Activity, expression and function of a second Drosophila protein kinase A catalytic subunit gene

Progesterone receptor membrane component 1 is involved in oral cancer cell metastasis

Cancer metastasis is a common cause of failure in cancer therapy. However, over 60% of oral cancer patients present with advanced stage disease, and the five‐year survival rates of these patients decrease from 72.6% to 20% as the stage becomes more advanced. In order to manage oral cancer, identification of metastasis biomarker and mechanism is critical. In this study, we use a pair of oral squamous cell carcinoma lines, OC3, and invasive OC3‐I5 as a model system to examine invasive mechanism and to identify potential therapeutic targets. We used two‐dimensional differential gel electrophoresis (2D‐DIGE) and matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF/TOF MS) to examine the global protein expression changes between OC3 and invasive OC3‐I5. A proteomic study reveals that invasive properties alter the expression of 101 proteins in OC3‐I5 cells comparing to OC3 cells. Further studies have used RNA interference technique to monitor the influence of progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) protein in invasion and evaluate their potency in regulating invasion and the mechanism it involved. The results demonstrated that expression of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers including Twist, p‐Src, Snail1, SIP1, JAM‐A, vimentin and vinculin was increased in OC3‐I5 compared to OC3 cells, whereas E‐cadherin expression was decreased in the OC3‐I5 cells. Moreover, in mouse model, PGRMC1 is shown to affect not only migration and invasion but also metastasis in vivo. Taken together, the proteomic approach allows us to identify numerous proteins, including PGRMC1, involved in invasion mechanism. Our results provide useful diagnostic markers and therapeutic candidates for the treatment of oral cancer invasion.

The PKA-C3 catalytic subunit is required in two pairs of interneurons for successful mating of Drosophila

Protein kinase A (PKA) has been shown to play a role in a plethora of cellular processes ranging from development to memory formation. Its activity is mediated by the catalytic subunits whereby many species express several paralogs. Drosophila encodes three catalytic subunits (PKA-C1–3) and whereas PKA-C1 has been well studied, the functions of the other two subunits were unknown. PKA-C3 is the orthologue of mammalian PRKX/Pkare and they are structurally more closely related to each other than to other catalytic subunits within their species. PRKX is expressed in the nervous system in mice but its function is also unknown. We now show that the loss of PKA-C3 in Drosophila causes copulation defects, though the flies are active and show no defects in other courtship behaviours. This phenotype is specifically due to the loss of PKA-C3 because PKA-C1 cannot replace PKA-C3. PKA-C3 is expressed in two pairs of interneurons that send projections to the ventro-lateral protocerebrum and the mushroom bodies and that synapse onto motor neurons in the ventral nerve cord. Rescue experiments show that expression of PKA-C3 in these interneurons is sufficient for copulation, suggesting a role in relaying information from the sensory system to motor neurons to initiate copulation.

Developmental expression of cell recognition molecules in the mushroom body and antennal lobe of the locust Locusta migratoria

We examined the development of olfactory neuropils in the hemimetabolous insect Locusta migratoria with an emphasis on the mushroom bodies, protocerebral integration centers implicated in memory formation. Using a marker of the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling cascade and lipophilic dye labeling, we obtained new insights into mushroom body organization by resolving previously unrecognized accessory lobelets arising from Class III Kenyon cells. We utilized antibodies against axonal guidance cues, such as the cell surface glycoproteins Semaphorin 1a (Sema 1a) and Fasciclin I (Fas I), as embryonic markers to compile a comprehensive atlas of mushroom body development. During embryogenesis, all neuropils of the olfactory pathway transiently expressed Sema 1a. The immunoreactivity was particularly strong in developing mushroom bodies. During late embryonic stages, Sema 1a expression in the mushroom bodies became restricted to a subset of Kenyon cells in the core region of the peduncle. Sema 1a was differentially sorted to the Kenyon cell axons and absent in the dendrites. In contrast to Drosophila, locust mushroom bodies and antennal lobes expressed Fas I, but not Fas II. While Fas I immunoreactivity was widely distributed in the midbrain during embryogenesis, labeling persisted into adulthood only in the mushroom bodies and antennal lobes. Kenyon cells proliferated throughout the larval stages. Their neurites retained the embryonic expression pattern of Sema 1a and Fas I, suggesting a role for these molecules in developmental mushroom body plasticity. Our study serves as an initial step toward functional analyses of Sema 1a and Fas I expression during locust mushroom body formation.

Molecular genetic analyses of polytene chromosome region 72A-D in Drosophila melanogaster reveal a gene desert in 72D

We have investigated a region of ∼310 kb of genomic DNA within polytene chromosome subdivisions 72A to 72D of Drosophila melanogaster. This region includes 57 predicted protein-coding genes. Seventeen of these genes are in six clusters that appear to have arisen by tandem duplication. Within this region we found 23 complementation groups that are essential for zygotic viability, and we have identified the transcription units for 18 of the 23. We also found a 55 kb region in 72D that is nonessential. Flies deficient for this region are viable and fertile. Within this nonessential region are 48 DNA sequences of 12 to 33 base pairs that are completely conserved among 12 distantly related Drosophila species. These sequences do not have the evolutionary signature of conserved protein-coding DNA sequences, nor do they appear to encode microRNAs, however, the strong selection suggests functions in wild populations that are not apparent in laboratory cultures. This region resembles dispensable gene deserts previously characterized in the mouse genome.

PRKX critically regulates endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and vascular-like structure formation

Angiogenesis is a fundamental step in several important physiological events and pathological conditions including embryonic development, wound repair, tumor growth and metastasis. PRKX was identified as a novel type-I cAMP-dependent protein kinase gene expressed in multiple developing tissues. PRKX has also been shown to be phylogenetically and functionally distinct from PKA. This study presents the first evidence that PRKX stimulates endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and vascular-like structure formation, which are the three essential processes for angiogenesis. In contrast, classic PKA demonstrated an inhibitory effect on endothelia vascular-like structure formation. Our findings suggest that PRKX is an important protein kinase engaged in the regulation of angiogenesis and could play critical roles in various physiological and pathological conditions involving angiogenesis. PRKX binds to Pin-1, Magi-1 and Bag-3, which regulate cell proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation and tumorigenesis. The interaction of PRKX with Pin-1, Magi-1 and Bag-3 could contribute to the stimulating role of PRKX in angiogenesis.

Phosphorylation, protein kinases and ADPKD

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a genetic disease characterized by renal cyst formation and caused by mutations in the PKD1 and PKD2 genes, which encode polycystin-1(PC-1) and -2 (PC-2) proteins, respectively. PC-1 is a large plasma membrane receptor involved in the regulation of several biological functions and signaling pathways including the Wnt cascade, AP-1, PI3kinase/Akt, GSK3β, STAT6, Calcineurin/NFAT and the ERK and mTOR cascades. PC-2 is a calcium channel of the TRP family. The two proteins form a functional complex and prevent cyst formation, but the precise mechanism(s) involved remains unknown. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Polycystic Kidney Disease.

Regulation of cAMP-dependent protein kinases: the human protein kinase X (PrKX) reveals the role of the catalytic subunit alphaH-alphaI loop

cAMP-dependent protein kinases are reversibly complexed with any of the four isoforms of regulatory (R) subunits, which contain either a substrate or a pseudosubstrate autoinhibitory domain. The human protein kinase X (PrKX) is an exemption as it is inhibited only by pseudosubstrate inhibitors, i.e. RIα or RIβ but not by substrate inhibitors RIIα or RIIβ. Detailed examination of the capacity of five PrKX-like kinases ranging from human to protozoa (Trypanosoma brucei) to form holoenzymes with human R subunits in living cells shows that this preference for pseudosubstrate inhibitors is evolutionarily conserved. To elucidate the molecular basis of this inhibitory pattern, we applied bioluminescence resonance energy transfer and surface plasmon resonance in combination with site-directed mutagenesis. We observed that the conserved αH-αI loop residue Arg-283 in PrKX is crucial for its RI over RII preference, as a R283L mutant was able to form a holoenzyme complex with wild type RII subunits. Changing the corresponding αH-αI loop residue in PKA Cα (L277R), significantly destabilized holoenzyme complexes in vitro, as cAMP-mediated holoenzyme activation was facilitated by a factor of 2-4, and lead to a decreased affinity of the mutant C subunit for R subunits, significantly affecting RII containing holoenzymes.

Mechanisms of protein kinase A anchoring

The second messenger cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), which is produced by adenylyl cyclases following stimulation of G-protein-coupled receptors, exerts its effect mainly through the cAMP-dependent serine/threonine protein kinase A (PKA). Due to the ubiquitous nature of the cAMP/PKA system, PKA signaling pathways underlie strict spatial and temporal control to achieve specificity. A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs) bind to the regulatory subunit dimer of the tetrameric PKA holoenzyme and thereby target PKA to defined cellular compartments in the vicinity of its substrates. AKAPs promote the termination of cAMP signals by recruiting phosphodiesterases and protein phosphatases, and the integration of signaling pathways by binding additional signaling proteins. AKAPs are a heterogeneous family of proteins that only display similarity within their PKA-binding domains, amphipathic helixes docking into a hydrophobic groove formed by the PKA regulatory subunit dimer. This review summarizes the current state of information on compartmentalized cAMP/PKA signaling with a major focus on structural aspects, evolution, diversity, and (patho)physiological functions of AKAPs and intends to outline newly emerging directions of the field, such as the elucidation of AKAP mutations and alterations of AKAP expression in human diseases, and the validation of AKAP-dependent protein-protein interactions as new drug targets. In addition, alternative PKA anchoring mechanisms employed by noncanonical AKAPs and PKA catalytic subunit-interacting proteins are illustrated.

Swiss Cheese, a protein involved in progressive neurodegeneration, acts as a noncanonical regulatory subunit for PKA-C3

The Drosophila Swiss Cheese (SWS) protein and its vertebrate ortholog Neuropathy Target Esterase (NTE) are required for neuronal survival and glial integrity. In humans, NTE is the target of organophosphorous compounds which cause a paralyzing axonal degeneration and recently mutations in NTE have been shown to cause a Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia called NTE-related Motor-Neuron Disorder. SWS and NTE are concentrated in the endoplasmic reticulum and both have been shown to have an esterase function against an artificial substrate. However, the functional mechanisms and the pathways in which SWS/NTE are involved in are still widely unknown. Here, we show that SWS interacts specifically with the C3 catalytic subunit of cAMP activated protein kinase (PKA-C3), which together with orthologs in mouse (Pkare) and human (PrKX) forms a novel class of catalytic subunits of unknown function. This interaction requires a domain of SWS which shows homology to regulatory subunits of PKA and, like conventional regulatory subunits, the binding of SWS to the PKA-C3 inhibits its function. Consistent with this result, expression of additional PKA-C3 induces degeneration and enhances the neurodegenerative phenotype in sws mutants. We also show that the complex formation with the membrane-bound SWS tethers PKA-C3 to membranes. We therefore propose a model in which SWS acts as a noncanonical subunit for PKA-C3, whereby the complex formation regulates the localization and kinase activity of PKA-C3, and that disruption of this regulation can induce neurodegeneration.

Drosophila huntingtin-interacting protein 14 is a presynaptic protein required for photoreceptor synaptic transmission and expression of the palmitoylated proteins synaptosome-associated protein 25 and cysteine string protein

Palmitoylation affects the trafficking, stability, aggregation, and/or functional activity of a substantial number of neuronal proteins. We identified mutations in dHIP14, the Drosophila homolog of the human palmitoyl transferase, Huntingtin-interacting protein 14 (HIP14). HIP14 was previously reported to localize primarily to Golgi and to palmitoylate the neuronal proteins synaptosome-associated protein 25 (SNAP-25), PSD-95 (postsynaptic density-95), GAD65, Synaptotagmin, and Huntingtin in mammalian neurons. We find dHIP14 to be an essential maternal effect gene required for photoreceptor synaptic transmission and for proper in vivo expression of the palmitoylated presynaptic proteins SNAP-25 and cysteine string protein. In non-neuronal cells in the fly, dHIP14 protein is found in Golgi. However, in fly neurons, we find dHIP14 primarily in presynaptic terminals, something we also observe with HIP14. In mammalian neurons, we also find a significant fraction of HIP14 colocalizing with a synaptic vesicle marker. Based on localization of the palmitoyl transferase HIP14 within the presynaptic nerve terminal, we propose palmitoylation as a possible mechanism that may be operating to rapidly regulate synaptic efficacy.

The PKA-CREB system encoded by the honeybee genome

The cAMP-dependent kinase (PKA) plays a crucial part in long-term memory formation in the honeybee (Apis mellifera). One of the putative substrates of the PKA activity is the cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), a transcription factor in the bZIP protein family. We searched the honeybee genome to characterize genes from the CREB/CREM and the PKA families. We identified two genes that encode regulatory subunits and three genes encode catalytic subunits of PKA. Eight genes code for bZIP proteins, but only one gene was found that encodes a member of the CREB/CREM family. The phylogenetic relationship of these genes was analysed with their Drosophila and human counterparts.

The contributions of protein kinase A and smoothened phosphorylation to hedgehog signal transduction in Drosophila melanogaster

Protein kinase A (PKA) silences the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway in Drosophila in the absence of ligand by phosphorylating the pathway's transcriptional effector, Cubitus interruptus (Ci). Smoothened (Smo) is essential for Hh signal transduction but loses activity if three specific PKA sites or adjacent PKA-primed casein kinase 1 (CK1) sites are replaced by alanine residues. Conversely, Smo becomes constitutively active if acidic residues replace those phosphorylation sites. These observations suggest an essential positive role for PKA in responding to Hh. However, direct manipulation of PKA activity has not provided strong evidence for positive effects of PKA, with the notable exception of a robust induction of Hh target genes by PKA hyperactivity in embryos. Here we show that the latter response is mediated principally by regulatory elements other than Ci binding sites and not by altered Smo phosphorylation. Also, the failure of PKA hyperactivity to induce Hh target genes strongly through Smo phosphorylation cannot be attributed to the coincident phosphorylation of PKA sites on Ci. Finally, we show that Smo containing acidic residues at PKA and CK1 sites can be stimulated further by Hh and acts through Hh pathways that both stabilize Ci-155 and use Fused kinase activity to increase the specific activity of Ci-155.

Smad6 is a protein kinase X phosphorylation substrate and is required for HL-60 cell differentiation

To gain insight into the function of human protein kinase X (PrKX), a signal-transduction protein required for macrophage differentiation, we identified regulatory subunit I alpha of protein kinase A, T54 and Smad6 as partners for this protein using a yeast two-hybrid interaction screen. Interactions between PrKX and these proteins were substantiated by co-immunoprecipitation. Interaction between Smad6 and PrKX was also confirmed in human myeloid HL-60 cells following their phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced differentiation into macrophages. In vitro phosphorylation assays demonstrated that PrKX phosphorylates Smad6 at a serine residue. Mutagenesis of this site resulted in abrogation of PrKX phosphorylation. Both PrKX and Smad6 were shown to be co-localized to the nuclear compartment of HL-60 cells during their macrophage differentiation where PrKX levels are induced and Smad6 protein levels remain relatively constant while levels of serine phosphorylation of Smad6 increase. By using in vitro electrophoretic mobility shift assays and in vivo chromatin immunoprecipitation, we also demonstrate that during macrophage differentiation Smad6 displays an increased binding to the human osteopontin, Id2, and Hex gene promoters, which correlates to an observed increased expression of these genes. Finally, vector-based RNA interference experiments established that both Smad6 and PrKX proteins are required for PMA-induced cell attachment and spreading.

The ubiquitin ligase Drosophila Mind bomb promotes Notch signaling by regulating the localization and activity of Serrate and Delta

The receptor Notch and its ligands of the Delta/Serrate/LAG2 (DSL) family are the central components in the Notch pathway, a fundamental cell signaling system that regulates pattern formation during animal development. Delta is directly ubiquitinated by Drosophila and Xenopus Neuralized, and by zebrafish Mind bomb, two unrelated RING-type E3 ubiquitin ligases with common abilities to promote Delta endocytosis and signaling activity. Although orthologs of both Neuralized and Mind bomb are found in most metazoan organisms, their relative contributions to Notch signaling in any single organism have not yet been assessed. We show here that a Drosophila ortholog of Mind bomb (D-mib) is a positive component of Notch signaling that is required for multiple Neuralized-independent, Notch-dependent developmental processes. Furthermore, we show that D-mib associates physically and functionally with both Serrate and Delta. We find that D-mib uses its ubiquitin ligase activity to promote DSL ligand activity, an activity that is correlated with its ability to induce the endocytosis and degradation of both Delta and Serrate (see also Le Borgne et al., 2005). We further demonstrate that D-mib can functionally replace Neuralized in multiple cell fate decisions that absolutely require endogenous Neuralized, a testament to the highly similar activities of these two unrelated ubiquitin ligases in regulating Notch signaling. We conclude that ubiquitination of Delta and Serrate by Neuralized and D-mib is an obligate feature of DSL ligand activation throughout Drosophila development.

Two distinct E3 ubiquitin ligases have complementary functions in the regulation of delta and serrate signaling in Drosophila

Signaling by the Notch ligands Delta (Dl) and Serrate (Ser) regulates a wide variety of essential cell-fate decisions during animal development. Two distinct E3 ubiquitin ligases, Neuralized (Neur) and Mind bomb (Mib), have been shown to regulate Dl signaling in Drosophila melanogaster and Danio rerio, respectively. While the neur and mib genes are evolutionarily conserved, their respective roles in the context of a single organism have not yet been examined. We show here that the Drosophila mind bomb (D-mib) gene regulates a subset of Notch signaling events, including wing margin specification, leg segmentation, and vein determination, that are distinct from those events requiring neur activity. D-mib also modulates lateral inhibition, a neur- and Dl-dependent signaling event, suggesting that D-mib regulates Dl signaling. During wing development, expression of D-mib in dorsal cells appears to be necessary and sufficient for wing margin specification, indicating that D-mib also regulates Ser signaling. Moreover, the activity of the D-mib gene is required for the endocytosis of Ser in wing imaginal disc cells. Finally, ectopic expression of neur in D-mib mutant larvae rescues the wing D-mib phenotype, indicating that Neur can compensate for the lack of D-mib activity. We conclude that D-mib and Neur are two structurally distinct proteins that have similar molecular activities but distinct developmental functions in Drosophila.

The Notch pathway is an important mechanism for communication between cells. In this paper, the roles of two related proteins in the Notch pathway are unravelled

PRKX, a phylogenetically and functionally distinct cAMP-dependent protein kinase, activates renal epithelial cell migration and morphogenesis

The human protein kinase X gene (PRKX) is a member of an ancient family of cAMP-dependent serine/threonine kinases here shown to be phylogenetically distinct from the classical PKA, PKB/Akt, PKC, SGK, and PKG gene families. Renal expression of the PRKX gene is developmentally regulated and restricted to the ureteric bud epithelium of the fetal metanephric kidney. Aberrant adult kidney expression of PRKX was found in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. PRKX kinase expression markedly activated migration of cultured renal epithelial cells in the presence of cAMP; this effect was blocked by cell treatment with the PKA inhibitor H89 and was not observed in PKA-transfected cells. In addition, expression of PRKX kinase activated branching morphogenesis of Madin-Darby canine kidney cells in collagen gels even in the absence of cAMP and/or hepatocyte growth factor, an effect not seen with either PKA expression or expression of a mutant, kinase-inactivated PRKX. These results suggest that the PRKX kinase may regulate epithelial morphogenesis during mammalian kidney development. Because another member of the PRKX gene family (the Dictyostelium discoideum gene KAPC-DICDI) also plays a role in cellular migration, these studies suggest that regulation of morphogenesis may be a distinctive property of these genes that has been conserved in evolution that is not shared with PKA family genes.

Wingful, an extracellular feedback inhibitor of Wingless

Secreted peptide signals control many fundamental processes during animal development. Proper responses to these signals require cognate inducible feedback antagonists. Here we report the identification of a novel Drosophila Wingless (Wg) target gene, wingful (wf), and show that it encodes a potent extracellular feedback inhibitor of Wg. In contrast to the cytoplasmic protein Naked cuticle (Nkd), the only known Wg feedback antagonist, Wf functions during larval stages, when Nkd function is dispensable. We propose that Wf may provide feedback control for the long-range morphogen activities of Wg.

Genetic analysis of the Drosophila Gs(alpha) gene

One of the best understood signal transduction pathways activated by receptors containing seven transmembrane domains involves activation of heterotrimeric G-protein complexes containing Gs(alpha), the subsequent stimulation of adenylyl cyclase, production of cAMP, activation of protein kinase A (PKA), and the phosphorylation of substrates that control a wide variety of cellular responses. Here, we report the identification of "loss-of-function" mutations in the Drosophila Gs(alpha) gene (dgs). Seven mutants have been identified that are either complemented by transgenes representing the wild-type dgs gene or contain nucleotide sequence changes resulting in the production of altered Gs(alpha) protein. Examination of mutant alleles representing loss-of-Gs(alpha) function indicates that the phenotypes generated do not mimic those created by mutational elimination of PKA. These results are consistent with the conclusion reached in previous studies that activation of PKA, at least in these developmental contexts, does not depend on receptor-mediated increases in intracellular cAMP, in contrast to the predictions of models developed primarily on the basis of studies in cultured cells.

Reversible downregulation of protein kinase A during olfactory learning using antisense technique impairs long-term memory formation in the honeybee, Apis mellifera

In this study, we examined the role of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) in associative olfactory learning of the honeybee, Apis mellifera. In the bee, specific interference with molecules to clarify their role in a certain behavior is difficult, because genetic approaches, such as mutants or transgenic animals, are not feasible at the moment. As a new approach in insects in vivo, we report the use of short antisense oligonucleotides. We show that phosphorothioate-modified oligodeoxynucleotides complementary to the mRNA of a catalytic subunit of PKA directly injected into the bee brain cause a reversible and specific downregulation of both the amount of the catalytic subunit and of PKA activity by 10-15%. The amounts of the regulatory subunit of PKA, as well as PKC, are not affected. The slight "knockdown" of PKA activity during the training procedure, a classical olfactory conditioning of the proboscis extension reflex, neither affects acquisition nor memory retention 3 or 6 hr after training. However, it causes an impairment of long-term memory retention 24 hr after training. Downregulation of PKA 3 hr after training has no detectable effect on memory formation. We conclude that PKA contributes to the induction of a long-term memory 24 hr after training when activated during learning. Second, we demonstrate that the antisense technique is feasible in honeybees in vivo and provides a new and powerful tool for the study of the molecular basis of learning and memory formation in insects.

Reversible downregulation of protein kinase A during olfactory learning using antisense technique impairs long-term memory formation in the honeybee, Apis mellifera

In this study, we examined the role of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) in associative olfactory learning of the honeybee, Apis mellifera. In the bee, specific interference with molecules to clarify their role in a certain behavior is difficult, because genetic approaches, such as mutants or transgenic animals, are not feasible at the moment. As a new approach in insects in vivo, we report the use of short antisense oligonucleotides. We show that phosphorothioate-modified oligodeoxynucleotides complementary to the mRNA of a catalytic subunit of PKA directly injected into the bee brain cause a reversible and specific downregulation of both the amount of the catalytic subunit and of PKA activity by 10-15%. The amounts of the regulatory subunit of PKA, as well as PKC, are not affected. The slight "knockdown" of PKA activity during the training procedure, a classical olfactory conditioning of the proboscis extension reflex, neither affects acquisition nor memory retention 3 or 6 hr after training. However, it causes an impairment of long-term memory retention 24 hr after training. Downregulation of PKA 3 hr after training has no detectable effect on memory formation. We conclude that PKA contributes to the induction of a long-term memory 24 hr after training when activated during learning. Second, we demonstrate that the antisense technique is feasible in honeybees in vivo and provides a new and powerful tool for the study of the molecular basis of learning and memory formation in insects.

PrKX is a novel catalytic subunit of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase regulated by the regulatory subunit type I

The human X chromosome-encoded protein kinase X (PrKX) belongs to the family of cAMP-dependent protein kinases. The catalytically active recombinant enzyme expressed in COS cells phosphorylates the heptapeptide Kemptide (LRRASLG) with a specific activity of 1.5 micromol/(min.mg). Using surface plasmon resonance, high affinity interactions were demonstrated with the regulatory subunit type I (RIalpha) of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (KD = 10 nM) and the heat-stable protein kinase inhibitor (KD = 15 nM), but not with the type II regulatory subunit (RIIalpha, KD = 2.3 microM) under physiological conditions. Kemptide and autophosphorylation activities of PrKX are strongly inhibited by the RIalpha subunit and by protein kinase inhibitor in vitro, but only weakly by the RIIalpha subunit. The inhibition by the RIalpha subunit is reversed by addition of nanomolar concentrations of cAMP (Ka = 40 nM), thus demonstrating that PrKX is a novel, type I cAMP-dependent protein kinase that is activated at lower cAMP concentrations than the holoenzyme with the Calpha subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Microinjection data clearly indicate that the type I R subunit but not type II binds to PrKX in vivo, preventing the translocation of PrKX to the nucleus in the absence of cAMP. The RIIalpha subunit is an excellent substrate for PrKX and is phosphorylated in vitro in a cAMP-independent manner. We discuss how PrKX can modulate the cAMP-mediated signal transduction pathway by preferential binding to the RIalpha subunit and by phosphorylating the RIIalpha subunit in the absence of cAMP.

Inhibition of PrKX, a novel protein kinase, and the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase PKA by the regulatory proteins of adeno-associated virus type 2

Adeno-associated virus encodes four nonstructural proteins, which are known as Rep78, Rep68, Rep52, and Rep40. Expression of these nonstructural proteins affects cell growth and gene expression through processes that have not yet been characterized. Using a yeast two-hybrid screen, we have demonstrated that a stable interaction occurs between the viral proteins Rep78 and Rep52 and the putative protein kinase PrKX, which is encoded on the X chromosome. The stability and specificity of the Rep-PrKX interaction were confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation of complexes assembled in vitro and in vivo. Overexpressed PrKX, which was purified from cos cells, was shown to phosphorylate a synthetic protein kinase A (PKA) substrate. However, this activity was dramatically inhibited by stoichiometric amounts of Rep52 and weakly inhibited with Rep68, which lacks the carboxy-terminal sequence contained in Rep52. Similarly, a stable interaction was observed with Rep78, which also contains the carboxy-terminal sequence of Rep52. A stable interaction and inhibition were also observed between Rep52 and the catalytic subunit of PKA. By using surface plasmon resonance and kinetic studies, Kis of approximately 300 and 167 nM were calculated for Rep52 with PKA and with PrKX, respectively. Thus, Rep52 but not Rep68 can significantly inhibit the trans- and autophosphorylation activities of these kinases. The biological effects of Rep78-specific inhibition of PKA-responsive genes are illustrated by the reduction of steady-state levels of cyclic AMP-responsive-element-binding protein and cyclin A protein.

Adeno-associated virus Rep78 protein interacts with protein kinase A and its homolog PRKX and inhibits CREB-dependent transcriptional activation

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is a human parvovirus of the genus Dependovirus. AAV replication is largely restricted to cells which are coinfected with a helper virus. In the absence of a helper virus, the AAV genome can integrate into a specific chromosomal site where it remains latent until reactivated by superinfection of the host cell with an appropriate helper virus. Replication functions of AAV have been mapped to the Rep68 and Rep78 gene products. Rep proteins demonstrate DNA binding, endonuclease, and helicase activities and are involved in regulation of transcription from both AAV and heterologous promoters. AAV has been associated with suppression of oncogenicity in a range of viral and nonviral tumors. In this study we sought to identify and study cellular protein targets of AAV Rep, in order to develop a better understanding of the various activities of Rep. We used the yeast two-hybrid system to identify HeLa cell proteins that interact with AAV type 2 Rep78. We isolated several strongly interacting clones which were subsequently identified as PRKX (previously named PKX1), a recently described homolog of the protein kinase A (PKA) catalytic subunit (PKAc). The interaction was confirmed in vitro by using pMal-Rep pull-down assays. The region of Rep78 which interacts was mapped to a C-terminal zinc finger-like domain; Rep68, which lacks this domain, did not interact with PRKX. PRKX demonstrated autophosphorylation and kinase activity towards histone H1 and a PKA oligopeptide target. Autophosphorylation was inhibited by interaction with Rep78. In transfection assays, a PRKX expression vector was shown to be capable of activating CREB-dependent transcription. This activation was suppressed by Rep78 but not by Rep68. Since PRKX is a close homolog of PKAc, we investigated whether Rep78 could interact directly with PKAc. pMal-Rep78 was found to associate with purified PKAc and inhibited its kinase activity. Cotransfection experiments demonstrated that Rep78 could block the activation of CREB by a PKAc expression vector. These experiments suggest that AAV may perturb normal cyclic AMP response pathways in infected cells.

The cAMP-dependent protein kinase site (Ser312) enhances dorsal nuclear import through facilitating nuclear localization sequence/importin interaction

Control over the nuclear import of transcription factors (TFs) represents a level of gene regulation integral to cellular processes such as differentiation and transformation. The Drosophila TF Dorsal shares with other rel TF family members the fact that it contains a phosphorylation site for the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) 22 amino acids N-terminal to the nuclear localization signal (NLS) at amino acids 335-340. This study examines for the first time the nuclear import kinetics of Dorsal fusion proteins in rat hepatoma cells in vivo and in vitro. Nuclear uptake was found to be not only NLS-dependent, but also strongly dependent on the PKA site, whereby substitution of Ser312 by either Ala or Glu using site-directed mutagenesis severely reduced nuclear accumulation. Exogenous cAMP or PKA catalytic subunit significantly enhanced the nuclear import of wild-type proteins both in vivo and in vitro. Using a direct binding assay, the molecular basis of PKA site enhancement of Dorsal fusion protein nuclear import was determined to be PKA site-mediated modulation of NLS recognition by the importin 58/97 complex. The physiological relevance of these results is supported by the observation that Drosophila embryos expressing PKA site Dorsal mutant variants were impaired in development. We conclude that the Dorsal NLS and PKA site constitute a phosphorylation-regulated NLS essential to Dorsal function and able to function in heterologous mammalian cell systems, where phosphorylation modulates the affinity of NLS recognition by importin.

Postsynaptic PKA controls quantal size and reveals a retrograde signal that regulates presynaptic transmitter release in Drosophila

Two distinct mechanisms regulate synaptic efficacy at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ): a PKA-dependent modulation of quantal size and a retrograde regulation of presynaptic release. Postsynaptic expression of a constitutively active PKA catalytic subunit decreases quantal size, whereas overexpression of a mutant PKA regulatory subunit (inhibiting PKA activity) increases quantal size. Increased PKA activity also decreases the response to direct iontophoresis of glutamate onto postsynaptic receptors. The PKA-dependent modulation of quantal size requires the presence of the muscle-specific glutamate receptor DGluRIIA, since PKA-dependent modulation of quantal size is lost in homozygous viable DGluRIIA- mutants. Furthermore, elevated postsynaptic PKA reduces the quantal amplitude and the time constant of miniature excitatory junctional potential (mEJP) decay to values that are nearly identical to those observed in DGluRIIA mutants. The PKA-dependent reduction in quantal size is accompanied developmentally by an increase in presynaptic quantal content, indicating the presence of a retrograde signal that regulates presynaptic release.

Two novel brain-specific splice variants of the murine Cbeta gene of cAMP-dependent protein kinase

We have previously characterized two murine cAMP-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit genes, Calpha and Cbeta1. Targeted disruption of the Cbeta1 promoter revealed two splice variants of the Cbeta catalytic subunit gene (designated Cbeta2 and Cbeta3) that continue to be expressed. These variants arise from unique promoters and are brain-specific. Cbeta2 is expressed in several discrete areas in the limbic system. These include the lateral septum, the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, the ventral medial hypothalamus, and the amygdala. In the neocortex, expression is highest in cortical areas such as the prefrontal and insular cortex that are associated limbic structures. By contrast, Cbeta1 is most highly expressed in the cortex and hippocampus and is also present in all non-neuronal tissues examined. Cbeta3 is expressed at very low levels with wide distribution throughout the brain. Both the Cbeta2 and Cbeta3 variants are enzymatically active and induce gene expression in transient transfections with a cAMP response element-reporter construct. This activity is inhibited by protein kinase A regulatory subunits, the protein kinase inhibitor, and the chemical inhibitor H-89. We also demonstrate that Cbeta1 is myristoylated at the amino terminus like the Calpha isoform, but neither Cbeta2 nor Cbeta3 is myristoylated. The discrete expression of Cbeta variants in the brain suggests specific functional roles in neuronal signaling.

Drosophila melanogaster deficient in protein kinase A manifests behavior-specific arrhythmia but normal clock function

Drosophila melanogaster bearing mutations in the DCO gene, which encodes the major catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), displays arrhythmic locomotor activity strongly suggesting a role for PKA in the circadian timing system. This arrhythmicity might result from a requirement for PKA activity in photic resetting pathways, the timekeeping mechanism itself, or downstream effector pathways controlling overt behavioral rhythms. To address these possibilities, we examined the protein and mRNA products from the clock gene period (per) in PKA-deficient flies. The per protein (PER) and mRNA products undergo daily cycles in the heads and bodies of DCO mutants that are indistinguishable from those observed in control wild-type flies. These results indicate that PKA deficiencies affect the proper functioning of elements downstream of the Drosophila timekeeping mechanism. The requirement for PKA in the manifestation of rhythmic activity was preferentially greater in the absence of environmental cycles. However, PKA does not appear to play a universal role in output functions because the clock-controlled eclosion rhythm is normal in DCO mutants. Our results suggest that PKA plays a critical role in the flow of temporal information from circadian pacemaker cells to selective behaviors.

Cyclic-AMP-dependent activation of an inter-phylum hybrid histone-kinase complex reconstituted from sea urchin sperm-regulatory subunits and bovine heart catalytic subunits

A cAMP-dependent histone kinase was purified and characterized from spermatozoa of the sea urchin Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus. The molecular mass of the kinase was estimated to be 178 kDa by native PAGE and 400 kDa by gel chromatography on a Superose 6 HR 10/30 column. The enzyme, composed of two 39-kDa catalytic subunits and two 48-kDa regulatory subunits, phosphorylates the lysine-rich histone subspecies (H1 and H2B) isolated from H. pulcherrimus spermatozoa. We isolated cDNA clones encoding a 39-kDa catalytic subunit and a 48-kDa regulatory subunit of the enzyme. The cDNA clone for the 39-kDa subunit was 3881 bp, and the 352-residue deduced amino acid sequence showed 78% similarity with the catalytic subunit of/mammalian cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). The cDNA for the 48-kDa subunit was 4589 bp and the 368-residue deduced amino acid sequence showed 57% similarity with the regulatory subunit of mammalian PKA, although the N-terminal 77 residues showed poor similarity. The mRNAs encoding both the catalytic subunit (7.5 kb) and the regulatory subunit (4.6 kb) were expressed in testis, ovary and egg. An inter-phylum hybrid enzyme, reconstituted from the regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent histone kinase of sea urchin sperm and the catalytic subunit of bovine heart PKA, has a cAMP-dependent histone kinase activity. Thus, we suggest that the N-terminal 77-amino-acid residues of the regulatory subunit are not essential for inhibition by the regulatory subunit of the catalytic subunit, and that cAMP-dependent inhibitory activity of the regulatory subunit resides in the sequence between the inhibitory site and the C-terminus.

Activation of protein kinase A-independent pathways by Gs alpha in Drosophila

One of the best-described transmembrane signal transduction mechanisms is based on receptor activation of the alpha subunit of the heterotrimeric G protein Gs, leading to stimulation of adenylyl cyclase and the production of cAMP. Intracellular cAMP is then thought to mediate its effects largely, if not entirely, by activation of protein kinase A and the subsequent phosphorylation of substrates which in turn control diverse cellular phenomena. In this report we demonstrate, by two different methods, that reduction or elimination of protein kinase A activity had no effect on phenotypes generated by activation of Gs alpha pathways in Drosophila wing epithelial cells. These genetic studies show that the Gs alpha pathway mediates its primary effects by a novel pathway in differentiating, wing epithelial cells. This novel pathway may in part be responsible for some of the complex, cell-specific responses observed following activation of this pathway in different cell types.

Effects of a conditional Drosophila PKA mutant on olfactory learning and memory

The requirement for cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) in associative learning of Drosophila was assessed in mutant flies hemizygous for a cold-sensitive allele, X4, of the DC0 gene, which encodes the major catalytic subunit of PKA. DC0X4 hemizygotes died as third-instar larvae at 18 degrees C, the restrictive temperature, but were viable when raised at 25 degrees C. Shifting adult DC0X4 hemizygotes from 25 degrees C to 18 degrees C led to a decrease in PKA activity from 24% to 16% of wild-type without impairing viability. At 25 degrees C, DC0X4 hemizygotes exhibited reduced initial learning relative to controls but normal memory decay in a Pavlovian olfactory learning assay. Shifting the temperature from 25 degrees C to 18 degrees C prior to training reduced initial learning to a similar extent in DC0X4 hemizygotes and controls but resulted in a steeper memory decay curve only in DC0X4 hemizygotes. These observations are suggestive of a role for PKA in medium-term memory formation in addition to its previously established role in initial learning.