Process elongation of oligodendrocytes is promoted by the Kelch-related protein MRP2/KLHL1

Oligodendrocytes (OLGs) are generated by progenitor cells that are committed to differentiating into myelin-forming cells of the central nervous system. Rearrangement of the cytoskeleton leading to the extension of cellular processes is essential for the myelination of axons by OLGs. Here, we have characterized a new member of the Kelch-related protein family termed MRP2 (for Mayven-related protein 2) that is specifically expressed in brain. MRP2/KLHL1 is expressed in oligodendrocyte precursors and mature OLGs, and its expression is up-regulated during OLG differentiation. MRP2/KLHL1 expression was abundant during the specific stages of oligodendrocyte development, as identified by A2B5-, O4-, and O1-specific oligodendrocyte markers. MRP2/KLHL1 was localized in the cytoplasm and along the cell processes. Moreover, a direct endogenous association of MRP2/KLHL1 with actin was observed, which was significantly increased in differentiated OLGs compared with undifferentiated OLGs. Overexpression of MRP2/KLHL1 resulted in a significant increase in the process extension of rat OLGs, whereas MRP2/KLHL1 antisense reduced the process length of primary rat OLGs. Furthermore, murine OLGs isolated from MRP2/KLHL1 transgenic mice showed a significant increase in the process extension of OLGs compared with control wild-type murine OLGs. These studies provide insights into the role of MRP2/KLHL1, through its interaction with actin, in the process elongation of OLGs.     

Food intake regulates oleoylethanolamide formation and degradation in the proximal small intestine

Oleoylethanolamide (OEA) is a lipid mediator that inhibits food intake by activating the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha. In the rodent small intestine OEA levels decrease during food deprivation and increase upon refeeding, suggesting that endogenous OEA may participate in the regulation of satiety. Here we show that feeding stimulates OEA mobilization in the mucosal layer of rat duodenum and jejunum but not in the serosal layer from the same intestinal segments in other sections of the gastrointestinal tract (stomach, ileum, colon) or in a broad series of internal organs and tissues (e.g. liver, brain, heart, plasma). Feeding also increases the levels of other unsaturated fatty acid ethanolamides (FAEs) (e.g. linoleoylethanolamide) without affecting those of saturated FAEs (e.g. palmitoylethanolamide). Feeding-induced OEA mobilization is accompanied by enhanced accumulation of OEA-generating N-acylphosphatidylethanolamines (NAPEs) increased activity and expression of the OEA-synthesizing enzyme NAPE-phospholipase D, and decreased activity and expression of the OEAdegrading enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase. Immunostaining studies revealed that NAPE-phospholipase D and fatty acid amide hydrolase are expressed in intestinal enterocytes and lamina propria cells. Collectively, these results indicate that nutrient availability controls OEA mobilization in the mucosa of the proximal intestine through a concerted regulation of OEA biosynthesis and degradation.     

Promotion of cancer cell migration: an insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-independent action of IGF-binding protein-6

A family of six high affinity IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs 1-6) plays an important role in modulating IGF activities. Recent studies suggest that some IGFBPs may have IGF-independent effects, including induction of apoptosis and modulation of cell migration. However, very little is known about possible IGF-independent actions of IGFBP-6. We have generated a non-IGF-binding IGFBP-6 mutant by substituting Ala for four amino acid residues (Pro(93)/Leu(94)/Leu(97)/Leu(98)) in its N-domain IGF-binding site. A >10,000-fold loss of binding affinity for IGF-I and IGF-II was observed using charcoal solution binding assay, BIAcore biosensor, and ligand blotting. Wild-type and mutant IGFBP-6, as well as IGF-II, induced cell migration in RD rhabdomyosarcoma and LIM 1215 colon cancer cells. Cell migration was mediated by the C-domain of IGFBP-6. Transient p38 phosphorylation was observed in RD cells after treatment with IGFBP-6, whereas no change was seen in phospho-ERK1/2 levels. Phospho-JNK was not detected. IGFBP-6-induced cell migration was inhibited by SB203580, an inhibitor of p38 MAPK, and PD98059, an inhibitor of ERK1/2 MAPK activation. In contrast, SP600125, a JNK MAPK inhibitor, had no effect on migration. Knockdown of p38 MAPK using short interfering RNA blocked IGFBP-6-induced migration of RD cells. These results indicate that p38 MAPK is involved in IGFBP-6-induced IGF-independent RD cell migration.     

Erlotinib effectively inhibits JAK2V617F activity and polycythemia vera cell growth

JAK2(V617F), a mutant of tyrosine kinase JAK2, is found in most patients with polycythemia vera (PV) and a substantial proportion of patients with idiopathic myelofibrosis or essential thrombocythemia. The JAK2 mutant displays a much increased kinase activity and generates a PV-like phenotype in mouse bone marrow transplant models. This study shows that the anti-cancer drug erlotinib (Tarceva) is a potent inhibitor of JAK2(V617F) activity. In vitro colony culture assays revealed that erlotinib at micro-molar concentrations effectively suppresses the growth and expansion of PV hematopoietic progenitor cells while having little effect on normal cells. Furthermore, JAK2(V617F)-positive cells from PV patients show greater susceptibility to the inhibitor than their negative counterparts. Similar inhibitory effects were found with the JAK2(V617F)-positive human erythroleukemia HEL cell line. These data suggest that erlotinib may be used for treatment of JAK2(V617F)-positive PV and other myeloproliferative disorders.     

Interaction between single molecules of Mac-1 and ICAM-1 in living cells: an atomic force microscopy study

The interaction between integrin macrophage differentiation antigen associated with complement three receptor function (Mac-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), which is controlled tightly by the ligand-binding activity of Mac-1, is central to the regulation of neutrophil adhesion in host defense. Several "inside-out" signals and extracellular metal ions or antibodies have been found to activate Mac-1, resulting in an increased adhesiveness of Mac-1 to its ligands. However, the molecular basis for Mac-1 activation is not well understood yet. In this work, we have carried out a single-molecule study of Mac-1/ICAM-1 interaction force in living cells by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Our results showed that the binding probability and adhesion force of Mac-1 with ICAM-1 increased upon Mac-1 activation. Moreover, by comparing the dynamic force spectra of different Mac-1 mutants, we expected that Mac-1 activation is governed by the downward movement of its alpha7 helix.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Physcomitrella patens</Emphasis> arabinogalactan proteins contain abundant terminal 3-<Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>-methyl-<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-rhamnosyl residues not found in angiosperms

A biochemical investigation of arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) in Physcomitrella patens was undertaken with particular emphasis on the glycan chains. Following homogenization and differential centrifugation of moss gametophytes, AGPs were obtained by Yariv phenylglycoside-induced precipitation from the soluble, microsomal membrane, and cell wall fractions. Crossed-electrophoresis indicated that each of these three AGP fractions was a mixture of several AGPs. The soluble AGP fraction was selected for further separation by anion-exchange and gel-permeation chromatography. The latter indicated molecular masses of ∼100 and 224 kDa for the two major soluble AGP subfractions. The AGPs in both of these subfractions contained the abundant (1,3,6)-linked galactopyranosyl residues, terminal arabinofuranosyl residues, and (1,4)-linked glucuronopyranosyl residues that are typical of many angiosperm AGPs. Unexpectedly, however, the moss AGP glycan chains contained about 15 mol% terminal 3-O-methyl-l-rhamnosyl residues, which have not been found in angiosperm AGPs. This unusual and relatively nonpolar sugar, also called l-acofriose, is likely to have considerable effects on the overall polarity of Physcomitrella AGPs. A review of the literature indicates that the capacity to synthesize polymers containing 3-O-methyl-l-rhamnosyl residues is present in a variety of bacteria, algae and lower land plants but became less common through evolution to the extent that this sugar has been found in only a few species of angiosperms where it occurs as a single residue on steroidal glycosides.