Purification and characterization of protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP-MEG2

PTP-MEG2 is an intracellular protein tyrosine phosphatase with a putative lipid-binding domain at the N-terminus. The present study reports expression, purification, and characterization of the full-length form of the enzyme plus a truncated form containing the catalytic domain alone. Full-length PTP-MEG2 was expressed with an adenovirus system and purified from cytosolic extracts of human 293 cells infected with the recombinant adenovirus. The purification scheme included chromatographic separation of cytosolic extracts on fast flow Q-Sepharose, heparin-agarose, l-histidyldiazobenzylphosphonic acid agarose, and hydroxylapatite. The enrichment of PTP-MEG2 from the cytosol was about 120-fold. The truncated form of PTP-MEG2 was expressed in E. coli cells as a non-fusion protein and purified by using a chromatographic procedure similar to that used for the full-length enzyme. The purified full-length and truncated enzymes showed single polypeptide bands on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions and behaved as monomers on gel exclusion chromatography. With para-nitrophenylphosphate and phosphotyrosine as substrates, both forms of the enzyme exhibited classical Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Their responses to pH, ionic strength, metal ions, and protein phosphatase inhibitors are similar to those observed with other characterized tyrosine phosphatases. Compared with full-length PTP-MEG2, the truncated DeltaPTP-MEG2 displayed significantly higher V(max) and lower K(m) values, suggesting that the N-terminal putative lipid-binding domain may have an inhibitory role. The full-length and truncated forms of PTP-MEG2 were also expressed as GST fusion proteins in E. coli cells and purified to near homogeneity through affinity columns. However, the specific phosphatase activities of the GST fusion proteins were 10-25-fold below those obtained with the correspondent non-fusion proteins.     

ILPIP,a novel anti-apoptotic protein that enhances XIAP-mediated activation of JNK1 and protection against apoptosis

We have previously described a new aspect of the Inhibitor of Apoptosis (IAP) family of proteins anti-apoptotic activity that involves the TAK1/JNK1 signal transduction pathway (1,2). Our findings suggest the existence of a novel mechanism that regulates the anti-apoptotic activity of IAPs that is separate from caspase inhibition but instead involves TAK1-mediated activation of JNK1. In a search for proteins involved in the XIAP/TAK1/JNK1 signaling pathway we isolated by yeast two-hybrid screening a novel X chromosome-linked IAP (XIAP)-interacting protein that we called ILPIP (hILP-Interacting Protein). Whereas ILPIP moderately activates JNK family members when expressed alone, it strongly enhances XIAP-mediated activation of JNK1, JNK2, and JNK3. The expression of a catalytically inactive mutant of TAK1 blocked XIAP/ILPIP synergistic activation of JNK1 thereby implicating TAK1 in this signaling pathway. ILPIP moderately protects against interleukin-1beta converting enzyme- or Fas-induced apoptosis and significantly potentiates the anti-apoptotic activity of XIAP. In vivo co-precipitation experiments show that both ILPIP and XIAP interact with TAK1 and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6. Finally, expression of ILPIP did not affect the ability of XIAP to inhibit caspase activation, further supporting the idea that XIAP protection against apoptosis is achieved by two separate mechanisms: one requiring JNK1 activation and a second involving caspase inhibition.     

BRCA1-induced apoptosis involves inactivation of ERK1/2 activities

Mutation in the BRCA1 gene is associated with an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Recent studies have shown that the BRCA1 gene product may be important in mediating responses to DNA damage and genomic instability. Previous studies have indicated that overexpression of BRCA1 can induce apoptosis or cell cycle arrest at the G(2)/M border in various cell types. Although the activation of JNK kinase has been implicated in BRCA1-induced apoptosis, the role of other members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase family in mediating the cellular response to BRCA1 has not yet been examined. In this study, we monitored the activities of three members of the MAPK family (ERK1/2, JNK, p38) in MCF-7 breast cancer cells and U2OS osteosarcoma cells after their exposure to a recombinant adenovirus expressing wild type BRCA1 (Ad.BRCA1). Overexpression of BRCA1 in MCF-7 cells resulted in arrest at the G(2)/M border; however, BRCA1 expression in U2OS cells induced apoptosis. Although BRCA1 induced JNK activation in both cell lines, there were marked differences in ERK1/2 activation in response to BRCA1 expression in these two cell lines. BRCA1-induced apoptosis in U2OS cells was associated with no activation of ERK1/2. In contrast, BRCA1 expression in MCF-7 cells resulted in the activation of both ERK1/2 and JNK. To directly assess the role of ERK1/2 in determining the cellular response to BRCA1, we used dominant negative mutants of MEK1 as well as MEK1/2 inhibitor PD98059. Our results indicate that inhibition of ERK1/2 activation resulted in increased apoptosis after BRCA1 expression in MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, BRCA1-induced apoptosis involved activation of JNK, induction of Fas-L/Fas interaction, and activation of caspases 8 and 9. The studies presented in this report indicate that the response to BRCA1 expression is determined by the regulation of both the JNK and ERK1/2 signaling pathways in cells.     

Phosphorylation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae choline kinase on Ser30 and Ser85 by protein kinase A regulates phosphatidylcholine synthesis by the CDP-choline pathway

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae CKI-encoded choline kinase is phosphorylated on a serine residue and stimulated by protein kinase A. We examined the hypothesis that amino acids Ser(30) and Ser(85) contained in a protein kinase A sequence motif in choline kinase are target sites for protein kinase A. The synthetic peptides SQRRHSLTRQ (V(max)/K(m) = 10.8 microm(-1) nmol min(-1) mg(-1)) and GPRRASATDV (V(max)/K(m) = 0.15 microm(-1) nmol min(-1) mg(-1)) containing the protein kinase A motif for Ser(30) and Ser(85), respectively, within the choline kinase protein were substrates for protein kinase A. Choline kinase with Ser(30) to Ala (S30A) and Ser(85) to Ala (S85A) mutations were constructed alone and in combination by site-directed mutagenesis and expressed in a cki1Delta eki1Delta double mutant that lacks choline kinase activity. The mutant enzymes were expressed normally, but the specific activity of choline kinase in cells expressing the S30A, S85A, and S30A,S85A mutant enzymes was reduced by 44, 8, and 60%, respectively, when compared with the control. In vivo labeling experiments showed that the extent of phosphorylation of the S30A, S85A, and S30A,S85A mutant enzymes was reduced by 70, 17, and 83%, respectively. Phosphorylation of the S30A, S85A, and S30A,S85A mutant enzymes by protein kinase A in vitro was reduced by 60, 7, and 96%, respectively, and peptide mapping analysis of the mutant enzymes confirmed the phosphorylation sites in the enzyme. The incorporation of (3)H-labeled choline into phosphocholine and phosphatidylcholine in cells bearing the S30A, S85A, and S30A,S85A mutant enzymes was reduced by 56, 27, and 81%, respectively, and by 58, 33, and 84%, respectively, when compared with control cells. These data supported the conclusion that phosphorylation of choline kinase on Ser(30) and Ser(85) by protein kinase A regulates PC synthesis by the CDP-choline pathway.     

Initial characterization of the glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit Gclm(-/-) knockout mouse. Novel model system for a severely compromised oxidative stress response

Glutamate-cysteine ligase (GCL) is the rate-limiting enzyme in the GSH biosynthesis pathway. In higher eukaryotes, this enzyme is a heterodimer comprising a catalytic subunit (GCLC) and a modifier subunit (GCLM), which change the catalytic characteristics of the holoenzyme. To define the cellular function of GCLM, we disrupted the mouse Gclm gene to create a null allele. Gclm(-/-) mice are viable and fertile and have no overt phenotype. In liver, lung, pancreas, erythrocytes, and plasma, however, GSH levels in Gclm(-/-) mice were 9-16% of that in Gclm(+/+) littermates. Cysteine levels in Gclm(-/-) mice were 9, 35, and 40% of that in Gclm(+/+) mice in kidney, pancreas, and plasma, respectively, but remained unchanged in the liver and erythrocytes. Comparing the hepatic GCL holoenzyme with GCLC in the genetic absence of GCLM, we found the latter had an approximately 2-fold increase in K(m) for glutamate and a dramatically enhanced sensitivity to GSH inhibition. The major decrease in GSH, combined with diminished GCL activity, rendered Gclm(-/-) fetal fibroblasts strikingly more sensitive to chemical oxidants such as H(2)O(2). We conclude that the Gclm(-/-) mouse represents a model of chronic GSH depletion that will be very useful in evaluating the role of the GCLM subunit and GSH in numerous pathophysiological conditions as well as in environmental toxicity associated with oxidant insult.     

Alzheimer's disease-related overexpression of the cation-dependent mannose 6-phosphate receptor increases Abeta secretion: role for altered lysosomal hydrolase distribution in beta-amyloidogenesis

Prominent endosomal and lysosomal changes are an invariant feature of neurons in sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD). These changes include increased levels of lysosomal hydrolases in early endosomes and increased expression of the cation-dependent mannose 6-phosphate receptor (CD-MPR), which is partially localized to early endosomes. To determine whether AD-associated redistribution of lysosomal hydrolases resulting from changes in CD-MPR expression affects amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing, we stably transfected APP-overexpressing murine L cells with human CD-MPR. As controls for these cells, we also expressed CD-MPR trafficking mutants that either localize to the plasma membrane (CD-MPRpm) or to early endosomes (CD-MPRendo). Expression of CD-MPR resulted in a partial redistribution of a representative lysosomal hydrolase, cathepsin D, to early endosomal compartments. Turnover of APP and secretion of sAPPalpha and sAPPbeta were not altered by overexpression of any of the CD-MPR constructs. However, secretion of both human Abeta40 and Abeta42 into the growth media nearly tripled in CD-MPR- and CD-MPRendo-expressing cells when compared with parental or CD-MPRpm-expressing cells. Comparable increases were confirmed for endogenous mouse Abeta40 in L cells expressing these CD-MPR constructs but not overexpressing human APP. These data suggest that redistribution of lysosomal hydrolases to early endocytic compartments mediated by increased expression of the CD-MPR may represent a potentially pathogenic mechanism for accelerating Abeta generation in sporadic AD, where the mechanism of amyloidogenesis is unknown.     

BAP,a mammalian BiP-associated protein,is a nucleotide exchange factor that regulates the ATPase activity of BiP

We identified a mammalian BiP-associated protein, BAP, using a yeast two-hybrid screen that shared low homology with yeast Sls1p/Sil1p and mammalian HspBP1, both of which regulate the ATPase activity of their Hsp70 partner. BAP encoded an approximately 54-kDa protein with an N-terminal endoplasmic reticulum (ER) targeting sequence, two sites of N-linked glycosylation, and a C-terminal ER retention sequence. Immunofluorescence staining demonstrated that BAP co-localized with GRP94 in the endoplasmic reticulum. BAP was ubiquitously expressed but showed the highest levels of expression in secretory organ tissues, a pattern similar to that observed with BiP. BAP binding was affected by the conformation of the ATPase domain of BiP based on in vivo binding studies with BiP mutants. BAP stimulated the ATPase activity of BiP when added alone or together with the ER DnaJ protein, ERdj4, by promoting the release of ADP from BiP. Together, these data demonstrate that BAP serves as a nucleotide exchange factor for BiP and provide insights into the mechanisms that control protein folding in the mammalian ER.     

Salicylate suppresses macrophage nitric-oxide synthase-2 and cyclo-oxygenase-2 expression by inhibiting CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-beta binding via a common signaling pathway

We determined whether salicylate at pharmacological concentrations inhibits nitric-oxide synthase-2 (NOS-2) and cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) expressions in RAW 264.7 stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). Cells were treated with sodium salicylate (10(-7)-10(-4) m) or vehicle for 30 min followed by LPS+IFN-gamma for up to 24 h. Salicylate suppressed NOS-2 and COX-2 protein levels and promoter activities stimulated by LPS+IFN-gamma for 4 h in a concentration-dependent manner but had no effect on NOS-2 expression stimulated by the combined agonists for 24 h. Results from promoter analysis indicate that the binding of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta (C/EBPbeta) to its cognate site at -150/-142 on the NOS-2 promoter region was essential for NOS-2 expression at 4 h but not at 24 h. Salicylate reduced C/EBPbeta binding at 4 h and did not alter its binding at 24 h. NOS-2 and COX-2 protein levels and C/EBPbeta binding stimulated by LPS+IFN-gamma for 4 h were inhibited by a similar battery of signaling inhibitors, suggesting a common pathway for NOS-2 and COX-2 expression. Kinetic analysis indicates that NOS-2, similar to COX-2 expression, at 4 h was largely due to the action of LPS, which induced C/EBPbeta binding, whereas its expression at a longer time point was contributed by IFN-gamma. Our findings implicate two distinct pathways for NOS-2 expression induced by LPS+IFN-gamma. Salicylate at pharmacological concentrations is capable of suppressing the early phase of NOS-2 and COX-2 expression by blocking C/EBPbeta binding.