Role of mTOR in the degradation of IRS-1: regulation of PP2A activity

Altering phosphorylation in cancer through PP2A modifiers

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a serine/threonine phosphatase integral to the regulation of many cellular processes. Due to the deregulation of PP2A in cancer, many of these processes are turned toward promoting tumor progression. Considerable research has been undertaken to discover molecules capable of modulating PP2A activity in cancer. Because PP2A is capable of immense substrate specificity across many cellular processes, the therapeutic targeting of PP2A in cancer can be completed through either enzyme inhibitors or activators. PP2A modulators likewise tend to be effective in drug-resistant cancers and work synergistically with other known cancer therapeutics. In this review, we will discuss the patterns of PP2A deregulation in cancer, and its known downstream signaling pathways important for cancer regulation, along with many activators and inhibitors of PP2A known to inhibit cancer progression.

Human cytomegalovirus attenuates AKT activity by destabilizing insulin receptor substrate proteins

IMPORTANCE

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) requires inactivation of AKT to efficiently replicate, yet how AKT is shut off during HCMV infection has remained unclear. We show that UL38, an HCMV protein that activates mTORC1, is necessary and sufficient to destabilize insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1), a model insulin receptor substrate (IRS) protein. Degradation of IRS proteins in settings of excessive mTORC1 activity is an important mechanism for insulin resistance. When IRS proteins are destabilized, PI3K cannot be recruited to growth factor receptor complexes, and hence, AKT membrane recruitment, a rate limiting step in its activation, fails to occur. Despite its penchant for remodeling host cell signaling pathways, our results reveal that HCMV relies upon a cell-intrinsic negative regulatory feedback loop to inactivate AKT. Given that pharmacological inhibition of PI3K/AKT potently induces HCMV reactivation from latency, our findings also imply that the expression of UL38 activity must be tightly regulated within latently infected cells to avoid spontaneous reactivation.

Human cytomegalovirus attenuates AKT activity by destabilizing insulin receptor substrate proteins

The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway plays crucial roles in cell viability and protein synthesis and is frequently co-opted by viruses to support their replication. Although many viruses maintain high levels of AKT activity during infection, other viruses, such as vesicular stomatitis virus and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), cause AKT to accumulate in an inactive state. To efficiently replicate, HCMV requires FoxO transcription factors to localize to the infected cell nucleus (Zhang et. al. mBio 2022), a process directly antagonized by AKT. Therefore, we sought to investigate how HCMV inactivates AKT to achieve this. Subcellular fractionation and live cell imaging studies indicated that AKT failed to recruit to membranes upon serum-stimulation of infected cells. However, UV-inactivated virions were unable to render AKT non-responsive to serum, indicating a requirement for de novo viral gene expression. Interestingly, we were able to identify that UL38 (pUL38), a viral activator of mTORC1, is required to diminish AKT responsiveness to serum. mTORC1 contributes to insulin resistance by causing proteasomal degradation of insulin receptor substrate (IRS) proteins, such as IRS1, which are necessary for the recruitment of PI3K to growth factor receptors. In cells infected with a recombinant HCMV disrupted for UL38 , AKT responsiveness to serum is retained and IRS1 is not degraded. Furthermore, ectopic expression of UL38 in uninfected cells induces IRS1 degradation, inactivating AKT. These effects of UL38 were reversed by the mTORC1 inhibitor, rapamycin. Collectively, our results demonstrate that HCMV relies upon a cell-intrinsic negative feedback loop to render AKT inactive during productive infection.

The MASTL/PP2A cell cycle kinase-phosphatase module restrains PI3K-Akt activity in an mTORC1-dependent manner

The AKT-mTOR pathway is a central regulator of cell growth and metabolism. Upon sustained mTOR activity, AKT activity is attenuated by a feedback loop that restrains upstream signaling. However, how cells control the signals that limit AKT activity is not fully understood. Here, we show that MASTL/Greatwall, a cell cycle kinase that supports mitosis by phosphorylating the PP2A/B55 inhibitors ENSA/ARPP19, inhibits PI3K-AKT activity by sustaining mTORC1- and S6K1-dependent phosphorylation of IRS1 and GRB10. Genetic depletion of MASTL results in an inefficient feedback loop and AKT hyperactivity. These defects are rescued by the expression of phosphomimetic ENSA/ARPP19 or inhibition of PP2A/B55 phosphatases. MASTL is directly phosphorylated by mTORC1, thereby limiting the PP2A/B55-dependent dephosphorylation of IRS1 and GRB10 downstream of mTORC1. Downregulation of MASTL results in increased glucose uptake in vitro and increased glucose tolerance in adult mice, suggesting the relevance of the MASTL-PP2A/B55 kinase-phosphatase module in controlling AKT and maintaining metabolic homeostasis.

Fine-Tuning of mTORC1-ULK1-PP2A Regulatory Triangle Is Crucial for Robust Autophagic Response upon Cellular Stress

Autophagy-dependent cellular survival is tightly regulated by both kinases and phosphatases. While mTORC1 inhibits autophagy by phosphorylating ULK1, PP2A is able to remove this phosphate group from ULK1 and promotes the key inducer of autophagosome formation. However, ULK1 inhibits mTORC1, mTORC1 is able to down-regulate PP2A. In addition, the active ULK1 promotes PP2A via phosphorylation. We claim that these double-negative (mTORC1 –| PP2A –| mTORC1, mTORC1 –| ULK1 –| mTORC1) and positive (ULK1 -> PP2A -> ULK1) feedback loops are all necessary for the robust, irreversible decision making process between the autophagy and non-autophagy states. We approach our scientific analysis from a systems biological perspective by applying both theoretical and molecular biological techniques. For molecular biological experiments, HEK293T cell line is used, meanwhile the dynamical features of the regulatory network are described by mathematical modelling. In our study, we explore the dynamical characteristic of mTORC1-ULK1-PP2A regulatory triangle in detail supposing that the positive feedback loops are essential to manage a robust cellular answer upon various cellular stress events (such as mTORC1 inhibition, starvation, PP2A inhibition or ULK1 silencing). We confirm that active ULK1 can up-regulate PP2A when mTORC1 is inactivated. By using theoretical analysis, we explain the importance of cellular PP2A level in stress response mechanism. We proved both experimentally and theoretically that PP2A down-regulation (via addition of okadaic acid) might generate a periodic repeat of autophagy induction. Understanding how the regulation of the cell survival occurs with the precise molecular balance of ULK1-mTORC1-PP2A in autophagy, is highly relevant in several cellular stress-related diseases (such as neurodegenerative diseases or diabetes) and might help to promote advanced therapies in the near future, too.

DCAF7 regulates cell proliferation through IRS1-FOXO1 signaling

Cell proliferation is dependent on growth factors insulin and IGF1. We sought to identify interactors of IRS1, the most proximal mediator of insulin/IGF1 signaling, that regulate cell proliferation. Using proximity-dependent biotin identification (BioID), we detected 40 proteins displaying proximal interactions with IRS1, including DCAF7 and its interacting partners DYRK1A and DYRK1B. In HepG2 cells, DCAF7 knockdown attenuated cell proliferation by inducing cell cycle arrest at G2. DCAF7 expression was required for insulin-stimulated AKT phosphorylation, and its absence promoted nuclear localization of the transcription factor FOXO1. DCAF7 knockdown induced expression of FOXO1-target genes implicated in G2 cell cycle inhibition, correlating with G2 cell cycle arrest. In Drosophila melanogaster, wing-specific knockdown of DCAF7/wap caused smaller wing size and lower wing cell number; the latter recovered upon double knockdown of wap and dfoxo. We propose that DCAF7 regulates cell proliferation and cell cycle via IRS1-FOXO1 signaling, of relevance to whole organism growth.

Targeting the IGF/PI3K/mTOR Pathway and AXL/YAP1/TAZ pathways in Primary Bone Cancer

Primary bone cancers (PBC) belong to the family of mesenchymal tumors classified based on their cellular origin, extracellular matrix, genetic regulation, and epigenetic modification. The three major PBC types, Ewing sarcoma, osteosarcoma, and chondrosarcoma, are frequently aggressive tumors, highly metastatic, and typically occur in children and young adults. Despite their distinct origins and pathogenesis, these sarcoma subtypes rely upon common signaling pathways to promote tumor progression, metastasis, and survival. The IGF/PI3K/mTOR and AXL/YAP/TAZ pathways, in particular, have gained significant attention recently given their ties to oncogenesis, cell fate and differentiation, metastasis, and drug resistance. Naturally, these pathways – and their protein constituents – have caught the eye of the pharmaceutical industry, and a wide array of small molecule inhibitors and antibody drug-conjugates have emerged. Here, we review how the IGF/PI3K/mTOR and AXL/YAP/TAZ pathways promote PBC and highlight the drug candidates under clinical trial investigation.

Pretreatment with metformin prevents microcystin-LR-induced tau hyperphosphorylation via mTOR-dependent PP2A and GSK-3β activation

Microcystin-leucine-arginine (MC-LR) is a toxin secreted by freshwater cyanobacteria that is considered a potential environmental risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). A previous study indicated that tau protein hyperphosphorylation via protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) and GSK-3β inhibition was the mechanism by which MC-LR induces neurotoxicity; however, how MC-LR-induced neurotoxicity can be effectively prevented remains unclear. In this study, the reversal effect of metformin on MC-LR-induced neurotoxicity was investigated. The results showed that metformin effectively prevented tau hyperphosphorylation at Ser202 caused by MC-LR through PP2A and GSK-3b activity. The effect of metformin on PP2A activity was dependent on the inhibition of mTOR in MC-LR-treated SH-SY5Y cells. Metformin prevented spatial memory deficits in rats caused by intrahippocampal MC-LR administration. In sum, the results suggested that metformin can ameliorate the MC-LR-induced AD-like phenotype by preventing tau phosphorylation at Ser202, which was mainly mediated by mTOR-dependent PP2A and GSK-3β activation.

Metformin Increases Protein Phosphatase 2A Activity in Primary Human Skeletal Muscle Cells Derived from Lean Healthy Participants

OBJECTIVE

To investigate if PP2A plays a role in metformin-induced insulin sensitivity improvement in human skeletal muscle cells. Participants. Eight lean insulin-sensitive nondiabetic participants (4 females and 4 males; age: 21.0 ± 1.0 years; BMI: 22.0 ± 0.7 kg/m²; 2-hour OGTT: 97.0 ± 6.0 mg/dl; HbA1c: 5.3 ± 0.1%; fasting plasma glucose: 87.0 ± 2.0 mg/dl; M value; 11.0 ± 1.0 mg/kgBW/min).

DESIGN

A hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp was performed to assess insulin sensitivity in human subjects, and skeletal muscle biopsy samples were obtained. Primary human skeletal muscle cells (shown to retain metabolic characteristics of donors) were cultured from these muscle biopsies that included 8 lean insulin-sensitive participants. Cultured cells were expanded, differentiated into myotubes, and treated with 50 μM metformin for 24 hours before harvesting. PP2Ac activity was measured by a phosphatase activity assay kit (Millipore) according to the manufacturer's protocol.

RESULTS

The results indicated that metformin significantly increased the activity of PP2A in the myotubes for all 8 lean insulin-sensitive nondiabetic participants, and the average fold increase is 1.54 ± 0.11 (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

These results provided the first evidence that metformin can activate PP2A in human skeletal muscle cells derived from lean healthy insulin-sensitive participants and may help to understand metformin's action in skeletal muscle in humans.

Can We Treat Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's Disease?

Alzheimer's disease (AD), considered the most common type of dementia, is characterized by a progressive loss of memory, visuospatial, language and complex cognitive abilities. In addition, patients often show comorbid depression and aggressiveness. Aging is the major factor contributing to AD; however, the initial cause that triggers the disease is yet unknown. Scientific evidence demonstrates that AD, especially the late onset of AD, is not the result of a single event, but rather it appears because of a combination of risk elements with the lack of protective ones. A major risk factor underlying the disease is neuroinflammation, which can be activated by different situations, including chronic pathogenic infections, prolonged stress and metabolic syndrome. Consequently, many therapeutic strategies against AD have been designed to reduce neuro-inflammation, with very promising results improving cognitive function in preclinical models of the disease. The literature is massive; thus, in this review we will revise the translational evidence of these early strategies focusing in anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory molecules and discuss their therapeutic application in humans. Furthermore, we review the preclinical and clinical data of nutraceutical application against AD symptoms. Finally, we introduce new players underlying neuroinflammation in AD: the activity of the endocannabinoid system and the intestinal microbiota as neuroprotectors. This review highlights the importance of a broad multimodal approach to treat successfully the neuroinflammation underlying AD.

IGF-1R/mTOR Targeted Therapy for Ewing Sarcoma: A Meta-Analysis of Five IGF-1R-Related Trials Matched to Proteomic and Radiologic Predictive Biomarkers

Background : Ten to fourteen percent of Ewing sarcoma (ES) study participants treated nationwide with IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R)-targeted antibodies achieved tumor regression. Despite this success, low response rates and short response durations (approximately 7-weeks) have slowed the development of this therapy. Methods: We performed a meta-analysis of five phase-1b/2 ES-oriented trials that evaluated the anticancer activity of IGF-1R antibodies +/− mTOR inhibitors (mTORi). Our meta-analysis provided a head-to-head comparison of the clinical benefits of IGF-1R antibodies vs. the IGF-1R/mTOR-targeted combination. Available pretreatment clinical samples were semi-quantitatively scored using immunohistochemistry to detect proteins in the IGF-1R/PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway linked to clinical response. Early PET/CT imaging, obtained within the first 2 weeks (median 10 days), were examined to determine if reduced FDG avidity was predictive of progression-free survival (PFS). Results: Among 56 ES patients treated at MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) with IGF-1R antibodies, our analysis revealed a significant ~two-fold improvement in PFS that favored a combination of IGF-1R/mTORi therapy (1.6 vs. 3.3-months, p = 0.042). Low pIGF-1R in the pretreatment specimens was associated with treatment response. Reduced total-lesion glycolysis more accurately predicted the IGF-1R response than other previously reported radiological biomarkers. Conclusion: Synergistic drug combinations, and newly identified proteomic or radiological biomarkers of IGF-1R response, may be incorporated into future IGF-1R-related trials to improve the response rate in ES patients.

To be or not to be: PP2A as a dual player in CNS functions, its role in neurodegeneration, and its interaction with brain insulin signaling

Accumulating evidence has reached the consensus that the balance of phosphorylation state of signaling molecules is a pivotal point in the regulation of cell signaling. Therefore, characterizing elements (kinases-phosphatases) in the phosphorylation balance are at great importance. However, the role of phosphatase enzymes is less investigated than kinase enzymes. PP2A is a member of serine/threonine protein phosphatase that its imbalance has been reported in neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, we reviewed the superfamily of phosphatases and more specifically PP2A, its regulation, and physiological functions participate in CNS. Thereafter, we discussed the latest findings about PP2A dysregulation in Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases and possible interplay between this phosphatase and insulin signaling pathways. Finally, activating/inhibitory modulators for PP2A activity as well as experimental methods for PP2A study have been reviewed.

Noncanonical Pathway for Regulation of CCL2 Expression by an mTORC1-FOXK1 Axis Promotes Recruitment of Tumor-Associated Macrophages

C-C chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) plays pivotal roles in tumor formation, progression, and metastasis. Although CCL2 expression has been found to be dependent on the nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling pathway, the regulation of CCL2 production in tumor cells has remained unclear. We have identified a noncanonical pathway for regulation of CCL2 production that is mediated by mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) but independent of NF-κB. Multiple phosphoproteomics approaches identified the transcription factor forkhead box K1 (FOXK1) as a downstream target of mTORC1. Activation of mTORC1 induces dephosphorylation of FOXK1, resulting in transactivation of the CCL2 gene. Inhibition of the mTORC1-FOXK1 axis attenuated insulin-induced CCL2 production as well as the accumulation of tumor-associated monocytes-macrophages and tumor progression in mice. Our results suggest that FOXK1 directly links mTORC1 signaling and CCL2 expression in a manner independent of NF-κB and that CCL2 produced by this pathway contributes to tumor progression.

IGF1 receptor signaling pathways

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) bind specifically to the IGF1 receptor on the cell surface of targeted tissues. Ligand binding to the α subunit of the receptor leads to a conformational change in the β subunit, resulting in the activation of receptor tyrosine kinase activity. Activated receptor phosphorylates several substrates, including insulin receptor substrates (IRSs) and Src homology collagen (SHC). Phosphotyrosine residues in these substrates are recognized by certain Src homology 2 (SH2) domain-containing signaling molecules. These include, for example, an 85 kDa regulatory subunit (p85) of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase), growth factor receptor-bound 2 (GRB2) and SH2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 2 (SHP2/Syp). These bindings lead to the activation of downstream signaling pathways, PI 3-kinase pathway and Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) pathway. Activation of these signaling pathways is known to be required for the induction of various bioactivities of IGFs, including cell proliferation, cell differentiation and cell survival. In this review, the well-established IGF1 receptor signaling pathways required for the induction of various bioactivities of IGFs are introduced. In addition, we will discuss how IGF signals are modulated by the other extracellular stimuli or by themselves based on our studies.

Protein phosphatase 2A stimulates activation of TFEB and TFE3 transcription factors in response to oxidative stress

Adaptations and responses to stress conditions are fundamental processes that all cells must accomplish to maintain or restore cellular homeostasis. Cells have a plethora of response pathways to mitigate the effect of different environmental stressors. The transcriptional regulators transcription factor EB (TFEB) and transcription factor binding to IGHM enhancer 3 (TFE3) play a key role in the control of these stress pathways. Therefore, understanding their regulation under different stress conditions is of great interest. Here, using a range of human and murine cells, we show that TFEB and TFE3 are activated upon induction of acute oxidative stress by sodium arsenite via an mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1)-independent process. We found that the mechanism of arsenite-stimulated TFEB and TFE3 activation instead involves protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A)-mediated dephosphorylation at Ser-211 and Ser-321, respectively. Depletion of either the catalytic (PPP2CA+B) or regulatory (PPP2R2A/B55α) subunits of PP2A, as well as PP2A inactivation with the specific inhibitor okadaic acid, abolished TFEB and TFE3 activation in response to sodium arsenite. Conversely, PP2A activation by ceramide or the sphingosine-like compound FTY720 was sufficient to induce TFE3 nuclear translocation. MS analysis revealed that PP2A dephosphorylates TFEB at several residues, including Ser-109, Ser-114, Ser-122, and Ser-211, thus facilitating TFEB activation. Overall, this work identifies a critical mechanism that activates TFEB and TFE3 without turning off mTORC1 activity. We propose that this mechanism may enable some cell types such as immune or cancer cells that require simultaneous TFEB/TFE3 and mTORC1 signaling to survive and achieve robust cell growth in stressful environments.

Serine Phosphorylation by mTORC1 Promotes IRS-1 Degradation through SCFβ-TRCP E3 Ubiquitin Ligase

The insulin receptor substrate IRS-1 is a key substrate of insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) receptor tyrosine kinases that mediates their metabolic and growth-promoting actions. Proteasomal degradation of IRS-1 is induced following activation of the downstream kinase mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) to constitute a negative feedback loop. However, the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. Here we report that Ser 422 of IRS-1 is phosphorylated by mTORC1 and required for IRS-1 degradation induced by prolonged IGF stimulation. Phosphorylation of Ser 422 then recruits the SCF^β-TRCP E3 ligase complex, which catalyzes IRS-1 ubiquitination. Phosphorylation-dependent IRS-1 degradation contributes to impaired growth and survival responses to IGF in cells lacking TSC2, a negative regulator of mTORC1. Inhibition of IRS-1 degradation promotes sustained Akt activation in IGF-stimulated cells. Our work clarifies the nature of the IRS-1-mTORC1 feedback loop and elucidates its role in temporal regulation of IGF signaling.

•

Ser 422 of IRS-1 is identified as a phosphorylation site by mTORC1

•

Phosphorylation of Ser 422 induces the binding of SCF β-TRCP E3 ligase to IRS-1

•

Ser 422 phosphorylation triggers the SCF β-TRCP-mediated degradation of IRS-1

•

The IRS-1-mTORC1 negative feedback loop determines the duration of IGF signaling

Everolimus induces Met inactivation by disrupting the FKBP12/Met complex

Inhibition of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a promising treatment strategy for several cancer types. Rapamycin derivatives such as everolimus are allosteric mTOR inhibitors acting through interaction with the intracellular immunophilin FKBP12, a prolyl isomerase with different cellular functions. Although mTOR inhibitors have significantly improved survival of different cancer patients, resistance and lack of predictive factors of response remain unsolved issues. To elucidate the mechanisms of resistance to everolimus, we evaluated Met activation in everolimus-sensitive/resistant human cancer cells, in vitro and in vivo. Biochemical and computational analyses were performed. Everolimus-resistant cells were xenografted into mice (10/group) and studied for their response to everolimus and Met inhibitors. The statistical significance of the in vitro results was evaluated by Student's t test.

Everolimus reduced Met phosphorylation in everolimus-sensitive cells. This event was mediated by the formation of a Met-FKBP12 complex, which in turn is disrupted by everolimus. Aberrant Met activation in everolimus-resistant cells and overexpression of wild-type/mutant Met caused everolimus resistance. Pharmacological inhibition and RNA silencing of Met are effective in condition of everolimus resistance (P<0.01). In mice xenografted with everolimus-resistant cells, the combination of everolimus with the Met inhibitor PHA665752 reduced tumor growth and induced a statistically significant survival advantage (combination vs control P=0.0005).

FKBP12 binding is required for full Met activation and everolimus can inhibit Met. Persistent Met activation might sustain everolimus resistance. These results identify a novel everolimus mechanism of action and suggest the development of clinical strategies based on Met inhibitors in everolimus-resistant cancers.

mTOR pathway activation is a favorable prognostic factor in human prostate adenocarcinoma

Prostate cancer patients with localized disease are treated with curative intent. However, the disease will recur in approximately 30% of patients with a high incidence of morbidity and mortality. Prognostic biomarkers are needed to identify patients with high risk of relapse. mTOR pathway activation is reported in prostate cancer, but clinical trials testing efficacy of mTOR inhibitors were unsuccessful. To explain this clinical observation, we studied the expression and prognostic impact of mTOR-S2448 phosphorylation in localized prostate carcinomas. mTOR-S2448 phosphorylation is indicative for an activated mTOR pathway in prostate cancer. Surprisingly, the mTOR signaling pathway is activated specifically in prostate cancer patients with a favorable outcome. Since tumors from poor-outcome patients have low levels of mTOR-S2448 phosphorylation, this may explain why mTOR inhibitors proved unsuccessful in prostate cancer trials.

The mTOR and PP2A Pathways Regulate PHD2 Phosphorylation to Fine-Tune HIF1α Levels and Colorectal Cancer Cell Survival under Hypoxia

Oxygen-dependent HIF1α hydroxylation and degradation are strictly controlled by PHD2. In hypoxia, HIF1α partly escapes degradation because of low oxygen availability. Here, we show that PHD2 is phosphorylated on serine 125 (S125) by the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) downstream kinase P70S6K and that this phosphorylation increases its ability to degrade HIF1α. mTOR blockade in hypoxia by REDD1 restrains P70S6K and unleashes PP2A phosphatase activity. Through its regulatory subunit B55α, PP2A directly dephosphorylates PHD2 on S125, resulting in a further reduction of PHD2 activity that ultimately boosts HIF1α accumulation. These events promote autophagy-mediated cell survival in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. B55α knockdown blocks neoplastic growth of CRC cells in vitro and in vivo in a PHD2-dependent manner. In patients, CRC tissue expresses higher levels of REDD1, B55α, and HIF1α but has lower phospho-S125 PHD2 compared with a healthy colon. Our data disclose a mechanism of PHD2 regulation that involves the mTOR and PP2A pathways and controls tumor growth.

•

PHD2 is phosphorylated at Ser125 by P70S6K and dephosphorylated by PP2A/B55α

•

PHD2 dephosphorylation impairs its function, resulting in increased HIF1α accumulation

•

HIF1α promotes CRC survival in hypoxia via autophagy in a PHD2/B55α-dependent fashion

•

B55α silencing blocks CRC tumor growth in vitro and in vivo; this is PHD2 dependent

Regulation of Tight-Junction Integrity by Insulin in an In Vitro Model of Human Blood-Brain Barrier

Although insulin receptor is expressed at the human blood-brain barrier (BBB), the physiological and pathologic roles of insulin signaling in biologic responses at the BBB remain unclear. Here, we investigate insulin signaling at the human BBB using human cerebral microvascular endothelial cell line (hCMEC/D3) as a well-established in vitro model. Western blot analysis showed that insulin induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and insulin receptor substrate-1 in hCMEC/D3 cells. Short-term insulin stimulation increased cell proliferation via the canonical phosphoinositide-3 kinase/protein kinase B and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways, suggesting that insulin signaling is involved in the regulation of biologic responses in the human BBB. We also found that insulin rapidly increased tight-junction integrity of hCMEC/D3 cells via the phosphoinositide-3 kinase/protein kinase B/glycogen synthase kinase-3 β signaling pathway. Inhibition of insulin/insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor kinase by AG1024 blocked the increase of tight-junction integrity. In addition, high-insulin/high-glucose treatment (as a model of hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia) synergistically reduced the tight-junction integrity in hCMEC/D3 cells, although either condition alone had little or no effect. Our findings suggest that, in addition to the established role of interactions of astrocytes and pericytes with brain capillary endothelial cells, insulin signaling from the blood side of the BBB contributes to maintenance of homeostasis by regulating cell proliferation and tight-junction integrity.

Dysregulation of protein phosphatase 2A in parkinson disease and dementia with lewy bodies

OBJECTIVE

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a heterotrimeric holoenzyme composed of a catalytic C subunit, a structural A subunit, and one of several regulatory B subunits that confer substrate specificity. The assembly and activity of PP2A are regulated by reversible methylation of the C subunit. α-Synuclein, which aggregates in Parkinson disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), is phosphorylated at Ser129, and PP2A containing a B55α subunit is a major phospho-Ser129 phosphatase. The objective of this study was to investigate PP2A in α-synucleinopathies.

METHODS

We compared the state of PP2A methylation, as well as the expression of its methylating enzyme, leucine carboxyl methyltransferase (LCMT-1), and demethylating enzyme, protein phosphatase methylesterase (PME-1), in postmortem brains from PD and DLB cases as well as age-matched Controls. Immunohistochemical studies and quantitative image analysis were employed.

RESULTS

LCMT-1 was significantly reduced in the substantia nigra (SN) and frontal cortex in both PD and DLB. PME-1, on the other hand, was elevated in the PD SN. In concert with these changes, the ratio of methylated PP2A to demethylated PP2A was markedly decreased in PD and DLB brains in both SN and frontal cortex. No changes in total PP2A or total B55α subunit were detected.

INTERPRETATION

These findings support the hypothesis that PP2A dysregulation in α-synucleinopathies may contribute to the accumulation of hyperphosphorylated α-synuclein and to the disease process, raising the possibility that pharmacological means to enhance PP2A phosphatase activity may be a useful disease-modifying therapeutic approach.

Age-related changes in AMPK activation: Role for AMPK phosphatases and inhibitory phosphorylation by upstream signaling pathways

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a fundamental regulator of energy metabolism, stress resistance, and cellular proteostasis. AMPK signaling controls an integrated signaling network which is involved in the regulation of healthspan and lifespan e.g. via FoxO, mTOR/ULK1, CRCT-1/CREB, and SIRT1 signaling pathways. Several studies have demonstrated that the activation capacity of AMPK signaling declines with aging, which impairs the maintenance of efficient cellular homeostasis and enhances the aging process. However, it seems that the aging process affects AMPK activation in a context-dependent manner since occasionally, it can also augment AMPK activation, possibly attributable to the type of insult and tissue homeostasis. Three protein phosphatases, PP1, PP2A, and PP2C, inhibit AMPK activation by dephosphorylating the Thr172 residue of AMPKα, required for AMPK activation. In addition, several upstream signaling pathways can phosphorylate Ser/Thr residues in the β/γ interaction domain of the AMPKα subunit that subsequently blocks the activation of AMPK. These inhibitory pathways include the insulin/AKT, cyclic AMP/PKA, and RAS/MEK/ERK pathways. We will examine the evidence whether the efficiency of AMPK responsiveness declines during the aging process. Next, we will review the mechanisms involved in curtailing the activation of AMPK. Finally, we will elucidate the potential age-related changes in the inhibitory regulation of AMPK signaling that might be a part of the aging process.

Cancerous Inhibitor of PP2A Silencing Inhibits Proliferation and Promotes Apoptosis in Human Multiple Myeloma Cells

Multiple myeloma is the second most prevalent type of blood cancer, representing approximately 1% of all cancers and 2% of all cancer deaths. There is therefore a strong need to identify critical targets in multiple myeloma neoplasia and progression. Cancerous inhibitor of PP2A (CIP2A) is a human oncoprotein that regulates cancer cell viability and anchorage-independent growth and induces apoptosis. The present study investigated CIP2A function in the human multiple myeloma cell lines RPMI-8226 and NCI-H929 to determine whether it can serve as a potential therapeutic target. CIP2A was silenced in the cells by transfection of short interfering RNA and cell proliferation and apoptosis were evaluated by a tetrazolium salt-based assay and flow cytometry, respectively. CIP2A knockdown inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in RPMI-8226 and NCI-H929 cells and decreased the phosphorylation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) p85, AKT1, and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) without affecting total protein levels. Treatment of CIP2A-depletion cells with insulin-like growth factor 1 decreased the effects of CIP2A inhibition on cell viability and apoptosis. These results indicate that CIP2A modulates myeloma cell proliferation and apoptosis via PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling and suggest that it can potentially serve as a drug target for the treatment of multiple myeloma.

PP2A as a master regulator of the cell cycle

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) plays a critical multi-faceted role in the regulation of the cell cycle. It is known to dephosphorylate over 300 substrates involved in the cell cycle, regulating almost all major pathways and cell cycle checkpoints. PP2A is involved in such diverse processes by the formation of structurally distinct families of holoenzymes, which are regulated spatially and temporally by specific regulators. Here, we review the involvement of PP2A in the regulation of three cell signaling pathways: wnt, mTOR and MAP kinase, as well as the G1→S transition, DNA synthesis and mitotic initiation. These processes are all crucial for proper cell survival and proliferation and are often deregulated in cancer and other diseases.

Metformin promotes tau aggregation and exacerbates abnormal behavior in a mouse model of tauopathy

Background

Alzheimer disease (AD) and other tauopathies develop cerebral intracellular inclusions of hyperphosphorylated tau. Epidemiological and experimental evidence suggests a clear link between type 2 diabetes mellitus and AD. In AD animal models, tau pathology is exacerbated by metabolic comorbidities, such as insulin resistance and diabetes. Within this context, anitidiabetic drugs, including the widely-prescribed insulin-sensitizing drug metformin, are currently being investigated for AD therapy. However, their efficacy for tauopathy in vivo has not been tested.

Results

Here, we report that in the P301S mutant human tau (P301S) transgenic mouse model of tauopathy, chronic administration of metformin exerts paradoxical effects on tau pathology. Despite reducing tau phosphorylation in the cortex and hippocampus via AMPK/mTOR and PP2A, metformin increases insoluble tau species (including tau oligomers) and the number of inclusions with β-sheet aggregates in the brain of P301S mice. In addition, metformin exacerbates hindlimb atrophy, increases P301S hyperactive behavior, induces tau cleavage by caspase 3 and disrupts synaptic structures.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that metformin pro-aggregation effects mitigate the potential benefits arising from its dephosphorylating action, possibly leading to an overall increase of the risk of tauopathy in elderly diabetic patients.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13024-016-0082-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Serine 302 Phosphorylation of Mouse Insulin Receptor Substrate 1 (IRS1) Is Dispensable for Normal Insulin Signaling and Feedback Regulation by Hepatic S6 Kinase

Constitutive activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 and S6 kinase (mTORC1→ S6K) attenuates insulin-stimulated Akt activity in certain tumors in part through "feedback" phosphorylation of the upstream insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1). However, the significance of this mechanism for regulating insulin sensitivity in normal tissue remains unclear. We investigated the function of Ser-302 in mouse IRS1, the major site of its phosphorylation by S6K in vitro, through genetic knock-in of a serine-to-alanine mutation (A302). Although insulin rapidly stimulated feedback phosphorylation of Ser-302 in mouse liver and muscle, homozygous A302 mice (A/A) and their knock-in controls (S/S) exhibited similar glucose homeostasis and muscle insulin signaling. Furthermore, both A302 and control primary hepatocytes from which Irs2 was deleted showed marked inhibition of insulin-stimulated IRS1 tyrosine phosphorylation and PI3K binding after emetine treatment to raise intracellular amino acids and activate mTORC1 → S6K signaling. To specifically activate mTORC1 in mouse tissue, we deleted hepatic Tsc1 using Cre adenovirus. Although it moderately decreased IRS1/PI3K association and Akt phosphorylation in liver, Tsc1 deletion failed to cause glucose intolerance or promote hyperinsulinemia in mixed background A/A or S/S mice. Moreover, Tsc1 deletion failed to stimulate phospho-Ser-302 or other putative S6K sites within IRS1, whereas ribosomal S6 protein was constitutively phosphorylated. Following acute Tsc1 deletion from hepatocytes, Akt phosphorylation, but not IRS1/PI3K association, was rapidly restored by treatment with the mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin. Thus, within the hepatic compartment, mTORC1 → S6K signaling regulates Akt largely through IRS-independent means with little effect upon physiologic insulin sensitivity.

Autophagy Correlates with the Therapeutic Responsiveness of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma in 3D Models

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a highly chemoresistant solid tumor. We have studied this apoptotic resistance using in vitro and ex vivo three-dimensional models, which acquire a high level of chemoresistance that can be reduced by PI3K/mTOR inhibitors. Here, we investigate the activity of GDC-0980, a novel dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, which has been proposed to be effective in mesothelioma. In this work, we aimed to identify mechanisms and markers of efficacy for GDC-0980 by utilizing 3D models of mesothelioma, both in vitro multicellular spheroids and ex vivo tumor fragment spheroids grown from patient tumor samples. We found that a subset of mesothelioma spheroids is sensitive to GDC-0980 alone and to its combination with chemotherapy. Unexpectedly, this sensitivity did not correlate with the activation of the Akt/mTOR pathway. Instead, sensitivity to GDC-0980 correlated with the presence of constitutive ATG13 puncta, a feature of autophagy, a cellular program that supports cells under stress. In tumor fragment spheroids grown from 21 tumors, we also found a subset (n = 11) that was sensitive to GDC-0980, a sensitivity that also correlated with the presence of ATG13 puncta. Interference with autophagy by siRNA of ATG7, an essential autophagic protein, increased the response to chemotherapy, but only in the sensitive multicellular spheroids. In the spheroids resistant to GDC-0980, autophagy appeared to play no role. In summary, we show that GDC-0980 is effective in mesothelioma 3D models that display ATG13 puncta, and that blockade of autophagy increases their response to chemotherapy. For the first time, we show a role for autophagy in the response to chemotherapy of 3D models of mesothelioma and propose ATG13 as a potential biomarker of the therapeutic responsiveness of mesothelioma.

Acute focal brain damage alters mitochondrial dynamics and autophagy in axotomized neurons

Mitochondria are key organelles for the maintenance of life and death of the cell, and their morphology is controlled by continual and balanced fission and fusion dynamics. A balance between these events is mandatory for normal mitochondrial and neuronal function, and emerging evidence indicates that mitochondria undergo extensive fission at an early stage during programmed cell death in several neurodegenerative diseases. A pathway for selective degradation of damaged mitochondria by autophagy, known as mitophagy, has been described, and is of particular importance to sustain neuronal viability. In the present work, we analyzed the effect of autophagy stimulation on mitochondrial function and dynamics in a model of remote degeneration after focal cerebellar lesion. We provided evidence that lesion of a cerebellar hemisphere causes mitochondria depolarization in axotomized precerebellar neurons associated with PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 accumulation and Parkin translocation to mitochondria, block of mitochondrial fusion by Mfn1 degradation, increase of calcineurin activity and dynamin-related protein 1 translocation to mitochondria, and consequent mitochondrial fission. Here we suggest that the observed neuroprotective effect of rapamycin is the result of a dual role: (1) stimulation of autophagy leading to damaged mitochondria removal and (2) enhancement of mitochondria fission to allow their elimination by mitophagy. The involvement of mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy in brain injury, especially in the context of remote degeneration after acute focal brain damage, has not yet been investigated, and these findings may offer new target for therapeutic intervention to improve functional outcomes following acute brain damage.

Ursolic Acid-Regulated Energy Metabolism-Reliever or Propeller of Ultraviolet-Induced Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage?

Ultraviolet (UV) light is a leading cause of diseases, such as skin cancers and cataracts. A main process mediating UV-induced pathogenesis is the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Excessive ROS levels induce the formation of DNA adducts (e.g., pyrimidine dimers) and result in stalled DNA replication forks. In addition, ROS promotes phosphorylation of tyrosine kinase-coupled hormone receptors and alters downstream energy metabolism. With respect to the risk of UV-induced photocarcinogenesis and photodamage, the antitumoral and antioxidant functions of natural compounds become important for reducing UV-induced adverse effects. One important question in the field is what determines the differential sensitivity of various types of cells to UV light and how exogenous molecules, such as phytochemicals, protect normal cells from UV-inflicted damage while potentiating tumor cell death, presumably via interaction with intracellular target molecules and signaling pathways. Several endogenous molecules have emerged as possible players mediating UV-triggered DNA damage responses. Specifically, UV activates the PIKK (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-related kinase) family members, which include DNA-PKcs, ATM (ataxia telangiectasia mutated) and mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin), whose signaling can be affected by energy metabolism; however, it remains unclear to what extent the activation of hormone receptors regulates PIKKs and whether this crosstalk occurs in all types of cells in response to UV. This review focuses on proteomic descriptions of the relationships between cellular photosensitivity and the phenotypic expression of the insulin/insulin-like growth receptor. It covers the cAMP-dependent pathways, which have recently been shown to regulate the DNA repair machinery through interactions with the PIKK family members. Finally, this review provides a strategic illustration of how UV-induced mitogenic activity is modulated by the insulin sensitizer, ursolic acid (UA), which results in the metabolic adaptation of normal cells against UV-induced ROS, and the metabolic switch of tumor cells subject to UV-induced damage. The multifaceted natural compound, UA, specifically inhibits photo-oxidative DNA damage in retinal pigment epithelial cells while enhancing that in skin melanoma. Considering the UA-mediated differential effects on cell bioenergetics, this article reviews the disparities in glucose metabolism between tumor and normal cells, along with (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1α)-dependent mitochondrial metabolism and redox (reduction-oxidation) control to demonstrate UA-induced synthetic lethality in tumor cells.

AKT pathway genes define 5 prognostic subgroups in glioblastoma

Activity of GFR/PI3K/AKT pathway inhibitors in glioblastoma clinical trials has not been robust. We hypothesized variations in the pathway between tumors contribute to poor response. We clustered GBM based on AKT pathway genes and discovered new subtypes then characterized their clinical and molecular features. There are at least 5 GBM AKT subtypes having distinct DNA copy number alterations, enrichment in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes and patterns of expression for PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling components. Gene Ontology terms indicate a different cell of origin or dominant phenotype for each subgroup. Evidence suggests one subtype is very sensitive to BCNU or CCNU (median survival 5.8 vs. 1.5 years; BCNU/CCNU vs other treatments; respectively). AKT subtyping advances previous approaches by revealing additional subgroups with unique clinical and molecular features. Evidence indicates it is a predictive marker for response to BCNU or CCNU and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway inhibitors. We anticipate Akt subtyping may help stratify patients for clinical trials and augment discovery of class-specific therapeutic targets.

The PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitor NVP-BEZ235 reduces the growth of ovarian clear cell carcinoma

Patients with clear cell carcinoma of the ovary (OCCC) have poor survival due to resistance to standard chemotherapy. OCCC has frequent activating mutations of the PIK3CA gene. The present study was conducted to clarify the efficacy of the inhibition of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway in OCCC. We used 8 OCCC cell lines and 5 ovarian serous adenocarcinoma (OSAC) cell lines. The mutation status of the PIK3CA and KRAS genes was examined by direct sequencing. The IC50 values of NVP-BEZ235 (BEZ235) and temsirolimus were determined by WST-8 assay. Protein expression levels of PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway molecules were examined by western blotting. Cell cycle distribution was analyzed by flow cytometry. Annexin V staining was used for detecting apoptosis. We also investigated the effects of BEZ235 on OCCC tumor growth in a nude mouse xenograft model. Four of the 8 OCCC cell lines showed a PIK3CA mutation while none of the 5 OSAC cell lines showed a mutation. The IC50 values of BEZ235 for the OCCC cell lines were lower than these values for the OSAC cell lines. The IC50 value of temsirolimus was higher than BEZ235 in the OCCC cell lines. The PIK3CA mutation was more frequently noted in OCCC than OSAC cells, but the sensitivity of these cell lines to BEZ235 or temsirolimus was not related to the mutation status. pHER3 and pAkt proteins were expressed more frequently in OCCC compared with OSAC. However, protein expression levels were distributed widely, and were not related to the sensitivity. Treatment with BEZ235 suppressed expression of pAkt, although treatment with temsirolimus did not. OCCC cells exhibited G1 phase arrest after treatment with BEZ235 and apoptosis with a higher concentration of the agent. BEZ235 significantly inhibited tumor growth in mice bearing OVISE and TU-OC-1 cell tumors. The present study indicated that the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway is a potential target for OCCC, and that BEZ235 warrants investigation as a therapeutic agent.

Suppression of the mTORC1/STAT3/Notch1 pathway by activated AMPK prevents hepatic insulin resistance induced by excess amino acids

Nutrient overload is associated with the development of obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. However, the underlying mechanisms for developing insulin resistance in the presence of excess nutrients are incompletely understood. We investigated whether activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) prevents the hepatic insulin resistance that is induced by the consumption of a high-protein diet (HPD) and the presence of excess amino acids. Exposure of HepG2 cells to excess amino acids reduced AMPK phosphorylation, upregulated Notch1 expression, and impaired the insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of Akt Ser(473) and insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) Tyr(612). Inhibition of Notch1 prevented amino acid-induced insulin resistance, which was accompanied by reduced expression of Rbp-Jk, hairy and enhancer of split-1, and forkhead box O1. Mechanistically, mTORC1 signaling was activated by excess amino acids, which then positively regulated Notch1 expression through the activation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Activation of AMPK by metformin inhibited mTORC1-STAT3 signaling, thereby preventing excess amino acid-impaired insulin signaling. Finally, HPD feeding suppressed AMPK activity, activated mTORC1/STAT3/Notch1 signaling, and induced insulin resistance. Chronic administration of either metformin or rapamycin inhibited the HPD-activated mTORC1/STAT3/Notch1 signaling pathway and prevented hepatic insulin resistance. We conclude that the upregulation of Notch1 expression by hyperactive mTORC1 signaling is an essential event in the development of hepatic insulin resistance in the presence of excess amino acids. Activation of AMPK prevents amino acid-induced insulin resistance through the suppression of the mTORC1/STAT3/Notch1 signaling pathway.

Role of inhibitors of mammalian target of rapamycin in the treatment of luminal breast cancer. Anticancer Drugs. 2013;24:769-780. [PMID: 23838677 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0b013e328363adc5]

Approximately 75% of patients with breast cancer present hormone receptor-positive tumors. This subtype of breast cancer initially shows a high overall response rate to hormonal treatments. However, resistance eventually develops, resulting in tumor progression. The PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway regulates several cellular functions in cancer such as cell growth, survival, and proliferation. In addition, a high activation level of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway is related to resistance to conventional chemotherapy and hormone therapy. The mTOR inhibitor everolimus, in combination with hormonal treatments, has led to excellent results in progression-free survival in patients with metastatic breast cancer resistant to hormone therapies. Therefore, everolimus has entered the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines 2012 and its combination with exemestane was approved recently by the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency. This is the first time that a drug will have been approved for the restoration of hormone sensitivity in breast cancer.

Adipose tissue biology and cardiomyopathy: translational implications

It is epidemiologically established that obesity is frequently associated with the metabolic syndrome and poses an increased risk for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. The molecular links that connect the phenomenon of obesity, per se, with insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease are still not fully elucidated. It is increasingly apparent that fully functional adipose tissue can be cardioprotective by reducing lipotoxic effects in other peripheral tissues and by maintaining a healthy balance of critical adipokines, thereby allowing the heart to maintain its full metabolic flexibility. The present review highlights both basic and clinical findings that emphasize the complex interplay of adipose tissue physiology and adipokine-mediated effects on the heart exerted by either direct effects on cardiac myocytes or indirect actions via central mechanisms through sympathetic outflow to the heart.

Activation of Akt through 5-HT2A receptor ameliorates serotonin-induced degradation of insulin receptor substrate-1 in adipocytes

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) was found to be elevated in the serum of diabetic patients. In this study, we investigate the mechanism of insulin desensitization caused by 5-HT. In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, 5-HT treatment induced the translocation of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) from low density microsome (LDM), the important intracellular compartment for its functions, to cytosol, inducing IRS-1 ubiquitination and degradation. Moreover, inhibition of 5-HT-stimulated Akt activation by either ketanserin (a specific 5-HT2A receptor antagonist) or knocking-down the expression of 5-HT2A receptor promoted 5-HT-stimulated IRS-1 dissociation from 14-3-3β in LDM, leading to drastic ubiquitination. Interestingly, sarpogrelate, another antagonist of 5-HT2A receptor, protected IRS-1 from degradation through activation of Akt. This implicates the importance of Akt activation in extending IRS-1 life span through maintaining their optimal sub-location into adipocytes. Taken together, this study suggest that activation of Akt may be able to compensate the adverse effects of 5-HT by stabilizing IRS-1 in LDM.

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.

mTOR complex 2 regulates proper turnover of insulin receptor substrate-1 via the ubiquitin ligase subunit Fbw8

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) integrates signals from nutrients and insulin via two distinct complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2. Disruption of mTORC2 impairs the insulin-induced activation of Akt, an mTORC2 substrate. Here, we found that mTORC2 can also regulate insulin signaling at the level of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1). Despite phosphorylation at the mTORC1-mediated serine sites, which supposedly triggers IRS-1 downregulation, inactive IRS-1 accumulated in mTORC2-disrupted cells. Defective IRS-1 degradation was due to attenuated expression and phosphorylation of the ubiquitin ligase substrate-targeting subunit, Fbw8. mTORC2 stabilizes Fbw8 by phosphorylation at Ser86, allowing the insulin-induced translocation of Fbw8 to the cytosol where it mediates IRS-1 degradation. Thus, mTORC2 negatively feeds back to IRS-1 via control of Fbw8 stability and localization. Our findings reveal that in addition to persistent mTORC1 signaling, heightened mTORC2 signals can promote insulin resistance due to mTORC2-mediated degradation of IRS-1.

Demonstrated brain insulin resistance in Alzheimer's disease patients is associated with IGF-1 resistance, IRS-1 dysregulation, and cognitive decline

While a potential causal factor in Alzheimer's disease (AD), brain insulin resistance has not been demonstrated directly in that disorder. We provide such a demonstration here by showing that the hippocampal formation (HF) and, to a lesser degree, the cerebellar cortex in AD cases without diabetes exhibit markedly reduced responses to insulin signaling in the IR→IRS-1→PI3K signaling pathway with greatly reduced responses to IGF-1 in the IGF-1R→IRS-2→PI3K signaling pathway. Reduced insulin responses were maximal at the level of IRS-1 and were consistently associated with basal elevations in IRS-1 phosphorylated at serine 616 (IRS-1 pS⁶¹⁶) and IRS-1 pS⁶³⁶/⁶³⁹. In the HF, these candidate biomarkers of brain insulin resistance increased commonly and progressively from normal cases to mild cognitively impaired cases to AD cases regardless of diabetes or APOE ε4 status. Levels of IRS-1 pS⁶¹⁶ and IRS-1 pS⁶³⁶/⁶³⁹ and their activated kinases correlated positively with those of oligomeric Aβ plaques and were negatively associated with episodic and working memory, even after adjusting for Aβ plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and APOE ε4. Brain insulin resistance thus appears to be an early and common feature of AD, a phenomenon accompanied by IGF-1 resistance and closely associated with IRS-1 dysfunction potentially triggered by Aβ oligomers and yet promoting cognitive decline independent of classic AD pathology.

Mammalian target of rapamycin and the kidney. II. Pathophysiology and therapeutic implications

The mTOR pathway plays an important role in a number of common renal diseases, including acute kidney injury (AKI), diabetic nephropathy (DN), and polycystic kidney diseases (PKD). The activity of mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) is necessary for renal regeneration and repair after AKI, and inhibition of mTORC1 by rapamycin has been shown to delay recovery from ischemic AKI in animal studies, and to prolong delayed graft function in humans who have received a kidney transplant. For this reason, administration of rapamycin should be delayed or discontinued in patients with AKI until full recovery of renal function has occurred. On the other hand, inappropriately high mTORC1 activity contributes to the progression of the metabolic syndrome, the development of type 2 diabetes, and the pathogenesis of DN. In addition, chronic hyperactivity of mTORC1, and possibly also mTORC2, contributes to cyst formation and enlargement in a number of forms of PKD. Inhibition of mTOR, using either rapamycin (which inhibits predominantly mTORC1) or "catalytic" inhibitors (which effectively inhibit both mTORC1 and mTORC2), provide exciting possibilities for novel forms of treatment of DN and PKD. In this second part of the review, we will examine the role of mTOR in the pathophysiology of DN and PKD, as well as the potential utility of currently available and newly developed inhibitors of mTOR to slow the progression of DN and/or PKD.

Synergistic anti-tumor effects of RAD001 with MEK inhibitors in neuroendocrine tumors: a potential mechanism of therapeutic limitation of mTOR inhibitor

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors have been clinically used as anticancer agents in several types of human malignancies including neuroendocrine tumor (NET) but the development of clinical resistances or their therapeutic limitations have been also reported. This clinical resistance has been proposed to be partly due to a compensatory activation of an mTOR upstream factor Akt and MEK/ERK pathway in NET cells but its details have not necessarily been reported. Therefore, in this study, we examined the effects of mTOR inhibitors on these activations and of the concomitant treatment of mTOR and MEK inhibitors in two NET cell lines, NCI-H727 and COLO320. We evaluated the effects of RAD001, mTOR inhibitor, and U0126, MEK inhibitor, on cell proliferation and migration of these cells. In addition, an alteration of the factors involved in Akt/mTOR and MEK/ERK pathways was also examined under administration of these agents. RAD001 and U0126 treatment significantly inhibited cell proliferation and their combined treatment synergistically decreased it in both cell lines. Additionally, these treatments above decreased the expression of cell cycle-related factors, suggestive of an involvement of cell cycle arrest in therapeutic effects. The combined treatment also inhibited the cell migration in NCI-H727 via the decrement of MMP2 and 9 in an additive manner. We demonstrated the potential synergistic/combined effects of inhibitors of mTOR and MEK on cell proliferation and migration. These results suggest the potential therapeutic efficacy of the combined therapy of mTOR and MEK inhibitors or a dual inhibitor for the treatment of NET patients.

Disruption of the interface between the pleckstrin homology (PH) and kinase domains of Akt protein is sufficient for hydrophobic motif site phosphorylation in the absence of mTORC2

The pro-survival kinase Akt requires phosphorylation at two conserved residues, the activation loop site (Thr-308) and the hydrophobic motif site (Ser-473), for maximal activation. Previous reports indicate that mTORC2 is necessary for phosphorylation of the hydrophobic motif and that this site is not phosphorylated in cells lacking components of the mTORC2 complex, such as Sin1. Here we show that Akt can be phosphorylated at the hydrophobic motif site (Ser-473) in the absence of mTORC2. First, increasing the levels of PIP(3) in Sin1(-/-) MEFs by (i) expression of a constitutively active PI3K or (ii) relief of a negative feedback loop on PI3K by prolonged inhibition of mTORC1 or S6K is sufficient to rescue hydrophobic motif phosphorylation of Akt. The resulting accumulation of PIP(3) at the plasma membrane results in Ser-473 phosphorylation. Second, constructs of Akt in which the PH domain is constitutively disengaged from the kinase domain are phosphorylated at the hydrophobic motif site in Sin1(-/-) MEFs; both myristoylated-Akt and Akt lacking the PH domain are phosphorylated at Ser-473. Thus, disruption of the interface between the PH and kinase domains of Akt bypasses the requirement for mTORC2. In summary, these data support a model in which Akt can be phosphorylated at Ser-473 and activated in the absence of mTORC2 by mechanisms that depend on removal of the PH domain from the kinase domain.

Label-free proteomic identification of endogenous, insulin-stimulated interaction partners of insulin receptor substrate-1

Protein-protein interactions are key to most cellular processes. Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS)-based proteomics combined with co-immunoprecipitation (CO-IP) has emerged as a powerful approach for studying protein complexes. However, a majority of systematic proteomics studies on protein-protein interactions involve the use of protein overexpression and/or epitope-tagged bait proteins, which might affect binding stoichiometry and lead to higher false positives. Here, we report an application of a straightforward, label-free CO-IP-MS/MS method, without the use of protein overexpression or protein tags, to the investigation of changes in the abundance of endogenous proteins associated with a bait protein, which is in this case insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), under basal and insulin stimulated conditions. IRS-1 plays a central role in the insulin signaling cascade. Defects in the protein-protein interactions involving IRS-1 may lead to the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. HPLC-ESI-MS/MS analyses identified eleven novel endogenous insulin-stimulated IRS-1 interaction partners in L6 myotubes reproducibly, including proteins play an important role in protein dephosphorylation [protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit 12A, (PPP1R12A)], muscle contraction and actin cytoskeleton rearrangement, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and protein folding, as well as protein synthesis. This novel application of label-free CO-IP-MS/MS quantification to assess endogenous interaction partners of a specific protein will prove useful for understanding how various cell stimuli regulate insulin signal transduction.

Understanding PLZF: two transcriptional targets, REDD1 and smooth muscle α-actin, define new questions in growth control, senescence, self-renewal and tumor suppression

PLZF can function as a transcriptional activator or as a transcriptional repressor. Recent studies have identified two direct transcriptional targets of PLZF, REDD1 and smooth muscle α-actin. REDD1 is activated by PLZF. It mediates the PLZF-dependent downregulation of TORC1 and is responsible for the maintenance of pluripotency in cultures of spermatogonial progenitor cells. This activity may extend to other stem-like cell types. The effect of REDD1 on TORC1 also raises the possibility that REDD1 controls cell growth, tumorigenicity and senescence. The regulatory loop extending from PLZF via REDD1 to TORC1 identifies REDD1 as a critical determinant of TOR activity. The transcription of smooth muscle α-actin is repressed by PLZF. In fibroblasts, this downregulation is accompanied by a change of cell shape and a dramatic reorganization of the cytoskeleton. It is also correlated with the acquisition of cellular resistance to oncogenic transformation. The resistance is selective, it works against some oncoproteins but not against others. The molecular mechanisms underlying the changes in the cytoskeleton and in the susceptibility to oncogenic transformation are unknown. However these changes are dependent on the activity of RAS and thus probably involve the RAC/RHO family of proteins.

Divergent functions for eIF4E and S6 kinase by sonic hedgehog mitogenic signaling in the developing cerebellum

Cerebellar development entails rapid peri-natal proliferation of cerebellar granule neuron precursors (CGNPs), proposed cells-of-origin for certain medulloblastomas. CGNPs require insulin-like growth factor (IGF) for survival and sonic hedgehog (Shh)-implicated in medulloblastoma-for proliferation. The IGF-responsive kinase mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) drives proliferation-associated protein synthesis. We asked whether Shh signaling regulates mTOR targets to promote CGNP proliferation despite constitutive IGF signaling under proliferative and differentiation-promoting conditions. Surprisingly, Shh promoted eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) expression, but inhibited S6 kinase (S6K). In vivo, S6K activity specifically marked the CGNP population transitioning from proliferation-competent to post-mitotic. Indeed, eIF4E was required for CGNP proliferation, while S6K activation drove cell cycle exit. Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) inhibition rescued S6K activity. Moreover, Shh upregulated the PP2A B56γ subunit, which targets S6K for inactivation and was required for CGNP proliferation. These findings reveal unique developmental functions for eIF4E and S6 kinase wherein their activity is specifically uncoupled by mitogenic Shh signaling.

PDGF-induced vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation is associated with dysregulation of insulin receptor substrates

In vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) plays a major role in inducing phenotypic switching from contractile to proliferative state. Importantly, VSMC phenotypic switching is also determined by the phosphorylation state/expression levels of insulin receptor substrate (IRS), an intermediary signaling component that is shared by insulin and IGF-I. To date, the roles of PDGF-induced key proliferative signaling components including Akt, p70S6kinase, and ERK1/2 on the serine phosphorylation/expression of IRS-1 and IRS-2 isoforms remain unclear in VSMCs. We hypothesize that PDGF-induced VSMC proliferation is associated with dysregulation of insulin receptor substrates. Using human aortic VSMCs, we demonstrate that prolonged PDGF treatment led to sustained increases in the phosphorylation of protein kinases such as Akt, p70S6kinase, and ERK1/2, which mediate VSMC proliferation. In addition, PDGF enhanced IRS-1/IRS-2 serine phosphorylation and downregulated IRS-2 expression in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Notably, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) inhibitor (PI-103) and mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor (rapamycin), which abolished PDGF-induced Akt and p70S6kinase phosphorylation, respectively, blocked PDGF-induced IRS-1 serine phosphorylation and IRS-2 downregulation. In contrast, MEK1/ERK inhibitor (U0126) failed to block PDGF-induced IRS-1 serine phosphorylation and IRS-2 downregulation. PDGF-induced IRS-2 downregulation was prevented by lactacystin, an inhibitor of proteasomal degradation. Functionally, PDGF-mediated IRS-1/IRS-2 dysregulation resulted in the attenuation of insulin-induced IRS-1/IRS-2-associated PI 3-kinase activity. Pharmacological inhibition of PDGF receptor tyrosine kinase with imatinib prevented IRS-1/IRS-2 dysregulation and restored insulin receptor signaling. In conclusion, strategies to inhibit PDGF receptors would not only inhibit neointimal growth but may provide new therapeutic options to prevent dysregulated insulin receptor signaling in VSMCs in nondiabetic and diabetic states.

α-TEA cooperates with MEK or mTOR inhibitors to induce apoptosis via targeting IRS/PI3K pathways

Background:

α-Tocopherol ether-linked acetic acid (α-TEA) is a promising agent for cancer prevention/therapy based on its antitumour actions in a variety of cancers.

Methods:

Human breast cancer cells, MCF-7 and HCC-1954, were used to study the effect of α-TEA using Annexin V/PI staining, western blot analyses, and siRNA knockdown techniques.

Results:

α-Tocopherol ether-linked acetic acid suppressed constitutively active basal levels of pAKT, pERK, pmTOR, and their downstream targets, as well as induced both cell types to undergo apoptosis. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor wortmannin suppressed pAKT, pERK, pmTOR, and their downstream targets, indicating PI3K to be a common upstream mediator. In addition, α-TEA induced increased levels of pIRS-1 (Ser-307), a phosphorylation site correlated with insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) inactivation, and decreased levels of total IRS-1. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown of JNK blocked the impact of α-TEA on pIRS-1 and total IRS-1 and impeded its ability to downregulate the phosphorylated status of AKT, ERK, and mTOR. Combinations of α-TEA+MEK or mTOR inhibitor acted cooperatively to induce apoptosis and reduce basal levels of pERK and pmTOR. Importantly, inhibition of MEK and mTOR resulted in increased levels of pAKT and IRS-1, and α-TEA blocked them.

Conclusions:

Downregulation of IRS-1/PI3K pathways via JNK are critical for α-TEA and α-TEA+MEK or mTOR inhibitor-induced apoptosis in human MCF-7 and HCC-1954 breast cancer cells.

Chronic inhibition of the mTORC1/S6K1 pathway increases insulin-induced PI3K activity but inhibits Akt2 and glucose transport stimulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

The mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC)1 pathway has emerged as a critical signaling component in the modulation of insulin's metabolic action. This effect is triggered by a nutrient- and insulin-mediated negative feedback loop in which mTOR and S6 kinase (S6K)1 phosphorylate insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 on serine residues, which blunts phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) activation. Acute inhibition of mTORC1/S6K1 by rapamycin increases insulin signaling and glucose uptake in myocytes and adipocytes, but whether these effects can be maintained under chronic inhibition of mTORC1 or S6K1 remains unclear. Here, we analyzed the effect of chronic rapamycin inhibition or small interfering RNA-based down-regulation of specific elements of the mTORC1/S6K1 pathway on insulin signaling and glucose transport in adipocytes. Both chronic inhibition of mTORC1 by rapamycin or knockdown of either mTOR, raptor, or S6K1 reduced inhibitory serine phosphorylation of IRS-1, while increasing its insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation and associated PI3K activity. However, knockdown of either mTOR or raptor selectively blunted IRS-1 phosphorylation on Ser636/639, whereas only S6K1 knockdown was found to reduce phosphorylation of IRS-1 on Ser1101. Unexpectedly, insulin-induced activation of Akt2 and glucose transporter 4 expression were reduced after chronic disruption of the mTORC1/S6K1 pathway, impairing insulin-mediated glucose uptake despite increased PI3K activation. In conclusion, these data indicate that both mTORC1 and S6K1 are key elements of the negative feedback loop but inhibit insulin-induced PI3K activity through phosphorylation of specific serine residues in IRS-1. However, this study also shows that chronic inhibition of the mTORC1/S6K1 pathway uncouples IRS-1/PI3K signaling from insulin-induced glucose transport due to impaired activation of Akt2 and blunted glucose transporter 4 expression.

Metformin and rapamycin have distinct effects on the AKT pathway and proliferation in breast cancer cells. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2010;123:271-279. [PMID: 20135346 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-010-0763-9]

Rapamycin and its analogues inhibit mTOR, which leads to decreased protein synthesis and decreased cancer cell proliferation in many experimental systems. Adenosine 5'- monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activators such as metformin have similar actions, in keeping with the TSC2/1 pathway linking activation of AMPK to inhibition of mTOR. As mTOR inhibition by rapamycin is associated with attenuation of negative feedback to IRS-1, rapamycin is known to increase activation of AKT, which may reduce its anti-neoplastic activity. We observed that metformin exposure decreases AKT activation, an action opposite to that of rapamycin. We show that metformin (but not rapamycin) exposure leads to increased phosphorylation of IRS-1 at Ser(789), a site previously reported to inhibit downstream signaling and to be an AMPK substrate phosphorylated under conditions of cellular energy depletion. siRNA methods confirmed that reduction of AMPK levels attenuates both the IRS-1 Ser(789) phosphorylation and the inhibition of AKT activation associated with metformin exposure. Although both rapamycin and metformin inhibit mTOR (the former directly and the latter through AMPK signaling), our results demonstrate previously unrecognized differences between these agents. The data are consistent with the observation that maximal induction of apoptosis and inhibition of proliferation are greater for metformin than rapamycin.

Rapamycin protects against neuron death in in vitro and in vivo models of Parkinson's disease

We report that rapamycin, an allosteric inhibitor of certain but not all actions of the key cellular kinase mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), protects neurons from death in both cellular and animal toxin models of Parkinson's disease (PD). This protective action appears to be attributable to blocked translation of RTP801/REDD1/Ddit4, a protein that is induced in cell and animal models of PD and in affected neurons of PD patients and that causes neuron death by leading to dephosphorylation of the survival kinase Akt. In support of this mechanism, in PD models, rapamycin spares phosphorylation of Akt at a site critical for maintenance of its survival-promoting activity. The capacity of rapamycin to provide neuroprotection in PD models appears to arise from its selective suppression of some but not all actions of mTOR, as indicated by the contrasting finding that Torin1, a full catalytic mTOR inhibitor, is not protective and induces Akt dephosphorylation and neuron death.

Myc proteins as therapeutic targets

Myc proteins (c-myc, Mycn and Mycl) target proliferative and apoptotic pathways vital for progression in cancer. Amplification of the MYCN gene has emerged as one of the clearest indicators of aggressive and chemotherapy-refractory disease in children with neuroblastoma, the most common extracranial solid tumor of childhood. Phosphorylation and ubiquitin-mediated modulation of Myc protein influence stability and represent potential targets for therapeutic intervention. Phosphorylation of Myc proteins is controlled in-part by the receptor tyrosine kinase/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt/mTOR signaling, with additional contributions from Aurora A kinase. Myc proteins regulate apoptosis in part through interactions with the p53/Mdm2/Arf signaling pathway. Mutation in p53 is commonly observed in patients with relapsed neuroblastoma, contributing to both biology and therapeutic resistance. This review examines Myc function and regulation in neuroblastoma, and discusses emerging therapies that target Mycn.