Amino-terminal regions of polyomavirus middle T antigen are required for interactions with protein phosphatase 2A

The polyomavirus middle T-antigen oncogene activates the Hippo pathway tumor suppressor Lats in a Src-dependent manner

The polyomavirus middle T antigen (PyMT) is an oncogene that activates the non-receptor tyrosine kinase, c-Src, and physically interacts with Taz (WWTR1). Taz is a pro-oncogenic transcription coactivator of the Tead transcription factors. The Hippo tumor suppressor pathway activates the kinase Lats, which phosphorylates Taz, leading to its nuclear exclusion and blunting Tead coactivation. We found that Taz was required for transformation by PyMT, but counter-intuitively, Taz was exclusively cytoplasmic in the presence of PyMT. We demonstrate that in the presence of PyMT, wild-type Taz was phosphorylated by Lats, in a Src-dependent manner. Consistently, a Lats refractory Taz mutant did not undergo cytoplasmic retention by PyMT. We show that Yap, the Taz paralog, and Shp2 phosphatase were nuclear excluded as well. Our findings describe a noncanonical activation of Lats, and an unprecedented Tead-independent role for Taz and Yap in viral-mediated oncogenesis.

Lessons in signaling and tumorigenesis from polyomavirus middle T antigen

The small DNA tumor viruses have provided a very long-lived source of insights into many aspects of the life cycle of eukaryotic cells. In recent years, the emphasis has been on cancer-related signaling. Here we review murine polyomavirus middle T antigen, its mechanisms, and its downstream pathways of transformation. We concentrate on the MMTV-PyMT transgenic mouse, one of the most studied models of breast cancer, which permits the examination of in situ tumor progression from hyperplasia to metastasis.

Lessons from polyoma middle T antigen on signaling and transformation: A DNA tumor virus contribution to the war on cancer

Middle T antigen (MT) is the principal oncogene of murine polyomavirus. Its study has led to the discovery of the roles of tyrosine kinase and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling in mammalian growth control and transformation. MT is necessary for viral transformation in tissue culture cells and tumorigenesis in animals. When expressed alone as a transgene, MT causes tumors in a wide variety of tissues. It has no known catalytic activity, but rather acts by assembling cellular signal transduction molecules. Protein phosphatase 2A, protein tyrosine kinases of the src family, PI3K, phospholipase Cgamma1 as well as the Shc/Grb2 adaptors are all assembled on MT. Their activation sets off a series of signaling cascades. Analyses of virus mutants as well as transgenic animals have demonstrated that the effects of a given signal depend not only tissue type, but on the genetic background of the host animal. There remain many opportunities as we seek a full molecular understanding of MT and apply some of its lessons to human cancer.

Leucine carboxyl methyltransferase-1 is necessary for normal progression through mitosis in mammalian cells

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a multifunctional phosphatase that plays important roles in many cellular processes including regulation of cell cycle and apoptosis. Because PP2A is involved in so many diverse processes, it is highly regulated by both non-covalent and covalent mechanisms that are still being defined. In this study we have investigated the importance of leucine carboxyl methyltransferase-1 (LCMT-1) for PP2A methylation and cell function. We show that reduction of LCMT-1 protein levels by small hairpin RNAs causes up to a 70% reduction in PP2A methylation in HeLa cells, indicating that LCMT-1 is the major mammalian PP2A methyltransferase. In addition, LCMT-1 knockdown reduced the formation of PP2A heterotrimers containing the Balpha regulatory subunit and, in a subset of the cells, induced apoptosis, characterized by caspase activation, nuclear condensation/fragmentation, and membrane blebbing. Knockdown of the PP2A Balpha regulatory subunit induced a similar amount of apoptosis, suggesting that LCMT-1 induces apoptosis in part by disrupting the formation of PP2A(BalphaAC) heterotrimers. Treatment with a pan-caspase inhibitor partially rescued cells from apoptosis induced by LCMT-1 or Balpha knockdown. LCMT-1 knockdown cells and Balpha knockdown cells were more sensitive to the spindle-targeting drug nocodazole, suggesting that LCMT-1 and Balpha are important for spindle checkpoint. Treatment of LCMT-1 and Balpha knockdown cells with thymidine dramatically reduced cell death, presumably by blocking progression through mitosis. Consistent with these results, homozygous gene trap knock-out of LCMT-1 in mice resulted in embryonic lethality. Collectively, our results indicate that LCMT-1 is important for normal progression through mitosis and cell survival and is essential for embryonic development in mice.

Hsc70 contacts helix III of the J domain from polyomavirus T antigens: addressing a dilemma in the chaperone hypothesis of how they release E2F from pRb

Hsc70's expected binding site on helix II of the J domain of T antigens appears to be blocked in its structure bound to tumor suppressor pRb. We used NMR to map where mammalian Hsc70 binds the J domain of murine polyomavirus T antigens (PyJ). The ATPase domain of Hsc70 unexpectedly has its biggest effects on the NMR peak positions of the C-terminal end of helix III of PyJ. The Hsc70 ATPase domain protects the C-terminal end of helix III of PyJ from an uncharged paramagnetic probe of chelated Gd(III), clearly suggesting the interface. Effects on the conserved HPD loop and helix II of PyJ are smaller. The NMR results are supported by a novel assay of Hsc70's ATP hydrolysis showing that mutations of surface residues in PyJ helix III impair PyJ-dependent stimulation of Hsc70 activity. Evolutionary trace analysis of J domains suggests that helix III usually may join helix II in contributing specificities for cognate hsp70s. Our novel evidence implicating helix III differs from evidence that Escherichia coli DnaK primarily affects helix II and the HPD loop of DnaJ. We find the pRb-binding fragment of E2F1 to be intrinsically unfolded and a good substrate for Hsc70 in vitro. This suggests that E2F1 could be a substrate for Hsc70 recruited by T antigen to an Rb family member. Importantly, our results strengthen the chaperone hypothesis for E2F release from an Rb family member by Hsc70 recruited by large T antigen. That is, it now appears that Hsc70 can freely access helix III and the HPD motif of large T antigen bound to an Rb family member.

The protein phosphatase 2A represents a novel cellular target for hepatitis C virus NS5A protein

It is well established that HCV NS5A protein when expressed in mammalian cells perturbs the extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) pathway. The protein serine/threonine phosphatase 2A controls the phosphorylation of numerous proteins involved in cell signaling and one characterized function is the regulation of Ras-Raf mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinase signaling pathways. Our results showed that expression of HCV NS5A protein stimulates phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activity in cells, indicating the relevance of NS5A as a regulator of PP2A in vivo. We found that transient expression of the full length NS5A protein in different cell lines leads to a significant increase of the PP2A activity and this activity is specifically inhibited by the addition of okadaic acid, a PP2A inhibitor, in living cells. Further investigation showed that NS5A protein interacts in vivo and in vitro with the scaffolding A and the catalytic C subunits of PP2A. We propose that HCV NS5A represents a viral PP2A regulatory protein. This is a novel function for the NS5A protein which may have a key role in the ability of the virus to deregulate cell growth and survival.

Genetic analysis of the polyomavirus DnaJ domain

Polyomavirus T antigens share a common N-terminal sequence that comprises a DnaJ domain. DnaJ domains activate DnaK molecular chaperones. The functions of J domains have primarily been tested by mutation of their conserved HPD residues. Here, we report detailed mutagenesis of the polyomavirus J domain in both large T (63 mutants) and middle T (51 mutants) backgrounds. As expected, some J mutants were defective in binding DnaK (Hsc70); other mutants retained the ability to bind Hsc70 but were defective in stimulating its ATPase activity. Moreover, the J domain behaves differently in large T and middle T. A given mutation was twice as likely to render large T unstable as it was to affect middle T stability. This apparently arose from middle T's ability to bind stabilizing proteins such as protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), since introduction of a second mutation preventing PP2A binding rendered some middle T J-domain mutants unstable. In large T, the HPD residues are critical for Rb-dependent effects on the host cell. Residues Q32, A33, Y34, H49, M52, and N56 within helix 2 and helix 3 of the large T J domain were also found to be required for Rb-dependent transactivation. Cyclin A promoter assays showed that J domain function also contributes to large T transactivation that is independent of Rb. Single point mutations in middle T were generally without effect. However, residue Q37 is critical for middle T's ability to form active signaling complexes. The Q37A middle T mutant was defective in association with pp60(c-src) and in transformation.

Interleukin-6 increases rat metalloproteinase-13 gene expression through Janus kinase-2-mediated inhibition of serine/threonine phosphatase-2A

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) increases metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) gene expression by increasing phosphorylated c-Jun and by inhibiting serine/threonine phosphatase-2A (PP2A) activity. We investigated the mechanisms by which IL-6 induces c-Jun phosphorylation and PP2A inactivation in Rat-1 fibroblasts. We show that IL-6 increased MMP-13 mRNA, phosphorylated c-Jun, and activator protein 1 (AP1) binding activity without increasing c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) activity. These effects did not seem to be mediated by ERK, p38 MAP kinase, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase, calmoduline-dependent protein kinase, protein kinase C (PKC) or protein kinase A since inhibition with specific inhibitors did not abrogate these effects. IL-6 increases PP2A catalytic subunit tyrosine phosphorylation. Inhibition of the tyrosine kinase Jak2, with the specific inhibitor AG490, abrogated this effect. Likewise, this Jak2 inhibitor blocked the effects of IL-6 on c-Jun phosphorylation, AP1 binding activity and metalloproteinase-13 gene expression. We conclude that IL-6 increases MMP-13 gene expression by activation of Jak2, resulting in tyrosine phosphorylation of the catalytic subunit of PP2A, which in turn decreases PP2A activity and prolongs c-Jun phosphorylation.

Determinants for the interaction between Janus kinase 2 and protein phosphatase 2A

We have shown that the serine/threonine protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) associates with the Jak2 tyrosine kinase in a myeloid progenitor line. In this study, we characterized the regions of Jak2 and PP2A responsible for association and evaluated the functional consequences of association. We demonstrate that PP2A interacts with truncated forms of Jak2 containing the JH1 catalytic domain. Using GST fusion proteins, we show that the isolated JH1 and JH3 domains of Jak2 bind directly to PP2A. Jak2 contains putative PP2A binding sequences (LXXLL) in the JH1 domain (residues 1078-1082) and in the JH3 domain (residues 474-478). Mutation of the LXXLL sequence in the JH1 domain decreased PP2A binding in vitro, while mutation of the similar JH3 sequence did not affect PP2A binding. We analyzed full-length Jak2 bearing the LXXLL mutation in Cos-7 cells for association with PP2A. The JH1 mutation impaired Jak2 activity and had a modest effect on PP2A binding. Finally, we show that a mutant form of the PP2A catalytic subunit lacking a site for phosphorylation (Y307F) binds more tightly to Jak2 than wild-type PP2A, consistent with a model where phosphorylation disrupts the Jak2-PP2A interaction.

Hsc70-interacting HPD loop of the J domain of polyomavirus T antigens fluctuates in ps to ns and micros to ms

The backbone dynamics of the J domain from polyomavirus T antigens have been investigated using 15N NMR relaxation and molecular dynamics simulation. Model-free relaxation analysis revealed picosecond to nanosecond motions in the N terminus, the I-II loop, the C-terminal end of helix II through the HPD loop to the beginning of helix III, and the C-terminal end of helix III to the C terminus. The backbone dynamics of the HPD loop and termini are dominated by motions with moderately large amplitudes and correlation times of the order of a nanosecond or longer. Conformational exchange on the microsecond to millisecond timescale was identified in the HPD loop, the N and C termini, and the I-II loop. A 9.7ns MD trajectory manifested concerted swings of the HPD loop. Transitions between major and minor conformations of the HPD loop featured distinct patterns of change in backbone dihedral angles and hydrogen bonds. Fraying of the C-terminal end of helix II and the N-terminal end of helix III correlated with displacements of the HPD loop. Correlation of crankshaft motions of Gly46 and Gly47 with the collective motions of the HPD loop suggested an important role of the two glycine residues in the mobility of the loop. Fluctuations of the HPD loop correlated with relative reorientation of side-chains of Lys35 and Asp44 that interact with Hsc70.

Cell transformation by the middle T-antigen of polyoma virus

The polyoma virus region expressed early in the lytic cycle encodes three proteins, or T-antigens, that together cause the infected cell to enter the cell cycle and so provide a suitable cellular environment for replication of the viral genome. Under some circumstances infection does not kill the cell, but the T-antigens are still produced, resulting in the cell becoming transformed and tumorigenic. Most of this transforming action is exerted by the middle T-antigen, which has the ability to convert established cell lines to an oncogenic state. Middle T is a membrane bound polypeptide that interacts with a number of the proteins used by tyrosine kinase associated receptors to stimulate mitogenesis, so MT can be considered as a permanently active analogue of a receptor. Through a defined series of interactions, MT assembles a large multi-protein complex at the cell membrane, consisting of MT, the core dimer of protein phosphatase 2A, an src-family tyrosine kinase, and via phosphotyrosines, ShcA, phosphatidylinositol (3') kinase, and phospholipase Cgamma-1. Tyrosine phosphorylation stimulates PI3K and PLCgamma-1 enzymatic activity, and on ShcA creates binding sites for Grb2 with its associated Sos1 and Gab1. This activates p21(ras), and hence, the MAP kinase cascade. Consequently, MT can be used as a model for studying cell transformation and growth factor receptor signalling pathways.

The role of adenovirus E4orf4 protein in viral replication and cell killing

It has only been within the last few years that insights have been gained into the remarkable diversity of functions of the adenovirus early transcription region 4 (E4) products. The polypeptide encoded by E4 open reading frame 4 (E4orf4) has emerged as an enigmatic product. Although it accomplishes certain functions that propel viral replication, it has also been shown to be highly toxic, an effect that could dampen the infectious cycle, but that also might serve to facilitate release of viral progeny. When expressed alone, E4orf4 induces a novel form of p53-independent apoptosis in cancer cells but not in normal human cells, thus making it of potential use in cancer gene therapy. In addition, knowledge of its mechanism of action, especially with regard to its interaction with protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), could provide insights to develop new small molecule anti-cancer drugs. Thus future studies on E4orf4 should be both informative and potentially valuable therapeutically. In this study we review the current status of knowledge on E4orf4.

Role of middle T-small T in the lytic cycle of polyomavirus: control of the early-to-late transcriptional switch and viral DNA replication

A comparative analysis of the lytic cycle of wild-type polyomavirus and middle T and small T defective mutants was carried out in the A2 genetic background. The results contrast with those obtained in comparisons between the hr-t type and their middle-T small-T-producing partners as previously described (20). The A2-derived mutants were found to share the maturation defect previously described for the hr-t mutants. However, their defect in DNA replication was more acute, resulting in a 5- to 100-fold decrease in the accumulation of viral genomes. Furthermore, their gene expression pattern was affected. A2-derived mutants displayed an early defect resulting in a 4- to 16-h delay in the expression of large T, and an alteration of the early-to-late transcriptional switch. In wild-type A2 infection, this switch is characterized by a large increase in the accumulation of early transcripts followed by late transcripts after the appearance of middle T and small T proteins and the onset of viral DNA replication (L. Chen and M. M. Fluck, J. Virol. 75: 8368-8379, 2001). In the mutant infection, increases in both classes of transcripts were delayed and reduced, but the effect on early transcripts was more pronounced. As has been described previously for the hr-t mutants (E. Goldman, J. Hattori, and T. Benjamin, Cell 13:505-513, 1979), the magnitude of these defects depended upon experimental conditions. Experiments using cytosine beta-arabinofuranoside to reduce genome amplification suggest that the effect of middle T-small T on the transcriptional switch is not solely mediated by the effect of these protein(s) on increasing the number of templates. These data provide the first direct demonstration of an effect of middle T and/or small T in the viral transcription pattern during viral infection. The results agree with previous results obtained with plasmid reporters and with our understanding that the downstream targets of the middle T signaling pathway include three transcription factors that have binding sites in the enhancer domain that play a key regulatory role in the expression of the viral genes.

Natural biology of polyomavirus middle T antigen

"It has been commented by someone that 'polyoma' is an adjective composed of a prefix and suffix, with no root between--a meatless linguistic sandwich" (C. J. Dawe). The very name "polyomavirus" is a vague mantel: a name given before our understanding of these viral agents was clear but implying a clear tumor life-style, as noted by the late C. J. Dawe. However, polyomavirus are not by nature tumor-inducing agents. Since it is the purpose of this review to consider the natural function of middle T antigen (MT), encoded by one of the seemingly crucial transforming genes of polyomavirus, we will reconsider and redefine the virus and its MT gene in the context of its natural biology and function. This review was motivated by our recent in vivo analysis of MT function. Using intranasal inoculation of adult SCID mice, we have shown that polyomavirus can replicate with an MT lacking all functions associated with transformation to similar levels to wild-type virus. These observations, along with an almost indistinguishable replication of all MT mutants with respect to wild-type viruses in adult competent mice, illustrate that MT can have a play subtle role in acute replication and persistence. The most notable effect of MT mutants was in infections of newborns, indicating that polyomavirus may be highly adapted to replication in newborn lungs. It is from this context that our current understanding of this well-studied virus and gene is presented.

Effect on polyomavirus T-antigen function of mutations in a conserved leucine-rich segment of the DnaJ domain

The N-terminal part of the mouse polyomavirus T antigens contains a highly conserved segment (-LLELLKL-), including amino acid residues 13 to 19. The sequence motif is predicted to form alpha helix I in the DnaJ domain of the T antigens. Four mutants with conservative substitutions of amino acid residues 13 and 14 were constructed. Of the four substitutions, L13M, L13I, L13V, and L14V, only L13V resulted in a phenotypic change. In transfected mouse cells, L13V large T antigen showed a more than 100-fold-reduced viral DNA synthesis. The viral replication could not be rescued by cotransfection of the cells with DNA expressing small t antigen or a large T antigen truncated at the C terminus that would compensate for a defect in host cell stimulation. In contrast to the effect on DNA replication, the L13V substitution in large T antigen did not prevent complex formation with Hsc70 and the Rb protein. Also, the activity of the protein in transactivation of transcription from the adenovirus E2 promoter was unimpaired, showing that the transcription factor E2F was released from pRb. The L13V substitution also caused a defect in small t antigen. However, this phenotypic change was due to protein instability. In contrast, middle T antigen with the L13V substitution remained stable and functional in cellular transformation. Together, the data show that the effect of the L13V substitution did not abrogate the Hsc70 interaction of the DnaJ domain. However, it is possible that the substitution of amino acid residue 13 affected specific DnaJ functions of large T antigen.

NMR structure of the N-terminal J domain of murine polyomavirus T antigens. Implications for DnaJ-like domains and for mutations of T antigens

The NMR structure of the N-terminal, DnaJ-like domain of murine polyomavirus tumor antigens (PyJ) has been determined to high precision, with root mean square deviations to the mean structure of 0.38 A for backbone atoms and 0.94 A for all heavy atoms of ordered residues 5-41 and 50-69. PyJ possesses a three-helix fold, in which anti-parallel helices II and III are bridged by helix I, similar to the four-helix fold of the J domains of DnaJ and human DnaJ-1. PyJ differs significantly in the lengths of N terminus, helix I, and helix III. The universally conserved HPD motif appears to form a His-Pro C-cap of helix II. Helix I features a stabilizing Schellman C-cap that is probably conserved universally among J domains. On the helix II surface where positive charges of other J domains have been implicated in binding of hsp70s, PyJ contains glutamine residues. Nonetheless, chimeras that replace the J domain of DnaJ with PyJ function like wild-type DnaJ in promoting growth of Escherichia coli. This activity can be modulated by mutations of at least one of these glutamines. T antigen mutations reported to impair cellular transformation by the virus, presumably via interactions with PP2A, cluster in the hydrophobic folding core and at the extreme N terminus, remote from the HPD loop.

Adenovirus E4 open reading frame 4-induced apoptosis involves dysregulation of Src family kinases

The adenoviral early region 4 open reading frame 4 (E4orf4) death factor induces p53-independent apoptosis in many cell types and appears to kill selectively transformed cells. Here we show that expression of E4orf4 in transformed epithelial cells results in early caspase-independent membrane blebbing, associated with changes in the organization of focal adhesions and actin cytoskeleton. Evidence that E4orf4 can associate with and modulate Src family kinase activity, inhibiting Src-dependent phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and paxillin while increasing phosphorylation of cortactin and some other cellular proteins, is presented. Furthermore, E4orf4 dramatically inhibited the ability of FAK and c-src to cooperate in induction of tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular substrates, suggesting that E4orf4 can interfere with the formation of a signaling complex at focal adhesion sites. Consistent with a functional role for E4orf4-Src interaction, overexpression of activated c-src dramatically potentiated E4orf4-induced membrane blebbing and apoptosis, whereas kinase dead c-src constructs inhibited E4orf4 effects on cell morphology and death. Moreover treatment of E4orf4-expressing cells with PP2, a selective Src kinase inhibitor, led to inhibition of E4orf4-dependent membrane blebbing and later to a marked decrease in E4orf4-induced nuclear condensation. Taken together, these observations indicate that expression of adenovirus 2 E4orf4 can initiate caspase-independent extranuclear manifestations of apoptosis through a modulation of Src family kinases and that these are involved in signaling E4orf4-dependent apoptosis. This study also suggests that Src family kinases are likely to play a role in the cytoplasmic execution of apoptotic programs.

Role of janus kinase-2 in insulin-mediated phosphorylation and inactivation of protein phosphatase-2A and its impact on upstream insulin signalling components

Our recent studies indicate that insulin rapidly inactivates serine/threonine protein phosphatase-2A (PP-2A) by increasing tyrosine phosphorylation on the catalytic subunit. The exact mechanism of PP-2A inactivation by insulin in vivo is unclear. The Janus kinase (JAK) family of non-receptor protein tyrosine kinases constitute a novel type of signal-transduction pathway which is activated in response to a wide variety of polypeptide ligands, including insulin. In this study we investigated the potential role of JAK-2 in insulin-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation and inactivation of PP-2A using the rat skeletal muscle cell line L6. Co-immunoprecipitation studies revealed that PP-2A is associated with JAK-2 in the basal state. Insulin treatment did not alter JAK-2 association with PP-2A, but did increase JAK-2-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of the PP-2A catalytic subunit and therefore inhibited PP-2A enzymic activity. Furthermore, PP-2A is associated with phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI-3K) in the basal state and insulin treatment increases the catalytic activity of PI-3K bound to PP-2A. Pretreatment with AG-490, a specific JAK-2 inhibitor, and SpcAMP, a cAMP agonist, prevented the insulin-mediated increase in (i) JAK-2 kinase activity, (ii) PP-2A tyrosine phosphorylation, (iii) PP-2A inactivation and restored the enzyme activity to control levels, and (iv) PP-2A and JAK-2-associated PI-3K activity. These observations, together with the fact that insulin rapidly activates JAK-2 in L6 cells, and that this is accompanied by an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of PP-2A in JAK-2 immunoprecipitates, suggest that insulin controls the activation status of PP-2A by tyrosine phosphorylation via JAK-2. PP-2A inactivation may result in an amplification of insulin-generated signals at the level of PI-3K.

Catalytically inactive protein phosphatase 2A can bind to polyomavirus middle tumor antigen and support complex formation with pp60(c-src)

Interaction between the heterodimeric form of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) and polyomavirus middle T antigen (MT) is required for the subsequent assembly of a transformation-competent MT complex. To investigate the role of PP2A catalytic activity in MT complex formation, we undertook a mutational analysis of the PP2A 36-kDa catalytic C subunit. Several residues likely to be involved in the dephosphorylation mechanism were identified and mutated. The resultant catalytically inactive C subunit mutants were then analyzed for their ability to associate with a cellular (B subunit) or a viral (MT) B-type subunit. Strikingly, while all of the inactive mutants were severely impaired in their interaction with B subunit, most of these mutants formed complexes with polyomavirus MT. These findings indicate a potential role for these catalytically important residues in complex formation with cellular B subunit, but not in complex formation with MT. Transformation-competent MT is known to associate with, and modulate the activity of, several cellular proteins, including pp60(c-src) family kinases. To determine whether association of MT with an active PP2A A-C heterodimer is necessary for subsequent association with pp60(c-src), catalytically inactive C subunits were examined for their ability to form complexes containing pp60(c-src) in MT-expressing cells. Two catalytically inactive C subunit mutants that efficiently formed complexes with MT also formed complexes that included an active pp60(c-src) kinase, demonstrating that PP2A activity is not essential in cis in MT complexes for subsequent pp60(c-src) association.

Association between src-kinases and the polyoma virus oncogene middle T-antigen requires PP2A and a specific sequence motif

Polymoma virus encodes a potent oncogene, the middle T-antigen (MT), that induces cell transformation by copying the actions of tyrosine kinase associated growth factor receptors. A crucial component of MT transformation is its ability to bind and stimulate the activity of src-family kinases. However, the mechanism by which this is achieved remains unclear. Tyrosine phosphorylation of MT by src-kinases then provides binding sites for SH2 and PTB domain containing molecules in a paradigm of receptor action. We present evidence here that the MT/src complex contains equi-molar amounts of PP2A, and that phosphatase activity may be required for the interaction of MT with both PP2A and the src-family. PP2A, then, is a necessary component of the MT-src complex. We also show that two motifs in the 185 to 210 region of MT, each consisting of a basic area followed by a serine or threonine, are essential for interaction with src-kinases, but not PP2A. The spacing between the serine or threonine and the basic sequence also appears to be important. Substituting a cysteine residue in place of Thr203 in MT has no affect on the binding of pp60c-src, showing that these sites interact with src-kinases by a novel mechanism that does not require phosphorylation.

Formation of transformed endothelial cells in the absence of VEGFR-2/Flk-1 by Polyoma middle T oncogene

The middle T antigen of murine Polyomavirus (PymT) rapidly transforms endothelial cells leading to vascular malformations reminiscent of endothelial tumors or hemangiomas. Flk-1, a receptor tyrosine kinase which is activated upon binding of its ligand VEGF, is predominantly expressed in endothelial cells and essential for the formation of blood vessels since absence of Flk-1 prevents the development of mature endothelial cells in mice and in ES-cell differentiation experiments. To investigate the role of Flk-1 in PymT-induced vascular tumor formation, we studied the expression of Flk-1 and VEGF in PymT-transformed endothelial cells (Endothelioma cells, END. cells). The receptor and its ligand were both expressed in END. cells suggesting that a VEGF/Flk-1 autocrine loop might be causally involved in the formation of vascular tumors. To test this hypothesis, ES cells lacking Flk-1 were generated and the transforming potential of PymT was analysed after in vitro differentiation. Flk-1(-/-) END. cell lines were established which are morphologically identical to flk-1(+/+) END. cells and which express several markers characteristic for endothelial cells. This result suggests that PymT functionally replaces the requirement of Flk-1 in expansion and/or survival of endothelial progenitor cells. Therefore, flk-1(-/-) END. cells provide a powerful tool to dissect the downstream signaling pathways of Flk-1.

A protein phosphatase methylesterase (PME-1) is one of several novel proteins stably associating with two inactive mutants of protein phosphatase 2A

Carboxymethylation of proteins is a highly conserved means of regulation in eukaryotic cells. The protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) catalytic (C) subunit is reversibly methylated at its carboxyl terminus by specific methyltransferase and methylesterase enzymes which have been purified, but not cloned. Carboxymethylation affects PP2A activity and varies during the cell cycle. Here, we report that substitution of glutamine for either of two putative active site histidines in the PP2A C subunit results in inactivation of PP2A and formation of stable complexes between PP2A and several cellular proteins. One of these cellular proteins, herein named protein phosphatase methylesterase-1 (PME-1), was purified and microsequenced, and its cDNA was cloned. PME-1 is conserved from yeast to human and contains a motif found in lipases having a catalytic triad-activated serine as their active site nucleophile. Bacterially expressed PME-1 demethylated PP2A C subunit in vitro, and okadaic acid, a known inhibitor of the PP2A methylesterase, inhibited this reaction. To our knowledge, PME-1 represents the first mammalian protein methylesterase to be cloned. Several lines of evidence indicate that, although there appears to be a role for C subunit carboxyl-terminal amino acids in PME-1 binding, amino acids other than those at the extreme carboxyl terminus of the C subunit also play an important role in PME-1 binding to a catalytically inactive mutant.

Binding specificity of protein phosphatase 2A core enzyme for regulatory B subunits and T antigens

The core enzyme of protein phosphatase 2A is composed of a regulatory subunit A and a catalytic subunit C. It is controlled by three types of regulatory B subunits (B, B', and B") and by tumor (T) antigens, which are unrelated by sequence but bind to overlapping regions on the A subunit. To find out whether the different B subunits and T antigens bind to identical or distinct amino acids of the A subunit, mutants were generated and their abilities to bind B subunits and T antigens were tested. We found that some amino acids are involved in the binding of all types of B subunits, whereas others are specifically involved in the binding of one or two types of B subunits. T-antigen-binding specificity does not correlate with that of a particular type of B subunit.

Identification of structural elements involved in the interaction of simian virus 40 small tumor antigen with protein phosphatase 2A

SV40 small tumor antigen (small-t) was used as a model to identify structural elements involved in the interactions between regulatory proteins and protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). Using mutant proteins and synthetic peptides, we identified a small domain within small-t that is a major site for interaction with the dimeric form of PP2A. A series of small-t truncation mutants identified a region surrounding the first of two conserved cysteine clusters that was critical for interaction with PP2A. These mutants also identified additional regions of small-t that contribute to high affinity interaction. Deletion of residues 110-119, which encompass the first cysteine cluster, resulted in a protein that failed to bind to PP2A. Synthetic peptides that contained residues 105-122 of small-t blocked binding of small-t to PP2A. These peptides also inhibited the phosphatase activity of PP2A in a manner analogous to full-length small-t. The active small-t peptides adopt a beta-strand structure that was essential for high affinity interaction with the PP2A dimer. Based on circular dichroism measurements, the same cysteine cluster-containing peptides that bind to PP2A also interact with zinc. Interaction with zinc required the conserved cysteines but was not required for interaction with PP2A.

Signaling from polyomavirus middle T and small T defines different roles for protein phosphatase 2A

Polyomavirus causes a broad spectrum of tumors as the result of the action of its early proteins. This work compares signaling from middle T antigen (MT), the major transforming protein, to that from small T antigen (ST). The abilities of MT mutants to promote cell cycle progression in serum-starved NIH 3T3 cells were compared. Transformation-defective mutants lacking association with SHC or with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) retained the ability to induce DNA synthesis as measured by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation. Only when both interactions were lost in the Y250F/Y315F double mutant was MT inactive. ST promoted cell cycle progression in a manner dependent on its binding of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). Since the Y250F/Y315F MT mutant was wild type for PP2A binding yet unable to promote cell cycle progression, while ST was capable of promoting cell cycle progression, these experiments revealed a functional difference in MT and ST signaling via PP2A. Assays testing the abilities of MT and ST to induce the c-fos promoter and to activate c-jun kinase led to the same conclusion. ST, but not Y250F/Y315F MT, was able to activate the c-fos promoter through its interaction with PP2A. In contrast, MT, but not ST, was able to activate c-jun kinase by virtue of its interaction with PP2A.

Polyoma middle T antigen activates the Ser/Thr kinase Akt in a PI3-kinase-dependent manner

Polyoma middle T antigen (PMT) was originally identified as the tumorigenic component of the polyomavirus genome. To investigate whether the serine/ threonine kinase Akt/PKB, which is the proto-oncogene transduced by the transforming AKT8 retrovirus, is activated by PMT, 3T3-L1 fibroblasts were stably transfected with wild type PMT. PMT expression accelerated glucose transport and increased phosphorylation of p70 S6-kinase and MAPK. PMT expression also stimulated Akt kinase activity 7 fold as compared to untreated, mock infected cells. This stimulation rivaled that obtained following insulin treatment of both mock and PMT infected cells. Akt activation and phosphorylation were eliminated in a PMT mutant incapable of interacting with PI3-kinase, but not one which does not interact with Shc, and correlated closely to the amount of PI3-kinase activity in anti-phosphotyrosine immunoprecipitates. These results indicate that the PI3-kinase pathway is requisite, but the Shc pathway is dispensable, for Akt activation. The studies further suggest that Akt may participate in PMT and PI3-kinase's regulation of cellular transformation and tumorigenesis.

Signalling by Src family kinases: lessons learnt from DNA tumour viruses

Virus replication and spreading in a host population depends on highly specific interactions of viral proteins with infected cells, resulting in subversion of multiple cellular signal transduction pathways. For instance, viral proteins cause cell cycle progression of the infected host cell in order to establish a cellular environment favourable for virus replication. Of equal importance for successful virus propagation is virus-mediated attenuation of a host's immune response. Many of the pathways controlling these aspects of cell behaviour are regulated by cellular tyrosine kinases. One particular family of these enzymes, Src family kinases, are involved in processing signals emanating from the plasma membrane upon stimulation by growth factors, by cell-substratum or by cell-cell contact. Two families of DNA viruses, polyoma- and herpesviruses, encode proteins targeted at tyrosine kinases. The middle-T antigens expressed by mouse and hamster polyomavirus associate with and activate Src family tyrosine kinases. Two members of the herpes family of DNA viruses, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and herpesvirus saimiri (HVS), encode proteins, LMP2A and Tip, respectively, that associate with cellular tyrosine kinases of the Src and Syk/Zap family. Upon association with these viral proteins, the activity of these tyrosine kinases is changed resulting in altered signal output. Middle-T, LMP2A and Tip are therefore excellent tools to study the regulation of Src family kinases.

Tiny T antigen: an autonomous polyomavirus T antigen amino-terminal domain

Three mRNAs from the murine polyomavirus early region encode the three well-characterized tumor antigens. We report the existence of a fourth alternatively spliced mRNA which encodes a fourth tumor antigen, tiny T antigen, which comprises the amino-terminal domain common to all of the T antigens but is extended by six unique amino acid residues. The amount of tiny T antigen in infected cells is small because of its short half-life. Tiny T antigen stimulates the ATPase activity of Hsc70, most likely because of its DnaJ-like motif. The common amino-terminal domain may interface with chaperone complexes to assist the T antigens in carrying out their diverse functions of replication, transcription, and transformation in the appropriate cellular compartments.

The elevation of cellular phosphatidic acid levels caused by polyomavirus transformation can be disassociated from the activation of phospholipase D

Middle T (mT), the oncogene of murine polyomavirus, causes transformation of rat fibroblasts by activating a number of signal transducing pathways usually used by polypeptide growth factors and their receptors. Here, we report data regarding the activation of signal transducing pathways involving phospholipase D (PL-D). The hydrolysis of phospholipids by PL-D produces phosphatidic acid (PA), a compound with multiple biological effects. The PA content of cells expressing wild-type mT, introduced via a number of different methods, is approximately 50% higher than their untransformed counterparts. This increase in cellular PA content is associated with an approximately 65% increase in PL-D activity in cells expressing wild-type mT. We have also examined the effects of a number of site-directed mutants of mT, on both cellular PA levels and on PL-D activity. Mutants that do not produce mT (Py808A) or that produce a truncated, nonmembrane bound mT (Py1387T) have PA levels similar to that of control cells. Cells expressing the 322YF mutant of mT (which abolishes interaction of mT with phospholipase C gamma1) show increases in both PA levels and PL-D activity that are similar to those seen with wild-type mT. Expression of mutants that abolish the interaction of mT with either shc or with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (250YS and 315YF, respectively) cause an increase in PL-D activity comparable to that seen with wild-type mT. However, the PA content of cells expressing these mutants is not elevated. These results suggest that mT causes activation of cellular PL-D, but this activation alone is not sufficient to cause an increase in cellular PA content. Therefore, wild-type mT must affect another, as yet unknown, step in PA metabolism.

pp60c-src binding to polyomavirus middle T-antigen (MT) requires residues 185 to 210 of the MT sequence

Interaction with the src family of tyrosine kinases is crucial to the transforming action of polyomavirus middle T-antigen (MT). Association with MT activates the tyrosine kinase activity of pp60(c-src) and, through subsequent MT phosphorylation, creates binding sites for signalling molecules whose stimulation culminates in cell transformation. Despite this importance, and many studies, little is known of the mechanisms by which pp60(c-src) binds to MT. We report here isolation of the first MT mutants that disrupt pp60(c-src) binding without affecting the interaction between MT and protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). Through deletion analysis we established that interaction with pp60(c-src) requires the sequences between amino acids 185 and 210 of MT, but these residues have no effect on PP2A binding. Cells expressing these mutants showed few altered properties, indicating that the PP2A-MT interaction alone has little influence on cell phenotype. Subcellular location of these mutant MT molecules was indistinguishable by immunofluorescence analysis from that of wild-type MT but was altered markedly on loss of PP2A binding. This suggests a possible role for PP2A in specifying subcellular distribution.

Separation of PP2A core enzyme and holoenzyme with monoclonal antibodies against the regulatory A subunit: abundant expression of both forms in cells

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) holoenzyme is composed of a catalytic subunit, C, and two regulatory subunits, A and B. The A subunit is rod shaped and consists of 15 nonidentical repeats. According to our previous model, the B subunit binds to repeats 1 through 10 and the C subunit binds to repeats 11 through 15 of the A subunit. Another form of PP2A, core enzyme, is composed only of subunits A and C. It is generally believed that core enzyme does not exist in cells but is an artifact of enzyme purification. To study the structure and relative abundance of different forms of PP2A, we generated monoclonal antibodies against the native A subunit. Two antibodies, 5H4 and 1A12, recognized epitopes in repeat 1 near the N terminus and immunoprecipitated free A subunit and core enzyme but not holoenzyme. Another antibody, 6G3, recognized an epitope in repeat 15 at the C terminus and precipitated only the free A subunit. Monoclonal antibodies against a peptide corresponding to the N-terminal 11 amino acids of the A alpha subunit (designated 6F9) precipitated free A subunit, core enzyme, and holoenzyme. 6F9, but not 5H4, recognized holoenzymes containing either B, B', or B" subunits. These results demonstrate that B subunits from three unrelated gene families all bind to repeat 1 of the A subunit, and the results confirm and extend our model of the holoenzyme. By sequential immunoprecipitations with 5H4 or 1A12 followed by 6F9, core enzyme and holoenzyme in cytoplasmic extracts from 10T1/2 cells were completely separated and they exhibited the expected specificities towards phosphorylase a and retinoblastoma peptide as substrates. Quantitative analysis showed that under conditions which minimized proteolysis and dissociation of holoenzyme, core enzyme represented at least one-third of the total PP2A. We conclude that core enzyme is an abundant form in cells rather than an artifact of isolation. The biological implications of this finding are discussed.