCH, a protein consisting of five LIM domains, as an ILK binding protein. We demonstrate in this study that the ILK-PINCH interaction requires the N-terminal-most ANK repeat (ANK1) of ILK and one (the C-terminal) of the two zinc-binding modules within the LIM1 domain of PINCH. The ILK ANK repeats domain, which is capable of interacting with PINCH in vitro, could also form a complex with PINCH in vivo. However, the efficiency of the complex formation or the stability of the complex was markedly reduced in the absence of the C-terminal domain of ILK. The PINCH binding defective ANK1 deletion ILK mutant, unlike the wild-type ILK, was unable to localize and cluster in focal adhesions, suggesting that the interaction with PINCH is necessary for focal adhesion localization and clustering of ILK. The N-terminal ANK repeats domain, however, is not sufficient for mediating focal adhesion localization of ILK, as an ILK mutant containing the ANK repeats domain but lacking the C-terminal integrin binding site failed to localize in focal adhesions. These results suggest that focal adhesions are a major subcellular compartment where ILK functions in intracellular signal transduction, and provide important evidence for a critical role of PINCH and integrins in regulating ILK cellular function.