[Effects of novel antiviral agents on HIV-1 replication]

Two groups of the antiviral agents: 1) adamantane- and norbornen-containing compounds with in-built cholesterol to potentiate the membranotropic properties and 2) synthetic matrix protein peptides (peptides A and B) were found to have effects on HIV replication. The agents of the former group produced antiviral activity only when added in combination with the virus. Peptide A (matrix protein 43-60 amino acids) inhibited viral replication when added in both the early and late periods. Fluorescein-labeled peptide A was detectable in the cytoplasm and nucleus (although adsorption of a portion of the peptides cannot be excluded onto the cell surface). Peptide A was shown to inhibit Gag precursor p55 transport from the nuclei to the plasma membrane, the site of virus assembly. Peptide B had no antiviral activity.

Evidence that activation of Src family kinase is not required for fertilization-associated [Ca2+]i oscillations in mouse eggs

Recent evidence in marine invertebrate, frog, and zebrafish eggs suggests the involvement of a Src family kinase (SFK) in fertilization-induced Ca2+ release. In the present study, we have investigated whether activation of an SFK is required for initiation of intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) oscillations in mouse fertilization. We detected a Hck-like protein and tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins in soluble and insoluble sperm fractions, respectively. However, the presence of these proteins did not correspond to the active fractions of porcine sperm extracts (pSE). Moreover, [Ca2+]i oscillations induced by pSE in mouse eggs were unaltered by pre-incubation of pSE with specific SFK inhibitors such as 4-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazol[3,4-d]-pyrimidine (PP2) or lavendustin A, despite the fact that the inhibitors were shown to be active both in vivo and in vitro. Another SFK inhibitor, peptide A, blocked oscillations when incubated with pSE prior to injection into eggs, but this inhibition required more than ten times the concentration reportedly required to inhibit SFK activity. In addition, pre-injection or pre-incubation of eggs with these inhibitors did not affect the ability of pSE to trigger [Ca2+]i oscillations in mouse eggs. Microinjection of a recombinant c-Src protein or mRNAs encoding constitutively active Src proteins did not induce [Ca2+]i release. Finally, when sperm and eggs, both of which were pre-treated with PP2, were fertilized, [Ca2+]i oscillations occurred normally. We can therefore conclude that activation of an SFK is neither necessary nor sufficient for triggering fertilization-induced [Ca2+]i oscillations.

Maurocalcine and peptide A stabilize distinct subconductance states of ryanodine receptor type 1, revealing a proportional gating mechanism

Maurocalcine (MCa) isolated from Scorpio maurus palmatus venom shares 82% sequence identity with imperatoxin A. Both scorpion toxins are putative mimics of the II-III loop peptide (termed peptide A (pA)) of alpha(1s)-dihydropyridine receptor and are thought to act at a common site on ryanodine receptor type 1 (RyR1) important for skeletal muscle EC coupling. The relationship between the actions of synthetic MCa (sMCa) and pA on RyR1 were examined. sMCa released Ca(2+) from SR vesicles (EC(50) = 17.5 nm) in a manner inhibited by micromolar ryanodine or ruthenium red. pA (0.5-40 microm) failed to induce SR Ca(2+) release. Rather, pA enhanced Ca(2+) loading into SR and fully inhibited Ca(2+)-, caffeine-, and sMCa-induced Ca(2+) release. The two peptides modified single channel gating behavior in distinct ways. With Cs(+)-carrying current, 10 nm to 1 microm sMCa induced long lived subconductances having 48% of the characteristic full open state and occasional transitions to 29% at either positive or negative holding potentials. In contrast, pA stabilized long lived channel closures with occasional burst transitions to 65% (s1) and 86% (s2) of the full conductance. The actions of pA and sMCa were observed in tandem. sMCa stabilized additional subconductance states proportional to pA-induced subconductances (i.e. 43% of pA-modified s1 and s2 substates), revealing a proportional gating mechanism. [(3)H]Ryanodine binding and surface plasmon resonance analyses indicated that the peptides did not interact by simple competition for a single class of mutually exclusive sites on RyR1 to produce proportional gating. The actions of sMCa were also observed with ryanodine-modified channels and channels deficient in immunophilin 12-kDa FK506-binding protein. These results provide evidence that sMCa and pA stabilize distinct RyR1 channel states through distinct mechanisms that allosterically stabilize gating states having proportional conductance.

The regulatory region of Prague C v-Src inhibits the activity of the Schmidt-Ruppin A v-Src kinase domain

Existing variants of the oncogene v-src differ in their transforming potential as well as in the range of their hosts. We compared the protein kinase activities of two Prague C v-Src variants (PRC and H19), reported to be of low oncogenic potential (Plachý et al., 1995), with the highly oncogenic Schmidt-Ruppin A v-Src (SRA). We employed in vitro kinase assays of affinity-purified proteins expressed in rabbit reticulocyte lysate and in S. cerevisiae. In both systems used, the specific kinase activity of the Prague C v-Src kinases amounted to only ca 20% of the activity of SRA. This positions the PRC Src close to activated c-Src, despite the lack of the regulatory C-terminal tail in PRC. We constructed chimeras between PRC and SRA v-Src and tested them for specific kinase activity in S. cerevisiae. Remarkably, the regulatory N-terminal part of PRC, when fused to the SRA-derived kinase domain, lowered the chimeras' PK activity to ca 20%, suggesting that it is the regulatory part of PRC that is responsible for its low phosphotransferase activity.

Glucocorticoids modulate transformation by v-Src in a cell-specific manner

In Balb 3T3 murine fibroblasts infected with retroviruses carrying the v-src oncogene, treatment with the glucocorticoid hormone dexamethasone induces a 10-fold increase in the number of transformed foci and of anchorage-independent colonies. In contrast, in NIH-3T3-infected cells the number of foci and of colonies growing in soft agar is considerably reduced by the addition of the hormone. The effect of dexamethasone on both Balb 3T3 and NIH 3T3 cells is dose-dependent and mediated by specific receptors. The expression of glucocorticoid receptors as well as transactivation of a mouse mammary tumor virus promoter in the presence of dexamethasone is comparable in the two cell lines. Dexamethasone does not change the expression and kinase activity of v-Src proteins either in freshly infected Balb 3T3 and NIH 3T3 cells or in morphologically normal clones or in transformed foci derived from infected Balb 3T3 cells stably expressing v-Src. However, in cocultivation assays of phenotypically normal clones of v-Src expressing Balb 3T3 cells mixed with a large excess of parental Balb 3T3 cells, the hormone is able to rescue the ability to form transformed foci of these otherwise normal cells. The present data point out a new role of glucocorticoid hormones in controlling transformation in a cell-specific manner through epigenetic mechanisms.

RhoA- and RhoD-dependent regulatory switch of Galpha subunit signaling by PAR-1 receptors in cellular invasion

Thrombin and proteinase-activated receptors (PAR) specifically regulate several functions that markedly enhance the transformation phenotype such as inflammation, cell proliferation, tumor growth, and metastasis. We recently reported that thrombin inhibits cellular invasion induced by src, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and leptin in kidney and colonic epithelial cells via predominant activation of the pertussis toxin (PTx) -sensitive G-proteins Galphao/Galphai. We provide pharmacological and biochemical evidence that in the presence of PTx, PAR-1 induced cellular invasion through Galpha12/Galpha13- and RhoA/Rho kinase (ROCK) -dependent signaling. However, inhibition of the endogenous small GTPase RhoA by the C3 exoenzyme, dominant-negative N19-RhoA, activated G26V-RhoD, and activators of the nitric oxide/cGMP pathways conferred invasive activity to PAR-1 via a signaling cascade using Galphaq, phospholipase C (PLC), Ca(2+)/calmodulin myosin light chain kinase (CaM-MLCK), and phosphorylation of MLC. We found that cellular invasion induced by the src oncogene is abrogated by inhibitors of the RhoA/ROCK pathway and is independent of PLC/CaM-MLCK signaling. Our data demonstrate that the RhoA and RhoD small GTPases are acting as a molecular switch of cellular invasion and reveal a novel critical mechanism by which PAR-1 bypass Galphao/i and RhoA inhibition via differential coupling to heterotrimeric G-proteins linked to divergent or convergent biological responses. Our data also indicate that Rho GTPases and ROCK mediate a src-dependent invasion signal in kidney and colonic cancer cells. We conclude that dynamic regulation of Rho GTPases activation and inactivation by oncogenes, growth factors, cGMP-inducing agents, and adhesion molecules can initiate convergent invasion signals controlled by the thrombin PAR-1 in cancer cells.-Nguyen, Q.-D., Faivre, S., Bruyneel, E., Rivat, C., Seto, M., Endo, T., Mareel, M., Emami, S., Gespach, C. RhoA- and RhoD-dependent regulatory switch of Galpha subunit signaling by PAR-1 receptors in cellular invasion.

Potentiation of estrogen receptor activation function 1 (AF-1) by Src/JNK through a serine 118-independent pathway

Estrogen receptor (ER) is activated either by ligand or by signals from tyrosine kinase-linked cell surface receptors. We investigated whether the nonreceptor Src tyrosine kinase could affect ER activity. Expression of constitutively active Src or stimulation of the endogenous Src/JNK pathway enhances transcriptional activation by the estrogen-ER complex and strongly stimulates the otherwise weak activation by the unliganded ER and the tamoxifen-ER complex. Src affects ER activation function 1 (AF-1), and not ER AF-2, and does so through its tyrosine kinase activity. This effect of Src is mediated partly through a Raf/mitogen-activated ERK kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Raf/MEK/ERK) signaling cascade and partly through a MEKK/JNKK/JNK cascade. Although, as previously shown, Src action through activated ERK stimulates AF-1 by phosphorylation at S118, Src action through activated JNK neither leads to phosphorylation of S118 nor requires S118 for its action. We therefore suggest that the Src/JNK pathway enhances AF-1 activity by modification of ER AF-1-associated proteins. Src potentiates activation functions in CREB-binding protein (CBP) and glucocorticoid receptor interacting protein 1 (GRIP1), and we discuss the possibility that the Src/JNK pathway enhances the activity of these coactivators, which are known to mediate AF-1 action.

Enhancement of tyrosyl phosphorylation and protein expression of eps8 by v-Src

Two eps8 isoforms, p97eps8 and p68eps8, were previously identified as substrates for receptor tyrosine kinases. Analysis of eps8 phosphotyrosine content in v-Src transformed cells (IV5) revealed that both isoforms were highly tyrosyl phosphorylated and their readiness to be phosphorylated by Src in vitro further indicated that they were putative Src substrates as well. Indeed, the enhancement of tyrosyl phosphorylation of p97eps8 detected in cells coexpressing both p97eps8 and active Src relative to that in cells expressing p97eps8 alone supported our hypothesis. The existence of common phosphotryptic peptides between in vitro 32P-labeled p97eps8 and p68eps8 indicated that these two proteins shared the same Src-mediated sites. Further in vitro binding assays demonstrated that p68eps8 was the major eps8 isoforms that could be precipitated by bacterial fusion protein containing Src SH3. Interestingly, both p68eps8 and p97eps8 were preferentially expressed in v-Src transformed cells and the presence of p68eps8 appeared to depend on Src. Since p97eps8 has been implicated in mitogenesis and tumorigenesis, its readiness to be phosphorylated and induced by v-Src might attribute to v-Src-mediated transformation.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors block sperm-induced egg activation in Xenopus laevis

Fertilization of Xenopus laevis eggs triggers a wave of increased [Ca2+]i. The exact signal transduction pathway culminating in this Ca2+ wave remains unknown. To determine whether increases in tyrosine kinase activity are part of this pathway, we microinjected tyrosine kinase inhibitors into unfertilized eggs. Upon fertilization, signs of activation were monitored, such as fertilization envelope liftoff and the Ca2+ wave (for eggs microinjected with lavendustin A). Various concentrations of lavendustin A and tyrphostin B46 were microinjected, as well as inactive forms of these compounds (lavendustin B and tyrphostin A1) to provide negative controls. Peptide A, a 20-amino-acid peptide derived from the SH2 region of pp60(v-src) tyrosine kinase, was also microinjected. Peptide A inhibits tyrosine kinase activity but not PKA or PKG activity. Dose-response curves for lavendustin A, tyrphostin B46, and peptide A show clear inhibition of vitelline envelope liftoff by these three compounds. Confocal imaging of eggs coinjected with lavendustin A and Oregon Green-dextran showed that the Ca2+ wave was inhibited under normal insemination conditions but that the block of the Ca2+ wave could be overcome with very high sperm densities. A phenomenon of small local Ca2+ increases termed "hot spots" seen in lavendustin A containing eggs is also described. Since this inhibition of egg activation by tyrosine kinase inhibitors can be overcome by Ca2+ microinjection, the inhibitors must act on a step in the signal transduction cascade that is upstream of the Ca2+ wave.

Activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) by angiotensin II is dependent on c-Src in vascular smooth muscle cells

Among the angiotensin II (Ang II)-mediated signal events likely to be important in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2). The upstream mediators by which Ang II activates ERK1/2 remain poorly defined. Recently, we showed that Ang II activated c-Src, a nonreceptor kinase, which is a candidate to mediate Ang II signal events. To determine whether c-Src is required for ERK1/2 activation by Ang II, we studied the effects of Src family-selective tyrosine kinase inhibitors on ERK1/2 activation and also studied Ang II-mediated signal events in Src-deficient and Src-overexpressing VSMCs. The tyrosine kinase inhibitors, genistein and CP-188,556, blocked Ang II-mediated ERK1/2 activation in rat VSMCs (rVSMCs). We derived Src-deficient VSMCs from the aortas of c-Src knockout mice (Src-/- mVSMCs). Basal ERK1/2 activity was lower, and activation of ERK1/2 by Ang II was significantly decreased in Src-/- mVSMCs compared with wild-type mVSMCs, whereas ERK1/2 protein expression and ERK1/2 activation by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate were similar. To examine the role of c-Src further, we overexpressed wild-type or dominant-negative c-Src in rVSMCs using retroviral vectors. ERK1/2 activation by Ang II was significantly increased in rVSMCs that overexpressed c-Src, whereas ERK1/2 activation by Ang II was significantly inhibited in rVSMCs that overexpressed dominant-negative c-Src compared with control rVSMCs. These findings demonstrate that c-Src activation is required for Ang II stimulation of ERK1/2 in VSMCs and suggest an important role for c-Src in Ang II-mediated signal transduction.

NSAID-induced apoptosis in Rous sarcoma virus-transformed chicken embryo fibroblasts is dependent on v-src and c-myc and is inhibited by bcl-2

Mounting epidemiological and experimental evidence implicates non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs as anti-tumorigenic agents. Our previous work showed that nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug treatment of src-transformed chicken embryo fibroblasts caused apoptosis--a mechanism by which these drugs might exert their anti-tumorigenic effect. The present studies employ a sensitive technique for detecting single- and double-stranded DNA cleavage (the comet assay) to quantitate apoptosis. By this method pp60v-src, which antagonizes apoptosis in many cell systems, was found to induce apoptosis in 11-23% of serum-starved fibroblasts. However, treatment with diclofenac following pp60v-src activation produced a much stronger response beginning within 6 hours of treatment that resulted in 100% lethality. During cell death, cyclooxygenase-2 but not cyclooxygenase-1 mRNA was found to be uniformly increased by all apoptotic drugs tested. Examination of the expression of apoptosis-associated genes showed that c-rel and p53 (found in normal or v-src-transformed chicken embryo fibroblasts at moderate levels), and bcl-2 (present at an extremely low level) were largely unchanged by treatment with eight different nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. However, overexpression of human bcl-2 inhibited diclofenac-mediated apoptosis by 90%, demonstrating directly that bcl-2 expression can regulate nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug induction of cell death. The proto-oncogene c-myc is known to cause apoptosis in chicken embryo fibroblasts when artificially overexpressed in cells deprived of trophic factors. We found that nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug treatment following pp60v-src activation persistently induced myc protein and mRNA by more than 20-fold above that evoked by pp60v-src activation alone. Moreover, transfection of antisense c-myc oligonucleotides reduced drug-induced myc expression by 80% and caused a concomitant 50% reduction in cell death. These findings suggest that nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug-induced apoptosis proceeds through a src/myc dependent pathway which is negatively regulated by bcl-2.

Proliferation of chicken neuroretina cells induced by v-src, in vitro, depends on activation of the E2F transcription factor

Quiescent chicken or quail retina neuroblasts (NR) can be induced to proliferate actively, in culture, by the v-src oncoprotein. The chE2F-1 transcription factor, a physiological partner of the retinoblastoma gene product, is highly expressed in vivo, in dividing chicken neuroretina cells (CNR). It is sharply down-regulated as cells enter the post-mitotic differentiation stage, thus suggesting that E2F activity is a prerequisite for NR cell proliferation. In the present paper, transient expression assays of different forms of chE2F-1 were used to investigate the function of E2F for switching CNR cells from a quiescent to a proliferative state in vitro. Attempts to substitute the effects of v-src by an ectopic expression of E2F-1 were unsuccessful. However, in the same conditions, E2F-1 supports full growth of CEF in serum-depleted medium. Deletion mutants of E2F-1, with potential dominant-negative properties, were transfected in RSV infected CNR cells. One of these truncated mutants induces a G1 phase block in RSV-transformed CNR cells indicating that, although E2F-1 overexpression cannot overcome the cell proliferation block of post-mitotic CNR cells E2F-1, activity is an important component of the growth signal pathway delivered by v-src in these nervous cells.

Transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of kappaB-controlled genes by pp60v-src

The CEF-4/9E3 gene is expressed aberrantly in chicken embryo fibroblasts transformed by the Rous sarcoma virus. This aberrant expression is dependent on transcriptional activation and on the stabilization of the CEF-4 mRNA. The characterization of the CEF-4 promoter indicated that three distinct regulatory elements corresponding to an AP-1 binding site, a PRDII/ kappaB domain and a CAAT box are involved in the activation by pp60v-src. Several v-src responsive genes are controlled by AP-1 and members of the Ets family but few appear to be dependent on NF-kappaB. In this study we characterize the expression of genes regulated by NF-kappaB in normal and RSV-transformed CEF. Run-on transcription analysis indicated that pp60v-src induces the transcription of several genes controlled by NF-kappaB but at different levels. While the transcription of CEF-4 was strongly stimulated, that of NF-kappaB1, c-rel, p53 or IkappaB-alpha was activated more modestly by pp60v-src. In addition the CEF-4 mRNA was the only mRNA species to accumulate significantly in transformed CEF. The ectopic expression of RelA or Rel resulted in the stimulation of the transcription of several known targets of NF-kappaB. However, the mRNA for IkappaB-alpha was the only mRNA species to accumulate considerably in the RelA- or Rel-expressing cells. Hence for most kappaB-controlled genes, transcriptional activation was not sufficient to obtain a significant increase in mRNA expression. Likewise, RelA or Rel enhanced the transcription of the CEF-4 gene without a significant accumulation of the CEF-4 mRNA. However, transformation by v-src caused a massive accumulation of the CEF-4 mRNA but not of other mRNA species in the RelA- and Rel-expressing cells. Transient expression assays, run-on transcription and Northern blotting analyses indicated that the effect of pp60v-src on CEF-4 expression was mediated predominantly at the post-transcriptional level in these cells. Therefore transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms determine the restricted pattern of activation of kappaB-controlled genes in RSV-transformed CEF.

Abrogation of interleukin-3 dependence of myeloid cells by the v-src oncogene requires SH2 and SH3 domains which specify activation of STATs

The v-src oncogene encodes a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase. When this gene was expressed in the myeloblastic cell line 32Dcl3, it was found to abrogate interleukin-3 (IL-3) dependence of this cell line and to block its ability to terminally differentiate into granulocytes in response to granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF). In contrast, a highly related tyrosine kinase gene, v-fgr, fails to render this cell line IL-3 independent for growth or to block its ability to undergo terminal differentiation in the presence of GCSF. The active structural domains of v-src that are responsible for the abrogation of IL-3 dependence of myeloid cells and the mechanisms by which v-src transforms these cells are at present unclear. To identify the domains in v-src which are responsible for this activity, we constructed several chimeric recombinants between the v-src and the related Src family member v-fgr by replacing portions of v-src with corresponding domains of v-fgr. These chimeric DNAs were transfected into 32Dcl3 cells and examined for their abilities to render this cell line IL-3 independent. Our results show that only chimeras containing both the SH3 and the SH2 domains of v-src were capable of rendering the 32Dcl3 cell line IL-3 independent. To understand the possible mechanisms underlying the IL-3-independent growth of v-src-transformed 32Dcl3 cells, we examined the phosphorylation status of JAK-1, JAK-2, and JAK-3 kinases in the v-src- and v-fgr-transformed 32Dcl3 cells. Our results show that none of the JAK kinases are constitutively phosphorylated by v-src or v-fgr. We then examined the phosphorylation status of the STAT (signal transducers and activators of transcription) family of transcription factors. Our results show that STAT1, STAT3, and STAT5 exist in a constitutively phosphorylated state in v-src-transformed 32Dcl3 cells, while such constitutive phosphorylation is not seen in v-fgr-transformed cell lines. Our results also show that STAT3 coimmunoprecipitates with v-Src, suggesting that the activation of STAT3 occurs due to direct association with v-Src. However, STAT1 and STAT5, which also exist in a constitutively phosphorylated state in v-src-transformed 32Dcl3 cells, do not coimmunoprecipitate with v-Src, suggesting that these proteins either interact weakly with v-Src or are phosphorylated by a mechanism distinctive from that of STAT3.

Transformation of Rat-1 fibroblasts with the v-src oncogene induces inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate 3-kinase expression

Transformation of Rat-1 fibroblasts with the v-src oncogene leads to a 6- to 8-fold enhancement of the activity of the Ins(1,4,5)P3 3-kinase in cytosolic extracts [Johnson, Wasilenko, Mattingly, Weber and Garrison (1989) Science 246, 121-124]. This study confirms these results using another v-src-transformed Rat-1 cell line (B31 cells) and investigates the molecular mechanism by which pp60v-src activates Ins(1,4,5)P3 3-kinase. The mRNA and protein levels for two rat isoforms of Ins(1,4,5)P3 3-kinase were determined in the v-src-transformed cell line. Both the mRNA and protein levels for isoform A were elevated in v-src-transformed Rat-1 cells while those for isoform B were not significantly affected. Moreover, stable expression of either form of Ins(1,4,5)P3 3-kinase in the B31 v-src-transformed Rat-1 cell line did not result in tyrosine phosphorylation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 3-kinase A or B. These results suggest that at least one mechanism by which the v-src oncogene increases the activity of the Ins(1,4,5)P3 3-kinase in the Rat-1 transformed fibroblast is by increasing the level of expression of Ins(1,4,5)P3 3-kinase A.

v-Src induces constitutive macropinocytosis in rat fibroblasts

The role of v-Src as regulator of fluid-phase pinocytosis was investigated in Rat-1 cells expressing a stable (Rat-1/BB16) or a thermosensitive (Rat-1/tsLA29) v-Src protein. In the second cell line, this protein is inactive when cells are cultured at 40 degrees C but recovers its tyrosine kinase activity upon transfer to 34 degrees C, resulting into a transformed phenotype. The rate of fluid-phase pinocytosis of the tracer horseradish peroxidase was 2-fold higher in v-Src-transformed fibroblasts (Rat-1/BB16, Rat-1/tsLA29 cultured at 34 degrees C) as compared to non-transformed cells (Rat-1, Rat-1/tsLA29 kept at 40 degrees C). In contrast, receptor-mediated endocytosis of transferrin was poorly affected, suggesting that structures distinct from clathrin-coated pits are involved in pinocytosis stimulation. By light and electron microscopy, transformed cells frequently contained large peroxidase-labeled pinocytic vesicles located near to membrane ruffles, demonstrating that stimulation of pinocytosis corresponds to induction of constitutive macropinocytosis. Stimulation of pinocytosis occurred more than 8 hours after transfer to the permissive temperature, whereas transfer to the non-permissive temperature partially reversed the stimulation within 2 hours. Protein synthesis inhibition for 6 hours abrogated pinocytosis stimulation in transformed cells, indicating that constitutive macropinocytosis induced by v-Src depends on continuous synthesis of a short-lived regulatory machinery.

Identification of sites on epidermal growth factor receptors which are phosphorylated by pp60src in vitro

The Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGF-R) becomes constitutively tyrosine phosphorylated on two novel sites in v-Src transformed cells, and these phosphorylations are associated with enhanced signaling activity [1]. To determine whether Src could directly phosphorylate these sites, we have examined the ability of the Src kinase to phosphorylate both wild-type and kinase-defective EGF-Rs in vitro. Although purified Src could phosphorylate EGF-Rs, the pattern of phosphorylation sites was not identical to what was previously found in vivo [1]: Src in vitro directly phosphorylated EGF-Rs on one autophosphorylation site (Tyr 1173) which was not a site of re-induced in vivo phosphorylation, suggesting the in vivo inaccessibility of this site. One Src-specific in vitro phosphorylation site (Tyr 03) appeared to correspond to one of the in vivo Src-induced sites (sPY2), but the other Src-specific in vivo site (sPY1) was not significantly phosphorylated in vitro, raising the possibility of a Src-induced tyrosine kinase cascade. The ability of Src to phosphorylate the EGF-R is consistent with the suggestion that the receptor can function as a kinase substrate independent of its intrinsic enzymatic activity, as implied by recent studies on signaling by kinase-defective EGF-Rs.

Ca(2+)-independent reduction of N-methyl-D-aspartate channel activity by protein tyrosine phosphatase

Regulation of ion channel function by intracellular processes is fundamental for controlling synaptic signaling and integration in the nervous system. Currents mediated by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors decline during whole-cell recordings and this may be prevented by ATP. We show here that phosphorylation is necessary to maintain NMDA currents and that the decline is not dependent upon Ca2+. A protein tyrosine phosphatase or a peptide inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinase applied intracellularly caused a decrease in NMDA currents even when ATP was included. On the other hand, pretreating the neurons with a membrane-permeant tyrosine kinase inhibitor occluded the decline in NMDA currents when ATP was omitted. In inside-out patches, applying a protein tyrosine phosphatase to the cytoplasmic face of the patch caused a decrease in probability of opening of NMDA channels. Conversely, open probability was increased by a protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor. These results indicate that NMDA channel activity is reduced by a protein tyrosine phosphatase associated with the channel complex.

v-Src activates the expression of 92-kDa type IV collagenase gene through the AP-1 site and the GT box homologous to retinoblastoma control elements. A mechanism regulating gene expression independent of that by inflammatory cytokines

The 92-kDa type IV collagenase (matrix metalloproteinase-9; MMP-9) is frequently expressed in cells showing an invasive nature during physiological and pathological processes, and the expression is strictly controlled by a variety of trans-membrane signals. Binding sites for NF-kB, Sp-1, and AP-1 are reportedly required for induction of MMP-9 gene expression by tumor necrosis factor-alpha or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. Comparison of the sequence of the newly cloned mouse MMP-9 promoter region with our previous human isolate revealed that, in addition to the above mentioned elements, four units of GGGG(T/A)GGGG sequence (GT box) were conserved between the two species. In this study, we have demonstrated that one of the GT boxes located downstream of the AP-1 site is essential along with the AP-1 site for the activation of the promoter by v-Src but not by tumor necrosis factor-alpha or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. Gel mobility-shift assays revealed that binding proteins for retinoblastoma control element, including Sp-1 family protein, can bind specifically to GT boxes. Thus, the v-Src signals to the AP-1 site and to the GT box homologous to retinoblastoma control element acted synergistically in transcriptional activation. These results suggest that certain v-Src-mediated signals are propagated along pathways that are independent of inflammatory cytokines.

The v-Rel oncoprotein increases expression from Sp1 site-containing promoters in chicken embryo fibroblasts

The v-Rel oncoprotein of the avian Rev-T retrovirus is a member of a family of related transcription factors, which also includes the subunits of NF-kappa B and several other interacting cellular proteins. We show here that v-Rel specifically increased expression from a reporter plasmid containing multiple Sp1 binding sites approximately sixfold in chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEFs), even though v-Rel did not bind directly to these sites. v-Rel also increased expression from a reporter plasmid containing a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) long terminal repeat (LTR) in which the kappa B binding sites were mutated but which still contained intact Sp1 binding sites. The increase in Sp1-site transactivation does not precisely correlate with transformation by v-Rel since one non-transforming v-Rel mutant still induced expression from the Sp1 site-containing promoter. v-Rel appears to increase expression from Sp1 site-containing promoters by affecting the transactivation domain of Sp1, since v-Rel increased the activity of a Gal4-Sp1 fusion protein, which contains the Sp1 transactivation domain but lacks the Sp1 DNA-binding domain. As compared with v-Rel, c-Rel induced only a slight increase in expression from the reporter plasmid containing Sp1 sites. However, v-Ras and v-Src (but not v-Myb) induced increases in transcription from the reporter plasmid containing Sp1 sites to the same extent as v-Rel, but through pathways that appear to be independent from v-Rel. These results suggest that certain oncoproteins might increase transcription from many genes that contain Sp1 binding sites, and that this might be important for certain aspects of transformation by these proteins.

Regulation of protein serine-threonine phosphatase type-2A by tyrosine phosphorylation

Extracellular signals that promote cell growth activate cascades of protein kinases. The kinases are dephosphorylated and deactivated by a single type-2A protein phosphatase. The catalytic subunit of type-2A protein phosphatase was phosphorylated by tyrosine-specific protein kinases. Phosphorylation was enhanced in the presence of the phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid, consistent with an autodephosphorylation reaction. More than 90% of the activity of phosphatase 2A was lost when thioadenosine triphosphate was used to produce a thiophosphorylated protein resistant to autodephosphorylation. Phosphorylation in vitro occurred exclusively on Tyr307. Phosphorylation was catalyzed by p60v-src, p56lck, epidermal growth factor receptors, and insulin receptors. Transient deactivation of phosphatase 2A might enhance transmission of cellular signals through kinase cascades within cells.

Transcription of a quail gene expressed in embryonic retinal cells is shut off sharply at hatching

The avian neuroretina (NR) is part of the central nervous system and is composed of photoreceptors, neuronal cells, and Müller (glial) cells. These cells are derived from proliferating neuroectodermal precursors that differentiate after terminal mitosis and become organized in cell strata. Genes that are specifically expressed at the various stages of retinal development are presently unknown. We have isolated a quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) cDNA clone, named QR1, encoding a 676-amino acid protein whose carboxyl-terminal portion shows significant similarity to those of the extracellular glycoprotein osteonectin/SPARC/BM40 and of the recently described SC1 protein. The QR1 cDNA identifies a mRNA detected in NR but not in other embryonic tissues examined. The levels of this mRNA are markedly reduced when nondividing NR cells are induced to proliferate by the v-src oncogene. QR1 expression in NR is limited to the middle portion of the inner nuclear layer, a localization that essentially corresponds to that of Müller cells. Transcription of QR1 takes place only during the late phase of retinal development and is shut off sharply at hatching. Signals that regulate this unique pattern of expression appear to originate within the NR, since the QR1 mRNA is transcribed in cultured NR cells and is shut off also in vitro at a time coinciding with hatching.

A synthetic peptide corresponding to residues 137 to 157 of p60v-src inhibits tyrosine-specific protein kinases

A 21-residue synthetic peptide corresponding to a part of the noncatalytic domain of p60v-src (residues 137 to 157) was found to inhibit the tyrosine kinase activity of p60v-src. The half inhibition concentration was ca. 7.5 microM. The peptide (peptide A) did not compete with substrate proteins or ATP. Peptide A also inhibited the autophosphorylation of epidermal growth factor receptor/kinase and the tyrosine-specific protein phosphorylation in the acetylcholine receptor-rich membranes isolated from electroplax of Narke japonica. However, serine/threonine-specific protein kinases such as cAMP-dependent and cGMP-dependent protein kinases were not inhibited by peptide A.

Distinct and different effects of the oncogenes v-myc and v-src on avian sympathetic neurons: retroviral transfer of v-myc stimulates neuronal proliferation whereas v-src transfer enhances neuronal differentiation

Immature avian sympathetic neurons are able to proliferate in culture for a limited number of divisions albeit expressing several neuron-specific properties. The effect of avian retroviral transfer of oncogenes on proliferation and differentiation of sympathetic neurons was investigated. Primary cultures of 6-d-old quail sympathetic ganglia, consisting of 90% neuronal cells, were infected by Myelocytomatosis virus (MC29), which contains the oncogene v-myc, and by the v-src-containing Rous sarcoma virus (RSV). RSV infection, in contrast to findings in other cellular systems, resulted in a reduction of neuronal proliferation as determined by 3H-thymidine incorporation (50% of control 4 d after infection) and in increased morphological differentiation. This is reflected by increased neurite production, cell size, and expression of neurofilament protein. In addition, RSV-infected neurons, unlike uninfected cells, are able to survive in culture for time periods up to 14 d in the absence of added neurotrophic factors. In contrast, retroviral transfer of v-myc stimulated the proliferation of immature sympathetic neurons preserving many properties of uninfected cells. The neuron-specific cell surface antigen Q211 and the adrenergic marker enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase were maintained in MC29-infected cells and in the presence of chick embryo extract the cells could be propagated over several weeks and five passages. Within 7 d after infection, the number of Q211-positive neurons increased approximately 100-fold. These data demonstrate distinct and different effects of v-src and v-myc-containing retroviruses on proliferation and differentiation of sympathetic neurons: v-src transfer results in increased differentiation, whereas v-myc transfer maintains an immature status reflected by proliferation, immature morphology, and complex growth requirements. The possibility of expanding immature neuronal populations by transfer of v-myc will be of considerable importance for the molecular analysis of neuronal proliferation and differentiation.

Mitogenesis induced by pp60v-src is not accompanied by increased expression of immediate early response genes

Rat-1 cells infected with a temperature sensitive mutant of RSV (ts LA 29 Rat-1) can be rendered quiescent by serum deprivation at restrictive temperature. Shift to permissive conditions activates the v-src protein tyrosine kinase within 10 minutes and either this stimulus, or serum addition at restrictive temperature, leads to progression of the cell from G0 to G1, S-phase and mitosis. The effects of serum and temperature shift are not synergistic, suggesting that they may operate by convergent mechanisms. However, the characteristic serum-stimulated transient increases in transcripts of three immediate early response genes, c-fos, c-jun and c-myc are absent or much reduced when mitogenesis in ts LA 29 Rat-1 is induced by pp60v-src. Nonetheless, upon activating the pp60v-src protein kinase there is a marked and rapid increase in the ability of ts LA 29 Rat-1 nuclear extracts to retard the gel migration of oligonucleotides containing the AP-1 binding site, indicating that pp60v-src activity leads to an enhanced functioning of Fos and Jun related proteins that may, in turn, affect their transcriptional activation. Furthermore, these findings, and comparison with those of other laboratories, suggest that the mitogenic and transforming activities of pp60v-src have different effects on the transcription of immediate early response genes.