Gene expression profiling identifies STAT3 as a novel pathway for immunomodulation by cholera toxin adjuvant.

Earlier studies have reported on both proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory activities of cholera toxin (CT). As CT is a powerful adjuvant, we were interested in identifying genes with a possible involvement in these functions. A global gene expression analysis in mouse B cells showed that CT regulated <100 annotated genes, which encoded transcription factors, G proteins, cell-cycle regulators, and immunoregulating molecules. Interestingly, CT regulated the expression of the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 gene and influenced the level and activation of both isoforms STAT3 alpha and STAT3 beta, in vitro in a B-cell line and in Peyer's patch (PP) B cells and in vivo in freshly isolated splenic B cells from CT-treated mice. This effect was cAMP dependent and was not seen with CTB. B cells pre-exposed to CT were significantly more susceptible to the activation of STAT3 by interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10. This exerted a stronger inhibitory effect of IL-10 on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated B-cell proliferation and cytokine production (IL-6). Moreover, IgG1 and IgA production induced by LPS and IL-10 were enhanced by the addition of CT to cultures of PP or splenic B cells. This is the first study to provide a molecular mechanism that can reconcile previous findings of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory effects by CT adjuvant.

Cloning and characterization of the guinea pig neuropeptide Y receptor Y5.

The Y5 receptor has been postulated to be the main receptor mediating NPY-induced food intake in rats, based on its pharmacological profile and mRNA distribution. To further characterize this important receptor subtype, we isolated the Y5 gene in the guinea pig, a widely used laboratory animal in which all other known NPY receptors (Y1, Y2, Y4, y6) [2,13,33,37] have recently been cloned by our group. Our results show that the Y5 receptor is well conserved between species; guinea pig Y5 displays 96% overall amino acid sequence identity to human Y5, the highest identity reported for any non-primate NPY receptor orthologue, regardless of subtype. Thirteen of the twenty substitutions occur in the large third cytoplasmic loop. The identities between the guinea pig Y5 receptor and the dog, rat, and mouse Y5 receptors are 93%, 89%, and 89% respectively. When transiently expressed in EBNA cells, the guinea pig Y5 receptor showed a high binding affinity to iodinated porcine PYY with a dissociation constant of 0.41 nM. Competition experiments showed that the rank order of potency for NPY-analogues was PYY = NPY = NPY2-36 > gpPP > rPP >> NPY 22-36. Thus the pharmacological profile of the guinea pig Y5 receptor agrees well with that reported for the Y5 receptor from other cloned species.

Regulation of microtubule dynamics by extracellular signals: cAMP-dependent protein kinase switches off the activity of oncoprotein 18 in intact cells.

Oncoprotein 18 (Op18, also termed p19, 19K, metablastin, stathmin, and prosolin) is a recently identified regulator of microtubule (MT) dynamics. Op18 is a target for both cell cycle and cell surface receptor-coupled kinase systems, and phosphorylation of Op18 on specific combinations of sites has been shown to switch off its MT-destabilizing activity. Here we show that induced expression of the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) results in a dramatic increase in cellular MT polymer content concomitant with phosphorylation and partial degradation of Op18. That PKA may regulate the MT system by downregulation of Op18 activity was evaluated by a genetic system allowing conditional co-expression of PKA and a series of kinase target site-deficient mutants of Op18. The results show that phosphorylation of Op18 on two specific sites, Ser-16 and Ser-63, is necessary and sufficient for PKA to switch off Op18 activity in intact cells. The regulatory importance of dual phosphorylation on Ser-16 and Ser-63 of Op18 was reproduced by in vitro assays. These results suggest a simple model where PKA phosphorylation downregulates the MT-destabilizing activity of Op18, which in turn promotes increased tubulin polymerization. Hence, the present study shows that Op18 has the potential to regulate the MT system in response to external signals such as cAMP-linked agonists.

Control of microtubule dynamics by oncoprotein 18: dissection of the regulatory role of multisite phosphorylation during mitosis.

Oncoprotein 18 (Op18; also termed p19, 19K, metablastin, stathmin, and prosolin) is a conserved protein that regulates microtubule (MT) dynamics. Op18 is multisite phosphorylated on four Ser residues during mitosis; two of these Ser residues, Ser-25 and Ser-38, are targets for cyclin-dependent protein kinases (CDKs), and the other two Ser residues, Ser-16 and Ser-63, are targets for an unidentified protein kinase. Mutations of the two CDK sites have recently been shown to result in a mitotic block caused by destabilization of MTs. To understand the role of Op18 in regulation of MT dynamics during mitosis, in this study we dissected the functions of all four phosphorylation sites of Op18 by combining genetic, morphological, and biochemical analyses. The data show that all four phosphorylation sites are involved in switching off Op18 activity during mitosis, an event that appears to be essential for formation of the spindle during metaphase. However, the mechanisms by which specific sites down-regulate Op18 activity differ. Hence, dual phosphorylation on the CDK sites Ser-25 and Ser-38 appears to be required for phosphorylation of Ser-16 and Ser-63; however, by themselves, the CDK sites are of only minor importance in direct regulation of Op18 activity. Subsequent phosphorylation of either Ser-16, Ser-63, or both efficiently switches off Op18 activity.

Regulation of microtubule dynamics by Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase IV/Gr-dependent phosphorylation of oncoprotein 18.

Oncoprotein 18 (Op18; also termed p19, 19K, p18, prosolin, and stathmin) is a regulator of microtubule (MT) dynamics and is phosphorylated by multiple kinase systems on four Ser residues. In addition to cell cycle-regulated phosphorylation, external signals induce phosphorylation of Op18 on Ser-25 by the mitogen-activated protein kinase and on Ser-16 by the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase IV/Gr (CaMK IV/Gr). Here we show that induced expression of a constitutively active mutant of CaMK IV/Gr results in phosphorylation of Op18 on Ser-16. In parallel, we also observed partial degradation of Op18 and a rapid increase of total cellular MTs. These results suggest a link between CaMK IV/Gr, Op18, and MT dynamics. To explore such a putative link, we optimized a genetic system that allowed conditional coexpression of a series of CaMK IV/Gr and Op18 derivatives. The result shows that CaMK IV/Gr can suppress the MT-regulating activity of Op18 by phosphorylation on Ser-16. In line with these results, by employing a chemical cross-linking protocol, it was shown that phosphorylation of Ser-16 is involved in weakening of the interactions between Op18 and tubulin. Taken together, these data suggest that the mechanism of CaMK IV/Gr-mediated suppression of Op18 activity involves both partial degradation of Op18 and direct modulation of the MT-destabilizing activity of this protein. These results show that Op18 phosphorylation by CaMK IV/Gr may couple alterations of MT dynamics in response to external signals that involve Ca2+.

Oncoprotein 18 is a phosphorylation-responsive regulator of microtubule dynamics.

Oncoprotein 18 (Op18, also termed p19, p18, prosolin or stathmin) is a cytosolic protein of previously unknown function. Phosphorylation of Op18 is cell cycle regulated by cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), and expression of a 'CDK target site-deficient mutant' results in a phenotype indicative of a role for Op18 during mitosis. This phenotype is compatible with the idea that Op18 is a phosphorylation-responsive regulator of microtubule (MT) dynamics. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed MTs in cells induced to express either wild-type or mutated Op18. The results showed that wild-type Op18 and a CDK target site mutant both efficiently elicited rapid depolymerization of MTs. This result contrasts with clear-cut differences in their cell cycle phenotypes. Morphological analysis of MTs explained this apparent discrepancy: while interphase MTs were depolymerized in cells expressing either Op18 derivative, apparently normal mitotic spindles were formed only in cells overexpressing wild-type Op18. This result correlates with our finding that only mutated Op18 causes a block during mitosis. Hence, we conclude that Op18 decreases MT stability and that this activity of Op18 is subject to cell cycle regulation by CDKs.

G2/M transition requires multisite phosphorylation of oncoprotein 18 by two distinct protein kinase systems.

Oncoprotein 18 (Op18) is a conserved cytosolic protein that is a target for both cell cycle and cell surface receptor-regulated phosphorylation events. The four residues Ser16, Ser25, Ser38, and Ser63 are all subject to cell cycle-regulated phosphorylation. Ser25 and Ser38 are targets for cyclin dependent kinases (CDKs), while Ser16 and Ser63 are phosphorylated by an unidentified protein kinase. We have recently shown that induced expression of a CDK target site-deficient mutant, Op18-S25A,S38A, blocks human cell lines during G2/M transition. In the present report we show that mitosis is associated with complete phosphorylation of the two Op18 CDK target sites Ser25 and Ser38 and that Ser16 and Ser63 are also phosphorylated to a high stoichiometry. To evaluate the function of multisite phosphorylation of Op18, we expressed and analyzed the cell cycle phenotype of different kinase target site-deficient mutants. The data showed that induced expression of the S16A,S63A, S25A,S38A, and S16A,S25A,S38A,S63A mutants all resulted in an indistinguishable phenotype, i.e. immediate G2/M block and subsequent endoreduplication, a given fraction of G2 versus M-phase blocked cells, and a characteristic nuclear morphology of M-blocked cells. This result was unexpected; however, a likely explanation was provided by analysis of Op18 phosphoisomers, which revealed that mutations of the CDK sites interfere with phosphorylation of Ser16 and Ser63. The simplest interpretation of our results is that phosphorylation of Ser16 and Ser63 is essential during G2/M transition and that the phenotype of the S25A,S38A mutant is mediated by the observed block of Ser16/Ser63 phosphorylation.

Immunohistochemical detection of oncoprotein 18 (Op18) in malignant lymphomas.

Expression of oncoprotein 18 (Op18), an intracellular phosphoprotein up-regulated in many malignant cell types, was evaluated in a series of normal lymphoid tissue and malignant lymphomas. In normal tonsils and reactive lymph nodes, the majority of Op18-positive cells were present in the germinal centres, whereas cells in the mantle zone were essentially negative and the interfollicular areas showed occasional positive cells. Double staining for PCNA and Op18 revealed that Op18 expression only to some extent was correlated with cell proliferation, as determined by PCNA expression. Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas exhibited a variable Op18 expression, and in Hodgkin's disease, Reed-Sternberg and Hodgkin cells frequently expressed Op18 with a strong staining intensity. Using Op18-PCNA double staining in malignant lymphomas, Op18 expression could also be partially dissociated from cell proliferation. By using confocal microscopy, the intracellular localization of Op18 was studied, demonstrating diffuse reactivity in the cytoplasm in interphase cells and during mitosis, whereas nuclei and condensed chromosomes were negative. In conclusion, Op18 was expressed at variable levels in most, perhaps all, proliferating lymphocytes in benign lymphoid tissue as well as in malignant lymphomas. However, the Op18 protein was also detected in a significant fraction of apparently non-cycling normal and neoplastic lymphocytes.

The phenotype of a "Cdc2 kinase target site-deficient" mutant of oncoprotein 18 reveals a role of this protein in cell cycle control.

Oncoprotein 18 (Op18) is a cytosolic protein that is expressed in all proliferating cells. This phosphoprotein is up-regulated in a variety of human neoplasm, and phosphorylation of its two Cdc2 kinase target sites, Ser-25 and Ser-38, fluctuates dramatically during the cell cycle. We have investigated the potential role of the Cdc2 kinase-mediated phosphorylation of these two sites by expressing a "Cdc2 kinase target site-deficient" mutant of Op18 (Op18-S25,38A), and analyzed the phenotype on the level of cell cycle regulation. The result shows that induced expression of Op18-S25,38A results in rapid accumulation of cells in the G2 phase of the cell cycle. The block in G2 seems transient, since prolonged incubation was found to result in a large fraction of the transfected cells entering S phase in the absence of mitosis, i.e. endoreduplication. In addition, a fraction (30%) of the transfected cells was blocked in mitosis. Whereas the morphology of the G2 arrested cells appeared normal, expression of Op18-S25,38A caused a serious defect during mitotic chromosome segregation. Analyses of the mechanism behind the phenotype of Op18-S25,38A suggest an essential role for Op18 during cell division and that the mutant interferes with the function of the endogenous gene product.

Serine 16 of oncoprotein 18 is a major cytosolic target for the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase-Gr.

Oncoprotein 18 (Op18) is a cytosolic protein that was initially identified due to its up-regulated expression in acute leukemia and its complex pattern of phosphorylation in response to diverse extracellular signals. We have previously identified in vivo phosphorylation sites and some of the protein kinase systems involved. Two distinct proline-directed kinase families phosphorylate Ser25 and Ser38 of Op18 with overlapping but distinct site preference. These two kinase families, mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases and cyclin-dependent cdc2 kinases, are involved in receptor-regulated and cell-cycle-regulated phosphorylation events, respectively. During analysis of Op18 phosphorylation in the Jurkat T-cell line, we also found that Ser16 of Op18 is phosphorylated in response to a Ca2+ signal generated by T-cell receptor stimulation or the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin. As suggested by a previous study, T-cell-receptor-induced phosphorylation events may be mediated by the Ca2+/CaM-dependent protein kinase type Gr (CaM kinase-Gr). The present study shows that activation of this protein kinase correlates with phosphorylation of Ser16 of Op18, and in vitro experiments reveal efficient and selective phosphorylation of this residue. The CaM kinase-Gr is only expressed in certain lymphoid cell lines, and the present study shows that ionomycin-induced phosphorylation of Op18 Ser16 is restricted to cells expressing this protein kinase. Finally, CaM kinase-Gr-dependent in vitro phosphorylation of a crude cellular extract reveals a striking preference of this protein kinase for Op18 compared to other cellular substrates. In conclusion, the results suggest that Ser16 of Op18 is a major cytosolic target for activated CaM kinase-Gr.

Cell-cycle-regulated phosphorylation of oncoprotein 18 on Ser16, Ser25 and Ser38.

Oncoprotein 18 (Op18) has been independently identified due to its increased phosphorylation in response to external signals and its up-regulated expression in acute leukemia. We have identified two serine residues of Op18 that are phosphorylated after triggering by the T cell antigen receptor. One of these residues, Ser25, was shown to be a likely substrate for the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, while the other residue, Ser16, was shown to be phosphorylated in response to increased intracellular calcium. Our previous site-mapping studies of Op18 also revealed that basal phosphorylation of Op18 is mainly located on Ser38, which was found to be the primary in vitro phosphorylation site of p13suc1-precipitated cdc2 kinase activities. These findings raised the possibility that Op18 may be a substrate for both receptor-regulated calcium-induced protein kinases and the MAP kinase family, as well as being a substrate for the cell-cycle-regulated cdc2 kinase family. In the present report we have performed site-mapping studies of cell-cycle-regulated fluctuations of Op18 phosphorylation. The results reveal that S-phase progression of a synchronised leukemic T cell line is associated with increased phosphorylation of both the Ser25 and Ser38 residues. Moreover, during mitosis, a burst of phosphorylation was observed and at this stage of the cell cycle a major fraction of Op18 was phosphorylated at multiple sites. Phosphorylation of Op18 during mitosis was located primarily on Ser38 and to lesser extent on Ser25, Ser16 and at an unidentified C-terminal residue. In vitro phosphorylation experiments, employing two distinct members of the cdc2 kinase family, were consistent with involvement of both p34-cdc2 and p33-cdk2 in cell-cycle-regulated phosphorylation of Ser25 and Ser38 of Op18. Most importantly, the ratio of Ser25/Ser38 phosphorylation observed in vitro, using either p34-cdc2 or p33-cdk2, was found to be the same as the ratio observed in intact cells during all phases of the cell cycle. These findings suggest that Op18 may be a physiological substrate for several members of the cdc2 kinase family during both the S-phase and the mitotic phase of the cell cycle.

Multiple signal transduction pathways induce phosphorylation of serines 16, 25, and 38 of oncoprotein 18 in T lymphocytes.

A multitude of external signals induce extensive phosphorylation of Oncoprotein 18 (Op18), which suggests a putative role for this protein in signal transduction. We have recently identified two distinct proline-directed kinase families that phosphorylates Op18 with overlapping but distinct site preference. These two kinase families, mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases and cyclin-dependent cdc2 kinases, are involved in receptor- and cell cycle-regulated phosphorylation events, respectively. In the present study, site-specific phosphorylation of Op18 in response to stimulation of the antigen receptor-associated CD3 complex was analyzed in the Jurkat T cell-line. The results show that CD3-induced phosphorylation of Ser-25 of Op18, which is the primary MAP kinase phosphorylation site, can be induced by an apparently protein kinase C (PKC)-independent signal transduction pathway. We also demonstrate that Ser-16 of Op18 is specifically phosphorylated in response to the Ca2+ signal generated by CD3 stimulation or by the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin. Ser-16 phosphorylation occurs independently of both PKC and MAP kinase activation. Using site-specific Op18 mutants and tryptic phosphopeptide mapping, we show that phosphorylation of Ser-16 of Op18 together with Ser-25, or Ser-25 and Ser-38, generates two Op18 phosphoisomers showing a dramatic electrophoretic retardation. In conclusion, site-mapping studies of Op18 reveal that CD3 stimulation results in an apparently PKC-independent activation of both the MAP kinase and a Ca(2+)-regulated kinase pathway, which results in phosphorylation of distinct sites of Op18. The data also pinpoints the specific phosphorylation events that result in electrophoretic retardation of Op18.

Expression of oncoprotein 18 in human leukemias and lymphomas.

Oncoprotein 18 (Op18) is an 18 kDa intracellular phosphoprotein that appears to be up-regulated in certain neoplastic cells. In the present report we have analysed the expression of Op18 in samples of human hematopoietic disorders, mainly leukemias and lymphomas. For this purpose we have developed reagents allowing quantitative Western-blot analysis, and quantification of Op18 on the single cell level by flow cytometric analysis. The data demonstrates that a significant fraction of all lymphoma and leukemia cases express Op18 at levels that are several-fold higher than the Op18 levels ever found in benign proliferating tissue, such as bone marrows in remission and reactive lymph nodes. Thus, the results establish on the single cell level that Op18 is frequently expressed at abnormal levels in lymphoid and myeloid malignancies. Flow cytometric analysis revealed a striking qualitative and quantitative heterogeneity in Op18 expression between patients with lymphoma or leukemia. Moreover, our analysis demonstrates that the abnormal cellular levels of Op18 expression frequently found in high grade lymphoma and acute leukemia samples do not correlate with an increased fraction of cells in S phase. Finally, we also present an example of dramatic changes in Op18 expression pattern in bone marrow cells during the progression of a chemo-resistant acute leukemia.

Serine 25 of oncoprotein 18 is a major cytosolic target for the mitogen-activated protein kinase.

Oncoprotein 18 (Op18) is an 18-19-kDa cytoplasmic phosphoprotein, of unknown function, that is frequently up-regulated in transformed cells. Stimulation of various cell-surface receptors results in extensive phosphorylation of Op18 and this protein has, therefore, previously been implicated in intracellular signaling. In the present study, by expression of specific Op18 cDNA mutant constructs and phosphopeptide mapping, we have identified in vivo phosphorylation sites. In conjunction with in vitro phosphorylation experiments, using purified wild-type and mutant Op18 proteins in combination with a series of kinases, these results have identified two distinct proline-directed kinase families that phosphorylate Op18 with overlapping but distinct site preference. These two kinase families, mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinases and cyclin dependent cdc2 kinases, are involved in receptor and cell cycle-regulated phosphorylation events, respectively. Therefore, Op18 may reside at a junction where receptor and cell cycle-regulated kinase families interact with the same substrate. The present study shows that the MAP kinase has a 20-fold preference for Ser25 as opposed to Ser38 of Op18, while cdc2 kinases have a 5-fold preference for the Ser38 residue. Only a minor fraction of the 4.5 x 10(6) Op18 molecules/cell in a leukemic T-cell line are normally in their Ser25 phosphorylated form. However, antigen receptor stimulation of this cell line is shown to result in a rapid conversion of 35-45% of all Op18 molecules to the Ser25 phosphorylated form. These results suggest that Ser25 of Op18 may be a major cytoplasmic target for the MAP kinase in cells with high expression of Op18.

Quantitative analysis of the expression and regulation of an activation-regulated phosphoprotein (oncoprotein 18) in normal and neoplastic cells.

Activation of protein kinase C results in phosphorylation of a 19-kDa protein termed 19K. Isolation and sequence analysis of a cDNA encoding the 19K protein revealed that this protein has been studied in other systems under different names. The name oncoprotein 18 (Op18) has been proposed on the basis of a postulated up-regulation in neoplastic cells. In the present report we adopt the designation Op18 for the 19K protein, and quantify this phosphoprotein in a series of leukemia/lymphoma cell lines, a panel of non-transformed cells and some terminally differentiated cell types. For this purpose we have developed reagents allowing quantitative Western-blot analysis, and quantification of Op18 on the single cell level by flow cytometric analysis. The data demonstrates a pronounced up-regulation of the Op18 protein in most leukemia/lymphoma cell lines. The HPB-ALL cell line provided the most extreme case and expressed 7 x 10(6) Op18 molecules/cell, which compares with 0.65 x 10(6) Op18 molecules/cell in non-transformed lymphoblastoid cells. The expression of Op18 appears to be restricted to cell types with proliferative potential, but it is clear from our results that up-regulation of Op18 is uncoupled from cellular proliferation. Moreover, by employing an Epstein-Barr virus based shuttle vector, we expressed Op18 cDNA in lymphoblastoid cells. This resulted in a three to fourfold up-regulation of Op18 that did not have any detectable consequences for cell-surface phenotype or cell size. However, increased expression of Op18 resulted in a partial inhibition of cell proliferation. Taken altogether, the results suggest that up-regulation Op18 levels in leukemia/lymphoma cells are strongly associated with, but not a direct cause of tumour progression.

Nucleotide sequence and functional analysis of the complete phenol/3,4-dimethylphenol catabolic pathway of Pseudomonas sp. strain CF600.

The meta-cleavage pathway for catechol is one of the major routes for the microbial degradation of aromatic compounds. Pseudomonas sp. strain CF600 grows efficiently on phenol, cresols, and 3,4-dimethylphenol via a plasmid-encoded multicomponent phenol hydroxylase and a subsequent meta-cleavage pathway. The genes for the entire pathway were previously found to be clustered, and the nucleotide sequences of dmpKLMNOPBC and D, which encode the first four biochemical steps of the pathway, were determined. By using a combination of deletion mapping, nucleotide sequence determinations, and polypeptide analysis, we identified the remaining six genes of the pathway. The fifteen genes, encoded in the order dmpKLMNOPQBCDEFGHI, lie in a single operon structure with intergenic spacing that varies between 0 to 70 nucleotides. Homologies found between the newly determined gene sequences and known genes are reported. Enzyme activity assays of deletion derivatives of the operon expressed in Escherichia coli were used to correlate dmpE, G, H, and I with known meta-cleavage enzymes. Although the function of the dmpQ gene product remains unknown, dmpF was found to encode acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (acylating) activity (acetaldehyde:NAD+ oxidoreductase [coenzyme A acylating]; E.C.1.2.1.10). The role of this previously unknown meta-cleavage pathway enzyme is discussed.

[Self-reported health status among students in Scandinavia]. / Selvrapporteret helbred blandt skoleelever i Norden.

The article reports data from the WHO cross-national study on health behaviour in schoolchildren. A sample of 11,774 children aged 11, 13 and 15 years in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden answered a questionnaire on social situation, health, health behaviour and lifestyle. Self assessed health is reported excellent among approximately two thirds of the Swedish children, half the Danish children, one third of the Finnish children and one fifth of the Norwegian children. In Denmark, Norway and Sweden self-assessed health is better among boys than girls. The most frequent symptom reported by the children is feeling low. Approximately half the children have experienced this condition at least once during the last week. Difficulties in getting to sleep, head ache, and feeling nervous are symptoms experienced by approximately one third of the children at least once a week. Smaller proportions of the children have experienced stomach-ache, back pain, bad temper and feeling dizzy. There are minor variations between countries and between age groups, but in almost all age groups in all countries more girls than boys report these symptoms. Approximately every fourth pupil have used medication against headache, stomach-ache and coughs during the last month. More girls than boys have used these medications, less pupils in Denmark than in the other countries. Very small proportions have used medication against nervousness and difficulties to getting to sleep.