HDAC4 and 5 repression of TBX5 is relieved by protein kinase D1.

TBX5 is a T-box family transcription factor that regulates heart and forelimb development in vertebrates and functional deficiencies in this protein result in Holt-Oram syndrome. Recently, we have shown that acetylation of TBX5 potentiates its activity and is important for heart and limb development. Here we report that class II histone deacetylases HDAC4 and HDAC5 associate with TBX5 and repress its role in cardiac gene transcription. Both HDAC4 and HDAC5 deacetylate TBX5, which promotes its relocation to the cytoplasm and HDAC4 antagonizes the physical association and functional cooperation between TBX5 and MEF2C. We also show that protein kinase D1 (PRKD1) relieves the HDAC4/5-mediated repression of TBX5. Thus, this study reveals a novel interaction of HDAC4/5 and PRKD1 in the regulation of TBX5 transcriptional activity.

Co-immunoprecipitation of Plant Receptor Kinases.

In order to comprehend the function of a particular protein, identification of the interacting protein partners is a useful approach. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) is employed to test physical interactions between proteins. Specific antibodies or antibodies against tagged versions can be used to immunoprecipitate the proteins. In this chapter, we describe a method to carry out Co-IP using recombinant membrane proteins expressed in yeast microsomal fractions.

Expression and purification of the N-terminal regulatory domain of Protein Kinase C for biophysical studies.

We report the protocol for heterologous expression and purification of the N-terminal regulatory region of two Protein Kinase C (PKC)(1) isozymes, one conventional and one novel. Previous studies of these domains relied almost exclusively on the fusion constructs with high-molecular-weight solubility fusion partners such as GST and MBP. We developed experimental procedures that enabled us to overcome challenges associated with the amphiphilic character of the regulatory domain and generate sufficient quantities of fusion partner-free proteins for biophysical work. The key features of the protocol are the identity of the cleavable fusion partner, expression conditions, growth medium additives, introduction of mutation/solubility tags, and incorporation of osmolytes. The protein yields are sufficient for cost-effective production of isotopically enriched proteins for NMR work and biophysical studies in general. Our work opens up an avenue for the structural studies of these challenging proteins with high amphiphilic character.

Protein kinase D1 mediates stimulation of DNA synthesis and proliferation in intestinal epithelial IEC-18 cells and in mouse intestinal crypts.

We examined whether protein kinase D1 (PKD1), the founding member of a new protein kinase family, plays a critical role in intestinal epithelial cell proliferation. Our results demonstrate that PKD1 activation is sustained, whereas that of PKD2 is transient in intestinal epithelial IEC-18 stimulated with the G(q)-coupled receptor agonists angiotensin II or vasopressin. PKD1 gene silencing utilizing small interfering RNAs dramatically reduced DNA synthesis and cell proliferation in IEC-18 cells stimulated with G(q)-coupled receptor agonists. To clarify the role of PKD1 in intestinal epithelial cell proliferation in vivo, we generated transgenic mice that express elevated PKD1 protein in the intestinal epithelium. Transgenic PKD1 exhibited constitutive catalytic activity and phosphorylation at the activation loop residues Ser(744) and Ser(748) and on the autophosphorylation site, Ser(916). To examine whether PKD1 expression stimulates intestinal cell proliferation, we determined the rate of crypt cell DNA synthesis by detection of 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine incorporated into the nuclei of crypt cells of the ileum. Our results demonstrate a significant increase (p < 0.005) in DNA-synthesizing cells in the crypts of two independent lines of PKD1 transgenic mice as compared with non-transgenic littermates. Morphometric analysis showed a significant increase in the length and in the total number of cells per crypt in the transgenic PKD1 mice as compared with the non-transgenic littermates (p < 0.01). Thus, transgenic PKD1 signaling increases the number of cells per crypt by stimulating the rate of crypt cell proliferation. Collectively, our results indicate that PKD1 plays a role in promoting cell proliferation in intestinal epithelial cells both in vitro and in vivo.

Participation of DNA-PKcs in DSB repair after exposure to high- and low-LET radiation.

Cellular lesions (e.g. DSBs) are induced into DNA upon exposure to radiation, with DSB complexity increasing with radiation ionization density. Using M059K and M059J human glioblastoma cells (proficient and deficient in DNA-PKcs activity, respectively), we investigated the repair of DNA damage, including DSBs, induced by high- and low-LET radiation [gamma rays, alpha particles and high-charge and energy (HZE) ions]. In the absence of DNA-PKcs activity, less DSB repair and increased recruitment of RAD51 was seen at 24 h. After exposure to (56)Fe heavy ions, the number of cells with RAD51 tracks was less than the number of cells with gamma-H2AX at 24 h with both cell lines. Using alpha particles, comparable numbers of cells with visible gamma-H2AX and RAD51 were seen at 24 h in both cell lines. M059J cells irradiated with alpha particles accumulated in S phase, with a greater number of cyclin A and RAD51 co-stained cells seen at 24 h compared with M059K cells, where an S-phase block is absent. It is proposed that DNA-PKcs plays a role in the repair of some frank DSBs, which are longer-lived in NHEJ-deficient cells, and some non-DSB clustered damage sites that are converted into DSBs at replication as the cell cycles through to S phase.

Structures of the PKC-iota kinase domain in its ATP-bound and apo forms reveal defined structures of residues 533-551 in the C-terminal tail and their roles in ATP binding.

Protein kinase C (PKC) plays an essential role in a wide range of cellular functions. Although crystal structures of the PKC-theta, PKC-iota and PKC-betaII kinase domains have previously been determined in complexes with small-molecule inhibitors, no structure of a PKC-substrate complex has been determined. In the previously determined PKC-iota complex, residues 533-551 in the C-terminal tail were disordered. In the present study, crystal structures of the PKC-iota kinase domain in its ATP-bound and apo forms were determined at 2.1 and 2.0 A resolution, respectively. In the ATP complex, the electron density of all of the C-terminal tail residues was well defined. In the structure, the side chain of Phe543 protrudes into the ATP-binding pocket to make van der Waals interactions with the adenine moiety of ATP; this is also observed in other AGC kinase structures such as binary and ternary substrate complexes of PKA and AKT. In addition to this interaction, the newly defined residues around the turn motif make multiple hydrogen bonds to glycine-rich-loop residues. These interactions reduce the flexibility of the glycine-rich loop, which is organized for ATP binding, and the resulting structure promotes an ATP conformation that is suitable for the subsequent phosphoryl transfer. In the case of the apo form, the structure and interaction mode of the C-terminal tail of PKC-iota are essentially identical to those of the ATP complex. These results indicate that the protein structure is pre-organized before substrate binding to PKC-iota, which is different from the case of the prototypical AGC-branch kinase PKA.

In vitro phosphorylation of key metabolic enzymes from Bacillus subtilis: PrkC phosphorylates enzymes from different branches of basic metabolism.

Phosphorylation is an important mechanism of protein modification. In the Gram-positive soil bacterium Bacillus subtilis, about 5% of all proteins are subject to phosphorylation, and a significant portion of these proteins is phosphorylated on serine or threonine residues. We were interested in the regulation of the basic metabolism in B. subtilis. Many enzymes of the central metabolic pathways are phosphorylated in this organism. In an attempt to identify the responsible protein kinase(s), we identified four candidate kinases, among them the previously studied kinase PrkC. We observed that PrkC is indeed able to phosphorylate several metabolic enzymes in vitro. Determination of the phosphorylation sites revealed a remarkable preference of PrkC for threonine residues. Moreover, PrkC often used several phosphorylation sites in one protein. This feature of PrkC-dependent protein phosphorylation resembles the multiple phosphorylations often observed in eukaryotic proteins. The HPr protein of the phosphotransferase system is one of the proteins phosphorylated by PrkC, and PrkC phosphorylates a site (Ser-12) that has recently been found to be phosphorylated in vivo. The agreement between in vivo and in vitro phosphorylation of HPr on Ser-12 suggests that our in vitro observations reflect the events that take place in the cell.

Avances en los tumores del estroma gastrointestinal / A review of the recent advances in gastrointestinal stromal tumours

Los tumores del estroma gastrointestinal (GIST) son las neoplasias mesenquimales más comunes del tubo digestivo y representan uno de los mejores modelos de tratamiento farmacológico dirigido a dianas moleculares específicas. En general, el diagnóstico morfológico no plantea mayores problemas debido a que el cuadro histológico (celularidad fusiformes y/o epiteliode) e inmunohistoquímico (expresión de CD117, CD34 y, más eventualmente, de actina de músculo liso, desmina e incluso proteína S-100) suele ser bastante característico. No obstante, en el 5–10% de los casos la histología y los resultados inmunohistoquímicos no son los esperados y el diagnóstico debe descansar en la demostración mediante técnicas de biología molecular de mutaciones en KIT o PDGFRA, ya que el diagnóstico correcto es requisito necesario para la aplicación de la terapia específica. En el presente artículo llevamos a cabo una revisión sobre los avances acontecidos en 5 aspectos fundamentales sobre la biología y diagnóstico de estas neoplasias: nuevos marcadores inmunohistoquímico, factores pronósticos, biología molecular, síndromes clínicos asociados y respuesta tisular a los inhibidores de tirosin quinasa(AU)

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) are the most common mesenchymal neoplasms of the intestinal tract and are one of the best models for treatment with molecular target therapy. Morphological diagnosis does not usually present many problems due to the presence fusiform and/or epitheliod cells together with the characteristic immunohistochemical expression of CD117, CD34 and, less frequently, smooth muscle actin, desmin and even S-100 protein. However, unexpected histological and immunohistochemical results are found in 5 to 10% of cases. In such unusual cases, molecular biology is needed to demonstrate c-KIT or PDGFRA mutations in order to make a correct diagnosis, which is a necessary prerequisite for molecular target therapy. The present article reviews recent advances in five fundamental biological and diagnostic aspects of GIST: new immunohistochemical markers, prognostic factors, molecular biology, associated clinical syndromes and tissue response to tyrosine kinase inhibitors(AU)

The Ca2+-independent PKC (p105) mediates the PMA-activation of marine mussel hemocytes and the Ca2+-dependent PKC (p60) does not intervene.

Previous works revealed the presence of a Ca(2+)-dependent protein kinase (p60) and a Ca(2+)-independent protein kinase (p105) in the mantle tissue from the sea mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis Lmk. The expression of both isoforms shows a balance between cytosolic and membrane fractions in mantle, gills, and hepatopancreas, whereas, in hemocytes, their expression is mainly cytosolic, as happens in muscle tissues with p60 alone. Both enzymatic forms contain phosphorylated serines, and no phosphorylation was detected in tyrosines. Only the form p105 mediates the PMA-induced activation of the hemocytes of M. galloprovincialis, and it does so by a process of down-regulation. The form p60 does not respond to the presence of the phorbol ester, suggesting structural differences related to the binding sites of the diacylglycerol.

Purification and characterization of a new Ca2+-dependent protein kinase C in mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis Lmk.) mantle.

An enzyme that can be included into the so-called conventional PKCs has been purified to homogeneity from the mantle tissue of the sea mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. This enzyme has a molecular weight of 60 kDa, which is DAG-dependent, PS-activated, and Ca2+-dependent. It was separated from a Ca2+-independent PKC (p105) (Mercado et al., Mol Cell Biochem 233:99-105, 2002) by means of an ionic exchange chromatography on DE-52 cellulose. The molecular weights and kinetic properties of both the enzymes are different. The protein p60 is broadly distributed among the tissues, which suggests that it may carry out specific functions, different from those performed by p105.

Functional role of the charge at the T538 residue in the control of protein kinase Ctheta.

We show that protein kinase C (PKC) theta localized at the Golgi complex is partially conjugated to monoubiquitin. Using the inactive T538A and activable T538E mutants of PKCtheta, we demonstrate that the presence of an uncharged residue at the 538 position of the activation loop favors both association with the Golgi and monoubiquitination of the kinase. Moreover, the inactive PKCtheta does not translocate from the Golgi in response to a short-term cell stimulation with a phorbol ester and is subjected to different proteolytic degradation pathways compared to the activable cytosolic kinase. These findings highlight the role of T538 as a critical determinant to address the activable and the inactive PKCtheta molecules to different intracellular compartments and to specific post-transductional modifications. The functional relevance of these observations is supported by the impaired cell division observed in phenotypes expressing high levels of the inactive PKCtheta.

2-(6-Phenyl-1H-indazol-3-yl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazoles: design and synthesis of a potent and isoform selective PKC-zeta inhibitor.

The inhibition of PKC-zeta has been proposed to be a potential drug target for immune and inflammatory diseases. A series of 2-(6-phenyl-1H indazol-3-yl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazoles with initial high crossover to CDK-2 has been optimized to afford potent and selective inhibitors of protein kinase c-zeta (PKC-zeta). The determination of the crystal structures of key inhibitor:CDK-2 complexes informed the design and analysis of the series. The most selective and potent analog was identified by variation of the aryl substituent at the 6-position of the indazole template to give a 4-NH(2) derivative. The analog displays good selectivity over other PKC isoforms (alpha, betaII, gamma, delta, epsilon, mu, theta, eta and iota/lambda) and CDK-2, however it displays marginal selectivity against a panel of other kinases (37 profiled).

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for protein kinase D activity using phosphorylation site-specific antibodies.

The protein kinase D (PKD) family is a novel group of kinases that are involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis, and several other physiological processes. Hence, these enzymes are attractive targets for pharmacological intervention, but no specific PKD inhibitors are known. With this in mind, we have developed a high-throughput, non-radioactive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method to monitor the PKD activity with myelin basic protein (MBP) as substrate. We determined that MBP is phosphorylated by PKD on Ser-160 and that this phosphorylation can be quantified in ELISAs, by the use of phosphorylation site-specific antibodies. Antibodies were developed that are highly specific for the MBP peptide sequence surrounding the phosphorylated Ser-160. We show that our high-throughput kinase assay is useful not only for determining the cellular PKD activity but also to screen for PKD-inhibitory compounds. Our ELISA has advantages over the current radioisotope kinase assay in terms of simplicity and environmental safety.

In vitro phosphorylation and kinase assays in Neurospora crassa.

Phosphorylation assay is a widespread technique usually necessary for the identification of a specific kinase substrate and/or for the measurement of kinase activity. As an example of the technique, here we describe an assay aimed to test the phosphorylation of the myelin basic protein (MBP) by protein kinase C (PKC), which is overexpressed and purified from Neurospora. The kinase is immunopurified from Neurospora using the expression vector pMYX2 and the FLAG epitope. The purified PKC and the MBP are then incubated in the presence of radioactive ATP, and the phosphorylated product is separated using the polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis technique.

Propofol-induced activation of protein kinase C isoforms in adult rat ventricular myocytes.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial protection by anesthetics is known to involve activation of protein kinase C (PKC). The authors' objective was to identify the PKC isoforms activated by propofol in rat ventricular myocytes. They also assessed the intracellular location of individual PKC isoforms before and after treatment with propofol. METHODS: Freshly isolated ventricular myocytes were obtained from adult rat hearts. Immunoblot analysis of cardiomyocyte subcellular fractions was used to assess translocation of individual PKC isoforms before and after exposure to propofol. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit was used for measuring PKC activity. Immunocytochemistry and confocal microscopy were used to visualize the intracellular location of the individual PKC isoforms. RESULTS: Under baseline conditions, PKC-alpha, PKC-delta, and PKC-zeta were associated with both the cytosolic and membrane fractions, whereas PKC-epsilon was exclusively located in the cytosolic fraction. Propofol (10 microM) caused translocation of PKC-alpha, PKC-delta, PKC-epsilon, and PKC-zeta from cytosolic to membrane fraction and increased total PKC activity (211 +/- 17% of baseline; P = 0.003) in a dose-dependent manner. Immunocytochemical localization of the individual PKC isoforms demonstrated that propofol caused translocation of PKC-alpha to the intercalated discs and z-lines; PKC-delta to the perinuclear region; PKC-epsilon to sites associated with the z-lines, intercalated discs, and the sarcolemma; and PKC-zeta to the nucleus. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that propofol causes an increase in PKC activity in rat ventricular myocytes. Propofol stimulates translocation of PKC-alpha, PKC-delta, PKC-epsilon, and PKC-zeta to distinct intracellular sites in cardiomyocytes. This may be a fundamentally important cellular mechanism of anesthesia-induced myocardial protection in the setting of ischemia-reperfusion injury.

PKC sulfhydryl targeting by disulfiram produces divergent isozymic regulatory responses that accord with the cancer preventive activity of the thiuram disulfide.

The protein kinase C (PKC) isozyme family plays key roles in cell growth regulation and influences neoplastic disease development and progression. For example, PKCepsilon is oncogenic, and PKCdelta tumor-suppressive. PKC isozymes are characterized by distinct activation mechanisms entailing phosphatidylserine-dependent cofactor binding to the regulatory domain. Evidence is now emerging that redox signaling offers another platform of PKC regulation. We have established that PKC isozymes are regulated by S-thiolation, a posttranslational modification entailing disulfide linkage of low-molecular-weight species to select protein sulfhydryls. Our recent studies demonstrate that physiologically occurring disulfides with cysteinyl constituents, e.g., cystine, regulate cellular PKC isozymes by S-thiolation-triggered mechanisms. This report shows that PKC isozymes are also molecular targets of a chemically distinct class of disulfides. Disulfiram is a thiuram disulfide with potent cancer preventive activity in in vivo models of chemical carcinogenesis. Our results indicate that PKC Sthiolation by disulfiram induces differential regulatory effects on PKC isozymes that correlate with the cancer preventive activity of the drug. The implication of these findings is that PKC-regulatory effects of thiuram disulfides may offer a useful pharmacological guide for development of disulfiram analogues with superior cancer preventive activity.

Identification and biochemical analysis of GRIN1 and GRIN2.

We have identified the novel Galphaz-binding protein, which is referred to as the G-protein-regulated inducer of neurite outgrowth (GRIN1) using the far-western method. GRIN1 is expressed specifically in brain and binds preferentially to the activated form of alpha subunits of Gz, Gi, and Go. Coexpression of GRIN1 and the activated form of Galphao induce neurite outgrowth in Neuro2a cells. We have further identified two human GRIN1 homologs, GRIN2 and GRIN3, in the database. This article shows that GRIN2 can also bind to the GTP-bound form of Galphao. These findings suggest that the GRIN1 family may function as a downstream effector for Galphao to regulate neurite growth.

AKAP-Lbc nucleates a protein kinase D activation scaffold.

The transmission of cellular signals often proceeds through multiprotein complexes where enzymes are positioned in proximity to their upstream activators and downstream substrates. In this report we demonstrate that the A-kinase anchoring protein AKAP-Lbc assembles an activation complex for the lipid-dependent enzyme protein kinase D (PKD). Using a combination of biochemical, enzymatic, and immunofluorescence techniques, we show that the anchoring protein contributes to PKD activation in two ways: it recruits an upstream kinase PKCeta and coordinates PKA phosphorylation events that release activated protein kinase D. Thus, AKAP-Lbc synchronizes PKA and PKC activities in a manner that leads to the activation of a third kinase. This configuration illustrates the utility of kinase anchoring as a mechanism to constrain the action of broad-spectrum enzymes.

Purification and characterization of a PMA-stimulated kinase and identification of PMA-induced phosphorylation of a polypeptide that is dephosphorylated by low temperature in Brassica juncea.

Heterologous classical protein kinase C (cPKC) rat polyclonal antibodies showed presence of PKC homolog in Brassica juncea seedlings. It was purified to homogeneity by ammonium sulfate precipitation, diethyl amino ethyl (DEAE)-Sephacel, gel-filtration chromatography, and preparative gel electrophoresis. PKC-like kinase activity was fractionated into three distinct peaks after DEAE-Sephacel chromatography. The kinase activity was associated with a 55 kDa polypeptide. It was calcium dependent and lipids (phosphatidylserine, PS and oleyl acetylglycerol, OAG) stimulated it further, suggesting it to be a classical type protein kinase C. This was further confirmed by the stimulation of the kinase activity by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) (a diacylglycerol, DAG analog) and its inhibition by H-7 (a general kinase inhibitor) and staurosporine (a PKC specific inhibitor). Histone was the preferred substrate over casein and BSA. Phosphoamino acid analysis showed it to be a serine/threonine kinase. Western blotting with the purified polypeptide showed an immunopositive 55 kDa polypeptide. In search of the substrate for the kinase in vitro phosphorylation was done in presence of kinase inhibitors. PKC-dependent phosphorylation was observed which was inhibited by PKC inhibitors (H-7 and staurosporine) and enhanced by PKC activator (PMA). Low temperature induced dephosphorylation of the same polypeptide. Direct involvement of PKC-dependent phosphorylation in early LT signaling is indicated for the first time.

Proteins associated with type II bone morphogenetic protein receptor (BMPR-II) and identified by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry.

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) are polypeptide growth factors that regulate cell differentiation and proliferation. BMPs bind to type I and type II serine/threonine kinase receptors to initiate intracellular signalling. BMPR-II is the type II receptor, its mutations lead to hereditary pulmonary hypertension, and knockout of Bmpr-II results in early embryonic lethality. To identify novel interacting proteins and explore signalling pathways that can be initiated by BMPR-II, we performed glutathione-S-transferase (GST) pull-down assays with BMPR-II protein constructs fused to GST and extracts of mouse myoblast C2C12 cells. We generated three constructs which contain different parts of the cytoplasmic region of BMPR-II: full-length cytoplasmic part of BMPR-II, only the kinase domain, or only the C-terminal tail of BMPR-II. Proteins which formed complexes with these BMPR-II constructs were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-D GE), and specifically interacting proteins were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). We identified 33 interacting proteins; 11 proteins interacted with the C-terminal tail of BMPR-II, 4 with full-length BMPR-II, and 18 with a short form of the receptor with a deleted tail. Fourteen proteins have assigned functions in various signalling processes, suggesting links of BMP signalling to regulation of MAP kinase pathway, apoptosis, transcription, PKCss, and PKA. Five of the identified proteins are components of the cytoskeleton, and four are enzymes involved in metabolism, e.g., processing of estrogens or lipids. We confirmed interaction of PKC beta and CtBP with BMPR-II using immunodetection. We showed that the C-terminal tail of BMPR-II provides binding sites for a number of regulatory proteins that may initiate Smad-independent signalling.