Rapamycin inhibits IGF-1 stimulated cell motility through PP2A pathway

Role of Akt/Protein Kinase B in Cancer Metastasis

Metastasis is a critical step in the process of carcinogenesis and a vast majority of cancer-related mortalities result from metastatic disease that is resistant to current therapies. Cell migration and invasion are the first steps of the metastasis process, which mainly occurs by two important biological mechanisms, i.e., cytoskeletal remodelling and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Akt (also known as protein kinase B) is a central signalling molecule of the PI3K-Akt signalling pathway. Aberrant activation of this pathway has been identified in a wide range of cancers. Several studies have revealed that Akt actively engages with the migratory process in motile cells, including metastatic cancer cells. The downstream signalling mechanism of Akt in cell migration depends upon the tumour type, sites, and intracellular localisation of activated Akt. In this review, we focus on the role of Akt in the regulation of two events that control cell migration and invasion in various cancers including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and the status of PI3K-Akt pathway inhibitors in clinical trials in metastatic cancers.

Metformin prevents BAFF activation of Erk1/2 from B-cell proliferation and survival by impeding mTOR-PTEN/Akt signaling pathway

B-cell activating factor (BAFF) is an essential cytokine for B-cell maturation, differentiation and survival, and excess BAFF induces aggressive or neoplastic B-cell disorders and contributes to development of autoimmune diseases. Metformin, an anti-diabetic drug, has recently garnered a great attention due to its anti-proliferative and immune-modulatory features. However, little is known regarding the effect of metformin on BAFF-stimulated B cells. Here, we show that metformin attenuated human soluble BAFF (hsBAFF)-induced cell proliferation and survival by blocking the Erk1/2 pathway in normal and B-lymphoid (Raji) cells. Pretreatment with U0126, knockdown of Erk1/2, or expression of dominant negative MKK1 strengthened metformin's inhibition of hsBAFF-activated Erk1/2 and B-cell proliferation/viability, whereas expression of constitutively active MKK1 rendered high resistance to metformin. Further investigation found that overexpression of wild type PTEN or ectopic expression of dominant negative Akt potentiated metformin's suppression of hsBAFF-induced Erk1/2 activation and proliferation/viability in Raji cells, implying a PTEN/Akt-dependent mechanism involved. Furthermore, we noticed that metformin hindered hsBAFF-activated mTOR pathway in B cells. Inhibition of mTOR with rapamycin or knockdown of mTOR enhanced metformin's suppression of hsBAFF-induced phosphorylation of S6K1, PTEN, Akt, and Erk1/2, as well as B-cell proliferation/viability. These results indicate that metformin prevents BAFF activation of Erk1/2 from cell proliferation and survival by impeding mTOR-PTEN/Akt signaling pathway in normal and neoplastic B-lymphoid cells. Our findings support that metformin has a great potential for prevention of excessive BAFF-induced aggressive B-cell malignancies and autoimmune diseases.

The Bewildering Effect of AMPK Activators in Alzheimer's Disease: Review of the Current Evidence

Alzheimer's disease is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive dysfunction. It is the most common form of dementia. The pathologic hallmarks of the disease include extracellular amyloid plaque, intracellular neurofibrillary tangles, and oxidative stress, to mention some of them. Despite remarkable progress in the understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease, drugs for cure or disease-modifying therapy remain somewhere in the distance. From recent time, the signaling molecule AMPK is gaining enormous attention in the AD drug research. AMPK is a master regulator of cellular energy metabolism, and recent pieces of evidence show that perturbation of its function is highly ascribed in the pathology of AD. Several drugs are known to activate AMPK, but their effect in AD remains to be controversial. In this review, the current shreds of evidence on the effect of AMPK activators in Aβ accumulation, tau aggregation, and oxidative stress are addressed. Positive and negative effects are reported with regard to Aβ and tauopathy but only positive in oxidative stress. We also tried to dissect the molecular interplays where the bewildering effects arise from.

Resveratrol inhibits Erk1/2-mediated adhesion of cancer cells via activating PP2A-PTEN signaling network

Resveratrol, a natural polyphenol compound, has been shown to possess anticancer activity. However, how resveratrol inhibits cancer cell adhesion has not been fully elucidated. Here, we show that resveratrol suppressed the basal or type I insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1-stimulated adhesion of cancer cells (Rh1, Rh30, HT29, and HeLa cells) by inhibiting the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2) pathway. Inhibition of Erk1/2 with U0126, knockdown of Erk1/2, or overexpression of dominant-negative mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MKK1) strengthened resveratrol's inhibition of the basal or IGF-1-stimulated of Erk1/2 phosphorylation and cell adhesion, whereas ectopic expression of constitutively active MKK1 attenuated the inhibitory effects of resveratrol. Further research revealed that both protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)-Akt were implicated in resveratrol-inactivated Erk1/2-dependent cell adhesion. Inhibition of PP2A with okadaic acid or overexpression of dominant-negative PP2A rendered resistance to resveratrol's suppression of the basal or IGF-1-stimulated phospho-Erk1/2 and cell adhesion, whereas expression of wild-type PP2A enhanced resveratrol's inhibitory effects. Overexpression of wild-type PTEN or dominant-negative Akt or inhibition of Akt with Akt inhibitor X strengthened resveratrol's inhibition of the basal or IGF-1-stimulated Erk1/2 phosphorylation and cell adhesion. Furthermore, inhibition of mechanistic/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) with rapamycin or silencing mTOR enhanced resveratrol's inhibitory effects on the basal and IGF-1-induced inhibition of PP2A-PTEN, activation of Akt-Erk1/2, and cell adhesion. The results indicate that resveratrol inhibits Erk1/2-mediated adhesion of cancer cells via activating PP2A-PTEN signaling network. Our data highlight that resveratrol has a great potential in the prevention of cancer cell adhesion.

H2 O2 induces PP2A demethylation to downregulate mTORC1 signaling in HEK293 cells

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a Ser/Thr protein kinase that functions as an ATP and amino acid sensor to govern cell growth and proliferation by mediating mitogen- and nutrient-dependent signal transduction. Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), a ubiquitously expressed serine/threonine phosphatase, negatively regulates mTOR signaling. Methylation of PP2A is catalyzed by leucine carboxyl methyltransferase-1 (LCMT1) and reversed by protein phosphatase methylesterase 1 (PME-1), which regulates PP2A activity and substrate specificity. However, whether PP2A methylation is related to mTOR signaling is still unknown. In this study, we examined the effect of PP2A methylation on mTOR signaling in HEK293 cells under oxidative stress. Our results show that oxidative stress induces PP2A demethylation and inhibits the mTORC1 signaling pathway. Next, we examined two strategies to block PP2A demethylation under oxidative stress. One strategy was to prevent PP2A demethylation using a PME-1 inhibitor; the other strategy was to activate PP2A methylation via overexpression of LCMT1. The results show that both the PME-1 inhibitor and LCMT1 overexpression prevent the mTORC1 signaling suppression induced by oxidative stress. Additionally, LCMT1 overexpression rescued cell viability and the mitochondrial membrane potential decrease in response to oxidative stress. These results demonstrate that H₂ O₂ induces PP2A demethylation to downregulate mTORC1 signaling. These findings provide a novel mechanism for the regulation of PP2A demethylation and mTORC1 signaling under oxidative stress.

PPP2R1A regulated by PAX3/FOXO1 fusion contributes to the acquisition of aggressive behavior in PAX3/FOXO1-positive alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma

To better characterize the oncogenic role of the PAX3-FOXO1 fusion protein in the acquisition of aggressive behavior in ARMS, we employed a proteomic approach using a PAX3-FOXO1 knockdown system in ARMS cell lines. This approach revealed a protein list consisting of 107 consistently upregulated and 114 consistently downregulated proteins that were expected to be regulated by PAX3-FOXO1 fusion protein. Furthermore, we identified 16 upregulated and 17 downregulated critical proteins based on a data-mining analysis. We also evaluated the function of PPP2R1A in ARMS cells. The PPP2R1A expression was upregulated at both the mRNA and protein levels by PAX3-FOXO1 silencing. The silencing of PPP2R1A significantly increased the cell growth of all four ARMS cells, suggesting that PPP2R1A still has a tumor suppressive function in ARMS cells; however, the native expression of PPP2R1A was low in the presence of PAX3-FOXO1. In addition, the activation of PP2A-part of which was encoded by PPP2R1A-by FTY720 treatment in ARMS cell lines inhibited cell growth. On the human phospho-kinase array analysis of 46 specific Ser/Thr or Tyr phosphorylation sites on 39 selected proteins, eNOS, AKT1/2/3, RSK1/2/3 and STAT3 phosphorylation were decreased by FTY-720 treatment. These findings suggest that PPP2R1A is a negatively regulated by PAX3-FOXO1 in ARMS. The activation of PP2A-probably in combination with kinase inhibitors-may represent a therapeutic target in ARMS. We believe that the protein expression profile associated with PAX3-FOXO1 would be valuable for discovering new therapeutic targets in ARMS.

Maduramicin-activated protein phosphatase 2A results in extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 inhibition, leading to cytotoxicity in myocardial H9c2 cells

Maduramicin, a polyether ionophore antibiotic used as an anticoccidial agent in poultry industry, has been reported to be toxic to animals and humans if improperly used or by accident, resulting in heart failure, skeletal muscle degeneration and even death. However, the molecular mechanism underlying its cardiotoxicity remains elusive. Mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and protein phosphatases signaling pathways have been documented to be involved in the cell survival regulation. The present study was set to investigate the role of above pathways in maduramicin-induced myocardial cytotoxicity. Here we observed that maduramicin inhibited cell proliferation and reduced cell viability in H9c2 cells. Furthermore, we found that maduramicin suppressed extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation in a concentration-dependent manner. Ectopic expression of constitutively active MKK1 partially prevented the cytotoxicity of maduramicin. Moreover, we showed that maduramicin concentration-dependently activated protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) by decreasing its phosphorylation and increasing its methylation. Inhibition of PP2A with okadaic acid attenuated maduramicin's toxicity. Overexpression of dominant negative PP2A partially rescued cells from maduramicin-inhibited ERK1/2 contributing to its cytotoxicity. The results indicate that maduramicin activates PP2A and consequently inhibits ERK1/2, leading to cytotoxicity in H9c2 cells. Our data suggest that manipulation of PP2A-ERK1/2 pathway may be a potential approach to prevent maduramicin-induced cardiotoxicity.

Active β-catenin is regulated by the PTEN/PI3 kinase pathway: a role for protein phosphatase PP2A

Dysregulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling has been associated with the development and progression of many cancers. The stability and subcellular localization of β-catenin, a dual functional protein that plays a role in intracellular adhesion and in regulating gene expression, is tightly regulated. However, little is known about the transcriptionally active form of β-catenin, Active Beta Catenin (ABC), that is unphosphorylated at serine 37 (Ser37) and threonine 41 (Thr41). Elucidating the mechanism by which β-catenin is activated to generate ABC is vital to the development of therapeutic strategies to block β-catenin signaling for cancer treatment. Using melanoma, breast and prostate cancer cell lines, we show that while cellular β-catenin levels are regulated by the Wnt pathway, cellular ABC levels are mainly regulated by the PI3K pathway and are dependent on the phosphatase activity of the protein phosphatase PP2A. Furthermore, we demonstrate that although the PI3K/PTEN pathway does not regulate total β-catenin protein levels within the cell, it plays a role in regulating the subcellular localization of β-catenin. Our results support a novel functional interaction/cross-talk between the PTEN/PI3K and Wnt pathways in the regulation of the subcellular/nuclear levels of ABC, which is crucially important for the protein's activity as a transcription factor and its biological effects in health and disease.

PYK2 via S6K1 regulates the function of androgen receptors and the growth of prostate cancer cells

Androgen receptor (AR) is a steroid hormone receptor that functions as a transcription factor for regulating cell growth and survival. Aberrant AR function becomes a risk factor for promoting the progression of prostate cancer (PCa). In this study, we examined the roles of proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (PYK2) and ribosomal S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) in regulating AR expression and activity and growth properties in PCa cells. Compared with normal prostate tissues, PCa tumors exhibited high levels of PYK2 and S6K1 expression. Furthermore, the expression levels of PYK2 and S6K1 were significantly correlated with nuclear AR expression in PCa tissues. We further found the association between PYK2, S6K1, and AR in their protein expression and phosphorylation levels among normal prostate PZ-HPV-7 cells and prostate cancer LNCaP and 22Rv1 cells. Overexpression of the wild-type PYK2 in PZ-HPV-7 and LNCaP cells promoted AR and S6K1 expression and phosphorylation as well as enhanced cell growth. In contrast, expression of the mutated PYK2 or knockdown of PYK2 expression in LNCaP or 22Rv1 cells caused reduced expression or phosphorylation of AR and S6K1 as well as retarded cell growth. Under an androgen-deprived condition, PYK2-promoted AR expression and phosphorylation and PSA production in LNCaP cells can be abolished by knocking down S6K1 expression. In summary, our data suggested that PYK2 via S6K1 activation modulated AR function and growth properties in PCa cells. Thus, PYK2 and S6K1 may potentially serve as therapeutic targets for PCa treatment.

Rapamycin inhibits Erk1/2-mediated neuronal apoptosis caused by cadmium

Cadmium (Cd), an environmental contaminant, causes neurodegenerative disorders. Recently we have shown that rapamycin prevents Cd-induced neuronal cell death by inhibiting mTOR signaling pathway. Here we found that rapamycin exerted its prevention against Cd-induced neuronal cell death also partially via blocking Erk1/2 pathway. Inhibiting Erk1/2 with PD98059 or silencing Erk1/2 potentiated rapamycin's inhibition of Cd-induced phosphorylation of Erk1/2 and apoptosis in neuronal cells. Both PP2A and PTEN/Akt were involved in the regulation of Erk1/2 activation and cell death triggered by Cd. Inhibition of PP2A with okadaic acid or ectopic expression of dominant negative PP2A attenuated rapamycin's inhibition of Cd-induced phospho-Erk1/2 and apoptosis, whereas over-expression of wild-type PP2A enhanced rapamycin's effects; Over-expression of wild-type PTEN or dominant negative Akt, or inhibition of Akt with Akt inhibitor X strengthened rapamycin's inhibition of Cd-induced phospho-Erk1/2 and cell death. Furthermore, expression of a rapamycin-resistant and kinase-active mTOR (mTOR-T) blocked rapamycin's inhibitory effects on Cd-induced inhibition of PP2A, down-regulation of PTEN, and activation of Akt, leading to Erk1/2 activation and cell death, whereas silencing mTOR mimicked rapamycin's effects. The results uncover that rapamycin inhibits Cd activation of Erk1/2-mediated neuronal apoptosis through intervening mTOR-PP2A/PTEN signaling network.

Rapamycin ameliorates cadmium-induced activation of MAPK pathway and neuronal apoptosis by preventing mitochondrial ROS inactivation of PP2A

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic metal that affects the central nervous system. Recently we have demonstrated that inhibition of mTOR by rapamycin rescues neuronal cells from Cd-poisoning. Here we show that rapamycin inhibited Cd-induced mitochondrial ROS-dependent neuronal apoptosis. Intriguingly, rapamycin remarkably blocked phosphorylation of JNK, Erk1/2 and p38 in neuronal cells induced by Cd, which was strengthened by co-treatment with Mito-TEMPO. Inhibition of JNK and Erk1/2 by SP600125 and U0126, respectively, potentiated rapamycin's prevention from Cd-induced apoptosis. Consistently, over-expression of dominant negative c-Jun or MKK1 also potently improved the inhibitory effect of rapamycin on Cd neurotoxicity. Furthermore, pretreatment with SP600125 or U0126, or expression of dominant negative c-Jun or MKK1 enhanced the inhibitory effects of rapamycin or Mito-TEMPO on Cd-induced ROS. Further investigation found that co-treatment with Mito-TEMPO/rapamycin more effectively rescued cells by preventing Cd inactivation of PP2A than treatment with rapamycin or Mito-TEMPO alone. Over-expression of wild-type PP2A reinforced rapamycin or Mito-TEMPO suppression of activated JNK and Erk1/2 pathways, as well as ROS production and apoptosis in neuronal cells in response to Cd. The findings indicate that rapamycin ameliorates Cd-evoked neuronal apoptosis by preventing mitochondrial ROS inactivation of PP2A, thereby suppressing activation of JNK and Erk1/2 pathways. Our results underline that rapamycin may have a potential in preventing Cd-induced oxidative stress and neurodegenerative diseases.

Resveratrol prevents cadmium activation of Erk1/2 and JNK pathways from neuronal cell death via protein phosphatases 2A and 5

Cadmium (Cd), a toxic environmental contaminant, induces neurodegenerative disorders. Resveratrol, a natural product, has been found to exert neuroprotective effects. However, little is known regarding the effect of resveratrol on Cd-evoked neurotoxicity. Here, we show that resveratrol effectively reversed Cd-elicited cell viability reduction, morphological change, nuclear fragmentation and condensation, as well as activation of caspase-3 in neuronal cells, implying neuroprotection against Cd-poisoning by resveratrol. Further research revealed that both c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (Erk1/2) were involved in the inhibitory effect of resveratrol on Cd-induced cell death, as selective inhibitors of Erk1/2 (U0126) and JNK (SP600125), or over-expression of dominant negative mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MKK1) or dominant negative c-Jun potentiated resveratrol's prevention of Cd-induced phosphorylation of JNK and Erk1/2, as well as cell death in neuronal cells. Interestingly, resveratrol potently rescued the cells from Cd-induced suppression of protein phosphatases 2A (PP2A) and 5 (PP5) activity. Over-expression of PP2A or PP5 strengthened the inhibitory effects of resveratrol on Cd-induced activation of Erk1/2 and/or JNK, as well as cell death. The results indicate that resveratrol prevents Cd-induced activation of Erk1/2 and JNK pathways and neuronal cell death in part via activating PP2A and PP5. Our findings strongly support the notion that resveratrol may serve as a potential therapeutic agent in the prevention of Cd-induced neurodegenerative diseases.

Rapamycin inhibits BAFF-stimulated cell proliferation and survival by suppressing mTOR-mediated PP2A-Erk1/2 signaling pathway in normal and neoplastic B-lymphoid cells

B-cell activating factor (BAFF) is involved in not only physiology of normal B cells, but also pathophysiology of aggressive B cells related to malignant and autoimmune diseases. Rapamycin, a lipophilic macrolide antibiotic, has recently shown to be effective in the treatment of human lupus erythematosus. However, how rapamycin inhibits BAFF-stimulated B-cell proliferation and survival has not been fully elucidated. Here, we show that rapamycin inhibited human soluble BAFF (hsBAFF)-induced cell proliferation and survival in normal and B-lymphoid (Raji and Daudi) cells by activation of PP2A and inactivation of Erk1/2. Pretreatment with PD98059, down-regulation of Erk1/2, expression of dominant negative MKK1, or overexpression of wild-type PP2A potentiated rapamycin's suppression of hsBAFF-activated Erk1/2 and B-cell proliferation/viability, whereas expression of constitutively active MKK1, inhibition of PP2A by okadaic acid, or expression of dominant negative PP2A attenuated the inhibitory effects of rapamycin. Furthermore, expression of a rapamycin-resistant and kinase-active mTOR (mTOR-T), but not a rapamycin-resistant and kinase-dead mTOR-T (mTOR-TE), conferred resistance to rapamycin's effects on PP2A, Erk1/2 and B-cell proliferation/viability, implying mTOR-dependent mechanism involved. The findings indicate that rapamycin inhibits BAFF-stimulated cell proliferation/survival by targeting mTOR-mediated PP2A-Erk1/2 signaling pathway in normal and neoplastic B-lymphoid cells. Our data highlight that rapamycin may be exploited for preventing excessive BAFF-induced aggressive B-cell malignancies and autoimmune diseases.

Deregulation of the phosphatase, PP2A is a common event in breast cancer, predicting sensitivity to FTY720

Background

The most commonly used biomarkers to predict the response of breast cancer patients to therapy are the oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Patients positive for these biomarkers are eligible for specific therapies such as endocrine treatment in the event of ER and PgR positivity, and the monoclonal antibody, trastuzumab, in the case of HER2-positive patients. Patients who are negative for these three biomarkers, the so-called triple negatives, however, derive little benefit from such therapies and are associated with a worse prognosis. Deregulation of the protein serine/threonine phosphatase type 2A (PP2A) and its regulatory subunits is a common event in breast cancer, providing a possible target for therapy.

Methods

The data portal, cBioPortal for Cancer Genomics was used to investigate the incidence of conditions that are associated with low phosphatase activity. Four (4) adherent human breast cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-468, MDA-MB-436, Hs578T and BT-20 were cultured to assess their viability when exposed to various dosages of rapamycin or FTY720. In addition, RNA was extracted and cDNA was synthesised to amplify the coding sequence of PPP2CA. Amplification was followed by high-resolution melting to identify variations.

Results and conclusion

The sequence of PPP2CA was found to be conserved across a diverse panel of solid tumour and haematological cell lines, suggesting that low expression of PPP2CA and differential binding of inhibitory PPP2CA regulators are the main mechanisms of PP2A deregulation. Interestingly, the cBioPortal for Cancer Genomics shows that PP2A is deregulated in 59.6% of basal breast tumours. Viability assays performed to determine the sensitivity of a panel of breast cancer cell lines to FTY720, a PP2A activator, indicated that cell lines associated with ER loss are sensitive to lower doses of FTY720. The subset of patients with suppressed PP2A activity is potentially eligible for treatment using therapies which target the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, such as phosphatase activators.

BAFF activates Erk1/2 promoting cell proliferation and survival by Ca2+-CaMKII-dependent inhibition of PP2A in normal and neoplastic B-lymphoid cells

B-cell activating factor (BAFF) is involved in not only the physiology of normal B cells, but also the pathophysiology of aggressive B cells related to malignant and autoimmune diseases. However, how excessive BAFF promotes aggressive B-cell proliferation and survival is not well understood. Here we show that excessive human soluble BAFF (hsBAFF) enhanced cell proliferation and survival in normal and B-lymphoid (Raji) cells, which was associated with suppression of PP2A, resulting in activation of Erk1/2. This is supported by the findings that pretreatment with U0126 or PD98059, expression of dominant negative MKK1, or overexpression of PP2A prevented hsBAFF-induced activation of Erk1/2 and cell proliferation/viability in the cells. It appears that hsBAFF-mediated PP2A-Erk1/2 pathway and B-cell proliferation/viability was Ca(2+)-dependent, as pretreatment with BAPTA/AM, EGTA or 2-APB significantly attenuated these events. Furthermore, we found that inhibiting CaMKII with KN93 or silencing CaMKII also attenuated hsBAFF-mediated PP2A-Erk1/2 signaling and B-cell proliferation/viability. The results indicate that BAFF activates Erk1/2, in part through Ca(2+)-CaMKII-dependent inhibition of PP2A, increasing cell proliferation/viability in normal and neoplastic B-lymphoid cells. Our data suggest that inhibitors of CaMKII and Erk1/2, activator of PP2A or manipulation of intracellular Ca(2+) may be exploited for prevention of excessive BAFF-induced aggressive B-cell malignancies and autoimmune diseases.

Dihydroartemisinin inhibits the mammalian target of rapamycin-mediated signaling pathways in tumor cells

Dihydroartemisinin (DHA), an antimalarial drug, has previously unrecognized anticancer activity, and is in clinical trials as a new anticancer agent for skin, lung, colon and breast cancer treatment. However, the anticancer mechanism is not well understood. Here, we show that DHA inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in rhabdomyosarcoma (Rh30 and RD) cells, and concurrently inhibited the signaling pathways mediated by the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a central controller for cell proliferation and survival, at concentrations (<3 μM) that are pharmacologically achievable. Of interest, in contrast to the effects of conventional mTOR inhibitors (rapalogs), DHA potently inhibited mTORC1-mediated phosphorylation of p70 S6 kinase 1 and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 but did not obviously affect mTORC2-mediated phosphorylation of Akt. The results suggest that DHA may represent a novel class of mTORC1 inhibitor and may execute its anticancer activity primarily by blocking mTORC1-mediated signaling pathways in the tumor cells.

Long-term mTOR inhibitors administration evokes altered calcium homeostasis and platelet dysfunction in kidney transplant patients

The use of the mammal target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors has been consolidated as the therapy of election for preventing graft rejection in kidney transplant patients, despite their immunosuppressive activity is less strong than anti-calcineurin agents like tacrolimus and cyclosporine A. Furthermore, as mTOR is widely expressed, rapamycin (a macrolide antibiotic produced by Streptomyces hygroscopicus) is recommended in patients presenting neoplasia due to its antiproliferative actions. Hence, we have investigated whether rapamycin presents side effects in the physiology of other cell types different from leucocytes, such as platelets. Blood samples were drawn from healthy volunteers and kidney transplant patients long-term medicated with rapamycin: sirolimus and everolimus. Platelets were either loaded with fura-2 or directly stimulated, and immunoassayed or fixed with Laemmli's buffer to perform the subsequent analysis of platelet physiology. Our results indicate that rapamycin evokes a biphasic time-dependent alteration in calcium homeostasis and function in platelets from kidney transplant patients under rapamycin regime, as demonstrated by the reduction in granule secretion observed and subsequent impairment of platelet aggregation in these patients compared with healthy volunteers. Platelet count was also reduced in these patients, thus 41% of patients presented thrombocytopenia. All together our results show that long-term administration of rapamycin to kidney transplant patients evokes alteration in platelet function.

Phosphoprotein Phosphatase PP2A Regulation of Insulin Receptor Substrate 1 and Insulin Metabolic Signaling

Insulin (INS) metabolic signaling is important for normal cardiovascular and renal function as well as for exerting the classic actions of INS, such as glucose uptake in skeletal muscle tissue. There is emerging evidence that tyrosine phosphatases as well as protein kinases have important modulating roles in INS metabolic signaling in both cardiovascular and classically INS- sensitive tissues. For example, increases in phosphatase activity may partially explain how angiotensin II and aldosterone attenuate activation of the INS receptor substrate protein 1 (IRS-1)-phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase-protein kinase B pathway, thereby promoting INS resistance. On the other hand, phosphatase activation may also exert beneficial and cardiovascular protective effects in conditions such as overnutrition by blocking serine phosphorylation of IRS-1, thereby improving downstream INS metabolic signaling. Both the beneficial and the detrimental effects exerted by the activation of phosphatases will be covered in this report.

Prospects and challenges for the development of new therapies for Ewing sarcoma

The Ewing sarcoma family of tumors or Ewing sarcoma (ES) is the second most common malignant bone tumor of childhood. The prognosis for localized Ewing sarcoma has improved through the development of intense multimodal therapy over the past several decades. Unfortunately, patients with recurrent or metastatic disease continue to have a poor prognosis. Therefore, a number of complementary approaches are being developed in both the preclinical and clinical arenas to improve these outcomes. In this review, we will discuss efforts to directly target the biologic drivers of this disease and relate these efforts to the experience with several different agents both in the clinic and under development. We will review the data for compounds that have shown excellent activity in the clinic, such as the camptothecins, and summarize the biological data that supports this activity. In addition, we will review the clinical experience with IGF1 targeted agents, ET-743 and epigenetically targeted therapies, the substantial amount of literature that supports their activity in Ewing sarcoma and the challenges remaining translating these therapies to the clinic. Finally, we will highlight recent work aimed at directly targeting the EWS-FLI1 transcription factor with small molecules in Ewing tumors.

Increased ceramide content and NFκB signaling may contribute to the attenuation of anabolic signaling after resistance exercise in aged males

One of the most fundamental adaptive physiological events is the response of skeletal muscle to high-intensity resistance exercise, resulting in increased protein synthesis and ultimately larger muscle mass. However, muscle growth in response to contraction is attenuated in older humans. Impaired contractile-induced muscle growth may contribute to sarcopenia: the age-associated loss of muscle mass and function that is manifested by loss of strength, contractile capacity, and endurance. We hypothesized that the storage of ceramide would be increased in older individuals and this would be associated with increases in NFκB signaling and a decreased anabolic response to exercise. To test this hypothesis we measured ceramides at rest and anabolic and NFκB signaling after an acute bout of high-intensity resistance exercise in young and older males. Using lipidomics analysis we show there was a 156% increase in the accumulation of C16:0-ceramide (P < 0.05) and a 30% increase in C20:0-ceramide (P < 0.05) in skeletal muscle with aging, although there was no observable difference in total ceramide. C16:0-ceramide content was negatively correlated (P = 0.008) with lower leg lean mass. Aging was associated with a ~60% increase in the phosphorylation of the proinflammatory transcription factor NFκB in the total and nuclear cell fractions (P < 0.05). Furthermore, there was an attenuated activation of anabolic signaling molecules such as Akt (P < 0.05), FOXO1 (P < 0.05), and S6K1 (P < 0.05) after an acute bout of high-intensity resistance exercise in older males. We conclude that ceramide may have a significant role in the attenuation of contractile-induced skeletal muscle adaptations and atrophy that is observed with aging.

The complexities of epidemiology and prevention of gastrointestinal cancers

Cancer epidemiology and prevention is one of the most well studied fields today. The more we can understand about the incidence and pathogenesis of this disease, the better we will be able to prevent it. Effective prevention strategies can decrease the mortality rate of cancer significantly; this is why it is important to delineate the underlying causes. It has been well recognized that genetic mutations, sporadic or hereditary, may lead to increased chance of tumorigenesis. Detecting genetic mutations can lead to the identification of high-risk individuals with hereditary cancer syndromes, which may assist in devising prevention strategies. Further, environmental factors are known to play important roles in epidemiology and suggest prevention tools that could be implemented to reduce cancer incidence and subsequent cancer-associated morbidity and mortality. Chemoprevention has been tried in colon cancer and is finding new advancements in other carcinomas as well. Out of many environmental cancer preventive agents, the most notable developments are the identification of the role of vitamins E, vitamin D and folic acid. Increased consumption of these vitamins has shown to be inversely correlated with cancer risk. This review will highlight important aspects of cancer epidemiology in the most aggressive carcinomas of the gastrointestinal system focusing on colorectal adenocarcinoma and pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Additionally, some of the well-known and evolving aspects of epidemiology of colorectal and pancreatic cancer along with current and new prevention strategies will also be reviewed.

Role and potential mechanisms of anabolic resistance in sarcopenia

There is pressing need to understand the aging process to better cope with its associated physical and societal costs. The age-related muscle wasting known as sarcopenia is a major contributor to the problems faced by the elderly. By hindering mobility and reducing strength, it greatly diminishes independence and quality of life. In studying the factors that contribute to the development of sarcopenia, the focus is shifting to the study of disordered muscle anabolism. The abnormal response of muscle to previously well-established anabolic stimuli is known as anabolic resistance, and may be a key factor in the development and progression of sarcopenia. Factors such as age, obesity, inflammation, and lipotoxicity contribute to anabolic resistance, and have been studied either directly or indirectly in cell systems and whole animals. Understanding the physiologic and mechanistic basis of anabolic resistance could be the key to formulating new and targeted interventions that would ease the burden currently borne by the world's aged population.

The Golgi in cell migration: regulation by signal transduction and its implications for cancer cell metastasis

Migration and invasion are fundamental features of metastatic cancer cells. The Golgi apparatus, an organelle involved in posttranslational modification and sorting of proteins, is widely accepted to regulate directional cell migration. In addition, mounting evidence suggests that the Golgi is a hub for different signaling pathways. In this paper we will give an overview on how polarized secretion and microtubule nucleation at the Golgi regulate directional cell migration. We will review different signaling pathways that signal to and from the Golgi. Finally, we will discuss how these signaling pathways regulate the role of the Golgi in cell migration and invasion. We propose that by identifying regulators of the Golgi, we might be able to uncover unappreciated modulators of cell migration. Uncovering the regulatory network that orchestrates cell migration is of fundamental importance for the development of new therapeutic strategies against cancer cell metastasis.

Cryptotanshinone activates p38/JNK and inhibits Erk1/2 leading to caspase-independent cell death in tumor cells

Cryptotanshinone (CPT), a natural compound isolated from the plant Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, is a potential anticancer agent. However, the underlying mechanism is not well understood. Here, we show that CPT induced caspase-independent cell death in human tumor cells (Rh30, DU145, and MCF-7). Besides downregulating antiapoptotic protein expression of survivin and Mcl-1, CPT increased phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and inhibited phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (Erk1/2). Inhibition of p38 with SB202190 or JNK with SP600125 attenuated CPT-induced cell death. Similarly, silencing p38 or c-Jun also in part prevented CPT-induced cell death. In contrast, expression of constitutively active mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MKK1) conferred resistance to CPT inhibition of Erk1/2 phosphorylation and induction of cell death. Furthermore, we found that all of these were attributed to CPT induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This is evidenced by the findings that CPT induced ROS in a concentration- and time-dependent manner; CPT induction of ROS was inhibited by N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), a ROS scavenger; and NAC attenuated CPT activation of p38/JNK, inhibition of Erk1/2, and induction of cell death. The results suggested that CPT induction of ROS activates p38/JNK and inhibits Erk1/2, leading to caspase-independent cell death in tumor cells.

Regulation of karyopherin α1 and nuclear import by mammalian target of rapamycin

Under conditions of reduced mitogen or nutritional substrate levels, the serine/threonine kinase target of rapamycin can augment the nuclear content of distinct transcription factors and promote the induction of stress response genes. In its latent (i.e., unphosphorylated) form, the transcription factor STAT1 regulates a subset of genes involved in immune modulation and apoptosis. Based on previous work indicating a functional relationship between mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and the nuclear content of latent STAT1, we investigated the mechanism by which mTOR controls STAT1 nuclear import. By fluorescence confocal microscopy, inactivation of mTOR with rapamycin promoted the nuclear translocation of unphosphorylated STAT1, but not that of a STAT1 mutant incapable of binding its nuclear import adaptor karyopherin-α1 (KPNA1). By immunoprecipitation, KPNA1 was physically associated with mTOR and STAT1 in a complex that translocated to the nucleus in response to rapamycin. Although mTOR is not a kinase for KPNA1, the mTOR-associated phosphatase protein phosphatase 2A catalytic interacted directly with KPNA1 and regulated nuclear import of the mTOR-KPNA1 complex. KPNA1, or its interaction with STAT1, was required for the nuclear import of latent STAT1, transcriptional induction of the STAT1 gene, and caspase-3 activation under conditions of reduced mTOR activity (i.e. rapamycin, glucose starvation, serum withdrawal). Therefore, at low mitogen or nutrient levels, mTOR and protein phosphatase 2A catalytically control the constitutive nuclear import of latent STAT1 by KPNA1, which are key modulators of STAT1 expression and apoptosis.

Inhibition of tumor cell growth, proliferation and migration by X-387, a novel active-site inhibitor of mTOR

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), is deregulated in about 50% of human malignancies and exists in two complexes: mTORC1 and mTORC2. Rapalogs partially inhibit mTORC1 through allosteric binding to mTORC1 and their efficacy is modest as a cancer therapy. A few mTOR kinase inhibitors that inhibit both mTORC1 and mTORC2 have been reported to possess potent anticancer activities. Herein, we designed and synthesized a series of pyrazolopyrimidine derivatives targeting mTOR kinase domain and X-387 was identified as a promising lead. X-387 selectively inhibited mTOR in an ATP-competitive manner while sparing a panel of kinases from the PIKK family. X-387 blocked mTORC1 and mTORC2-mediacted signaling pathway in cell lines with activated mTOR signaling and in rapamycin-resistant cells. Specifically, X-387 inhibited phosphorylation of AKT at T308, which is thought to be a target of PDK1 but not mTOR. Such activity was not due to inhibition of PI3K since X-387 did not inhibit translocation of AKT to the cell membrane. X-387 induced autophagy as observed for other mTOR inhibitors, while induced autophagy is pro-survival since concurrent inhibition of autophagy by 3-MA reinforced the antiproliferative activity of mTOR inhibitors. X-387 also inhibited cell motility, which is associated with decrease in activity of small GTPases such as RhoA, Rac1 and Cdc42. Taken together, X-387 is a promising compound lead targeting mTOR and with a wide spectrum anticancer activity among tumor cell lines. The data also underscores the complexity of the mTOR signaling pathways which are far from being understood.

S6K1 and mTOR regulate Rac1-driven platelet activation and aggregation

Platelet activation and thrombus formation are under the control of signaling systems that integrate cellular homeostasis with cytoskeletal dynamics. Here, we identify a role for the ribosome protein S6 kinase (S6K1) and its upstream regulator mTOR in the control of platelet activation and aggregate formation under shear flow. Platelet engagement of fibrinogen initiated a signaling cascade that triggered the activation of S6K1 and Rac1. Fibrinogen-induced S6K1 activation was abolished by inhibitors of Src kinases, but not Rac1 inhibitors, demonstrating that S6K1 acts upstream of Rac1. S6K1 and Rac1 interacted in a protein complex with the Rac1 GEF TIAM1 and colocalized with actin at the platelet lamellipodial edge, suggesting that S6K1 and Rac1 work together to drive platelet spreading. Pharmacologic inhibitors of mTOR and S6K1 blocked Rac1 activation and prevented platelet spreading on fibrinogen, but had no effect on Src or FAK kinase activation. mTOR inhibitors dramatically reduced collagen-induced platelet aggregation and promoted the destabilization of platelet aggregates formed under shear flow conditions. Together, these results reveal novel roles for S6K1 and mTOR in the regulation of Rac1 activity and provide insights into the relationship between the pharmacology of the mTOR system and the molecular mechanisms of platelet activation.

Role of mTOR signaling in tumor cell motility, invasion and metastasis

Tumor cell migration and invasion play fundamental roles in cancer metastasis. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a highly conserved and ubiquitously expressed serine/threonine (Ser/Thr) kinase, is a central regulator of cell growth, proliferation, differentiation and survival. Recent studies have shown that mTOR also plays a critical role in the regulation of tumor cell motility, invasion and cancer metastasis. Current knowledge indicates that mTOR functions as two distinct complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2. mTORC1 phosphorylates p70 S6 kinase (S6K1) and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) binding protein 1 (4E-BP1), and regulates cell growth, proliferation, survival and motility. mTORC2 phosphorylates Akt, protein kinase C α (PKCα) and the focal adhesion proteins, and controls the activities of the small GTPases (RhoA, Cdc42 and Rac1), and regulates cell survival and the actin cytoskeleton. Here we briefly review recent knowledge of mTOR complexes and the role of mTOR signaling in tumor cell migration and invasion. We also discuss recent efforts about the mechanism by which rapamycin, a specific inhibitor of mTOR, inhibits cell migration, invasion and cancer metastasis.

The fungicide ciclopirox inhibits lymphatic endothelial cell tube formation by suppressing VEGFR-3-mediated ERK signaling pathway

Ciclopirox olamine (CPX), an off-patent antifungal agent used to treat mycoses of skin and nails, has recently been demonstrated to be a potential anticancer agent. However, the underlying mechanism is not well understood. Here, for the first time, we show that CPX inhibited lymphangiogenesis in an in vitro model (tube formation). This effect was, in part, associated with inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) expression, as overexpression of VEGFR-3 conferred partial resistance to CPX inhibitory effect on tube formation in lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs), whereas downregulation of VEGFR-3 mimicked the effect of CPX, blocking the tube formation. Further study revealed that CPX did not alter mRNA level, but inhibited protein synthesis and promoted protein degradation of VEGFR-3. In addition, we found that CPX inhibited phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-related kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), a downstream effector of VEGFR-3. Overexpression of VEGFR-3 attenuated CPX inhibition of ERK1/2 phosphorylation, whereas downregulation of VEGFR-3 inhibited ERK1/2 phosphorylation in LECs. Ectopic expression of constitutively active mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MKK1) resulted in activation of ERK1/2 and partially prevented CPX inhibition of LEC tube formation. The results suggest that CPX inhibits LEC tube formation at least, in part, through inhibiting VEGFR-3-mediated ERK signaling pathway.

Calcium signaling is involved in cadmium-induced neuronal apoptosis via induction of reactive oxygen species and activation of MAPK/mTOR network

Cadmium (Cd), a toxic environmental contaminant, induces oxidative stress, leading to neurodegenerative disorders. Recently we have demonstrated that Cd induces neuronal apoptosis in part by activation of the mitogen-activated protein kineses (MAPK) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways. However, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here we show that Cd elevated intracellular calcium ion ([Ca²+](i)) level in PC12, SH-SY5Y cells and primary murine neurons. BAPTA/AM, an intracellular Ca²+ chelator, abolished Cd-induced [Ca²+](i) elevation, and blocked Cd activation of MAKPs including extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38, and mTOR-mediated signaling pathways, as well as cell death. Pretreatment with the extracellular Ca²+ chelator EGTA also prevented Cd-induced [Ca²+](i) elevation, MAPK/mTOR activation, as well as cell death, suggesting that Cd-induced extracellular Ca²+ influx plays a critical role in contributing to neuronal apoptosis. In addition, calmodulin (CaM) antagonist trifluoperazine (TFP) or silencing CaM attenuated the effects of Cd on MAPK/mTOR activation and cell death. Furthermore, Cd-induced [Ca²+](i) elevation or CaM activation resulted in induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Pretreatment with BAPTA/AM, EGTA or TFP attenuated Cd-induced ROS and cleavage of caspase-3 in the neuronal cells. Our findings indicate that Cd elevates [Ca²+](i), which induces ROS and activates MAPK and mTOR pathways, leading to neuronal apoptosis. The results suggest that regulation of Cd-disrupted [Ca²+](i) homeostasis may be a new strategy for prevention of Cd-induced neurodegenerative diseases.

Rapamycin inhibits hydrogen peroxide-induced loss of vascular contractility

Rapamycin, an inhibitor of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, has been shown to extend the life span of mice, and oxidative stress plays critical roles in vascular aging involving loss of compliance of arteries. We examined, therefore, whether rapamycin has protective effects on the inhibition of vascular contractility by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Prolonged (3 h) exposure to H₂O₂ induced complete loss of contraction of mouse aortic rings and mesenteric (resistance) arteries to either KCl or phenylephrine, which was attenuated by pretreatment with rapamycin. H₂O₂-induced loss of contractility was unaffected by treatment with actinomycin D or cycloheximide, inhibitors of gene transcription and protein synthesis, respectively. Western blot analysis showed that there was no increase in phosphorylation of S6 kinase 1 (S6K) or factor 4E binding protein 1 (4EBP1) in response to H₂O₂ treatment, suggesting involvement of the mTOR complex-2 (mTORC2) rather than mTORC1. H₂O₂ treatment inhibited phosphorylation of the 20-kDa regulatory light chains of myosin (LC₂₀), which was partially blocked by rapamycin treatment. Interestingly, the calcineurin inhibitors cyclosporine A and FK506 were found to mimic the rapamycin effect, and rapamycin inhibited calcineurin activation induced by H₂O₂. We conclude that rapamycin inhibits H₂O₂-induced loss of vascular contractility, likely through an mTORC2-calcineurin pathway.

Protein phosphatase 2A negatively regulates eukaryotic initiation factor 4E phosphorylation and eIF4F assembly through direct dephosphorylation of Mnk and eIF4E

The eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) is frequently overexpressed in human cancers and is associated with cellular transformation, tumorigenesis, and metastatic progression. It is known that Mnks can phosphorylate eIF4E. Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) functions as a tumor suppressor, and it was previously suggested to regulate eIF4E phosphorylation. However, how PP2A regulates eIF4E phosphorylation has not been fully addressed. In this study, we have not only validated the role of PP2A in regulation of eIF4E phosphorylation but also demonstrated the mechanism underlying this process. Inhibition of PP2A using either okadaic acid or PP2A small interfering RNA (siRNA) increased eIF4E phosphorylation, which could be abolished by the presence of the Mnk inhibitor CGP57380 or deficiency of Mnk genes. Thus, Mnks are involved in PP2A-mediated regulation of eIF4E phosphorylation. Moreover, a dephosphorylation assay revealed that PP2A could directly dephosphorylate Mnk1 and eIF4E. m(7)GTP pull-down assay detected more eIF4G and phospho-eIF4E and less 4EBP-1 in PP2A siRNA-transfected cells than in control siRNA-transfected cells, indicating an increased cap binding of eIF4F complex. Accordingly, okadaic acid treatment or PP2A knockdown increased the levels of c-Myc and Mcl-1, which are proteins known to be regulated by a cap-dependent translation mechanism. Taken together, we conclude that PP2A negatively regulates eIF4E phosphorylation and eIF4F complex assembly through dephosphorylation of Mnk and eIF4E, thus suggesting a novel mechanism by which PP2A exerts its tumor-suppressive function.