Development and validation of a phosphorylated SMAD ex vivo stimulation assay.

Assessing the pharmacodynamics (PD) of a potential therapeutic through the use of a downstream biomarker is essential. This is traditionally performed in the target tissue but limited volume and invasiveness of sampling pose challenges with solid tumours. Currently, there are several small molecule receptor kinase inhibitors and large molecule therapeutic antibodies in clinical trials that interfere with TGFbeta signalling to treat various forms of cancer. With the advent of these new therapies, there is a need for a surrogate tissue that is easily accessible and indicative of tumour response. We propose the use of an ex vivo TGFbeta1 stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) coupled with the measurement of phosphorylated SMAD2 (Sma/Mothers Against dpp, a downstream transcriptional activator) using a sandwich ELISA. TGFbeta is involved in many different cellular responses, such as proliferation, angiogenesis, migration, invasion and immunomodulation. SMAD2 and SMAD3 are phosphorylated as a result of the canonical cascade through ligand binding and receptor kinase activation. These phosphorylated SMADs (pSMAD) associate with SMAD4, a co-SMAD, and transcriptionally activate TGFbeta-mediated genes. This paper describes the novel method for measuring the downstream effects of inhibiting canonical TGFbeta signalling using ex vivo stimulation of surrogate tissue to predict tumour response. In addition, we present the assay validation rationale and data. This novel, validated assay can be used to gain insight into clinical trials regarding TGFbeta signal modulation by multiple inhibitor platforms for both large and small molecules.

Activated type I TGFbeta receptor kinase enhances the survival of mammary epithelial cells and accelerates tumor progression.

We have examined the effects of transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta) signaling on mammary epithelial cell survival. Transgenic mice expressing an active mutant of Alk5 in the mammary gland (MMTV-Alk5(T204D)) exhibited reduced apoptosis in terminal endbuds and during postlactational involution. Transgene-expressing mammary cells contained lower Smad2/3 and higher c-myc levels than controls, high ligand-independent phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) and Akt activities, and were insensitive to TGFbeta-mediated growth arrest. Treatment with a proteasome inhibitor increased Smad2/3 levels and ligand-independent Smad transcriptional reporter activity, as well as reduced both c-myc protein and basal cell proliferation. Treatment with an Alk5 kinase small-molecule inhibitor upregulated Smad2/3 levels, reduced PI3K activity, P-Akt, and c-myc, and inhibited cell survival. Although Alk5(T204D)-expressing mice did not develop mammary tumors, bigenic MMTV-Alk(T204D) x Neu mice developed cancers that were more metastatic than those occurring in MMTV-Neu transgenics. These data suggest that (1) TGFbeta can signal to PI3K/Akt and enhance mammary epithelial cell survival in vivo before cytological or histological evidence of transformation, and (2) TGFbeta signaling can provide epithelial cells with a 'gain-of-function' effect that synergizes with oncogene-induced transformation.

Competence in language at 24 months: relations with attachment security and home stimulation.

This study explored the interrelations among attachment, home stimulation, and language development in 58 toddlers (36 medically high risk and 22 low risk) at 24 months of age. The results indicated that there were additive effects of attachment and home stimulation on language competence, especially on receptive abilities. Mothers who had established secure relationships and provided stimulating home environments had children with the highest language scores.

A LIS1/NUDEL/cytoplasmic dynein heavy chain complex in the developing and adult nervous system.

Mutations in mammalian Lis1 (Pafah1b1) result in neuronal migration defects. Several lines of evidence suggest that LIS1 participates in pathways regulating microtubule function, but the molecular mechanisms are unknown. Here, we demonstrate that LIS1 directly interacts with the cytoplasmic dynein heavy chain (CDHC) and NUDEL, a murine homolog of the Aspergillus nidulans nuclear migration mutant NudE. LIS1 and NUDEL colocalize predominantly at the centrosome in early neuroblasts but redistribute to axons in association with retrograde dynein motor proteins. NUDEL is phosphorylated by Cdk5/p35, a complex essential for neuronal migration. NUDEL and LIS1 regulate the distribution of CDHC along microtubules, and establish a direct functional link between LIS1, NUDEL, and microtubule motors. These results suggest that LIS1 and NUDEL regulate CDHC activity during neuronal migration and axonal retrograde transport in a Cdk5/p35-dependent fashion.

Bmp signaling regulates proximal-distal differentiation of endoderm in mouse lung development.

In the mature mouse lung, the proximal-distal (P-D) axis is delineated by two distinct epithelial subpopulations: the proximal bronchiolar epithelium and the distal respiratory epithelium. Little is known about the signaling molecules that pattern the lung along the P-D axis. One candidate is Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4 (Bmp4), which is expressed in a dynamic pattern in the epithelial cells in the tips of growing lung buds. Previous studies in which Bmp4 was overexpressed in the lung endoderm (Bellusci, S., Henderson, R., Winnier, G., Oikawa, T. and Hogan, B. L. M. (1996) Development 122, 1693-1702) suggested that this factor plays an important role in lung morphogenesis. To further investigate this question, two complementary approaches were utilized to inhibit Bmp signaling in vivo. The Bmp antagonist Xnoggin and, independently, a dominant negative Bmp receptor (dnAlk6), were overexpressed using the surfactant protein C (Sp-C) promoter/enhancer. Inhibiting Bmp signaling results in a severe reduction in distal epithelial cell types and a concurrent increase in proximal cell types, as indicated by morphology and expression of marker genes, including the proximally expressed hepatocyte nuclear factor/forkhead homologue 4 (Hfh4) and Clara cell marker CC10, and the distal marker Sp-C. In addition, electron microscopy demonstrates the presence of ciliated cells, a proximal cell type, in the most peripheral regions of the transgenic lungs. We propose a model in which Bmp4 is a component of an apical signaling center controlling P-D patterning. Endodermal cells at the periphery of the lung, which are exposed to high levels of Bmp4, maintain or adopt a distal character, while cells receiving little or no Bmp4 signal initiate a proximal differentiation program.

A combination assay for simultaneous assessment of multiple signaling pathways.

We have developed an assay in which modulation of two or more signaling pathways can be assessed concurrently by combining reporter gene systems with fluorescent probe technology. The validation of this method was achieved by indirect analysis of adenylyl cyclase activation with the use of a cyclic AMP response element (CRE)-luciferase reporter system in combination with the measurement of calcium mobilization by Calcium Green-1 AM fluorescence on a fluorescent imaging plate reader. To demonstrate the utility of the method in studying the pharmacology of receptors that couple to more than one G protein, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, which stably expressed both the CRE-luciferase reporter gene and the human pituitary adenylyl cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) receptor, were treated with PACAP 1-27 and 1-38. Calcium mobilization and the induction of adenylyl cyclase activity in response to each concentration of peptide were assessed in individuals wells. This assay may also be used to screen for ligands of two or more unrelated receptors simultaneously without compromising the assessment of either signaling pathway. To illustrate this point, Rat-1 fibroblasts, which expressed human alpha1A receptors, were cocultured with CRE-luciferase CHO cells, which expressed human GLP-1 receptors. Calcium mobilization elicited by phenylephrine agonism of the alpha1A receptor was assessed in the same assay as GLP-1-induced activation of adenylyl cyclase. The pEC(50) for each agonist was similar to that observed when the cell lines were not cocultured. The number of different receptors that can be screened per well is limited only by the ability to distinguish different reporter gene signals and fluorescent indicators.

Epithelial/mesenchymal interactions and branching morphogenesis of the lung.

The establishment of branched tubular epithelial structures is critical for the viability of multicellular organisms: the tracheal system in Drosophila and the vertebrate lung being two such structures. Although there are obvious differences in the complexity of these branched organs, many of the underlying mechanisms and genes regulating their development appear to have been evolutionarily conserved.

Tumor suppressor Smad4 is a transforming growth factor beta-inducible DNA binding protein.

Members of the Smad family of proteins are thought to play important roles in transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta)-mediated signal transduction. In response to TGF-beta, specific Smads become inducibly phosphorylated, form heteromers with Smad4, and undergo nuclear accumulation. In addition, overexpression of specific Smad combinations can mimic the transcriptional effect of TGF-beta on both the plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) promoter and the reporter construct p3TP-Lux. Although these data suggest a role for Smads in regulating transcription, the precise nuclear function of these heteromeric Smad complexes remains largely unknown. Here we show that in Mv1Lu cells Smad3 and Smad4 form a TGF-beta-induced, phosphorylation-dependent, DNA binding complex that specifically recognizes a bipartite binding site within p3TP-Lux. Furthermore, we demonstrate that Smad4 itself is a DNA binding protein which recognizes the same sequence. Interestingly, mutations which eliminate the Smad DNA binding site do not interfere with either TGF-beta-dependent transcriptional activation or activation by Smad3/Smad4 cooverexpression. In contrast, mutation of adjacent AP1 sites within this context eliminates both TGF-beta-dependent transcriptional activation and activation in response to Smad3/Smad4 cooverexpression. Furthermore, concatemerized AP1 sites, in isolation, are activated by Smad3/Smad4 cooverexpression and, to a certain extent, by TGF-beta. Taken together, these data suggest that the Smad3/Smad4 complex has at least two separable nuclear functions: it forms a rapid, yet transient sequence-specific DNA binding complex, and it potentiates AP1-dependent transcriptional activation.

Optimization of 3-(1H-indazol-3-ylmethyl)-1,5-benzodiazepines as potent, orally active CCK-A agonists.

We previously described a series of 3-(1H-indazol-3-ylmethyl)-1,5-benzodiazepine CCK-A agonists exemplified by compound 1 (GW 5823), which is the first reported binding selective CCK-A full agonist demonstrating oral efficacy in a rat feeding model. In this report we describe analogs of compound 1 designed to explore changes to the C3 and N1 pharmacophores and their effect on agonist activity and receptor selectivity. Agonist efficacy in this series was affected by stereoelectronic factors within the C3 moiety. Binding affinity for the CCK-A vs CCK-B receptor showed little dependence on the structure of the C3 moiety but was affected by the nature of the second substituent at C3. Structure-activity relationships at the N1-anilidoacetamide "trigger" moiety within the C3 indazole series were also investigated. Both agonist efficacy and binding affinity within this series were modulated by variation of substituents on the N1-anilidoacetamide moiety. Evaluation of several analogs in an vivo mouse gallbladder emptying assay revealed compound 1 to be the most potent and efficacious of all the analogs tested. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of 1 in rats is also discussed.

Smad5 induces ventral fates in Xenopus embryo.

The Smad proteins have been implicated in the intracellular signaling of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) ligands. Here we describe the function of Smad5 in early Xenopus development. Misexpression of Smad5 in the embryo causes ventralization and induces ventral mesoderm. Moreover, Smad5 induces epidermis in dissociated ectoderm cells which would otherwise form neural tissue. Both of these activities require Smad4 (DPC4) activity. We propose that Smad5 acts downstream of the BMP4 signaling pathway in Xenopus embryos and directs the formation of ventral mesoderm and epidermis.

The viral oncoprotein E1A blocks transforming growth factor beta-mediated induction of p21/WAF1/Cip1 and p15/INK4B.

The adenovirus early gene product E1A is a potent stimulator of cellular proliferation, which when overexpressed can overcome the growth-inhibitory effects of the polypeptide hormone transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta). The ability of TGF-beta to arrest cell growth in G1 correlates with the transcriptional induction of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, p15/INK4B and p21/WAF1/Cip1; an inhibition of the G1 cyclin-Cdk complexes; and a maintenance of the retinoblastoma susceptibility gene product, Rb, in a hypophosphorylated state. The ability of E1A to overcome TGF-beta-mediated growth inhibition derives, in part, from its ability to sequester Rb and Rb family members. We report here that E1A also acts upstream of Rb by blocking the TGF-beta-mediated induction of p15 and p21. Consistent with these findings, E1A expression also blocks the ability of TGF-beta to inhibit Cdk2 kinase activity, as well as its ability to hold Rb in a hypophosphorylated state. The effect of E1A on the induction of p15 and p21 is independent of E1A's Rb binding activity. The E1A-mediated decrease in p15 levels is primarily the result of a block at the level of transcriptional activation by TGF-beta. This effect is dependent on E1A's ability to bind p300, one of E1A's target proteins. Thus, the ability of E1A to affect p15 and p21 expression represents an additional possible mechanism by which E1A can circumvent the negative regulation of cell cycle progression.

Antagonist-stimulated internalization of the G protein-coupled cholecystokinin receptor.

Receptor-mediated endocytosis has been observed after agonist occupation of several G protein-coupled receptors, which contributes to the desensitization response to agonist stimulation; however, the cellular signals required to initiate this process are unclear. In this study, we developed and characterized a new antagonist analogue of cholecystokinin (D-Tyr-Gly-[(Nle28,31,D-Trp30)cholecystokinin-26-32]-phen eth yl ester) that can be tagged with a fluorescent rhodamine and radioiodinated. This has permitted us to demonstrate that antagonist occupation of the cholecystokinin receptor also results in receptor internalization, which dissociates this response from second messenger signaling activities and receptor phosphorylation. Immunolocalization of this receptor after occupation with an established nonpeptidyl antagonist confirmed this phenomenon. Antagonist-induced receptor internalization probably results from stabilization of the receptor in a conformation that exposes a domain critical to directing it into the clathrin-dependent endocytic pathway. This work provides evidence for a new and independent mechanism for receptor internalization, provides a mechanism for the rarely observed phenomenon of antagonist-induced desensitization, and raises important issues regarding the approach to establish optimal treatment regimens for antagonist drugs.

Triazolam and zolpidem: a comparison of their psychomotor, cognitive, and subjective effects in healthy volunteers.

The psychomotor/cognitive performance, subject-rated, and observer-rated effects of single oral doses of the benzodiazepine hypnotic triazolam (0.125, 0.25, and 0.5 mg/70 kg) and the imidazopyridine hypnotic zolpidem (5, 10, and 20 mg/70 kg) were compared in 11 volunteers, in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design. Triazolam and zolpidem produced similar dose-related decrements on several performance measures, and similar dose-related increases on most observer-rated and several subject-rated measures. The drugs differed in the time course of their effects on these measures; the effects of zolpidem typically peaked 30 min earlier (1-1.5 h postdrug) than the effects of triazolam (1.5-2 h postdrug). Triazolam and zolpidem produced a different profile of effects on other performance measures which could not be attributed to time course differences. Triazolam produced significantly more impairment than zolpidem in time estimation. Triazolam, but not zolpidem, produced significant impairment on a short-term memory task. Zolpidem produced significantly more impairment than triazolam on several novel measures of performance on a computerized trail-making test. The observed differences between triazolam and zolpidem may be related to zolpidem's reported binding selectivity for the omega 1 receptor subtype.

Mammalian dwarfins are phosphorylated in response to transforming growth factor beta and are implicated in control of cell growth.

The dwarfin protein family has been genetically implicated in transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta)-like signaling pathways in Drosophila and Caenorhabditis elegans. To investigate the role of these proteins in mammalian signaling pathways, we have isolated and studied two murine dwarfins, dwarfin-A and dwarfin-C. Using antibodies against dwarfin-A and dwarfin-C, we show that these two dwarfins and an immunogenically related protein, presumably also a dwarfin, are phosphorylated in a time- and dose-dependent manner in response to TGF-beta. Bone morphogenetic protein 2, a TGF-beta superfamily ligand, induces phosphorylation of only the related dwarfin protein. Thus, TGF-beta superfamily members may use overlapping yet distinct dwarfins to mediate their intracellular signals. Furthermore, transient overexpression of either dwarfin-A or dwarfin-C causes growth arrest, implicating the dwarfins in growth regulation. This work provides strong biochemical and preliminary functional evidence that dwarfin-A and dwarfin-C represent prototypic members of a family of mammalian proteins that may serve as mediators of signaling pathways for TGF-beta superfamily members.

3-[2-(N-phenylacetamide)]-1,5-benzodiazepines: orally active, binding selective CCK-A agonists.

A series of modifications were made to the C-3 substituent of the 1,5-benzodiazepine CCK-A agonist 1. Replacement of the inner urea NH and addition of a methyl group to generate a C-3 quaternary carbon resulted in acetamide 6, which showed CCK-A receptor binding selectivity and sub-micromolar agonist activity in vitro. Benzodiazepine 6 was active in an in vivo mouse gallbladder emptying assay and represents a novel orally active, binding selective CCK-A agonist.

Modulation of cyclic AMP metabolism by glucocorticoids in PC18 cells.

Glucocorticoids modulate signal transduction mechanisms in a number of cell systems. As the adrenal medulla is exposed to relatively high levels of adrenal cortical glucocorticoids in vivo, particularly during periods of stress, the aim of the present study was to determine whether glucocorticoids modulate cyclic AMP (cAMP) metabolism in an in vitro model of this system, the PC18 cell line. Dexamethasone significantly potentiated cAMP accumulation in response to the adenosine analogue N6-R-phenylisopropyl adenosine (PIA), and in response to forskolin. This effect was both time- and concentration-dependent. Maximal potentiation was observed after 48 h of exposure to 1 microM dexamethasone. Corticosterone and to a lesser extent aldosterone also significantly potentiated PIA-dependent cAMP accumulation. In contrast, estradiol, testosterone, and triiodothyronine had no potentiative effect. Potentiation could be eliminated by coincubation with the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide. In the presence of Ro 20-1724, a cAMP-phosphodiesterase inhibitor, the degree of potentiation of both PIA- and forskolin-dependent cAMP accumulation was significantly decreased by 50-60%. These data suggested that altered cAMP-phosphodiesterase activity may be involved in this response. However, cytosolic and membrane-bound low Km cAMP-phosphodiesterase activity was unchanged in dexamethasone-treated cells compared with controls. Similarly, there were no significant differences in basal, PIA-, forskolin-, or GTP gamma S-stimulated adenylate cyclase activities between groups. These studies indicate that glucocorticoids can potentiate cAMP accumulation in intact PC18 cells. The mechanism underlying this potentiation is likely to be multifactorial, but may be due in part to decreased cAMP catabolism.

A transforming growth factor beta type I receptor that signals to activate gene expression.

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) is a multifunctional factor that regulates many aspects of cellular functions. TGF-beta signals through a heteromeric complex of the type I and type II TGF-beta receptors. However, the molecular mechanism of signal transduction by this receptor complex remains unresolved. The type II receptor belongs to a transmembrane receptor serine-threonine kinase family. A new member of this receptor family (R4) was identified and shown to be a functional TGF-beta type I receptor on the basis of its ability to restore a TGF-beta-induced gene response in mutant cell lines lacking endogenous type I receptor. Both ligand binding and signaling of the R4 protein were dependent on the presence of a functional type II receptor. The type I receptor has an intrinsic serine-threonine kinase activity, which was essential for signal transduction.

Modulation of cyclic AMP metabolism by protein kinase C in PC18 cells.

The present study examined the effect of protein kinase C (PKC) on cyclic AMP metabolism in PC18 cells, a recently developed model of the adrenal medullary chromaffin cell. Activation of PKC with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) significantly potentiated cAMP accumulation in response to the adenosine analog N6-R-phenyl-isopropyl adenosine (PIA) and to forskolin. The degree of potentiation of both PIA and forskolin-stimulated cAMP levels was significantly reduced but not completely eliminated when cells were incubated in the presence of the cAMP-phosphodiesterase (cAMP-PDE) inhibitor Ro20-1724. PMA pretreatment had no detectable effect on either cytosolic or membrane-bound low Km cAMP-PDE activity, but did significantly potentiate PIA-dependent adenylate cyclase activity. We conclude that the potentiation of agonist-dependent cAMP accumulation by PKC in intact PC18 cells is due to both an enhancement of cAMP biosynthetic capacity, as well as a suppression of cAMP catabolic activity.