Protein kinase A-alpha directly phosphorylates FoxO1 in vascular endothelial cells to regulate expression of vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 mRNA.

FoxO1, a forkhead box O class transcription factor, is abundant in insulin-responsive tissues. Akt, downstream from phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in insulin signaling, phosphorylates FoxO1 at Thr(24), Ser(256), and Ser(319), negatively regulating its function. We previously reported that dehydroepiandrosterone-stimulated phosphorylation of FoxO1 in endothelial cells requires cAMP-dependent protein kinase α (PKA-α). Therefore, we hypothesized that FoxO1 is a novel direct substrate for PKA-α. Using an immune complex kinase assay with [γ-(32)P]ATP, purified PKA-α directly phosphorylated wild-type FoxO1 but not FoxO1-AAA (mutant with alanine substitutions at known Akt phosphorylation sites). Phosphorylation of wild-type FoxO1 (but not FoxO1-AAA) was detectable using phospho-specific antibodies. Similar results were obtained using purified GST-FoxO1 protein as the substrate. Thus, FoxO1 is a direct substrate for PKA-α in vitro. In bovine aortic endothelial cells, interaction between endogenous PKA-α and endogenous FoxO1 was detected by co-immunoprecipitation. In human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC), pretreatment with H89 (PKA inhibitor) or siRNA knockdown of PKA-α decreased forskolin- or prostaglandin E(2)-stimulated phosphorylation of FoxO1. In HAEC transfected with a FoxO-promoter luciferase reporter, co-expression of the catalytic domain of PKA-α, catalytically inactive mutant PKA-α, or siRNA against PKA-α caused corresponding increases or decreases in transactivation of the FoxO promoter. Expression of vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 mRNA, up-regulated by FoxO1 in endothelial cells, was enhanced by siRNA knockdown of PKA-α or treatment of HAEC with the PKA inhibitor H89. Adhesion of monocytes to endothelial cells was enhanced by H89 treatment or overexpression of FoxO1-AAA, similar to effects of TNF-α treatment. We conclude that FoxO1 is a novel physiological substrate for PKA-α in vascular endothelial cells.

Epigallocatechin gallate induces expression of heme oxygenase-1 in endothelial cells via p38 MAPK and Nrf-2 that suppresses proinflammatory actions of TNF-α.

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the major polyphenol in green tea, acutely stimulates production of nitric oxide (NO) from vascular endothelium to reduce hypertension and improve endothelial dysfunction in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Herein, we explored additional mechanisms whereby EGCG may mediate beneficial cardiovascular actions. When compared with vehicle-treated controls, EGCG treatment (2.5 µM, 8 h) of human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) caused a ~three-fold increase in heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) mRNA and protein with comparable increases in HO-1 activity. This was unaffected by pretreatment of cells with wortmannin, LY294002, PD98059 or L-NAME (PI 3-kinase, MEK and NO synthase inhibitors, respectively). Pretreatment of HAEC with SB203580 (p38 MAPK inhibitor) or siRNA knockdown of p38 MAPK completely blocked EGCG-stimulated induction of HO-1. EGCG treatment also inhibited tumor-necrosis-factor-α-stimulated expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 and decreased adhesion of monocytes to HAEC. siRNA knockdown of HO-1, p38 MAPK or Nrf-2 blocked these inhibitory actions of EGCG. In HAEC transiently transfected with a human HO-1 promoter luciferase reporter (or an isolated Nrf-2 responsive region), luciferase activity increased in response to EGCG. This was inhibitable by SB203580 pretreatment. EGCG-stimulated expression of HO-1 and Nrf-2 was blocked by siRNA knockdown of Nrf-2 or p38 MAPK. Finally, liver from mice chronically treated with EGCG had increased HO-1 and decreased VCAM-1 expression. Thus, in vascular endothelium, EGCG requires p38 MAPK to increase expression of Nrf-2 that drives expression of HO-1, resulting in increased HO-1 activity. Increased HO-1 expression may underlie anti-inflammatory actions of EGCG in vascular endothelium that may help mediate beneficial cardiovascular actions of green tea.

Citrus polyphenol hesperidin stimulates production of nitric oxide in endothelial cells while improving endothelial function and reducing inflammatory markers in patients with metabolic syndrome.

CONTEXT: Hesperidin, a citrus flavonoid, and its metabolite hesperetin may have vascular actions relevant to their health benefits. Molecular and physiological mechanisms of hesperetin actions are unknown. OBJECTIVE: We tested whether hesperetin stimulates production of nitric oxide (NO) from vascular endothelium and evaluated endothelial function in subjects with metabolic syndrome on oral hesperidin therapy. DESIGN, SETTING, AND INTERVENTIONS: Cellular mechanisms of action of hesperetin were evaluated in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) in primary culture. A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover trial examined whether oral hesperidin administration (500 mg once daily for 3 wk) improves endothelial function in individuals with metabolic syndrome (n = 24). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: We measured the difference in brachial artery flow-mediated dilation between placebo and hesperidin treatment periods. RESULTS: Treatment of BAEC with hesperetin acutely stimulated phosphorylation of Src, Akt, AMP kinase, and endothelial NO synthase to produce NO; this required generation of H(2)O(2). Increased adhesion of monocytes to BAEC and expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in response to TNF-α treatment was reduced by pretreatment with hesperetin. In the clinical study, when compared with placebo, hesperidin treatment increased flow-mediated dilation (10.26 ± 1.19 vs. 7.78 ± 0.76%; P = 0.02) and reduced concentrations of circulating inflammatory biomarkers (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A protein, soluble E-selectin). CONCLUSIONS: Novel mechanisms for hesperetin action in endothelial cells inform effects of oral hesperidin treatment to improve endothelial dysfunction and reduce circulating markers of inflammation in our exploratory clinical trial. Hesperetin has vasculoprotective actions that may explain beneficial cardiovascular effects of citrus consumption.

The proprotein convertase SKI-1/S1P: alternate translation and subcellular localization.

Subtilisin kexin isozyme-1 (SKI-1) represents the first mammalian member of secretory subtilisin-like processing enzymes that cleaves after nonbasic residues. It is synthesized as an inactive precursor that undergoes three sequential autocatalytic processing steps of its N-terminal prosegment and an ectodomain shedding at a site near the transmembrane domain. The various cellular functions of SKI-1 emphasize the need to understand the sites of its activation and shedding. We have previously shown that SKI-1 undergoes autocatalytic shedding at the sequence KHQKLL(953) downward arrow, resulting in a membrane-bound stump called St-1 (amino acids 954-1052). However, little is known about the cellular localization of SKI-1 or its shed forms. In the present study, we have further identified a smaller C-terminal fragment St-2 generated closer to the transmembrane domain. By sequencing and mass spectrometric analysis, the start site and the molecular mass of St-2 were determined. Site-directed mutagenesis revealed the critical amino acid involved in this novel process. Mutation of Met(990) to M990A, M990I, and M990L failed to generate St-2, suggesting an internal alternate translation event at Met(990), as confirmed by an in vitro transcription/translation assay. Confocal microscopy defined the subcellular localization of SKI-1 and its fragments. The data show that most of membrane-bound SKI-1 and its stumps St-1 and St-2 localize to the Golgi and can enter the endosomal/lysosomal compartments but do not sort to the cell surface. Deletion studies showed that the transmembrane domain of SKI-1 determines its trafficking. Finally, rSt-1 and rSt-2 seem to affect the processing of ATF6 by SKI-1, but cellular stress does not regulate the production of St-2.

Three common alleles of KIR2DL4 (CD158d) encode constitutively expressed, inducible and secreted receptors in NK cells.

Genetic polymorphism of KIR2DL4 results in alleles with either 9 or 10 consecutive adenines in exon 6, which encodes the transmembrane domain. "10A" alleles encode a membrane-expressed receptor that is constitutively expressed on resting CD56bright NK cells and on CD56dim cells after culture. However, in some individuals with the 10A allele, KIR2DL4 cannot be detected on their resting CD56bright NK cells. "9A" alleles have been predicted to encode a secreted receptor due to the splicing out of the transmembrane region. In this publication, we show that those individuals with a 10A allele who lack detectable KIR2DL4 on CD56bright NK cells express a KIR2DL4 receptor in which the D0-domain is excised. This Delta-D0 receptor cannot be detected by the available anti-KIR2DL4 monoclonal antibodies. In such individuals, KIR2DL4 becomes detectable on cultured NK cells due to up-regulation of the full-length KIR2DL4 transcript. In all individuals with 10A alleles, KIR2DL4 ceases to be expressed at the cell surface 16 days after activation, despite the maintenance of maximal levels of KIR2DL4 mRNA transcription, suggesting the existence of a negative regulator of cell surface expression. Finally, we show that the 9A allele can produce a secreted KIR2DL4 receptor.

The proprotein convertase SKI-1/S1P. In vitro analysis of Lassa virus glycoprotein-derived substrates and ex vivo validation of irreversible peptide inhibitors.

Herein we designed, synthesized, tested, and validated fluorogenic methylcoumarinamide (MCA) and chloromethylketone-peptides spanning the Lassa virus GPC cleavage site as substrates and inhibitors for the proprotein convertase SKI-1/S1P. The 7-mer MCA (YISRRLL-MCA) and 8-mer MCA (IYISRRLL-MCA) are very efficiently cleaved with respect to both the 6-mer MCA (ISRRLL-MCA) and point mutated fluorogenic analogues, except for the 7-mer mutant Y253F. The importance of the P7 phenylic residue was confirmed by digestions of two 16-mer non-fluorogenic peptidyl substrates that differ by a single point mutation (Y253A). Because NMR analysis of these 16-mer peptides did not reveal significant structural differences at recognition motif RRLL, the P7 Tyr residue is likely important in establishing key interactions within the catalytic pocket of SKI-1. Based on these data, we established through analysis of pro-ATF6 and pro-SREBP-2 cellular processing that decanoylated chloromethylketone 7-mer, 6-mer, and 4-mer peptides containing the core RRLL sequence are irreversible and potent ex vivo SKI-1 inhibitors. Although caution must be exercised in using these inhibitors in in vitro reactions, as they can also inhibit the basic amino acid-specific convertase furin, within cells and when used at concentrations < or = 100 microM these inhibitors are relatively specific for inhibition of SKI-1 processing events, as opposed to those performed by furin-like convertases.

Development of protein-based inhibitors of the proprotein of convertase SKI-1/S1P: processing of SREBP-2, ATF6, and a viral glycoprotein.

Processing of membrane-bound transcription factors such as sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs) and the ER-stress response factor ATF6, and glycoproteins of some hemorrhagic fever viruses are initiated by the proprotein convertase SKI-1/S1P. So far, no cellular protein-based inhibitor of the hydrophobic-amino acid specific SKI-1 is known. The prosegment of the basic-amino acid specific convertases (e.g. furin and PC5) or alpha(1)-PDX, a variant of alpha(1)-antitrypsin (alpha(1)-AT) exhibiting an RIPR(358) sequence at the reactive site loop, were shown to potently inhibit these secretory proteinases. Accordingly, we tested the SKI-1-inhibitory potential of various point mutants of either the 198 amino acid preprosegment of SKI-1-(1-198) or alpha(1)-AT. Transient transfections data showed that, out of numerous mutants studied, the R134E prosegment mutant or the alpha(1)-AT reactive site loop variants RRVL(358), RRYL(358) and RRIL(358) are the best specific cellular inhibitors of SKI-1. The observed inhibition of the processing of endogenous SREBP-2, exogenous ATF6 and a PDGF-A (RRLL(86)) variant were >55% and reach approximately 80% in stable transfectants. We also show that SKI-1 forms SDS-stable complexes with these alpha(1)-AT variants, but not with wild-type alpha(1)-AT or alpha(1)-PDX. Finally, these inhibitors were also shown to affect the processing and stability of the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus glycoprotein.