MARCKS functions as a novel growth suppressor in cells of melanocyte origin.

Protein kinase C (PKC) plays a pivotal role in modulating the growth of melanocytic cells in culture. We have shown previously that a major physiological substrate of PKC, the 80 kDa myristoylated alanine-rich C-Kinase substrate (MARCKS), can be phosphorylated in quiescent, non-tumorigenic melanocytes exposed transiently to a biologically active phorbol ester, but cannot be phosphorylated in phorbol ester-treated, syngeneic malignant melanoma cells. Despite its ubiquitous distribution, the function of MARCKS in cell growth and transformation remains to be demonstrated clearly. We report here that MARCKS mRNA and protein levels are down-regulated significantly in the spontaneously derived murine B16 melanoma cell line compound with syngeneic normal Mel-ab melanocytes. In contrast, the tumourigenic v-Ha-ras-transformed melanocytic line, LTR Ras 2, showed a high basal level of MARCKS phosphorylation which was not enhanced by treatment of cells with phorbol ester. Furthermore, protein levels of MARCKS in LTR Ras 2 cells were similar to those expressed in Mel-ab melanocytes. However, in four out of six murine tumour cell lines investigated, levels of MARCKS protein were barely detectable. Transfection of B16 cells with a plasmid containing the MARCKS cDNA in the sense orientation produced two neomycin-resistant clones displaying reduced proliferative capacity and decreased anchorage-independent growth compared with control cells. In contrast, transfection with the antisense MARCKS construct produced many colonies which displayed enhanced growth and transforming potential compared with control cells. Thus, MARCKS appears to act as a novel growth suppressor in the spontaneous transformation of cells of melanocyte origin and may play a more general role in the tumour progression of other carcinoma.

The molecular mechanisms of neuronal apoptosis.

During the past year, apoptosis has been recognized as a process that is perpetually poised to be initiated--often from the cytoplasm rather than from the nucleus--unless it is suppressed by survival factors. Suspected mediators of apoptosis that have recently been investigated include the cysteine protease interleukin-1 beta-converting enzyme, free radicals and cell cycle kinases. Known inhibitors of programmed cell death, such as Bcl-2 and its homologues, have been further studied, and the results suggest that cell death may be regulated by multiple pathways. With the recent identification of the Drosophila gene reaper, which appears to play a role in the initiation of apoptosis, another genetic system for studying cell death has become available.

Expression of the major protein kinase C substrate, the acidic 80-kilodalton myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate, increases sharply when Swiss 3T3 cells move out of cycle and enter G0.

The expression of the major protein kinase C (PKC) substrate, originally called "80K" for acidic SDS/PAGE-observed 80-kDa PKC substrate and now called "MARCKS" for myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate, in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts changes strikingly (15- to 22-fold) during transitions of cell growth. Quiescent cells in G0 express high levels of MARCKS mRNA and protein. However, plating these cells in fresh medium at low density to stimulate multiple rounds of cell division caused a striking down-regulation of MARCKS expression. The mRNA level declined to a minimum of 4.5% compared with quiescent control cells 6 hr after plating, and protein levels declined during the same period to 6.5% of the control value. This rapid down-regulation was independent of PKC activation and length of exposure to trypsin (1-10 min) but required plating in medium containing fresh serum. MARCKS mRNA and protein levels remained down-regulated for 3 days, during which time the cells were actively progressing through the cell cycle as judged by fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis. However, on reaching quiescence, the expression of MARCKS mRNA and protein increased markedly. Furthermore, the rate of recovery of MARCKS mRNA and protein levels was shown to be dependent on the supply of serum-derived growth factors in the medium. Addition of hydroxyurea to arrest the cells in S phase or at the G1/S boundary rather than G0 completely prevented the recovery of MARCKS protein. The down-regulation of MARCKS following plating and its serum-dependent recovery was also demonstrated in tertiary cultures of mouse embryo fibroblasts. The results suggest that MARCKS may play a role in the regulation of entry and exit of cells from G0.

Relationship between the major protein kinase C substrates acidic 80-kDa protein-kinase-C substrate (80K) and myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate (MARCKS). Members of a gene family or equivalent genes in different species.

Two major protein-kinase-C (PKC) substrates have been described in the literature; an 87-kDa bovine and human PKC substrate, called MARCKS, and an acidic 80-kDa PKC substrate, isolated from rat brain and Swiss 3T3 cells, termed 80K. Since there is only 66-74% sequence similarity between MARCKS and 80K, we have further investigated their relationship in this study. Southern-blot experiments with gene-specific probes demonstrated the presence of the 80K, but not MARCKS, gene in the mouse genome. Furthermore, polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR) analyses using three pairs of primers that specifically recognise either 80K, MARCKS or conserved sequences of both genes, revealed the presence of only the 80K gene in the mouse and rat genomes and only the MARCKS gene in the bovine and human genomes with mRNA expression in the corresponding brain tissues. Northern-blot analysis of a variety of tissues indicated that both 80K and MARCKS have similar patterns of expression. Most components of signal-transduction pathways are present in multiple molecular isoforms as members of a gene family. In contrast, the findings presented in this study indicate that rodent 80K and bovine and human MARCKS are not distinct members of a gene family, but represent the equivalent substrates in different species.

The expression of 80K/MARCKS, a major substrate of protein kinase C (PKC), is down-regulated through both PKC-dependent and -independent pathways. Effects of bombesin, platelet-derived growth factor, and cAMP.

We have examined the regulation of expression of 80K/MARCKS, a major and specific protein kinase C (PKC) substrate of Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts. Addition of bombesin (10 nM) to confluent quiescent cultures of these cells induced a dramatic and sustained down-regulation of 80-kDa mRNA and protein levels to a minimum of 5% of control within 8 and 48 h, respectively, without depletion of PKC activity. In contrast, the effect of phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate on 80K/MARCKS mRNA levels was transient, and recovery of these transcripts correlated with the loss of PKC activity. The ability of bombesin to down-regulate 80K/MARCKS mRNA levels was dose-dependent (ED50 0.5 nM) and was abolished by both the specific bombesin antagonist [Leu13 psi (CH2NH),Leu14]bombesin and by prior depletion of PKC. Of a range of agents tested, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), but not insulin or Ca2+ ionophore, also down-regulated 80K/MARCKS mRNA to 24% of control within 5 h. Prior down-regulation of PKC abolished the effect of PDGF at a concentration of 7 ng/ml. Surprisingly, at higher doses (25 ng/ml), PDGF induced the down-regulation of 80K/MARCKS mRNA in a PKC-independent manner. Furthermore, elevation of cAMP, either through receptor-mediated mechanisms (e.g. prostaglandin E1) or by direct stimulation of adenylate cyclase (e.g. forskolin), also caused a marked dose-dependent depletion of 80K/MARCKS mRNA levels, which were further reduced by co-administration with cAMP-phosphodiesterase inhibitors. The rate of transcription of the 80K/MARCKS gene was unaltered by treatment of cells with either bombesin, PDGF, or forskolin/1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine. These results indicate a role for both PKC-dependent and -independent pathways in growth factor-induced down-regulation of 80K/MARCKS expression, through a post-transcriptional mechanism.

Protein kinase C activation potently down-regulates the expression of its major substrate, 80K, in Swiss 3T3 cells.

The amino acid sequence of 80K, the major acidic protein kinase C (PKC) substrate of Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts, was deduced from a cDNA nucleotide sequence. Overall, 25% of the predicted amino acid sequence is supported by direct protein sequence data. Southern blot analysis suggests that the mouse genome contains a single copy of this gene. Two 80K mRNA species, a major band of 2.25 kb and a minor band of 3.9 kb, were detected by Northern blot analysis. Stimulation of PKC by biologically active phorbol esters, including phorbol-12, 13-dibutyrate (PDB), reduced the steady state level of 80K mRNA to 8.8% of control within 5-7 h. This effect was dose-dependent, and was abolished by prior depletion of PKC. The PDB-induced down-regulation of 80K mRNA levels was transient, and recovery coincided with the disappearance of PKC activity. A similar transient decrease in 80K mRNA levels was also demonstrated in tertiary cultures of mouse embryo fibroblasts. The down-regulation of 80K mRNA levels was completely abolished by actinomycin D, cycloheximide or anisomycin if added up to 30 min after PDB addition. Since the rate of transcription of the 80K gene was unaltered by PDB treatment, we concluded that the PKC-induced down-regulation of 80K mRNA is mediated by a post-transcriptional mechanism. In addition, PDB transiently decreased the level of 80K protein within 14-18 h, thus reflecting the effects of this phorbol ester on mRNA expression.

Molecular cloning and characterization of the acidic 80-kDa protein kinase C substrate from rat brain. Identification as a glycoprotein.

The complete amino acid sequence of 80 K, the major acidic protein kinase C (PKC) substrate of rat brain, was deduced from a cDNA nucleotide sequence. An open reading frame of 927 bases predicted a protein of 309 amino acid residues (Mr = 29,796, pI = 4.06). 58% of the deduced protein sequence was confirmed by Edman degradation of peptides generated by proteolysis of purified 80 K. The absence of internal methionine residues in the deduced amino acid sequence was confirmed by the inability to cleave 80 K with CNBr. Antiserum raised against a synthetic peptide corresponding to residues 298-309 of the predicted amino acid sequence recognizes the 80-kDa polypeptide in Western blots. The protein shows 65% sequence identity with a closely related PKC substrate from bovine brain. Genomic Southern blot analysis using a probe corresponding to a segment of the 80 K gene devoid of introns showed one major band. Northern blot analysis of rat brain RNA reveals a prominent transcript of 2.2 kilobases which hybridizes to 80 K cDNA. The amino acid composition and hydropathicity plot suggest an extended structure with no hydrophobic domains. The amino acid sequence showed many short repeats as well as several potential phosphorylation sites, five of which were for PKC, one was for both PKC and cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase, and one for casein kinase II, and potential glycosylation sites. Indeed, carbohydrate moieties were detected on electroblots of purified 80 K using both a specific glycan stain and Galanthus nivalis plant lectin which binds to terminal D-mannose in the glycan moiety. This is the first time that this major PKC substrate has been identified as a glycoprotein.

Purification and internal amino acid sequence of the 80 kDa protein kinase C substrate from Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts. Homology with substrates from brain.

The acidic 80 kDa protein kinase C (PKC) substrate was purified from 2.3 x 10(10) Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts. Partial amino acid sequence data were obtained from five peptides generated by S. aureus V8 cleavage of the protein, enabling a total of 91 amino acid residues to be assigned. The sequences of these five peptides were compared to the deduced amino acid sequences of acidic 80-87 kDa PKC substrates from both actively proliferating A431 epidermal carcinoma cells, and fully differentiated neural tissue. Despite their similar physical properties, there was no homology between the peptides derived from the fibroblast 80 kDa protein and the PKC substrate from A431 cells. However, there was 66% homology with the 87 kDa bovine brain protein within the regions covered by the peptides about 30% of the total protein). Furthermore, comparison of the peptides from the fibroblast 80 kDa protein with proteolytic peptides derived from the acidic 80 kDa rat brain protein revealed an overall homology of 89%. These data provide the first direct evidence that the 80 kDa PKC substrate from Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts is closely related to the 80-87 kDa PKC substrates detected in fully differentiated neural tissue.

Both tumour-promoting and non-promoting phorbol esters inhibit [125I]EGF binding and stimulate the phosphorylation of an 80 kd protein kinase C substrate protein in intact quiescent swiss 3T3 cells.

Sapintoxin A (SAP A) and 12-deoxyphorbol 13-phenylacetate (DOPP), are two biologically active but non-tumour-promoting phorbol esters that potently bind to and activate the phorbol ester receptor, protein kinase C (PKC). SAP A and DOPP cause a dose-dependent increase in the phosphorylation of an 80 kd (80K) substrate protein for PKC in Swiss 3T3 cells. A similar dose-response effect was seen with sapintoxin D (SAP D), the stage 2 promoting analogue of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and the complete promoter phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDB). The doses resulting in a half maximal phosphorylation of this protein (Ka) were 20 nM (SAP A), 45 nM (DOPP), 23 nM (SAP D) and 37 nM (PDB). Both non-promoting and promoting phorbol esters induced a dose-dependent inhibition of [125I]epidermal growth factor (EGF) binding to its receptor in Swiss 3T3 cells. The doses required for 50% inhibition of binding (Ki) were: 8 nM (SAP A), 16 nM (DOPP), 14 nM (SAP D) and 17 nM (PDB). The results clearly demonstrate that induction of phosphorylation of the 80K phosphoprotein and inhibition of [125I]EGF binding in Swiss 3T3 cells following exposure to phorbol esters is independent of the tumour-promoting activity of these compounds. The fact that SAP A, DOPP, SAP D and PDB are mitogenic for a variety of cell types and that exposure to these compounds leads to 80K phosphorylation and inhibition of [125I]EGF binding, suggests that these early biological events may play a role in the mitogenic response induced by these compounds.

Protein phosphorylation by protein kinase C in HEp-2 cells infected with enteropathogenic Escherichia coli.

Infection of HEp-2 monolayers with enteropathogenic Escherichia coli 2036-80 (O119) stimulated phosphorylation of several target cell proteins, the most prominent of which had apparent molecular weights of 21,000 and 29,000. Proteins of the same size were phosphorylated in response to known activators of the calcium-phospholipid-dependent protein kinase C. Screening of clinical isolates of various O serogroups revealed that all strains able to form the characteristic attaching and effacing lesion of enteropathogenic E. coli showed elevated phosphorylation of 21,000- and 29,000-dalton protein species.

Platelet protein phosphorylation and protein kinase C activation by phorbol esters with different biological activity and a novel synergistic response with Ca2+ ionophore.

Phorbol esters with different biological activities have been tested for their ability to induce the phosphorylation of human platelet proteins. We have shown that only the potent platelet aggregatory phorbol esters were able to stimulate the phosphorylation of proteins of 76, 68, 47, 30 and 20 kDa in intact platelets. The ability of these esters to stimulate phosphorylation of the 47-kDa protein ('p47') correlated with their ability to cause platelet aggregation. When a non-platelet aggregatory deoxyphorbol (12-deoxyphorbol 13-phenylacetate 20-acetate) was combined with a subthreshold dose of the Ca2+ ionophore, A23187, a large increase in phosphorylation of p47 and a fourfold decrease in Ka was observed. This was in contrast to a barely detectable stimulation of phosphorylation at micromolar levels of this phorbol ester in the absence of the ionophore. This synergism was not evident for the potent platelet aggregatory derivatives. The Ka for DOPPA with a mixture of total platelet protein kinase C was 530 nM in the absence of calcium decreasing to 120 nM in the presence of calcium. In the presence of calcium, 12-deoxyphorbol 13-phenylacetate 20-acetate was shown to stimulate preferentially one of the isoforms of protein kinase C.

The stimulation of phosphorylation of intracellular proteins in GH3 rat pituitary tumour cells by phorbol esters of distinct biological activity.

Using a pituitary tumour cell line (GH3), we have studied the phosphorylation of intracellular proteins induced by phorbol esters of diverse biological activity. All the active phorbol esters, including the weakly tumour-promoting but non-platelet aggregatory compound DOPPA, stimulated the phosphorylation of a cytosolic 80 kDa protein. A protein of this molecular mass has been suggested to be a marker of PKC activity. In contrast, only TPA and the non-tumour promoting but highly active phorbol ester SAP A stimulated the phosphorylation of a 130 kDa membrane protein. The results suggest that these phorbol esters activate PKC, but induce the differential phosphorylation of a variety of intracellular proteins.