The elucidation of novel SH2 binding sites on PLD2.

Our laboratory has recently reported that the enzyme phospholipase D2 (PLD2) exists as a ternary complex with PTP1b and the growth factor receptor bound protein 2 (Grb2). Here, we establish the mechanistic underpinnings of the PLD2/Grb2 association. We have identified residues Y(169) and Y(179) in the PLD2 protein as being essential for the Grb2 interaction. We present evidence indicating that Y(169) and Y(179) are located within two consensus sites in PLD2 that mediate an SH2 interaction with Grb2. This was demonstrated with an SH2-deficient GSTGrb2 R86K mutant that failed to pull-down PLD2 in vitro. In order to elucidate the functions of the two neighboring tyrosines, we created a new class of deletion and point mutants in PLD2. Phenylalanine replacement of Y(169) (PLD2 Y169F) or Y(179) (PLD2 Y179F) reduced Grb2 binding while simultaneous mutation completely abolished it. The role of the two binding sites on PLD2 was found to be functionally nonequivalent: Y(169) serves to modulate the activity of the enzyme, whereas Y(179) regulates total tyrosine phosphorylation of the protein. Interestingly, binding of Grb2 to PLD2 occurs irrespectively of lipase activity, since Grb2 binds to catalytically inactive PLD2 mutants. Finally, PLD2 residues Y(169) and Y(179) are necessary for the recruitment of Sos, but only overexpression of the PLD2 Y179F mutant resulted in increased Ras activity, p44/42(Erk) phosphorylation and enhanced DNA synthesis. Since Y(169) remains able to modulate enzyme activity and is capable of binding to Grb2 in the PLD2 Y179F mutant, we propose that Y(169) is kept under negative regulation by Y(179). When this is released, Y(169) mediates cellular proliferation through the Ras/MAPK pathway.

PLD Protein-Protein Interactions With Signaling Molecules and Modulation by PA.

We describe methods for studying phospholipase D (PLD) interactions with signaling proteins and modulation of these interactions by the PLD reaction product, phosphatidic acid (PA). PLD is fundamental to the physiological maintenance of cellular/intracellular membranes, protein trafficking, cytoskeletal dynamics, membrane remodeling, cell proliferation, meiotic division and sporulation. PA is an acidic phospholipid involved in the biosynthesis of many other lipids that affects the enzymatic activities of many different signaling proteins via protein-lipid interactions or as a substrate. The involvement of PLD as an effector of protein-protein interactions and downstream signaling via PA-mediated processes has led to the investigation of PA-binding domains in target protein partners. We present here data and protocols detailing the interaction between PLD2-Rac2 interaction and modulation of this interaction by PA. We describe biochemical techniques to measure interactions between PLD, PA, and the small GTPase Rac2, which are associated in the cell. We found two maxima concentrations of PA that contributed to association or dissociation of Rac2 with PLD2, as well as the PLD2 lipase and guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) activities. Fluctuations in the Rac2-PLD2 protein-protein binding interaction facilitate shuttling of Rac2 and/or PLD2 within the cell dependent on local cellular PA concentration. Fluorescence resonance emission transfer stoichiometry for PLD2 and Rac2 binding yielded a 3:1 ratio of Rac2:PLD2. Detection of PA in mammalian cells with a new biosensor showed colocalization in and around the nucleus. We also described methods for quantitation of PA in biological materials by HPLC electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry.

Involvement of Shc and Cbl-PI 3-kinase in Lyn-dependent proliferative signaling pathways for G-CSF.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is the major hematopoietic factor which controls the production and differentiation of granulocytes. The G-CSF receptor (G-CSFR) belongs to the superfamily of the cytokine receptors, which transduce signals via the activation of cytosolic protein tyrosine kinases (PTK). To determine the role of specific PTK in G-CSF signaling we expressed the human G-CSFR in cell lines derived from DT40 B cells, which lack either the Src-related Lyn or Syk. Wild-type (wt) and syk-deficient cells underwent increased DNA synthesis in response to G-CSF; lyn-deficient cells did not. The purpose of these studies is to identify Lyn's downstream effectors in mediating DNA synthesis. While G-CSF stimulated Ras activity in all cell lines, G-CSF failed to induce the tyrosine phosphorylation of Shc in lyn-deficient cells. G-CSF induced a statistically significant activation of Erk1/Erk2 Kinase or p90Rsk only in the wt cells. G-CSF induced the tyrosine phosphorylation of Cbl and increased activity of PI 3-kinase in wild-type and syk-deficient, but non in lyn-deficient, cells. Inhibition of Shc by over-expression of its SH2 or PTB domains or PI 3-kinase by either treatment with wortmannin or expression of the CblY731F mutant decreased G-CSF-induced DNA synthesis. Thus, the Lyn, Cbl-PI 3-kinase, and Shc/non-Ras-dependent pathways correlate with the ability of cells to respond to G-CSF with increased DNA synthesis.

Modulation of lyso-platelet-activating factor: acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase from rat splenic microsomes. The role of calcium ions.

The enzyme lyso-platelet-activating factor: acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.67) was assayed in microsomal fractions from rat spleens. The addition of micromolar Ca2+ rapidly enhanced acetyltransferase activity and this activation was reversed by the addition of EGTA in excess of Ca2+. The effect of Ca2+ was on the apparent Km of the enzyme for the substrate acetyl-CoA without showing any significant effect on the Vmax of the acetylation reaction. When microsomes were isolated in the presence of 5 mM EGTA, to remove endogenous calmodulin, the same enhancing effect of Ca2+ on the acetylation reaction was observed. The addition of exogenous calmodulin to this preparation had no effect on the enzyme activity. Preincubation of spleen microsomes with the calmodulin inhibitor trifluoperazine decreased acetyltransferase in both the presence and the absence of Ca2+, indicating an effect of this drug independently of calmodulin. The addition of Mg-ATP to the assay mixture also had no effect on the acetylation reaction. These data suggest that Ca2+ modulates acetyltransferase activity from rat spleen microsomes by a mechanism that seems to be independent of calmodulin or protein phosphorylation.

Modulation of lyso-platelet activating factor: acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase from rat splenic microsomes. The role of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase.

Incubation of rat splenic microsomes with the catalytic subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase in the presence of Mg-ATP stimulated 2-3-fold lyso-platelet-activating factor: acetyltransferase activity. This activation was due to an increase in the Vmax of the acetylation reaction, whereas the Km for acetyl-CoA was not affected. The ATP derivative, AMPPNP, could not replace ATP and preincubation of the microsomes with the heat-stable inhibitor of protein kinase prevented the activation by Mg-ATP obtained in the presence of the protein kinase. Activation of the acetylation reaction by the protein kinase was reversible. Evidence is provided that the reversal of activation is due to dephosphorylation of the enzyme. These data provide evidence that in vitro lyso-platelet-activating factor: acetyltransferase from splenic microsomes is regulated by phosphorylation.

Presence of a phospholipase D (PLD) distinct from PLD1 or PLD2 in human neutrophils: immunobiochemical characterization and initial purification.

Utilizing the transphosphatidylation reaction catalyzed by phospholipase D (PLD) in the presence of a primary alcohol and the short-chain phospholipid PC8, we have characterized the enzyme from human neutrophils. A pH optimum of 7.8-8.0 was determined. PIP(2), EDTA/EGTA, and ATP were found to enhance basal PLD activity in vitro. Inhibitory elements were: oleate, Triton X-100, n-octyl-beta-glucopyranoside, divalent cations, GTPgammaS and H(2)O(2). The apparent K(m) for the butanol substrate was 0.1 mM and the V(max) was 6.0 nmol mg(-1) h(-1). Immunochemical analysis by anti-pan PLD antibodies revealed a neutrophil PLD of approximately 90 kDa and other bands recognized minimally by anti-PLD1 or anti-PLD2 antibodies. The 90-kDa protein is tyrosine-phosphorylated upon cell stimulation with GM-CSF and formyl-Met-Leu-Phe. Protein partial purification using column liquid chromatography was performed after cell subfractionation. Based on the enzyme's regulatory and inhibitory factors, and its molecular weight, these data indicate an enzyme isoform that might be different from the mammalian PLD1/2 forms described earlier. The present results lay the foundation for further purification of this granulocyte PLD isoform.

Phospholipase D: a novel major player in signal transduction.

The role of the mammalian phospholipase D (PLD) in the control of key cellular responses has been recognised for a long time, but only recently have there been the reagents to properly study this very important enzyme in the signalling pathways, linking cell agonists with intracellular targets. With the recent cloning of PLD isoenzymes, their association with low-molecular-weight G proteins, protein kinase C and tyrosine kinases, the availability of antibodies and an understanding of the role of PLD product, phosphatidic acid (PA), in cell physiology, the field is gaining momentum. In this review, we will explore the molecular properties of mammalian PLD and its gene(s), the complexity of this enzyme regulation and the myriad physiological roles for PLD and PA and related metabolic products, with particular emphasis on a role in the activation of NADPH oxidase, or respiratory burst, leading to the generation of oxygen radicals.

Binding of GM-CSF to adherent neutrophils activates phospholipase D.

When the hematopoietic growth factor granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor was incubated with neutrophils adherent to plastic tissue culture plates or plates coated with extracellular matrix proteins, a rapid (3 min) but transient formation of phosphatidic acid was observed. This stimulation was dependent on the dose of GM-CSF, with an EC50 of 140 pM, and was further enhanced (up to 350%) with the PA phosphatase inhibitor propranolol in a dose-dependent manner. Conversely, GM-CSF was unable to trigger any PA formation in neutrophils maintained in suspension, even in the presence of soluble fibronectin. However, GM-CSF did prime the cells for enhanced PA formation in the presence of a secondary stimulus (fMet-Leu-Phe or PAF). GM-CSF also caused a time-dependent stimulation of diacylglycerol formation in adherent, but not suspended, cells and elicited a time-dependent stimulation of phosphatidylethanol formation, with a concomitant decrease in the formation of PA only at early (< 7 min) times. These observations were consistent with a rapid activation of the enzyme phospholipase D in adherent cells stimulated with GM-CSF. Additional data indicated that the source of DAG was PLD coexisting with PLC, especially at later times ( > 7 min) of stimulation with GM-CSF. Finally, the formation of PA and PEt, and to a minor extent, DAG, were inhibited by the protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor erbstatin in conditions in which tyrosine phosphorylation occurred. Taken together the data indicate that GM-CSF rapidly activates PLD in adherent cells, which is responsible for the generation of PA. Thus, PLD activation is an early event in neutrophil signal transduction following exposure of adherent cells to GM-CSF.

Priming of tyrosine phosphorylation in GM-CSF-stimulated adherent neutrophils.

Adherence of human neutrophils to plastic, fibronectin, or collagen-coated surfaces modifies their response to several agonists including granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and fMet-Leu-Phe, permitting them to trigger superoxide anion (O2-) release, which they are unable to do as cells in suspension. Adherence of neutrophils causes a slight decrease in the basal level of tyrosine phosphorylation compared with that of suspended cells. The addition of GM-CSF, however, brings all proteins to a level of phosphorylation at least equal to that seen in suspended cells. In the case of a 130-kDa (p130) and a 42-kDa (p42) protein, the increase in tyrosyl phosphorylation in response to GM-CSF challenge is clearly larger in adherent than in suspended cells (6- and 4-fold increases for p130 and p42, respectively, in adherent cells vs. 1.7- and 2.1-fold in suspended cells). This is even more patient in the case of collagen-coated plates (9.4-fold increase for p42). Therefore, once neutrophils attach to surfaces, they become primed and respond to GM-CSF with greater potency than when they are in suspension. By Western blot analysis with anti-MAP kinase antibodies, we demonstrate that p42 is one member of the mitogen-activating protein kinase, namely the p42MAPK. The tyrosyl phosphorylation of p42MAPK is elevated in GM-CSF-treated adherent neutrophils in a time-dependent fashion as measured by the formation of a doublet composed of the phospho (or activated) form and the dephospho (or inactive) form of MAP kinase. MAP kinase activation and tyrosine phosphorylation are inhibited by tyrosine kinase inhibitors genistein and tyrphostin-23. Our results indicate that adherence acts to prime neutrophils for enhanced functionality and that tyrosine phosphorylation is involved in this process.

Dissociation of the 47-kilodalton protein phosphorylation from degranulation and superoxide production in neutrophils.

The aim for the present studies is to examine the relationship between the phosphorylation of the 47-kDa protein and some neutrophil responses such as degranulation, the synergistic effect of PMA on calcium ionophore-induced degranulation, superoxide generation, and the priming of the oxidative burst produced by the chemotactic factor fMet-Leu-Phe and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Incubation of neutrophils with the protein kinase inhibitor 1-(5-isoquinoline-sulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H-7) inhibits the phosphorylation of the 47-kDa protein produced by PMA and fMet-Leu-Phe but does not affect lysozyme release induced by the same stimuli or fMet-Leu-Phe-induced N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase release. Furthermore, the synergistic effect of PMA on the A23187-induced degranulation is not inhibited by H-7. Also, pretreatment of the cells with H-7 inhibits superoxide production produced by PMA but not by fMet-Leu-Phe. The inhibitory effect of H-7 is more pronounced on the rate than on the extent of PMA-induced superoxide release. On the other hand, N-(2-guanidinoethyl)-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide hydrochloride, HA-1004, a less potent protein kinase inhibitor, has no inhibitory effect on superoxide generation produced by fMet-Leu-Phe or PMA. In the case of superoxide production, the addition of low concentrations of PMA to rabbit neutrophils primes these cells to the subsequent stimulation by fMet-Leu-Phe, dramatically increasing the effect. Conversely, low concentrations of fMet-Leu-Phe prime the cells to PMA stimulation. The stimulation by PMA of cells primed with fMet-Leu-Phe is inhibited by H-7. Moreover, the priming effect by PMA is also inhibited by H-7. This inhibition is less pronounced at a low concentration of PMA. On the other hand, in the case of human neutrophils, the priming effect of PMA is not inhibited by H-7. These results suggest several points. First, phosphorylation of the protein identified on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis as having a molecular weight of 47 kDa and PI of 4.9 is not necessary for degranulation produced by either PMA or fMet-Leu-Phe. Second, the phosphorylation of the 47-kDa protein is not necessary for superoxide generation, at least in the case of fMet-Leu-Phe and possibly for other stimuli. Third, in rabbit neutrophils, both the priming and stimulation of superoxide production with PMA are inhibited by H-7. In human neutrophils, the priming by PMA is not affected by H-7.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor on superoxide production in cytoplasts and intact human neutrophils: role of protein kinase and G-proteins.

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, GM-CSF, potentiates superoxide generation produced by human neutrophils stimulated with fMet-Leu-Phe and platelet-activating factor, PAF, but not by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) or opsonized zymosan. The potentiation is greatest in fMet-Leu-Phe-stimulated cells. This indicates that the actions of only certain receptors are potentiated by GM-CSF. Incubation of the cells with the protein kinase inhibitor H-7 or with the protein synthesis inhibitor cyclohexamide before the addition of GM-CSF does not affect the observed potentiation. The rationales behind these studies are to examine the roles of protein kinase C and protein synthesis in the action of GM-CSF. The data suggest that neither protein kinase C nor protein synthesis is necessary for GM-CSF action. On the other hand, no potentiation can be seen in the presence of cytochalasin B. Unlike intact cells, GM-CSF does not enhance superoxide production by cytoplasts stimulated with fMet-Leu-Phe. The rationale behind the use of cytoplasts is to examine the role of granules and/or nucleus in GM-CSF action, and the data indicate that one or more of these two components is necessary for the priming effect of GM-CSF. The amount of actin associated with the cytoskeleton under control of fMet-Leu-Phe-stimulated condition is the same in normal and GM-CSF-treated human neutrophils. Botulinum D toxin ADP-ribosylates a protein with a molecular weight of 22 kDa. This ribosylation is reduced in homogenates obtained from cells pretreated with botulinum D toxin or GM-CSF. Botulinum D toxin does not affect the basal or the fMet-Leu-Phe-induced rise in the intracellular concentration of free calcium in human neutrophils. GM-CSF also increases the rise in intracellular concentration of free calcium in human neutrophils stimulated with PAF or fMet-Leu-Phe. The increases are inhibited by pertussis toxin. Several important conclusion can be drawn from these data. 1) GM-CSF potentiates the rise in Ca2+i produced by PAF and fMet-Leu-Phe, and these potentiations are inhibited in pertussis-toxin-treated cells. 2) GM-CSF does not prime cytoplasts to stimulation by fMet-Leu-Phe. This suggests that the granules and/or nucleus are necessary for the priming action. 3) The priming by GM-CSF is not mediated by the H-7-sensitive protein kinase C, botulinum D-sensitive G-protein, or protein synthesis.

Human cell line that differentiates to all myeloid lineages and expresses neutrophil secondary granule genes.

The aim of this study was to characterize a human leukemic cell line that appears capable of spontaneous differentiation to all myeloid lineages. The MPD cell line was derived using standard tissue culture techniques from the peripheral blood of a patient with an aggressive nonchronic myelogenous leukemia myeloproliferative disorder. Immunophenotyping, cytogenetic analysis, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, Northern blotting, immunoblotting, and colony assays were used to characterize the line and to assess its ability to express lineage-specific genes representative of advanced differentiation.Light microscopic morphologic analysis of the MPD cell line suggests that it has the unique property of spontaneous differentiation to mature-appearing neutrophils, macrophages, eosinophils, and basophils in proportions that approximate those found in normal bone marrow or peripheral blood. It was demonstrated that this cell line is capable of producing lineage-specific mRNA and granule proteins of at least two myeloid lineages, neutrophil and eosinophil, including neutrophil secondary granule proteins, which are not expressed in other available human cell lines. MPD cells were found to be capable of producing differentiated myeloid colonies (neutrophil, eosinophil, macrophge, mixed) in semisolid medium. The ability of MPD cells to express genetic programs associated with advanced differentiation of multiple myeloid lineages will make it a valuable tool for the study of the processes underlying lineage commitment and the regulation of expression of lineage-specific genes.

p42-MAP kinase is activated in EGF-stimulated interphase but not in metaphase-arrested HeLa cells.

It is known that cellular signals produced in response to an inappropriate spindle formation cause the cell to be arrested at metaphase (M) in the cell cycle. We report here that the 42-kDa isoform of MAPK (ERK2) was tyrosyl-phosphorylated and activated in response to epidermal growth factor (EGF) in interphase but not in M-arrested HeLa cells. However, the basal level of activity of M-arrested cells was higher than that of interphase, although the overall tyrosyl phosphorylation content was small. Further, the EGF receptor and its associated proteins GTPase-activating protein and phospholipase C were phosphorylated in M-arrested cells to a lower extent than they were in interphase. This implies that in spite of its high level of basal activity, the scarcity of MAPK activation in mitosis in response to EGF stems from an early impairment of phosphorylation of the receptor and neighboring proteins. The biological significance of these results underlies the importance of keeping the cell sheltered from extracellular signals when it undergoes division.

Immunoprecipitation of a phospholipase D activity with antiphosphotyrosine antibodies.

When granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-treated human neutrophils were challenged with the chemotactic factor fMet-Leu-Phe, it was possible to detect a time-dependent increase in the hydrolytic (as measured by the production of phosphatidic acid, PA) and the transphosphatidylation (as measured by the production of phosphatidylethanol, PEt) activities of phospholipase D in intact cells prelabeled with a radioactive fatty acid. Both activities were inhibited by preincubation of cells with genistein. Appropriate conditions were developed to test the PLD transphosphatidylation activity against exogenous phosphatidylcholine (PCho) in an in vitro system. As in intact cells, increased PLD activity could be detected in cell lysates obtained from fMet-Leu-Phe-treated cells compared with controls. When lysates were immunoprecipitated with antiphosphotyrosine antibodies, a PLD activity was found only in immune complexes that were prepared from fMet-Leu-Phe-treated cells. Conversely, no activity was found in lysates immunoprecipitated with an irrelevant antibody (GTPase-activating protein, GAP) that nevertheless was able to recognize a tyrosylphosphorylated form of GAP, as demonstrated by western blotting. These data suggest that a PCho-PLD, or a tightly bound protein, is tyrosine phosphorylated during cell activation.

Characteristics of the binding of platelet-activating factor to platelets of different animal species.

The binding of platelet-activating factor (PAF-acether) to human, rabbit and rat platelets was investigated by incubating washed platelets at 37 degrees C with radiolabeled [3H]PAF-acether. Scatchard plot analysis of the binding showed that human and rabbit platelets possess two different types of binding sites. One of them was saturable and of high affinity (KD 1.58 +/- 0.36 nM in human and 0.9 +/- 0.5 nM in rabbits), and the other one had nearly infinite binding capacity. By contrast, rat platelets only showed non-specific binding. Addition of unlabeled PAF-acether 5 min after the addition of [3H]PAF-acether showed that internalization of 66 +/- 9% of the specific binding in human and 52 +/- 6.9% in rabbit platelets had occurred. Specific binding of [3H]PAF-acether in rabbit platelets correlated well with [3H]serotonin release in response to different doses of PAF-acether and with the uptake of calcium by the platelets. By contrast, PAF-acether did not induce [3H]serotonin release or calcium uptake by rat platelets. The following data suggest that the potential of PAF-acether to activate platelets depends on the interaction with a specific membrane receptor rather than on a non-receptor-mediated alteration of the platelet membrane: (1) platelets from animal species sensitive to PAF-acether show saturability and specificity of binding; (2) platelets from one animal species non-sensitive to PAF-acether lack specific binding; (3) PAF-acether does not induce calcium uptake by platelets from an animal species which lacks specific binding sites.

Emerging paradigms in granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor signaling.

The myelomonocytic lineage of hematopoiesis is regulated by the growth factor granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). This cytokine has proven to be safe for use in coordination with the treatments for bone marrow transplants and acute myelogenous leukemia. GM-CSF and related cytokines operate through specific receptors in the membranes of target cells of the myelopoietic lineages (both immature and mature cells). The exact signal transduction mechanisms in the cell are only beginning to be clarified and involve a plethora of signaling molecules. With a wealth of new information from studies in GM-CSF-induced cell activation, three major experimental approaches are emerging as gold standards in the exploration of those signaling pathways initiated by hematopoietic growth factors. We consider here: (1) a protein-protein interaction, as exemplified by the association between the cytokine membrane receptor and JAK kinase; (2) a covalent modification of an enzyme, as studied in the phosphorylation of MAP kinase; and (3) a protein-DNA interaction, as demonstrated by the translocation of STAT from the cytosol to the nucleus where it can bind to the promoters of specific genes.

A systematic approach to the complete study of a signaling molecule: ribosomal p90rsk as an example.

Ribosomal p90rsk is a kinase of central importance in transducing mitogenic signals from an activated receptor to the cell nucleus and for protein synthesis. Here, we analyze the optimal steps to fully describe this kinase in both normal neutrophils and leukemic cell lines. These are: (i) immunological analyses (immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation); (ii) enzyme activity assays (in vitro and "in-gel"); and (iii) immunobiochemical combination methods (immunoprecipitation/kinase assay, immunoprecipitation/"in-gel" assay and ion exchange chromatography/immunoblotting). For the enzyme assays, we describe a novel method to measure ribosomal p90rsk kinase activity "in-gel", based on a renatured-protein method that allows for the direct quantitation of enzyme activity. Finally, we present an algorithm that can be readily implemented to the quantification of the extent of stimulation of a kinase in response to a particular extracellular stimuli. In our case, it was found that activation of p90rsk was higher in proliferating leukemic cells than in mature neutrophils, indicating that a suppression of key signal transduction links could contribute to the maturational arrest typical of acute leukemia. All the techniques and strategies described here for p90rsk could be easily extrapolated to the study of any signal transduction molecule, provided it has a phosphotransferase activity.

Synthesis of platelet-activating factor from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes: regulation and pharmacological approaches.

Human polymorphonuclears release a platelet-activating factor (PAF-acether) when challenged with various stimuli. PAF-acether is a mediator that is synthesized during cell activation in a process in which a phospholipase A2 and an acetyltransferase take part. These enzymes are finely regulated and accordingly PAF-acether release may be modulated. The authors have studied some of the transductory mechanisms which are triggered during cell stimulation and the effect of their pharmacological modulation on PAF-acether release. Theophylline, methylisobutylxanthine and dipyridamole, which block phosphodiesterase of cyclic nucleotides, induce a dose-dependent inhibition of PAF-acether release without affecting phagocytic uptake. Polyamines (dansylcadaverine, rimantadine and amantadine) reduced PAF-acether release and the phagocytic process in an order of potency similar to their ability to inhibit phospholipid methylation and the cholinephosphotransferase pathway. The calmodulin antagonist trifluoperazine induced a dose-dependent inhibition of PAF-acether release and acetyltransferase at concentrations from 10(-4) to 10(-5) M. Hence it appears that modulation of PAF-acether release can be obtained by different pharmacological blockades: phosphodiesterase of cyclic nucleotides, phospholipid metabolism and calcium-calmodulin.

Phospholipase D (PLD) drives cell invasion, tumor growth and metastasis in a human breast cancer xenograph model.

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies in human females in the world. One protein that has elevated enzymatic lipase activity in breast cancers in vitro is phospholipase D (PLD), which is also involved in cell migration. We demonstrate that the PLD2 isoform, which was analyzed directly in the tumors, is crucial for cell invasion that contributes critically to the growth and development of breast tumors and lung metastases in vivo. We used three complementary strategies in a SCID mouse model and also addressed the underlying molecular mechanism. First, the PLD2 gene was silenced in highly metastatic, aggressive breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) with lentivirus-based short hairpin RNA, which were xenotransplanted in SCID mice. The resulting mouse primary mammary tumors were reduced in size (65%, P<0.05) and their onset delayed when compared with control tumors. Second, we stably overexpressed PLD2 in low-invasive breast cancer cells (MCF-7) with a biscistronic MIEG retroviral vector and observed that these cells were converted into a highly aggressive phenotype, as primary tumors that formed following xenotransplantation were larger, grew faster and developed lung metastases more readily. Third, we implanted osmotic pumps into SCID xenotransplanted mice that delivered two different small-molecule inhibitors of PLD activity (5-fluoro-2-indolyl des-chlorohalopemide and N-[2-(4-oxo-1-phenyl-1,3,8-triazaspiro[4,5]dec-8-yl)ethyl]-2-naphthalenecarboxamide). These inhibitors led to significant (>70%, P<0.05) inhibition of primary tumor growth, metastatic axillary tumors and lung metastases. In order to define the underlying mechanism, we determined that the machinery of PLD-induced cell invasion is mediated by phosphatidic acid, Wiscott-Aldrich Syndrome protein, growth receptor-bound protein 2 and Rac2 signaling events that ultimately affect actin polymerization and cell invasion. In summary, this study shows for the first time that PLD2 has a central role in the development, metastasis and level of aggressiveness of breast cancer, raising the possibility that PLD2 could be used as a new therapeutic target.