Recent progress in characterization of protein kinase cascades for phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6

Map kinase activation in Swiss 3T3 cells stimulated with gastrin-releasing peptide is associated with increased phosphorylation of a 78,000 M(r) protein immunoprecipitated by anti-raf kinase anti-serum

Addition of 10 nM gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) to Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts induced a transient (1-2 min) tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase). Increased activity of 42,000 M(r) MAP kinase was detected with immunochemical methods; however, in situ kinase detection on renaturated SDS-polyacrylamide electrophoresis gel revealed activation of both 42,000 and 44,000 M(r) MAP kinase species. Furthermore, stimulation of 32P-labelled cells with 10 nM GRP for 2 min resulted in an increased phosphorylation of a protein with an approximate molecular mass of 78,000 M(r) in anti-raf kinase and anti-MAP kinase kinase immunoprecipitates of cytosolic extracts from 32P-labelled cells. The presented data demonstrated that GRP induces MAP kinase activation in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts, and furthermore suggest a role for raf kinase in this process.

Phosphatidylcholine breakdown and signal transduction

PC hydrolysis by PLA2, PLC or PLD is a widespread response elicited by most growth factors, cytokines, neurotransmitters, hormones and other extracellular signals. The mechanisms can involve G-proteins, PKC, Ca2+ and tyrosine kinase activities. Although an agonist-responsive cytosolic PLA2 has been purified, cloned and sequenced, the agonist-responsive form(s) of PC-PLC has not been identified and no form of PC-PLD has been purified or cloned. Regulation of PLA2 by Ca2+ and MAPK is well established and involves membrane translocation and phosphorylation, respectively. PKC regulation of the enzyme in intact cells is probably mediated by MAPK. The question of G-protein control of PLA2 remains controversial since the nature of the G-protein is unknown and it is not established that its interaction with the enzyme is direct or not. Growth factor regulation of PLA2 involves tyrosine kinase activity, but not necessarily PKC. It may be mediated by MAPK. The physiological significance of PLA2 activation is undoubtedly related to the release of AA for eicosanoid production, but the LPC formed may have actions also. There is much evidence that PKC regulates PC-PLC and PC-PLD and this is probably a major mechanism by which agonists that promote PI hydrolysis secondarily activate PC hydrolysis. Since no agonist-responsive forms of either phospholipase have been isolated, it is not clear that PKC exerts its effects directly on the enzymes. Although it is assumed that a phosphorylation mechanism is involved, this may not be the case, and regulation may be by protein-protein interactions. G-protein control of PC-PLD is well-established, although, again, it has not been demonstrated that this is direct, and the nature of the G-protein(s) involved is unknown. In some cell types, there is evidence of the participation of a soluble protein, which may be a low Mr GTP-binding protein. What role this plays in the activation of PC-PLD is obscure. Agonist activation of PC hydrolysis in cells is usually Ca(2+)-dependent, but the step at which Ca2+ is involved is unclear, since PC-PLD and PC-PLC per se are not influenced by physiological concentrations of the ion. Most growth factors promote PC hydrolysis and this is mainly due to activation of PKC as a result of PI breakdown. However, in some cases, PC breakdown occurs in the absence of PI hydrolysis, implying another mechanism that does not involve PI-derived DAG.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Identification of the sites in MAP kinase kinase-1 phosphorylated by p74raf-1

Many growth factors whose receptors are protein tyrosine kinases stimulate the MAP kinase pathway by activating first the GTP-binding protein Ras and then the protein kinase p74raf-1. p74raf-1 phosphorylates and activates MAP kinase kinase (MAPKK). To understand the mechanism of activation of MAPKK, we have identified Ser217 and Ser221 of MAPKK1 as the sites phosphorylated by p74raf-1. This represents the first characterization of sites phosphorylated by this proto-oncogene product. Ser217 and Ser221 lie in a region of the catalytic domain where the activating phosphorylation sites of several other protein kinases are located. Among MAPKK family members, this region is the most conserved, suggesting that all members of the family are activated by the phosphorylation of these sites. A 'kinase-dead' MAPKK1 mutant was phosphorylated at the same residues as the wild-type enzyme, establishing that both sites are phosphorylated directly by p74raf-1, and not by autophosphorylation. Only the diphosphorylated form of MAPKK1 (phosphorylated at both Ser217 and Ser221) was detected, even when the stoichiometry of phosphorylation by p74raf-1 was low, indicating that phosphorylation of one of these sites is rate limiting, phosphorylation of the second then occurring extremely rapidly. Ser217 and Ser221 were both phosphorylated in vivo within minutes when PC12 cells were stimulated with nerve growth factor. Analysis of MAPKK1 mutants in which either Ser217 or Ser221 were changed to glutamic acid, and the finding that inactivation of maximally activated MAPKK1 required the dephosphorylation of both serines, shows that phosphorylation of either residue is sufficient for maximal activation.

Tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase in the rat brain following transient cerebral ischemia

Activation of trophic factor receptors stimulates tyrosine phosphorylation on proteins and supports neuronal survival. We report that in the recovery phase following reversible cerebral ischemia, tyrosine phosphorylation increases in the membrane fraction of the resistant hippocampal CA3/dentate gyrus (DG) region, whereas in the sensitive CA1 region or striatum, tyrosine phosphorylation is less marked or decreases. In the cytosolic fractions, a 42-kDa protein, identified as mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, is markedly phosphorylated and activated immediately following ischemia, in particular in CA3/DG, but not in striatum. In the CA1 region, phosphorylation of MAP kinase is less intense and decreases later during reperfusion, which could explain the delay of neuronal degeneration in this structure. The data suggest that in ischemia-resistant neurons the growth factor receptor-coupled signaling cascade is stimulated and, through its effects on DNA transcription and mRNA translation, supports neuronal survival.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MKK1) is negatively regulated by threonine phosphorylation

Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MKK1), a dual-specificity tyrosine/threonine protein kinase, has been shown to be phosphorylated and activated by the raf oncogene product as part of the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade. Here we report the phosphorylation and inactivation of MKK1 by phosphorylation on threonine 286 and threonine 292. MKK1 contains a consensus phosphorylation site for p34cdc2, a serine/threonine protein kinase that regulates the cell division cycle, at Thr-286 and a related site at Thr-292. p34cdc2 catalyzes the in vitro phosphorylation of MKK1 on both of these threonine residues and inactivates MKK1 enzymatic activity. Both sites are phosphorylated in vivo as well. The data presented in this report provide evidence that MKK1 is negatively regulated by threonine phosphorylation.

JNK1: a protein kinase stimulated by UV light and Ha-Ras that binds and phosphorylates the c-Jun activation domain

The ultraviolet (UV) response of mammalian cells is characterized by a rapid and selective increase in gene expression mediated by AP-1 and NF-kappa B. The effect on AP-1 transcriptional activity results, in part, from enhanced phosphorylation of the c-Jun NH2-terminal activation domain. Here, we describe the molecular cloning and characterization of JNK1, a distant relative of the MAP kinase group that is activated by dual phosphorylation at Thr and Tyr during the UV response. Significantly, Ha-Ras partially activates JNK1 and potentiates the activation caused by UV. JNK1 binds to the c-Jun transactivation domain and phosphorylates it on Ser-63 and Ser-73. Thus, JNK1 is a component of a novel signal transduction pathway that is activated by oncoproteins and UV irradiation. These properties indicate that JNK1 activation may play an important role in tumor promotion.

The threonine residues in MAP kinase kinase 1 phosphorylated by MAP kinase in vitro are also phosphorylated in nerve growth factor-stimulated rat phaeochromocytoma (PC12) cells

The residues on MAP kinase kinase-1 (MAPKK1) phosphorylated by MAP kinase in vitro have been identified as Thr-291 and Thr-385. Both threonines are phosphorylated in PC12 cells and the 32P-labelling of each residue increases after stimulation with nerve growth factor (NGF). The results establish that MAPKK1 is a physiological substrate for MAP kinase. The two active forms of MAPKK that are resolved by Mono Q chromatography of PC12 cell extracts are both phosphorylated at Thr-291 and Thr-385, demonstrating that neither species is the MAPKK2 isoform which lacks Thr-291.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MKK1) is negatively regulated by threonine phosphorylation

Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MKK1), a dual-specificity tyrosine/threonine protein kinase, has been shown to be phosphorylated and activated by the raf oncogene product as part of the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade. Here we report the phosphorylation and inactivation of MKK1 by phosphorylation on threonine 286 and threonine 292. MKK1 contains a consensus phosphorylation site for p34cdc2, a serine/threonine protein kinase that regulates the cell division cycle, at Thr-286 and a related site at Thr-292. p34cdc2 catalyzes the in vitro phosphorylation of MKK1 on both of these threonine residues and inactivates MKK1 enzymatic activity. Both sites are phosphorylated in vivo as well. The data presented in this report provide evidence that MKK1 is negatively regulated by threonine phosphorylation.

Growth factor-induced stimulation of hexose transport in 3T3-L1 adipocytes: evidence that insulin-induced translocation of GLUT4 is independent of activation of MAP kinase

We have examined the effect of growth factors on the rate of hexose transport in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) were found to stimulate deoxyglucose transport by about 2-fold. The concentrations of EGF and PDGF which elicited half maximal responses were 100 and 350 pM, respectively. The increases in transport rate were acute effects; the stimulations were evident within minutes of exposure to growth factors. By contrast, insulin stimulated deoxyglucose transport approximately 16-fold over similar time periods. We have measured the appearance of both the insulin-responsive glucose transporter (GLUT4) and the erythrocyte-type glucose transporter (GLUT1) at the cell surface in response to insulin, EGF and PDGF. We show that both EGF and PDGF induce a 2-fold increase in GLUT1 at the cell surface, but both these growth factors were without effect on GLUT4 levels at the cell surface. In contrast, insulin induced a 13-fold increase in cell surface GLUT4. We further show that insulin, EGF and PDGF all activate MAP kinase as determined by a shift in electrophoretic mobility of this protein on SDS-PAGE. However, since the large translocation of GLUT4 to the cell surface is specific for insulin, we suggest that activation of MAP kinase is not the sole requisite for this process.

Human rsk isoforms: cloning and characterization of tissue-specific expression

Serine-threonine protein kinases in the ribosomal S6 kinase (rsk or p90rsk) family have been implicated as signaling intermediates in the cellular response to several growth factors. To investigate the molecular diversity of human p90rsk isoforms, mixed degenerate oligonucleotide polymerase chain reaction was used to isolate partial rsk cDNAs (1.1 kb). Three closely related human rsk cDNAs were obtained (HU-1, HU-2, HU-3). These cDNAs are encoded by separate genes based on DNA sequence diversity and distinct patterns seen with genomic Southern blots. Northern analysis revealed different sized mRNA transcripts for each isoform. A full-length HU-1 cDNA (3.1 kb) was subsequently isolated from a HeLa cell library. 5'-cDNA clones for HU-2 and HU-3 were isolated using the "rapid amplification of cDNA ends" strategy. Experiments using human x hamster somatic cell hybrids localized the HU-1 gene to human chromosome 3; HU-2 is on chromosome 6; and HU-3 is on the X chromosome. The tissue distribution of human rsk mRNAs was determined using ribonuclease protection assays. HU-3 mRNA was present in multiple RNA samples. HU-2 was expressed in fibroblast > muscle > lymphocyte = placenta > liver. HU-1 was expressed in Epstein-Barr virus lymphocyte > > muscle = liver > fat = placenta. These results indicate that the multiplicity of p90rsk isoforms is increased to at least three for humans and that marked tissue-/cell-specific differences in p90rsk isoform expression are present.

Molecular cloning and sequencing of a carp cDNA encoding mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase

We have cloned a full-length cDNA encoding the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MKK) from a carp liver cDNA library. The cDNA contains 1970 bp with a single open reading frame encoding a 397 amino acid protein. By comparing with known MKK sequences from other species, carp MKK is 78%, 80%, 76% and 58% identical to rat MKK1, rat MKK2, Xenopus MKK and Drosophila MKK.

Epidermal growth factor induces phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 via multiple pathways

Expression of p21rasAsn-17, a dominant negative mutant of p21ras that blocks p21ras activation by growth factors, inhibits activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2) by insulin and platelet-derived growth factor in rat-1 cells [A. M. M. de Vries-Smits, B. M. T. Burgering, S. J. Leevers, C. J. Marshall, and J. L. Bos, Nature (London) 357:602-604, 1992]. Here we report that expression of p21rasAsn-17 does not abolish epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced phosphorylation of ERK2 in fibroblasts. Since EGF activates p21ras in these cells, this indicates that EGF induces a p21ras-independent pathway for the phosphorylation of ERK2 as well. We investigated whether activation of protein kinase C (PKC) or increase in intracellular calcium could be involved in p21ras-independent signaling. In rat-1 cells, inhibition of either PKC, by prolonged 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) pretreatment, or calcium influx, by ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) pretreatment, did not abolish EGF-induced ERK2 phosphorylation. However, a combined inhibition of both p21ras and calcium influx, but not PKC, resulted in a complete inhibition of EGF-induced ERK2 phosphorylation. In contrast, in Swiss 3T3 cells, inhibition of both p21ras activation and TPA-sensitive PKC, but not calcium influx, inhibited EGF-induced ERK2 phosphorylation. These results demonstrate that in fibroblasts, EGF induces alternative pathways of ERK2 phosphorylation in a cell-type-specific manner.

Deciphering the MAP kinase pathway

MAP kinases (MAPK) are serine/threonine kinases which are activated by a dual phosphorylation on threonine and tyrosine residues. Their specific upstream activators, called MAP kinase kinases (MAPKK), constitute a new family of dual-specific threonine/tyrosine kinases, which in turn are activated by upstream MAP kinase kinase kinases (MAPKKK). These three kinase families are successively stimulated in a cascade of activation described in various species such as mammals, frog, fly, worm or yeast. In mammals, the MAP kinase module lies on the signaling pathway triggered by numerous agonists such as growth factors, hormones, lymphokines, tumor promoters, stress factors, etc. Targets of MAP kinase have been characterized in all subcellular compartments. In yeast, genetic epistasis helped to characterize the presence of several MAP kinase modules in the same system. By complementation tests, the relationships existing between phylogenetically distant members of each kinase family have been described. The roles of the MAP kinase cascade have been analyzed by engineering various mutations in the kinases of the module. The MAP kinase cascade has thus been implicated in higher eukaryotes in cell growth, cell fate and differentiation, and in low eukaryotes, in conjugation, osmotic stress, cell wall construct and mitosis.

Activation of peripheral large granular lymphocytes with the serine/threonine phosphatase inhibitor, okadaic acid

The murine polyether fatty acid, okadaic acid, is a potent inhibitor of serine/threonine phosphatases in eukaryotic cells. This compound inhibits both protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) and phosphatase 2A (PP2A). Here we have examined the potential of okadaic acid as an activator of fresh peripheral CD3- large granular lymphocytes (LGL). We demonstrate that overnight exposure of LGL to as little as 1 nM okadaic acid induced an increase in natural killing against the K562 cell line, but does not induce LAK activity. Optimal cytotoxic activation (2-fold) occurred at 0.01-1.0 nM okadaic acid, with a return to baseline levels at 10-20 nM, and inhibition, likely due to toxicity, at 40 nM. In addition, okadaic acid at doses > or = 20 nM induced LGL but not T cells to produce interferon-gamma. Similar to phorbol esters, overnight incubation with okadaic acid causes a dose-dependent reduction in expression of the low-affinity receptor for the Fc portion of IgG (CD16). However, unlike phorbol ester, short-term (5 min) okadaic acid treatment did not block CD16-mediated Ca2+ mobilization in LGL. To address the underlying biochemical mechanisms of okadaic acid activities, the levels of several as-yet-unidentified serine/threonine kinases were assayed after renaturation. Under these conditions, okadaic acid induced similar increases in kinase levels in both T cells and LGL. Taken together, these data suggest an important role for PP1 and PP2A in LGL physiology, and define okadaic acid as a potentially important biological response modifier for the study of LGL and T cell biochemistry, signal transduction, and transcriptional regulation.

ATMPKs: a gene family of plant MAP kinases in Arabidopsis thaliana

We previously reported two cDNAs for MAP kinases (cATMPK1 and cATMPK2) from a dicot plant, Arabidopsis thaliana. We describe here the cloning and characterization of five additional cDNAs encoding novel MAP kinases in Arabidopsis, cATMPK3, cATMPK4, cATMPK5, cATMPK6, and cATMPK7. The amino acid residues corresponding to the sites of phosphorylation (Thr-Glu-Tyr) that are involved in the activation of animal MAP kinases are conserved in all the seven putative ATMPK proteins. Genes for MAP kinases in Arabidopsis constitute a family that contains more than seven members. Sequence analysis suggests that there are at least three subfamilies in the family of Arabidopsis genes for MAP kinases.

Epidermal growth factor induces phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 via multiple pathways

Expression of p21rasAsn-17, a dominant negative mutant of p21ras that blocks p21ras activation by growth factors, inhibits activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2) by insulin and platelet-derived growth factor in rat-1 cells [A. M. M. de Vries-Smits, B. M. T. Burgering, S. J. Leevers, C. J. Marshall, and J. L. Bos, Nature (London) 357:602-604, 1992]. Here we report that expression of p21rasAsn-17 does not abolish epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced phosphorylation of ERK2 in fibroblasts. Since EGF activates p21ras in these cells, this indicates that EGF induces a p21ras-independent pathway for the phosphorylation of ERK2 as well. We investigated whether activation of protein kinase C (PKC) or increase in intracellular calcium could be involved in p21ras-independent signaling. In rat-1 cells, inhibition of either PKC, by prolonged 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) pretreatment, or calcium influx, by ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) pretreatment, did not abolish EGF-induced ERK2 phosphorylation. However, a combined inhibition of both p21ras and calcium influx, but not PKC, resulted in a complete inhibition of EGF-induced ERK2 phosphorylation. In contrast, in Swiss 3T3 cells, inhibition of both p21ras activation and TPA-sensitive PKC, but not calcium influx, inhibited EGF-induced ERK2 phosphorylation. These results demonstrate that in fibroblasts, EGF induces alternative pathways of ERK2 phosphorylation in a cell-type-specific manner.

Insulin-stimulated oocyte maturation requires insulin receptor substrate 1 and interaction with the SH2 domains of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase

Xenopus oocytes from unprimed frogs possess insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) receptors but lack insulin and IGF-I receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), the endogenous substrate of this kinase, and fail to show downstream responses to hormonal stimulation. Microinjection of recombinant IRS-1 protein enhances insulin-stimulated phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) 3-kinase activity and restores the germinal vesicle breakdown response. Activation of PtdIns 3-kinase results from formation of a complex between phosphorylated IRS-1 and the p85 subunit of PtdIns 3-kinase. Microinjection of a phosphonopeptide containing a pYMXM motif with high affinity for the src homology 2 (SH2) domain of PtdIns 3-kinase p85 inhibits IRS-1 association with and activation of the PtdIns 3-kinase. Formation of the IRS-1-PtdIns 3-kinase complex and insulin-stimulated PtdIns 3-kinase activation are also inhibited by microinjection of a glutathione S-transferase fusion protein containing the SH2 domain of p85. This effect occurs in a concentration-dependent fashion and results in a parallel loss of hormone-stimulated oocyte maturation. These inhibitory effects are specific and are not mimicked by glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins expressing the SH2 domains of ras-GAP or phospholipase C gamma. Moreover, injection of the SH2 domains of p85, ras-GAP, and phospholipase C gamma do not interfere with progesterone-induced oocyte maturation. These data demonstrate that phosphorylation of IRS-1 plays an essential role in IGF-I and insulin signaling in oocyte maturation and that this effect occurs through interactions of the phosphorylated YMXM/YXXM motifs of IRS-1 with SH2 domains of PtdIns 3-kinase or some related molecules.

Increased phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 4 alpha during early activation of T lymphocytes correlates with increased initiation factor 4F complex formation

Mature porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PPBMCs) exist in a resting state both in vivo and when maintained in culture, with low translation rates consistent with their non-proliferative state. When cultured in the presence of the appropriate mitogen, there is a 2-4-fold increase in the rate of protein synthesis per ribosome within 4 h of stimulation [Kay, J. E., Ahern, T. and Atkins, M. (1971) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 247, 322-334]. Studies on extracts prepared from unstimulated cells have suggested lesions in initiation factor activity, primarily affecting the binding of mRNA to ribosomes [Ahern, T., Sampson, J. and Kay, J. E. (1974) Nature 248, 519-521]. In these studies, we have demonstrated that activation of quiescent PPBMCs with the phorbol ester phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate or concanavalin A leads to a rapid 2-4-fold increase in the rate of protein synthesis within 1 h or 4 h, respectively, which is insensitive to the transcriptional inhibitor, 5,6-dichlorobenzimidazole riboside. Relative to control cells, both phorbol ester and concanavalin A induce a 2-4-fold increase in labelling of the eukaryotic initiation factor eIF-4 alpha with phosphate in vivo, which primarily reflects a small net increase in phosphorylation rather than phosphate turnover on eIF-4 alpha. Similarly, with the human leukaemic T cell line JURKAT, stimulation of the T cell receptor with the monoclonal antibody, OKT-3, or treatment with phorbol ester induces a 2-3-fold increase in eIF-4 alpha phosphorylation within 30 min. Analysis of phosphorylation by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and measurement of kinase activity towards synthetic peptides, indicate that this increased labelling also reflects increased eIF-4 alpha kinase activity rather than phosphate turnover on eIF-4 alpha. Of central importance is the finding that, concomitant with increased rates of protein synthesis following stimulation of PPBMCs with either phorbol ester or concanavalin A, there is a significant increase in the level of eIF-4 alpha recovered in high-molecular-mass complexes. These data suggest that, in quiescent PPBMCs, eIF-4F may be limiting and that the association of eIF-4 alpha and eIF-4 gamma into high-molecular-mass complexes is regulated by phosphorylation and may play a pivotal role in translational control.

Activation of p42 mitogen-activated protein kinase by glutamate receptor stimulation in rat primary cortical cultures

Recent studies have identified at least two homologous mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases that are activated by phosphorylation of both tyrosine and threonine residues by an activator kinase. To help define the role of these MAP kinases in neuronal signalling, we have used primary cultures derived from fetal rat cortex to assess the regulation of their activity by agonist stimulation of glutamate receptors and by synaptic activity. Regulation was assayed by monitoring changes in both tyrosine phosphorylation on western blots and in vitro kinase activity toward a selective MAP kinase substrate peptide. In initial studies, we found that phorbol ester treatment increased tyrosine phosphorylation of p42 MAP kinase and stimulated MAP kinase activity. A similar response was elicited by three agonists of metabotropic glutamate receptors, i.e., trans-(+/-)-1-amino-1,3-cyclopentane dicarboxylic acid, quisqualate, and (2S,3S,4S)-alpha-(carboxycyclopropyl)glycine. MAP kinase activity and p42 MAP kinase tyrosine phosphorylation were also stimulated by the ionotropic glutamate receptor agonist, kainate, but not by N-methyl-D-aspartate. To examine regulation of MAP kinase by synaptic activity, cultures were treated with picrotoxin, an inhibitor of GABAA receptor-mediated inhibition that enhances spontaneous excitatory synaptic activity. Treatment of cultures with picrotoxin elicited activation of MAP kinase. This response was blocked by tetrodotoxin, which suppresses synaptic activity. These results demonstrate that p42 MAP kinase is activated by glutamate receptor agonist stimulation and by endogenous synaptic activity.

Networking with mitogen-activated protein kinases

Mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinases and their target ribosomal protein S6 (RSK) kinases have been recognized as shared components in the intracellular signaling pathways of many diverse cytokines. Recent studies have extended this protein kinase cascade by identifying the major activator of vertebrate MAP kinases as a serine/threonine/tyrosine-protein kinase called MEK, which is related to yeast mating factor-regulated protein kinases encoded by the STE7 and byr1 genes. MEK, in turn, may be activated following its phosphorylation on serine by either of the kinases encoded by proto-oncogenes raf1 or mos, as well as by p78mekk, which is related to the yeast STE11 and byr2 gene products. Isoforms of all of these protein kinases may specifically combine to assemble distinct modules for intracellular signal transmission. However, the fundamental architecture of these protein kinase cascades has been highly conserved during eukaryotic evolution.

Growth factors, mitogens, oncogenes and the regulation of glucose transport

The erythrocyte (or HepG2/brain) type glucose transporter (GLUT 1) was the first of the family of facilitative glucose transporter proteins to be cloned [M. Mueckler et al., Science 229, 941-945, 1985]. GLUT 1 is expressed in most tissue types, all cell lines, transformed cells and tumour cells. It is thought to be responsible for "housekeeping" levels of glucose transport, i.e. the uptake of glucose required for oxidative phosphorylation. The rate of glucose transport via GLUT 1 can be regulated under conditions in which the metabolic rate must be adjusted such as cell division (mitosis and meiosis), differentiation, transformation and nutrient starvation. Here we review the recent literature on the control of glucose transport of mitogens, growth factors and oncogenes, and discuss some of the implications for the integration of cellular signalling pathways and cell growth.

Insulin-stimulated oocyte maturation requires insulin receptor substrate 1 and interaction with the SH2 domains of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase

Xenopus oocytes from unprimed frogs possess insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) receptors but lack insulin and IGF-I receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), the endogenous substrate of this kinase, and fail to show downstream responses to hormonal stimulation. Microinjection of recombinant IRS-1 protein enhances insulin-stimulated phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) 3-kinase activity and restores the germinal vesicle breakdown response. Activation of PtdIns 3-kinase results from formation of a complex between phosphorylated IRS-1 and the p85 subunit of PtdIns 3-kinase. Microinjection of a phosphonopeptide containing a pYMXM motif with high affinity for the src homology 2 (SH2) domain of PtdIns 3-kinase p85 inhibits IRS-1 association with and activation of the PtdIns 3-kinase. Formation of the IRS-1-PtdIns 3-kinase complex and insulin-stimulated PtdIns 3-kinase activation are also inhibited by microinjection of a glutathione S-transferase fusion protein containing the SH2 domain of p85. This effect occurs in a concentration-dependent fashion and results in a parallel loss of hormone-stimulated oocyte maturation. These inhibitory effects are specific and are not mimicked by glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins expressing the SH2 domains of ras-GAP or phospholipase C gamma. Moreover, injection of the SH2 domains of p85, ras-GAP, and phospholipase C gamma do not interfere with progesterone-induced oocyte maturation. These data demonstrate that phosphorylation of IRS-1 plays an essential role in IGF-I and insulin signaling in oocyte maturation and that this effect occurs through interactions of the phosphorylated YMXM/YXXM motifs of IRS-1 with SH2 domains of PtdIns 3-kinase or some related molecules.

Schizosaccharomyces pombe Spk1 is a tyrosine-phosphorylated protein functionally related to Xenopus mitogen-activated protein kinase

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and its direct activator, MAPK kinase (MAPKK), have been suggested to play a pivotal role in a variety of signal transduction pathways in higher eukaryotes. The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe carries a gene, named spk1, whose product is structurally related to vertebrate MAPK. Here we show that Spk1 is functionally related to Xenopus MAPK. (i) Xenopus MAPK partially complemented a defect in the spk1- mutant. An spk1- diploid strain could not sporulate, but one carrying Xenopus MAPK could. (ii) Both Spk1 and Xenopus MAPK interfered with sporulation if overexpressed in S. pombe cells. (iii) Spk1 underwent tyrosine phosphorylation as does Xenopus MAPK. Tyrosine phosphorylation of Spk1 appeared to be dependent upon mating signals because it occurred in homothallic cells but not in heterothallic cells. Furthermore, this phosphorylation was diminished in a byr1 disruptant strain, suggesting that spk1 lies downstream of byr1, which encodes a MAPKK homolog in S. pombe. Taken together, the MAPKK-MAPK cascade may be evolutionarily conserved in signaling pathways in yeasts and vertebrates.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase), MAP kinase kinase and c-Mos stimulate glucose transport in Xenopus oocytes

Mitogens and growth factors acutely stimulate glucose transport in all cells to supply energy for their growth and division, but little is known about the signalling mechanism by which these agonists promote sugar uptake. Here we show that the transport of deoxyglucose and 3-O-methylglucose into Xenopus laevis oocytes is stimulated about 2.5-fold when mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) is microinjected into these oocytes. We also demonstrate that microinjection of the proto-oncogene product c-Mos (an activator of MAP kinase kinase, which activates MAP kinase in Xenopus oocytes), and purified MAP kinase kinase produce similar increases in deoxyglucose transport. Since the activation of MAP kinase is a general response to almost all mitogens and growth factors, we propose that one of its downstream effects is the stimulation of glucose-transport activity.

Schizosaccharomyces pombe Spk1 is a tyrosine-phosphorylated protein functionally related to Xenopus mitogen-activated protein kinase

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and its direct activator, MAPK kinase (MAPKK), have been suggested to play a pivotal role in a variety of signal transduction pathways in higher eukaryotes. The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe carries a gene, named spk1, whose product is structurally related to vertebrate MAPK. Here we show that Spk1 is functionally related to Xenopus MAPK. (i) Xenopus MAPK partially complemented a defect in the spk1- mutant. An spk1- diploid strain could not sporulate, but one carrying Xenopus MAPK could. (ii) Both Spk1 and Xenopus MAPK interfered with sporulation if overexpressed in S. pombe cells. (iii) Spk1 underwent tyrosine phosphorylation as does Xenopus MAPK. Tyrosine phosphorylation of Spk1 appeared to be dependent upon mating signals because it occurred in homothallic cells but not in heterothallic cells. Furthermore, this phosphorylation was diminished in a byr1 disruptant strain, suggesting that spk1 lies downstream of byr1, which encodes a MAPKK homolog in S. pombe. Taken together, the MAPKK-MAPK cascade may be evolutionarily conserved in signaling pathways in yeasts and vertebrates.

Microtubule-associated protein tau, paired helical filaments, and phosphorylation

This paper summarizes our recent studies on microtubule-associated protein tau and its pathological state resembling that of the paired helical filaments of Alzheimer's disease. The Alzheimer-like state of tau protein can be identified and analyzed in terms of certain phosphorylation sites and phosphorylation-dependent antibody epitopes. It can be induced by protein kinases which tend to phosphorylate serine or threonine residues followed by a proline; this includes mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and glycogen-synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3). Both of these are tightly associated with microtubules as well as with paired helical filaments. Structurally, tau appears as a rod-like molecule; it tends to self-associate into dimers whose monomers are antiparallel. Constructs of truncated tau made up of antiparallel dimers of the microtubule binding domain can be assembled into paired helical filaments in vitro.

Mitogen-activated protein kinases p42mapk and p44mapk are required for fibroblast proliferation

The mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAP kinases) p42mapk and p44mapk are serine/threonine kinases rapidly activated in cells stimulated with various extracellular signals by dual phosphorylation of tyrosine and threonine residues. They are thought to play a pivotal role in integrating and transmitting transmembrane signals required for growth and differentiation. Here we demonstrate that activation of these ubiquitously expressed MAP kinases is essential for growth. To specifically suppress MAP kinase activation in fibroblasts, we transiently expressed either the entire p44mapk antisense RNA or p44mapk kinase-deficient mutants (T192A or Y194F). As expected, and through independent mechanisms, both approaches strongly inhibited MAP kinase activation. The antisense reduced the expression of endogenous p42mapk and p44mapk by 90%, whereas overexpression of the T192A mutant inhibited growth factor activation of both endogenous MAP kinases by up to 70%. As a consequence, we found that the antisense as well as the T192A mutant of p44mapk inhibited growth factor-stimulated gene transcription (collagenase promoter assay with chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter) and cell growth. These effects were proportional to the extent of MAP kinase inhibition and reversed by coexpression of the wild-type p44mapk. Therefore we conclude that growth factor activation of p42mapk and p44mapk is an absolute requirement for triggering the proliferative response.

Stimulation of tyrosine phosphorylation and mitogen-activated-protein (MAP) kinase activity in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells by carbachol

Activation of the G-protein-coupled muscarinic (M3) receptor in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells is known to lead to phosphoinositol hydrolysis and noradrenaline release. In this study, the effect of carbachol on tyrosine phosphorylation and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activity in SH-SY5Y cells was examined. Carbachol concentration-dependently induced tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins, including one of 42 kDa. This tyrosine-phosphorylated 42 kDa protein co-eluted from a Mono Q anion-exchange column with MAP kinase activity and with immunologically detected MAP kinase. Stimulation of tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of MAP kinase were also observed after incubation of cells with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and epidermal growth factor (EGF). Down-regulation or inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) abolished the stimulatory effects of both carbachol and PMA on MAP kinase activity, whereas EGF-stimulated MAP kinase activity remained unaffected. Thus carbachol acting through the muscarinic (M3) receptor PKC-dependently induced tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of a 42 kDa MAP kinase in SH-SY5Y cells, whereas EGF-induced MAP kinase activation occurred independently of PKC.

Mechanisms of aluminum fluoride- and insulin-stimulated p33 mRNA accumulation in rat hepatoma cells: involvement of a G protein and kinase action and demonstration of effects on mRNA turnover

The insulin signalling pathway to control nuclear p33 gene expression was examined. An AlF4-stimulated pertussis toxin-insensitive G protein was shown to be involved. The action of AlF4- was completely blocked by deferoxamine. Insulin action was markedly stimulated in the presence of AlF4-. cAMP and diacylglycerol concentrations were examined as possible regulators but no increases were detected. The effects of AlF4- and of insulin were completely inhibited by the general kinase inhibitor H-7. A second calcium calmodulin protein kinase inhibitor, W-7, had no detectable effect. Insulin and AlF4- were shown to stabilize p33 mRNA.

Growth factors induce nuclear translocation of MAP kinases (p42mapk and p44mapk) but not of their activator MAP kinase kinase (p45mapkk) in fibroblasts

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (p42mapk and p44mapk) are serine/threonine kinases that are activated rapidly in cells stimulated with various extracellular signals. This activation is mediated via MAP kinase kinase (p45mapkk), a dual specificity kinase which phosphorylates two key regulatory threonine and tyrosine residues of MAP kinases. We reported previously that the persistent phase of MAP kinase activation is essential for mitogenically stimulated cells to pass the "restriction point" of the cell cycle. Here, using specific polyclonal antibodies and transfection of epitope-tagged recombinant MAP kinases we demonstrate that these signaling protein kinases undergo distinct spatio-temporal localization in growth factor-stimulated cells. In G0-arrested hamster fibroblasts the activator p45mapkk and MAP kinases (p42mapk, p44mapk) are mainly cytoplasmic. Subsequent to mitogenic stimulation by serum or alpha-thrombin both MAP kinase isoforms translocate into the nucleus. This translocation is rapid (seen in 15 min), persistent (at least during the entire G1 period up to 6 h), reversible (by removal of the mitogenic stimulus) and apparently 'coupled' to the mitogenic potential; it does not occur in response to nonmitogenic agents such as alpha-thrombin-receptor synthetic peptides and phorbol esters that fail to activate MAP kinases persistently. When p42mapk and p44mapk are expressed stably at high levels, they are found in the nucleus of resting cells; this nuclear localization is also apparent with kinase-deficient mutants (p44mapk T192A or Y194F). In marked contrast the p45mapkk activator remains cytoplasmic even during prolonged growth factor stimulation and even after high expression levels achieved by transfection. We propose that the rapid and persistent nuclear transfer of p42mapk and p44mapk during the entire G0-G1 period is crucial for the function of these kinases in mediating the growth response.

Molecular cloning, expression, and characterization of the human mitogen-activated protein kinase p44erk1

p44erk1 is a member of a family of tyrosyl-phosphorylated and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases that participate in cell cycle control. A full-length erk1 cDNA was isolated from a human hepatoma cell line (Hep G2) library. The erk1 cDNA clone shared approximately 96% predicted amino acid identity with partial sequences of rodent erk1 cognates, and the erk1 gene was assigned to human chromosome 16 by hybrid panel analysis. Human erk1 expressed in Escherichia coli as a glutathione S-transferase fusion (GST-Erk1) protein was substantially phosphorylated on tyrosine in vivo. It underwent further autophosphorylation in vitro (up to 0.01 mol of P per mol) at the regulatory Tyr-204 site and at additional tyrosine and serine residues. Threonine autophosphorylation, presumably at the regulatory Thr-202 site, was also detected weakly when the recombinant kinase was incubated in the presence of manganese, but not in the presence of magnesium. Before and after cleavage of the GST-Erk1 protein with thrombin, it exhibited a relatively high level of myelin basic protein phosphotransferase activity, which could be reduced eightfold by treatment of the kinase with the protein-tyrosine phosphatase CD45, but not by treatment with the protein-serine/threonine phosphatase 2A. The protein-tyrosine kinase p56lck catalyzed phosphorylation of GST-Erk1 at two autophosphorylations sites, including Tyr-204, and at a novel site. A further fivefold stimulation of the myelin basic protein phosphotransferase activity of the GST-Erk1 was achieved in the presence of a partially purified MAP kinase kinase from sheep platelets. Under these circumstances, there was primarily an enhancement of the tyrosine phosphorylation of GST-Erk1. This MAP kinase kinase also similarly phosphorylated a catalytically compromised version of GST-Erk1 in which Lys-71 was converted to Ala by site-directed mutagenesis.

Molecular cloning, expression, and characterization of the human mitogen-activated protein kinase p44erk1

p44erk1 is a member of a family of tyrosyl-phosphorylated and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases that participate in cell cycle control. A full-length erk1 cDNA was isolated from a human hepatoma cell line (Hep G2) library. The erk1 cDNA clone shared approximately 96% predicted amino acid identity with partial sequences of rodent erk1 cognates, and the erk1 gene was assigned to human chromosome 16 by hybrid panel analysis. Human erk1 expressed in Escherichia coli as a glutathione S-transferase fusion (GST-Erk1) protein was substantially phosphorylated on tyrosine in vivo. It underwent further autophosphorylation in vitro (up to 0.01 mol of P per mol) at the regulatory Tyr-204 site and at additional tyrosine and serine residues. Threonine autophosphorylation, presumably at the regulatory Thr-202 site, was also detected weakly when the recombinant kinase was incubated in the presence of manganese, but not in the presence of magnesium. Before and after cleavage of the GST-Erk1 protein with thrombin, it exhibited a relatively high level of myelin basic protein phosphotransferase activity, which could be reduced eightfold by treatment of the kinase with the protein-tyrosine phosphatase CD45, but not by treatment with the protein-serine/threonine phosphatase 2A. The protein-tyrosine kinase p56lck catalyzed phosphorylation of GST-Erk1 at two autophosphorylations sites, including Tyr-204, and at a novel site. A further fivefold stimulation of the myelin basic protein phosphotransferase activity of the GST-Erk1 was achieved in the presence of a partially purified MAP kinase kinase from sheep platelets. Under these circumstances, there was primarily an enhancement of the tyrosine phosphorylation of GST-Erk1. This MAP kinase kinase also similarly phosphorylated a catalytically compromised version of GST-Erk1 in which Lys-71 was converted to Ala by site-directed mutagenesis.