Association of the transmembrane TGF-alpha precursor with a protein kinase complex

Sequential and gamma-secretase-dependent processing of the betacellulin precursor generates a palmitoylated intracellular-domain fragment that inhibits cell growth

Betacellulin (BTC) belongs to the family of epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like growth factors that are expressed as transmembrane precursors and undergo proteolytic ectodomain shedding to release soluble mature ligands. BTC is a dual-specificity ligand for ErbB1 and ErbB4 receptors, and can activate unique signal-transduction pathways that are beneficial for the function, survival and regeneration of pancreatic beta-cells. We have previously shown that BTC precursor (proBTC) is cleaved by ADAM10 to generate soluble ligand and a stable, transmembrane remnant (BTC-CTF). In this study, we analyzed the fate of the BTC-CTF in greater detail. We demonstrated that proBTC is cleaved by ADAM10 to produce BTC-CTF, which then undergoes intramembrane processing by presenilin-1- and/or presenilin-2-dependent gamma-secretase to generate an intracellular-domain fragment (BTC-ICD). We found that the proBTC cytoplasmic domain is palmitoylated and that palmitoylation is not required for ADAM10-dependent cleavage but is necessary for the stability and gamma-secretase-dependent processing of BTC-CTF to generate BTC-ICD. Additionally, palmitoylation is required for nuclear-membrane localization of BTC-ICD, as demonstrated by the redistribution of non-palmitoylated BTC-ICD mutant to the nucleoplasm. Importantly, a novel receptor-independent role for BTC-ICD signaling is suggested by the ability of BTC-ICD to inhibit cell growth in vitro.

The cytoplasmic domain of proEGF negatively regulates motility and elastinolytic activity in thyroid carcinoma cells

The intracellular domains of the membrane-anchoring regions of some precursors of epidermal growth factor (EGF) family members have intrinsic biologic activities. We have determined the role of the human proEGF cytoplasmic domain (proEGFcyt) as part of the proEGF transmembrane-anchored region (proEGFctF) in the regulation of motility and elastinolytic invasion in human thyroid cancer cells. We found proEGFctF to act as a negative regulator of motility and elastin matrix penetration and the presence of proEGFcyt or proEGF22.23 resulted in a similar reduction in motility and elastinolytic migration. This activity was counteracted by EGF-induced activation of EGF receptor signaling. Decreased elastinolytic migratory activity in the presence of proEGFctF and proEGFcyt/proEGF22.23 coincided with decreased secretion of elastinolytic procathepsin L. The presence of proEGFctF and proEGFcyt/proEGF22.23 coincided with the specific transcriptional up-regulation of t-SNARE member SNAP25. Treatment with siRNA-SNAP25 resulted in motility and elastin migration being restored to normal levels. Epidermal growth factor treatment down-regulated SNAP25 protein by activating EGF receptor-mediated proteasomal degradation of SNAP25. These data provide first evidence for an important function of the cytoplasmic domain of the human proEGF transmembrane region as a novel suppressor of motility and cathepsin L-mediated elastinolytic invasion in human thyroid carcinoma cells and suggest important clinical implications for EGF-expressing tumors.

DLG1/SAP97 modulates transforming growth factor alpha bioavailability

TGFalpha and its receptor EGFR participate in the development of a wide range of tumors including gliomas, the main adult primary brain tumors. TGFalpha soluble form results from the cleavage by the metalloprotease TACE/ADAM17 of the extracellular part of its transmembrane precursor, pro-TGFalpha. To gain insights into the mechanisms underlying TGFalpha bioavailability, a yeast two-hybrid screen was performed to identify proteins interacting with pro-TGFalpha intracellular domain (ICD). DLG1/SAP97 (Discs Large Gene 1 or Synapse Associated Protein 97) was found to interact with both pro-TGFalpha and TACE ICDs through distinct PDZ domains. An in vivo pro-TGFalpha-DLG1-TACE complex was detected in U251 glioma cells and in gliomas-derived tumor initiating cells. Interaction between DLG1 and TACE diminished in response to stimulations promoting pro-TGFalpha shedding. Manipulation of DLG1 levels revealed dual actions of DLG1 on pro-TGFalpha shedding, favoring approximation of pro-TGFalpha and TACE, while limiting TACE full shedding activity. These results show that DLG1 participates in the control of TGFalpha bioavailability through its dynamic interaction with the growth factor precursor and TACE.

EGF receptor-independent action of TGF-alpha protects Naked2 from AO7-mediated ubiquitylation and proteasomal degradation

Naked family members (Drosophila Naked Cuticle and mammalian Naked1 and Naked2) have been identified as inducible antagonists of canonical Wnt signaling. We recently reported that Naked2, but not Naked1, interacts with the cytoplasmic tail of TGF-alpha, thereby coating TGF-alpha-containing exocytic vesicles and directing these vesicles to the basolateral corner of polarized epithelial cells. Here, we show that Naked2 is a short-lived protein with a half-life of 60 min caused by its rapid ubiquitin-mediated proteasomal degradation. Overexpression of TGF-alpha stabilizes Naked2 protein in an EGF receptor (EGFR)-independent manner; a physical interaction between the cytoplasmic tail of TGF-alpha and Naked2 is necessary and sufficient for this protection. We have identified a RING finger protein, AO7/RNF25, as a ubiquitin ligase for Naked2, and we have shown that overexpression of TGF-alpha reduces binding of AO7 to Naked2. These results identify an EGFR-independent action of TGF-alpha, in which it protects Naked2 from proteasomal degradation, thus ensuring its delivery to the basolateral surface of polarized epithelial cells.

Activator protein 2alpha mediates parathyroid TGF-alpha self-induction in secondary hyperparathyroidism

In secondary hyperparathyroidism, enhanced expression of TGF-alpha in the parathyroid leads to its own upregulation, generating a feed-forward loop for TGF-alpha activation of its receptor, EGFR receptor (EGFR), which promotes parathyroid hyperplasia. These studies examined the role of activator protein 2alpha (AP2), an inducer of TGF-alpha gene transcription, in the upregulation of parathyroid TGF-alpha in secondary hyperparathyroidism. In rat and human secondary hyperparathyroidism, parathyroid AP2 expression strongly correlated with TGF-alpha levels and with the rate of parathyroid growth, as expected. Furthermore, the increases in rat parathyroid content of AP2 and its binding to a consensus AP2 DNA sequence preceded the increase in TGF-alpha induced by high dietary phosphate. More significant, in A431 cells, which provide a model of enhanced TGF-alpha and TGF-alpha self-induction, mutating the core AP2 site of the human TGF-alpha promoter markedly impaired promoter activity induced by endogenous or exogenous TGF-alpha. Important for therapy, in five-sixths nephrectomized rats fed high-phosphate diets, inhibition of parathyroid TGF-alpha self-induction using erlotinib, a highly specific inhibitor of TGF-alpha/EGFR-driven signals, reduced AP2 expression dosage dependently. This suggests that the increases in parathyroid AP2 occur downstream of EGFR activation by TGF-alpha and are required for TGF-alpha self-induction. Indeed, in A431 cells, erlotinib inhibition of TGF-alpha self-induction caused parallel reductions in AP2 expression and nuclear localization, as well as TGF-alpha mRNA and protein levels. In summary, increased AP2 expression and transcriptional activity at the TGF-alpha promoter determine the severity of the hyperplasia driven by parathyroid TGF-alpha self-upregulation in secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Association of tetraspanin CD9 with transmembrane TGF{alpha} confers alterations in cell-surface presentation of TGF{alpha} and cytoskeletal organization

Ligand presentation is a major determinant of receptor activation. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a tyrosine kinase receptor, is activated by growth factors of the transforming growth factor alpha (TGFalpha) family. The tetraspanin CD9 interacts with transmembrane TGFalpha and decreases its ectodomain shedding to release soluble TGFalpha. Here we report that CD9 has a role in the maturation of transmembrane TGFalpha and its stabilization at the cell surface, and in the cell-surface distribution in polarized epithelial cells. Furthermore, coexpression of CD9 and TGFalpha confers changes in cytoskeletal organization with a decrease in actin stress fibers and focal adhesions, and changes in RhoA and Rac1 GTPase activity. These alterations are reversed by blocking EGFR signaling. Finally, we demonstrate changes in cell adhesion and migration resulting from coexpression of TGFalpha with CD9. These results provide insight into the role of CD9 in the presentation of TGFalpha in epithelial and carcinoma cells, whose physiology is driven by ligand-induced EGFR activation.

Membrane-anchored growth factors, the epidermal growth factor family: beyond receptor ligands

The epidermal growth factor (EGF) family and the EGF receptor (EGFR, ErbB) tyrosine kinase family have been spearheading the studies of signal transduction events that determine cell fate and behavior in vitro and in vivo. The EGFR family and their signaling pathways are giving us tremendous advantages in developing fascinating molecular target strategies for cancer therapy. Currently, two important types of EGFR inhibitors are in clinical use: neutralizing antibodies of EGFR or ErbB2, and synthetic small compounds of tyrosine kinase inhibitors designed for receptors. On the other hand, basic research of the EGF family ligands presents new challenges as membrane-anchored growth factors. All members of the EGF family have important roles in development and diseases and are shed from the plasma membrane by metalloproteases. The ectodomain shedding of the ligands has emerged as a critical component in the functional transactivation of EGFRs in interreceptor cross-talk in response to various shedding stimulants such as G-protein coupled receptor agonists, growth factors, cytokines, and various physicochemical stresses. Among the EGFR-ligands, heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) is a prominent ligand in our understanding of the pathophysiological roles of ectodomain shedding in cancer, wound healing, cardiac diseases, etc. Here we focus on ectodomain shedding of the EGF family ligands, especially HB-EGF by disintegrin and metalloproteases, which are not only key events of receptor cross talk, but also novel intercellular signaling by their carboxy-terminal fragments to regulate gene expression directly.

Cornichon regulates transport and secretion of TGFα-related proteins in metazoan cells

Cornichon proteins are structurally related transmembrane proteins that have been studied in and Drosophila and yeast. In Drosophila, Cornichon (Cni) is involved in embryo polarization by the TGFα-related Gurken. In yeast, the Cni-related Erv14 is required for axial budding. A cargo receptor function has been proposed for Erv14 and Cni. Four mammalian Cni-like sequences have been identified. We carried out parallel functional analyses of the human Cni ortholog CNIH and Drosophila Cni in the processing and presentation of TGFα family proteins. Human CNIH complements the loss of Erv14 in yeast. Human CNIH and Drosophila Cni are primarily localized in the endoplasmic reticulum and associate with immature TGFα family proteins. Alterations of cornichon expression result in changes in transport, processing and secretion of TGFα proteins. In particular, increased cornichon expression retains TGFα proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum, whereas cornichon is required for their transport and secretion. Thus, cornichon proteins represent a functionally conserved protein family that acts in the selective transport and maturation of TGFα family proteins.

Cytoplasmic domain phosphorylation of heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor

Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) is synthesized as a transmembrane precursor protein that is anchored to the plasma membrane. The extracellular EGF-like domain acts as a mitogen and motogen upon ectodomain shedding, but the functional roles of the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains are largely unknown. We demonstrate here that cytoplasmic domain of HB-EGF is phosphorylated by external stimuli, and that the phosphorylation site is involved in HB-EGF-dependent tumorigenesis. Treatment of Vero cells overexpressing human HB-EGF with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) caused ectodomain shedding of HB-EGF and generated two carboxyl (C)-terminal fragments with distinct electrophoretic mobilities. Mutation analysis showed that Ser207 in the cytoplasmic domain of HB-EGF is phosphorylated upon TPA stimulation, generating two C-terminal fragments with distinct phosphorylation states. Treatment of cells with lysophosphatidic acid, anisomycin, and calcium ionophore, all of which are known to induce ectodomain shedding, also caused phosphorylation of HB-EGF. Although ectodomain shedding and phosphorylation of HB-EGF occurred coordinately, Ala substitution of Ser207 had no effect on TPA-induced or constitutive ectodomain shedding. Injection of cells overexpressing HB-EGF into nude mice showed that Ala substitution of Ser207 reduced the tumorigenic activity of HB-EGF, even though the cell surface level and ectodomain shedding of HB-EGF were not affected by the mutation. Moreover, we found that the cytoplasmic domain of another EGFR ligand, transforming growth factor-alpha, is phosphorylated upon TPA stimulation. Thus, the present results suggest a novel role for the cytoplasmic domain of HB-EGF and other EGF family growth factors that is regulated by phosphorylation.

Detection of transforming growth factor-alpha and epidermal growth factor receptor mRNA and immunohistochemical localization of the corresponding proteins in the canine uterus during the estrous cycle

Uterine expression of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family of growth factors has not been studied in the dog. The present study looks at the presence of mRNA transcripts and immunohistochemical localization for transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), which is the potent EGF family member, and for EGF receptor (EGF-R) in the canine uterus during the estrous cycle. The reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction together with sequencing of the products confirmed the presence of their mRNA transcripts in the endometrium throughout the estrous cycle. Immunohistochemical analysis found clear positive staining for TGF-alpha and EGF-R in the luminal and glandular epithelia at proestrus and estrus. Immunoreactivity decreased at the early stage of diestrus. In the mid stage of diestrus, clear staining for TGF-alpha was again found in the glands of the luminal region, and staining for EGF-R was observed in all glands. Very little staining was seen at anestrus for either TGF-alpha or EGF-R. These results suggest that TGF-alpha expressed in the uterus may be involved in regulating growth, differentiation and regression in the endometrial epithelial cells during the estrous cycle in the dog.

Repression of Bone Morphogenetic Protein and Activin-inducible Transcription by Evi-1

Smads, key effectors of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta, activin, and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling, regulate gene expression and interact with coactivators and corepressors that modulate Smad activity. The corepressor Evi-1 exerts its oncogenic effects by repressing TGF-beta/Smad3-mediated transcription, thereby blocking TGF-beta-induced growth arrest. Because Evi-1 interacts with the highly conserved MH2 domain of Smad3, we investigated the physical and functional interaction of Evi-1 with Smad1 and Smad2, downstream targets of BMP and activin signaling, respectively. Evi-1 interacted with and repressed the receptor-activated transcription through Smad1 and Smad2, similarly to Smad3. In addition, Evi-1 repressed BMP/Smad1- and activin/Smad2-mediated induction of endogenous Xenopus gene expression, suggesting a role of repression of BMP and activin signals by Evi-1 in vertebrate embryogenesis. Evi-1 also repressed the induction of endogenous Smad7 expression by TGF-beta family ligands. In the course of these studies, we observed Evi-1 repression of Smad transactivation even when Smad binding to DNA was kept constant. We therefore explored the mechanism of Evi-1 repression of TGF-beta family-inducible transcription. Evi-1 repression did not result from displacement of Smad binding to DNA or to CREB-binding protein but from the recruitment of Evi-1 by Smad3 and CREB-binding protein to DNA. Following TGF-beta stimulation, Evi-1 and the associated corepressor CtBP were recruited to the endogenous Smad7 promoter. Evi-1 recruitment to the promoter decreased TGF-beta-induced histone acetylation, coincident with its repression of Smad7 gene expression. In this way, Evi-1 acts as a general Smad corepressor to inhibit TGF-beta-, activin-, and BMP-inducible transcription.

Proteolytic processing of TGFα redirects its mitogenic activity: the membrane-anchored form is autocrine, the secreted form is paracrine

Wild-type transforming growth factor alpha (TGFalpha) expression in lactotrope cells in the pituitary gland led to lactotrope-specific pituitary hyperplasia and adenomata. To indicate whether the EGF receptor is involved in this TGFalpha-mediated phenotype, we bred TGFalpha mice with mice expressing the cytoplasmic truncated-EGF receptor (EGFR-tr), which is dominant-negative in other models. These bitransgenic mice developed pituitary pathology despite expression of the dominant-negative receptor. To further characterize this observation, we generated two lineages of transgenic mice that overexpress mutant forms of TGFalpha: a processed soluble form (s TGFalpha) and a cytoplasmic-deleted form (TGFalphaDeltaC). While sTGFalpha expression in lactotrope cells failed to induce autocrine lactotrope hyperplasia, the pituitary became very enlarged due to proliferation of neighboring interstitial cells. In contrast, the TGFalphaDeltaC mice did not develop a phenotype, although the mRNA and protein were present in the pituitary and this form of TGFalpha was confirmed to be biologically active and targeted properly to the plasma membrane of cultured CHO cells. The results suggest that the cytoplasmic domain of TGFalpha is required for autocrine parenchymal tumor formation in the pituitary gland. This signal cannot be inhibited by the EGFR-tr. Conversely, the released form of TGFalpha appears to have primarily paracrine activity.

Identification of MAGI-3 as a transforming growth factor-alpha tail binding protein

The cytoplasmic domain of the transforming growth factor-alpha precursor (proTGFalpha) contains a C-terminal PSD-95/SAP90, Discs Large, and Zona Occludens-1 (PDZ) recognition motif (TVV). By yeast two-hybrid screening of a mouse embryo library, we have found that a third member of a family of PDZ-containing proteins, membrane associated guanylate kinase inverted-3 (MAGI-3), binds to TGFalpha's TVV. MAGI-3 is widely expressed in multiple mouse tissues, including brain. Immunolocalization showed that MAGI-3 and TGFalpha were colocalized in neurons in the cortex and dentate gyrus, as well as in ependymal cells and some astrocytes. In vitro, proTGFalpha bound the PDZ-1 domain of MAGI-3 and MAGI-2, but not MAGI-1. MAGI-3 and the 17-kDa cell surface form of proTGFalpha interact transiently in MDCK cells stably transfected with both MAGI-3 and human proTGFalpha cDNAs. MAGI-3 and wild-type proTGFalpha colocalize at the cell surface. In contrast, MAGI-3 forms a stable complex with membrane-fixed TGFalpha early in the secretory pathway and interacts with immature and cell surface forms of membrane-fixed TGFalpha. Overexpression of MAGI-3 resulted in increased levels of TGFalpha in the basolateral medium of polarized MDCK cells, suggesting that MAGI-3 has a role in efficient trafficking of TGFalpha to the cell surface in polarized epithelial cells.

Cytoplasmic Domain of proEGF Affects Distribution and Post-Translational Modification of Microtubuli and Increases Microtubule-Associated Proteins 1b and 2 Production in Human Thyroid Carcinoma Cells

We studied the distribution of transcripts encoding the cytoplasmic domain of the membrane-anchored precursor epidermal growth factor (proEGFcyt) and a novel cytoplasmic proEGF splice isoform with a deleted exon 23 and an out-of-frame fusion of exon 24 (proEGFdel23) in human normal and neoplastic thyroid tissues. In papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), coexpression of transcripts encoding for both proEGFcyt and proEGFdel23 correlated with poor differentiation of PTC. To determine potential roles of the cytoplasmic proEGF domain in human thyroid cells, we generated stable transfectants of the human follicular thyroid carcinoma cell line FTC-133 overexpressing the normal cytoplasmic domain proEGFcyt, a truncated proEGFcyt composed of the peptide sequence encoded by exons 22 and 23 (proEGF22.23) and proEGFdel23. The proEGFcyt and proEGF22.23 transfectants displayed significantly reduced proliferation rates, an enlarged cellular phenotype, and alterations in the distribution and post-translational modification of the microtubular system. These transfectants also displayed increased production of microtubule-associated proteins 1b and 2c, which was absent in FTC-133-proEGFdel23 or FTC-133-empty plasmid transfectants. This is the first evidence of an involvement of proEGF cytoplasmic domain in microtubular stability in the human thyroid carcinoma cell line FTC-133 and may suggest a specific role for the cytoplasmic domain of membrane-anchored proEGF, particularly exon 23, in thyroid carcinoma. The up-regulation of proEGFdel23 in poorly differentiated PTC and the exclusive detection of both proEGF isoforms in undifferentiated thyroid carcinoma may indicate an involvement of this novel truncated proEGFdel23 cytoplasmic domain during dedifferentiation processes of human thyroid cells.

Characterization of a human Rhomboid homolog, p100hRho/RHBDF1, which interacts with TGF-α family ligands

The activity of the TGF-alpha-like ligand Spitz in Drosophila depends on Rhomboid, a seven-transmembrane spanning protein that resides in the Golgi and acts as a serine protease to cleave Spitz, thereby releasing the soluble ligand. Several rhomboids in Drosophila have been implicated in the processing of TGF-alpha-like ligands, and consequent EGF receptor activation. The larger number of TGF-alpha-like ligands in vertebrates raises the possibility that they too might be subject to regulation by rhomboid-like proteins. We present the cDNA cloning and polypeptide sequence of an atypically long human rhomboid, which, based on the absence of critical residues for serine protease activity, is not predicted to act as a serine protease. We examined its tissue distribution, in comparison with TGF-alpha and the TGF-alpha-related protein HB-EGF, and the EGF/TGF-alpha receptor, in mouse embryo. This rhomboid, named p100(hRho) or RHBDF1, is a seven-transmembrane protein with a long N-terminal cytoplasmic extension that comprises half of the polypeptide sequence, and is found in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi, but not on the cell surface. It is expressed as two forms with different lengths, forms dimers and interacts with TGF-alpha ligands through a luminal interaction with the EGF core ectodomain. Finally, we evaluated the function of p100(hRho)/RHBDF1 in Drosophila, demonstrating that the short, but not the full-length form has functional activity. The characterization of this protein extends our understanding of the rhomboid family of regulatory proteins.

ADAM-mediated ectodomain shedding of HB-EGF in receptor cross-talk

All ligands of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) which has important roles in development and disease, are shed from the plasma membrane by metalloproteases. The ectodomain shedding of EGFR ligands has emerged as a critical component in the functional activation of EGFR in the interreceptor cross-talk. Identification of the sheddases for EGFR ligands using mouse embryonic cells lacking candidate sheddases (a disintegrin and metalloprotease; ADAM) has revealed that ADAM10, -12 and -17 are the sheddases of the EGFR ligands in response to various shedding stimulants such as GPCR agonists, growth factors, cytokines, osmotic stress, wounding and phorbol ester. Among the EGFR ligands, heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) is a representative ligand to understand the pathophysiological roles of the ectodomain shedding in wound healing, cardiac diseases, etc. Here we focus on the ectodomain shedding of HB-EGF by ADAMs, which is not only a key event of receptor cross-talk but also a novel intercellular signaling by the carboxy-terminal fragment (CTF signal).

Dual intracellular signaling by proteolytic cleavage of membrane-anchored heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor

Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF), a member of the EGF family, is synthesized as a membrane-anchored precursor (proHB-EGF) that is cleaved to release a soluble HB-EGF by specific metalloproteases. Proteolytic cleavage of proHB-EGF yields amino- and carboxy-terminal fragments (HB-EGF and HB-EGF-C). Recent studies indicate that the processing of proHB-EGF is strictly regulated and involved in a variety of biological processes and that not only HB-EGF but also HB-EGF-C functions as a signaling molecule. ProHB-EGF generates dual intracellular signaling molecules by its proteolytic cleavage.

Transforming growth factor beta/Smad3 signaling regulates IRF-7 function and transcriptional activation of the beta interferon promoter

The rapid induction of alpha interferon (IFN-alpha) and IFN-beta expression plays a critical role in the innate immune response against viral infection. We studied the effects of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) and its intracellular effectors, the Smads, on the function of IRF-7, an essential transcription factor for IFN-alpha and -beta induction. IRF-7 interacted with Smads, and IRF-7, but not IRF-3, cooperated with Smad3 to activate IFN-beta transcription. This transcriptional cooperation occurred at the IRF-binding sequences in the IFN-beta promoter, and dominant-negative interference with TGF-beta receptor signaling and Smad3 function decreased IRF-7-mediated transcription. Furthermore, elimination of Smad3 expression in Smad3(-/-) fibroblasts delayed and decreased double-stranded RNA-induced expression of endogenous IFN-beta, whereas restoration of Smad3 expression enhanced IFN-beta induction. The IRF-7-Smad3 cooperativity resulted from the regulation of the transactivation activity of IRF-7 by Smad3, and dominant-negative interference with Smad3 function decreased IRF-7 activity. Consistent with the regulation by Smad3, the transcriptional activity of IRF-7 depended on and was regulated by TGF-beta signaling. Our studies underscore a role of TGF-beta/Smad3 signaling in IRF-7-mediated induction of IFN-beta expression.

Basolateral sorting of transforming growth factor-alpha precursor in polarized epithelial cells: characterization of cytoplasmic domain determinants

In polarized Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells, newly synthesized transforming growth factor-alpha precursor (proTGFalpha) is directly sorted to the basolateral cell surface where it is sequentially cleaved and released into the basolateral conditioned medium (Dempsey, P.J., Coffey, R.J., J. Biol. Chem. 269 (1994) 16878-16889). In the present study, the role of the proTGFalpha cytoplasmic domain in basolateral sorting has been investigated using deletional and site-directed mutagenesis, as well as chimeric analyses of different TGFalpha constructs stably expressed in MDCK cells. The loss of polarized secretion of a proTGFalpha secretory mutant (TGFsec88) indicated that the proTGFalpha transmembrane and/or cytoplasmic domains contain essential basolateral sorting information. Using reporter chimeras with two apically sorted membrane proteins, p75 neurotrophin growth factor receptor and placental alkaline phosphatase, we show that the proTGFalpha cytoplasmic domain contains dominant basolateral sorting information. Analysis of proTGFalpha cytoplasmic domain truncation and internal deletion mutants, together with site-directed mutagenesis studies within the full-length proTGFalpha cytoplasmic domain, revealed redundant basolateral sorting motifs. Importantly, the C-terminal type I PDZ-binding motif was not required for basolateral sorting as determined by the integrity of basolateral sorting in deletion mutants lacking this motif. ProTGFalpha basolateral sorting may have important consequences for ligand presentation and spatial compartmentalization of epidermal growth factor receptor signaling networks in polarized epithelial cells.

Transforming growth factor-beta inhibits adipocyte differentiation by Smad3 interacting with CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) and repressing C/EBP transactivation function

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta is a potent inhibitor of adipocyte differentiation. To identify which adipocyte transcription factors might be targeted by TGF-beta, we overexpressed key adipogenic transcription factors, C/EBPbeta, C/EBPdelta, or peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma in NIH3T3 cells and tested the ability of TGF-beta to block adipogenesis. We show that TGF-beta inhibits adipocyte differentiation driven by either C/EBPbeta or C/EBPdelta without affecting C/EBP protein expression levels, suggesting that these C/EBPs are a direct target of TGF-beta action. Because TGF-beta inhibits adipogenesis by signaling through Smad3, we examined physical and functional interactions of Smad3 and Smad4 with C/EBPbeta, C/EBPdelta, and PPARgamma2. C/EBPbeta and C/EBPdelta were found to physically interact with Smad3 and Smad4, and Smad3 cooperated with Smad4 and TGF-beta signaling to repress the transcriptional activity of C/EBPs. Thus, repression of the activity of C/EBPs by Smad3/4 at C/EBP binding sites inhibited transcription from the PPARgamma2 and leptin promoters. In contrast, PPARgamma interacted only very weakly with Smad3 and its transcriptional activity was not repressed by Smad3/4 or in response to TGF-beta. Smad3/4 did not reduce the ability of C/EBP to bind to its cognate DNA sequence, but repressed transcription by inhibiting the transactivation function of C/EBP.

Proteomics methods for probing molecular mechanisms in signal transduction1

mRNA splicing and various posttranslational modifications to proteins result in a larger number of proteins than genes. Assessing the dynamic nature of this proteome is the challenge of modern proteomics. Recent advances in high throughput methods greatly facilitate the analysis of proteins involved in signal transduction, their production, posttranslational modifications and interactions. Highly reproducible two dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) methods, coupled with matrix assisted laser desorption-time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) allow rapid separation and identification of proteins. These methods, alone or in conjunction with other techniques such as immunoprecipitation, allow identification of various critical posttranslational modifications, such as phosphorylation. High throughput identification of important protein-protein interactions is accomplished by yeast two hybrid approaches. In vitro and in vivo pulldown assays, coupled with MALDI-TOF-MS, provide an important alternative to two hybrid approaches. Emerging advances in production of protein-based arrays promise to further increase throughput of proteomics-based approaches to signal transduction.

Interferon-gamma activates EGF receptor and increases TGF-alpha in T84 cells: implications for chloride secretion

IFN-gamma inhibits intestinal Cl(-) secretion, in part via downregulation of CFTR and Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity and expression, but the proximal signaling events were unknown. We have shown that transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) inhibits calcium-activated Cl(-) secretion, and effects of IFN-gamma in other systems are mediated via EGF family members. We tested whether IFN-gamma inhibits Cl(-) secretion via EGF receptor (EGFr) activation. IFN-gamma increased tyrosine phosphorylation in T84 cells at 24 h, including the EGFr. IFN-gamma also increased cell-associated pro-TGF-alpha, as well as free TGF-alpha in the bathing media. However, whereas IFN-gamma significantly inhibited carbachol-induced Cl(-) secretion, neither neutralizing antibodies to TGF-alpha nor an EGFr inhibitor (1 microM tyrphostin AG 1478) were able to reverse this inhibitory effect. AG 1478 also failed to reverse IFN-gamma-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the EGFr, but receptor phosphorylation was attenuated by both the neutralizing antibody to TGF-alpha and PP2, a Src kinase inhibitor. Moreover, PP2 reversed the inhibitory effect of IFN-gamma on Cl(-) secretion. In total, our findings suggest an increase in functional TGF-alpha and activation of the EGFr in response to IFN-gamma. The release of TGF-alpha and intracellular Src activation likely combine to mediate EGFr phosphorylation, but only Src appears to contribute to the inhibition of transport. Nevertheless, because TGF-alpha plays a role in restitution and repair of the intestinal epithelium after injury, we speculate that these findings reflect a feedback loop whereby IFN-gamma modulates the extent of cytokine-induced intestinal damage.

Metalloprotease-dependent protransforming growth factor-alpha ectodomain shedding in the absence of tumor necrosis factor-alpha-converting enzyme

Zinc-dependent metalloproteases can mediate the shedding of the extracellular domain of many unrelated transmembrane proteins from the cell surface. In most instances, this process, also known as ectodomain shedding, is regulated via protein kinase C (PKC). The tumor necrosis factor alpha-converting enzyme (TACE) was the first protease involved in regulated protein ectodomain shedding identified. Although TACE belongs to the family of metalloprotease-disintegrins, few members of this family have been shown to participate in regulated ectodomain shedding. In fact, the phenotype of tace-/- cells and that of Chinese hamster ovary cell mutants defective in ectodomain shedding points to the existence of a common PKC-activated ectodomain shedding system, whose proteolytic component is TACE, that acts on a variety of transmembrane proteins. Examples of these proteins include the Alzheimer's disease-related protein beta-amyloid precursor protein (betaAPP) and the transmembrane growth factors protransforming growth factor-alpha (pro-TGF-alpha) and, as shown in this report, proheparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (pro-HB-EGF). Here we show that the mercurial compound 4-aminophenylmercuric acetate (APMA), frequently used to activate in vitro recombinant matrix metalloproteases, is an activator of the shedding of betaAPP, pro-HB-EGF, and pro-TGF-alpha. Treatment of tace-/- cells or Chinese hamster ovary shedding-defective mutants with APMA activates the cleavage of pro-TGF-alpha but not that of pro-HB-EGF or betaAPP, indicating that APMA activates TACE and also a previously unacknowledged proteolytic activity specific for pro-TGF-alpha. Characterization of this proteolytic activity indicates that it acts on pro-TGF-alpha located at the cell surface and that it is a metalloprotease active in cells defective in furin activity. In summary, treatment of shedding-defective cell lines with APMA unveils the existence of a metalloprotease activity alternative to TACE with the ability to specifically shed the ectodomain of pro-TGF-alpha.

The proamphiregulin cytoplasmic domain is required for basolateral sorting, but is not essential for constitutive or stimulus-induced processing in polarized Madin-Darby canine kidney cells

In this study, the role of the amphiregulin precursor (pro-AR) cytoplasmic domain in the basolateral sorting and cell-surface processing of pro-AR in polarized epithelial cells has been investigated using Madin-Darby canine kidney cells stably expressing various human pro-AR forms. Our results demonstrate that newly synthesized wild-type pro-AR (50 kDa) is delivered directly to the basolateral membrane domain with >95% efficiency, where it is sequentially cleaved within the ectodomain to release several soluble amphiregulin (AR) forms. Analyses of a pro-AR cytoplasmic domain truncation mutant (ARTL27) and two pro-AR secretory mutants (ARsec184 and ARsec190) indicated that the pro-AR cytoplasmic domain is not required for efficient delivery to the plasma membrane, but does contain essential basolateral sorting information. We show that the pro-AR cytoplasmic domain truncation mutant (ARTL27) is not sorted in polarized Madin-Darby canine kidney cells, with approximately 65% of the newly synthesized protein delivered to the apical cell surface. Under base-line conditions, ARTL27 was preferentially cleaved from the basolateral surface with 4-fold greater efficiency compared with cleavage from the apical membrane domain. However, ARTL27 ectodomain cleavage could be stimulated equivalently from either membrane domain by a variety of different stimuli. The metalloprotease inhibitor BB-94 could inhibit both base-line and stimulus-induced ectodomain cleavage of wild-type pro-AR and ARTL27. These results indicate that the pro-AR cytoplasmic domain is required for basolateral sorting, but is not essential for ectodomain processing. Preferential constitutive cleavage of ARTL27 from the basolateral cell surface also suggests that the metalloprotease activity involved in base-line and stimulus-induced ARTL27 ectodomain cleavage may be regulated differently in the apical and basolateral membrane domains of polarized epithelial cells.

p21(WAF1) and transforming growth factor-alpha mediate dietary phosphate regulation of parathyroid cell growth

BACKGROUND

The parathyroid (PT) hyperplasia induced by renal failure can be further enhanced by high dietary phosphate (P) or completely abolished by P restriction. To identify potential mechanisms mediating these opposing effects of dietary P on PT growth, this study first focused on p21(WAF1) (p21) because high P reduces while low P enhances serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, whose potent antiproliferative properties result from the induction of p21. In addition to reducing p21, high P-induced PT growth could result from increased PT expression of the growth promoter transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), known to be elevated in hyperplastic and adenomatous human PT glands.

METHODS

The time course for dietary P regulation of PT expression of TGF-alpha and p21 was assessed for seven days after 5/6 nephrectomy in rats and correlated with the degree of PT hyperplasia and secondary hyperparathyroidism.

RESULTS

In P-restricted 5/6 nephrectomized rats, PT-p21 mRNA and protein increased by day 2, independent of changes in serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, and remained higher than in the high P counterparts for up to seven days. The PT hyperplasia of the high P group could not be attributed to a reduction of PT-p21 expression from normal control values. Instead, PT-TGF-alpha protein was higher in uremic rats compared with normal controls and increased further with high dietary P intake. PT levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), an index of cell mitoses, correlated inversely with p21 and directly with TGF-alpha. Consistent with these findings, PT gland size and serum PT hormone levels, similar in both dietary groups at day 2, were higher in the high P group by day 5. Induction of p21 by low P and of TGF-alpha by high P was specific for the PT glands. Dietary P had no effect either on intestinal growth or p21 or TGF-alpha protein content.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that low P induction of p21 could prevent PT hyperplasia in early uremia, whereas high P enhancement of TGF-alpha may function as an autocrine signal to stimulate growth further.

Transmembrane transforming growth factor-alpha tethers to the PDZ domain-containing, Golgi membrane-associated protein p59/GRASP55

Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) and related proteins represent a family of transmembrane growth factors with representatives in flies and worms. Little is known about the transport of TGF-alpha and other transmembrane growth factors to the cell surface and its regulation. p59 was purified as a cytoplasmic protein, which at endogenous levels associates with transmembrane TGF-alpha. cDNA cloning of p59 revealed a 452 amino acid sequence with two PDZ domains. p59 is myristoylated and palmitoylated, and associates with the Golgi system, where it co-localizes with TGF-alpha. Its first PDZ domain interacts with the C-terminus of transmembrane TGF-alpha and select transmembrane proteins. p59 is the human homolog of GRASP55, which is structurally related to GRASP65. GRASP55 and GRASP65 have been shown to play a role in stacking of the Golgi cisternae in vitro. C-terminal mutations of transmembrane TGF-alpha, which decrease or abolish the interaction with p59, also strongly impair cell surface expression of TGF-alpha. Our observations suggest a role for membrane tethering of p59/GRASP55 to select transmembrane proteins, including TGF-alpha, in maturation and transport to the cell surface.

What role(s) for TGFalpha in the central nervous system?

Transforming growth factor alpha (TGFalpha) is a member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family with which it shares the same receptor, the EGF receptor (EGFR or erbB1). Identified since 1985 in the central nervous system (CNS), its functions in this organ have started to be determined during the past decade although numerous questions remain unanswered. TGFalpha is widely distributed in the nervous system, both glial and neuronal cells contributing to its synthesis. Although astrocytes appear as its main targets, mediating in part TGFalpha effects on different neuronal populations, results from different studies have raised the possibility for a direct action of this growth factor on neurons. A large array of experimental data have thus pointed to TGFalpha as a multifunctional factor in the CNS. This review is an attempt to present, in a comprehensive manner, the very diverse works performed in vitro and in vivo which have provided evidences for (i) an intervention of TGFalpha in the control of developmental events such as neural progenitors proliferation/cell fate choice, neuronal survival/differentiation, and neuronal control of female puberty onset, (ii) its role as a potent regulator of astroglial metabolism including astrocytic reactivity, (iii) its neuroprotective potential, and (iv) its participation to neuropathological processes as exemplified by astroglial neoplasia. In addition, informations regarding the complex modes of TGFalpha action at the molecular level are provided, and its place within the large EGF family is precised with regard to the potential interactions and substitutions which may take place between TGFalpha and its kindred.

Unique carboxyl-terminal sequences of wild type and alternatively spliced variant forms of transforming growth factor-alpha precursors mediate specific interactions with ErbB4 and ErbB2

We have previously reported that the human transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) gene encodes three forms of TGF-alpha precursors, designated wild type (WT), variant I (VaI), and variant II (VaII), derived from alternative splicing. The two carboxyl-terminal valine residues of WT are replaced by 5 (GCRLY) or 4 (ATLG) amino acids in VaI or VaII, respectively. When overexpressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, VaI and ValI, but not WT, support autonomous growth. We detected tyrosine phosphorylation of ErbB2 in the absence of serum, in CHO cells expressing WT, VaI, or VaII, but not in mock transfectants. These observations prompted us to investigate possible interactions between the ErbBs and the TGF-alpha precursors in CHO cells. All TGF-alpha precursors were found to co-immunoprecipitate with the ErbBs, but with different specificity. WT co-immunoprecipitated with ErbB4, but not with ErbB1, ErbB2, or ErbB3. VaI and VaII co-immunoprecipitated with ErbB2, but not with ErbB1, ErbB3, or ErbB4. Confocal fluorescent microscopy analysis demonstrated that WT, VaI, and VaII all distribute equally to the cell surface while, as expected, a WT mutant lacking the two C-terminal valine residues does not. Point and deletion mutants involving the unique carboxyl-terminal residues of WT, VaI and VaII, indicated that the interactions between the three TGF-alpha precursors and the ErbBs were mediated by their carboxyl-terminal regions, which constitute distinct protein-binding motifs. A chimera of the intracellular domain of WT TGF-alpha linked to exogenous transmembrane and extracellular domains retained both the cell surface distribution and the specific interaction with ErbB4 of full-length WT, confirming that this interaction is mediated by the C-terminus of the TGF-alpha precursor. While interactions of WT and variant TGF-alpha with the ErbBs all result in ErbB2 activation, they produce different biological consequences, suggesting that the various TGF-alpha precursors differentially modulate ErbB signaling.

EGF receptor signalling: the importance of presentation

Activation of the Drosophila EGF receptor requires the transmembrane TGF-alpha-like ligand Spitz. Recent studies have shed new light on the role of two transmembrane proteins, Star and Rhomboid, in the presentation and subsequent proteolytic processing of Spitz.

Stimulation of cleavage of membrane proteins by calmodulin inhibitors

The ectodomain of several membrane-bound proteins can be shed by proteolytic cleavage. The activity of the proteases involved in shedding is highly regulated by several intracellular second messenger pathways, such as protein kinase C (PKC) and intracellular Ca(2+). Recently, the shedding of the adhesion molecule L-selectin has been shown to be regulated by the interaction of calmodulin (CaM) with the cytosolic tail of L-selectin. Prevention of CaM-L-selectin interaction by CaM inhibitors or mutation of a CaM binding site in L-selectin induced L-selectin ectodomain shedding. Whether this action of CaM inhibitors also affects other membrane-bound proteins is not known. In the present paper we show that CaM inhibitors also stimulate the cleavage of several other transmembrane proteins, such as the membrane-bound growth factor precursors pro-transforming growth factor-alpha and pro-neuregulin-alpha2c, the receptor tyrosine kinase, TrkA, and the beta-amyloid precursor protein. Cleavage induced by CaM inhibitors was a rapid event, and resulted from the activation of a mechanism that was independent of PKC or intracellular Ca(2+) increases, but was highly sensitive to hydroxamic acid-based metalloprotease inhibitors. Mutational analysis of the intracellular domain of the TrkA receptor indicated that CaM inhibitors may stimulate membrane-protein ectodomain cleavage by mechanisms independent of CaM-substrate interaction.

The tetraspanin CD9 associates with transmembrane TGF-alpha and regulates TGF-alpha-induced EGF receptor activation and cell proliferation

Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) is a member of the EGF growth factor family. Both transmembrane TGF-alpha and the proteolytically released soluble TGF-alpha can bind to the EGF/TGF-alpha tyrosine kinase receptor (EGFR) and activate the EGFR-induced signaling pathways. We now demonstrate that transmembrane TGF-alpha physically interacts with CD9, a protein with four membrane spanning domains that is frequently coexpressed with TGF-alpha in carcinomas. This interaction was mediated through the extracellular domain of transmembrane TGF-alpha. CD9 expression strongly decreased the growth factor- and PMA- induced proteolytic conversions of transmembrane to soluble TGF-alpha and strongly enhanced the TGF- alpha-induced EGFR activation, presumably in conjunction with increased expression of transmembrane TGF-alpha. In juxtacrine assays, the CD9-induced EGFR hyperactivation by transmembrane TGF-alpha resulted in increased proliferation. In contrast, CD9 coexpression with transmembrane TGF-alpha decreased the autocrine growth stimulatory effect of TGF-alpha in epithelial cells. This decrease was associated with increased expression of the cdk inhibitor, p21(CIP1). These data reveal that the association of CD9 with transmembrane TGF-alpha regulates ligand-induced activation of the EGFR, and results in altered cell proliferation.

Rhomboid and Star facilitate presentation and processing of the Drosophila TGF-alpha homolog Spitz

Activation of the Drosophila epidermal growth factor receptor (DER) by the transmembrane ligand, Spitz (Spi), requires two additional transmembrane proteins, Rhomboid and Star. Genetic evidence suggests that Rhomboid and Star facilitate DER signaling by processing membrane-bound Spi (mSpi) to an active, soluble form. To test this model, we use an assay based on Xenopus animal cap explants in which Spi activation of DER is Rhomboid and Star dependent. We show that Spi is on the cell surface but is kept in an inactive state by its cytoplasmic and transmembrane domains; Rhomboid and Star relieve this inhibition, allowing Spi to signal. We show further that Spi is likely to be cleaved within its transmembrane domain. However, a mutant form of mSpi that is not cleaved still signals to DER in a Rhomboid and Star-dependent manner. These results suggest strongly that Rhomboid and Star act primarily to present an active form of Spi to DER, leading secondarily to the processing of Spi into a secreted form.

Rhomboid and Star facilitate presentation and processing of the Drosophila TGF-α homolog Spitz

Activation of the Drosophila epidermal growth factor receptor (DER) by the transmembrane ligand, Spitz (Spi), requires two additional transmembrane proteins, Rhomboid and Star. Genetic evidence suggests that Rhomboid and Star facilitate DER signaling by processing membrane-bound Spi (mSpi) to an active, soluble form. To test this model, we use an assay based on Xenopus animal cap explants in which Spi activation of DER is Rhomboid and Star dependent. We show that Spi is on the cell surface but is kept in an inactive state by its cytoplasmic and transmembrane domains; Rhomboid and Star relieve this inhibition, allowing Spi to signal. We show further that Spi is likely to be cleaved within its transmembrane domain. However, a mutant form of mSpi that is not cleaved still signals to DER in a Rhomboid and Star-dependent manner. These results suggest strongly that Rhomboid and Star act primarily to present an active form of Spi to DER, leading secondarily to the processing of Spi into a secreted form.

The novel kinase peptidylglycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase cytosolic interactor protein 2 interacts with the cytosolic routing determinants of the peptide processing enzyme peptidylglycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase

The cytosolic domain of the peptide-processing integral membrane protein peptidylglycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase (PAM; EC 1.14. 17.3) contains multiple signals determining its subcellular localization. Three PAM cytosolic interactor proteins (P-CIPs) were identified using the yeast two hybrid system (Alam, M. R., Caldwel, B. D., Johnson, R. C., Darlington, D. N., Mains, R. E., and Eipper, B. A. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 28636-28640); the partial amino acid sequence of P-CIP2 suggested that it was a protein kinase. In situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry show that P-CIP2 is expressed widely throughout the brain; PAM and P-CIP2 are expressed in the same neurons. Based on subcellular fractionation, the 47-kDa P-CIP2 protein is mostly cytosolic. P-CIP2 is a highly selective kinase, phosphorylating the cytosolic domain of PAM, but not the corresponding region of furin or carboxypeptidase D. Although P-CIP2 interacts with stathmin, it does not phosphorylate stathmin. Site-directed mutagenesis, phosphoamino acid analysis, and use of synthetic peptides demonstrate that PAM-Ser(949) is the major site phosphorylated by P-CIP2. Based on both in vitro binding experiments and co-immunoprecipitation from cell extracts, P-CIP2 interacts with PAM proteins containing the wild type cytosolic domain, but not with mutant forms of PAM whose trafficking is disrupted. P-CIP2, through its highly selective phosphorylation of a key site in the cytosolic domain of PAM, appears to play a critical role in the trafficking of this protein.

Structural requirements for the tissue-specific and tissue-general functions of the Caenorhabditis elegans epidermal growth factor LIN-3

Caenorhabditis elegans lin-3 encodes a homolog of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family of growth factors. LIN-3 is the inductive signal for hermaphrodite vulval differentiation, and it is required for animal viability, hermaphrodite fertility, and the specification of anterior cell fates in the male B cell lineage. We describe the cloning of a lin-3 homolog from C. briggsae, sequence comparison of C. elegans lin-3 with C. briggsae lin-3, and the determination of molecular lesions in alleles of C. elegans lin-3, including three new alleles. We also analyzed the severity of phenotypes caused by the new and existing alleles of lin-3. Correlation of mutant phenotypes and their molecular lesions, as well as sequence comparison between two species, reveal that the EGF motif and the N-terminal portion of the cytoplasmic domain are important for the functions of LIN-3 in all tissues, while the C-terminal portion of the cytoplasmic domain is involved in the tissue-specific functions of lin-3. We discuss how the structure of lin-3 contributes to its functions in multiple developmental processes.

Human keratinocytes and tumor-derived cell lines express alternatively spliced forms of transforming growth factor-alpha mRNA, encoding precursors lacking carboxyl-terminal valine residues

The human transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) gene is thought to contain five introns and six exons, encoding a transmembrane precursor (proTGF-alpha) from which the mature polypeptide is released by proteolytic cleavage. We identified a novel 32-nucleotide exon (exon alpha) within intron 5 and an alternative splice acceptor site in exon 6, splitting exon 6 into two segments: 6A and 6B. Therefore, in addition to wild type (wt) proTGF-alpha mRNA, which skips exon alpha, two novel proTGF-alpha variants are produced: Variant I (VaI), skipping exons alpha and 6A, and Variant II (VaII) which includes exon alpha and skips exon 6A. The only significant difference between variant and wt proTGF-alpha proteins is that the two wt carboxyl-terminal valines are replaced in the variants by five or four other amino acids, respectively. Both variant TGF-alpha mRNAs were readily detected in human keratinocytes and tumor-derived cell lines. Their protein products were cleaved as efficiently as wt TGF-alpha in response to the calcium ionophore A23187. However, both variants (but not wt) reduced serum requirements for proliferation in CHO cells. In addition, VaII-expressing CHO cells (not VaI or wt) formed foci in monolayer cultures. These results suggest that variant TGF-alpha precursors induce autonomous growth.

Immunolocalization of transforming growth factor-alpha and epidermal growth factor receptor in the rat gastroduodenal area

The maintenance of gastrointestinal epithelium integrity requires a fine balance between proliferation and differentiation as well as protection against gastric acid secretion. Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) regulates these functions by binding to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R). This study was designed to identify the localization of TGF-alpha and EGF-R in the rat gastroduodenal region. In the stomach, the surface and gastric pit cells showed staining for TGF-alpha antibodies in the cytoplasm and basolateral and apical membranes. TGF-alpha and EGF-R were observed in the supranuclear region of the cells lining the gland. In the duodenum, the enterocytes coexpressed both TGF-alpha and EGF-R in the supranuclear area. The EGF-R was also observed in the apical membrane. Brunner's glands were positive for both TGF-alpha and EGF-R antibodies. Our results demonstrate the coexpression of TGF-alpha and EGF-R in the rat gastroduodenal area, which suggests a functional role for them in the establishment and maintenance of the epithelial renewal.

A role for a PDZ protein in the early secretory pathway for the targeting of proTGF-alpha to the cell surface

In general, plasma membrane integral proteins, such as the membrane-anchored growth factor proTGF-alpha, are assumed to be transported to the cell surface via a nonregulated, constitutive pathway. proTGF-alpha C-terminal mutants are retained in an early secretory compartment. Here, using a two-hybrid screen, we identify two TACIPs (proTGF-alpha cytoplasmic domain-interacting proteins) that contain PDZ domains and do not interact with proTGF-alpha C-terminal mutants. The binding specificity of one of them, TACIP18 (previously identified and named Syntenin or mda-9), coincides with that of the component that possibly mediates the normal trafficking of proTGF-alpha. TACIP18 colocalizes and interacts specifically with immature, intracellular forms of proTGF-alpha. Therefore, it appears that the interaction of TACIP18 with proTGF-alpha in the early secretory pathway is necessary for the targeting of the latter to the cell surface.

The cytoplasmic carboxy-terminal amino acid determines the subcellular localization of proTGF-(alpha) and membrane type matrix metalloprotease (MT1-MMP)

Transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-(alpha)) is synthesized as a precursor transmembrane molecule (proTGF-(alpha)) whose ectodomain is shed from the cell surface generating mature, soluble, growth factor. In agreement with recent reports, here we show that the structural determinant that targets proTGF-(alpha) to the cell surface maps to the very C-terminal cytoplasmic amino acid, valine. The primary localization of proTGF-(alpha) C-terminal mutants is a perinuclear area that colocalizes with ER markers. Since the ectodomain shedding machinery that acts on proTGF-(alpha) is known to be located at the cell surface, deficient transport provides an explanation for the previously reported lack of PKC activated ectodomain shedding of proTGF-(alpha) C-terminal mutants. The transport of wild-type proTGF-(alpha) to the cell surface was found to be mediated by a mechanism that includes a specific component saturable by wild-type proTGF-(alpha) but not by cell surface transmembrane proteins whose trafficking is independent of their cytoplasmic tail such as betaglycan. C-terminal valines are likely to be a general determinant of the subcellular location of cell surface transmembrane proteins since the maturation and trafficking of MT1-MMP C-terminal mutants are severely impaired. Our data suggest the existence of a targeting mechanism that acts on cell surface transmembrane molecules as diverse as proTGF-(alpha) and MT1-MMP and that the interaction with such a mechanism depends on the identity of the C-terminal amino acid of the targeted molecules.

Increased transforming growth factor-alpha levels in human colon carcinoma cell lines over-expressing protein kinase C

Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) is synthesized as a membrane-bound precursor protein, pro-TGF-alpha, that is converted to a soluble form by 2 endoproteolytic cleavages. Several factors have been implicated in the regulation of the second rate-limiting step, including protein kinase C (PKC). Earlier results indicated a potential role for the conventional class of PKC isozymes in the observed increase in TGF-alpha in the conditioned media of 2 human colon carcinoma cell lines. The present study addresses the potential role of specific PKC isozymes in this process using sense and anti-sense expression vectors for PKC isozymes. Two human colon carcinoma cell lines, HCT 116 and GEO, were transfected with plasmids, leading to the over-expression of PKC-alpha, -betaI or -betaII; and the secretion of TGF-alpha into the conditioned medium was determined. Over-expression of either PKC-betaI or PKC-betaII in these cell lines enhanced the levels of TGF-alpha in the media 2- to 5-fold. Over-expression of PKC-alpha did not alter the amount of TGF-alpha in the media to a significant extent. Transfection of HCT 116 cells with the anti-sense PKC-betaI cDNA resulted in a reduction in PKC-betaI protein expression. This was accompanied by a decrease in the amount of TGF-alpha in the conditioned media. Our results indicate that modulation of PKC-beta protein levels alters the amount of TGF-alpha found in the conditioned media from these colon carcinoma cells.

Evidence of juxtacrine signaling for transforming growth factor alpha in human endometrium

To determine the mechanism of signaling for transforming growth factor alpha (TGFalpha) in human endometrium, uterine luminal fluid proteins were retrieved by lavage followed by collection of the adjacent endometrium at hysterectomy. In the endometrium we observed the presence of the full-length transmembrane TGFalpha protein and the phosphorylation of its only known receptor, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), by immunoprecipitation-Western blot; TGFalpha mRNA via reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction; and immunolocalization of TGFalpha to the surface endometrium adjacent to the uterine lumen. Despite this demonstration of TGFalpha in functional endometrium, we could not detect measurable amounts of TGFalpha in any of the 16 endometrial washings by either immunoprecipitation-Western blot or by ELISA. Recovery rate for intraluminal fluid spiked with TGFalpha control peptide was 93.4-97%. The inability to detect TGFalpha in intraluminal fluid despite its high concentration in cells directly adjacent to the uterine lumen, along with the absence of any cleaved TGFalpha species identified in the endometrium, suggests that TGFalpha signals its receptor as a transmembrane ligand. Since the EGFR is present in the endometrium and on the surface of embryos, these data are consistent with a juxtacrine mode of signaling for TGFalpha between endometrial cells, and between the luminal surface epithelium and preimplantation embryos.

Transforming growth factor alpha up-regulates desmin expression during embryonic mouse tongue myogenesis

Myogenesis is determined by a set of myogenic differentiation factors that are, in turn, regulated by a number of peptide growth factors. During embryonic mouse tongue formation, transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and their cognate receptor (EGFR) are co-expressed spatially and temporally with desmin, a muscle-specific structural protein. This investigation tested the hypothesis that TGF alpha directly regulates the myogenic program in developing tongue myoblasts. Mandibular processes from the first branchial arch of embryonic day 10.5 (E10.5) mouse embryos were microdissected and explanted into an organ culture system using serumless chemically defined medium. Exogenous TGF alpha at 10 and 20 ng/ml specifically increased the amount of desmin expression and the number of desmin-positive cells without affecting the general growth and development of the mandibles. This inductive response was detected as early as 2 days after treatment and sustained up to 9 days in culture. EGFR antisense oligonucleotides (30 microM) as well as tyrphostin (80 microM) were able to negate TGF alpha-induced up-regulation of desmin expression. These data indicate that autocrine and/or paracrine action of TGF alpha promotes tongue myogenesis, and that this action is mediated through functional kinase activity of the EGFR. We speculate that the myogenic program in the developing mouse tongue is dependent upon growth factor mediated cell-cell communication of mesenchymal cells originating from the occipital somites and ectomesenchymal cells originating from the cranial neural crest.

The expression of transforming growth factor alpha receptor protein and its activation in chicken ovarian granulosa cells of maturing follicles

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) are structurally related growth factors that exert their biological actions by binding to the same cell-surface receptor, EGF receptor. However, in chicken cells, human EGF binds with approximately 100-fold lower affinity than human TGF-alpha. In a previous study, we localized EGF/TGF-alpha receptor immunohistochemically in the granulosa and theca of the developing follicles of laying hens. We have also shown that TGF-alpha binds to cell-surface receptors of the granulosa cells. The present study characterizes the nature of the EGF/TGF-alpha receptor. Immunoprecipitation of receptor proteins from cultured granulosa cells with an anti-EGF receptor antibody (12E) shows the expression of a 170-kDa receptor protein. The expression of the receptor protein decreases with follicular enlargement between the F3 and F1. Incubation of the cells with [125I]TGF-alpha followed by cross-linking with bis(sulphosuccinimidyl)suberate showed that TGF-alpha binds a similar (170 kDa) receptor protein immunoprecipitated with the 12E anti-EGF receptor antibody. The binding of TGF-alpha to granulosa cells caused receptor protein oligomerization, yielding the monomeric (170 kDa) and dimeric (340 kDa) protein forms. Oligomerization seemed to favour the formation of the dimeric rather than the monomeric form. Culturing granulosa cells with luteinizing hormone or follicle-stimulating hormone increased the expression of both monomer and dimer forms of the receptor proteins compared with the control. Western blotting analysis with anti-phosphotyrosine antibody revealed that the lysates of TGF-alpha-stimulated cells express phosphotyrosine-containing receptor proteins of 170 kDa and 340 kDa. The results show that chicken granulosa cells express the 170-kDa EGF/TGF-alpha receptor protein, which dimerizes on binding to TGF-alpha, suggesting that the receptor protein may be involved in the signal transduction of TGF-alpha actions in the chicken granulosa cells.

Transmembrane neuregulins interact with LIM kinase 1, a cytoplasmic protein kinase implicated in development of visuospatial cognition

The neuregulins are receptor tyrosine kinase ligands that play a critical role in the development of the heart, nervous system, and breast. Unlike many extracellular signaling molecules, such as the neurotrophins, most neuregulins are synthesized as transmembrane proteins. To determine the functions of the highly conserved neuregulin cytoplasmic tail, a yeast two-hybrid screen was performed to identify proteins that interact with the 157-amino acid sequence common to the cytoplasmic tails of all transmembrane neuregulin isoforms. This screen revealed that the neuregulin cytoplasmic tail interacts with the LIM domain region of the nonreceptor protein kinase LIM kinase 1 (LIMK1). Interaction between the neuregulin cytoplasmic tail and full-length LIMK1 was demonstrated by in vitro binding and co-immunoprecipitation assays. Transmembrane neuregulins with each of the three known neuregulin cytoplasmic tail isoforms interacted with LIMK1. In contrast, the cytoplasmic tail of TGF-alpha did not interact with LIMK1. In vivo, neuregulin and LIMK1 are co-localized at the neuromuscular synapse, suggesting that LIMK1, like neuregulin, may play a role in synapse formation and maintenance. To our knowledge, LIMK1 is the first identified protein shown to interact with the cytoplasmic tail of a receptor tyrosine kinase ligand.

The ephrins and Eph receptors in neural development

The Eph receptors are the largest known family of receptor tyrosine kinases. Initially all of them were identified as orphan receptors without known ligands, and their specific functions were not well understood. During the past few years, a corresponding family of ligands has been identified, called the ephrins, and specific functions have now been identified in neural development. The ephrins and Eph receptors are implicated as positional labels that may guide the development of neural topographic maps. They have also been implicated in pathway selection by axons, the guidance of cell migration, and the establishment of regional pattern in the nervous system. The ligands are anchored to cell surfaces, and most of the functions so far identified can be interpreted as precise guidance of cell or axon movement. This large family of ligands and receptors may make a major contribution to the accurate spatial patterning of connections and cell position in the nervous system.

Specificity within the EGF family/ErbB receptor family signaling network

Recent years have witnessed tremendous growth in the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family of peptide growth factors and the ErbB family of tyrosine kinases, the receptors for these factors. Accompanying this growth has been an increased appreciation for the roles these molecules play in tumorigenesis and in regulating cell proliferation and differentiation during development. Consequently, a significant question has been how diverse biological responses are specified by these hormones and receptors. Here we discuss several characteristics of hormone-receptor interactions and receptor coupling that contribute to specificity: 1) a single EGF family hormone can bind multiple receptors; 2) a single ErbB family receptor can bind multiple hormones; 3) there are three distinct functional groups of EGF family hormones; 4) EGF family hormones can activate receptors in trans, and this heterodimerization diversifies biological responses; 5) ErbB3 requires a receptor partner for signaling; and 6) ErbB family receptors differentially couple to signaling pathways and biological responses.

The autocrine loop of TGF-alpha/EGFR and brain tumors

Malignant human gliomas are the most common forms of primary tumors in the central nerve system. Due to their location and invasive nature, treatment so far has been mainly palliative. Thus, understanding the molecular detail of tumor transformation and progression is crucial for developing effective therapeutic strategy for this fetal tumor. Among the genetic alternations found in these tumors, p53 inactivation and PDGF/PDGFR activation represent the early events, and the loss of chromosome 10 and gene amplification and rearrangement of EGFR represent the late events. Studies with both glioma cell lines and primary tumor tissues have strongly suggested that TGF-alpha and EGFR function as an important autocrine loop in supporting proliferation of human glioma, especially in high grade glioma, since elevated TGF-alpha expression is also found in these high grade tumors. Furthermore, down regulation of the expression of TGF-alpha by antisense constructs has been shown to inhibit several types of human tumor cell growth including glioma. Other means of therapeutic approaches using this autocrine loop as a target also include the use of monoclonal antibodies and their cytotoxic conjugated. Considerable understanding of the EGFR-mediated signal transduction pathways has become available recently, which including GRB2/mSOS1 mediated MAP kinase activation; JAK/STATs pathway; PLC-gamma pathway. However, much work still needs to be done before a specific component of these pathways can be applied for effective control of tumor growth in the clinic.

The carboxyl-terminal valine residues of proTGF alpha are required for its efficient maturation and intracellular routing

Soluble forms of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF alpha) are derived by proteolytic processing of an integral membrane glycoprotein precursor (pro TGF alpha). Previous studies indicated that phorbol ester-induced cleavage of pro TGF alpha in CHO cells is dependent on the presence of a valine residue located at the carboxyl terminus of the precursor's cytoplasmic domain. We reassessed this requirement with epitope-tagged constructs introduced into transformed rat liver epithelial cells that normally express and process TGF alpha. We found that pro TGF alpha mutants lacking the terminal valine residues showed greatly reduced maturation to the fully glycosylated form. Additionally, they were present at substantially reduced levels on the cell surface and, instead, accumulated in the endoplasmic reticulum. Consistent with these results, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot analyses revealed little or no soluble TGF alpha in medium conditioned by cells expressing the mutant constructs. Finally, a truncated pro TGF alpha mutant lacking most of the cytoplasmic domain but retaining a carboxyl-terminal valine was processed and cleaved in a near-normal manner. These results, some of which were reproduced in CHO cells, indicate that the predominant effect of the carboxyl-terminal valines is to ensure normal maturation and routing of the precursor.

TGF-alpha, EGF, and their cognate EGF receptor are co-expressed with desmin during embryonic, fetal, and neonatal myogenesis in mouse tongue development

The developing mouse tongue provides a model for discrete patterns of morphogenesis during short periods of embryonic development. Occipital somite-derived myogenic cells interact with cranial neural crest-derived ecto-mesenchymal cells to form the musculature of the tongue. The biochemical signals that control close range autocrine and/or paracrine signaling processes required to establish the fast-twitch complex tongue musculature are not known. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that desmin, epidermal growth factor (EGF), and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF alpha) and their cognate receptor, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr), are co-expressed during tongue myogenesis and define specific developmental stages of tongue muscle cell differentiation. To test this hypothesis, we performed studies to analyze the timing, position, and concentration of desmin, TGF alpha, EGF, and EGFr from embryonic day 9 (E9) through birth in Swiss Webster mouse tongue development. Desmin, TGF alpha, EGF, and EGFr co-localized to cells of myogenic lineage in the four occipital somites and subsequently in myoblasts and myotubes from E9 through E17. By newborn stage, desmin is localized to discrete regions in myofibers corresponding to Z-line delimiting sarcomeres, and A-band within sarcomeres; immunostaining for desmin, TGF alpha, and EGF persisted in differentiated myotubes and striated skeletal muscle. Desmin increased from 0.01% at E11 to 0.51% of the total protein by E17 and at birth. Concomitantly, the patterns and increases in TGF alpha, EGF, and EGFr showed significant increases during the same developmental period. The temporal and positional co-localization of TGF alpha, EGF, and EGFr support the hypothesis that autocrine and paracrine regulation of desmin by actions of growth factor ligand and receptor defines critical stages of tongue myogenesis.