Characterization and use of monoclonal antibodies for isolation of phosphotyrosyl proteins from retrovirus-transformed cells and growth factor-stimulated cells

The many ways that nature has exploited the unusual structural and chemical properties of phosphohistidine for use in proteins

Histidine phosphorylation is an important and ubiquitous post-translational modification. Histidine undergoes phosphorylation on either of the nitrogens in its imidazole side chain, giving rise to 1- and 3- phosphohistidine (pHis) isomers, each having a phosphoramidate linkage that is labile at high temperatures and low pH, in contrast with stable phosphomonoester protein modifications. While all organisms routinely use pHis as an enzyme intermediate, prokaryotes, lower eukaryotes and plants also use it for signal transduction. However, research to uncover additional roles for pHis in higher eukaryotes is still at a nascent stage. Since the discovery of pHis in 1962, progress in this field has been relatively slow, in part due to a lack of the tools and techniques necessary to study this labile modification. However, in the past ten years the development of phosphoproteomic techniques to detect phosphohistidine (pHis), and methods to synthesize stable pHis analogues, which enabled the development of anti-phosphohistidine (pHis) antibodies, have accelerated our understanding. Recent studies that employed anti-pHis antibodies and other advanced techniques have contributed to a rapid expansion in our knowledge of histidine phosphorylation. In this review, we examine the varied roles of pHis-containing proteins from a chemical and structural perspective, and present an overview of recent developments in pHis proteomics and antibody development.

IL-4 and IL-13 Receptor Signaling From 4PS to Insulin Receptor Substrate 2: There and Back Again, a Historical View

In this historical perspective, written in honor of Dr. William E. Paul, we describe the initial discovery of one of the dominant substrates for tyrosine phosphorylation stimulated by IL-4. We further describe how this “IL-4-induced phosphorylated substrate” (4PS) was characterized as a member of the insulin receptor substrate (IRS) family of large adaptor proteins that link IL-4 and insulin receptors to activation of the phosphatidyl-inositol 3′ kinase pathway as well as other downstream signaling pathways. The relative contribution of the 4PS/IRS pathway to the early models of IL-4-induced proliferation and suppression of apoptosis are compared to our more recent understanding of the complex interplay between positive and negative regulatory pathways emanating from members of the IRS family that impact allergic responses.

Advances in development of new tools for the study of phosphohistidine

Protein phosphorylation is an important post-translational modification that is an integral part of cellular function. The O-phosphorylated amino-acid residues, such as phosphoserine (pSer), phosphothreonine (pThr) and phosphotyrosine (pTyr), have dominated the literature while the acid labile N-linked phosphorylated amino acids, such as phosphohistidine (pHis), have largely been historically overlooked because of the acidic conditions routinely used in amino-acid detection and analysis. This review highlights some misinterpretations that have arisen in the existing literature, pinpoints outstanding questions and potential future directions to clarify the role of pHis in mammalian signalling systems. Particular emphasis is placed on pHis isomerization and the hybrid functionality for both pHis and pTyr of the proposed τ-pHis analogue bearing the triazole residue.

pHisphorylation: the emergence of histidine phosphorylation as a reversible regulatory modification

Histidine phosphorylation is crucial for prokaryotic signal transduction and as an intermediate for several metabolic enzymes, yet its role in mammalian cells remains largely uncharted. This is primarily caused by difficulties in studying histidine phosphorylation because of the relative instability of phosphohistidine (pHis) and lack of specific antibodies and methods to preserve and detect it. The recent synthesis of stable pHis analogs has enabled development of pHis-specific antibodies and their use has started to shed light onto this important, yet enigmatic posttranslational modification. We are beginning to understand that pHis has broader roles in protein and cellular function including; cell cycle regulation, phagocytosis, regulation of ion channel activity and metal ion coordination. Two mammalian histidine kinases (NME1 and NME2), two pHis phosphatases (PHPT1 and LHPP), and a handful of substrates were previously identified. These new tools have already led to the discovery of an additional phosphatase (PGAM5) and hundreds of putative substrates. New methodologies are also being developed to probe the pHis phosphoproteome and determine functional consequences, including negative ion mode mass spectroscopy and unnatural amino acid incorporation. These new tools and strategies have the potential to overcome the unique challenges that have been holding back our understanding of pHis in cell biology.

The discovery of modular binding domains: building blocks of cell signalling

Cell signalling - the ability of a cell to process information from the environment and change its behaviour in response - is a central property of life. Signalling depends on proteins that are assembled from a toolkit of modular domains, each of which confers a specific activity or function. The discovery of modular protein- and lipid-binding domains was a crucial turning point in understanding the logic and evolution of signalling mechanisms.

Monoclonal 1- and 3-Phosphohistidine Antibodies: New Tools to Study Histidine Phosphorylation

Histidine phosphorylation (pHis) is well studied in bacteria; however, its role in mammalian signaling remains largely unexplored due to the lack of pHis-specific antibodies and the lability of the phosphoramidate (P-N) bond. Both imidazole nitrogens can be phosphorylated, forming 1-phosphohistidine (1-pHis) or 3-phosphohistidine (3-pHis). We have developed monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that specifically recognize 1-pHis or 3-pHis; they do not cross-react with phosphotyrosine or the other pHis isomer. Assays based on the isomer-specific autophosphorylation of NME1 and phosphoglycerate mutase were used with immunoblotting and sequencing IgG variable domains to screen, select, and characterize anti-1-pHis and anti-3-pHis mAbs. Their sequence independence was determined by blotting synthetic peptide arrays, and they have been tested for immunofluorescence staining and immunoaffinity purification, leading to putative identification of pHis-containing proteins. These reagents should be broadly useful for identification of pHis substrates and functional study of pHis using a variety of immunological, proteomic, and biological assays.

The genesis of tyrosine phosphorylation

Tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins was discovered in 1979, but this posttranslational modification had been "invented" by evolution more than a billion years ago in single-celled eukaryotic organisms that were the antecedents of the first multicellular animals. Because sophisticated cell-cell communication is a sine qua non for the existence of multicellular organisms, the development of cell-surface receptor systems that use tyrosine phosphorylation for transmembrane signal transduction and intracellular signaling seems likely to have been a crucial event in the evolution of metazoans. Like all types of protein phosphorylation, tyrosine phosphorylation serves to regulate proteins in multiple ways, including causing electrostatic repulsion and inducing allosteric transitions, but the most important function of phosphotyrosine (P.Tyr) is to serve as a docking site that promotes a specific interaction between a tyrosine phosphorylated protein and another protein that contains a P.Tyr-binding domain, such as an SH2 or PTB domain. Such docking interactions are essential for signal transduction downstream from receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) on the cell surface, which are activated on binding a cognate extracellular ligand, and, as a consequence, elicit specific cellular outcomes.

What pathogens have taught us about posttranslational modifications

Pathogens use various mechanisms to manipulate host processes to promote infection. Decades of research on pathogens have revealed not only the molecular mechanisms that these microbes use to replicate and survive within host cells, but also seminal information on how host signaling machinery regulates cellular processes. Among these discoveries are mechanisms involving posttranslational modifications that alter the activity, localization, or interactions of the modified protein. Herein, we examine how pathogens have contributed to our basic understanding of three posttranslational modifications: phosphorylation, NMPylation, and ubiquitylation. Over the years, technologies, techniques and research tools have developed side by side with the study of pathogens, facilitating the discovery of protein modifications and furthering our understanding of how they contribute to both infection and cellular functions.

A pan-specific antibody for direct detection of protein histidine phosphorylation

Despite its importance in central metabolism and bacterial cell signaling, protein histidine phosphorylation has remained elusive with respect to its extent and functional roles in biological systems because of the lack of adequate research tools. We report the development of the first pan-phosphohistidine (pHis) antibody using a stable pHis mimetic as the hapten. This antibody was successfully used in ELISA, western blotting, dot blot assays and immunoprecipitation and in detection and identification of histidine-phosphorylated proteins from native cell lysates when coupled with MS analysis. We also observed that the amount of protein pHis in Escherichia coli lysates depends on carbon source and nitrogen availability in the growth medium. In particular, we found that the amount of pHis on phosphoenolpyruvate synthase (PpsA) is sensitive to nitrogen availability in vivo and that α-ketoglutarate inhibits phosphotransfer from phosphorylated PpsA to pyruvate. We expect this antibody to open opportunities for investigating other pHis proteins and their functions.

Sperm phosphoproteomics: historical perspectives and current methodologies

Mammalian sperm are differentiated germ cells that transfer genetic material from the male to the female. Owing to this essential role in the reproductive process, an understanding of the complex mechanisms that underlie sperm function has implications ranging from the development of novel contraceptives to the treatment of male infertility. While the importance of phosphorylation in sperm differentiation, maturation and fertilization has been well established, the ability to directly determine the sites of phosphorylation within sperm proteins and to quantitate the extent of phosphorylation at these sites is a recent development that has relied almost exclusively on advances in the field of proteomics. This review will summarize the work that has been carried out to date on sperm phosphoproteomics and discuss how the resulting qualitative and quantitative information has been used to provide insight into the manner in which protein phosphorylation events modulate sperm function. The authors also present the proteomics process as it is most often utilized for the elucidation of protein expression, with a particular emphasis on the way in which the process has been modified for the analysis of protein phosphorylation in sperm.

Chasing phosphohistidine, an elusive sibling in the phosphoamino acid family

This year (2012) marks the 50th anniversary of the discovery of protein histidine phosphorylation. Phosphorylation of histidine (pHis) is now widely recognized as being critical to signaling processes in prokaryotes and lower eukaryotes. However, the modification is also becoming more widely reported in mammalian cellular processes and implicated in certain human disease states such as cancer and inflammation. Nonetheless, much remains to be understood about the role and extent of the modification in mammalian cell biology. Studying the functional role of pHis in signaling, either in vitro or in vivo, has proven devilishly hard, largely due to the chemical instability of the modification. As a consequence, we are currently handicapped by a chronic lack of chemical and biochemical tools with which to study histidine phosphorylation. Here, we discuss the challenges associated with studying the chemical biology of pHis and review recent progress that offers some hope that long-awaited biochemical reagents for studying this elusive posttranslational modification (PTM) might soon be available.

Structure of the murine Jak2 protein-tyrosine kinase and its role in interleukin 3 signal transduction

Interleukin 3 (IL-3) regulates the proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic cells. Although the IL-3 receptor chains lack kinase catalytic domains, IL-3 induces tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins. To investigate the potential role of the JAK family of protein-tyrosine kinases in IL-3 signal transduction, we have obtained full-length cDNA clones for murine Jak1 and Jak2 protein-tyrosine kinases and prepared antiserum against the predicted proteins. Using antisera against Jak2, we demonstrate that IL-3 stimulation results in the rapid and specific tyrosine phosphorylation of Jak2 and activates its in vitro kinase activity.

William L. McGuire Memorial Symposium. The role of erbB2 signal transduction pathways in human breast cancer

The erbB2 receptor is expressed at very high levels in nearly 30% of human breast cancer patients and plays an important role in the transformation and the prognosis of breast cancer. While evidence accumulates to support the relationship between erbB2 overexpression and poor overall survival in human breast cancer, understanding of the biological consequence(s) of erbB2 overexpression remains elusive. Our recent discovery, cloning, sequencing, and expression of the erbB2 ligand (gp30) has allowed us to identify a number of related but distinct biological endpoints which appear responsive to signal transduction through the erbB2 receptor. These endpoints of growth, invasiveness, and differentiation have clear implications for the emergence, maintenance, and/or control of malignancy, and represent established endpoints in the assessment of malignant progression in breast cancer. Studies in vitro have shown that gp30 induces a biphasic growth effect (induction of growth at low concentrations and inhibition of growth at high concentrations) on cells with erbB2 over-expression. Strikingly, we have recently observed that the erbB2 signalling pathway can be modulated by estrogen acting through the estrogen receptor (ER). Conversely, we observed that down regulation of erbB2 by estrogen can be blocked by gp30 acting through the erbB2 receptor. Clearly, mechanistic aspects of the erbB2/ligand interaction need to be understood from a therapeutic standpoint, and may furthermore provide additional insights into treatment synergy for particular patients. We think that these studies will facilitate the emergence of erbB2-targeted therapy.

Antiserum raised against a synthetic phosphotyrosine-containing peptide selectively recognizes p185neu/erbB-2 and the epidermal growth factor receptor

Rabbits were immunized with a synthetic phosphopeptide corresponding to a major autophosphorylation site of p185neu/erbB2 to determine the feasibility of producing tyrosine-phosphopeptide-specific antibodies. A series of adsorption and affinity chromatography steps were used to select antibodies with the desired reactivity. Immunoblot experiments showed that the resulting serum is highly specific for tyrosine-phosphorylated forms of p185 and the related epidermal growth factor receptor. The serum recognized these two receptors selectively when compared to five other receptor tyrosine kinases and several phosphorylated substrates. The serum is compatible with tissue-based assays since it detected tyrosine phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor in immunofluorescence experiments on permeabilized cells. The generality of the procedures used means that similar anti-tyrosine phosphopeptide sera can be produced that recognize other tyrosine kinases and substrates. Such sera will have numerous applications in research and clinical settings.

Multiple cDNAs encoding the esk kinase predict transmembrane and intracellular enzyme isoforms

A novel protein kinase, the Esk kinase, has been isolated from an embryonal carcinoma (EC) cell line by using an expression cloning strategy. Sequence analysis of two independent cDNA clones (2.97 and 2.85 kb) suggested the presence of two Esk isoforms in EC cells. The esk-1 cDNA sequence predicted an 857-amino-acid protein kinase with a putative membrane-spanning domain, while the esk-2 cDNA predicted an 831-amino-acid kinase which lacked this domain. In adult mouse cells, esk mRNA levels were highest in tissues possessing a high proliferation rate or a sizeable stem cell compartment, suggesting that the Esk kinase may play some role in the control of cell proliferation or differentiation. As anticipated from the screening procedure, bacterial expression of the Esk kinase reacted with antiphosphotyrosine antibodies on immunoblots. Furthermore, in in vitro kinase assays, the Esk kinase was shown to phosphorylate both itself and the exogenous substrate myelin basic protein on serine, threonine, and tyrosine residues, confirming that the Esk kinase is a novel member of the serine/threonine/tyrosine family of protein kinases.

Multiple cDNAs encoding the esk kinase predict transmembrane and intracellular enzyme isoforms

A novel protein kinase, the Esk kinase, has been isolated from an embryonal carcinoma (EC) cell line by using an expression cloning strategy. Sequence analysis of two independent cDNA clones (2.97 and 2.85 kb) suggested the presence of two Esk isoforms in EC cells. The esk-1 cDNA sequence predicted an 857-amino-acid protein kinase with a putative membrane-spanning domain, while the esk-2 cDNA predicted an 831-amino-acid kinase which lacked this domain. In adult mouse cells, esk mRNA levels were highest in tissues possessing a high proliferation rate or a sizeable stem cell compartment, suggesting that the Esk kinase may play some role in the control of cell proliferation or differentiation. As anticipated from the screening procedure, bacterial expression of the Esk kinase reacted with antiphosphotyrosine antibodies on immunoblots. Furthermore, in in vitro kinase assays, the Esk kinase was shown to phosphorylate both itself and the exogenous substrate myelin basic protein on serine, threonine, and tyrosine residues, confirming that the Esk kinase is a novel member of the serine/threonine/tyrosine family of protein kinases.

Characterization of a growth factor that binds exclusively to the erbB-2 receptor and induces cellular responses

The erbB-2 oncogene encodes a 185-kDa transmembrane protein that has been suggested to be a growth factor receptor. We have previously identified and purified a 30-kDa growth factor (gp30) that is a ligand for the p185erbB-2 protein that at high concentrations induces growth inhibition of cells with erbB-2 amplification. We now report the purification and characterization of a protein from SKBr-3 human breast cancer cells with a molecular mass of 75 kDa (p75) that is a p185erbB-2 ligand. An affinity column coupled to the extracellular domain of p185erbB-2 was used for the purification. We found that p75 induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the erbB-2 oncoprotein, as determined by in vivo and in vitro phosphorylation and phosphoamino acid analysis. p75, as well as gp30, stimulated cell proliferation and colony formation of cells overexpressing erbB-2. The specificity of this effect was confirmed by showing that the antiproliferative effects of soluble erbB-2 extracellular domain were reversed by either p75 or gp30. p75 did not show binding to the epidermal growth factor receptor and had no growth effects on cells overexpressing epidermal growth factor receptor. These data show that SKBR-3 cells, which exhibit erbB-2 amplification and overexpression, secrete a growth factor that binds and activates p185erbB-2 specifically.

Aberrant elevation of tyrosine-specific phosphorylation in human gastric cancer cells

Phosphotyrosine-containing proteins in various human cancer cell lines were studied by immunoblotting with anti-phosphotyrosine antibody. Of 29 cell lines derived from oral epidermoid cancer, esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma and malignant melanoma, 3 of the 6 gastric cancer cells showed aberrant elevation of tyrosine-specific phosphorylation. On the other hand, both esophageal cancer cells and colon cancer cells, which were reported to have amplified epidermal growth factor receptor and activated p60v-src kinase, respectively, showed no apparent elevation of tyrosine-specific phosphorylation, and their profiles of phosphorylation were similar to that of normal human fibroblasts. Two gastric cancer cells, NUGC-4 and MKN-45, showed similar profiles of phosphorylation but their responses to growth factors differed from each other. Tyrosine phosphorylation in NUGC-4 was strongly activated by treatment with epidermal growth factor and quickly reduced by the acid treatment which is effective in removing growth factors from cellular surface receptors. On the contrary, phosphorylation in MKN-45 did not respond to either growth factor or acid treatment. These results suggest that NUGC-4 and MKN-45 have tyrosine kinases which are activated by different mechanisms but share similar substrates.

Induction of tyrosine phosphorylation by the erythropoietin receptor correlates with mitogenesis

A role for tyrosine phosphorylation in the signal-transducing mechanisms of several hematopoietic growth factors has been hypothesized. To extend these observations, we have examined the effects of erythropoietin (Epo) on tyrosine phosphorylation in an Epo-responsive cell that was obtained by transfecting the murine erythropoietin receptor (EpoR) into an interleukin-3 (IL-3)-dependent cell line. By two-dimensional analysis of phosphotyrosine-containing proteins isolated with a monoclonal antibody (1G2) against phosphotyrosine, Epo and IL-3 were found to rapidly induce tyrosine phosphorylation of comparable substrates of 92, 70, and 56 kDa. In addition, Epo uniquely induced phosphorylation of a 72-kDa substrate while IL-3 uniquely induced phosphorylation of a 140-kDa substrate. Immunoprecipitation and mixing experiments indicated that the 72-kDa substrate may represent a small fraction of the EpoR. To explore the significance of tyrosine phosphorylation, we generated two mutants of the EpoR that lacked 108 or 146 amino acids at their carboxyl termini. In addition we constructed an internally deleted mutant that lacked 20 amino acids in a region of sequence homology with the IL-2 receptor beta chain. Although all mutants were expressed at comparable levels and had comparable binding affinities for Epo, only the mutant lacking 108 amino acids at the carboxyl terminus retained significant mitogenic activity or the ability to induce tyrosine phosphorylation.

Induction of tyrosine phosphorylation by the erythropoietin receptor correlates with mitogenesis

A role for tyrosine phosphorylation in the signal-transducing mechanisms of several hematopoietic growth factors has been hypothesized. To extend these observations, we have examined the effects of erythropoietin (Epo) on tyrosine phosphorylation in an Epo-responsive cell that was obtained by transfecting the murine erythropoietin receptor (EpoR) into an interleukin-3 (IL-3)-dependent cell line. By two-dimensional analysis of phosphotyrosine-containing proteins isolated with a monoclonal antibody (1G2) against phosphotyrosine, Epo and IL-3 were found to rapidly induce tyrosine phosphorylation of comparable substrates of 92, 70, and 56 kDa. In addition, Epo uniquely induced phosphorylation of a 72-kDa substrate while IL-3 uniquely induced phosphorylation of a 140-kDa substrate. Immunoprecipitation and mixing experiments indicated that the 72-kDa substrate may represent a small fraction of the EpoR. To explore the significance of tyrosine phosphorylation, we generated two mutants of the EpoR that lacked 108 or 146 amino acids at their carboxyl termini. In addition we constructed an internally deleted mutant that lacked 20 amino acids in a region of sequence homology with the IL-2 receptor beta chain. Although all mutants were expressed at comparable levels and had comparable binding affinities for Epo, only the mutant lacking 108 amino acids at the carboxyl terminus retained significant mitogenic activity or the ability to induce tyrosine phosphorylation.

Interleukin 2- and polyomavirus middle T antigen-induced modification of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity in activated T lymphocytes

Stimulation of activated T lymphocytes with interleukin 2 (IL-2) results in rapid increases in intracellular protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Both the identity of the protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) activated by IL-2 receptor ligation and the identities of the critical target proteins for this PTK remain largely undefined. In this article, we demonstrate that stimulation of activated murine or human T cells with IL-2 for 10 to 30 min induces two- to threefold increases in the level of phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) 3-kinase activity present in antiphosphotyrosine (p-Tyr) antibody immunoprecipitates from these cells. Furthermore, substantial levels of PtdIns 3-kinase activity were coprecipitated from IL-2-deprived T cells by antibodies to the src-related PTK p59fyn. Cellular stimulation with IL-2 induced a two- to threefold increase in the level of p59fyn-associated PtdIns 3-kinase activity. To examine the effect of a constitutive increase in PtdIns 3-kinase activity on the growth factor responsiveness of activated T cells, murine CTLL-2 cells were transfected with a polyomavirus middle T antigen (MTAg) expression vector. Anti-p-Tyr and anti-p59fyn immunoprecipitates from MTAg-transfected CTLL-2 cells contained three- to sixfold higher levels of PtdIns 3-kinase activity than wild-type cells. Immune complex kinase assays revealed that MTAg expression concomitantly induced a constitutive threefold increase in the PTK activity of p59fyn in these cells. However, stable MTAg expression did not abrogate the dependence of CTLL-2 cells on exogenous IL-2 for continued growth and proliferation.

Interleukin 2- and polyomavirus middle T antigen-induced modification of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity in activated T lymphocytes

Stimulation of activated T lymphocytes with interleukin 2 (IL-2) results in rapid increases in intracellular protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Both the identity of the protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) activated by IL-2 receptor ligation and the identities of the critical target proteins for this PTK remain largely undefined. In this article, we demonstrate that stimulation of activated murine or human T cells with IL-2 for 10 to 30 min induces two- to threefold increases in the level of phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) 3-kinase activity present in antiphosphotyrosine (p-Tyr) antibody immunoprecipitates from these cells. Furthermore, substantial levels of PtdIns 3-kinase activity were coprecipitated from IL-2-deprived T cells by antibodies to the src-related PTK p59fyn. Cellular stimulation with IL-2 induced a two- to threefold increase in the level of p59fyn-associated PtdIns 3-kinase activity. To examine the effect of a constitutive increase in PtdIns 3-kinase activity on the growth factor responsiveness of activated T cells, murine CTLL-2 cells were transfected with a polyomavirus middle T antigen (MTAg) expression vector. Anti-p-Tyr and anti-p59fyn immunoprecipitates from MTAg-transfected CTLL-2 cells contained three- to sixfold higher levels of PtdIns 3-kinase activity than wild-type cells. Immune complex kinase assays revealed that MTAg expression concomitantly induced a constitutive threefold increase in the PTK activity of p59fyn in these cells. However, stable MTAg expression did not abrogate the dependence of CTLL-2 cells on exogenous IL-2 for continued growth and proliferation.

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced disulfide-linked dimerization of PDGF receptor in living cells

It is well established that epidermal growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) are able to induce noncovalent dimerization of their surface receptors. It is thought that receptor dimerization plays an important role in activation of the tyrosine kinase function and in the process of receptor autophosphorylation. Here we show that the addition of either PDGF-BB or PDGF-AA to intact 3T3 cells induces formation of 400- and 430-kDa species, respectively, recognized by either anti-PDGF receptor antibodies or anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies. Interestingly, the 400- and the 430-kDa species are detected in nonreducing gels but not in reducing gels. Moreover, an alkylating agent, N-ethylmaleimide, inhibits PDGF-induced formation of high-molecular-mass species. Comparisons of V8 protease peptide maps of [35S]methionine-labeled PDGF receptors and high-molecular-mass proteins indicate that they represent dimers of PDGF receptors. It appears therefore that in addition to noncovalent dimerization, PDGF receptors undergo ligand-dependent disulfide-linked dimerization.

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced disulfide-linked dimerization of PDGF receptor in living cells

It is well established that epidermal growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) are able to induce noncovalent dimerization of their surface receptors. It is thought that receptor dimerization plays an important role in activation of the tyrosine kinase function and in the process of receptor autophosphorylation. Here we show that the addition of either PDGF-BB or PDGF-AA to intact 3T3 cells induces formation of 400- and 430-kDa species, respectively, recognized by either anti-PDGF receptor antibodies or anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies. Interestingly, the 400- and the 430-kDa species are detected in nonreducing gels but not in reducing gels. Moreover, an alkylating agent, N-ethylmaleimide, inhibits PDGF-induced formation of high-molecular-mass species. Comparisons of V8 protease peptide maps of [35S]methionine-labeled PDGF receptors and high-molecular-mass proteins indicate that they represent dimers of PDGF receptors. It appears therefore that in addition to noncovalent dimerization, PDGF receptors undergo ligand-dependent disulfide-linked dimerization.

The tyrosine kinase encoded by the MET proto-oncogene is activated by autophosphorylation

Protein tyrosine kinases are crucially involved in the control of cell proliferation. Therefore, the regulation of their activity in both normal and neoplastic cells has been under intense scrutiny. The product of the MET oncogene is a transmembrane receptorlike tyrosine kinase with a unique disulfide-linked heterodimeric structure. Here we show that the tyrosine kinase activity of the MET-encoded protein is powerfully activated by tyrosine autophosphorylation. The enhancement of activity was quantitated with a phosphorylation assay of exogenous substrates. It involved an increase in the Vmax of the enzyme-catalyzed phosphotransfer reaction. No change was observed in the Km (substrate). A causal relationship between tyrosine autophosphorylation and activation of the kinase activity was proved by (i) the kinetic agreement between autophosphorylation and kinase activation, (ii) the overlapping dose-response relationship for ATP, (iii) the specificity for ATP of the activation process, (iv) the phosphorylation of tyrosine residues only, in the Met protein, in the activation step, (v) the linear dependence of the activation from the input of enzyme assayed, and (vi) the reversal of the active state by phosphatase treatment. Autophosphorylation occurred predominantly on a single tryptic peptide, most likely via an intermolecular reaction. The structural features responsible for this positive modulation of kinase activity were all contained in the 45-kDa intracellular moiety of the Met protein.

The tyrosine kinase encoded by the MET proto-oncogene is activated by autophosphorylation

Protein tyrosine kinases are crucially involved in the control of cell proliferation. Therefore, the regulation of their activity in both normal and neoplastic cells has been under intense scrutiny. The product of the MET oncogene is a transmembrane receptorlike tyrosine kinase with a unique disulfide-linked heterodimeric structure. Here we show that the tyrosine kinase activity of the MET-encoded protein is powerfully activated by tyrosine autophosphorylation. The enhancement of activity was quantitated with a phosphorylation assay of exogenous substrates. It involved an increase in the Vmax of the enzyme-catalyzed phosphotransfer reaction. No change was observed in the Km (substrate). A causal relationship between tyrosine autophosphorylation and activation of the kinase activity was proved by (i) the kinetic agreement between autophosphorylation and kinase activation, (ii) the overlapping dose-response relationship for ATP, (iii) the specificity for ATP of the activation process, (iv) the phosphorylation of tyrosine residues only, in the Met protein, in the activation step, (v) the linear dependence of the activation from the input of enzyme assayed, and (vi) the reversal of the active state by phosphatase treatment. Autophosphorylation occurred predominantly on a single tryptic peptide, most likely via an intermolecular reaction. The structural features responsible for this positive modulation of kinase activity were all contained in the 45-kDa intracellular moiety of the Met protein.

Human microvascular endothelial cells express receptors for platelet-derived growth factor

Endothelial cells have been widely thought to be unresponsive to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF, a major growth factor released from stimulated platelets at the sites of vascular insults) and devoid of PDGF receptors. Nevertheless, in examining the growth-factor responses of microvascular endothelial cells isolated from human omental adipose tissue, we were surprised to detect PDGF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of a 180-kDa glycoprotein, subsequently identified as the cellular receptor for PDGF by specific immunoprecipitation. Scatchard analysis of 125I-labeled PDGF binding to human microvascular endothelial cells revealed 30,000 PDGF receptors per cell with a Kd of 0.14 nM. PDGF stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of PDGF receptors and other cellular proteins in a dose- and time-dependent manner, with half-maximal receptor phosphorylation occurring at 0.3 nM recombinant human PDGF (B chain) and a less than or equal to 1-min exposure to PDGF. Normal cellular consequences of receptor activation were also observed, including tyrosine phosphorylation of a 42-kDa protein and serine phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6. Furthermore, PDGF was mitogenic for these cells. Microvascular endothelial cells play a central role in neovascularization required for wound healing and solid tumor growth. Thus, the discovery of functional PDGF receptors on human microvascular endothelial cells suggests a direct role for PDGF in this process.

Interleukin 2 induces tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of p72-74 Raf-1 kinase in a T-cell line

Interleukin 2 (IL-2) is a lymphokine, produced by T cells upon antigenic or mitogenic stimulation, that is a critical regulator of T-cell proliferation. Although the binding of IL-2 to its receptor has been well characterized, the molecular mechanisms by which IL-2 transmits its signal from the membrane to the interior of the cell are poorly understood. Like most other growth factors, IL-2 causes rapid phosphorylation of proteins within its target cells. Unlike many other growth factors, however, the known subunits of the IL-2 receptor lack tyrosine-specific kinase activity, and little is known about the kinases whose activities are regulated by IL-2. Here we show that IL-2 (but not IL-4) induces rapid phosphorylation of the p72-74 serine/threonine-specific kinase encoded by the c-Raf-1 protooncogene in an IL-2-dependent murine T-cell line, CTLL-2, and that this phosphorylation is associated with increased kinase activity in p72-74 Raf-1-containing immune complexes. The concentration dependence of IL-2-mediated elevations in Raf-1 kinase activity correlated well with IL-2-stimulated proliferation of CTLL-2 cells. Furthermore, much of the IL-2-stimulated phosphorylation of p72-74 Raf-1 occurred on tyrosines. To our knowledge, the Raf-1 kinase represents the first endogenous substrate of an IL-2-regulated tyrosine kinase to be identified.

Structure and function of tyrosine kinase receptors

Over the past ten years, several growth factor receptors have been shown to be ligand-regulated tyrosine kinases. Tyrosine kinase activity is essential for signal transmission, suggesting that phosphorylation cascades may play an important role. Considerable effort has gone into understanding the structure and function of tyrosine kinase receptors in order to define their mechanisms of signal transmission. However, the protein substrates of the receptor kinases have proven to be difficult to isolate and clone. This review focuses on the receptors for insulin, epidermal growth factor, and platelet-derived growth factor. They are all tyrosine kinases, but emerging evidence suggests that they utilize multiple separate signal transduction pathways. Work carried out during the next several years should yield considerable insight into the complexity of the components which interact with these tyrosine kinase receptors to regulate cellular growth and metabolism.

Mechanism of kinase activation in the receptor for colony-stimulating factor 1

Receptor tyrosine kinases remain dormant until activated by ligand binding to the extracellular domain. Two mechanisms have been proposed for kinase activation: (i) ligand binding to the external domain of a receptor monomer may induce a conformational change that is transmitted across the cell membrane (intramolecular model) or (ii) the ligand may facilitate oligomerization, thereby allowing interactions between the juxtaposed kinase domains (intermolecular model). The receptor for colony-stimulating factor 1 was used to test these models. Large insertions at the junction between the external and transmembrane domains of the receptor, introduced by site-directed mutagenesis of the cDNA, were positioned to isolate the external domain and prevent transmembrane conformational propagation while allowing for receptor oligomerization. Such mutant receptors were expressed on the cell surface, bound ligand with high affinity, exhibited ligand-stimulated autophosphorylation, and signaled mitogenesis and cellular proliferation in the presence of ligand. A second experimental strategy directly tested the intermolecular model of ligand activation. A hybrid receptor composed of the external domain of human glycophorin A and the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of the colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor exhibited anti-glycophorin antibody-induced kinase activity that supported mitogenesis. Our data strongly support a mechanism of receptor activation based on ligand-induced receptor oligomerization.

Monoclonal antibodies to individual tyrosine-phosphorylated protein substrates of oncogene-encoded tyrosine kinases

Cellular transformation by oncogenic retroviruses encoding protein tyrosine kinases coincides with the tyrosine-specific phosphorylation of multiple protein substrates. Previous studies have shown that tyrosine phosphorylation of a protein of 120 kDa, p120, correlated with src transformation in chicken embryo fibroblasts. Additionally, we previously identified two phosphotyrosine-containing cellular proteins, p130 and p110, that formed stable complexes with activated variants of pp60src, the src-encoded tyrosine kinase. To study transformation-relevant tyrosine kinase substrates, we have generated monoclonal antibodies to individual tyrosine phosphoproteins, including p130, p120, p110, and five additional phosphoproteins (p210, p125, p118, p85, and p185/p64). These antibodies detected several of the same tyrosine phosphoproteins in chicken embryo fibroblasts transformed by avian retroviruses Y73 and CT10, encoding the yes and crk oncogenes, respectively. Protein substrates in mouse, rat, hamster, and human cells overexpressing activated variants of chicken pp60src were also detected by several of the monoclonal antibodies.

Vanadate-resistant mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae show alterations in protein phosphorylation and growth control

This work describes two spontaneous vanadate-resistant mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with constitutive alterations in protein phosphorylation, growth control, and sporulation. Vanadate has been shown by a number of studies to be an efficient competitor of phosphate in biochemical reactions, especially those that involve phosphoproteins as intermediates or substrates. Resistance to toxic concentrations of vanadate can arise in S. cerevisiae by both recessive and dominant spontaneous mutations in a large number of loci. Mutations in two of the recessive loci, van1-18 and van2-93, resulted in alterations in the phosphorylation of a number of proteins. The mutant van1-18 gene also showed an increase in plasma membrane ATPase activity in vitro and a lowered basal phosphatase activity under alkaline conditions. Cells containing the van2-93 mutant allele had normal levels of plasma membrane ATPase activity, but this activity was not inhibited by vanadate. Both of these mutants failed to enter stationary phase, were heat shock sensitive, showed lowered long-term viability, and sporulated on rich medium in the presence of 2% glucose. The wild-type VAN1 gene was isolated and sequenced. The open reading frame predicts a protein of 522 amino acids, with no significant homology to any genes that have been identified. Diploid cells that contained two mutant alleles of this gene demonstrated defects in spore viability. These data suggest that the VAN1 gene product is involved in regulation of the phosphorylation of a number of proteins, some of which appear to be important in cell growth control.

Vanadate-resistant mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae show alterations in protein phosphorylation and growth control

This work describes two spontaneous vanadate-resistant mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with constitutive alterations in protein phosphorylation, growth control, and sporulation. Vanadate has been shown by a number of studies to be an efficient competitor of phosphate in biochemical reactions, especially those that involve phosphoproteins as intermediates or substrates. Resistance to toxic concentrations of vanadate can arise in S. cerevisiae by both recessive and dominant spontaneous mutations in a large number of loci. Mutations in two of the recessive loci, van1-18 and van2-93, resulted in alterations in the phosphorylation of a number of proteins. The mutant van1-18 gene also showed an increase in plasma membrane ATPase activity in vitro and a lowered basal phosphatase activity under alkaline conditions. Cells containing the van2-93 mutant allele had normal levels of plasma membrane ATPase activity, but this activity was not inhibited by vanadate. Both of these mutants failed to enter stationary phase, were heat shock sensitive, showed lowered long-term viability, and sporulated on rich medium in the presence of 2% glucose. The wild-type VAN1 gene was isolated and sequenced. The open reading frame predicts a protein of 522 amino acids, with no significant homology to any genes that have been identified. Diploid cells that contained two mutant alleles of this gene demonstrated defects in spore viability. These data suggest that the VAN1 gene product is involved in regulation of the phosphorylation of a number of proteins, some of which appear to be important in cell growth control.

A glycoprotein in the plasma membrane matrix as a major potential substrate of p60v-src

A potential substrate of p60v-src in Rous sarcoma virus-transformed cells was found to be a 130-kilodalton (kDa) glycoprotein which binds to lectin-Sepharose and can be immunoprecipitated by an anti-phosphotyrosine antibody. This glycoprotein was shown to be distinct from the fibronectin receptor and a cellular protein phosphorylated in p60v-src immune complexes. The protein was a transmembrane protein localized in the plasma membrane and resistant to extraction with Triton X-100. The 130-kDa protein was also highly phosphorylated in cells transformed by Fujinami sarcoma virus or Y73 but not in cells infected with Rous sarcoma virus mutants that encode p60v-src lacking myristoylated N termini. Phosphorylation of this glycoprotein was temperature dependent in cells infected with temperature-sensitive mutants. The good correlation between its phosphorylation and morphological transformation, together with its relative abundance among phosphorylated proteins and its subcellular localization, suggests that phosphorylation of the 130-kDa glycoprotein is one of the primary events important for cell transformation by p60v-src and related oncogene products.

A glycoprotein in the plasma membrane matrix as a major potential substrate of p60v-src

A potential substrate of p60v-src in Rous sarcoma virus-transformed cells was found to be a 130-kilodalton (kDa) glycoprotein which binds to lectin-Sepharose and can be immunoprecipitated by an anti-phosphotyrosine antibody. This glycoprotein was shown to be distinct from the fibronectin receptor and a cellular protein phosphorylated in p60v-src immune complexes. The protein was a transmembrane protein localized in the plasma membrane and resistant to extraction with Triton X-100. The 130-kDa protein was also highly phosphorylated in cells transformed by Fujinami sarcoma virus or Y73 but not in cells infected with Rous sarcoma virus mutants that encode p60v-src lacking myristoylated N termini. Phosphorylation of this glycoprotein was temperature dependent in cells infected with temperature-sensitive mutants. The good correlation between its phosphorylation and morphological transformation, together with its relative abundance among phosphorylated proteins and its subcellular localization, suggests that phosphorylation of the 130-kDa glycoprotein is one of the primary events important for cell transformation by p60v-src and related oncogene products.

Biological and biochemical properties of the c-src+ gene product overexpressed in chicken embryo fibroblasts

The c-src protein isolated from neuronal cells (pp60c-src+) displays a higher level of protein kinase activity than does pp60c-src from nonneural tissues. There are two structural alterations present in the amino-terminal half of pp60c-src+ expressed in neurons which could contribute to the enhanced activity of this form of pp60c-src: (i) a hexapeptide insert located at amino acid 114 of avian pp60c-src+ and (ii) a novel site(s) of serine phosphorylation. We characterized pp60c-src+ expressed in a nonneuronal cell type to identify factors that regulate the activity of the c-src+ protein and the importance of the neuronal environment on this regulation. The c-src+ protein overexpressed in chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEFs) displayed higher kinase activity than did pp60c-src. The major sites of phosphorylation of the c-src+ protein were Ser-17 and Tyr-527. The unique site(s) of serine phosphorylation originally identified in pp60c-src+ expressed in neurons was not detected in the c-src+ protein overexpressed in CEFs. Therefore, the hexapeptide insert is sufficient to cause an elevation in the tyrosine protein kinase activity of pp60c-src+. Our data also indicate that CEFs infected with the Rous sarcoma virus (RSV)c-src+ display phenotypic changes that distinguish them from cultures producing pp60c-src and that pp60c-src+-expressing cells are better able to grow in an anchorage-independent manner. The level of total cellular tyrosine phosphorylation in RSVc-src+-infected cultures was moderately higher than the level observed in cultures infected with RSVc-src. This level was not as pronounced as that observed in cells infected with RSVv-src or oncogenic variants of RSVc-src. Thus, pp60c-src+ could be considered a partially activated c-src variant protein much like other c-src proteins that contain mutations in the amino-terminal domain.

Heparin-binding growth factor 1 stimulates tyrosine phosphorylation in NIH 3T3 cells

Tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins induced by heparin-binding growth factor 1 (HBGF-1) was studied by using the murine fibroblast cell line NIH 3T3 (clone 2.2). HBGF-1 specifically induced the rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of polypeptides of Mr 150,000, 130,000, and 90,000 that were detected with polyclonal and monoclonal antiphosphotyrosine (anti-P-Tyr) antibodies. The concentration of HBGF-1 required for half-maximal induction of tyrosine phosphorylation of the Mr-150,000 Mr-130,000, and Mr-90,000 proteins was approximately 0.2 to 0.5 ng/ml, which was consistent with the half-maximal concentration required for stimulation of DNA synthesis in NIH 3T3 cells. HBGF-1-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the Mr-150,000 and Mr-130,000 proteins was detected within 30 s, whereas phosphorylation of the Mr-90,000 protein was not detected until 3 min after HBGF-1 stimulation. All three proteins were phosphorylated maximally after 15 to 30 min. Phosphoamino acid analysis of the Mr-150,000 and Mr-90,000 proteins confirmed the phosphorylation of these proteins on tyrosine residues. Phosphorylation of the Mr-150,000 and Mr-90,000 proteins occurred when cells were exposed to HBGF-1 at 37 degrees C but not at 4 degrees C. Exposure of cells to sodium orthovanadate, a potent P-Tyr phosphatase inhibitor, before stimulation with HBGF-1 resulted in enhanced detection of the Mr-150,000, Mr-130,000, and Mr-90,000 proteins by anti-P-Tyr antibodies. Anti-P-Tyr affinity-based chromatography was used to adsorb the HBGF-1 receptor affinity labeled with 125I-HBGF-1. The cross-linked HBGF-1 receptor-ligand complex was eluded with phenyl phosphate as two components: Mr 170,000 and 150,000. P-Tyr, but not phosphoserine or phosphothreonine, inhibited adsorption of the (125)I-HBGF-1-receptor complex to the anti-P-Tyr antibody matrix. Treatment of cells with sodium orthovanadate also enhanced recognition of the cross-linked (125)I-HBGF-1-receptor complex by the anti-P-Tyr matrix. These data suggest that (i) the (125)I-HBGF-1-receptor complex is phosphorylated on tyrosine residues and (ii) HBGF-1-induced signal transduction involves, in part, the tyrosine phosphorylation of at least three polypeptides.

Biological and biochemical properties of the c-src+ gene product overexpressed in chicken embryo fibroblasts

The c-src protein isolated from neuronal cells (pp60c-src+) displays a higher level of protein kinase activity than does pp60c-src from nonneural tissues. There are two structural alterations present in the amino-terminal half of pp60c-src+ expressed in neurons which could contribute to the enhanced activity of this form of pp60c-src: (i) a hexapeptide insert located at amino acid 114 of avian pp60c-src+ and (ii) a novel site(s) of serine phosphorylation. We characterized pp60c-src+ expressed in a nonneuronal cell type to identify factors that regulate the activity of the c-src+ protein and the importance of the neuronal environment on this regulation. The c-src+ protein overexpressed in chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEFs) displayed higher kinase activity than did pp60c-src. The major sites of phosphorylation of the c-src+ protein were Ser-17 and Tyr-527. The unique site(s) of serine phosphorylation originally identified in pp60c-src+ expressed in neurons was not detected in the c-src+ protein overexpressed in CEFs. Therefore, the hexapeptide insert is sufficient to cause an elevation in the tyrosine protein kinase activity of pp60c-src+. Our data also indicate that CEFs infected with the Rous sarcoma virus (RSV)c-src+ display phenotypic changes that distinguish them from cultures producing pp60c-src and that pp60c-src+-expressing cells are better able to grow in an anchorage-independent manner. The level of total cellular tyrosine phosphorylation in RSVc-src+-infected cultures was moderately higher than the level observed in cultures infected with RSVc-src. This level was not as pronounced as that observed in cells infected with RSVv-src or oncogenic variants of RSVc-src. Thus, pp60c-src+ could be considered a partially activated c-src variant protein much like other c-src proteins that contain mutations in the amino-terminal domain.

Deletions within the amino-terminal half of the c-src gene product that alter the functional activity of the protein

To examine how amino acid sequences outside of the catalytic domain of pp60c-src influence the functional activity of this protein, we have introduced deletion mutations within the amino-terminal half of pp60c-src. These mutations caused distinct changes in the biochemical properties of the c-src gene products and in the properties of cells infected with retroviruses carrying these mutant c-src genes. Cells expressing the c-srcNX protein, which contains a deletion of amino acids 15 to 89, displayed a refractile, spindle-shaped morphology, formed intermediate-sized, tightly packed colonies in soft agar, and contained elevated levels of cellular phosphotyrosine-containing proteins. Thus, deletion of amino acids 15 to 89 can activate the kinase activity and transforming potential of the c-src gene product. Deletion of amino acids 112 to 225, however, did not increase the kinase activity or transforming ability of pp60c-src; indeed, deletion of these sequences in c-srcHP suppressed phenotypic alterations induced by pp60c-src. Cells expressing the c-srcNP or c-srcBS gene products (containing deletions of amino acids 15 to 225 and 55 to 169, respectively) displayed a fusiform, refractile morphology and formed diffuse colonies in soft agar; the mutant proteins displayed an increased in vitro protein-tyrosine kinase activity. However, only a few cellular proteins contained elevated levels of phosphotyrosine in vivo. Thus, deletions downstream of amino acid 89 severely restricted the ability of c-src to phosphorylate cellular substrates in vivo without affecting the intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity of the c-src gene product. These results suggest the existence of at least two modulatory regions within the amino-terminal half of pp60c-src that are important for the regulation of tyrosine kinase activity and for the interaction of pp60c-src with cellular substrates.

Novel tyrosine kinase substrates from Rous sarcoma virus-transformed cells are present in the membrane skeleton

We have previously reported the production of monoclonal antibodies directed against phosphotyrosine, which is the modification induced by many oncogene products and growth factor receptors. One of these antiphosphotyrosine antibodies (py20) was used in affinity chromatography to isolate phosphotyrosine (PY)-containing proteins from Rous sarcoma virus-transformed chick embryo fibroblasts (RSV-CEFs). Mice were immunized with these PY-proteins for the production of monoclonal antibodies to individual substrates. Fifteen antibodies were generated in this way to antigens with molecular masses of 215, 76, 60, and 22 kD. Antibodies to individual substrates were used to analyze the subcellular location in normal and RSV-CEFs. Antibodies to the 215- and 76-kD antigen stained focal contacts when used in immunofluorescence microscopy while anti-22-kD protein antibodies resulted in punctate staining concentrated in the margins of cells and in parallel arrays. Both distributions were altered in transformed cells. When cells were extracted with nonionic detergent under conditions that stabilize the cytoskeleton, 50% of the 76-kD protein and greater than 90% of the 22-kD protein fractionated with the cytoskeleton. This study offers a new approach to both the identification of membrane skeletal proteins in fibroblasts and changes that occur upon transformation by an activated tyrosine kinase.

Transformation-specific tyrosine phosphorylation of a novel cellular protein in chicken cells expressing oncogenic variants of the avian cellular src gene

We used myristylated and nonmyristylated c-src-based variants and phosphotyrosine-specific antibodies to reevaluate the role of tyrosine phosphorylation in cellular transformation by pp60src. Prior methods used to detect tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins failed to discriminate predicted differences in tyrosine phosphorylation which are clearly observed with phosphotyrosine-specific antibodies and Western blotting (immunoblotting). Here we report the observation of a 120,000-Mr protein whose phosphorylation on tyrosine correlates with the induction of morphological transformation. p120 was not observed in cells overexpressing the regulated, nononcogenic pp60c-src, whereas phosphorylation of p120 was greatly enhanced in cells expressing activated, oncogenic pp60527F. Furthermore, phosphorylation of p120 was not induced by expression of the activated but nonmyristylated src variant pp602A/527F, which is transformation defective. p120 partitioned preferentially with cellular membranes, consistent with the observation that transforming src proteins are membrane associated. Although a number of additional putative substrates were identified and partially characterized with respect to intracellular localization, tyrosine phosphorylation of these proteins was not tightly linked to transformation.

Novel tyrosine kinase identified by phosphotyrosine antibody screening of cDNA libraries

In an attempt to clone protein tyrosine kinases, antiphosphotyrosine antibodies were used to screen lambda gt11 cDNA expression libraries. By this method, a 2.5-kilobase cDNA encoding a novel tyrosine kinase was isolated from a mouse liver cDNA library. This new gene is most closely related to the receptor tyrosine kinases ret, fms, and kit.

Heparin-binding growth factor 1 stimulates tyrosine phosphorylation in NIH 3T3 cells

Tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins induced by heparin-binding growth factor 1 (HBGF-1) was studied by using the murine fibroblast cell line NIH 3T3 (clone 2.2). HBGF-1 specifically induced the rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of polypeptides of Mr 150,000, 130,000, and 90,000 that were detected with polyclonal and monoclonal antiphosphotyrosine (anti-P-Tyr) antibodies. The concentration of HBGF-1 required for half-maximal induction of tyrosine phosphorylation of the Mr-150,000 Mr-130,000, and Mr-90,000 proteins was approximately 0.2 to 0.5 ng/ml, which was consistent with the half-maximal concentration required for stimulation of DNA synthesis in NIH 3T3 cells. HBGF-1-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the Mr-150,000 and Mr-130,000 proteins was detected within 30 s, whereas phosphorylation of the Mr-90,000 protein was not detected until 3 min after HBGF-1 stimulation. All three proteins were phosphorylated maximally after 15 to 30 min. Phosphoamino acid analysis of the Mr-150,000 and Mr-90,000 proteins confirmed the phosphorylation of these proteins on tyrosine residues. Phosphorylation of the Mr-150,000 and Mr-90,000 proteins occurred when cells were exposed to HBGF-1 at 37 degrees C but not at 4 degrees C. Exposure of cells to sodium orthovanadate, a potent P-Tyr phosphatase inhibitor, before stimulation with HBGF-1 resulted in enhanced detection of the Mr-150,000, Mr-130,000, and Mr-90,000 proteins by anti-P-Tyr antibodies. Anti-P-Tyr affinity-based chromatography was used to adsorb the HBGF-1 receptor affinity labeled with 125I-HBGF-1. The cross-linked HBGF-1 receptor-ligand complex was eluded with phenyl phosphate as two components: Mr 170,000 and 150,000. P-Tyr, but not phosphoserine or phosphothreonine, inhibited adsorption of the (125)I-HBGF-1-receptor complex to the anti-P-Tyr antibody matrix. Treatment of cells with sodium orthovanadate also enhanced recognition of the cross-linked (125)I-HBGF-1-receptor complex by the anti-P-Tyr matrix. These data suggest that (i) the (125)I-HBGF-1-receptor complex is phosphorylated on tyrosine residues and (ii) HBGF-1-induced signal transduction involves, in part, the tyrosine phosphorylation of at least three polypeptides.

Abelson murine leukemia virus induces platelet-derived growth factor-independent fibroblast growth: correlation with kinase activity and dissociation from full morphologic transformation

Abelson murine leukemia virus (A-MuLV) encodes a single protein product, a tyrosine-specific protein kinase, whose activity is necessary for cell transformation by this retrovirus. Using a defined medium culture system, we demonstrate that transformation of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts by A-MuLV abrogates their normal requirement for platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) for cell growth. Analysis of constructed insertional mutant viruses revealed an absolute correlation between A-MuLV-encoded tyrosine kinase activity and PDGF-independent fibroblast growth. Sequences of the provirus not required for kinase activity appeared unnecessary for abrogating the fibroblast requirement for PDGF. Conversely, sequences required for kinase activity appeared necessary, suggesting that induction of PDGF-independent fibroblast growth, like cell transformation, is a function of this tyrosine kinase. Fibroblasts transformed by a partially transformation-defective mutant demonstrated incomplete morphological transformation but were still independent of PDGF for growth. Thus, the processes of full morphological transformation and growth factor independence can be partially dissociated.

Characterization of a novel anti-peptide antibody that recognizes a specific conformation of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor

Two site-specific anti-peptide antibodies (AbP1 and AbP2) were raised against the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor. These two sites correspond to amino acid residues 977 through 988 (peptide 1) and 932 through 947 (peptide 2) of the murine PDGF receptor. Both antibodies recognized human and murine PDGF receptors in immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting analyses. None of the antibodies was directed to phosphotyrosine. One of the antibodies (AbP2) showed unusual antigen recognition specificity. This antibody specifically recognized the tyrosine-phosphorylated PDGF receptor and not the unphosphorylated native receptor, suggesting that recognition by this antibody requires a specific conformation that is induced by PDGF-stimulated autophosphorylation.

Deletions within the amino-terminal half of the c-src gene product that alter the functional activity of the protein

To examine how amino acid sequences outside of the catalytic domain of pp60c-src influence the functional activity of this protein, we have introduced deletion mutations within the amino-terminal half of pp60c-src. These mutations caused distinct changes in the biochemical properties of the c-src gene products and in the properties of cells infected with retroviruses carrying these mutant c-src genes. Cells expressing the c-srcNX protein, which contains a deletion of amino acids 15 to 89, displayed a refractile, spindle-shaped morphology, formed intermediate-sized, tightly packed colonies in soft agar, and contained elevated levels of cellular phosphotyrosine-containing proteins. Thus, deletion of amino acids 15 to 89 can activate the kinase activity and transforming potential of the c-src gene product. Deletion of amino acids 112 to 225, however, did not increase the kinase activity or transforming ability of pp60c-src; indeed, deletion of these sequences in c-srcHP suppressed phenotypic alterations induced by pp60c-src. Cells expressing the c-srcNP or c-srcBS gene products (containing deletions of amino acids 15 to 225 and 55 to 169, respectively) displayed a fusiform, refractile morphology and formed diffuse colonies in soft agar; the mutant proteins displayed an increased in vitro protein-tyrosine kinase activity. However, only a few cellular proteins contained elevated levels of phosphotyrosine in vivo. Thus, deletions downstream of amino acid 89 severely restricted the ability of c-src to phosphorylate cellular substrates in vivo without affecting the intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity of the c-src gene product. These results suggest the existence of at least two modulatory regions within the amino-terminal half of pp60c-src that are important for the regulation of tyrosine kinase activity and for the interaction of pp60c-src with cellular substrates.

Phosphorylation of cellular proteins in Rous sarcoma virus-infected cells: analysis by use of anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies

The protein substrates for the tyrosine protein kinases in cells transformed by avian sarcoma viruses were analyzed by gel electrophoresis in combination with immunoblotting or immunoprecipitation by antibodies against phosphotyrosine. We found that greater than 90% of phosphotyrosine-containing cellular proteins can be immunoprecipitated by these antibodies. The level of phosphotyrosine-containing cellular proteins detectable by this method markedly increased upon transformation with Rous sarcoma virus, and more than 20 distinct bands of such proteins were found in lysates of Rous sarcoma virus-transformed cells. Most of these phosphotyrosine-containing proteins had not been identified by other methods, and their presence appeared to correlate with morphological transformation in cells infected with various Rous sarcoma virus mutants and Y73, PRCII, and Fujinami sarcoma viruses. However, considerably different patterns were obtained with cells infected with nontransforming Rous sarcoma virus mutants that encode nonmyristylated src kinases, indicating that most substrates that correlate with transformation can only be recognized by p60v-src associated with the plasma membrane.

Phosphorylation at threonine-654 is not required for negative regulation of the epidermal growth factor receptor by non-phorbol tumor promoters

Phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor following activation of protein kinase C appears to negatively regulate EGF binding and the receptor-associated tyrosine kinase activity. We have identified two agents, the calcium ionophore A23187 and the non-phorbol tumor promoter thapsigargin, that similarly inhibit the EGF receptor binding and kinase activities through protein kinase C-independent pathways. Both agents activate protein kinases that phosphorylate the EGF receptor in A431 cells. To test the hypothesis that negative regulation of the EGF receptor always occurs through phosphorylation of threonine-654, a site uniquely phosphorylated by protein kinase C, we analyzed the tryptic phosphopeptides of EGF receptors isolated from cells treated with these agents. While limited phosphorylation of threonine-654 results from the A23187 treatment, no significant phosphorylation of this residue is detected after thapsigargin treatment. These results suggest that EGF receptor phosphorylation is a general mechanism for altering receptor properties and that site(s) of phosphorylation other than threonine-654 may negatively regulate the kinase activity as well as the binding of the EGF receptor.

Transformation-specific tyrosine phosphorylation of a novel cellular protein in chicken cells expressing oncogenic variants of the avian cellular src gene

We used myristylated and nonmyristylated c-src-based variants and phosphotyrosine-specific antibodies to reevaluate the role of tyrosine phosphorylation in cellular transformation by pp60src. Prior methods used to detect tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins failed to discriminate predicted differences in tyrosine phosphorylation which are clearly observed with phosphotyrosine-specific antibodies and Western blotting (immunoblotting). Here we report the observation of a 120,000-Mr protein whose phosphorylation on tyrosine correlates with the induction of morphological transformation. p120 was not observed in cells overexpressing the regulated, nononcogenic pp60c-src, whereas phosphorylation of p120 was greatly enhanced in cells expressing activated, oncogenic pp60527F. Furthermore, phosphorylation of p120 was not induced by expression of the activated but nonmyristylated src variant pp602A/527F, which is transformation defective. p120 partitioned preferentially with cellular membranes, consistent with the observation that transforming src proteins are membrane associated. Although a number of additional putative substrates were identified and partially characterized with respect to intracellular localization, tyrosine phosphorylation of these proteins was not tightly linked to transformation.

Abelson murine leukemia virus induces platelet-derived growth factor-independent fibroblast growth: correlation with kinase activity and dissociation from full morphologic transformation

Abelson murine leukemia virus (A-MuLV) encodes a single protein product, a tyrosine-specific protein kinase, whose activity is necessary for cell transformation by this retrovirus. Using a defined medium culture system, we demonstrate that transformation of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts by A-MuLV abrogates their normal requirement for platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) for cell growth. Analysis of constructed insertional mutant viruses revealed an absolute correlation between A-MuLV-encoded tyrosine kinase activity and PDGF-independent fibroblast growth. Sequences of the provirus not required for kinase activity appeared unnecessary for abrogating the fibroblast requirement for PDGF. Conversely, sequences required for kinase activity appeared necessary, suggesting that induction of PDGF-independent fibroblast growth, like cell transformation, is a function of this tyrosine kinase. Fibroblasts transformed by a partially transformation-defective mutant demonstrated incomplete morphological transformation but were still independent of PDGF for growth. Thus, the processes of full morphological transformation and growth factor independence can be partially dissociated.