Nerve growth factor-mediated activation of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascade involves a signaling complex containing B-Raf and HSP90

BRI1 and BAK1 Canonical Distribution in Plasma Membrane Is HSP90 Dependent

The activation of BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE1 (BRI1) and its association with the BRI1 ASSOCIATED RECEPTOR KINASE1 (BAK1) are key steps for the initiation of the BR signaling cascade mediating hypocotyl elongation. Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is crucial in the regulation of signaling processes and the activation of hormonal receptors. We report that HSP90 is required for the maintenance of the BRI1 receptor at the plasma membrane (PM) and its association with the BAK1 co-receptor during BL-ligand stimulation. HSP90 mediates BR perception and signal transduction through physical interactions with BRI1 and BAK1, while chaperone depletion resulted in lower levels of BRI1 and BAK1 receptors at the PM and affected the spatial partitioning and organization of BRI1/BAK1 heterocomplexes at the PM. The BRI1/BAK1 interaction relies on the HSP90-dependent activation of the kinase domain of BRI1 which leads to the confinement of the spatial dynamics of the membrane resident BRI1 and the attenuation of the downstream signaling. This is evident by the impaired activation and transcriptional activity of BRI1 EMS SUPPRESSOR 1 (BES1) upon HSP90 depletion. Our findings provide conclusive evidence that further expands the commitment of HSP90 in BR signaling through the HSP90-mediated activation of BRI1 in the control of the BR signaling cascade in plants.

Cross-talk between myeloid-derived suppressor cells and Mucin1 in breast cancer vaccination: On the verge of a breakthrough

Although breast cancer is one of the leading troublesome cancers, the available therapeutic options have not fulfilled the desired outcomes. Immune-based therapy has gained special attention for breast cancer treatment. Although this approach is highly tolerable, its low response rate has rendered it as an undesirable approach. This review aims to describe the essential oncogenic pathways involved in breast cancer, elucidate the immunosuppression and oncogenic effect of Mucin1, and introduce myeloid-derived suppressor cells, which are the main culprits of anti-tumoral immune response attenuation. The various auto-inductive loops between Mucin1 and myeloid-derived suppressor cells are focal in the suppression of anti-tumoral immune responses in patients with breast cancer. These cross-talks between the Mucin1 and myeloid-derived suppressor cells can be the underlying causes of immunotherapy's impotence for patients with breast cancer. This approach can pave the road for the development of a potent vaccine for patients with breast cancer and is translated into clinical settings.

The Role of Heat Shock Proteins in Regulating Receptor Signal Transduction

Heat shock proteins (Hsp) are a class of stress-inducible proteins that mainly act as molecular protein chaperones. This chaperone activity is diverse, including assisting in nascent protein folding and regulating client protein location and translocation within the cell. The main proteins within the Hsp family, particularly Hsp70 and Hsp90, also have a highly diverse and numerous set of protein clients, which when combined with the high expression levels of Hsp proteins (2%-6% of total protein content) establishes these molecules as "central regulators" of cell protein physiology. Among the client proteins, Hsps regulate numerous signal-transduction and receptor-regulatory kinases, and indeed directly regulate some receptors themselves. This also makes the Hsps, particularly Hsp90, central regulators of signal-transduction machinery, with important impacts on endogenous and drug ligand responses. Among these roles, Hsp90 in particular acts to maintain mature signaling kinases in a metastable conformation permissive for signaling activation. In this review, we will focus on the roles of the Hsps, with a special focus on Hsp90, in regulating receptor signaling and subsequent physiologic responses. We will also explore potential means to manipulate Hsp function to improve receptor-targeted therapies. Overall, Hsps are important regulators of receptor signaling that are receiving increasing interest and exploration, particularly as Hsp90 inhibitors progress toward clinical approval for the treatment of cancer. Understanding the complex interplay of Hsp regulation of receptor signaling may provide important avenues to improve patient treatment.

17-AAG inhibits vemurafenib-associated MAP kinase activation and is synergistic with cellular immunotherapy in a murine melanoma model

Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is a molecular chaperone which stabilizes client proteins with important roles in tumor growth. 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG), an inhibitor of HSP90 ATPase activity, occupies the ATP binding site of HSP90 causing a conformational change which destabilizes client proteins and directs them towards proteosomal degradation. Malignant melanomas have active RAF-MEK-ERK signaling which can occur either through an activating mutation in BRAF (BRAF^V600E) or through activation of signal transduction upstream of BRAF. Prior work showed that 17-AAG inhibits cell growth in BRAF^V600E and BRAF wildtype (BRAF^WT) melanomas, although there were conflicting reports about the dependence of BRAF^V600E and BRAF^WT upon HSP90 activity for stability. Here, we demonstrate that BRAF^WT and CRAF are bound by HSP90 in BRAF^WT, NRAS mutant melanoma cells. HSP90 inhibition by 17-AAG inhibits ERK signaling and cell growth by destabilizing CRAF but not BRAF^WT in the majority of NRAS mutant melanoma cells. The highly-selective BRAF^V600E inhibitor, PLX4032 (vemurafenib), inhibits ERK signaling and cell growth in mutant BRAF melanoma cells, but paradoxically enhances signaling in cells with wild-type BRAF. In our study, we examined whether 17-AAG could inhibit PLX4032-enhanced ERK signaling in BRAF^WT melanoma cells. As expected, PLX4032 alone enhanced ERK signaling in the BRAF^WT melanoma cell lines Mel-Juso, SK-Mel-2, and SK-Mel-30, and inhibited signaling and cell growth in BRAF^V600E A375 cells. However, HSP90 inhibition by 17-AAG inhibited PLX4032-enhanced ERK signaling and inhibited cell growth by destabilizing CRAF. Surprisingly, 17-AAG also stimulated melanin production in SK-Mel-30 cells and enhanced TYRP1 and DCT expression without stimulating TYR production in all three BRAF^WT cell lines studied as well as in B16F10 mouse melanoma cells. In vivo, the combination of 17-AAG and cellular immunotherapy directed against Tyrp1 enhanced the inhibition of tumor growth compared to either therapy alone. Our studies support a role for 17-AAG and HSP90 inhibition in enhancing cellular immunotherapy for melanoma.

Phospho-proteomic analyses of B-Raf protein complexes reveal new regulatory principles

B-Raf represents a critical physiological regulator of the Ras/RAF/MEK/ERK-pathway and a pharmacological target of growing clinical relevance, in particular in oncology. To understand how B-Raf itself is regulated, we combined mass spectrometry with genetic approaches to map its interactome in MCF-10A cells as well as in B-Raf deficient murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and B-Raf/Raf-1 double deficient DT40 lymphoma cells complemented with wildtype or mutant B-Raf expression vectors. Using a multi-protease digestion approach, we identified a novel ubiquitination site and provide a detailed B-Raf phospho-map. Importantly, we identify two evolutionary conserved phosphorylation clusters around T401 and S419 in the B-Raf hinge region. SILAC labelling and genetic/biochemical follow-up revealed that these clusters are phosphorylated in the contexts of oncogenic Ras, sorafenib induced Raf dimerization and in the background of the V600E mutation. We further show that the vemurafenib sensitive phosphorylation of the T401 cluster occurs in trans within a Raf dimer. Substitution of the Ser/Thr-residues of this cluster by alanine residues enhances the transforming potential of B-Raf, indicating that these phosphorylation sites suppress its signaling output. Moreover, several B-Raf phosphorylation sites, including T401 and S419, are somatically mutated in tumors, further illustrating the importance of phosphorylation for the regulation of this kinase.

Hochu-ekki-to Treatment Improves Reproductive and Immune Modulation in the Stress-Induced Rat Model of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

The traditional herbal medicine, Hochu-ekki-to, has been shown to have preventive effects on viral infection and stress. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical effects of Hochu-ekki-to on two stress-related rat models of polycystic ovarian syndrome. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control and treatment groups, the latter of which were subjected to stress induced by exposure to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) or cold temperatures. After these stress inductions, rats were orally treated with dissolved Hochu-ekki-to once per day for 7 days. Rats subjected to the two different stressors exhibited upregulation of steroid hormone receptors (in ovaries) and reproductive hormones (in blood), and consequent stimulation of abnormal follicle development accompanied by elevation of Hsp 90 expression (in ovaries). Treatment with Hochu-ekki-to for 7 days after stress induction increased immune functions, reduced the stress-induced activation of Hsp 90, and normalized the levels of the tested steroid hormone receptors and reproductive hormones. Our findings suggest that stress stimulations may promote the activation of Hsp 90 via the dysregulation of steroid hormone receptors and reproductive hormones, but that post-stress treatment with Hochu-ekki-to improves reproductive and immune functions in the ovaries of stressed rats.

Discrete cytosolic macromolecular BRAF complexes exhibit distinct activities and composition

As a central element within the RAS/ERK pathway, the serine/threonine kinase BRAF plays a key role in development and homeostasis and represents the most frequently mutated kinase in tumors. Consequently, it has emerged as an important therapeutic target in various malignancies. Nevertheless, the BRAF activation cycle still raises many mechanistic questions as illustrated by the paradoxical action and side effects of RAF inhibitors. By applying SEC-PCP-SILAC, we analyzed protein-protein interactions of hyperactive BRAF^V600E and wild-type BRAF (BRAF^WT). We identified two macromolecular, cytosolic BRAF complexes of distinct molecular composition and phosphorylation status. Hyperactive BRAF^V600E resides in large complexes of higher molecular mass and activity, while BRAF^WT is confined to smaller, slightly less active complexes. However, expression of oncogenic K-Ras^G12V, either by itself or in combination with RAF dimer promoting inhibitors, induces the incorporation of BRAF^WT into large, active complexes, whereas pharmacological inhibition of BRAF^V600E has the opposite effect. Thus, the quaternary structure of BRAF complexes is shaped by its activation status, the conformation of its kinase domain, and clinically relevant inhibitors.

Angiotensin II AT2 receptors regulate NGF-mediated neurite outgrowth via the NO-cGMP pathway

We investigated whether Angiotensin II type 2 (AT2) receptor activation was involved in NGF-induced nerve regeneration. NGF-mediated neurite outgrowth in cultured dorsal root ganglia (DRG) cells was significantly inhibited by AT2 receptor antagonist (PD123,319) treatment. AT2 receptor knockdown also inhibited NGF-mediated neurite outgrowth. To determine the mechanisms, we analyzed the NO-cGMP pathway. The cGMP analog increased NGF-mediated nerve elongation, which inhibited by PD123,319. Furthermore, soluble guanylate cyclase expression was significantly less in NGF and PD123,319 treatment DRG than in NGF treatment alone. These results suggest that NGF-mediated neurite outgrowth is suppressed by AT2 receptor signaling via the NO-cGMP-PKG pathway.

Acquired Resistance to Clinical Cancer Therapy: A Twist in Physiological Signaling

Although modern therapeutic strategies have brought significant progress to cancer care in the last 30 years, drug resistance to targeted monotherapies has emerged as a major challenge. Aberrant regulation of multiple physiological signaling pathways indispensable for developmental and metabolic homeostasis, such as hyperactivation of pro-survival signaling axes, loss of suppressive regulations, and impaired functionalities of the immune system, have been extensively investigated aiming to understand the diversity of molecular mechanisms that underlie cancer development and progression. In this review, we intend to discuss the molecular mechanisms of how conventional physiological signal transduction confers to acquired drug resistance in cancer patients. We will particularly focus on protooncogenic receptor kinase inhibition-elicited tumor cell adaptation through two major core downstream signaling cascades, the PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathways. These pathways are crucial for cell growth and differentiation and are frequently hyperactivated during tumorigenesis. In addition, we also emphasize the emerging roles of the deregulated host immune system that may actively promote cancer progression and attenuate immunosurveillance in cancer therapies. Understanding these mechanisms may help to develop more effective therapeutic strategies that are able to keep the tumor in check and even possibly turn cancer into a chronic disease.

Activity of the heat shock protein 90 inhibitor ganetespib in melanoma

Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is involved in the regulation of diverse biological processes such as cell signaling, proliferation and survival, and has been recently recognized as a potential target for cancer therapy. Ganetespib is a potent ATP competitive inhibitor of HSP90. Ganetespib downregulated the expression of multiple signal transducing molecules including EGFR, IGF-1R, c-Met, Akt, B-RAF and C-RAF, resulting in pronounced decrease in phosphorylation of Akt and Erk1/2 in a panel of five cutaneous melanoma cell lines including those harboring B-RAF and N-RAS mutations. Ganetespib exhibited potent antiproliferative activity on all five of these cell lines, with IC50 values between 37.5 and 84 nM. Importantly, Ganetespib is active on B-RAF mutated melanoma cells that have acquired resistance to B-RAF inhibition. Ganetespib induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G1 and/or G2/M phase. Ganetespib induced cell cycle arrest was accompanied by altered expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CDKI) p21^Cip1 and p27^Kip1, cyclins B1, D1 and E, and/or cyclin-dependent kinases 1, 2 and 4. HSP90 is functionally important for melanoma cells and HSP90 inhibitors such as ganetespib could potentially be effective therapeutics for melanoma with various genetic mutations and acquired resistance to B-RAF inhibition.

HILI inhibits TGF-β signaling by interacting with Hsp90 and promoting TβR degradation

PIWIL2, called HILI in humans, is a member of the PIWI subfamily. This subfamily has highly conserved PAZ and Piwi domains and is implicated in several critical functions, including embryonic development, stem-cell self-renewal, RNA silencing, and translational control. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains largely unknown. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a secreted multifunctional protein that controls several developmental processes and the pathogenesis of many diseases. TGF-β signaling is activated by phosphorylation of transmembrane serine/threonine kinase receptors, TGF-β type II (TβRII), and type I (TβRI), which are stabilized by Hsp90 via specific interactions with this molecular chaperone. Here, we present evidence that HILI suppresses TGF-β signaling by physically associating with Hsp90 in human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293). Our research shows that HILI mediates the loss of TGF-β-induced Smad2/3 phosphorylation. We also demonstrate that HILI interacts with Hsp90 to prevent formation of Hsp90-TβR heteromeric complexes, and improves ubiquitination and degradation of TβRs dependent on the ubiquitin E3 ligase Smurf2. This work reveals a critical negative regulation level of TGF-β signaling mediated by HILI (human PIWIL2) by its ability to interact with Hsp90 and promote TβR degradation.

The novel, orally bioavailable HSP90 inhibitor NVP-HSP990 induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in multiple myeloma cells and acts synergistically with melphalan by increased cleavage of caspases

Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) binds and stabilizes numerous proteins and kinases essential for myeloma cell survival and proliferation. We and others have recently demonstrated that inhibition of HSP90 by small molecular mass inhibitors induces cell death in multiple myeloma (MM). However, some of the HSP90 inhibitors involved in early clinical trials have shown limited antitumor activity and unfavorable toxicity profiles. Here, we analyzed the effects of the novel, orally bioavailable HSP90 inhibitor NVP-HSP990 on MM cell proliferation and survival. The inhibitor led to a significant reduction in myeloma cell viability and induced G2 cell cycle arrest, degradation of caspase-8 and caspase-3, and induction of apoptosis. Inhibition of the HSP90 ATPase activity was accompanied by the degradation of MM phospho-Akt and phospho-ERK1/2 and upregulation of Hsp70. Exposure of MM cells to a combination of NVP-HSP990 and either melphalan or histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors caused synergistic inhibition of viability, increased induction of apoptosis, and was able to overcome the primary resistance of the cell line RPMI-8226 to HSP90 inhibition. Combined incubation with melphalan and NVP-HSP990 led to synergistically increased cleavage of caspase-2, caspase-9, and caspase-3. These data demonstrate promising activity for NVP-HSP990 as single agent or combination treatment in MM and provide a rationale for clinical trials.

Characterization of the B-Raf interactome in mouse hippocampal neuronal cells

B-Raf links a variety of extracellular stimuli downstream of cell surface receptors, constituting a determining factor in the ability of neurons to activate ERK. A detailed study of the B-Raf interactome is necessary to clarify the intricacy of B-Raf-dependent signal transduction. We used a mouse hippocampal cell line (HT22) that expresses B-Raf at high levels, to identify B-Raf associated proteins under endogenous expression conditions, avoiding artificial interactions from overexpression studies. We used stringent procedures to co-immunoprecipitate proteins that specifically associate with endogenous B-Raf with the help of gel electrophoresis separation and off-line LC-MALDI-MS/MS proteomic analysis. Our stringent protein identification criteria allowed confident identification of B-Raf interacting proteins under non-stimulating conditions. The presence of previously reported B-Raf interactors among the list of proteins identified confirms the quality of proteomic data. We identified tubulin and actin as B-Raf interactors for the first time, among structural and accessory proteins of cell cytoskeleton, molecular chaperones (Hsc70, GRP78), and cellular components involved in aspects of mRNA metabolism and translation. Interactions were validated in HT22 cells and in the neuronal cell line Neuro-2a providing further evidence that the identified proteins are B-Raf interactors, which constitute a basis for understanding MAPK pathway regulation in neurons.

Effect on the Ras/Raf signaling pathway of post-translational modifications of neurofibromin: in silico study of protein modification responsible for regulatory pathways

Mapping and chemical characterization of post-translational modifications (PTMs) in proteins are critical to understand the regulatory mechanisms involving modified proteins and their role in disease. Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) is an autosomal dominantly inherited disorder, where NF1 mutations usually result in a reduced level of the tumor suppressor protein, neurofibromin (NF). NF is a multifunctional cytoplasmic protein that regulates microtubule dynamics and participates in several signaling pathways, particularly the RAS signaling pathway. NF is a Ras GTPase-activating protein (GAP) that prevents oncogenesis by converting GTP-Ras to GDP-Ras. This function of NF is regulated by phosphorylation. Interplay of phosphorylation with O-GlcNAc modification on the same or vicinal Ser/Thr residues, the Yin Yang sites, is well known in cytoplasmic and nuclear proteins. The dynamic aspects of PTMs and their interplay being difficult to follow in vivo, we undertook this in silico work to predict and define the possible role of Yin Yang sites in NF-1. Interplay of phosphorylation and O-GlcNAc modification is proposed as a mechanism controlling the Ras signaling pathway.

Hydrogen sulfide protects neurons against hypoxic injury via stimulation of ATP-sensitive potassium channel/protein kinase C/extracellular signal-regulated kinase/heat shock protein 90 pathway

Cerebral hypoxia is one of the main causes of cerebral injury. This study was conducted to investigate the potential protective effect of H(2)S in in vitro hypoxic models by subjecting SH-SY5Y cells to either oxygen-glucose deprivation or Na(2)S(2)O(4) (an oxygen scavenger) treatment. We found that treatment with NaHS (an H(2)S donor, 10-100 microM) 15 min prior to hypoxia increased cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner. Time-course study showed that NaHS was able to exert its protective effect even when added 8 h before or less than 4 h after hypoxia induction. Interestingly, endogenous H(2)S level was markedly reduced by hypoxia induction. Over-expression of cystathionine-beta-synthase prevented hypoxia induced cell apoptosis. Blockade of ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(ATP)) channels with glibenclamide and HMR-1098, protein kinase C (PKC) with its three specific inhibitors (chelerythrine, bisindolylmaleide I and calphostin C), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) with PD98059 and heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) with geldanamycin and radicicol significantly attenuated the protective effects of NaHS. Western blots showed that NaHS significantly stimulated ERK1/2 activation and Hsp90 expression. In conclusion, H(2)S exerts a protective effect against cerebral hypoxia induced neuronal cell death via K(ATP)/PKC/ERK1/2/Hsp90 pathway. Our findings emphasize the important neuroprotective role of H(2)S in the brain during cerebral hypoxia.

Dexamethasone ameliorates renal ischemia-reperfusion injury

In the setting of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), the effect and mechanism of action of glucocorticoids are not well understood. In rat renal IRI, a single dose of dexamethasone administered before ischemia, or at the onset of reperfusion, ameliorated biochemical and histologic acute kidney injury after 24 h. Dexamethasone upregulated Bcl-xL, downregulated ischemia-induced Bax, inhibited caspase-9 and caspase-3 activation, and reduced apoptosis and necrosis of proximal tubular cells. In addition, dexamethasone decreased the number of infiltrating neutrophils and ICAM-1. We observed the protective effect of dexamethasone in neutrophil-depleted mice, suggesting a neutrophil-independent mechanism. In vitro, dexamethasone protected human kidney proximal tubular (HK-2) cells during serum starvation and IRI-induced apoptosis, but inhibition of MEK 1/2 abolished its anti-apoptotic effects in these conditions. Dexamethasone stimulated rapid and transient phosphorylation of ERK 1/2, which required the presence of the glucocorticoid receptor and was independent of transcriptional activity. In summary, in the setting of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury, dexamethasone directly protects against kidney injury by a receptor-dependent, nongenomic mechanism.

BRAFV600E mutation in papillary thyroid carcinoma: a potential target for therapy?

This article reviews the therapeutic significance of the close genotype-phenotype association in papillary thyroid carcinoma, namely regarding the association between genetic alterations in RET, BRAF or RAS genes and the histopathological variants of papillary thyroid carcinoma. Based upon the aforementioned review on morphology and molecular pathology, the most recent prognostic and therapeutic data are reviewed and the role of targeted therapies, namely those interfering with BRAF-activated pathways are discussed, which may play a role in the treatment of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma unresponsive to radioactive iodine.

MAP3Ks as central regulators of cell fate during development

The cytoplasmic serine/threonine kinases transduce extracellular signals into regulatory events that impact cellular responses. The induction of one kinase triggers the activation of several downstream kinases, leading to the regulation of transcription factors to affect gene function. This arrangement allows for the kinase cascade to be amplified, and integrated according to the cellular context. An upstream mitogen or growth factor signal initiates a module of three kinases: a mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK; e.g., Raf) that phosphorylates and activates a MAP kinase kinase (MAPKK; e.g., MEK) and finally activation of MAP kinase (MAPK; e.g., ERK). Thus, this MAP3K-MAP2K-MAPK module represents critical effectors that regulate extracellular stimuli into cellular responses, such as differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis all of which function during development. There are 21 characterized MAP3Ks that activate known MAP2Ks, and they function in many aspects of developmental biology. This review summarizes known transduction routes linked to each MAP3K and highlights mouse models that provide clues to their physiological functions. This perspective reveals that some of these MAP3K effectors may have redundant functions, and also serve as unique nexus depending on the context of the signaling pathway.

How molecular pathology is changing and will change the therapeutics of patients with follicular cell-derived thyroid cancer: Table 1

Well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas comprise two well-defined histological types: papillary and follicular (PTCs and FTCs, respectively). Despite being derived from the same cell (thyroid follicular cell), these two types of tumour accumulate distinct genetic abnormalities during progression. The molecular pathology of thyroid cancer is now better understood because of our ability to identify RET/PTC rearrangements and BRAF mutations in the aetiopathogenesis of the large majority of PTCs and the high prevalence of RAS mutations and PAX8/PPARγ rearrangements in follicular patterned carcinomas (FTCs and follicular variant of PTCs). This review summarises most of the molecular alterations currently used as targets for new biological treatments and looks at some of the changes that are already occurring or may occur in the treatment of patients with thyroid cancer. For simplicity, the review is divided up according to the major genetic alterations identified in well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas (RET/PTC rearrangements, BRAF mutations, RAS mutations and mitochondrial DNA deletions and mutations) and their respective treatments.

Chaperones in cell cycle regulation and mitogenic signal transduction: a review

Chaperones/heat shock proteins (HSPs) of the HSP90 and HSP70 families show elevated levels in proliferating mammalian cells and a cell cycle-dependent expression. They transiently associate with key molecules of the cell cycle control system such as Cdk4, Wee-1, pRb, p53, p27/Kip1 and are involved in the nuclear localization of regulatory proteins. They also associate with viral oncoproteins such as SV40 super T, large T and small t antigen, polyoma large and middle S antigen and EpsteinBarr virus nuclear antigen. This association is based on a J-domain in the viral proteins and may assist their targeting to the pRb/E2F complex. Small HSPs and their state of phosphorylation and oligomerization also seem to be involved in proliferation and differentiation. Chaperones/HSPs thus play important roles within cell cycle processes. Their exact functioning, however, is still a matter of discussion. HSP90 in particular, but also HSP70 and other chaperones associate with proteins of the mitogen-activated signal cascade, particularly with the Src kinase, with tyrosine receptor kinases, with Raf and the MAP-kinase activating kinase (MEK). This apparently serves the folding and translocation of these proteins, but possibly also the formation of large immobilized complexes of signal transducing molecules (scaffolding function).

The protein kinases ERK1/2 and their roles in pancreatic beta cells

Extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) activities are modulated in a manner that reflects the secretory demand on beta cells to integrate long- and short-term nutrient sensing information. Our studies have focused on the mechanisms of ERK1/2 activation in beta cells and on the actions of ERK1/2 that regulate beta cell function. Insulin and growth factors regulate ERK1/2 in beta cells in a largely calcium-independent manner. Nutrients and anticipatory hormones, in contrast, activate ERK1/2 in a calcium-dependent manner in these cells. We are exploring the key intermediates in these distinct activation pathways and find that calcineurin is essential for the nutrient pathway but is not essential for the growth factor pathway. Using reporter assays, heterologous reconstitution, electrophoretic mobility shift assays, Northern analysis, Q-PCR and chromatin immunoprecipitation, we have examined several genes that are regulated by ERK1/2, primarily the insulin gene and the apoptotic factor C/EBP-homologous protein (CHOP)-10 (GADD153/DDIT-3), a bZIP protein. ERK1/2-sensitive transcriptional regulators common to these two genes are C/EBP-beta and MafA. The insulin promoter is both positively and negatively regulated by glucose and other nutrients. Exposure to glucose for minutes to hours causes an increase in the rate of insulin gene transcription. In contrast, exposure to elevated glucose for 48 h or more results in inhibition of the insulin gene promoter. Both of these processes depend on ERK1/2 activity. Expression of CHOP is induced by stresses including nutrient deprivation and endoplasmic reticulum stress. CHOP gene expression, especially that regulated by nutrients, is also ERK1/2-dependent in beta cells, These studies support the hypothesis that the genes regulated by ERK1/2 and the mechanisms employed are key to maintaining normal beta cell function.

A proteomic approach towards the Hsp90-dependent ubiquitinylated proteome

Since many Hsp90 client proteins are key players in tumour pathways, the ubiquitylation and subsequent degradation of Hsp90-substrates as a consequence of pharmacologically inhibiting Hsp90 represents an innovative approach for cancer therapy. We therefore identified Hsp90-binding proteins which accumulated as ubiquityl-tagged aggregates in the detergent insoluble fraction of HeLa cells as a consequence of simultaneously inhibiting Hsp90 and the proteasome. 2-DE followed by nanoLC-MS/MS of trypsinised protein spots provided the Hsp90-dependent ubiquitylated proteome which was finally annotated and functionally classified. The overall picture thus obtained emphasised the well-established role of Hsp90 in stabilising proteins involved in gene transcription and signal transduction. It also provided a novel Hsp90-related link to metabolic pathways as the inhibition of Hsp90 caused the ubiquitylation of a significant amount of metabolic enzymes. These findings serve to support cumulating indications which attribute Hsp90 to diverse stabilising functions beyond signal transduction and gene transcription.

Targeting the PI3K and MAPK pathways to treat Kaposi's-sarcoma-associated herpes virus infection and pathogenesis

Cells require the ability to appropriately respond to signals in their extracellular environment. To initiate, inhibit and control these processes, the cell has developed a complex network of signaling cascades. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways regulate several responses including mitosis, apoptosis, motility, proliferation, differentiation and many others. It is not surprising, therefore, that many viruses target the PI3K and MAPK pathways as a means to manipulate cellular function. Recently, Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes virus (KSHV) has been added to the list. KSHV manipulates the PI3K and MAPK pathways to control such divergent processes as cell survival, cellular migration, immune responses, and to control its own reactivation and lytic replication. Manipulation of the PI3K and MAPK pathways also plays a role in malignant transformation. Here, the authors review the potential to target the PI3K and MAPK signaling pathways to inhibit KSHV infection and pathogenesis.

STAT3 and MAPK signaling maintain overexpression of heat shock proteins 90alpha and beta in multiple myeloma cells, which critically contribute to tumor-cell survival

The combined blockade of the IL-6R/STAT3 and the MAPK signaling pathways has been shown to inhibit bone marrow microenvironment (BMM)-mediated survival of multiple myeloma (MM) cells. Here, we identify the molecular chaperones heat shock proteins (Hsp) 90alpha and beta as target genes of both pathways. The siRNA-mediated knockdown of Hsp90 or treatment with the novel Hsp90 inhibitor 17-DMAG attenuated the levels of STAT3 and phospho-ERK and decreased the viability of MM cells. Although knockdown of Hsp90beta-unlike knockdown of Hsp90alpha-was sufficient to induce apoptosis, this effect was strongly increased when both Hsp90s were targeted, indicating a cooperation of both. Given the importance of the BMM for drug resistance and MM-cell survival, apoptosis induced by Hsp90 inhibition was not mitigated in the presence of bone marrow stromal cells, osteoclasts, or endothelial cells. These observations suggest that a positive feedback loop consisting of Hsp90alpha/beta and major signaling pathways supports the survival of MM cells. Finally, in situ overexpression of both Hsp90 proteins was observed in most MMs but not in monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) or in normal plasma cells. Our results underpin a role for Hsp90alpha and beta in MM pathogenesis.

Targeting Raf-kinase: molecular rationales and translational issues

Target-based therapy has been a promising anti-cancer strategy in the preclinical setting, but its efficacy is still limited in clinical practice. The latter was probably due to the lack of identification of molecular targets in order to predict clinical response and for the existence of multiple survival compensatory downstream pathways. Therefore, the use of downstream targets could be useful in order to avoid these overcoming pathways. One of these targets is Raf-kinase. In this review we describe the structure and functions of the components of Raf-kinase family and their relevance in proliferation and survival of tumor cells. Moreover, we illustrate the signal transduction pathways regulated by Raf-kinases. The main preclinical and clinical results obtained with the use of the Raf-kinase inhibitor BAY 43-9006 or sorafenib are also described. The multi-target function of sorafenib is also explained and the disclosure of new therapeutic opportunities based on the dual inhibition of cancer proliferation and neo-angiogenesis is discussed. In conclusion, Raf-kinase appears an appealing therapeutic target, even it other preclinical and clinical studies are warranted in order to evaluate the activity of sorafenib both in monotherapy and in combination with other agents.

Raf: A Strategic Target for Therapeutic Development Against Cancer

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway plays a critical role in transmitting proliferative signals generated by cell surface receptors and cytoplasmic signaling elements to the nucleus. Several important signaling elements of the MAPK pathway, particularly Ras and Raf, are encoded by oncogenes, and as such, their structures and functions can be modified, rendering them constitutively active. Because the MAPK pathway is dysregulated in a notable proportion of human malignancies, many of its aberrant and critical components represent strategic targets for therapeutic development against cancer. Raf, which is an essential serine/threonine kinase constituent of the MAPK pathway and a downstream effector of the central signal transduction mediator Ras, is activated in a wide range of human malignancies by aberrant signaling upstream of the protein (eg, growth factor receptors and mutant Ras) and activating mutations of the protein itself, both of which confer a proliferative advantage. Three isoforms of Raf have been identified, and therapeutics targeting Raf, including small-molecule inhibitors and antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotides (ASON), are undergoing clinical evaluation. The outcomes of these investigations may have far-reaching implications in the management of many types of human cancer. This review outlines the structure and diverse functions of Raf, the rationale for targeting Raf as a therapeutic strategy against cancer, and the present status of various therapeutic approaches including ASONs and small molecules, particularly sorafenib (BAY 43-9006).

Distinct signalling particles containing ERK/MEK and B-Raf in PC12 cells

Although several multiprotein complexes containing MAPKs (mitogen-activated protein kinases) have been identified using overexpression of kinases and scaffold proteins, the components of the complexes and their physical properties at endogenous expression levels have not been defined. We characterized a large protein complex containing a nerve-growth-factor-activated ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase) and MEK (MAPK/ERK kinase) in rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. This protein complex fractionated into a high-speed pellet and was resistant to non-ionic detergent treatments that solubilized membranes. Disruption of protein-protein interactions by treatment with high salt was required to facilitate immunoprecipitation of active ERK1 and co-precipitation of MEK1. Microtubule fragments were also present in the detergent-resistant high-speed pellet, and some kinases were bound to them, especially ERK1b (an alternatively spliced isoform of ERK1), which showed a strong preference for binding microtubules. The large protein complex containing ERK1 and MEK1 was resolved by velocity sedimentation from fragments of microtubules; however, it did not contain other scaffolding components known to bind ERK and MEK. B-Raf was also present in a distinct detergent-resistant, microtubule-independent protein complex slightly larger than that containing ERK and MEK. We conclude that there are two independent nerve growth factor-regulated 'signalling particles' with an estimated size of 60-75 S, one containing ERK1 and MEK1 and the other containing B-Raf. These signalling particles may have a role in the temporal and spatial regulation of kinase activity inside cells.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase mediates purinergic-enhanced nerve growth factor-induced neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells

In 1999, we reported new observations that several compounds, including ATP, enhance neurite expression in PC12 cells when coapplied with nerve growth factor (NGF). Because purinergic and NGF signaling have several potential interfaces in PC12 cells, a series of experiments was conducted to elucidate the signal mediators contributing to the enhancement. Activities of selected kinases were measured and Western blots evaluated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) active and nonactive isoforms in lysates of the treated PC12 cells. In terms of purinergic potency, ATP and beta,gamma-methylene ATP elicited the greatest neurite-enhancing effect, whereas adenosine and alpha,beta-methylene ATP elicited the smallest. The effectiveness of a nonhydrolyzable analog such as beta,gamma-methylene ATP indicates that a nonmetabolic process is responsible. In response to ATP, NGF, or NGF + ATP, MAPK activity (measured by 32P incorporation) was maximal within 2 hr and remained statistically elevated over control levels throughout the 24 hr monitored. At maximal 32P incorporation, MAPK activity in response to ATP, NGF, and NGF + ATP was two-, four-, and sixfold higher, respectively, than control values; the observed increase was qualitatively confirmed using Western blots. Short-term inhibition experiments with protein kinase C and MAPK indicated that MAPK transduces the enhancing signal. We conclude from these experiments that ATP coapplied with NGF increases PC12 neurite expression by elevation of MAPK activity, likely by P2 receptor activation, and suggest that combination therapies with NGF and its enhancing adjunct compounds may be plausible for certain degenerative neurological disorders.

Geldanamycin, a potent and specific inhibitor of Hsp90, inhibits gene expression and replication of human cytomegalovirus

The effect of geldanamycin (GA), a specific inhibitor of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), on gene expression and replication of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) was studied in human embryonic lung (HEL) fibroblasts. Kinetic analysis indicated that GA delayed synthesis of major immediate early (MIE), early and late viral proteins, and blocked a second tier of the synthesis of these proteins that occurred in untreated cells after 48 h post-infection (pi). Moreover, when HCMV-infected HEL cells were maintained with medium containing 40 nM GA for 6 days, with medium changes at 2-day intervals, the virus yield was reduced to an undetectable level. On a molecular level, the cellular kinase Akt and the transcription factor NFkappaB were activated in HCMV-infected cells within 30 min pi. NFkappaB was shown to be essential for MIE gene expression. However, in GA-treated cells, activation of both Akt and NFkappaB was greatly inhibited. Because LY294002, an inhibitor of cellular phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K), also prohibited HCMV-mediated activation of Akt and NFkappaB and synthesis of the MIE proteins, PI3-K signalling was necessary for expressing the MIE genes. These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of GA on HCMV replication is primarily caused by the disruption of the PI3-K signalling pathway, leading to the activation of NFkappaB, which plays a crucial role in expression of the critical MIE genes.

Targeting multiple signal transduction pathways through inhibition of Hsp90

The multichaperone heat shock protein (Hsp) 90 complex mediates the maturation and stability of a variety of proteins, many of which are crucial in oncogenesis, including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R), Her-2, AKT, Raf, p53, and cdk4. These proteins are referred to as "clients" of Hsp90. Under unstressed conditions these proteins form complexes with Hsp90 and the cochaperones to attain their active conformations or enhance stability. Inhibition of Hsp90 function disrupts the complex and leads to degradation of client proteins in a proteasome-dependent manner. This results in simultaneous interruption of many signal transduction pathways pivotal to tumor progression and survival. Based on the unique role of the Hsp90 complex, extensive effort has been made in identifying Hsp90 inhibitors. Several compounds have been shown to inhibit Hsp90 in vitro and in vivo and the most advanced, 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (AAG), is in phase I/II clinical trials. Recent findings with 17-AAG indicate that tumor cells utilize Hsp90 quite differently from normal cells, explaining the selectivity of the drug and suggesting a central role of Hsp90 in malignant progression. Thus these small molecule inhibitors have proved not only to be of great value in identifying new Hsp90 client proteins and in understanding the biology of Hsp90 but are also promising therapeutics in a variety of tumors.

Hsp70 and Hsp90--a relay team for protein folding

Molecular chaperones are a functionally defined set of proteins which assist the structure formation of proteins in vivo. Without certain protective mechanisms, such as binding nascent polypeptide chains by molecular chaperones, cellular protein concentrations would lead to misfolding and aggregation. In the mammalian system, the molecular chaperones Hsp70 and Hsp90 are involved in the folding and maturation of key regulatory proteins, like steroid hormone receptors, transcription factors, and kinases, some of which are involved in cancer progression. Hsp70 and Hsp90 form a multichaperone complex, in which both are connected by a third protein called Hop. The connection of and the interplay between the two chaperone machineries is of crucial importance for cell viability. This review provides a detailed view of the Hsp70 and Hsp90 machineries, their cofactors and their mode of regulation. It summarizes the current knowledge in the field, including the ATP-dependent regulation of the Hsp70/Hsp90 multichaperone cycle and elucidates the complex interplay and their synergistic interaction.

Identification of novel ERK-mediated feedback phosphorylation sites at the C-terminus of B-Raf

The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway plays an important role during the development and activation of B lymphocytes. We have recently shown that B-Raf is a dominant ERK activator in B-cell antigen receptor signalling. We now show that B-Raf is hyperphosphorylated upon BCR engagement and undergoes a prominent electrophoretic mobility shift. This shift correlates with ERK activation and is prevented by the MEK inhibitor U0126. Syk-deficient DT40 B cells display neither dual ERK phosphorylation nor a mobility shift of B-Raf upon BCR engagement. The inducible expression of a constitutively active B-Raf in this mutant line restores dual ERK phosphorylation and the mobility shift of endogenous B-Raf, indicating that these two events are connected to each other. By site-directed mutagenesis studies, we demonstrate that the shift is due to an ERK2-mediated feedback phosphorylation of serine/threonine residues within an evolutionary conserved SPKTP motif at the C-terminus of B-Raf. Replacement of these residues by negatively charged amino acids causes a constitutive mobility shift and a reduction of PC12 cell differentiation. We discuss a model in which ERK-mediated phosphorylation of the SPKTP motif is involved in negative feedback regulation of B-Raf.

Phospholipase Activity of Phospholipase C-γ1 Is Required for Nerve Growth Factor-regulated MAP Kinase Signaling Cascade in PC12 Cells

Phospholipase C-gamma1 (PLC-gamma1) hydrolyzes phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate to the second messengers inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and diacylglycerol (DAG). PLC-gamma1 is implicated in a variety of cellular signalings and processes including mitogenesis and calcium entry. However, numerous studies demonstrate that the lipase activity is not required for PLC-gamma1 to mediate these events. Here, we report that the phospholipase activity of PLC-gamma1 plays an essential role in nerve growth factor (NGF)-triggered Raf/MEK/MAPK pathway activation in PC12 cells. Employing PC12 cells stably transfected with an inducible form of wild-type PLC-gamma1 or lipase inactive PLC-gamma1 with histidine 335 mutated into glutamine in the catalytic domain, we show that NGF provokes robust activation of MAP kinase in wild-type but not in lipase inactive cells. Both Ras/C-Raf/MEK1 and Rap1/B-Raf/MEK1 pathways are intact in the wild-type cells. By contrast, these signaling cascades are diminished in the mutant cells. Pretreatment with cell permeable DAG analog 1-oleyl-2-acetylglycerol rescues the MAP kinase pathway activation in the mutant cells. These observations indicate that the lipase activity of PLC-gamma1 mediates NGF-regulated MAPK signaling upstream of Ras/Rap1 activation probably through second messenger DAG-activated Ras and Rap-GEFs.

Mutation of B-Raf in human choroidal melanoma cells mediates cell proliferation and transformation through the MEK/ERK pathway

The BRAF gene, encoding a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase, is mutated in several human cancers, with the highest incidence occurring in cutaneous melanoma. The activating V599E mutation accounted for 80% of all mutations detected in cutaneous melanoma cell lines. Reconstitution experiments have shown that this mutation increases ectopically expressed B-Raf kinase activity and induces NIH3T3 cell transformation. Here we used tumor-derived cell lines to characterize the activity of endogenous mutated B-Raf protein and assess its specific role in transformation. We show that three cell lines (OCM-1, MKT-BR, and SP-6.5) derived from human choroidal melanoma, the most frequent primary ocular neoplasm in humans, express B-Raf containing the V599E mutation. These melanoma cells showed a 10-fold increase in endogenous B-RafV599E kinase activity and a constitutive activation of the MEK/ERK pathway that is independent of Ras. This, as well as melanoma cell proliferation, was strongly diminished by siRNA-mediated depletion of the mutant B-Raf protein. Moreover, blocking B-RafV599E-induced ERK activation by different experimental approaches significantly reduced cell proliferation and anchorage-independent growth of melanoma cells. Finally, quantitative immunoblot analysis allowed us to identify signaling and cell cycle proteins that are differentially expressed between normal melanocytes and melanoma cells. Although the expression of signaling molecules was not sensitive to U0126 in melanoma cells, the expression of a cluster of cell cycle proteins remained regulated by the B-RafV599E/MEK/ERK pathway. Our results pinpoint this pathway as an important component in choroidal melanoma cell lines.

Raf proteins and cancer: B-Raf is identified as a mutational target

A recent report has shown that activating mutations in the BRAF gene are present in a large percentage of human malignant melanomas and in a proportion of colon cancers. The vast majority of these mutations represent a single nucleotide change of T-A at nucleotide 1796 resulting in a valine to glutamic acid change at residue 599 within the activation segment of B-Raf. This exciting new discovery is the first time that a direct association between any RAF gene and human cancer has been reported. Raf proteins are also indirectly associated with cancer as effectors of activated Ras proteins, oncogenic forms of which are present in approximately one-third of all human cancers. BRAF and RAS mutations are rarely both present in the same cancers but the cancer types with BRAF mutations are similar to those with RAS mutations. This has been taken as evidence that the inappropriate regulation of the downstream ERKs (the p42/p44 MAP kinases) is a major contributing factor in the development of these cancers. Recent studies in mice with targeted mutations of the raf genes have confirmed that B-Raf is a far stronger activator of ERKs than its better studied Raf-1 homologue, even in cell types in which the protein is barely expressed. The explanation for this lies in a number of key differences in the regulation of B-Raf and Raf-1 activity. Constitutive phosphorylation of serine 445 of B-Raf leads to this protein having a higher basal kinase activity than Raf-1. Phosphorylation of threonine 598 and serine 601 within the activation loop of B-Raf at the plasma membrane also regulates its activity. The V599E mutation is thought to mimic these phosphorylations, resulting in a protein with high activity, leading to constitutive ERK activation. B-Raf now provides a critical new target to which drugs for treating malignant melanoma can be developed and, with this in mind, it is now important to gain clear insight into the biochemical properties of this relatively little characterised protein.

Regulation of signaling protein function and trafficking by the hsp90/hsp70-based chaperone machinery

Nearly 100 proteins are known to be regulated by hsp90. Most of these substrates or "client proteins" are involved in signal transduction, and they are brought into complex with hsp90 by a multiprotein hsp90/hsp70-based chaperone machinery. In addition to binding substrate proteins at the chaperone site(s), hsp90 binds cofactors at other sites that are part of the heterocomplex assembly machinery as well as immunophilins that connect assembled substrate*hsp90 complexes to protein-trafficking systems. In the 5 years since we last reviewed this subject, much has been learned about hsp90 structure, nucleotide-binding, and cochaperone interactions; the most important concept is that ATP hydrolysis by an intrinsic ATPase activity results in a conformational change in hsp90 that is required to induce conformational change in a substrate protein. The conformational change induced in steroid receptors is an opening of the steroid-binding cleft so that it can be accessed by steroid. We have now developed a minimal system of five purified proteins-hsp90, hsp70, Hop, hsp40, and p23- that assembles stable receptor*hsp90 heterocomplexes. An hsp90*Hop*hsp70*hsp40 complex opens the cleft in an ATP-dependent process to produce a receptor*hsp90 heterocomplex with hsp90 in its ATP-bound conformation, and p23 then interacts with the hsp90 to stabilize the complex. Stepwise assembly experiments have shown that hsp70 and hsp40 first interact with the receptor in an ATP-dependent reaction to produce a receptor*hsp70*hsp40 complex that is "primed" to be activated to the steroid-binding state in a second ATP-dependent step with hsp90, Hop, and p23. Successful use of the five-protein system with other substrates indicates that it can assemble signal protein*hsp90 heterocomplexes whether the substrate is a receptor, a protein kinase, or a transcription factor. This purified system should facilitate understanding of how eukaryotic hsp70 and hsp90 work together as essential components of a process that alters the conformations of substrate proteins to states that respond in signal transduction.

To die or not to die for neurons in ischemia, traumatic brain injury and epilepsy: a review on the stress-activated signaling pathways and apoptotic pathways

After a severe episode of ischemia, traumatic brain injury (TBI) or epilepsy, it is typical to find necrotic cell death within the injury core. In addition, a substantial number of neurons in regions surrounding the injury core have been observed to die via the programmed cell death (PCD) pathways due to secondary effects derived from the various types of insults. Apart from the cell loss in the injury core, cell death in regions surrounding the injury core may also contribute to significant losses in neurological functions. In fact, it is the injured neurons in these regions around the injury core that treatments are targeting to preserve. In this review, we present our cumulated understanding of stress-activated signaling pathways and apoptotic pathways in the research areas of ischemic injury, TBI and epilepsy and that gathered from concerted research efforts in oncology and other diseases. However, it is obvious that our understanding of these pathways in the context of acute brain injury is at its infancy stage and merits further investigation. Hopefully, this added research effort will provide a more detailed knowledge from which better therapeutic strategies can be developed to treat these acute brain injuries.

Raf and akt mediate distinct aspects of sensory axon growth

Nerve growth factor (NGF) induces dramatic axon growth from responsive embryonic peripheral neurons. However, the roles of the various NGF-triggered signaling cascades in determining specific axon morphological features remain unknown. Here, we transfected activated and inhibitory mutants of Trk effectors into sensory neurons lacking the proapoptotic protein Bax. This allowed axon growth to be studied in the absence of NGF, enabling us to observe the contributions of individual signaling mediators. While Ras was both necessary and sufficient for NGF-stimulated axon growth, the Ras effectors Raf and Akt induced distinct morphologies. Activated Raf-1 caused axon lengthening comparable to NGF, while active Akt increased axon caliber and branching. Our results suggest that the different Trk effector pathways mediate distinct morphological aspects of developing neurons.

ATP-inhibition of M current in frog sympathetic neurons involves phospholipase C but not Ins P(3), Ca(2+), PKC, or Ras

Suppression of the voltage-activated, noninactivating K(+) conductance (M conductance; g(M)) by muscarinic agonists, P(2Y) agonists or bradykinin increases neuronal excitability. All agonist effects are mediated, at least in part, via the Gq/(11) class of G protein. We found, using whole cell or perforated patch recording from bullfrog sympathetic B neurons that ATP-induced suppression of g(M) was attenuated by the phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor, U73122 (IC(50) approximately 0.14 microM) but not by the inactive isomer, U73343. The ability of extracellularly applied U73122 to inhibit PLC was confirmed by its antagonism of ATP-induced elevation of intracellular Ca(2+) as measured by fura-2 photometry. ATP-induced g(M) suppression was not antagonized by the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, chelerythrine (5 microM extracellular +10 microM intracellular), by the Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor, thapsigargin (5 microM), or by inositol trisphosphate (InsP(3)) receptor antagonists, heparin (approximaterly 300 microM) or xestospongin C (1.8 microM). The effect of ATP on g(M) was thus dependent on PLC yet independent of PKC and of InsP(3)-induced release of intracellular Ca(2+). We therefore tested the involvement of a PKC-independent action of diacylglycerol (DAG) that could occur via activation of Ras. This low-molecular-weight G protein is activated following DAG binding to Ras-GRP, a neuronal Ras-GTP exchange factor. However, impairment of Ras function by culturing neurons with isoprenylation inhibitors (perillic acid, 0.1 mM, or alpha-hydroxyfarnesyl-phosphonic acid, 10 microM) failed to affect ATP-induced g(M) suppression. Inhibition of MEK (mitogen-activated protein kinase), a downstream target of Ras, by using PD 98059 (10 microM) was also ineffective. The transduction mechanism used by ATP to suppress g(M) in frog sympathetic neurons therefore differs from the PLC-independent mechanism used by muscarine and from the PLC and Ca(2+)-dependent mechanism used by bradykinin and UTP in mammalian ganglia. The possibility remains that "lipid-signaling" mechanisms, perhaps involving PLC-induced depletion of phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate, are involved in PLC-mediated inhibition of g(M) by ATP in amphibian sympathetic neurons.

Estradiol-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in explants of the mouse cerebral cortex: the roles of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) and MEK2

Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to identify the cells within organotypic slice cultures of the developing mouse cerebral cortex that respond to estradiol treatment by phosphorylation of ERK1 and ERK2. Estrogen-responsive cells resembled neurons morphologically and expressed the neuronal marker microtubule-associated protein 2B. The intracellular distribution of the phospho-ERK signal was both cytoplasmic and nuclear, but inhibition of protein synthesis abolished the appearance of the nuclear signal. ERK1and ERK2 also coimmunoprecipitated with heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) in the cerebral cortical explants. Geldanamycin effectively disrupted this association and prevented ERK phosphorylation. Surprisingly, MEK2 but not MEK1 was the principal mediator of estradiol-induced activation of ERK. Our data demonstrate the requirement for Hsp90 in estrogen-induced activation of ERK1 and ERK2 by MEK2 in the developing mouse cerebral cortex and also provide insight into alternative mechanisms by which estradiol may influence cytoplasmic and nuclear events in responsive neurons via the MAP kinase cascade.

Identification of the mechanisms regulating the differential activation of the mapk cascade by epidermal growth factor and nerve growth factor in PC12 cells

In PC12 cells, epidermal growth factor (EGF) transiently stimulates the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, ERK1 and ERK2, and provokes cellular proliferation. In contrast, nerve growth factor (NGF) stimulation leads to the sustained activation of the MAPKs and subsequently to neuronal differentiation. It has been shown that both the magnitude and longevity of MAPK activation governs the nature of the cellular response. The activations of MAPKs are dependent upon two distinct small G-proteins, Ras and Rap1, that link the growth factor receptors to the MAPK cascade by activating c-Raf and B-Raf, respectively. We found that Ras was transiently stimulated upon both EGF and NGF treatment of PC12 cells. However, EGF transiently activated Rap1, whereas NGF stimulated prolonged Rap1 activation. The activation of the ERKs was due almost exclusively (>90%) to the action of B-Raf. The transient activation of the MAPKs by EGF was a consequence of the formation of a short lived complex assembling on the EGF receptor itself, composed of Crk, C3G, Rap1, and B-Raf. In contrast, NGF stimulation of the cells resulted in the phosphorylation of FRS2. FRS2 scaffolded the assembly of a stable complex of Crk, C3G, Rap1, and B-Raf resulting in the prolonged activation of the MAPKs. Together, these data provide a signaling link between growth factor receptors and MAPK activation and a mechanistic explanation of the differential MAPK kinetics exhibited by these growth factors.

Differentiation therapy of human cancer: basic science and clinical applications

Current cancer therapies are highly toxic and often nonspecific. A potentially less toxic approach to treating this prevalent disease employs agents that modify cancer cell differentiation, termed 'differentiation therapy.' This approach is based on the tacit assumption that many neoplastic cell types exhibit reversible defects in differentiation, which upon appropriate treatment, results in tumor reprogramming and a concomitant loss in proliferative capacity and induction of terminal differentiation or apoptosis (programmed cell death). Laboratory studies that focus on elucidating mechanisms of action are demonstrating the effectiveness of 'differentiation therapy,' which is now beginning to show translational promise in the clinical setting.

Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathways: regulation and physiological functions

Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases comprise a family of ubiquitous proline-directed, protein-serine/threonine kinases, which participate in signal transduction pathways that control intracellular events including acute responses to hormones and major developmental changes in organisms. MAP kinases lie in protein kinase cascades. This review discusses the regulation and functions of mammalian MAP kinases. Nonenzymatic mechanisms that impact MAP kinase functions and findings from gene disruption studies are highlighted. Particular emphasis is on ERK1/2.

Thrombopoietin-mediated sustained activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase in UT7-Mpl cells requires both Ras-Raf-1- and Rap1-B-Raf-dependent pathways

Thrombopoietin (TPO) regulates growth and differentiation of megakaryocytes. We previously showed that extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) are required for TPO-mediated full megakaryocytic maturation in both normal progenitors and a megakaryoblastic cell line (UT7) expressing the TPO receptor (Mpl). In these cells, intensity and duration of TPO-induced ERK signal are controlled by several regions of the cytoplasmic domain of Mpl. In this study, we explored the signaling pathways involved in this control. We show that the small GTPases Ras and Rap1 contribute together to TPO-induced ERK activation in UT7-Mpl cells and that they do so by activating different Raf kinases as downstream effectors: a Ras-Raf-1 pathway is required to initiate ERK activation while Rap1 sustains this signal through B-Raf. Indeed, (i) in cells expressing wild-type or mutant Mpl, TPO-induced Ras and Rap1 activation correlates with early and sustained phases of ERK signal, respectively; (ii) interfering mutants of Ras and Rap1 both inhibit ERK kinase activity and ERK-dependent Elk1 transcriptional activation in response to TPO; (iii) the kinetics of activation of Raf-1 and B-Raf by TPO follow those of Ras and Rap1, respectively; (iv) RasV12-mediated Elk1 activation was modulated by the wild type or interfering mutants of Raf-1 but not those of B-Raf; (v) Elk1 activation mediated by a constitutively active mutant of Rap1 (Rap1V12) is potentiated by B-Raf and inhibited by an interfering mutant of this kinase. UT7-Mpl cells represent the second cellular model in which Ras and Rap1 act in concert to modulate the duration of ERK signal in response to a growth factor and thereby the differentiation program. This is also, to our knowledge, the first evidence suggesting that Rap1 may play an active role in megakaryocytic maturation.

A differential role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase in stimulated PC12 pheochromocytoma cell movement

Rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells have been widely used as a cell system for study of growth factor-stimulated cell functions. We report here that nerve growth factor (NGF) stimulated both chemotaxis (directional migration) and chemokinesis (random migration) of PC12 cells. Treatment with a MEK1/2-specific inhibitor (PD98059) or expression of a dominant negative variant of Ras differentially inhibited NGF-stimulated chemotaxis but not chemokinesis of PC12 cells. Priming of PC12 cells with NGF resulted in reduced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation and loss of chemotactic, but not chemokinetic, response. In addition, NGF stimulation of ERK is known to involve an early transient phase of activation followed by a late sustained phase of activation; in contrast, epidermal growth factor (EGF) elicits only early transient ERK activation. We observed that like NGF, EGF also stimulated both chemotaxis and chemokinesis, and treatment with PD98059 abolished the EGF-stimulated chemotaxis. Therefore, the early transient phase of ERK activation functioned in signaling chemotaxis; the late sustained phase of ERK activation did not seem to have an essential role. In addition, our results suggested that chemotactic signaling required a threshold level of ERK activation; at below threshold level of ERK activation, chemotaxis would not occur.

Meaningful relationships: the regulation of the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway by protein interactions

The Ras/Raf/MEK (mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK kinase)/ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase) pathway is at the heart of signalling networks that govern proliferation, differentiation and cell survival. Although the basic regulatory steps have been elucidated, many features of this pathway are only beginning to emerge. This review focuses on the role of protein-protein interactions in the regulation of this pathway, and how they contribute to co-ordinate activation steps, subcellular redistribution, substrate phosphorylation and cross-talk with other signalling pathways.