Memory and PTPIP51--a new protein in hippocampus and cerebellum.

Previously the expression of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Interacting Protein 51 (PTPIP51) in mouse brain was reported. Here, we investigated PTPIP51 mRNA and protein in two of the brain regions namely the hippocampus and the cerebellum of mouse brains. On a cellular level both the protein and the mRNA were related to the pyramidal cells of the hippocampal formation, the granular cells of the dentate gyrus and the cells of the adjacent strata. In the cerebellum PTPIP51 was traced in Purkinje cells, the cells of the molecular layer and the granular layer. On a subcellular level only partial co-localization was seen for the endoplasmic reticulum, but not with mitochondria. In addition the interactome of PTPIP51 was analysed. In hippocampal cells a strong interaction with PTP1B and vesicle-associated membrane protein-associated protein B (VAPB) was detected. A somewhat differing interaction profile was found in the cerebellum, where high interaction levels were found for 14-3-3, diacylglycerol kinase α (DGKα), NFκB and PTP1B. These interaction partners represent specific signalling pathways linked to building memory. PTPIP51 can be associated with nerve growth factor signalling, dendritic and axonal growth, synaptogenesis, and all processes needed for memory formation. Moreover, in HT-22 mouse hippocampal cells PTPIP51 expression was induced by administrating the fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF-1), which is known to take part in learning/memory processes. Knocking down p38-MAPK also led to an up-regulation of PTPIP51 probably resembling a compensative mechanism. Thus, a possible connection to the processing of memories can be anticipated. Differences in the interaction profile in both regions may be attributed to the actual/local differences in memory formation.

PTPIP51 levels in glioblastoma cells depend on inhibition of the EGF-receptor.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase interacting protein 51 (PTPIP51) is upregulated in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and expression levels correlate with the grade of malignancy in gliomas. A similar correlation was reported for its interacting partner 14-3-3ß, which has been shown to facilitate the interaction of PTPIP51 with cRAF (Raf1). Since the interaction of these signalling partners stimulates growth factor signalling downstream of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a major drug target in GBM, we here investigated the impact of EGFR inhibition by small molecule inhibitors or monoclonal antibody on PTPIP51. The effect of EGFR inhibition on PTPIP51 mRNA, protein expression and its interaction profile in GBM was analyzed using the U87 cell line as model system. The transferability of the results to in vivo conditions was evaluated in cultured tumour cells from GBM patients. Cells were treated either to the small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor of EGFR Gefitinib or the monoclonal antibody Cetuximab in a time and dose dependent manner. Gefitinib treatment decreased the proliferation rate and induced apoptosis in U87 and primary tumour cells. The PTPIP51 interaction profile changed in correlation to the applied Gefitinib. Despite unchanged mRNA levels PTPIP51 protein was reduced. In contrast, treatment with Cetuximab had no effects on PTPIP51 expression. In conclusion, our results demonstrate the impact of EGFR inhibition by Gefitinib on PTPIP51 protein expression, a downstream regulator of MAPK signalling. These data will serve as a basis to unravel the precise role of PTPIP51-mediated signalling in GBM and its potential implications for Gefitinib-mediated therapy in future studies.

PTPIP51, a positive modulator of the MAPK/Erk pathway, is upregulated in glioblastoma and interacts with 14-3-3ß and PTP1B in situ.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and most malignant primary brain tumour. Protein tyrosine phosphatase interacting protein 51 (PTPIP51) is an interaction partner of 14-3-3ß, which correlates with the grade of malignancy in gliomas. In this study PTPIP51 and its interacting partners 14-3-3ß, PTP1B, c-Src, Raf-1 as well as EGFR were investigated in human glioblastoma. Twenty glioblastoma samples were analyzed on transcriptional and translational level by immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization and RT-PCR. To compare PTPIP51 expression in gliomas of different malignancies, quantitative RT-PCR for grade II astrocytoma and GBM samples was employed. Additionally, we analyzed the correlation between PTPIP51 and 14-3-3ß transcription, and checked for in situ interaction between PTPIP51 and 14-3-3ß and PTP1B, respectively. PTPIP51 and 14-3-3ß mRNA showed a tumour grade dependent upregulation in gliomas. Glioblastoma cells displayed a strong immunoreaction of PTPIP51, which co-localized with 14-3-3ß and PTP1B. The duolink proximity ligation assay corroborated a direct in situ interaction of PTPIP51 with both proteins, known to interact with PTPIP51 in vitro. The in vitro interacting partners Raf-1 and c-Src showed a partial co-localization. Besides, immune cells located in capillaries or infiltrating the tumour tissue and endothelial cells of pseudoglomerular vessels revealed a high PTPIP51 expression. The upregulation of PTPIP51 and its connection with the EGFR/MAPK pathway by 14-3-3ß via Raf-1 and by PTP1B via c-Src, argue for a functional role of PTPIP51 in the pathogenesis of human glioblastoma.