Hyperphosphorylation of Tau and filopodial retraction following microinjection of protein kinase C catalytic subunits

Protein kinase C activation decreases peripheral actin network density and increases central nonmuscle myosin II contractility in neuronal growth cones

PKC activation enhances myosin II contractility in the central growth cone domain while decreasing actin density and increasing actin network flow rates in the peripheral domain. This dual mode of action has mechanistic implications for interpreting reported effects of PKC on growth cone guidance and neuronal regeneration.

Protein kinase C (PKC) can dramatically alter cell structure and motility via effects on actin filament networks. In neurons, PKC activation has been implicated in repulsive guidance responses and inhibition of axon regeneration; however, the cytoskeletal mechanisms underlying these effects are not well understood. Here we investigate the acute effects of PKC activation on actin network structure and dynamics in large Aplysia neuronal growth cones. We provide evidence of a novel two-tiered mechanism of PKC action: 1) PKC activity enhances myosin II regulatory light chain phosphorylation and C-kinase–potentiated protein phosphatase inhibitor phosphorylation. These effects are correlated with increased contractility in the central cytoplasmic domain. 2) PKC activation results in significant reduction of P-domain actin network density accompanied by Arp2/3 complex delocalization from the leading edge and increased rates of retrograde actin network flow. Our results show that PKC activation strongly affects both actin polymerization and myosin II contractility. This synergistic mode of action is relevant to understanding the pleiotropic reported effects of PKC on neuronal growth and regeneration.

Filopodia as sensors

Filopodia are sensors on both excitable and non-excitable cells. The sensing function is well documented in neurons and blood vessels of adult animals and is obvious during dorsal closure in embryonic development. Nerve cells extend neurites in a bidirectional fashion with growth cones at the tips where filopodia are concentrated. Their sensing of environmental cues underpins the axon's ability to "guide," bypassing non-target cells and moving toward the target to be innervated. This review focuses on the role of filopodia structure and dynamics in the detection of environmental cues, including both the extracellular matrix (ECM) and the surfaces of neighboring cells. Other protrusions including the stereocilia of the inner ear and epididymus, the invertebrate Type I mechanosensors, and the elongated processes connecting osteocytes, share certain principles of organization with the filopodia. Actin bundles, which may be inside or outside of the excitable cell, function to transduce stress from physical perturbations into ion signals. There are different ways of detecting such perturbations. Osteocyte processes contain an actin core and are physically anchored on an extracellular structure by integrins. Some Type I mechanosensors have bridge proteins that anchor microtubules to the membrane, but bundles of actin in accessory cells exert stress on this complex. Hair cells of the inner ear rely on attachments between the actin-based protrusions to activate ion channels, which then transduce signals to afferent neurons. In adherent filopodia, the focal contacts (FCs) integrated with ECM proteins through integrins may regulate integrin-coupled ion channels to achieve signal transduction. Issues that are not understood include the role of Ca(2+) influx in filopodia dynamics and how integrins coordinate or gate signals arising from perturbation of channels by environmental cues.

Folate deprivation increases tau phosphorylation by homocysteine-induced calcium influx and by inhibition of phosphatase activity: Alleviation by S-adenosyl methionine

Several recent studies have indicated that increased levels of homocysteine (HC), including that resulting from deficiency in folate, increases tau phosphorylation. Some studies indicate that this is accomplished via HC-dependent activation of NMDA channels and resultant activation of calcium-dependent kinase pathways, while others suggest that the increase in tau phosphorylation is derived via HC-dependent inhibition of methylation of phosphatases and resultant inhibition of phosphatase activity. We demonstrate herein in SH-SY-5Y human neuroblastoma that both of these phenomena contribute to the increase in phospho-tau immunoreactivity following folate deprivation, and that supplementation with S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) prevents both the increase in kinase activity and the decrease in phosphatase activity. These findings demonstrate that the divergent neuropathological consequences of folate deprivation includes multiple pathways that converge upon tau phosphorylation, and further support the notion that dietary supplementation with SAM may reduce or delay neurodegeneration.

Okadaic acid mediates tau phosphorylation via sustained activation of the L-voltage-sensitive calcium channel

Accumulation of phosphorylated isoforms of the microtubule-associated protein tau is one hallmark of affected neurons in Alzheimer's disease (AD). This increase has been attributed to increased kinase or decreased phosphatase activity. Prior studies indicate that one of the kinases that phosphorylates tau (mitogen-activated protein kinase, or MAP kinase) does so at least in part indirectly within intact neuronal cells by phosphorylating and activating the L-voltage-sensitive calcium channel. Resultant calcium influx then fosters tau phosphorylation via one or more calcium-activated kinases. We demonstrate herein that treatment of differentiated SH-SY-5Y human neuroblastoma with the phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid (OA) similarly may increase tau phosphorylation via sustained activation of the L-voltage-sensitive calcium channel. OA increased phospho-tau as indicated by increased immunoreactivity towards an antibody (PHF-1) directed against paired helical filaments from AD brain. This increase was blocked by co-treatment with the channel antagonist nimodipine. OA treatment increased channel phosphorylation. The increases in calcium influx, PHF-1 immunoreactivity and channel phosphorylation were all attenuated by co-treatment with PD98059, which inhibits MAP kinase activity, suggesting that OA mediates these effects at least in part via sustained activation of MAP kinase. These findings underscore that divergent and convergent kinase and phosphatase activities regulate tau phosphorylation.

Inactivation of integrin-linked kinase induces aberrant tau phosphorylation via sustained activation of glycogen synthase kinase 3beta in N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells

Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is a focal adhesion serine/threonine protein kinase with an important role in integrin and growth factor signaling pathways. Recently, we demonstrated that ILK is expressed in N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells and controls integrin-dependent neurite outgrowth in serum-starved cells grown on laminin (Ishii, T., Satoh, E., and Nishimura, M. (2001) J. Biol. Chem. 276, 42994-43003). Here we report that ILK controls tau phosphorylation via regulation of glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3beta) activity in N1E-115 cells. Stable transfection of a kinase-deficient ILK mutant (DN-ILK) resulted in aberrant tau phosphorylation in N1E-115 cells at sites recognized by the Tau-1 antibody that are identical to some of the phosphorylation sites in paired helical filaments, PHF-tau, in brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease. The tau phosphorylation levels in the DN-ILK-expressing cells are constant under normal and differentiating conditions. On the other hand, aberrant tau phosphorylation was not observed in the parental control cells. ILK inactivation resulted in an increase in the active form but a decrease in the inactive form of GSK-3beta, which is a candidate kinase involved in PHF-tau formation. Moreover, inhibition of GSK-3beta with lithium prevented aberrant tau phosphorylation in the DN-ILK-expressing cells. These results suggest that ILK inactivation results in aberrant tau phosphorylation via sustained activation of GSK-3beta in N1E-115 Cells. ILK directly phosphorylates GSK-3beta and inhibits its activity. Therefore, endogenous ILK protects against GSK-3beta-induced aberrant tau phosphorylation via inhibition of GSK-3beta activity in N1E-115 cells.

Role of integrin-linked kinase in nerve growth factor-stimulated neurite outgrowth

The role of integrin-linked kinase (ILK), a kinase that is involved in various cellular processes, including adhesion and migration, has not been studied in primary neurons. Using mRNA dot blot and Western blot analysis of ILK in rat and human brain tissue, we found that ILK is expressed in various regions of the CNS. Immunohistochemical and immunocytochemical techniques revealed granular ILK staining that is enriched in neurons and colocalizes with the beta1 integrin subunit. The role of ILK in neurite growth promotion by NGF was studied in rat pheochromocytoma cells and dorsal root ganglion neurons using a pharmacological inhibitor of ILK (KP-392) or after overexpression of dominant-negative ILK (ILK-DN). Both molecular and pharmacological inhibition of ILK activity significantly reduced NGF-induced neurite outgrowth. Survival assays indicate that KP-392-induced suppression of neurite outgrowth occurred in the absence of cell death. ILK kinase activity was stimulated by NGF. NGF-mediated stimulation of phosphorylation of both AKT and the Tau kinase glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) was inhibited in the presence of KP-392 and after overexpression of ILK-DN. Consequently, ILK inhibition resulted in an increase in the hyperphosphorylation of Tau, a substrate of GSK-3. Together these findings indicate that ILK is an important effector in NGF-mediated neurite outgrowth.

Differential abilities of phorbol esters in inducing protein kinase C (PKC) down-regulation in noradrenergic neurones

1. The ability of several phorbol ester protein kinase C (PKC) activators (phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate, PDB; phorbol 12, 13-diacetate, PDA; and 12-deoxyphorbol 13-acetate, dPA) to down-regulate PKC was studied by assessing their effects on electrical stimulation-induced (S-I) noradrenaline release from rat brain cortical slices and phosphorylation of the PKC neural substrate B-50 in rat cortical synaptosomal membranes. 2. In cortical slices which were incubated for 20 h with vehicle, acute application of PDB, PDA and dPA (0.1 - 3.0 microM) enhanced the S-I noradrenaline release in a concentration-dependent manner to between 200 - 250% of control in each case. In slices incubated with PDB (1 microM for 20 h), subsequent acute application of PDB (0.1 - 3.0 microM) failed to enhance S-I release, indicating PKC down-regulation. However, in tissues incubated with PDA or dPA (3 microM) for 20 h, there was no reduction in the facilitatory effect of their respective phorbol esters or PDB (0.1 - 3.0 microM) when acutely applied, indicating that PKC was not down-regulated. This was confirmed using Western blot analysis which showed that PDB (1 microM for 20 h) but not PDA (3 microM for 20 h) caused a significant reduction in PKCalpha. 3. Incubation with PDB for 20 h, followed by acute application of PDB (3 microM) failed to increase phosphorylation of B-50 in synaptosomal membranes, indicating down-regulation. In contrast, tissues incubated with PDA or dPA for 20 h, acute application of their respective phorbol ester (10 microM) or PDB (3 microM) induced a significant increase in B-50 phosphorylation. 4. Acutely all three phorbol esters elevate noradrenaline release to about the same extent, yet PDA and dPA have lower affinities for PKC compared to PDB, suggesting unique neural effects for these agents. This inability to cause functional down-regulation of PKC extends their unusual neural properties. Their neural potency and lack of down-regulation may be related to their decreased lipophilicity compared to other phorbol esters. 5. We suggest that PKC down-regulation appears to be related to binding affinity, where agents with high affinity, irreversibly insert PKC into artificial membrane lipid and generate Ca(2+)-independent kinase activity which degrades and deplete PKC. We suggest that this mechanism may also underlie the ability of PDB to down-regulate PKC in nerve terminals, in contrast to PDA and dPA.

Phosphorylation of tau alters its association with the plasma membrane

1. The potential functions of the microtubule-associated protein tau have been expanded by the recent demonstration of its interaction with the plasma membrane. Since the association of tau with microtubules is regulated by phosphorylation, herein we examine whether or not the association of tau with the plasma membrane is also regulated by phosphorylation. 2. A range of tau isoforms migrating from 46 to 64 kDa was associated with crude particulate fractions derived from SH-SY-5Y human neuroblastoma cells, and were retained during the initial stages of plasma membrane purification. During the extensive washing utilized in purification of the plasma membrane, portions of each of these isoforms were depleted from the resultant purified membrane. Immunoblot analysis with phospho-dependent and -independent antibodies revealed selective depletion of phospho isoforms during membrane washing. This effect was more pronounced for the slowest-migrating (64-kDa) tau isoform. 3. This putative influence of phosphorylation on the association of tau with the plasma membrane was further probed by transfection of SH-SY-5Y human neuroblastoma cells with a tau construct that could associate with the plasma membrane but not with microtubules. Treatment with phorbol ester or calcium ionophore, both of which increased phospho-tau levels within the cytosol and plasma membrane, was accompanied by the dissociation of this tau construct from the membrane. 4. These data indicate that phosphorylation regulates the association with the plasma membrane. Dissociation from the membrane by phosphorylation may place tau at risk for hyperphosphorylation and ultimate PHF formation in a manner previously considered for tau dissociated from microtubules.

Neurofilament subunits can undergo axonal transport without incorporation into Triton-insoluble structures

We examined the form(s) in which NF subunits undergo axonal transport. Pulse-chase radiolabeling analyses with 35S-methioinine revealed that newly synthesized Triton-soluble NF subunits accumulated within axonal neurites elaborated by NB2a/d1 neuroblastoma prior to the accumulation of Triton-insoluble subunits. Gel chromatographic, immunological, ultrastructural, and autoradiographic analyses of Triton-soluble axonal fractions demonstrated that radiolabeled, Triton-soluble subunits were associated with NFs. Triton-soluble, radiolabeled axonal NF subunits were also detected within retinal ganglion cell axons following intravitreal injection of 35S-methioinine. Microinjected biotinylated subunits were prominent within axonal neurites of NB2a/d1 cells and cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons substantially before they were retained following Triton-extraction. Prevention of biotinylated subunit, but not dextran tracer, translocation into neurites by nocodazole confirmed that microinjected subunits did not enter axons merely due to diffusion or injection-based pressure. Immuno-EM confirmed the association of biotin label with axonal NFs. These findings point towards multiple populations of NF subunits within axons and leave open the possibility that axonal NFs may be more dynamic than previously considered.

Regulation of neurofilament axonal transport by phosphorylation in optic axons in situ

Axonal transport of neurofilament (NFs) is considered to be regulated by phosphorylation. While existing evidence for this hypothesis is compelling, supportive studies have been largely restricted to correlative evidence and/or experimental systems involving mutants. We tested this hypothesis in retinal ganglion cells of normal mice in situ by comparing subunit transport with regional phosphorylation state coupled with inhibition of phosphatases. NF subunits were radiolabeled by intravitreal injection of 35S-methionine. NF axonal transport was monitored by following the location of the peak of radiolabeled subunits immunoprecipitated from 9x1.1 mm segments of optic axons. An abrupt decline transport rate was observed between days 1 and 6, which corresponded to translocation of the peak of radiolabeled subunits from axonal segment 2 into segment 3. Notably, this is far downstream from the only caliber increase of optic axons at 150 mu from the retina. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated a unique threefold increase between segments 2 and 3 in levels of a "late-appearing" C-terminal NF-H phospho-epitope (RT97). Intravitreal injection of the phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid increased RT97 immunoreactivity within retinas and proximal axons, and markedly decreased NF transport rate out of retinas and proximal axons. These findings provide in situ experimental evidence for regulation of NF transport by site-specific phosphorylation.

Phospho-dependent association of neurofilament proteins with kinesin in situ

Recent studies demonstrate co-localization of kinesin with neurofilament (NF) subunits in culture and suggest that kinesin participates in NF subunit distribution. We sought to determine whether kinesin was also associated with NF subunits in situ. Axonal transport of NF subunits in mouse optic nerve was perturbed by the microtubule (MT)-depolymerizing drug vinblastine, indicating that NF transport was dependent upon MT dynamics. Kinesin co-precipitated during immunoprecipitation of NF subunits from optic nerve. The association of NFs and kinesin was regulated by NF phosphorylation, since (1) NF subunits bearing developmentally delayed phospho-epitopes did not co-purify in a microtubule motor preparation from CNS while less phosphorylated forms did; (2) subunits bearing these phospho-epitopes were selectively not co-precipitated with kinesin; and (3) phosphorylation under cell-free conditions diminished the association of NF subunits with kinesin. The nature and extent of this association was further examined by intravitreal injection of (35)S-methionine and monitoring NF subunit transport along optic axons. As previously described by several laboratories, the wave of NF subunits underwent a progressive broadening during continued transport. The front, but not the trail, of this broadening wave of NF subunits was co-precipitated with kinesin, indicating that (1) the fastest-moving NFs were associated with kinesin, and (2) that dissociation from kinesin may foster trailing of NF subunits during continued transport. These data suggest that kinesin participates in NF axonal transport either by directly translocating NFs and/or by linking NFs to transporting MTs. Both Triton-soluble as well as cytoskeleton-associated NF subunits were co-precipitated with kinesin; these data are considered in terms of the form(s) in which NF subunits undergo axonal transport.

Beta-amyloid-induced calcium influx induces apoptosis in culture by oxidative stress rather than tau phosphorylation

Beta-amyloid (betaA) toxicity in culture is accompanied by multiple events culminating in apoptosis. Calcium influx may represent the initial event, since calcium chelation prevents all subsequent events, while subsequent events include increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and hyperphosphorylation of tau. In the present study, we undertook to determine whether ROS generation or tau hyperphosphorylation mediate betaA-induced apoptosis. The anti-oxidant vitamin E or the kinase inhibitor N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenslfonamide (W7) was added following brief treatment of differentiated SH-SY-5Y human neuroblastoma cells with 22 microM betaA. Under these conditions, vitamin E prevented ROS generation and apoptosis, but did not prevent intracellular calcium accumulation or tau phosphorylation. W7 prevented tau phosphorylation but did not block betaA-induced calcium influx, ROS generation or apoptosis. While these studies do not address the long-term consequences of PHF formation, they indicate that ROS generation, rather than tau hyperphosphorylation, leads to apoptosis following betaA-induced calcium influx into cultured cells.

C-terminal phosphorylation of the high molecular weight neurofilament subunit correlates with decreased neurofilament axonal transport velocity

We probed the relationship of NF axonal transport of neurofilaments (NFs) to their phosphorylation state by comparing these parameters in two closely-aged groups of young adult mice - 2 and 5 months of age. This particular time interval was selected since prior studies demonstrate that optic axons have already completed axonal caliber expansion and attained adult NF levels by 2 months but, as shown herein, continue to increase NF-H C-terminal phosphorylation. NF axonal transport was monitored by autoradiographic analysis of the distribution of radiolabeled subunits immunoprecipitated from optic axon segments at intervals following intravitreal injection of 35S-methionine. Both the peak and front of radiolabeled NFs translocated faster in 2- vs. 5-month-old mice. This developmental decline in NF transport rate was not due to reduced incorporation of NFs into the cytoskeleton, nor to an overall decline in slow axonal transport. By excluding or minimizing other factors, these findings support previous conclusions that C-terminal NF phosphorylation regulates NF axonal transport.

Free PKC catalytic subunits (PKM) phosphorylate tau via a pathway distinct from that utilized by intact PKC

Protein kinase C (PKC) is reversibly activated at the plasma membrane by the generation of diacylglycerol (DAG) coupled with the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. PKC is also irreversibly activated by calpain-mediated PKC cleavage of the regulatory and catalytic subunits; resultant free PKC catalytic subunits are termed "PKM". Unlike PKC, PKM is co-factor-independent, remains active following diffusion away from the membrane, and can theoretically phosphorylate targets inaccessible to, and inappropriate for, PKC. We examined the downstream consequences of PKC activation by the phorbol ester TPA and by ionophore A23187-mediated calcium influx (which experimentally correspond to DAG-mediated and calpain-mediated activation, respectively) on phosphorylation of the microtubule-associated protein tau. Both methods increased phospho-tau immunoreactivity, and neither was inhibited by lithium or olomoucin (inhibitors of tau kinases GSK-3 beta and cdk5, respectively). The TPA-mediated increase, and not the ionophore-mediated increase, was blocked by co-treatment with the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase kinase inhibitor PD98059. These findings indicate that PKC phosphorylates tau via the MAP kinase pathway, but that PKM can bypass this requirement, therefore demonstrating that distinct intracellular pathways can be mediated by PKC and PKM. PKM generation may therefore trigger one or more additional pathways contributing to tau phosphorylation following inappropriate calcium influx.

Kinesin-mediated transport of neurofilament protein oligomers in growing axons

We examined cytoskeleton-associated forms of NF proteins during axonal neuritogenesis in cultured dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and NB2a/d1 neuroblastoma. In addition to filamentous immunoreactivity, we observed punctate NF immunoreactivity throughout perikarya and neurites. Immuno-electron microscopy revealed this punctate immunoreactivity to consist of non-membrane-bound 75 nm round/ovoid structures consisting of amorphous, fibrous material. Endogenous and microinjected NF subunits incorporated into dots prior to their accumulation within filaments. A transfected GFP-conjugated NF-M incorporated into dots and translocated at a rate consistent with slow axonal transport in real-time video analyses. Some dots converted into a filamentous form or exuded filamentous material during transport. Dots contained conventional kinesin immunoreactivity, associated with microtubules, and their transport into axons was blocked by anti-kinesin antibodies and nocodazole. These oligomeric structures apparently represent one form in which NF subunits are transported in growing axons and may utilize kinesin as a transport motor.

Activation of the L voltage-sensitive calcium channel by mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase following exposure of neuronal cells to beta-amyloid. MAP kinase mediates beta-amyloid-induced neurodegeneration

Neuronal degeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been variously attributed to increases in cytosolic calcium, reactive oxygen species, and phosphorylated forms of the microtubule-associated protein tau. beta-Amyloid (betaA), which accumulates extracellularly in AD brain, induces calcium influx in culture via the L voltage-sensitive calcium channel. Since this channel is normally activated by protein kinase A-mediated phosphorylation, we examined kinase activities recruited following betaA treatment of cortical neurons and SH-SY-5Y neuroblastoma. betaA increased channel phosphorylation; this increase was unaffected by the protein kinase A inhibitor H89 but was reduced by the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase inhibitor PD98059. Pharmacological and antisense oligonucleotide-mediated reduction of MAP kinase activity also reduced betaA-induced accumulation of calcium, reactive oxygen species, phospho-tau immunoreactivity, and apoptosis. These findings indicate that MAP kinase mediates multiple aspects of betaA-induced neurotoxicity and indicates that calcium influx initiates neurodegeneration in AD. betaA increased MAP kinase-mediated phosphorylation of membrane-associated proteins and reduced phosphorylation of cytosolic proteins without increasing overall MAP kinase activity. Increasing MAP kinase activity with epidermal growth factor did not increase channel phosphorylation. These findings indicate that redirection, rather than increased activation, of MAP kinase activity mediates betaA-induced neurotoxicity.

Neuronal intermediate filament protein alpha-internexin facilitates axonal neurite elongation in neuroblastoma cells

We examined the localization and role of alpha-IN vs. other neuronal intermediate filaments before and during differentiation. Vimentin but not alpha-IN localized within filopodia-like neurites of undifferentiated cells. During differentiation, alpha-IN immunoreactivity accumulated within axonal neurites following vimentin but, as previously describe in neurons in situ, before the appearance of NF-L. We therefore manipulated alpha-IN synthesis, accumulation, and function in attempts to determine whether or not this intermediate filament species played a role in axonal development. Intracellular delivery of anti-alpha-IN antisense oligonucleotides and antibodies was permissive for neuritogenesis, yet compromised neurite elongation; this effect was further reflected in diminished levels of stabilized axonal microtubules. These data suggest that alpha-IN plays a role in the development of neuronal polarity. Relatively more alpha-IN than NF-L accumulated within the plastic axonal neurites induced following serum-deprivation, while stable, dbcAMP-induced neurites treatment contained equivalent levels of each. Protease inhibition increased NF-L and NF-H but not alpha-IN immunoreactivity within serum-deprived neurites, suggesting that proteolysis restricts NF-L accumulation pending neurite stabilization. To test the possibility that NF-H accumulation is dependent upon NF-L and cannot be mediated by alpha-IN, we examined levels of NF-H co-precipitated from cells with alpha-IN and NF-L. Virtually all newly synthesized NF-H co-precipitated with NF-L, while only a small percentage co-precipitated with alpha-IN. Finally, NF-H or NF-M were absent from the axon hillock or perikaryal area at the base of neurites, where alpha-IN immunoreactivity is prominent. These data extend earlier cell-free demonstrations that NF-H preferentially associates with NF-L rather than alpha-IN.

Participation of protein kinase C alpha in 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 regulation of chick myoblast proliferation and differentiation

Changes in morphology and DNA synthesis in cultured myoblasts in response to 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] have previously suggested that the vitamin D hormone may affect muscle cell proliferation and differentiation. However, this interpretation was not substantiated by measurement of specific biochemical markers of myogenesis. To study the effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 on muscle development, chicken embryo myoblasts were cultured for 1-6 days in the presence or absence of 1,25(OH)2D3 (10(-9) M). The hormone increased DNA synthesis and decreased creatine kinase activity, indicating stimulation of cell proliferation and inhibition of myogenesis, in undifferentiated myoblasts (1 day of culture). At longer culture intervals, when myoblasts elongate and fuse to form differentiated myotubes, 1,25(OH)2D3 promoted myogenesis, as indicated by an inhibition of DNA synthesis and an increase in specific muscle differentiation markers as creatine kinase activity and myosin expression. The role of protein kinase C (PKC) in mediating the effects of hormone and the likely PKC isoform involved were also investigated. Increased PKC activity was observed during 1,25(OH)2D3 stimulation of myoblast proliferation whereas inhibition of PKC activity accompanied the effects of the hormone on myoblast differentiation. The specific PKC inhibitor calphostin suppressed hormone potentiation of DNA synthesis in proliferating myoblasts. 1,25(OH)2D3-dependent changes in the expression of PKC isoforms alpha, beta, delta, epsilon and zeta during myogenesis were investigated by Western blot analysis. The early stimulation of myoblast proliferation by the hormone mainly correlated to increased PKC alpha expression whereas decreased PKC alpha levels were observed during the subsequent activation of myoblast differentiation. These results support that 1,25(OH)2D3 has a function in embryonic muscle growth and maturation, and PKC alpha may participate in the signal transduction pathway which mediates the response to the hormone.

The order of exposure of tau to signal transduction kinases alters the generation of "AD-like" phosphoepitopes

1. The individual and sequential influence of protein kinase C (PKC), protein kinase A (PKA) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) on human brain tau was examined. 2. A range of PKC concentrations generated certain phosphoepitopes common with paired helical filaments. These epitopes were masked by higher PKC concentrations, suggesting the presence of multiple tau phosphorylation sites for which PKC exhibited differing affinities and/or conformational alterations in tau induced by sequential PKC-mediated phosphorylation. 3. Prior phosphorylation by PKC enhanced the nature and extent of AD-like tau antigenicity generated by subsequent incubation with MAP kinase yet inhibited that generated by subsequent incubation with PKA. 4. Dephosphorylation of tau prior to incubation with kinases significantly altered the influence of individual and multiple kinase incubation on tau antigenicity in a site-specific manner, indicating that prior in situ phosphorylation events markedly influenced subsequent cell-free phosphorylation. 5. In addition to considerations of the potential impact of tau phosphorylation by individual kinases, these findings extend previous studies which indicate that tau antigenicity, and, presumably, its behavior in situ, is influenced by the sequential and convergent influences of multiple kinases.

Hyperactivation of mitogen-activated protein kinase increases phospho-tau immunoreactivity within human neuroblastoma: additive and synergistic influence of alteration of additional kinase activities

Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase phosphorylates tau in cell-free analyses, but whether or not it does so within intact cells remains controversial. In the present study, microinjection of MAP kinase into SH-SY-5Y human neuroblastoma cells increased tau immunoreactivity toward the phosphodependent antibodies PHF-1 and AT-8. In contrast, treatment with a specific inhibitor of MAP kinase (PD98059) did not diminish "basal" levels of these immunoreactivities in otherwise untreated cells. These findings indicate that hyperactivation of MAP kinase increases phospho-tau levels within cells, despite that MAP kinase apparently does not substantially influence intracellular tau phosphorylation under normal conditions. These findings underscore that results obtained following inhibition of kinase activities do not necessarily provide an indication of the consequences accompanying hyperactivation of that same kinase. Several studies conducted in cell-free systems indicate that exposure of tau to multiple kinases can have synergistic effects on the nature and extent of tau phosphorylation. We therefore examined whether or not such effects could be demonstrated within these cells. Site-specific phospho-tau immunoreactivity was increased in additive and synergistic manners by treatment of injected cells with TPA (which activates PKC), calcium ionophore (which activates calcium-dependent kinases), and wortmannin (which inhibits PIP3 kinase). Alteration in total tau levels was insufficient to account for the full extent of the increase in phospho-tau immunoreactivity. These additional results indicate that multiple kinase activities modulate the influence of MAP kinase on tau within intact cells.

Developmental regulation and PKC dependence of Alzheimer's-type tau phosphorylations in cultured fetal rat hippocampal neurons

Attempts to describe a mechanism of neurofibrillary tangle formation often focus on site specific phosphorylations of tau protein. These have typically been described in both Alzheimer's disease and developing brains. Therefore, study of the developmental regulation of Alzheimer epitope tau phosphorylations may help explain their persistence or recurrence during Alzheimer's disease. Using fetal rat hippocampal cultures, we report a spatial and temporal expression of tau phosphorylation during neuronal differentiation. We have examined phosphorylation at the epitopes recognized by monoclonal antibodies, PHF-1 and Tau 1. Tau was highly phosphorylated at the PHF-1 epitope at all culture ages examined using both immunohistochemical staining and Western blots. Tau was heavily phosphorylated at the Tau 1 epitope only in older cultures. The populations of tau recognized by the two antibodies also exhibited different solubilities, suggesting different microtubule binding behaviors: tau phosphorylated at PHF-1 was retained in axons following solubilization whereas Tau 1 immunoreactive tau was not retained in any cell compartment. Finally, in this culture system, maintenance of phosphorylation at the PHF-1 epitope, but not the Tau 1 epitope, required protein kinase C activity. These results indicate unique regulatory mechanisms and roles for each of these phosphorylated tau epitopes.

A 26-30 kDa developmentally-regulated tau isoform localized within nuclei of mitotic human neuroblastoma cells

Tau isoforms migrating at 46-68 and 97-115 kDa were prominent within heat-stable Triton-soluble material, and were present in lesser concentration with Triton-insoluble cytoskeletons, derived from undifferentiated SH-SY-5Y human neuroblastoma cells. Conversely, a 26-30 kDa tau isoform was enriched in the cytoskeleton and detected at relatively minor levels within cytosolic fractions. Pulse labeling with 35S-methionine indicated that this 26-30 kDa "small tau" did not represent a breakdown product of larger isoforms. Since the nucleus is retained within the Triton-insoluble cytoskeleton, additional cultures were fractionated onto sucrose to obtain purified nuclei. The vast majority of small tau was recovered within purified nuclei. Small tau was reactive with tau antibodies directed towards N-terminal, C-terminal and central epitopes, further confirming that this small isoform was not derived from proteolytic cleavage of larger tau isoforms. Small tau demonstrated alkaline phosphatase-sensitive reactivity with multiple phospho-dependent tau antibodies. Small tau was depleted within 3 days of retinoic acid-induced differentiation, suggesting that the putative function of this isoform may be obsolete following terminal differentiation of neurons.

1,25(OH)2-vitamin D3 affects the subcellular distribution of protein kinase C isoenzymes in muscle cells

Previous studies have shown the involvement of protein kinase C (PKC) in 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] regulation of DNA synthesis (long-term effect) and Ca2+ channel activity (short-term effect) in cultured myoblasts. Both events mediate stimulation of myoblast cell proliferation and growth by 1,25(OH)2D3. To characterise further the role of PKC in the hormone mode of action in muscle cells, the presence of PKC isoenzymes in chicken embryo myoblasts and changes in their total cell and subcellular levels after treatment (72 h and 5 min) with 1,25(OH)2D3 (1 nM), 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (TPA; 100 nM) and 1,2-dioctanoyl-rac-glycerol (DOG; 50 microM) were investigated. Western blot analysis provided evidence on the expression of PKC alpha, beta and delta isoforms in avian myoblasts. Two immunoreactive bands of 80 kDa (intact molecule) and 50 kDa (catalytic fragment) were detected for each isoenzyme. 1,25(OH)2D3 and DOG, which increased myoblast PKC activity parallel with the stimulation of DNA synthesis and culture growth and the phorbol ester TPA which induced the opposite changes, exerted differential effects on PKC isoenzymes. Long-term (72 h) treatment with 1,25(OH)2D3 and DOG did not change total PKC isoform levels but decreased the 80 kDa species and increased the release of the catalytic fragment of PKC delta and beta, whereas TPA augmented the total amounts of the three PKC isoforms, increasing the band of 80 kDa of PKC beta and delta and the 50 kDa species for PKC alpha. Subcellular distribution studies showed that the 80 kDa molecule is only present in the cytosolic fraction whereas in the particulate fractions the 50 kDa fragments are detected. Increased amounts of the catalytic fragments of PKC beta and delta both in the nucleus and membranes were observed after 72 h treatment with DOG while 1,25(OH)2D3 increases PKC beta in the nucleus and PKC delta in membranes. TPA induced the appearance of the 50 kDa species of PKC alpha in the nuclear and membrane fractions. The phorbol ester also decreased the catalytic fragments of PKC beta and delta in membranes. Increased levels of PKC beta, and to a lesser extent of PKC delta, in membranes and cytosol could be detected after short exposure (5 min) of myoblasts to 1,25(OH)2D3, DOG and TPA. In conclusion, the data indicate the operation in myoblasts of PKC signal transduction pathways mediated by the Ca(2+)-dependent PKCs alpha and beta and the Ca(2+)-independent PKC delta. Moreover, the results suggest that the beta and delta isoforms of PKC could play a role in the regulation of muscle cell metabolism by 1,25(OH)2D3.

Selective activation by bryostatin-1 demonstrates unique roles for PKC epsilon in neurite extension and tau phosphorylation

Phorbol esters such as 12-O-tetradeonyl phorbol-13 acetate (TPA) induce a time-dependent biphasic effect on protein kinase C (PKC)-mediated events by fostering translocation of cytosolic (latent) PKC to the plasma membrane (where it is activated). Continued treatment, however, depletes the cell's entire PKC complement and induces a functional stake of PKC inhibition. Previous studies from several laboratories have demonstrated that long-term TPA treatment, like treatment with PKC inhibitors, induces neuronal differentiation. Bryostatin-1 also induces translocation and overall downregulation of PKC following long-term treatment, yet, unlike TPA or PKC inhibitors, does not induce neuronal differentiation, promoting controversy regarding the role of PKC inhibition in neuronal differentiation. We demonstrate herein that, despite overall downregulation in human neuroblastoma cells, membrane-associated levels of one PKC isoform (PKC epsilon) are actually increased following long-term bryostatin-1 treatment. Since previous studies have implicated this PKC isoform in phosphorylation of the microtubule-associated protein tau and in neuritogenesis, we examined the consequences of long-term bryostatin treatment on these phenomena. Treatment with 25 n-100 M bryostatin-1 for 72 h increased tau phosphorylation and inhibited neuritogenesis. By contrast, treatment with either TPA or the PKC inhibitor staurosporine did not induce tau phosphorylation and induced neurite elaboration. Bryostatin-1 antagonized neurite induction by staurosporine. These findings provide additional evidence for a unique role of PKC epsilon in the regulation of tau phosphorylation and neuronal differentiation, and demonstrate that bryostatin-1 can function under certain conditions as a selective PKC epsilon activator even following long-term treatment.

Phospholipids alter tau conformation, phosphorylation, proteolysis, and association with microtubules: implication for tau function under normal and degenerative conditions

Discerning the in situ functions of the microtubule-associated protein (MAP) tau is of interest both in terms of neuronal differentiation and homeostasis as well as in terms of neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. In the present study, exposure to excess phosphatidyl serine (PS) for < 1 min induced antigenic alterations in multiple N-terminal, C-terminal and central epitopes of purified human brain tau. Notably, "AD-like" epitopes (PHF-1, ALZ-50, AT-8) were decreased by PS; other epitopes (e.g., 5E2, Tau-1) increased and others remained relatively unchanged. Inclusion of gamma-AT[32P] during incubations did not reveal any contaminating kinase activity. Direct addition of chloroform:methanol (CM; the initial PS solvent) demonstrated that these changes were not derived from CM-mediated tau denaturation. Phosphatidyl choline induced similar antigenic changes, while phosphatidyl inositol did not. PS inhibited MAP-kinase generation of phospho-dependent tau epitopes and incorporation of phosphates by tau. Inclusion of PS during coincubation of tau and tubulin reduced the extent of cosedimentation of tau with MTs. Finally, PS enhanced the ability of calpain-mediated tau proteolysis. These data suggest that tau antigenicity in situ may be derived from phospholipid-dependent alterations in tau conformation in addition to tau phosphorylation state. These data further suggest that disruption of the normal association of tau with phospholipids may foster accumulation of tau and, in doing so, render tau more susceptible to hyperphosphorylation.

Beta-amyloid and ionophore A23187 evoke tau hyperphosphorylation by distinct intracellular pathways: differential involvement of the calpain/protein kinase C system

SH-SY-5Y human neuroblastoma cells were treated with 22 microM of a synthetic peptide corresponding to amino acid residues 25-35 of beta-amyloid (betaA) or 3 microM calcium ionophore A23187 in culture medium containing 1.8 mM extracellular calcium. Both agents increased tau immunoreactivity towards antibodies (PHF-1, ALZ-50) that recognize epitopes common with paired helical filaments (PHFs) and towards an antibody (5E2) that recognized a phosphate-independent tau epitope. However, only ionophore increased immunoreactivity with an additional phosphate-dependent antibody (AT-8) that recognized an epitope of tau when phosphorylated, and induced a corresponding decrease in immunoreactivity towards an additional antibody (Tau-1) that recognizes the same site when that site is not phosphorylated. Moreover, the ionophore-mediated increase in PHF-1 was blocked by EGTA, by the calpain inhibitor calpeptin and by the PKC inhibitor H7, while that evoked by betaA treatment was not inhibited by any of these treatments. Since ionophore-mediated calpain activation induces proteolytic PKC activation, we further examined the influence of PKC inhibition on betaA and ionophore-mediated PHF-1 induction. Antisense oligonucleotide-mediated downregulation of PKCepsilon in a stable transfectant SH-SY-5Y subclone diminished the ionophore-mediated, but not the betaA-mediated, increase in PHF-1 immunoreactivity. These data indicate specific differences in the intracellular cascade of events invoked by betaA and ionophore A23187. Moreover, although betaA invoked calcium influx in these cells, our findings further suggest that the induction of tau hyperphosphorylation by betaA may not be due to calcium influx.

Aluminum inhibits neurofilament assembly, cytoskeletal incorporation, and axonal transport. Dynamic nature of aluminum-induced perikaryal neurofilament accumulations as revealed by subunit turnover

The mechanism by which aluminum induces formation of perikaryal neurofilament (NF) inclusions remains unclear. Aluminum treatment inhibits: 1. The incorporation of newly synthesized NF subunits into Triton-insoluble cytoskeleton of axonal neurites; 2. Their degradation and dephosphorylation; 3. Their translocation into axonal neurites. It also fosters the accumulation of phosphorylated NFs within perikarya. In the present study, we addressed the relationship among these effects. Aluminum reduced the assembly of newly synthesized NF subunits into NFs. During examination of those subunits that did assemble in the presence of aluminum, it was revealed that aluminum also interfered with transport of newly assembled NFs into axonal neurites. Similarly, a delay in axonal transport of microinjected biotinylated NF-H was observed in aluminum-treated cells. Aluminum also inhibited the incorporation of newly synthesized and microinjected subunits into the Triton-insoluble cytoskeleton within both perikarya and neurites. Once incorporated into Triton-insoluble cytoskeletons, however, biotinylated subunits were retained within perikarya of aluminum-treated cells to a greater extent than within untreated cells. Notably, these subunits were depleted in the presence and absence of aluminum within 48 h, despite the persistence of the aluminum-induced perikaryal accumulation itself, suggesting that individual NF subunits undergo turnover even within aluminum-induced perikaryal accumulations. These findings demonstrate that aluminum interferes with multiple aspects of neurofilament dynamics and furthermore leaves open the possibility that aluminum-induced perikaryal NF whorls may not represent permanent structures, but rather may require continued recruitment of cytoskeletal constituents.

Phosphorylation events mediated by protein kinase C alpha and epsilon participate in regulation of tau steady-state levels and generation of certain "Alzheimer-like" phospho-epitopes

Hyperactivation of protein kinase C (PKC) in intact neuroblastoma cells by several methods increases site-specific tau phosphorylation as shown by increases in paired helical filament-I (PHF-I) and ALZ-50 but not AT-8 immunoreactivity. In the present study, the influence of PKC on tau metabolism was further examined by isoform-specific antisense oligonucleotide-mediated PKC downregulation in human SH-SY-5Y neuroblastoma cells and by generation of stably-transfected subclones expressing isoform-specific anti-PKC mRNA sequences. Downregulation of PKC epsilon by both of these methods reduced PHF-I and ALZ-50 immunoreactivity, suggesting that this PKC isoform, perhaps via downstream kinase cascades, regulated tau phosphorylation events that normally generate these epitopes. By contrast, downregulation of either PKC epsilon or PKC alpha reduced immunoreactivity towards the phosphate-independent anti-tau antibodies 5E2 and JM, suggesting that both of these isoforms participated in regulation of tau steady-state levels. Downregulation of PKC beta did not affect any of the above changes. The above roles were apparently unique for PKC epsilon and PKC alpha, since activation of multiple PKC isoforms by phorbol ester treatment and/or other calcium-dependent kinase(s) by ionophore-mediated calcium influx could not compensate for downregulation of PKC alpha or PKC epsilon in maintaining tau steady-state levels or PHF-I/ALZ-50 immunoreactivity, respectively. These findings suggest that hyperactivation of signal transduction pathways, including those regulated by PKC, could evoke changes in neuronal cells reminiscent of those seen in affected neurons in Alzheimer's disease.

Regulated phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of tau protein: effects on microtubule interaction, intracellular trafficking and neurodegeneration

This review attempts to summarize what is known about tau phosphorylation in the context of both normal cellular function and dysfunction. However, conceptions of tau function continue to evolve, and it is likely that the regulation of tau distribution and metabolism is complex. The roles of microtubule-associated kinases and phosphatases have yet to be fully described, but may afford insight into how tau phosphorylation at the distal end of the axon regulates cytoskeletal-membrane interactions. Finally, lipid and glycosaminoglycan modification of tau structure affords yet more complexity for regulation and aggregation. Continued work will help to determine what is causal and what is coincidental in Alzheimer's disease, and may lead to identification of therapeutic targets for halting the progression of paired helical filament formation.