Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B deficiency or inhibition delays ErbB2-induced mammary tumorigenesis and protects from lung metastasis.

We investigated the role of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) in mammary tumorigenesis using both genetic and pharmacological approaches. It has been previously shown that transgenic mice with a deletion mutation in the region of Erbb2 encoding its extracellular domain (referred to as NDL2 mice, for 'Neu deletion in extracellular domain 2') develop mammary tumors that progress to lung metastasis. However, deletion of PTP1B activity in the NDL2 transgenic mice either by breeding with Ptpn1-deficient mice or by treatment with a specific PTP1B inhibitor results in significant mammary tumor latency and resistance to lung metastasis. In contrast, specific overexpression of PTP1B in the mammary gland leads to spontaneous breast cancer development. The regulation of ErbB2-induced mammary tumorigenesis by PTB1B occurs through the attenuation of both the MAP kinase (MAPK) and Akt pathways. This report provides a rationale for the development of PTP1B as a new therapeutic target in breast cancer.

Cytoplasmic protein tyrosine phosphatases, regulation and function: the roles of PTP1B and TC-PTP.

PTP1B and TC-PTP are closely related protein tyrosine phosphatases, sharing 74% homology in their catalytic domain. However, their cellular localization, function, and regulation are found to be different. Their substrate specificity has implicated these enzymes in various signaling pathways, regulating metabolism, proliferation and cytokine signaling. For instance, PTP1B has been shown to regulate the activation of cytokine receptors through the dephosphorylation of specific members of the JAK family, namely JAK2 and TYK2, whereas TC-PTP is involved in the modulation of cytokine signaling via JAK1 and JAK3 molecules. Gene-targeting approaches will help us to unravel the physiological functions of these enzymes.

Author Correction: Mapping the proximity interaction network of the Rho-family GTPases reveals signalling pathways and regulatory mechanisms.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Mapping the proximity interaction network of the Rho-family GTPases reveals signalling pathways and regulatory mechanisms.

Guanine nucleotide exchange factors (RhoGEFs) and GTPase-activating proteins (RhoGAPs) coordinate the activation state of the Rho family of GTPases for binding to effectors. Here, we exploited proximity-dependent biotinylation to systematically define the Rho family proximity interaction network from 28 baits to produce 9,939 high-confidence proximity interactions in two cell lines. Exploiting the nucleotide states of Rho GTPases, we revealed the landscape of interactions with RhoGEFs and RhoGAPs. We systematically defined effectors of Rho proteins to reveal candidates for classical and atypical Rho proteins. We used optogenetics to demonstrate that KIAA0355 (termed GARRE here) is a RAC1 interactor. A functional screen of RHOG candidate effectors identified PLEKHG3 as a promoter of Rac-mediated membrane ruffling downstream of RHOG. We identified that active RHOA binds the kinase SLK in Drosophila and mammalian cells to promote Ezrin-Radixin-Moesin phosphorylation. Our proximity interactions data pave the way for dissecting additional Rho signalling pathways, and the approaches described here are applicable to the Ras family.

Localization, function and regulation of the two intestinal fatty acid-binding protein types.

Although intestinal (I) and liver (L) fatty acid binding proteins (FABP) have been widely studied, the physiological significance of the presence of the two FABP forms (I- and L-FABP) in absorptive cells remains unknown as do the differences related to their distribution along the crypt-villus axis, regional expression, ontogeny and regulation in the human intestine. Our morphological experiments supported the expression of I- and L-FABP as early as 13 weeks of gestation. Whereas cytoplasmic immunofluorescence staining of L-FABP was barely detectable in the lower half of the villus and in the crypt epithelial cells, I-FABP was visualized in epithelial cells of the crypt-villus axis in all intestinal segments until the adult period in which the staining was maximized in the upper part of the villus. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed more intense labeling of L-FABP compared with I-FABP, accompanied with a heterogeneous distribution in the cytoplasm, microvilli and basolateral membranes. By western blot analysis, I- and L-FABP at 15 weeks of gestation appeared predominant in jejunum compared with duodenum, ileum, proximal and distal colon. Exploration of the maturation aspect documented a rise in L-FABP in adult tissues. Permanent transfections of Caco-2 cells with I-FABP cDNA resulted in decreased lipid export, apolipoprotein (apo) biogenesis and chylomicron secretion. Additionally, supplementation of Caco-2 with insulin, hydrocortisone and epidermal growth factor differentially modulated the expression of I- and L-FABP, apo B-48 and microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP), emphasizing that these key proteins do not exhibit a parallel modulation. Overall, our findings indicate that the two FABPs display differences in localization, regulation and developmental pattern.

The RapGEF PDZ-GEF2 is required for maturation of cell-cell junctions.

The small G-protein Rap1 is a critical regulator of cell-cell contacts and is activated by the remodeling of adherens junctions. Here we identify the Rap1 guanine nucleotide exchange factor PDZ-GEF2 as an upstream activator of Rap1 required for the maturation of adherens junctions in the lung carcinoma cells A549. Knockdown of PDZ-GEF2 results in the persistence of adhesion zippers at cell-cell contacts. Activation of Rap1A rescues junction maturation in absence of PDZ-GEF2, demonstrating that Rap1A is downstream of PDZ-GEF2 in this process. Moreover, depletion of Rap1A, but not Rap1B, impairs adherens junction maturation. siRNA for PDZ-GEF2 also lowers the levels of E-cadherin, an effect that can be mimicked by Rap1B, but not Rap1A siRNA. Since junctions in Rap1B depleted cells have a mature appearance, these data suggest that PDZ-GEF2 activates Rap1A and Rap1B to perform different functions. Our results present the first direct evidence that PDZ-GEF2 plays a critical role in the maturation of adherens junctions.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B attenuates growth hormone-mediated JAK2-STAT signaling.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase-1B (PTP-1B) attenuates insulin, PDGF, EGF, and IGF-I signaling by dephosphorylating tyrosine residues located in the tyrosine kinase domain of the corresponding receptors. More recently, PTP-1B was shown to modulate the action of cytokine signaling via the nonreceptor tyrosine kinase JAK2. Transmission of the growth hormone (GH) signal also depends on JAK2, raising the possibility that PTP-1B modulates GH action. Consistent with this hypothesis, GH increased the abundance of tyrosine-phosphorylated JAK2 associated with a catalytically inactive mutant of PTP-1B. GH-induced JAK2 phosphorylation was greater in knockout (KO) than in wild-type (WT) PTP-1B embryonic fibroblasts and resulted in increased tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT3 and STAT5, while overexpression of PTP-1B reduced the GH-mediated activation of the acid-labile subunit gene. To evaluate the in vivo relevance of these observations, mice were injected with GH under fed and fasted conditions. As expected, tyrosine phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT5 occurred readily in the livers of fed WT mice and was almost completely abolished during fasting. In contrast, resistance to the action of GH was severely impaired in the livers of fasted KO mice. These results indicate that PTP-1B regulates GH signaling by reducing the extent of JAK2 phosphorylation and suggest that PTP-1B is essential for limiting the action of GH during metabolic stress such as fasting.

Genetic ablation of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B accelerates lymphomagenesis of p53-null mice through the regulation of B-cell development.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is involved in multiple signaling pathways by down-regulating several tyrosine kinases. For example, gene-targeting studies in mice have established PTP1B as a critical physiologic regulator of metabolism by attenuating insulin signaling. PTP1B is an important target for the treatment of diabetes, because the PTP1B null mice are resistant to diet-induced diabetes and obesity. On the other hand, despite the potential for enhanced oncogenic signaling in the absence of PTP1B, PTP1B null mice do not develop spontaneous tumors. Because the majority of human cancers harbor mutations in p53, we generated p53/PTP1B double null mice to elucidate the role of PTP1B in tumorigenesis. We show that genetic ablation of PTP1B in p53 null mice decreases survival rate and increases susceptibility towards the development of B lymphomas. This suggested a role for PTP1B in lymphopoiesis, and we report that PTP1B null mice have an accumulation of B cells in bone marrow and lymph nodes, which contributed to the increased incidence of B lymphomas. The mean time of tumor development and tumor spectrum are unchanged in p53-/-PTP1B+/- mice. We conclude that PTP1B is an important determinant of the latency and type of tumors in a p53-deficient background through its role in the regulation of B-cell development.

Involvement of the small protein tyrosine phosphatases TC-PTP and PTP1B in signal transduction and diseases: from diabetes, obesity to cell cycle, and cancer.

As in other fields of biomedical research, the use of gene-targeted mice by homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells has provided important findings on the function of several members of the protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) family. For instance, the phenotypic characterization of knockout mice has been critical in understanding the sites of action of the related PTPs protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) and T-cell-PTP (TC-PTP). By their increased insulin sensitivity and insulin receptor hyperphosphorylation, PTP1B null mice demonstrated a clear function for this enzyme as a negative regulator of insulin signaling. As well, TC-PTP has also been recently involved in insulin signaling in vitro. Importantly, the high identity in their amino acid sequences suggests that they must be examined simultaneously as targets of drug development. Indeed, they possess different as well as overlapping substrates, which suggest complementary and overlapping roles of both TC-PTP and PTP1B. Here, we review the function of PTP1B and TC-PTP in diabetes, obesity, and processes related to cancer.

Hepatic PTP-1B expression regulates the assembly and secretion of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins: evidence from protein tyrosine phosphatase-1B overexpression, knockout, and RNAi studies.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase-1B (PTP-1B) plays an important role in regulation of insulin signal transduction, and modulation of PTP-1B expression seems to have a profound effect on insulin sensitivity and diet-induced weight gain. The molecular link between PTP-1B expression and metabolic dyslipidemia, a major complication of insulin resistance, was investigated in the present study using PTP-1B knockout mice as well as overexpression and suppression of PTP-1B. Chronic fructose feeding resulted in a significant increase in plasma VLDL in wild-type mice but not in PTP-1B knockout mice. Lipoprotein profile analysis of plasma from PTP-1B knockout mice revealed a significant reduction in apolipoprotein B (apoB100) lipoproteins, associated with reduced hepatic apoB100 secretion from isolated primary hepatocytes. In addition, treatment of cultured hepatoma cells with PTP-1B siRNA reduced PTP-1B mass by an average of 41% and was associated with a 53% decrease in secretion of metabolically labeled apoB100. Conversely, adenoviral-mediated overexpression of PTP-1B in HepG2 cells downregulated the phosphorylation of insulin receptor and insulin receptor substrate-1 and caused increases in cellular and secreted apoB100 as a result of increased intracellular apoB100 stability. Collectively, these findings suggest that PTP-1B expression level is a key determinant of hepatic lipoprotein secretion, and its overexpression in the liver can be sufficient to induce VLDL overproduction and the transition to a metabolic dyslipidemic state.

Beyond the metabolic function of PTP1B.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) has been implicated as a negative regulator of multiple signaling pathways downstream of receptor tyrosine kinases. Gene-targeting studies in mice have established PTP1B as a major target in diabetes and obesity. Initially, inhibition of this enzyme was thought to potentially lead to increased oncogenic signaling, but mice lacking PTP1B do not develop tumors. Our recent results show that loss of PTP1B can lead to decreased Ras signaling, despite enhanced signaling of other pathways. Here, we discuss how these findings implicate PTP1B as a positive and negative regulator of oncogenesis.

Quantitative analysis of cytoskeletal reorganization during epithelial tissue sealing by large-volume electron tomography.

The closure of epidermal openings is an essential biological process that causes major developmental problems such as spina bifida in humans if it goes awry. At present, the mechanism of closure remains elusive. Therefore, we reconstructed a model closure event, dorsal closure in fly embryos, by large-volume correlative electron tomography. We present a comprehensive, quantitative analysis of the cytoskeletal reorganization, enabling separated epidermal cells to seal the epithelium. After establishing contact through actin-driven exploratory filopodia, cells use a single lamella to generate 'roof tile'-like overlaps. These shorten to produce the force, 'zipping' the tissue closed. The shortening overlaps lack detectable actin filament ensembles but are crowded with microtubules. Cortical accumulation of shrinking microtubule ends suggests a force generation mechanism in which cortical motors pull on microtubule ends as for mitotic spindle positioning. In addition, microtubules orient filopodia and lamellae before zipping. Our 4D electron microscopy picture describes an entire developmental process and provides fundamental insight into epidermal closure.

Inside the human cancer tyrosine phosphatome.

Members of the protein tyrosine phosphatase (Ptp) family dephosphorylate target proteins and counter the activities of protein tyrosine kinases that are involved in cellular phosphorylation and signalling. As such, certain PTPs might be tumour suppressors. Indeed, PTPs play an important part in the inhibition or control of growth, but accumulating evidence indicates that some PTPs may exert oncogenic functions. Recent large-scale genetic analyses of various human tumours have highlighted the relevance of PTPs either as putative tumour suppressors or as candidate oncoproteins. Progress in understanding the regulation and function of PTPs has provided insights into which PTPs might be potential therapeutic targets in human cancer.

PTP1B regulates cortactin tyrosine phosphorylation by targeting Tyr446.

The emergence of protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) as a potential drug target for treatment of diabetes, obesity, and cancer underlies the importance of understanding its full range of cellular functions. Here, we have identified cortactin, a central regulator of actin cytoskeletal dynamics, as a substrate of PTP1B. A trapping mutant of PTP1B binds cortactin at the phosphorylation site Tyr(446), the regulation and function of which have not previously been characterized. We show that phosphorylation of cortactin Tyr(446) is induced by hyperosmolarity and potentiates apoptotic signaling during prolonged hyperosmotic stress. This study advances the importance of Tyr(446) in the regulation of cortactin and provides a potential mechanism to explain the effects of PTP1B on processes including cell adhesion, migration, and tumorigenesis.

Regulation of the Met receptor-tyrosine kinase by the protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B and T-cell phosphatase.

The non-receptor protein-tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) 1B and T-cell phosphatase (TCPTP) have been implicated as negative regulators of multiple signaling pathways including receptor-tyrosine kinases. We have identified PTP1B and TCPTP as negative regulators of the hepatocyte growth factor receptor, the Met receptor-tyrosine kinase. In vivo, loss of PTP1B or TCPTP enhances hepatocyte growth factor-mediated phosphorylation of Met. Using substrate trapping mutants of PTP1B or TCPTP, we have demonstrated that both phosphatases interact with Met and that these interactions require phosphorylation of twin tyrosines (Tyr-1234/1235) in the activation loop of the Met kinase domain. Using confocal microscopy, we show that trapping mutants of both PTP1B and the endoplasmic reticulum-targeted TCPTP isoform, TC48, colocalize with Met and that activation of Met enables the nuclear-localized isoform of TCPTP, TC45, to exit the nucleus. Using small interfering RNA against PTP1B and TCPTP, we demonstrate that phosphorylation of Tyr-1234/1235 in the activation loop of the Met receptor is elevated in the absence of either PTP1B or TCPTP and further elevated upon loss of both phosphatases. This enhanced phosphorylation of Met corresponds to enhanced biological activity and cellular invasion. Our data demonstrate that PTP1B and TCPTP play distinct and non-redundant roles in the regulation of the Met receptor-tyrosine kinase.

Rap1: a key regulator in cell-cell junction formation.

Rap1 is a Ras-like small GTPase that is activated by many extracellular stimuli and strongly implicated in the control of integrin-mediated cell adhesion. Recent evidence indicates that Rap1 also plays a key role in formation of cadherin-based cell-cell junctions. Indeed, inhibition of Rap1 generates immature adherens junctions, whereas activation of Rap1 tightens cell-cell junctions. Interestingly, Rap1 guanine nucleotide exchange factors, such as C3G and PDZ-GEF, are directly linked to E-cadherin or to other junction proteins. Furthermore, several junction proteins, such as afadin/AF6 and proteins controlling the actin cytoskeleton, function as effectors of Rap1. These findings point to a role of Rap1 in spatial and temporal control of cell-cell junction formation.

TC-PTP-deficient bone marrow stromal cells fail to support normal B lymphopoiesis due to abnormal secretion of interferon-{gamma}.

The T-cell protein tyrosine phosphatase (TC-PTP) is a negative regulator of the Jak/Stat cytokine signaling pathway. Our study shows that the absence of TC-PTP leads to an early bone marrow B-cell deficiency characterized by hindered transition from the pre-B cell to immature B-cell stage. This phenotype is intrinsic to the B cells but most importantly due to bone marrow stroma abnormalities. We found that bone marrow stromal cells from TC-PTP(-/-) mice have the unique property of secreting 232-890 pg/mL IFN-gamma. These high levels of IFN-gamma result in 2-fold reduction in mitotic index on IL-7 stimulation of TC-PTP(-/-) pre-B cells and lower responsiveness of IL-7 receptor downstream Jak/Stat signaling molecules. Moreover, we noted constitutive phosphorylation of Stat1 in those pre-B cells and demonstrated that this was due to soluble IFN-gamma secreted by TC-PTP(-/-) bone marrow stromal cells. Interestingly, culturing murine early pre-B leukemic cells within a TC-PTP-deficient bone marrow stroma environment leads to a 40% increase in apoptosis in these malignant cells. Our results unraveled a new role for TC-PTP in normal B lymphopoiesis and suggest that modulation of bone marrow microenvironment is a potential therapeutic approach for selected B-cell leukemia.

Protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B deficiency protects against Fas-induced hepatic failure.

Genetic disruption of protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) in mice leads to increased insulin sensitivity and resistance to weight gain. Although PTP1B has been implicated as a regulator of multiple signals, its function in other physiological responses in vivo is poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that PTP1B-null mice are resistant to Fas-induced liver damage and lethality, as evident by reduced hepatic apoptosis in PTP1B-null versus wild type mice and reduced levels of circulating liver enzymes. Activation of pro-apoptotic caspases-8, -9, -3, and -6 was attenuated in livers from PTP1B-null mice following Fas receptor stimulation, although components of the death-inducing signaling complex were intact. Activation of anti-apoptotic regulators, such as the hepatocyte growth factor/Met receptor tyrosine kinase, as well as Raf, ERK1/2, FLIP(L), and the NF-kappaB pathway, was elevated in response to Fas activation in livers from PTP1B-null mice. Using PTP1B-deficient primary hepatocytes, we show that resistance to Fas-mediated apoptosis is cell autonomous and that signals involving the Met, ERK1/2, and NF-kappaB pathways are required for cytoprotection. This study identifies a previously unknown physiological role for PTP1B in Fas-mediated liver damage and points to PTP1B as a potential therapeutic target against hepatotoxic agents.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B negatively regulates macrophage development through CSF-1 signaling.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP-1B) is a ubiquitously expressed cytosolic phosphatase with the ability to dephosphorylate JAK2 and TYK2, and thereby down-regulate cytokine receptor signaling. Furthermore, PTP-1B levels are up-regulated in certain chronic myelogenous leukemia patients, which points to a potential role for PTP-1B in myeloid development. The results presented here show that the absence of PTP-1B affects murine myelopoiesis by modifying the ratio of monocytes to granulocytes in vivo. This bias toward monocytic development is at least in part due to a decreased threshold of response to CSF-1, because the PTP-1B -/- bone marrow presents no abnormalities at the granulocyte-monocyte progenitor level but produces significantly more monocytic colonies in the presence of CSF-1. This phenomenon is not due to an increase in receptor levels but rather to enhanced phosphorylation of the activation loop tyrosine. PTP-1B -/- cells display increased inflammatory activity in vitro and in vivo through the constitutive up-regulation of activation markers as well as increased sensitivity to endotoxin. Collectively, our data indicate that PTP-1B is an important modulator of myeloid differentiation and macrophage activation in vivo and provide a demonstration of a physiological role for PTP-1B in immune regulation.

The role of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B in Ras signaling.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) 1B has been implicated as a negative regulator of multiple signaling pathways downstream of receptor tyrosine kinases. Inhibition of this enzyme was initially thought to potentially lead to increased oncogenic signaling and tumorigenesis. Surprisingly, we show that platelet-derived growth factor-stimulated extracellular-regulated kinase signaling in PTP1B-deficient cells is not significantly hyperactivated. Moreover, these cells exhibit decreased Ras activity and reduced proliferation by way of previously uncharacterized pathways. On immortalization, PTP1B-deficient fibroblasts display increased expression of Ras GTPase-activating protein (p120RasGAP). Furthermore, we demonstrate that p62Dok (downstream of tyrosine kinase) is a putative substrate of PTP1B and that tyrosine phosphorylation of p62Dok is indeed increased in PTP1B-deficient cells. Consistent with the decreased Ras activity in cells lacking PTP1B, introduction of constitutively activated Ras restored extracellular-regulated kinase signaling and their proliferative potential to those of WT cells. These results indicate that loss of PTP1B can lead to decreased Ras signaling, despite enhanced signaling of other pathways. This finding may in part explain the absence of increased tumor incidence in PTP1B-deficient mice. Thus, PTP1B can positively regulate Ras activity by acting on pathways distal to those of receptor tyrosine kinases.