Identification of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase as a novel autophagy regulator by high content shRNA screening.

Deregulation of autophagy has been linked to multiple degenerative diseases and cancer, thus the identification of novel autophagy regulators for potential therapeutic intervention is important. To meet this need, we developed a high content image-based short hairpin RNA screen monitoring levels of the autophagy substrate p62/SQSTM1. We identified 186 genes whose loss caused p62 accumulation indicative of autophagy blockade, and 67 genes whose loss enhanced p62 elimination indicative of autophagy stimulation. One putative autophagy stimulator, 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase 4 (PFKFB4), drives flux through pentose phosphate pathway. Knockdown of PFKFB4 in prostate cancer cells increased p62 and reactive oxygen species (ROS), but surprisingly increased autophagic flux. Addition of the ROS scavenger N-acetyl cysteine prevented p62 accumulation in PFKFB4-depleted cells, suggesting that the upregulation of p62 and autophagy was a response to oxidative stress caused by PFKFB4 elimination. Thus, PFKFB4 suppresses oxidative stress and p62 accumulation, without which autophagy is stimulated likely as a ROS detoxification response.

The autophagy conundrum in cancer: influence of tumorigenic metabolic reprogramming.

Tumorigenesis is often accompanied by metabolic changes that favor rapid energy production and increased biosynthetic capabilities. These metabolic adaptations promote the survival and proliferation of tumor cells, and in conjunction with the hypoxic and metabolically challenged tumor microenvironment, influence autophagic activity. Autophagy is a catabolic process that allows cellular macromolecules to be broken down and re-utilized as metabolic precursors. Stimulation of autophagy promotes the survival of tumor cells under stressful metabolic and environmental conditions, and counters the potentially deleterious effects of mitochondrial dysfunction and the ROS that these organelles generate. However, inhibition of autophagy has also been reported to fuel tumorigenesis. In spite of the advances in our understanding of the relationship between autophagy and tumorigenesis, it remains unclear whether the therapeutic approaches targeting autophagy should aim to increase or decrease autophagic flux in tumor tissues in human patients. Here, we review how metabolic reprogramming influences autophagic activity in tumors, and discuss how inhibition of autophagy might be exploited to target tumor cells that show altered metabolism.

mTOR as a positive regulator of tumor cell responses to hypoxia.

Rapamycin is a clinically approved immunosuppressive agent that has recently shown promising antitumor activities in human patients. In contrast to many conventional chemotherapeutic agents, rapamycin displays a remarkably high level of selectivity for certain types of tumors. The pharmacological activities of rapamycin are attributable to the functional inhibition of a single target protein, termed the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Because mTOR is widely expressed in both normal and transformed cells, variations in mTOR expression levels are likely not a primary determinant of tumor sensitivity to rapamycin. However, recent studies highlighted an intriguing link between cancer cell sensitivity to rapamycin and deregulated signaling through the phosphoinositide (PI) 3-kinase pathway. These findings have prompted a search for cancer-related responses that are jointly regulated by the PI 3-kinase signaling cascade and mTOR. The oxygen-regulated transcription factor, hypoxia-induced factor (HIF)-1, has emerged as a candidate target for both of these two highly interactive signaling proteins. Here we review evidence that mTOR functions as a positive regulator of HIF-1-dependent responses to hypoxic stress in human cancer cells.

ATR/ATM-mediated phosphorylation of human Rad17 is required for genotoxic stress responses.

Genotoxic stress triggers the activation of checkpoints that delay cell-cycle progression to allow for DNA repair. Studies in fission yeast implicate members of the Rad family of checkpoint proteins, which includes Rad17, Rad1, Rad9 and Hus1, as key early-response elements during the activation of both the DNA damage and replication checkpoints. Here we demonstrate a direct regulatory linkage between the human Rad17 homologue (hRad17) and the checkpoint kinases, ATM and ATR. Treatment of human cells with genotoxic agents induced ATM/ATR-dependent phosphorylation of hRad17 at Ser 635 and Ser 645. Overexpression of a hRad17 mutant (hRad17AA) bearing Ala substitutions at both phosphorylation sites abrogated the DNA-damage-induced G2 checkpoint, and sensitized human fibroblasts to genotoxic stress. In contrast to wild-type hRad17, the hRad17AA mutant showed no ionizing-radiation-inducible association with hRad1, a component of the hRad1-hRad9-hHus1 checkpoint complex. These findings demonstrate that ATR/ATM-dependent phosphorylation of hRad17 is a critical early event during checkpoint signalling in DNA-damaged cells.

Tyrosine phosphorylation-dependent activation of NF-kappa B. Requirement for p56 LCK and ZAP-70 protein tyrosine kinases.

Phosphorylation of the N-terminal domain of I kappa B inhibitory subunits induces activation of the transcription factor NF-kappa B. Although serine phosphorylation has been shown to induce ubiquitination and subsequent proteasome-mediated degradation of I kappa B-alpha, little is known about the mechanisms that lead to release of active NF-kappa B in T cells as a consequence of tyrosine phosphorylation of I kappa B-alpha [Imbert, V., Rupec, R.A., Livolsi, A., Pahl, H.L., Traenckner, B.M., Mueller-Dieckmann, C., Farahifar, D., Rossi, B., Auberger, P., Baeuerle, P. & Peyron, J.F. (1996) Cell 86, 787--798]. The involvement of the tyrosine kinases p56(lck) and ZAP-70 in this reaction is demonstrated here using specific pharmacological inhibitors and Jurkat mutants unable to express these kinases. Although the inhibitors prevented both pervanadate-induced phosphorylation of I kappa B-alpha on Tyr42 and NF-kappa B activation, we observed that, in p56(lck)-deficient Jurkat mutants, NF-kappa B could still associate with I kappa B-alpha despite phosphorylation on Tyr42. Furthermore, the SH2 domain of p56(lck) appeared to be required for pervanadate-induced NF-kappa B activation but not for Tyr42 phosphorylation. These results show that p56(lck) and ZAP-70 are key components of the signaling pathway that leads to phosphotyrosine-dependent NF-kappa B activation in T cells and confirm that tyrosine kinases must control at least two different steps to induce activation of NF-kappa B. Finally, we show that H(2)O(2), which stimulates p56(lck) and ZAP-70 in T cells, is an activator of NF-kappa B through tyrosine phosphorylation of I kappa B-alpha.

Syntheses and biological activities of a novel group of steroidal derived inhibitors for human Cdc25A protein phosphatase.

Silica gel supported pyrolysis of an azido-homo-oxa steroid led to rearrangement, presumably by a mechanism similar to that of solution phase Schmidt fragmentation, to produce a group of novel inhibitors for the oncogenic cell cycle regulator Cdc25A phosphatase. Cyano-containing acid 17, one of the best inhibitors in this group, inhibited the activity of Cdc25A protein phosphatase reversibly and noncompetitively with an IC(50) value of 2.2 microM. Structure-activity relationships revealed that a phosphate surrogate such as a carboxyl or a xanthate group is required for inhibitory activity, and a hydrophobic alkyl chain, such as the cholesteryl side chain, contributes greatly to the potency. Without the cyano group, acid 26 and xanthate 27 were found to be more selective over Cdc25A (IC(50) = 5.1 microM and 1.1 microM, respectively) than toward CD45 (IC(50) > 100 microM, in each case), a receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase. Several of these inhibitors showed antiproliferative activities in the NCI 60-human tumor cell line screen. These steroidal derived Cdc25 inhibitors provide unique leads for the development of dual-specificity protein phosphatase inhibitors.

Functional interactions between BRCA1 and the checkpoint kinase ATR during genotoxic stress.

The BRCA1 gene encodes a tumor suppressor that is mutated in 50% of familial breast cancers. The BRCA1 protein has been implicated in the DNA damage response, as DNA damage induces the phosphorylation of BRCA1 and causes its recruitment into nuclear foci that contain DNA repair proteins. The ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) gene product controls overall BRCA1 phosphorylation in response to gamma-irradiation (IR). In this study, we show that BRCA1 phosphorylation is only partially ATM dependent in response to IR and ATM independent in response to treatment with UV light, or the DNA replication inhibitors hydroxyurea (HU) and aphidicolin (APH). We provide evidence that the kinase responsible for this phosphorylation is the ATM-related kinase, ATR. ATR phosphorylates BRCA1 on six Ser/Thr residues, including Ser 1423, in vitro. Increased expression of ATR enhanced the phosphorylation of BRCA1 on Ser 1423 following cellular exposure to HU or UV light, whereas doxycycline-induced expression of a kinase-inactive ATR mutant protein inhibited HU- or UV light-induced Ser 1423 phosphorylation in GM847 fibroblasts, and partially suppressed the phosphorylation of this site in response to IR. Thus, ATR, like ATM, controls BRCA1 phosphorylation in vivo. Although ATR isolated from DNA-damaged cells does not show enhanced kinase activity in vitro, we found that ATR responds to DNA damage and replication blocks by forming distinct nuclear foci at the sites of stalled replication forks. Furthermore, ATR nuclear foci overlap with the nuclear foci formed by BRCA1. The dramatic relocalization of ATR in response to DNA damage points to a possible mechanism for its ability to enhance the phosphorylation of substrates in response to DNA damage. Together, these results demonstrate that ATR and BRCA1 are components of the same genotoxic stress-responsive pathway, and that ATR directly phosphorylates BRCA1 in response to damaged DNA or stalled DNA replication.

Pleiotropic contributions of phospholipase C-gamma1 (PLC-gamma1) to T-cell antigen receptor-mediated signaling: reconstitution studies of a PLC-gamma1-deficient Jurkat T-cell line.

Phospholipase C-gamma1 (PLC-gamma1) plays a crucial role in the coupling of T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) ligation to interleukin-2 (IL-2) gene expression in activated T lymphocytes. In this study, we have isolated and characterized two novel, PLC-gamma1-deficient sublines derived from the Jurkat T-leukemic cell line. The P98 subline displays a >90% reduction in PLC-gamma1 expression, while the J.gamma1 subline contains no detectable PLC-gamma1 protein. The lack of PLC-gamma1 expression in J.gamma1 cells caused profound defects in TCR-dependent Ca(2+) mobilization and NFAT activation. In contrast, both of these responses occurred at normal levels in PLC-gamma1-deficient P98 cells. Unexpectedly, the P98 cells displayed significant and selective defects in the activation of both the composite CD28 response element (RE/AP) and the full-length IL-2 promoter following costimulation with anti-TCR antibodies and phorbol ester. These transcriptional defects were reversed by transfection of P98 cells with a wild-type PLC-gamma1 expression vector but not by expression of mutated PLC-gamma1 constructs that lacked a functional, carboxyl-terminal SH2 [SH2(C)] domain or the major Tyr(783) phosphorylation site. On the other hand, the amino-terminal SH2 [SH2(N)] domain was not essential for reconstitution of RE/AP- or IL-2 promoter-dependent transcription but was required for the association of PLC-gamma1 with LAT, as well as the tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC-gamma1 itself, in activated P98 cells. These studies demonstrate that the PLC-gamma1 SH2(N) and SH2(C) domains play functionally distinct roles during TCR-mediated signaling and identify a non-Ca(2+)-related signaling function linked to the SH2(C) domain, which couples TCR plus phorbol ester-CD28 costimulation to the activation of the IL-2 promoter in T lymphocytes.

Mammalian target of rapamycin-dependent phosphorylation of PHAS-I in four (S/T)P sites detected by phospho-specific antibodies.

The role and control of the four rapamycin-sensitive phosphorylation sites that govern the association of PHAS-I with the mRNA cap-binding protein, eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E), were investigated by using newly developed phospho-specific antibodies. Thr(P)-36/45 antibodies reacted with all three forms of PHAS-I that were resolved when cell extracts were subjected to SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Thr(P)-69 antibodies bound the forms of intermediate and lowest mobility, and Ser(P)-64 antibodies reacted only with the lowest mobility form. A portion of PHAS-I that copurified with eIF4E reacted with Thr(P)-36/45 and Thr(P)-69 antibodies but not with Ser(P)-64 antibodies. Insulin and/or amino acids increased, and rapamycin decreased, the reactivity of all three antibodies with PHAS-I in both HEK293 cells and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Immunoprecipitated epitope-tagged mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) phosphorylated Thr-36/45. mTOR also phosphorylated Thr-69 and Ser-64 but only when purified immune complexes were incubated with the activating antibody, mTAb1. Interestingly, the phosphorylation of Thr-69 and Ser-64 was much more sensitive to inhibition by rapamycin-FKBP12 than the phosphorylation of Thr-36/45, and the phosphorylation of Ser-64 by mTOR was facilitated by phosphorylation of Thr-36, Thr-45, and Thr-69. In these respects the phosphorylation of PHAS-I by mTOR in vitro resembles the ordered phosphorylation of PHAS-I in cells.

A direct linkage between the phosphoinositide 3-kinase-AKT signaling pathway and the mammalian target of rapamycin in mitogen-stimulated and transformed cells.

The microbially derived antiproliferative agent rapamycin inhibits cell growth by interfering with the signaling functions of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). In this study, we demonstrate that interleukin-3 stimulation induces a wortmannin-sensitive increase in mTOR kinase activity in a myeloid progenitor cell line. The involvement of phosphoinositide 3'-kinase (PI3K) in the regulation of mTOR activity was further suggested by findings that mTOR was phosphorylated in vitro and in vivo by the PI3K-regulated protein kinase, AKT/PKB. Although AKT phosphorylated mTOR at two COOH-terminal sites (Thr2446 and Ser2448) in vitro, Ser2448 was the major phosphorylation site in insulin-stimulated or -activated AKT-expressing human embryonic kidney cells. Transient transfection assays with mTOR mutants bearing Ala substitutions at Ser2448 and/or Thr2446 indicated that AKT-dependent mTOR phosphorylation was not essential for either PHAS-I phosphorylation or p70S6K activation in HEK cells. However, a deletion of amino acids 2430-2450 in mTOR, which includes the potential AKT phosphorylation sites, significantly increased both the basal protein kinase activity and in vivo signaling functions of mTOR. These results demonstrate that mTOR is a direct target of the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway in mitogen-stimulated cells, and that the identified AKT phosphorylation sites are nested within a "repressor domain" that negatively regulates the catalytic activity of mTOR. Furthermore, the activation status of the PI3K-AKT pathway in cancer cells may be an important determinant of cellular sensitivity to the cytostatic effect of rapamycin.

The radiosensitizing agent 7-hydroxystaurosporine (UCN-01) inhibits the DNA damage checkpoint kinase hChk1.

The investigational anticancer agent 7-hydroxystaurosporine (UCN-01) abrogates the G2 checkpoint in tumor cells and sensitizes them to the lethal effects of genotoxic anticancer agents. On the basis of the role of the Cdc25C phosphatase in maintenance of this damage-inducible checkpoint, we hypothesized that UCN-01 inhibits a component of the signal transduction pathway that modulates Cdc25C phosphorylation. Of the three kinases known to phosphorylate Cdc25C on Ser216, both checkpoint kinase 1 (hChk1) and Cdc25C-associated protein kinase 1 (cTAK1) were potently inhibited by UCN-01 with IC50s of 11 and 27 nM, respectively. Treatment of K562 erythroblastoid leukemia cells with similar drug concentrations resulted in decreased levels of Ser216 phosphorylation of Cdc25C and complete disruption of the y-radiation-induced G2 checkpoint. In contrast to hChk1, the hChk2 kinase was 100-fold more resistant to inhibition by UCN-01 (IC50, 1040 nM). These results suggest that disruption of the DNA damage-induced G2 checkpoint by UCN-01 is mediated through the inhibition of the Cdc25C kinases, hChk1 and cTAK1, and that hChk2 activity is not sufficient to enforce the G2 checkpoint in cells treated with a pharmacological inhibitor of hChk1.

Steroidal derived acids as inhibitors of human Cdc25A protein phosphatase.

A group of steroidal derived acids were synthesized and found to be human Cdc25A inhibitors. Their potency ranged from 1.1 to > 100 microM; the best ones compare very favorably with that of the novel cyano-containing 5,6-seco-cholesteryl acid 1 (IC50=2.2microM) reported by us recently (Peng, H.; Zalkow, L. H.; Abraham, R. T.; Powis, G. J. Med. Chem. 1998, 41, 4677). Structure-activity relationships of these compounds revealed that a hydrophobic cholesteryl side chain and a free carboxyl group are crucial for activity. The distance between these two pharmacophores is also important for the potency of these compounds. Several of the compounds showed selective growth inhibition effects in the NCI in vitro cancer cell line panel.

Mutant T cell lines as model systems for the dissection of T cell antigen receptor signaling pathways.

T cell antigen receptor (TCR) ligation triggers a cascade of intracellular signaling events that culminate in T cell activation, cytokine gene expression, differentiation, or apoptosis. Many of the enzymes and adapter proteins responsible for signal propagation from the cell surface TCR to the cytoplasm and nucleus have now been identified and molecularly cloned. However, a comprehensive understanding of the regulation and functions of these signaling proteins in T cells remains a major challenge. Our laboratory has approached this problem through the generation of a panel of Jurkat T cell-derived somatic mutants that fail to express several critical elements in the TCR-linked signaling cascade. This review highlights the use of mutant T cell lines for functional characterizations of two of these signaling proteins--the ZAP-70 tyrosine kinase and phospholipase C-gamma1.

Correlates of youth smokeless tobacco use.

The objectives of this study are to identify knowledge and attitude variables that correlate with smokeless tobacco use and how youth users and non-users differ in their attitudes and knowledge about smokeless tobacco. A randomized cluster sample of 1834 total fifth, eighth, and 11th grade students in West Virginia public schools during the 1996-1997 school year were surveyed on smokeless tobacco knowledge, attitudes and practices. Data from 648 male non-users and 160 male monthly and daily users of smokeless tobacco were compared using chi 2 and two-tailed t-tests. Logistic regression analysis of survey variables revealed the following correlates of smokeless tobacco use: having a family member not living in the home who uses, having a friend who uses, playing football, having tried cigarettes, and having parents who would permit use at home. Important differences exist in knowledge and attitudes regarding smokeless tobacco between users and non-users in fifth, eighth, and 11th grade West Virginia public schools. Correlates of smokeless tobacco use are identified which can be used to target prevention programs.

Redox regulation of calcineurin in T-lymphocytes.

To explore whether the Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase calcineurin is subject to redox regulation in vivo, we used a luciferase reporter gene construct whose expression was controlled by the transcription factor NF-AT (the nuclear factor of activated T-cells) to monitor intracellular calcineurin activity following redox state perturbations. The NF-AT reporter construct was transfected into Jurkat cells, and luciferase activity was assessed following treatment with phorbol ester and ionomycin in the presence of either hydrogen peroxide or dithiothreitol (DTT). While DTT had no effect, H(2)O(2) completely abrogated NF-AT transactivation in response to stimulation. The inhibitory effect was specific for NF-AT as comparable levels of H(2)O(2) had only minor effects on constitutive transcription factors while an analogous construct under AP-1 control showed a 5-fold stimulation in transactivation in the presence of H(2)O(2). The inhibitory effect of H(2)O(2) was observed up to approximately 3 h following mitogen stimulation, a time point where NF-AT activity begins to increase under normal conditions. Protein serine/threonine phosphatase activities from Jurkat lysate indicated that calcineurin activity was inhibited not only by H(2)O(2) but also by high concentrations of DTT. These results indicate that calcineurin activity is subject to redox regulation in vivo and are discussed in the context of redox reactions involving active site metal ions.

Inhibition of ATM and ATR kinase activities by the radiosensitizing agent, caffeine.

Caffeine exposure sensitizes tumor cells to ionizing radiation and other genotoxic agents. The radiosensitizing effects of caffeine are associated with the disruption of multiple DNA damage-responsive cell cycle checkpoints. The similarity of these checkpoint defects to those seen in ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) suggested that caffeine might inhibit one or more components in an A-T mutated (ATM)-dependent checkpoint pathway in DNA-damaged cells. We now show that caffeine inhibits the catalytic activity of both ATM and the related kinase, ATM and Rad3-related (ATR), at drug concentrations similar to those that induce radiosensitization. Moreover, like ATM-deficient cells, caffeine-treated A549 lung carcinoma cells irradiated in G2 fail to arrest progression into mitosis, and S-phase-irradiated cells exhibit radioresistant DNA synthesis. Similar concentrations of caffeine also inhibit gamma- and UV radiation-induced phosphorylation of p53 on Ser15, a modification that may be directly mediated by the ATM and ATR kinases. DNA-dependent protein kinase, another ATM-related protein involved in DNA damage repair, was resistant to the inhibitory effects of caffeine. Likewise, the catalytic activity of the G2 checkpoint kinase, hChk1, was only marginally suppressed by caffeine but was inhibited potently by the structurally distinct radiosensitizer, UCN-01. These data suggest that the radiosensitizing effects of caffeine are related to inhibition of the protein kinase activities of ATM and ATR and that both proteins are relevant targets for the development of novel anticancer agents.

Functional analysis of LAT in TCR-mediated signaling pathways using a LAT-deficient Jurkat cell line.

The adaptor molecule LAT (linker for activation of T cells) is a palmitoylated integral membrane protein that localizes to the glycolipid-enriched microdomains in the plasma membrane. Upon TCR engagement, LAT becomes phosphorylated on multiple tyrosine residues and then binds several critical signaling molecules. Here, we describe the generation and characterization of a LAT-deficient cell line. Using this cell line, we demonstrate that LAT is required for TCR-mediated Ca2+ mobilization and optimal tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase C-gamma1, Vav and SLP-76. LAT is also required for Erk activation, CD69 up-regulation, and AP- and NFAT-mediated gene transcription. We also demonstrate, by reconstituting this cell line with LAT mutants, that the LAT transmembrane domain and palmitoylation at Cys26, but not Cys29, are required for LAT function and TCR signaling. These studies provide further evidence for the crucial role of the LAT molecule, and demonstrate the use of a LAT-deficient cell line for the analysis of LAT structure and function.

Regulation of 4E-BP1 phosphorylation: a novel two-step mechanism.

The multisubunit eukaryotic translation initiation factor (eIF) 4F recruits 40S ribosomal subunits to the 5' end of mRNA. The eIF4F subunit eIF4E interacts directly with the mRNA 5' cap structure. Assembly of the eIF4F complex is inhibited by a family of repressor polypeptides, the eIF4E-binding proteins (4E-BPs). Binding of the 4E-BPs to eIF4E is regulated by phosphorylation: Hypophosphorylated 4E-BP isoforms interact strongly with eIF4E, whereas hyperphosphorylated isoforms do not. 4E-BP1 is hypophosphorylated in quiescent cells, but is hyperphosphorylated on multiple sites following exposure to a variety of extracellular stimuli. The PI3-kinase/Akt pathway and the kinase FRAP/mTOR signal to 4E-BP1. FRAP/mTOR has been reported to phosphorylate 4E-BP1 directly in vitro. However, it is not known if FRAP/mTOR is responsible for the phosphorylation of all 4E-BP1 sites, nor which sites must be phosphorylated to release 4E-BP1 from eIF4E. To address these questions, a recombinant FRAP/mTOR protein and a FRAP/mTOR immunoprecipitate were utilized in in vitro kinase assays to phosphorylate 4E-BP1. Phosphopeptide mapping of the in vitro-labeled protein yielded two 4E-BP1 phosphopeptides that comigrated with phosphopeptides produced in vivo. Mass spectrometry analysis indicated that these peptides contain phosphorylated Thr-37 and Thr-46. Thr-37 and Thr-46 are efficiently phosphorylated in vitro by FRAP/mTOR when 4E-BP1 is bound to eIF4E. However, phosphorylation at these sites was not associated with a loss of eIF4E binding. Phosphorylated Thr-37 and Thr-46 are detected in all phosphorylated in vivo 4E-BP1 isoforms, including those that interact with eIF4E. Finally, mutational analysis demonstrated that phosphorylation of Thr-37/Thr-46 is required for subsequent phosphorylation of several carboxy-terminal serum-sensitive sites. Taken together, our results suggest that 4E-BP1 phosphorylation by FRAP/mTOR on Thr-37 and Thr-46 is a priming event for subsequent phosphorylation of the carboxy-terminal serum-sensitive sites.