The p85 regulatory subunit of PI3K mediates TSH-cAMP-PKA growth and survival signals

KRAS is a molecular determinant of platinum responsiveness in glioblastoma

BACKGROUND

KRAS is the undisputed champion of oncogenes, and despite its prominent role in oncogenesis as mutated gene, KRAS mutation appears infrequent in gliomas. Nevertheless, gliomas are considered KRAS-driven cancers due to its essential role in mouse malignant gliomagenesis. Glioblastoma is the most lethal primary brain tumor, often associated with disturbed RAS signaling. For newly diagnosed GBM, the current standard therapy is alkylating agent chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy. Cisplatin is one of the most effective anticancer drugs and is used as a first-line treatment for a wide spectrum of solid tumors (including medulloblastoma and neuroblastoma) and many studies are currently focused on new delivery modalities of effective cisplatin in glioblastoma. Its mechanism of action is mainly based on DNA damage, inducing the formation of DNA adducts, triggering a series of signal-transduction pathways, leading to cell-cycle arrest, DNA repair and apoptosis.

METHODS

Long-term cultures of human glioblastoma, U87MG and U251MG, were either treated with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (cisplatin, CDDP) and/or MEK-inhibitor PD98059. Cytotoxic responses were assessed by cell viability (MTT), protein expression (Western Blot), cell cycle (PI staining) and apoptosis (TUNEL) assays. Further, gain-of-function experiments were performed with cells over-expressing mutated hypervariable region (HVR) KRASG12V plasmids.

RESULTS

Here, we studied platinum-based chemosensitivity of long-term cultures of human glioblastoma from the perspective of KRAS expression, by using CDDP and MEK-inhibitor. Endogenous high KRAS expression was assessed at transcriptional (qPCR) and translational levels (WB) in a panel of primary and long-term glioblastoma cultures. Firstly, we measured immediate cellular adjustment through direct regulation of protein concentration of K-Ras4B in response to cisplatin treatment. We found increased endogenous protein abundance and involvement of the effector pathway RAF/MEK/ERK mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade. Moreover, as many MEK inhibitors are currently being clinically evaluated for the treatment of high-grade glioma, so we concomitantly tested the effect of the potent and selective non-ATP-competitive MEK1/2 inhibitor (PD98059) on cisplatin-induced chemosensitivity in these cells. Cell-cycle phase distribution was examined using flow cytometry showing a significant cell-cycle arrest in both cultures at different percentage, which is modulated by MEK inhibition. Cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity increased sub-G1 percentage and modulates G2/M checkpoint regulators cyclins D1 and A. Moreover, ectopic expression of a constitutively active KRASG12V rescued CDDP-induced apoptosis and different HVR point mutations (particularly Ala 185) reverted this phenotype.

CONCLUSION

These findings warrant further studies of clinical applications of MEK1/2 inhibitors and KRAS as 'actionable target' of cisplatin-based chemotherapy for glioblastoma.

NPR3, transcriptionally regulated by POU2F1, inhibits osteosarcoma cell growth through blocking the PI3K/AKT pathway

Natriuretic peptide receptor 3 (NPR3), mediates natriuretic peptides degradation, was reported to act as a tumor suppressor or promoter in some types of cancer. Previous studies showed that NPR3 was significantly decreased in osteosarcoma (OS) samples. However, the function and potential regulatory mechanism of NPR3 in OS development are unknown. By analyzing the protein expression of NPR3 in OS cell lines (n = 5) and human osteoblast cell line hFOB 1.19, we found that NPR3 expression was also significantly decreased in OS cells. The loss/gain-of-function analysis indicated that NPR3 overexpression observably decreased OS cell viability, arrested cell cycle, and induced apoptosis. However, NPR3 knockdown further enhanced the malignant phenotype of OS cells. Furthermore, NPR3 downregulation activated the PI3K/AKT pathway in OS cells, and the effects of NPR3 silencing on cell proliferation were reversed by the blockade of PI3K/AKT pathway. Of note, dual-luciferase reported assay and site-directed mutagenesis assay indicated that transcription factor POU domain class 2 transcription factor 1 (POU2F1) was proved to suppress NPR3 promoter activity by mainly binding to the -900 to -800 bp region of NPR3 promoter. Moreover, NPR3 overexpression inversed the promotion effect of POU2F1 on cell proliferation. In vivo experiments confirmed that NPR3 overexpression suppressed the growth of xenograft tumors. Taken together, the present study demonstrates that NPR3 may serve as a novel tumor suppressive factor through blocking the PI3K/AKT pathway and transcriptionally regulated by POU2F1.

Identification of Transient Receptor Potential Channel 4-Associated Protein as a Novel Candidate Gene Causing Congenital Primary Hypothyroidism

BACKGROUND

Congenital primary hypothyroidism (CH) is the most common endocrine disorder in neonates.

METHODS

To identify novel genes, we performed whole exome sequencing (WES) in 6 patients with CH due to thyroid dysgenesis (TD). The potential effects of the most relevant variants were analyzed using in silico prediction tools. The most promising candidate gene, transient receptor potential channel 4-associated protein (TRPC4AP), was sequenced in 179 further patients with TD. Expression of TRPC4AP in human thyroid was investigated using RT-PCR. Trpc4ap- functional analysis was performed in Xenopus laevis using Morpholino (MO) antisense oligomers.

RESULTS

WES identified a likely damaging mutation in TRPC4AP leading to a de novo stop codon p.Q552*. Targeted sequencing of TRPC4AP demonstrated gene variants with predicted damaging potential in 5 patients resulting each in an amino acid exchange (p.P706S, p.F729L, p.S777C, and p.N229S). We demonstrated that TRPC4AP is expressed in human thyroid gland tissue. Using Xenopus laevis, we showed that the volume of the tadpole thyroid anlage was reduced by 20% in Trpc4ap MO knockdowns compared to controls and by 41% in "Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats"/Cas9-mediated gene knockout experiments.

DISCUSSION

A recognized interaction of TRPC4AP and the NF-kappa-B-essential-modulator encoded by IKBKG gene was identified by IPA analysis. IKBKG plays a role in activation of the NF-κB-signaling pathway and regulates genes involved in proliferation and survival of thyrocytes and expression of key enzymes of thyroid hormone synthesis.

CONCLUSION

TRPC4AP was identified as a novel candidate gene in TD, but further studies are needed to validate its role in thyroid function.

Sex Hormones and Inflammation Role in Oral Cancer Progression: A Molecular and Biological Point of View

Oral cancers have been proven to arise from precursors lesions and to be related to risk behaviour such as alcohol consumption and smoke. However, the present paper focuses on the role of chronic inflammation, related to chronical oral infections and/or altered immune responses occurring during dysimmune and autoimmune diseases, in the oral cancerogenesis. Particularly, oral candidiasis and periodontal diseases introduce a vicious circle of nonhealing and perpetuation of the inflammatory processes, thus leading toward cancer occurrence via local and systemic inflammatory modulators and via genetic and epigenetic factors.

p85α Inactivates MMP-2 and Suppresses Bladder Cancer Invasion by Inhibiting MMP-14 Transcription and TIMP-2 Degradation

Recent studies show p85α up-regulates epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, thereby promoting malignant cell transformation and migration in normal mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). However, the potential role of p85α in human bladder cancer (BC) remains unknown. Here, we show that p85α is down-regulated in BC tumor tissues. Ectopic expression of p85α inhibited cell invasion, but not migration, whereas p85α knockdown promoted invasion in BC cells, revealing that p85α inhibits BC invasion. Overexpression of kinase-deficient p110 in T24 T(p85α) cells inhibited BC cell migration, but not invasion, suggesting that the inhibition of p85α on invasion is independent of PI3K activity. The effect of p85α on inhibiting BC invasion was mediated by the inactivation of MMP-2 concomitant with the up-regulation of TIMP-2 and down-regulation of MMP-14. Mechanistic studies revealed c-Jun inactivation was associated with p85α knockdown-induced MMP-14 expression, and down-regulated miR-190, leading to ATG7 mRNA degradation. This suppressed the autophagy-dependent removal of TIMP-2 in human BC cells. The present results identify a novel function of p85α and clarify the mechanisms underlying its inhibition of BC invasion, providing insight into the role of p85α in normal and cancer cells.

Growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 affect the severity of Graves' disease

Graves’ disease, the most common form of hyperthyroidism in iodine-replete countries, is associated with the presence of immunoglobulins G (IgGs) that are responsible for thyroid growth and hyperfunction. In this article, we report the unusual case of a patient with acromegaly and a severe form of Graves’ disease. Here, we address the issue concerning the role of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) in influencing thyroid function. Severity of Graves’ disease is exacerbated by coexistent acromegaly and both activity indexes and symptoms and signs of Graves’ disease improve after the surgical remission of acromegaly. We also discuss by which signaling pathways GH and IGF1 may play an integrating role in regulating the function of the immune system in Graves’ disease and synergize the stimulatory activity of Graves’ IgGs.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) That Signal via Protein Kinase A (PKA) Cross-talk at Insulin Receptor Substrate 1 (IRS1) to Activate the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT Pathway

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) activate PI3K/v-AKT thymoma viral oncoprotein (AKT) to regulate many cellular functions that promote cell survival, proliferation, and growth. However, the mechanism by which GPCRs activate PI3K/AKT remains poorly understood. We used ovarian preantral granulosa cells (GCs) to elucidate the mechanism by which the GPCR agonist FSH via PKA activates the PI3K/AKT cascade. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) is secreted in an autocrine/paracrine manner by GCs and activates the IGF1 receptor (IGF1R) but, in the absence of FSH, fails to stimulate YXXM phosphorylation of IRS1 (insulin receptor substrate 1) required for PI3K/AKT activation. We show that PKA directly phosphorylates the protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) regulatory subunit myosin phosphatase targeting subunit 1 (MYPT1) to activate PP1 associated with the IGF1R-IRS1 complex. Activated PP1 is sufficient to dephosphorylate at least four IRS1 Ser residues, Ser³¹⁸, Ser³⁴⁶, Ser⁶¹², and Ser⁷⁸⁹, and promotes IRS1 YXXM phosphorylation by the IGF1R to activate the PI3K/AKT cascade. Additional experiments indicate that this mechanism also occurs in breast cancer, thyroid, and preovulatory granulosa cells, suggesting that the PKA-dependent dephosphorylation of IRS1 Ser/Thr residues is a conserved mechanism by which GPCRs signal to activate the PI3K/AKT pathway downstream of the IGF1R.

PDE1C deficiency antagonizes pathological cardiac remodeling and dysfunction

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 1C (PDE1C) represents a major phosphodiesterase activity in human myocardium, but its function in the heart remains unknown. Using genetic and pharmacological approaches, we studied the expression, regulation, function, and underlying mechanisms of PDE1C in the pathogenesis of cardiac remodeling and dysfunction. PDE1C expression is up-regulated in mouse and human failing hearts and is highly expressed in cardiac myocytes but not in fibroblasts. In adult mouse cardiac myocytes, PDE1C deficiency or inhibition attenuated myocyte death and apoptosis, which was largely dependent on cyclic AMP/PKA and PI3K/AKT signaling. PDE1C deficiency also attenuated cardiac myocyte hypertrophy in a PKA-dependent manner. Conditioned medium taken from PDE1C-deficient cardiac myocytes attenuated TGF-β-stimulated cardiac fibroblast activation through a mechanism involving the crosstalk between cardiac myocytes and fibroblasts. In vivo, cardiac remodeling and dysfunction induced by transverse aortic constriction, including myocardial hypertrophy, apoptosis, cardiac fibrosis, and loss of contractile function, were significantly attenuated in PDE1C-knockout mice relative to wild-type mice. These results indicate that PDE1C activation plays a causative role in pathological cardiac remodeling and dysfunction. Given the continued development of highly specific PDE1 inhibitors and the high expression level of PDE1C in the human heart, our findings could have considerable therapeutic significance.

NF-κB Essential Modulator (NEMO) Is Critical for Thyroid Function

The I-κB kinase (IKK) subunit NEMO/IKKγ (NEMO) is an adapter molecule that is critical for canonical activation of NF-κB, a pleiotropic transcription factor controlling immunity, differentiation, cell growth, tumorigenesis, and apoptosis. To explore the functional role of canonical NF-κB signaling in thyroid gland differentiation and function, we have generated a murine strain bearing a genetic deletion of the NEMO locus in thyroid. Here we show that thyrocyte-specific NEMO knock-out mice gradually develop hypothyroidism after birth, which leads to reduced body weight and shortened life span. Histological and molecular analysis indicate that absence of NEMO in thyrocytes results in a dramatic loss of the thyroid gland cellularity, associated with down-regulation of thyroid differentiation markers and ongoing apoptosis. Thus, NEMO-dependent signaling is essential for normal thyroid physiology.

Insulin Receptor Substrate 1, the Hub Linking Follicle-stimulating Hormone to Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Activation

The ubiquitous phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway regulates many cellular functions. However, the mechanism by which G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) signal to activate PI3K is poorly understood. We have used ovarian granulosa cells as a model to investigate this pathway, based on evidence that the GPCR agonist follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) promotes the protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) on tyrosine residues that activate PI3K. We report that in the absence of FSH, granulosa cells secrete a subthreshold concentration of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) that primes the IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) but fails to promote tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS1. FSH via PKA acts to sensitize IRS1 to the tyrosine kinase activity of the IGF-1R by activating protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) to promote dephosphorylation of inhibitory Ser/Thr residues on IRS1, including Ser(789). Knockdown of PP1β blocks the ability of FSH to activate PI3K in the presence of endogenous IGF-1. Activation of PI3K thus requires both PKA-mediated relief of IRS1 inhibition and IGF-1R-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS1. Treatment with FSH and increasing concentrations of exogenous IGF-1 triggers synergistic IRS1 tyrosine phosphorylation at PI3K-activating residues that persists downstream through protein kinase B (AKT) and FOXO1 (forkhead box protein O1) to drive synergistic expression of genes that underlies follicle maturation. Based on the ability of GPCR agonists to synergize with IGFs to enhance gene expression in other cell types, PP1 activation to relieve IRS1 inhibition may be a more general mechanism by which GPCRs act with the IGF-1R to activate PI3K/AKT.

Switch in signaling control of mTORC1 activity after oncoprotein expression in thyroid cancer cell lines

CONTEXT

Thyroid growth is regulated by TSH and requires mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Thyroid cancers frequently exhibit mutations in MAPK and/or phosphoinositol-3-kinase-related kinase effectors.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to explore the contribution of RET/PTC, RAS, and BRAF to mTOR regulation and response to mTOR inhibitors.

METHODS

PCCL3 cells conditionally expressing RET/PTC3, HRAS(G12V), or BRAF(V600E) and human thyroid cancer cells harboring mutations of these genes were used to test pathways controlling mTOR and its requirement for growth.

RESULTS

TSH/cAMP-induced growth of PCCL3 cells requires mTOR, which is stimulated via protein kinase A in a MAPK kinase (MEK)- and AKT-independent manner. Expression of RET/PTC3, HRAS(G12V), or BRAF(V600E) in PCCL3 cells induces mTOR but does not entirely abrogate the cAMP-mediated control of its activity. Acute oncoprotein-induced mTOR activity is regulated by MEK and AKT, albeit to differing degrees. By contrast, mTOR was not activated by TSH/cAMP in human thyroid cancer cells. Tumor genotype did not predict the effects of rapamycin or the mTOR kinase inhibitor AZD8055 on growth, with the exception of a PTEN-null cell line. Selective blockade of MEK did not influence mTOR activity of BRAF or RAS mutant cells. Combined MEK and mTOR kinase inhibition was synergistic on growth of BRAF- and RAS-mutant thyroid cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.

CONCLUSION

Thyroid cancer cells lose TSH/cAMP dependency of mTOR signaling and cell growth. mTOR activity is not decreased by the MEK or AKT inhibitors in the RAS or BRAF human thyroid cancer cell lines. This may account for the augmented effects of combining the mTOR inhibitors with selective antagonists of these oncogenic drivers.

The p85 regulatory subunit of PI3K mediates cAMP-PKA and insulin biological effects on MCF-7 cell growth and motility

Recent studies have shown that hyperinsulinemia may increase the cancer risk. Moreover, many tumors demonstrate an increased activation of IR signaling pathways. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) is necessary for insulin action. In epithelial cells, which do not express GLUT4 and gluconeogenic enzymes, insulin-mediated PI3K activation regulates cell survival, growth, and motility. Although the involvement of the regulatory subunit of PI3K (p85α (PI3K)) in insulin signal transduction has been extensively studied, the function of its N-terminus remains elusive. It has been identified as a serine (S83) in the p85α (PI3K) that is phosphorylated by protein kinase A (PKA). To determine the molecular mechanism linking PKA to insulin-mediated PI3K activation, we used p85α (PI3K) mutated forms to prevent phosphorylation (p85A) or to mimic the phosphorylated residue (p85D). We demonstrated that phosphorylation of p85α (PI3K)S83 modulates the formation of the p85α (PI3K)/IRS-1 complex and its subcellular localization influencing the kinetics of the insulin signaling both on MAPK-ERK and AKT pathways. Furthermore, the p85α (PI3K)S83 phosphorylation plays a central role in the control of insulin-mediated cell proliferation, cell migration, and adhesion. This study highlights the p85α (PI3K)S83 role as a key regulator of cell proliferation and motility induced by insulin in MCF-7 cells breast cancer model.

cAMP signalling in the normal and tumorigenic pituitary gland

cAMP signalling plays a key role in the normal physiology of the pituitary gland, regulating cellular growth and proliferation, hormone production and release. Deregulation of the cAMP signalling pathway has been reported to be a common occurrence in pituitary tumorigenesis. Several mechanisms have been implicated including somatic mutations, gene-gene interactions and gene-environmental interactions. Somatic mutations in G-proteins and protein kinases directly alter cAMP signalling, while malfunctioning of other signalling pathways such as the Raf/MAPK/ERK, PI3K/Akt/mTOR and Wnt pathways which normally interact with the cAMP pathway may mediate indirect effects on cAMP and varying downstream effectors. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor signalling pathway has been implicated in pituitary tumorigenesis and we review its role in general and specifically in relation to cAMP de-regulation.

Mir-126 inhibits growth of SGC-7901 cells by synergistically targeting the oncogenes PI3KR2 and Crk, and the tumor suppressor PLK2

MicroRNA (miRNA)-126 (miR-126) was reported to be downregulated and to act as a tumor suppressor in cancers of the lung, cervix, bladder and prostate. However, the functions of miR-126 in gastric cancer appear to be diverse and are largely unknown. MiR-126 was reported to act as a tumor suppressor by targeting the Crk gene, or as an oncogene by targeting the SOX2 gene in gastric cancer. We identified that the expression of miR-126 was decreased in gastric cancer cell lines and tissues. PLK2, a tumor suppressor gene, was directly regulated by miR-126 in SGC-7901 cells. Overexpression of miR-126 not only suppressed the growth and clone formation of SGC-7901 cells, but also induced apoptosis in vitro, whereas inhibition of miR-126 slightly promoted SGC-7901 cell proliferation. The cell cycle was not affected by miR-126. Moreover, miR-126 suppressed tumor growth in vivo in a xenograft model. PLK2, PI3KR2 and Crk were regulated by miR-126 in SGC-7901 cells. We infer that the functions of miR-126 in gastric cancer depend on synergistic targeting balance between oncogenes and anti-oncogenes. Our study indicates that miR-126 is a tumor suppressor, which in the future may become a therapeutic target for gastric cancer.

β-Arrestin-1 mediates thyrotropin-enhanced osteoblast differentiation

Thyrotropin (TSH) activation of the TSH receptor (TSHR), a 7-transmembrane-spanning receptor (7TMR), may have osteoprotective properties by direct effects on bone. TSHR activation by TSH phosphorylates protein kinases AKT1, p38α, and ERK1/2 in some cells. We found TSH-induced phosphorylation of these kinases in 2 cell lines engineered to express TSHRs, human embryonic kidney HEK-TSHR cells and human osteoblastic U2OS-TSHR cells. In U2OS-TSHR cells, TSH up-regulated pAKT1 (7.1±0.5-fold), p38α (2.9±0.4-fold), and pERK1/2 (3.1±0.2-fold), whereas small molecule TSHR agonist C2 had no or little effect on pAKT1 (1.8±0.08-fold), p38α (1.2±0.09-fold), and pERK1/2 (1.6±0.19-fold). Furthermore, TSH increased expression of osteoblast marker genes ALPL (8.2±4.6-fold), RANKL (21±5.9-fold), and osteopontin (OPN; 17±5.3-fold), whereas C2 had little effect (ALPL, 1.7±0.5-fold; RANKL, 1.3±0.6-fold; and OPN, 2.2±0.7-fold). β-Arrestin-1 and -2 can mediate activatory signals by 7TMRs. TSH stimulated translocation of β-arrestin-1 and -2 to TSHR, whereas C2 failed to translocate either β-arrestin. Down-regulation of β-arrestin-1 by siRNA inhibited TSH-stimulated phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38α, and AKT1, whereas down-regulation of β-arrestin-2 increased phosphorylation of AKT1 in both cell types and of ERK1/2 in HEK-TSHR cells. Knockdown of β-arrestin-1 inhibited TSH-stimulated up-regulation of mRNAs for OPN by 87 ± 1.7% and RANKL by 73 ± 2.4%, and OPN secretion by 74 ± 10%. We conclude that TSH enhances osteoblast differentiation in U2OS cells that is, in part, caused by activatory signals mediated by β-arrestin-1.

PKA and CaMKII mediate PI3K activation in bovine sperm by inhibition of the PKC/PP1 cascade

To enable fertilization, spermatozoa must undergo several biochemical processes in the female reproductive tract, collectively called capacitation. These processes involve protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent protein tyrosine phosphorylation including phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K). It is not known how PKA, a serine/threonine (S/T) kinase, mediates tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins. We recently showed that inhibition of S/T phosphatase 1 (PP1) causes a significant increase in phospho-PI3K. In this study, we propose a mechanism by which PKA and PP1 mediate an increase in PI3K tyrosine phosphorylation and implicate calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) in this process. Inhibition of sperm PP1 or PKC, stimulated CaMKII phosphorylation/activation, and inhibition of PKC enhanced PP1 phosphorylation/inactivation. Inhibition of CaMKII, using KN-93, caused significant reduction in phospho-PP1, indicating its activation. Moreover, KN-93 prevented the dephosphorylation/inactivation of PKC. We therefore suggest that CaMKII inhibits PKC, leading to PP1 inhibition and the reciprocal auto-activation of CaMKII. Thus, CaMKII can regulate its own activation by inhibiting the PKC/PP1 cascade. Inhibition of Src family kinases (SFK) caused significant inhibition of CaMKII and PP1 phosphorylation, suggesting that SFK activity results in PP1 inhibition and CaMKII activation. Activation of sperm PKA by 8Br-cAMP revealed an increase in phospho-CaMKII, which was inhibited by PKA inhibitor. Tyrosine phosphorylation of PI3K was stimulated by 8Br-cAMP and by PKC or PP1 inhibition and was abrogated by CaMKII inhibition. Furthermore, phosphorylation/activation of the tyrosine kinase Pyk2 was enhanced by PP1 inhibition, and this activation is blocked by CaMKII inhibition. Thus, PKA activates Src, which inhibits PP1, leading to CaMKII and Pyk2 activation, resulting in PI3K tyrosine phosphorylation/activation.

Phosphodiesterase III inhibition increases cAMP levels and augments the infarct size limiting effect of a DPP-4 inhibitor in mice with type-2 diabetes mellitus

PURPOSE

We assessed whether phosphodiesterase-III inhibition with cilostazol (Cil) augments the infarct size (IS)-limiting effects of MK0626 (MK), a dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 (DPP4) inhibitor, by increasing intracellular cAMP in mice with type-2 diabetes.

METHODS

Db/Db mice received 3-day MK (0, 1, 2 or 3 mg/kg/d) with or without Cil (15 mg/kg/d) by oral gavage and were subjected to 30 min coronary artery occlusion and 24 h reperfusion.

RESULTS

Cil and MK at 2 and 3 mg/kg/d significantly reduced IS. Cil and MK had additive effects at all three MK doses. IS was the smallest in the MK-3+Cil. MK in a dose dependent manner and Cil increased cAMP levels (p < 0.001). cAMP levels were higher in the combination groups at all MK doses. MK-2 and Cil increased PKA activity when given alone; however, PKA activity was significantly higher in the MK-2+Cil group than in the other groups. Both MK-2 and Cil increased myocardial levels of Ser(133) P-CREB, Ser(523) P-5-lipoxygenase, Ser(473)P-Akt and Ser(633) P-eNOS. These levels were significantly higher in the MK-2+Cil group. Myocardial PTEN (Phosphatase and tensin homolog on chromosome ten) levels were significantly higher in the Db/Db mice compared to nondiabetic mice. MK-2 and Cil normalized PTEN levels. PTEN levels tended to be lower in the combination group than in the MK and Cil alone groups.

CONCLUSION

MK and Cil have additive IS-limiting effects in diabetic mice. The additive effects are associated with an increase in myocardial cAMP levels and PKA activity with downstream phosphorylation of Akt, eNOS, 5-lipoxygenase and CREB and downregulation of PTEN expression.

Mechanism of sperm capacitation and the acrosome reaction: role of protein kinases

Mammalian sperm must undergo a series of biochemical and physiological modifications, collectively called capacitation, in the female reproductive tract prior to the acrosome reaction (AR). The mechanisms of these modifications are not well characterized though protein kinases were shown to be involved in the regulation of intracellular Ca(2+) during both capacitation and the AR. In the present review, we summarize some of the signaling events that are involved in capacitation. During the capacitation process, phosphatidyl-inositol-3-kinase (PI3K) is phosphorylated/activated via a protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent cascade, and downregulated by protein kinase C α (PKCα). PKCα is active at the beginning of capacitation, resulting in PI3K inactivation. During capacitation, PKCα as well as PP1γ2 is degraded by a PKA-dependent mechanism, allowing the activation of PI3K. The activation of PKA during capacitation depends mainly on cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) produced by the bicarbonate-dependent soluble adenylyl cyclase. This activation of PKA leads to an increase in actin polymerization, an essential process for the development of hyperactivated motility, which is necessary for successful fertilization. Actin polymerization is mediated by PIP(2) in two ways: first, PIP(2) acts as a cofactor for phospholipase D (PLD) activation, and second, as a molecule that binds and inhibits actin-severing proteins such as gelsolin. Tyrosine phosphorylation of gelsolin during capacitation by Src family kinase (SFK) is also important for its inactivation. Prior to the AR, gelsolin is released from PIP(2) and undergoes dephosphorylation/activation, resulting in fast F-actin depolymerization, leading to the AR.

Phosphodiesterase-3 inhibition augments the myocardial infarct size-limiting effects of exenatide in mice with type 2 diabetes

Glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 receptor activation increases intracellular cAMP with downstream activation of PKA. Cilostazol (CIL), a phosphodiesterase-3 inhibitor, prevents cAMP degradation. We assessed whether CIL amplifies the exenatide (EX)-induced increase in myocardial cAMP levels and PKA activity and augments the infarct size (IS)-limiting effects of EX in db/db mice. Mice fed a Western diet received oral CIL (10 mg/kg) or vehicle by oral gavage 24 h before surgery. One hour before surgery, mice received EX (1 μg/kg sc) or vehicle. Additional mice received H-89, a PKA inhibitor, alone or with CIL + EX. Mice underwent 30 min of coronary artery occlusion and 24 h of reperfusion. Both EX and CIL increased myocardial cAMP levels and PKA activity. Levels were significantly higher in the EX + CIL group. Both EX and CIL reduced IS. IS was the smallest in the CIL + EX group. H-89 completely blocked the IS-limiting effects of EX + CIL. EX + CIL decreased phosphatase and tensin homolog on chromosome 10 upregulation and increased Akt and ERK1/2 phosphorylation after ischemia-reperfusion. These effects were blocked by H-89. In conclusion, EX and CIL have additive effects on IS limitation in diabetic mice. The additive effects are related to cAMP-induced PKA activation, as H-89 blocked the protective effect of CIL + EX.

PKA and GAB2 play central roles in the FSH signaling pathway to PI3K and AKT in ovarian granulosa cells

Controlled maturation of ovarian follicles is necessary for fertility. Follicles are restrained at an immature stage until stimulated by FSH secreted by pituitary gonadotropes. FSH acts on granulosa cells within the immature follicle to inhibit apoptosis, promote proliferation, stimulate production of steroid and protein hormones, and induce ligand receptors and signaling intermediates. The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT (protein kinase B) pathway is a pivotal signaling corridor necessary for transducing the FSH signal. We report that protein kinase A (PKA) mediates the actions of FSH by signaling through multiple targets to activate PI3K/AKT. PKA uses a route that promotes phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) on Tyr(989), a canonical binding site for the 85-kDa regulatory subunit of PI3K that allosterically activates the catalytic subunit. PI3K activation leads to activation of AKT through phosphorylation of AKT on Thr(308) and Ser(473). The adaptor growth factor receptor bound protein 2-associated binding protein 2 (GAB2) is present in a preformed complex with PI3K heterodimer and IRS-1, it is an A-kinase anchoring protein that binds the type I regulatory subunit of PKA, and it is phosphorylated by PKA on Ser(159). Overexpression of GAB2 enhances FSH-stimulated AKT phosphorylation. GAB2, thus, seems to coordinate signals from the FSH-stimulated rise in cAMP that leads to activation of PI3K/AKT. The ability of PKA to commandeer IRS-1 and GAB2, adaptors that normally integrate receptor/nonreceptor tyrosine kinase signaling into PI3K/AKT, reveals a previously unrecognized route for PKA to activate a pathway that promotes proliferation, inhibits apoptosis, enhances translation, and initiates differentiation of granulosa cells.

Nociceptin induces hypophagia in the perifornical and lateral hypothalamic area

Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) is known to induce food intake when administered into the lateral ventricle or certain brain areas. This is somewhat contradictory to its reward-suppressing role, as food is a strong rewarding stimulus. This discrepancy may be due to the functional diversity of N/OFQ's target brain areas. N/OFQ has been shown to inhibit orexin and melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) neurons, both of which are appetite-inducing cells. As the expression of these neurons is largely confined to the lateral hypothalamus/perifornical area (LH/PFA), we hypothesized that N/OFQ inhibits food intake by acting in this area. To test this hypothesis, we examined the effect of local N/OFQ infusion within the LH/PFA on food intake in the rat and found that N/OFQ decreased sugar pellet as well as chow intake. This effect was not seen when the injection site was outside of the LH/PFA, suggesting a site-specific effect. Next, to determine a possible cellular mechanism of N/OFQ action on food intake, whole cell patch clamp recordings were performed on rat orexin neurons. As previously reported in mice, N/OFQ induced a strong and long lasting hyperpolarization. Pharmacological study indicated that N/OFQ directly inhibited orexin neurons by activating ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels. This effect was partially but significantly attenuated by the inhibitors of PI3K, PKC and PKA, suggesting that the N/OFQ signaling is mediated by these protein kinases. In summary, our results demonstrate a KATP channel-dependent N/OFQ signaling and that N/OFQ is a site-specific anorexic peptide.

Identification of microRNAs that mediate thyroid cell growth induced by TSH

TSH is a major regulator of thyroid cell growth and endocrine function. It is known that cAMP and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) are responsible for mediating the action of TSH. Activation of these signals results in the induction of a series of transcription factors and cell cycle regulating proteins, which induce cell proliferation. In addition to such canonical transcriptional regulation, it was recently shown that microRNA (miRNA or miR) constitutes another key mechanism for the regulation of gene expression. However, whether TSH action is mediated by miRNA in the thyroid is unknown. In this study, we have performed miRNA microarray analysis and demonstrated that TSH significantly decreases expression of 47 miRNA in thyroid cells. Among these, we have shown, using their specific agonists, that overexpression of miR-16 and miR-195 suppressed cell cycle progression and DNA synthesis that was induced by TSH. In silico analysis predicted that Mapk8, Ccne1, and Cdc6, the expression of which was up-regulated by TSH, are potential target genes for these miRNA, and overexpression of miR-16 and miR-195 suppressed expression of these target genes. The decrease of miR-16 and miR-195 expression by TSH was reproduced by forskolin and N(6),2'-O-dibutyryladenosine cAMP and reversed by the protein kinase A inhibitor H89 and the PI3K inhibitor LY294002. These results suggest that TSH activates cAMP/protein kinase A and PI3K cascades to decrease miR-16 and miR-195, which induce Mapk8, Ccne1, and Cdc6 to activate cell proliferation.

Multiple roles for the p85α isoform in the regulation and function of PI3K signalling and receptor trafficking

The p85α protein is best known as the regulatory subunit of class 1A PI3Ks (phosphoinositide 3-kinases) through its interaction, stabilization and repression of p110-PI3K catalytic subunits. PI3Ks play multiple roles in the regulation of cell survival, signalling, proliferation, migration and vesicle trafficking. The present review will focus on p85α, with special emphasis on its important roles in the regulation of PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10) and Rab5 functions. The phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphatase PTEN directly counteracts PI3K signalling through dephosphorylation of PI3K lipid products. Thus the balance of p85α–p110 and p85α–PTEN complexes determines the signalling output of the PI3K/PTEN pathway, and under conditions of reduced p85α levels, the p85α–PTEN complex is selectively reduced, promoting PI3K signalling. Rab5 GTPases are important during the endocytosis, intracellular trafficking and degradation of activated receptor complexes. The p85α protein helps switch off Rab5, and if defective in this p85α function, results in sustained activated receptor tyrosine kinase signalling and cell transformation through disrupted receptor trafficking. The central role for p85α in the regulation of PTEN and Rab5 has widened the scope of p85α functions to include integration of PI3K activation (p110-mediated), deactivation (PTEN-mediated) and receptor trafficking/signalling (Rab5-mediated) functions, all with key roles in maintaining cellular homoeostasis.

Comparative proteomic analysis to dissect differences in signal transduction in activating TSH receptor mutations in the thyroid

In the thyroid, cAMP controls both thyroid growth and function. Gain-of-function mutations in the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) lead to constitutive cAMP formation and are a major cause of autonomous thyroid adenomas. The impact of activating TSHR mutations on the signal transduction network of the thyrocyte is not fully understood. To gain more insights into constitutive TSHR signaling, rat thyrocytes (FRTL-5 cells) with stable expression of three activating TSHR mutants (mutTSHR: A623I, L629F and Del613-621), which differ in their functional characteristics in vitro, were analyzed by a quantitative proteomic approach and compared to the wild-type TSHR (WT-TSHR). This study revealed (1) differences in the expression of Rab proteins suggesting an increased TSHR internalization in mutTSHR but not in the WT-TSHR; (2) differential stimulation of PI3K/Akt signaling in mutTSHR vs. WT-TSHR cells, (3) activation of Epac, impairing short-time Akt phosphorylation in both, mutTSHR and WT-TSHR cells. Based on the analysis of global changes in protein expression patterns, our findings underline the complexity of gain-of-function TSHR signaling in thyrocytes, which extends beyond pure cAMP and/or IP formation. Moreover, evidence for augmented endocytosis in the mutTSHR, adds to a new concept of TSHR signaling in thyroid autonomy. Further studies are required to clarify whether the observed differences in Rab, PI3K and Epac signaling may contribute to differences in the phenotypic presentation, i.e. stimulation of function and growth of thyroid autonomy in vivo.

A stress response pathway regulates DNA damage through β2-adrenoreceptors and β-arrestin-1

The human mind and body respond to stress, a state of perceived threat to homeostasis, by activating the sympathetic nervous system and secreting the catecholamines adrenaline and noradrenaline in the 'fight-or-flight' response. The stress response is generally transient because its accompanying effects (for example, immunosuppression, growth inhibition and enhanced catabolism) can be harmful in the long term. When chronic, the stress response can be associated with disease symptoms such as peptic ulcers or cardiovascular disorders, and epidemiological studies strongly indicate that chronic stress leads to DNA damage. This stress-induced DNA damage may promote ageing, tumorigenesis, neuropsychiatric conditions and miscarriages. However, the mechanisms by which these DNA-damage events occur in response to stress are unknown. The stress hormone adrenaline stimulates β(2)-adrenoreceptors that are expressed throughout the body, including in germline cells and zygotic embryos. Activated β(2)-adrenoreceptors promote Gs-protein-dependent activation of protein kinase A (PKA), followed by the recruitment of β-arrestins, which desensitize G-protein signalling and function as signal transducers in their own right. Here we elucidate a molecular mechanism by which β-adrenergic catecholamines, acting through both Gs-PKA and β-arrestin-mediated signalling pathways, trigger DNA damage and suppress p53 levels respectively, thus synergistically leading to the accumulation of DNA damage. In mice and in human cell lines, β-arrestin-1 (ARRB1), activated via β(2)-adrenoreceptors, facilitates AKT-mediated activation of MDM2 and also promotes MDM2 binding to, and degradation of, p53, by acting as a molecular scaffold. Catecholamine-induced DNA damage is abrogated in Arrb1-knockout (Arrb1(-/-)) mice, which show preserved p53 levels in both the thymus, an organ that responds prominently to acute or chronic stress, and in the testes, in which paternal stress may affect the offspring's genome. Our results highlight the emerging role of ARRB1 as an E3-ligase adaptor in the nucleus, and reveal how DNA damage may accumulate in response to chronic stress.

Overexpression of 14-3-3ζ in cancer cells activates PI3K via binding the p85 regulatory subunit

The ubiquitously expressed 14-3-3 proteins regulate many pathways involved in transformation. Previously, we found that 14-3-3ζ overexpression increased Akt phosphorylation in human mammary epithelial cells. Here, we investigated the clinical relevance and molecular mechanism of 14-3-3ζ overexpression-mediated Akt phosphorylation and the potential impact on breast cancer progression. We found that 14-3-3ζ overexpression was significantly (P = 0.005) associated with increased Akt phosphorylation in human breast tumors. Additionally, 14-3-3ζ overexpression combined with strong Akt phosphorylation was significantly (P=0.01) associated with increased cancer recurrence in patients. In contrast, knockdown of 14-3-3ζ expression by siRNA in cancer cell lines and tumor xenografts reduced Akt phosphorylation. Furthermore, 14-3-3ζ enhanced Akt phosphorylation through activation of PI3K. Mechanistically, 14-3-3ζ bound to the p85 regulatory subunit of PI3K and increased PI3K translocation to the cell membrane. A single 14-3-3 binding motif encompassing serine 83 on p85 is largely responsible for 14-3-3ζ-mediated p85 binding and PI3K/Akt activation. Mutation of serine 83 to alanine on p85 inhibited 14-3-3ζ binding to the p85 subunit of PI3K, reduced PI3K membrane localization and activation, impeded anchorage independent growth and enhanced stress induced apoptosis. These findings revealed a novel mechanism by which 14-3-3ζ overexpression activates PI3K, a key node in the mitogenic signaling network known to promote malignancies in many cell types.

Prion protein interaction with stress-inducible protein 1 enhances neuronal protein synthesis via mTOR

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies are fatal neurodegenerative diseases caused by the conversion of prion protein (PrP(C)) into an infectious isoform (PrP(Sc)). How this event leads to pathology is not fully understood. Here we demonstrate that protein synthesis in neurons is enhanced via PrP(C) interaction with stress-inducible protein 1 (STI1). We also show that neuroprotection and neuritogenesis mediated by PrP(C)-STI1 engagement are dependent upon the increased protein synthesis mediated by PI3K-mTOR signaling. Strikingly, the translational stimulation mediated by PrP(C)-STI1 binding is corrupted in neuronal cell lines persistently infected with PrP(Sc), as well as in primary cultured hippocampal neurons acutely exposed to PrP(Sc). Consistent with this, high levels of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2alpha (eIF2alpha) phosphorylation were found in PrP(Sc)-infected cells and in neurons acutely exposed to PrP(Sc). These data indicate that modulation of protein synthesis is critical for PrP(C)-STI1 neurotrophic functions, and point to the impairment of this process during PrP(Sc) infection as a possible contributor to neurodegeneration.

Protein kinase A and protein kinase C(alpha)/PPP1CC2 play opposing roles in the regulation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activation in bovine sperm

In order to acquire fertilization competence, spermatozoa have to undergo biochemical changes in the female reproductive tract, known as capacitation. Signaling pathways that take place during the capacitation process are much investigated issue. However, the role and regulation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) in this process are still not clear. Previously, we reported that short-time activation of protein kinase A (PRKA, PKA) leads to PI3K activation and protein kinase C(alpha)(PRKCA, PKC(alpha)) inhibition. In the present study, we found that during the capacitation PI3K phosphorylation/activation increases. PI3K activation was PRKA dependent, and down-regulated by PRKCA. PRKCA is found to be highly active at the beginning of the capacitation, conditions in which PI3K is not active. Moreover, inhibition of PRKCA causes significant activation of PI3K. Similar activation of PI3K is seen when the phosphatase PPP1 is blocked suggesting that PPP1 regulates PI3K activity. We found that during the capacitation PRKCA and PPP1CC2 (PP1gamma2) form a complex, and the two enzymes were degraded during the capacitation, suggesting that this degradation enables the activation of PI3K. This degradation is mediated by PRKA, indicating that in addition to the direct activation of PI3K by PRKA, this kinase can enhance PI3K phosphorylation indirectly by enhancing the degradation and inactivation of PRKCA and PPP1CC2.

Growth activation alone is not sufficient to cause metastatic thyroid cancer in a mouse model of follicular thyroid carcinoma

TSH is the major stimulator of thyrocyte proliferation, but its role in thyroid carcinogenesis remains unclear. To address this question, we used a mouse model of follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) (TRbeta(PV/PV) mice). These mice, harboring a dominantly negative mutation (PV) of the thyroid hormone-beta receptor (TRbeta), exhibit increased serum thyroid hormone and elevated TSH. To eliminate TSH growth-stimulating effect, TRbeta(PV/PV) mice were crossed with TSH receptor gene knockout (TSHR(-/-)) mice. Wild-type siblings of TRbeta(PV/PV) mice were treated with an antithyroid agent, propylthiouracil, to elevate serum TSH for evaluating long-term TSH effect (WT-PTU mice). Thyroids from TRbeta(PV/PV)TSHR(-/-) showed impaired growth with no occurrence of FTC. Both WT-PTU and TRbeta(PV/PV) mice displayed enlarged thyroids, but only TRbeta(PV/PV) mice developed metastatic FTC. Molecular analyses indicate that PV acted, via multiple mechanisms, to activate the integrins-Src-focal adhesion kinase-p38 MAPK pathway and affect cytoskeletal restructuring to increase tumor cell migration and invasion. Thus, growth stimulated by TSH is a prerequisite but not sufficient for metastatic cancer to occur. Additional genetic alterations (such as PV), destined to alter focal adhesion and migration capacities, are required to empower hyperplastic follicular cells to invade and metastasize. These in vivo findings provide new insights in understanding carcinogenesis of the human thyroid.

cAMP/CREB-mediated transcriptional regulation of ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase 1 (CD39) expression

CD39 is a transmembrane enzyme that inhibits platelet reactivity and inflammation by phosphohydrolyzing ATP and ADP to AMP. Cyclic AMP (cAMP), an essential second messenger, is particularly important in regulating genes controlling vascular homeostasis. These experiments test the hypothesis that cAMP might positively regulate the expression of CD39 and thereby modulate important vascular homeostatic properties. Cd39 mRNA was induced by 13.8- fold in RAW cells treated with a membrane-permeant cAMP analogue (8-bromo-cyclic AMP; 8-Br-cAMP), stimulation of adenylate cyclase, or prostanoids known to drive cAMP response. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting, immunofluorescence, and TLC assays demonstrated that both CD39 protein expression and enzymatic activity were increased in cells treated with 8-Br-cAMP but not in cells transfected with short hairpin RNA against CD39. This analogue drove a significant increase in transcriptional activity at the Cd39 promoter although not when the promoter's cAMP-response element sites were mutated. Pretreatment with cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), or ERK inhibitors nearly obliterated the cAMP-driven increase in Cd39 mRNA, protein expression, and promoter activity. 8-Br-cAMP greatly increased the phosphorylation of CREB1 (Ser(133)) and ATF2 (Thr(71)) in a PKA-, PI3K-, and ERK-dependent fashion. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that binding of phosphorylated CREB1 and ATF2 to cAMP-response element-like sites was significantly increased with 8-Br-cAMP treatment and that binding was reduced with PKA, PI3K, and ERK inhibition, whereas transfection of Creb1 and Atf2 overexpression constructs enhanced cAMP-driven Cd39 mRNA expression. Transfection of RAW cells with mutated Creb1 (S133A) reduced cAMP-driven Cd39 mRNA expression. Furthermore, the cAMP-mediated induction of Cd39 mRNA, protein, and phosphohydrolytic activity was replicated in primary peritoneal macrophages. These data identify cAMP as a crucial regulator of macrophage CD39 expression and demonstrate that cAMP acts through the PKA/CREB, PKA/PI3K/ATF2, and PKA/ERK/ATF2 pathways to control a key vascular homeostatic mediator.

Role and regulation of PI3K in sperm capacitation and the acrosome reaction

Mammalian spermatozoa undergo several signaling and biochemical transformations in the female genital tract, collectively called capacitation. The capacitated spermatozoon binds to the egg zona pellucida, where it undergoes the acrosome reaction (AR), a process enabling it to penetrate and fertilize the egg. Actin polymerization occurs in sperm capacitation and depolymerization prior to the AR. In this review we describe the possible role and regulation of PI3K in sperm capacitation and the acrosome reaction. We claim that PI3K is activated by protein kinase A and suppressed by protein kinase C. Only partial activation of PI3K is seen during the capacitation time, however towards the end of incubation, full activation is observed. Actin polymerization during capacitation is independent on PI3K activity, suggesting that the enzyme is not involved in sperm capacitation. However, the full activation of PI3K towards the end of the capacitation suggests that it might mediate the AR, as indeed was found.

Protein kinase A and B-Raf mediate extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation by thyrotropin

Thyrotropin (TSH) regulates thyroid cell proliferation and function through cAMP-mediated signaling pathways that activate protein kinase A (PKA) and Epac/Rap1. The respective roles of PKA versus Epac/Rap1 in TSH signaling remain unclear. We set out to determine whether PKA and/or Rap1 mediate extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation by TSH. Neither blocking Rap1 activity nor silencing the expression of Rap1 impaired TSH or forskolin-induced ERK activation in Wistar rat thyroid cells. Direct activation of Epac1 failed to stimulate ERK activity in starved cells, suggesting that Epac-induced Rap1 activity is not coupled to ERK activation in rat thyroid cells. By contrast, PKA activity was required for cAMP-stimulated ERK phosphorylation and was sufficient to increase ERK phosphorylation in starved cells. Expression of dominant-negative Ras inhibited ERK activation by TSH, forskolin, and N(6)-monobutyryl (6MB)-cAMP, a selective activator of PKA. Silencing the expression of B-Raf also inhibited ERK activation by TSH, forskolin, and 6MB-cAMP, but not that stimulated by insulin or serum. Depletion of B-Raf impaired TSH-induced DNA synthesis, indicating a functional role for B-Raf in TSH-regulated proliferation. Collectively, these results position PKA, Ras, and B-Raf as upstream regulators of ERK activation and identify B-Raf as a selective target of cAMP-elevating agents in thyroid cells. These data provide the first evidence for a functional role for B-Raf in TSH signaling.

cAMP-GEF cytoprotection by Src tyrosine kinase activation of phosphoinositide-3-kinase p110 beta/alpha in rat hepatocytes

Cyclic AMP protects against hepatocyte apoptosis by a protein kinase A-independent cAMP-GEF/phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway. However, the signaling pathway coupling cAMP-GEF with PI3K is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Src tyrosine kinases (Src-TYK) and PI3K-p110 isoforms in this pathway. Studies were done in rat hepatocytes using the hydrophobic bile acid glycochenodeoxycholic acid (GCDC) to induce apoptosis. cAMP-binding guanine nucleotide exchange factors (cAMP-GEFs) were selectively activated by using 4-(4-chloro-phenylthio)-2'-O-methyladenosine-3'-5'-cyclic monophosphate (CPT-2-Me-cAMP), which sequentially phosphorylated Src-TYK (within 1 min) followed by Akt (within 5 min). The Src inhibitors PP2 and SU6656 inhibited basal and CPT-2-Me-cAMP-mediated Src and Akt phosphorylation. These inhibitors had no effect on CPT-2-Me-cAMP-mediated activation of Rap GTPases. CPT-2-Me-cAMP induced transient Src dependent autophosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Inhibition of the EGFR with AG 1478 partially inhibited the ability of CPT-2-Me to phosphorylate Akt. Whereas PP2 completely abolished the protective effect of CPT-2-Me-cAMP in GCDC induced apoptosis, AG 1478 partially inhibited the cytoprotective effect. CPT-2-Me-cAMP treatment resulted in Src-dependent activation of the p110 beta and alpha subunits of PI3K, but only the latter was sensitive to inhibition with AG 1478. In conclusion, activation of cAMP-GEFs results in phosphorylation of Src-TYK and Akt and activation of the p110 beta/alpha subunits of PI3K. Maximal cAMP-GEF-mediated Akt phosphorylation as well as protection from bile acid-induced apoptosis requires activation of Src-TYK and the EGFR. These studies support the existence of two pathways: cAMP-GEF/Rap/Src/PI3Kbeta/Akt and cAMP-GEF/Rap/Src/EGFR/PI3Kalpha/Akt, both of which are necessary for maximal cytoprotective effect of cAMP-GEFs in hepatocytes.

TSH signalling and cancer

Thyroid cancers are the most frequent endocrine neoplasms and mutations in the thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) are unusually frequent. Here we present the state-of-the-art concerning the role of TSHR in thyroid cancer and discuss it in light of the cancer stem cell theory or the classical view. We briefly review the gene and protein structure updating the cancer related TSHR mutations database. Intriguingly, hyperfunctioning TSHR mutants characterise differentiated cancers in contrast to undifferentiated thyroid cancers which very often bear silenced TSHR. It remains unclear whether TSHR alterations in thyroid cancers play a role in the onset or they appear as a consequence of genetic instability during evolution, but the presence of functional TSHR is exploited in therapy. We outline the signalling network build up in the thyrocyte between TSHR/PKA and other proliferative pathways such as Wnt, PI3K and MAPK. This networks integrity surely plays a role in the onset/evolution of thyroid cancer and needs further research. Lastly, future investigation of epigenetic events occurring at the TSHR and other loci may give better clues for molecular based therapy of undifferentiated thyroid carcinomas. Targeted demethylating agents, histone deacetylase inhibitors combined with retinoids and specific RNAis may help treatment in the future.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone/cAMP-mediated proliferation in thyrocytes

Current research on thyrotropin-activated proliferation in the thyrocyte needs to be aimed at a better understanding of crosstalk and negative-feedback mechanisms with other proliferative pathways, especially the insulin/IGF-1-induced phosphoinositol-3 kinase pathway and the serum-induced MAPK or Wnt pathways. Convergence of proliferative pathways in mTOR is a hotspot of current research, and combined treatment using double class inhibitors for thyroid cancer may bring some success. New thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR)-interacting proteins, a better picture of cAMP targets, a deeper knowledge of the action of the protein kinase A regulatory subunits, especially their interactions with the replication machinery, and a further understanding of mechanisms that lead to cell cycle progression through G₁/S and G₂/M checkpoints are areas that need further elucidation. Finally, massive information coming from microarray data analysis will prompt our understanding of thyroid-stimulating hormone-promoted thyrocyte proliferation in health and disease.

A novel Epac-Rap-PP2A signaling module controls cAMP-dependent Akt regulation

Rap1b has been implicated in the transduction of the cAMP mitogenic signal. It is phosphorylated and activated by cAMP, and its expression in models where cAMP is mitogenic leads to proliferation and tumorigenesis. Akt is a likely downstream effector of cAMP-Rap1 action. cAMP elevation induced a rapid and transient Akt inhibition that required activated and phosphorylated Rap1b. However, the mechanism(s) by which cAMP-Rap regulates Akt remains unclear. Here we show that (i) upstream regulators, PIK and PDK1, are not the target(s) of the cAMP inhibitory action; (ii) constitutively active Akt and calyculin A-stimulated Akt are resistant to cAMP inhibition, suggesting the action of a phosphatase; (iii) cAMP increases the rate of Akt dephosphorylation, directly implicating an Akt-phosphatase; (iv) Epac- and protein kinase A (PKA)-specific analogs synergistically inhibit Akt, indicating the involvement of both cAMP-dependent effector pathways; (v) H89 and dominant negative Epac 279E block cAMP-inhibitory action; (vi) Epac associates in a complex with Akt and PP2A, and the associated-phosphatase activity is positively modulated by cAMP in a PKA- and Rap1-dependent manner; (vii) like its action on Akt inhibition, PKA- and Epac-specific analogs synergistically activate Epac-associated PP2A; and (viii) dominant negative PP2A blocks cAMP-inhibitory action. Thus, we uncovered a novel cAMP-Epac/PKA-Rap1b-PP2A signaling module involved in Akt regulation that may represent a physiological event in the process of cAMP stimulation of thyroid mitogenesis.

Gbetagamma dimers released in response to thyrotropin activate phosphoinositide 3-kinase and regulate gene expression in thyroid cells

Signaling by TSH through its receptor leads to the dissociation of trimeric G proteins into Galpha and Gbetagamma. Galphas activates adenylyl cyclase, which increases cAMP levels that induce several effects in the thyroid cell, including transcription of the sodium-iodide symporter (NIS) gene through a mechanism involving Pax8 binding to the NIS promoter. Much less is known about the function of Gbetagamma in thyroid differentiation, and therefore we studied their role in TSH signaling. Gbetagamma overexpression inhibits NIS promoter activation and reduces NIS protein accumulation in response to TSH and forskolin. Conversely, inhibition of Gbetagamma-dependent pathways increases NIS promoter activity elicited by TSH but does not modify forskolin-induced activation. Gbetagamma dimers are being released from the Gs subfamily of proteins, because cholera toxin mimics the effects elicited by TSH, whereas pertussis toxin has no effect on NIS promoter activity. We also found that TSH stimulates Akt phosphorylation in a phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-dependent and cAMP-independent manner. This is mediated by Gbetagamma, because its overexpression or specific sequestration, respectively, increased or reduced phosphorylated Akt levels upon TSH stimulation. Gbetagamma sequestration increases NIS protein levels induced by TSH and Pax8 binding to the NIS promoter, which is also increased by PI3K inhibition. This is, at least in part, caused by Gbetagamma-mediated Pax8 exclusion from the nucleus that is attenuated when PI3K activity is blocked. These data unequivocally demonstrate that Gbetagamma released by TSH action stimulate PI3K, inhibiting NIS gene expression in a cAMP-independent manner due to a decrease in Pax8 binding to the NIS promoter.

The flavonoid quercetin regulates growth and gene expression in rat FRTL-5 thyroid cells

Quercetin is the most consumed flavonoid present in fruits and vegetables. There has been increased interest in the possible health benefits of quercetin and other flavonoids. Because it is reported that these compounds have some antithyroid properties, we were interested whether, and by what mechanism, quercetin might regulate thyroid cell growth and function. In this report we show that quercetin inhibits thyroid cell growth in association with inhibition of insulin-modulated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt kinase activity. Furthermore, quercetin decreases TSH-modulated RNA levels of the thyroid-restricted gene sodium/iodide symporter (NIS). We associated down-regulation of NIS RNA levels with inhibition of iodide uptake at comparable quercetin concentrations and could show that the inhibitory effect of quercetin on NIS RNA levels and iodide uptake is reproduced by inhibitors of the phospholipase-A(2)/lipoxygenase pathway. The specific inhibitor of protein kinase A, H89, only partially inhibited TSH-increased NIS expression and did not reproduce the quercetin effect. The quercetin studies thus reveal that the phospholipase-A(2)/lipoxygenase pathway appears to play an important role in TSH regulation of NIS gene expression, whereas quercetin inhibition of growth appears to involve an effect on insulin/IGF-I-Akt signaling. The data raise the possibility that quercetin may be a novel disruptor of thyroid function, which has potential effects on, or use in, the therapy of thyroid diseases.

p85 regulatory subunit of PI3K mediates cAMP-PKA and estrogens biological effects on growth and survival

Cyclic adenosine 3'5' monophosphate (cAMP) and protein kinase A (PKA) cooperate with phosphatidylinositol 3' kinase (PI3K) signals in the control of growth and survival. To determine the molecular mechanism(s) involved, we identified and mutagenized a specific serine (residue 83) in p85alpha(PI3K), which is phosphorylated in vivo and in vitro by PKA. Expression of p85alpha(PI3K) mutants (alanine or aspartic substitutions) significantly altered the biological responses of the cells to cAMP. cAMP protection from anoikis was reduced in cells expressing the alanine version p85alpha(PI3K). These cells did not arrest in G1 in the presence of cAMP, whereas cells expressing the aspartic mutant p85D accumulated in G1 even in the absence of cAMP. S phase was still efficiently inhibited by cAMP in cells expressing both mutants. The binding of PI3K to Ras p21 was greatly reduced in cells expressing p85A in the presence or absence of cAMP. Conversely, expression of the aspartic mutant stimulated robustly the binding of PI3K to p21 Ras in the presence of cAMP. Mutation in the Ser 83 inhibited cAMP, but not PDGF stimulation of PI3K. Conversely, the p85D aspartic mutant amplified cAMP stimulation of PI3K activity. Phosphorylation of Ser 83 by cAMP-PKA in p85alpha(PI3K) was also necessary for estrogen signaling as expression of p85A or p85D mutants inhibited or amplified, respectively, the binding of estrogen receptor to p85alpha and AKT phosphorylation induced by estrogens. The data presented indicate that: (1) phosphorylation of Ser 83 in p85alpha(PI3K) is critical for cAMP-PKA induced G1 arrest and survival in mouse 3T3 fibroblasts; (2) this site is necessary for amplification of estrogen signals by cAMP-PKA and related receptors. Finally, these data suggest a general mechanism of PI3K regulation by cAMP, operating in various cell types and under different conditions.