MLK3 phosphorylation by ERK1/2 is required for oxidative stress-induced invasion of colorectal cancer cells.

Mixed lineage kinase 3 (MLK3) functions in migration and/or invasion of several human cancers; however, the role of MLK3 in colorectal cancer (CRC) invasion is unknown. MLK3 is a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase kinase (MAP3K) which activates MAPK pathways through either kinase-dependent or -independent mechanisms. Human colorectal tumors display increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or oxidative stress. ROS, such as H2O2, are important for carcinogenesis and activate MAPK signaling pathways. In human colorectal carcinoma (HCT116) cells treated with H2O2, extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) were activated and MLK3 exhibited reduced electrophoretic mobility (shift) in sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), which was eliminated by phosphatase treatment. Pretreatment with the ROS scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine, the ERK1/2 inhibitor UO126, or ERK1/2 siRNA knockdown blocked the H2O2-induced shift of MLK3, while MLK3 inhibition with Cep1347 did not. In co-immunoprecipitation experiments performed on H2O2-treated HCT116 cells, endogenous MLK3 associated with endogenous ERK1/2 and B-Raf. Active ERK1 phosphorylated kinase dead FLAG-MLK3 in vitro, whereas ERK1 phosphorylation of kinase dead FLAG-MLK3-S705A-S758A was reduced. Both MLK3 siRNA knockdown and FLAG-MLK3-S705A-S758A expression decreased ERK1/2 activation in H2O2-treated cells. Prolonged H2O2 treatment activated ERK1/2 and promoted invasion of colon cancer cells, which was attenuated by MLK3 siRNA knockdown. Furthermore, S705A-S758A-FLAG-MLK3 demonstrated decreased oxidative-stress induced colon cancer cell invasion, but increased interaction with GST-B-Raf as compared with wild-type-FLAG-MLK3 in H2O2-treated cells. These results suggest oxidative stress stimulates an ERK1/2-dependent phosphorylation of MLK3 on Ser705 and Ser758, which promotes MLK3-dependent B-Raf and ERK1/2 activation; this positive feedback loop enhances the invasion of colon cancer cells.

MLK4ß functions as a negative regulator of MAPK signaling and cell invasion.

Mixed lineage kinase (MLK) 4, or MLK4, is a member of the MLK family of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinases (MAP3Ks). Typically, MAP3Ks function to activate the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-signaling pathways and regulate different cellular responses. However, here we report that MLK4ß, unlike the other MLKs, negatively regulates the activities of the MAPKs, p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and the MAP2Ks, MEK3 and 6. Our results show that MLK4ß inhibits sorbitol- and tumor necrosis factor-induced activation of p38. Furthermore, MLK4ß interacts with another MLK family member, MLK3, in HCT116 cells. Exogenous expression of MLK4ß inhibits activation of MLK3 and also blocks matrix metalloproteinase-9 gelatinase activity and invasion in SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells. Collectively, our data establish MLK4ß as a novel suppressor of MLK3 activation, MAPK signaling and cell invasion.

Regulation of mixed lineage kinase 3 is required for Neurofibromatosis-2-mediated growth suppression in human cancer.

The Neurofibromatosis-2 (NF2) tumor suppressor merlin negatively regulates cell proliferation in numerous cell types. We have previously shown that the NF2 protein (merlin/schwannomin) associates with mixed lineage kinase 3 (MLK3), a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase kinase that is required for the proliferation of normal and neoplastic cells. In this study, we show that merlin inhibits MLK3 activity, as well as the activation of its downstream effectors, B-Raf, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). The ability of merlin to regulate MLK3 activity requires a direct association between MLK3 and residues in the C-terminal region of merlin. Merlin integrates Rho GTPase family signaling with MAPK activity by inhibiting the binding between MLK3 and its upstream activator, Cdc42. Furthermore, we demonstrate that MLK3 is required for merlin-mediated suppression of cell proliferation and invasion. Collectively, these results establish merlin as a potent inhibitor of MLK3, ERK and JNK activation in cancer, and provide a mechanistic link between deregulated MAPK and Rho GTPase signaling in NF2 growth control.

Organization of chromatin in cancer cells: role of signalling pathways.

The role of mechanical and chemical signalling pathways in the organization and function of chromatin is the subject of this review. The mechanical signalling pathway consists of the tissue matrix system that links together the three-dimensional skeletal networks, the extracellular matrix, cytoskeleton, and nuclear matrix. Intermediate filament proteins are associated with nuclear DNA, suggesting that intermediate filaments may have a role in the organization of chromatin. In human hormone-dependent breast cancer cells, the interaction between cytokeratins and chromatin is regulated by estrogens. Transcription factors, histone acetyltransferases, and histone deacetylases, which are associated with the nuclear matrix, are components of the mechanical signalling pathway. Recently, we reported that nuclear matrix-bound human and chicken histone deacetylase 1 is associated with nuclear DNA in situ, suggesting that histone deacetylase has a role in the organization of nuclear DNA. Chemical signalling pathways such as the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase (Ras/MAPK) pathway stimulate the activity of kinases that modify transcription factors, nonhistone chromosomal proteins, and histones. The levels of phosphorylated histones are increased in mouse fibroblasts transformed with oncogenes, the products of which stimulate the Ras/MAPK pathway. Histone phosphorylation may lead to decondensation of chromatin, resulting in aberrant gene expression.

Increased Ser-10 phosphorylation of histone H3 in mitogen-stimulated and oncogene-transformed mouse fibroblasts.

When the Ras mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway of quiescent cells is stimulated with growth factors or phorbol esters, the early response genes c-fos and c-myc are rapidly induced, and concurrently there is a rapid phosphorylation of histone H3. Using an antibody specific for phosphorylated Ser-10 of H3, we show that Ser-10 of H3 is phosphorylated, and we provide direct evidence that phosphorylated H3 is associated with c-fos and c-myc genes in stimulated cells. H3 phosphorylation may contribute to proto-oncogene induction by modulating chromatin structure and releasing blocks in elongation. Previously we reported that persistent stimulation of the Ras-MAPK signaling pathway in oncogene-transformed cells resulted in increased amounts of phosphorylated histone H1. Here we show that phosphorylated H3 is elevated in the oncogene-transformed mouse fibroblasts. Further we show that induction of ras expression results in a rapid increase in H3 phosphorylation. H3 phosphatase, identified as PP1, activities in ras-transformed and parental fibroblast cells were similar, suggesting that elevated H3 kinase activity was responsible for the increased level of phosphorylated H3 in the oncogene-transformed cells. Elevated levels of phosphorylated H1 and H3 may be responsible for the less condensed chromatin structure and aberrant gene expression observed in the oncogene-transformed cells.

Chromatin, nuclear matrix and the cytoskeleton: role of cell structure in neoplastic transformation (review).

Aberrant nuclear and cellular structures are hallmarks of malignant transformation. Thus it is not surprising that the three-dimensional structure of the cell both affects and is affected by changes in gene expression. Here we review the role of the cytoskeleton, nuclear matrix, and chromatin structure in the genesis of cancer. The shape of a cell is governed by a dynamic tissue matrix, which includes extracellular matrix, cytoskeleton and nuclear matrix. Mechanical and chemical signals are transmitted to the nucleus, resulting in alterations in the three-dimensional chromatin organization of genes. The signal transduction pathways affect histone modifications, such as acetylation and phosphorylation, resulting in a relaxed chromatin structure observed in oncogene-transformed cells.

Ras-associated nuclear structural change appears functionally significant and independent of the mitotic signaling pathway.

An altered nuclear morphology has been previously noted in association with Ras activation, but little is known about the structural basis, functional significance, signaling pathway, or reproducibility of any such change. We first tested the reproducibility of Ras-associated nuclear change in a series of rodent fibroblast cell lines. After independently developing criteria for recognizing Ras-associated nuclear change in a Papanicolaou stained test cell line with an inducible H(T24)-Ras oncogene, two cytopathologists blindly and independently assessed 17 other cell lines. If the cell lines showed Ras-associated nuclear change, a rank order of increasing nuclear change was independently scored. Ras-associated nuclear changes were identified in v-Fes, v-Src, v-Mos, v-Raf, and five of five H(T24)-Ras transfectants consisting of a change from a flattened, occasionally undulating nuclear shape to a more rigid spherical shape and a change from a finely textured to a coarse heterochromatic appearance. Absent or minimal changes were scored in six control cell lines. The two cytopathologists' independent morphologic rank orders were similar (P < .0002). The mitogen signaling pathway per se does not appear to transduce the change since no morphologic alterations were identified in cell lines with activations of downstream components of this pathway--MAPKK or c-Myc--and the rank orders did not correlate with markers of mitotic rate (P > .11). The rank order correlated closely with metastatic potential (P < .0014 and P < .0003) but not with histone H1 composition or global nuclease sensitivity. Based on published studies of five of the cell lines, there may be a correlation between increases in certain nuclear matrix proteins and the Ras-associated nuclear change.

Regulation and regulatory parameters of histone modifications.

Histone acetylation and phosphorylation destablizes nucleosome and chromatin structure. Relaxation of the chromatin fiber facilitates transcription. Coactivator complexes with histone acetyltransferase activity are recruited by transcription factors bound to enhancers or promoters. The recruited histone acetyltransferases may acetylate histone or nonhistone chromosomal proteins, resulting in the relaxation of chromatin structure. Alternatively, repressors recruit corepressor complexes with histone deacetylase activity, leading to condensation of chromatin. This review highlights the recent advances made in our understanding of the roles of histone acetyltransferases, histone deacetylases, histone kinases, and protein phosphatases in transcriptional activation and repression. Exciting reports revealing mechanistic connections between histone modifying activities and the RNA polymerase II machinery, the coupling of histone deacetylation and DNA methylation, the possible involvement of histone deacetylases in the organization of nuclear DNA, and the role of chromatin modulators in oncogenesis are discussed.

Histone H1b phosphorylation is dependent upon ongoing transcription and replication in normal and ras-transformed mouse fibroblasts.

We have previously shown that mouse phosphorylated histone H1b (pH1b) was localized near nuclear sites that contained splicing factors. This observation suggested to us that pH1b was associated with transcribing chromatin. Here we investigated the relationship between phosphorylation of H1b and transcription. We demonstrate that treatment of normal or ras-transformed mouse fibroblasts with the transcription inhibitor actinomycin D for 70 min results in a dramatic decrease in the level of pH1b. Similar results were observed when transcription was inhibited by 5, 6-dichloro-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole (DRB). When DRB was removed, the level of pH1b was restored after 2 h. Treatment of the cells with aphidicolin, a potent inhibitor of replication, resulted in a marked decrease in the level of pH1b after 30 min. This is the first report showing a dependence of histone modification upon ongoing transcription and replication. Inhibition of transcription or replication may hinder accessibility of H1b to the H1 kinase, supporting the idea that pH1b is associated with transcribing chromatin. Phosphorylation of H1b may be required to maintain a more decondensed chromatin structure to facilitate transcription and replication processes.

Fibroblasts transformed by combinations of ras, myc and mutant p53 exhibit increased phosphorylation of histone H1 that is independent of metastatic potential.

H1 histones play an important role in regulating higher order structure of chromatin and are potential regulators of gene expression. H1s are phosphorylated, a modification which alters their interaction with DNA. We measured the abundance of three phosphorylated H1 subtypes in mouse fibroblasts transformed by combinations of ras, myc and mutant p53 which differ in metastatic potential. We found that there is an increase in phosphorylation of H1 subtypes in fibroblasts transformed with ras, myc and mutant p53. This increase was found to correlate with cellular transformation but not with induction of the metastatic phenotype.

Increased phosphorylation of histone H1 in mouse fibroblasts transformed with oncogenes or constitutively active mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase.

We compared the nucleosomal organization, histone H1 subtypes, and histone H1 phosphorylated isoforms of ras-transformed and parental 10T1/2 mouse fibroblasts. In agreement with previous studies, we found that ras-transformed mouse fibroblasts have a less condensed chromatin structure than normal fibroblasts. ras-transformed and parental 10T1/2 cells had similar amounts of H1 subtypes, proteins that have a key role in the compaction of chromatin. However, labeling studies with 32P and Western blot experiments with an antiphosphorylated H1 antibody show that interphase ras-transformed cells have higher levels of phosphorylated H1 isoforms than parental cells. G1/S phase-arrested ras-transformed cells had higher amounts of phosphorylated H1 than G1/S phase-arrested parental cells. Mouse fibroblasts transformed with fes, mos, raf, myc, or constitutively active mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase kinase had increased levels of phosphorylated H1. These observations suggest that increased phosphorylation of H1 is one of the consequences of the persistent activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase signal transduction pathway. Indirect immunofluorescent studies show that phosphorylated H1b is localized in centers of RNA splicing in the nucleus, suggesting that this modified H1 subtype is complexed to transcriptionally active chromatin.

Roles for the yeast RAD18 and RAD52 DNA repair genes in UV mutagenesis.

Experimental evidence indicates that although the Saccharomyces cerevisiae RAD18 and RAD52 genes are not required for nucleotide excision repair, they function in the processing of UV-induced DNA damage in yeast. Conflicting statements regarding the UV mutability of strains deleted for RAD18 prompted us to re-examine the influence of RAD18, and RAD52, on UV mutagenesis. To do so, we characterized mutations induced by UV in SUP4-o, a yeast suppressor tRNA gene. SUP4-o was maintained on a plasmid in isogenic strains that either carried one of two different rad18 deletions (rad18 delta) or had RAD52 disrupted. Both rad18 deletions decreased the frequency of UV-induced SUP4-o mutations to levels close to those for spontaneous mutagenesis in the rad18 delta backgrounds, and prevented a net increase in mutant yield. A detailed analysis of mutations isolated after UV irradiation of one of the rad18 delta strains uncovered little evidence of the specificity features typical for UV mutagenesis in the isogenic repair-proficient (RAD) parent (e.g., predominance of G.C-->A.T transitions). Evidently, UV induction of SUP4-o mutations is highly dependent on the RAD18 gene. Compared to the RAD strain, disruption of RAD52 reduced the frequency and yield of UV mutagenesis by about two-thirds. Closer inspection revealed that 80% of this reduction was due to a decrease in the frequency of G.C-->A.T transitions. In addition, there were differences in the distributions and site specificities of single base-pair substitutions. Thus, RAD52 also participates in UV mutagenesis of a plasmid-borne gene in yeast, but to a lesser extent than RAD18.