Deletion of the SOCS box of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) in embryonic stem cells reveals SOCS box-dependent regulation of JAK but not STAT phosphorylation

The mechanism by which Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling-3 (SOCS3) negatively regulates cytokine signaling has been widely investigated using over-expression studies in cell lines and is thought to involve interactions with both the gp130 receptor and JAK1. Here, we compare the endogenous JAK/STAT signaling pathway downstream of Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) signaling in wild type (WT) Embryonic Stem (ES) cells and in ES cells lacking either the entire Socs3 gene or bearing a truncated form of SOCS3 (SOCS3ΔSB) lacking the C-terminal SOCS box motif (SOCS3^ΔSB/ΔSB). In SOCS3^ΔSB/ΔSB cells phosphorylated JAK1 accumulated at much higher levels than in WT cells or even cells lacking SOCS3 (SOCS3^?/?). In contrast enhanced activation of STAT3 and SHP2 was seen in SOCS3^?/? cells. Size exclusion chromatography of cell extracts showed that in unstimulated cells, JAK1 was exclusively associated with receptors but following cytokine stimulation hyperphosphorylated JAK1 (pJAK1) appeared to dissociate from the receptor complex in a manner independent of SOCS3. In WT and SOCS3^ΔSB/ΔSB cells SOCS3 was associated with pJAK1. The data suggest that dissociation of activated JAK1 from the receptor results in separate targeting of JAK1 for proteasomal degradation through a mechanism dependent on the SOCS3 SOCS box thus preventing further activation of STAT3.     

Both the suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS-1) kinase inhibitory region and SOCS-1 mimetic bind to JAK2 autophosphorylation site: implications for the development of a SOCS-1 antagonist

Suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)-1 protein modulates signaling by IFN-gamma by binding to the autophosphorylation site of JAK2 and by targeting bound JAK2 to the proteosome for degradation. We have developed a small tyrosine kinase inhibitor peptide (Tkip) that is a SOCS-1 mimetic. Tkip is compared in this study with the kinase inhibitory region (KIR) of SOCS-1 for JAK2 recognition, inhibition of kinase activity, and regulation of IFN-gamma-induced biological activity. Tkip and a peptide corresponding to the KIR of SOCS-1, ((53))DTHFRTFRSHSDYRRI((68)) (SOCS1-KIR), both bound similarly to the autophosphorylation site of JAK2, JAK2(1001-1013). The peptides also bound to JAK2 peptide phosphorylated at Tyr(1007), pJAK2(1001-1013). Dose-response competitions suggest that Tkip and SOCS1-KIR similarly recognize the autophosphorylation site of JAK2, but probably not precisely the same way. Although Tkip inhibited JAK2 autophosphorylation as well as IFN-gamma-induced STAT1-alpha phosphorylation, SOCS1-KIR, like SOCS-1, did not inhibit JAK2 autophosphorylation but inhibited STAT1-alpha activation. Both Tkip and SOCS1-KIR inhibited IFN-gamma activation of Raw 264.7 murine macrophages and inhibited Ag-specific splenocyte proliferation. The fact that SOCS1-KIR binds to pJAK2(1001-1013) suggests that the JAK2 peptide could function as an antagonist of SOCS-1. Thus, pJAK2(1001-1013) enhanced suboptimal IFN-gamma activity, blocked SOCS-1-induced inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation in IL-6-treated cells, enhanced IFN-gamma activation site promoter activity, and enhanced Ag-specific proliferation. Furthermore, SOCS-1 competed with SOCS1-KIR for pJAK2(1001-1013). Thus, the KIR region of SOCS-1 binds directly to the autophosphorylation site of JAK2 and a peptide corresponding to this site can function as an antagonist of SOCS-1.     

The SOCS box of SOCS-1 accelerates ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis of TEL-JAK2

Fusion of the TEL gene on 12p13 to the JAK2 tyrosine kinase gene on 9p24 has been found in human leukemia. TEL-mediated oligomerization of JAK2 results in constitutive activation of the tyrosine kinase (JH1) domain and confers cytokine-independent proliferation on interleukin-3-dependent Ba/F3 cells. Forced expression of the JAK inhibitor gene SOCS1/JAB/SSI-1 induced apoptosis of TEL-JAK2-transformed Ba/F3 cells. This suppression of TEL-JAK2 activity was dependent on SOCS box-mediated proteasomal degradation of TEL-JAK2 rather than on kinase inhibition. Degradation of JAK2 depended on its phosphorylation and its high affinity binding with SOCS1 through the kinase inhibitory region and the SH2 domain. It has been demonstrated that von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL) tumor-suppressor gene product possesses the SOCS box that forms a complex with Elongin B and C and Cullin-2, and it functions as a ubiquitin ligase. The SOCS box of SOCS1/JAB has also been shown to interact with Elongins; however, ubiquitin ligase activity has not been demonstrated. We found that the SOCS box interacted with Cullin-2 and promoted ubiquitination of TEL-JAK2. Furthermore, overexpression of dominant negative Cullin-2 suppressed SOCS1-dependent TEL-JAK2 degradation. Our study demonstrates the substrate-specific E3 ubiquitin-ligase-like activity of SOCS1 for activated JAK2 and may provide a novel strategy for the suppression of oncogenic tyrosine kinases.     

Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling (SOCS) 5 Utilises Distinct Domains for Regulation of JAK1 and Interaction with the Adaptor Protein Shc-1

Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling (SOCS)5 is thought to act as a tumour suppressor through negative regulation of JAK/STAT and epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling. However, the mechanism/s by which SOCS5 acts on these two distinct pathways is unclear. We show for the first time that SOCS5 can interact directly with JAK via a unique, conserved region in its N-terminus, which we have termed the JAK interaction region (JIR). Co-expression of SOCS5 was able to specifically reduce JAK1 and JAK2 (but not JAK3 or TYK2) autophosphorylation and this function required both the conserved JIR and additional sequences within the long SOCS5 N-terminal region. We further demonstrate that SOCS5 can directly inhibit JAK1 kinase activity, although its mechanism of action appears distinct from that of SOCS1 and SOCS3. In addition, we identify phosphoTyr317 in Shc-1 as a high-affinity substrate for the SOCS5-SH2 domain and suggest that SOCS5 may negatively regulate EGF and growth factor-driven Shc-1 signaling by binding to this site. These findings suggest that different domains in SOCS5 contribute to two distinct mechanisms for regulation of cytokine and growth factor signaling.     

Substitution of pseudokinase domain residue Val-617 by large non-polar amino acids causes activation of JAK2

Explaining the uniqueness of the acquired somatic JAK2 V617F mutation, which is present in more than 95% of polycythemia vera patients, has been a challenge. The V617F mutation in the pseudokinase domain of JAK2 renders the unmutated kinase domain constitutively active. We have performed random mutagenesis at position 617 of JAK2 and tested each of the 20 possible amino acids for ability to induce constitutive signaling in Ba/F3 cells expressing the erythropoietin receptor. Four JAK2 mutants, V617W, V617M, V617I, and V617L, were able to induce cytokine independence and constitutive downstream signaling. Only V617W induced a level of constitutive activation comparable with V617F. Also, only V617W stabilized tyrosine-phosphorylated suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3), a mechanism by which JAK2 V617F overcomes inhibition by SOCS3. The V617W mutant induced a myeloproliferative disease in mice, mainly characterized by erythrocytosis and megakaryocytic proliferation. Although JAK2 V617W would predictably be pathogenic in humans, the substitution of the Val codon, GTC, by TTG, the codon for Trp, would require three base pair changes, and thus it is unlikely to occur. We discuss how the predicted conformations of the activated JAK2 mutants can lead to better screening assays for novel small molecule inhibitors.     

Coinheritance of chromosomes 3 and 11 in the patients with autosomal recessive polycythemia from Chuvachia

Inheritance of chromosomes 3 and 11 in the families with Chuvash autosomal recessive polycythemia and in control group with no disease symptoms was examined using polymorphic dinucleotide markers D3S1597 and D3S1263, mapped to region 3p25, and D11S4111, D11S4127, and D11S1356, mapped to region 11q23. All patients were homozygous for the C598T mutation in the VHL gene (3p25). The analysis showed that in 75% of the cases, chromosome 3 carrying C598T mutation was coinherited with certain chromosome 11, which differed from 50%, expected upon independent inheritance of each chromosome. In case of chromosome 3 without C598T mutation, this pattern was observed neither in healthy sibs form the families with autosomal recessive polycythemia (44%), nor in the control group (43%). These results suggest that in case of the C598T mutation in the VHL gene, chromosomal loci 3p25 and 11q23 are inherited not independently, compared to the inheritance of these loci in the absence of the mutation in healthy sibs from the affected families (chi2 = 16.14; P < 0.001), and also in the control family sample (chi2 = 17.91; P < 0.001).     

Suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 regulates IL-15 receptor signaling in CD8+CD44high memory T lymphocytes

T lymphocyte survival, proliferation, and death in the periphery are dependent on several cytokines. Many of these cytokines induce the expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 (SOCS1), a feedback inhibitor of JAK kinases. However, it is unclear whether the cytokines that regulate T lymphocyte homeostasis are critically regulated by SOCS1 in vivo. Using SOCS1(-/-)IFN-gamma(-/-) mice we show that SOCS1 deficiency causes a lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by decreased CD4/CD8 ratio due to chronic accumulation of CD8+CD44(high) memory phenotype T cells. SOCS1-deficient CD8+ T cells express elevated levels of IL-2Rbeta, show increased proliferative response to IL-15 and IL-2 in vitro, and undergo increased bystander proliferation and vigorous homeostatic expansion in vivo. Sorted CD8+CD44(high) T cells from SOCS1(-/-)IFN-gamma(-/-) mice respond 5 times more strongly than control cells, indicating that SOCS1 is a critical regulator of IL-15R signaling. Consistent with this idea, IL-15 stimulates sustained STAT5 phosphorylation in SOCS1-deficient CD8+ T cells. IL-15 strongly induces TNF-alpha production in SOCS1-deficient CD8+ T cells, indicating that SOCS1 is also a critical regulator of CD8+ T cell activation by IL-15. However, IL-15 and IL-2 induce comparable levels of Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L) in SOCS1-deficient and SOCS1-sufficient CD8+ T cells, suggesting that cytokine receptor signals required for inducing proliferation and cell survival signals are not identical. These results show that SOCS1 differentially regulates common gamma-chain cytokine signaling in CD8+ T cells and suggest that CD8+ T cell homeostasis is maintained by distinct mechanisms that control cytokine-mediated survival and proliferation signals.     

Suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 inhibits VAV function through protein degradation

Suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 (SOCS1) is an inducible Src homology 2 (SH2)-containing protein that negatively regulates cytokine and growth factor signaling required during thymic development. Recent evidence indicates that SOCS1 interacts with elongins B and C, which are components of a ubiquitin ligase complex, VCB (VHL/elonginC/B), based on the VHL (von Hippel Lindau) tumor suppressor protein. SOCS1 has previously been shown to operate as an inhibitor of Janus kinases. Here we show that SOCS1 has the distinct function of targeting the hematopoietic specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor, VAV, for ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation. VAV and SOCS1 form a protein complex through interactions between the VAV NH(2)-terminal regulatory region and the SH2 domain of SOCS1 in a phosphotyrosine-independent manner. SOCS1 decreases the steady state levels of cotransfected VAV and onco-VAV and reduces the focus forming activity of onco-VAV. SOCS1 stimulates the polyubiquitination of VAV proteins in vivo, which was stabilized by proteasomal inhibitors. These results suggest that SOCS1 programs VAV degradation by acting as a substrate-specific recognition component of a VCB-like ubiquitin ligase complex.     

The SOCS2 ubiquitin ligase complex regulates growth hormone receptor levels

Growth Hormone is essential for the regulation of growth and the homeostatic control of intermediary metabolism. GH actions are mediated by the Growth Hormone Receptor; a member of the cytokine receptor super family that signals chiefly through the JAK2/STAT5 pathway. Target tissue responsiveness to GH is under regulatory control to avoid excessive and off-target effects upon GHR activation. The suppressor of cytokine signalling 2 (SOCS) is a key regulator of GHR sensitivity. This is clearly shown in mice where the SOCS2 gene has been inactivated, which show 30–40% increase in body length, a phenotype that is dependent on endogenous GH secretion. SOCS2 is a GH-stimulated, STAT5b-regulated gene that acts in a negative feedback loop to downregulate GHR signalling. Since the biochemical basis for these actions is poorly understood, we studied the molecular function of SOCS2. We demonstrated that SOCS2 is part of a multimeric complex with intrinsic ubiquitin ligase activity. Mutational analysis shows that the interaction with Elongin B/C controls SOCS2 protein turnover and affects its molecular activity. Increased GHR levels were observed in livers from SOCS2^−/− mice and in the absence of SOCS2 in in vitro experiments. We showed that SOCS2 regulates cellular GHR levels through direct ubiquitination and in a proteasomally dependent manner. We also confirmed the importance of the SOCS-box for the proper function of SOCS2. Finally, we identified two phosphotyrosine residues in the GHR to be responsible for the interaction with SOCS2, but only Y487 to account for the effects of SOCS2. The demonstration that SOCS2 is an ubiquitin ligase for the GHR unveils the molecular basis for its physiological actions.     

干扰素刺激基因表达对Peg-IFN抗乙型肝炎病毒免疫应答的影响

为了揭示干扰素刺激基因(interferon-stimulated gene, ISG)表达的改变对乙型肝炎病毒感染治疗效果的影响,本研究检测了干扰素刺激基因STAT1、MX和SOCS3在慢性乙型肝炎患者的外周血单核细胞(peripheral blood mononuclear cell, PBMC)和肝脏样品中的表达情况。结果显示,采用聚乙二醇干扰素(Peg-IFN)治疗后,Peg-IFN应答者的PBMC和肝组织中的STAT1和MX表达水平显著升高,而非应答者的SOCS3表达显著升高。在应答者的活组织检查中,Peg-IFN治疗24 h后细胞核中磷酸化STAT1的染色比例显著增加,而非应答者在治疗前肝细胞核染色比例较高,治疗后染色比例显著减少。此外,治疗前非应答者的肝SOCS3表达水平显著高于应答者,并且随着IFN的治疗SOCS3表达继续增加。本研究表明,STAT1和MX是Peg-IFN抗病毒免疫应答的正向调节因子,而SOCS3 (JAK/STAT途径的负调节因子)激活干扰素刺激基因的负调控,并抑制Peg-IFN的免疫应答。