The MAP kinase Pmk1 and protein kinase A are required for rotenone resistance in the fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Rotenone is a widely used pesticide that induces Parkinson’s disease-like symptoms in rats and death of dopaminergic neurons in culture. Although rotenone is a potent inhibitor of complex I of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, it can induce death of dopaminergic neurons independently of complex I inhibition. Here we describe effects of rotenone in the fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, which lacks complex I and carries out rotenone-insensitive cellular respiration. We show that rotenone induces generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as fragmentation of mitochondrial networks in treated S. pombe cells. While rotenone is only modestly inhibitory to growth of wild type S. pombe cells, it is strongly inhibitory to growth of mutants lacking the ERK-type MAP kinase, Pmk1, or protein kinase A (PKA). In contrast, cells lacking the p38 MAP kinase, Spc1, exhibit modest resistance to rotenone. Consistent with these findings, we provide evidence that Pmk1 and PKA, but not Spc1, are required for clearance of ROS in rotenone treated S. pombe cells. Our results demonstrate the usefulness of S. pombe for elucidating complex I-independent molecular targets of rotenone as well as mechanisms conferring resistance to the toxin.     

Involvement of protein kinase C in the inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production by thapsigargin in RAW 264.7 macrophages

This study explored the effects of inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca²⁺-ATPase on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced protein kinase C (PKC) activation, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) translocation, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Thapsigargin (TG) irreversibly inhibits ER Ca²⁺-ATPase and LPS-induced NO production is reduced even after washout. TG also attenuated LPS-stimulated iNOS expression by using immunoblot analysis. However, another distinct fully reversible ER Ca²⁺-ATPase inhibitor, 2,5-di-tert-butylhydroquinone (DBHQ), ionophore A23187 and ionomycin could exert a similar effect to TG in increasing intracellular calcium concentration; however, these agents could not mimic TG in reducing iNOS expression and NO production. LPS increased PKC- and -β activation, and TG pretreatment attenuated LPS-stimulated PKC activation. Not did pretreatment with DBHQ, A23187 and ionomycin reduce LPS-stimulated PKC activation. Furthermore, NF-κB-specific DNA–protein-binding activity in the nuclear extracts was enhanced by treatment with LPS, and TG pretreatment attenuated LPS-stimulated NF-κB activation. None of DBHQ, A23187 and ionomycin pretreatment reduced LPS-stimulated NF-κB activation. These data suggest that persistent inhibition of ER Ca²⁺-ATPase by TG would influence calcium release from ER Ca²⁺ pools that was stimulated by the LPS activated signal processes, and might be the main mechanism for attenuating PKC and NF-κB activation that induces iNOS expression and NO production.     

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) activation in Xenopus oocytes: Roles of MPF and protein synthesis

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) is a serine/threonine kinase whose enzymatic activity is thought to play a crucial role in mitogenic signal transduction and also in the progesterone-induced meiotic maturation of Xenopus oocytes. We have purified MAP kinase from Xenopus oocytes and have shown that the protein is present in metaphase ll oocytes under two different forms: an inactive 41-kD protein able to autoactivate and to autophosphorylate in vitro, and an active 42-kD kinase resolved into two tyrosine phosphorylated isoforms on 2D gels. During meiotic maturation, MAP kinase becomes tyrosine phosphorylated and activated following the activation of the M-phase promoting factor (MPF), a complex between the p34^cdc2 kinase and cyclin B. In vivo, MAP kinase activity displays a different stability in metaphase l and in metaphase II: protein synthesis is required to maintain MAP kinase activity in metaphase I but not in metaphase II oocytes. Injection of either MPF or cyclin B into prophase oocytes promotes tyrosine phosphorylation of MAP kinase, indicating that its activation is a downstream event of MPF activation. In contrast, injection of okadaic acid, which induces in vivo MPF activation, promotes only a very weak tyrosine phosphorylation of MAP kinase, suggesting that effectors other than MPF are required for the MAP kinase activation. Moreover, in the absence of protein synthesis, cyclin B and MPF are unable to promote in vivo activation of MAP kinase, indicating that this activation requires the synthesis of new protein(s). © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

A requirement for MAP kinase in the assembly and maintenance of the mitotic spindle

Circumstantial evidence has suggested the possibility of microtubule-associated protein (MAP) kinase's involvement in spindle regulation. To test this directly, we asked whether MAP kinase was required for spindle assembly in Xenopus egg extracts. Either the inhibition or the depletion of endogenous p42 MAP kinase resulted in defective spindle structures resembling asters or half-spindles. Likewise, an increase in the length and polymerization of microtubules was measured in aster assays suggesting a role for MAP kinase in regulating microtubule dynamics. Consistent with this, treatment of extracts with either a specific MAP kinase kinase inhibitor or a MAP kinase phosphatase resulted in the rapid disassembly of bipolar spindles into large asters. Finally, we report that mitotic progression in the absence of MAP kinase signaling led to multiple spindle abnormalities in NIH 3T3 cells. We therefore propose that MAP kinase is a key regulator of the mitotic spindle.     

Inhibition of p38 MAP kinase activity up-regulates multiple MAP kinase pathways and potentiates 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3)-induced differentiation of human leukemia HL60 cells

Differentiation therapy for neoplastic diseases has potential for supplementing existing treatment modalities but its implementation has been slow. One of the reasons is the lack of full understanding of the complexities of cellular pathways through which signals for differentiation lead to cell maturation. This was addressed in this study using HL60 cells, a well-established model of differentiation of neoplastic cells. SB 203580 and SB 202190, specific inhibitors of a signaling protein p38 MAP kinase, were found to markedly accelerate monocytic differentiation of HL60 cells induced by low concentrations of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25D(3)). Surprisingly, inhibition of p38 activity resulted in sustained enhancement of p38 phosphorylation and of its in vitro activity in the absence of the inhibitor, indicating up-regulation of the upstream components of the p38 pathway. In addition, SB 203580 or SB 202190 treatment of HL60 cells resulted in a prolonged activation of the JNK and, to a lesser extent, the ERK pathways. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that in HL60 cells an interruption of a negative feedback loop from a p38 target activates a common regulator of multiple MAPK pathways. The possibility also exists that JNK and/or ERK pathways amplify a differentiation signal provided by 1,25D(3).     

alpha(1)-Agonists-induced Mg(2+) efflux is related to MAP kinase activation in the heart

The stimulation of the alpha(1)-adrenergic receptor with phenylephrine results in the significant extrusion of Mg(2+) from the rat heart and cardiomyocytes. Phenylephrine-induced Mg(2+) extrusion is prevented by the removal of extracellular Ca(2+) or by the presence of Ca(2+)-channel blockers such as verapamil, nifedipine, or (+)BAY-K8644. Mg(2+) extrusion is almost completely inhibited by PD98059 (a MAP kinase inhibitor). The simultaneous addition of 5mM Ca(2+) and phenylephrine increases the extrusion of Mg(2+) from perfused hearts and cardiomyocytes. This Mg(2+) extrusion is inhibited by more than 90% when the hearts are preincubated with PD98059. ERKs are activated by perfusion with either phenylephrine or 5mM Ca(2+). This ERK activation is inhibited by PD98059. Overall, these results suggest that stimulating the cardiac alpha(1)-adrenergic receptor by phenylephrine causes the extrusion of Mg(2+) via the Ca(2+)-activated, Na(+)-dependent transport pathway, and the ERKs assists in Mg(2+) transport in the heart.     

Stimulus (polyphenol, IFN-gamma, LPS)-dependent nitric oxide production and antileishmanial effects in RAW 264.7 macrophages

The effects of interferon (IFN-γ), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and some polyphenols as individual stimuli, as well as in various combinations on NO production in non-infected and infected macrophage-like RAW 264.7 cells were investigated, with emphasis on the NO/parasite kill relationship. In non-infected and in Leishmania parasitized cells, gallic acid significantly inhibited the IFN-γ and LPS-induced NO detected in the supernatant. This effect was less prominent in IFN-γ- than in LPS-stimulated cells. Interestingly, and in contrast to non-infected cells, gallic acid inhibited NO production only when added within 3 h after IFN-γ + LPS. Addition of gallic acid following prolonged incubation with IFN-γ + LPS periods (24 h) no longer inhibited, sometimes even enhanced NO release. Notably, an excellent NO/parasite kill relationship was evident from all the experiments. This study was extended to a series of polyphenols (3-O-shikimic acid, its 3,5-digalloylated analogue, catechin, EGCG, and a procyanidin hexamer) with proven immunostimulatory activities. Although these compounds themselves were found to be weak NO-inducers, the viability of intracellular Leishmania parasites was considerably reduced. Furthermore, their dose-dependent effects on macrophage NO release was determined in the presence of IFN-γ and/or LPS. Again, non-infected and infected cells differed significantly in the NO response, while inhibition of IFN-γ and/or LPS-induced NO production by the tested polyphenols strongly depended on the given time of exposure and the sequence of immunological stimuli. A strong inverse correlation between NO levels and intracellular survival rates of Leishmania parasites supported the assumption that the observed inhibition of NO was not simply due to interference with the Griess assay used for detection.     

C. elegans RBX-2-CUL-5- and RBX-1-CUL-2-based complexes are redundant for oogenesis and activation of the MAP kinase MPK-1

Cul5-based complex is a member of ECS (Elongin B/C-Cul2/Cul5-SOCS-box protein) ubiquitin ligase family. The cellular function of the Cul5-based complex is poorly understood. In this study, we found that oocyte septum formation and egg production did not occur in either cul-5- or rbx-2-depleted cul-2 homozygotes, although control cul-2 homozygotes laid approximately 50 eggs. These phenotypes are reminiscent of those caused by the MAP kinase mpk-1 depletion. In fact, activation of MPK-1 was significantly inhibited in cul-5-depleted cul-2 mutant and cul-2-depleted cul-5 mutant. Yeast two-hybrid analysis and RNAi-knockdown experiments suggest that oocyte maturation from pachytene exit and MPK-1 activation are redundantly controlled by the RBX-2-CUL-5- and RBX-1-CUL-2-based complexes.     

Identification and comparative analysis of a genomic island in Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis

Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis (MAH) is an environmental bacterium causing opportunistic infections. The objective of this study was to identify flexible genome regions in MAH isolated from different sources. By comparing five complete and draft MAH genomes we identified a genomic island conferring additional flexibility to the MAH genomes. The island was absent in one of the five strains and had sizes between 16.37 and 84.85 kb in the four other strains. The genes present in the islands differed among strains and included phage- and plasmid-derived genes, integrase genes, hypothetical genes, and virulence-associated genes like mmpL or mce genes.     

Involvement of CaM kinase II in gonadotropin-releasing hormone-induced activation of MAP kinase in cultured hypothalamic neurons

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is secreted from hypothalamic GnRH neurons. There is accumulating evidence that GnRH neurons have GnRH receptors and that the autocrine action of GnRH activates MAP kinase. In this study, we found that KN93, an inhibitor of Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases (CaM kinases), inhibited the GnRH-induced activation of MAP kinase in immortalized GnRH neurons (GT1-7 cells). Immunoblot analysis indicated that the CaM kinase IIdelta2 isoform (CaM kinase IIdelta2) and synapsin I were expressed in GT1-7 cells. GnRH treatment rapidly increased phosphorylation of synapsin I at serine 603, a specific phosphorylation site for CaM kinase II, suggesting that GnRH treatment rapidly activated CaM kinase IIdelta2. In addition, when we stably overexpressed CaM kinase IIdelta2 in GT1-7 cells, the activation of MAP kinase was strongly enhanced. These results suggest that CaM kinase IIdelta2 was involved in the GnRH-induced activation of MAP kinase in GT1-7 cells.     

Induction of PER1 mRNA expression in immortalized gonadotropes by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH): Involvement of protein kinase C and MAP kinase signaling

The initiation and maintenance of reproductive function in mammals is critically dependent on the pulsatile secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). This peptide drives the pulsatile release of FSH and LH from the pituitary pars distalis via signaling pathways that are activated by the type I GnRH receptor (GnRH-R). Recently, a microarray analysis study reported that a number of genes, including mPer1, are induced by GnRH in immortalized gonadotrope cells. In view of these data, we have begun to analyze in detail the signaling pathways mediating the action of GnRH on mPer1 expression in these cells. Using quantitative real-time polymprose cho read (PCR), we could confirm that exposure of immortalized gonadotropes (LβT2 cells) to the GnRH analog, buserelin, markedly induces mPer1 (but not mPer2) expression. Consistent with GnRH receptor signaling via the protein kinase (PK)-C pathway, exposure of the cells to phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate rapidly elevates both mPer1 and LHβ subunit mRNA levels, while pharmacological inhibition of PKC prevents the mPer1 and LHβ response to buserelin. As GnRH is known to regulate gonadotropin synthesis via activation of p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways, we then examined the involvement of this pathway in regulating mPer1 expression in gonadotropes. Our data reveal that GnRH-induced mPer1 expression is blocked following acute exposure to a MAPK kinase inhibitor. Although the involvement of this signaling mechanism in the regulation of mPer1 is known in neurons, e.g., in the suprachiasmatic nuclei, the induction of mPer1 in gonadotropes represents a novel mechanism of GnRH signaling, whose functional significance is still under investigation.     

Substitution of two insulin receptor carboxy-terminal tyrosines with phenylalanine impairs the expression of MAP kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) mRNA

Cells expressing mutant insulin receptors (Y/F2), in which tyrosines 1316 and 1322 have been replaced with phenylalanine, exhibit enhanced insulin-induced MAP kinase activity and DNA synthesis in comparison with cells expressing wild type insulin receptors (Hirc B). To elucidate the mechanism of enhanced responsiveness, the expression of MAP kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1), a negative regulator of MAP kinase activity, was measured in Hirc B and Y/F2 cells incubated in the absence and presence of insulin for various periods of time, and over increasing concentrations of the ligand. Treatment of both cell lines with insulin induced a time and concentration-dependent relative increase in MKP-1 mRNA expression. However, in Y/F2 cells both basal and insulin-stimulated MKP-1 mRNA levels were more than 60% lower than that observed in cells transfected with the wild-type receptors. Cyclic AMP analog (8-Br-cAMP)/inducer (Forskoline) increased MKP-1 mRNA levels in both cell lines, and to a lesser extent in Y/F2 cells. In contrast to insulin the relative increase in MKP-1 mRNA expression induced by 8-Br-cAMP or forskoline was similar in Y/F2 and Hirc B cells. The overexpression of MKP-1 in Y/F2 cells inhibited insulin stimulated DNA synthesis. Transfection of wild type insulin receptors into Y/F2 cells increased basal levels of MKP-1. These results suggest that insulin receptor tyrosine residues 1316 and 1322 play an important role in the regulation of MKP-1 expression both under basal and insulin stimulated conditions, and are not necessary for the induction of MKP-1 mRNA by cAMP. Furthermore, the enhanced insulin induced mitogenic signaling seen in Y/F2 cells is, at least in part, due to impaired MKP-1 expression.     

MEK partner 1 (MP1): regulation of oligomerization in MAP kinase signaling

Specificity in signal transduction can be achieved through scaffolds, anchors, and adapters that assemble generic signal transduction components in specific combinations and locations. MEK Partner-1 (MP1) was identified as a potential "scaffold" protein for the mammalian extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway. To gain insight into the interactions of MP1 with the ERK pathway, we analyzed the ability of MP1 to bind to MEK1, ERK1, and to itself, and the regulation of these interactions. Gel filtration of cell lysates revealed two major MP1 peaks: a broad high molecular weight peak and a 28 kDa complex. An MP1 mutant that lost MEK1 binding no longer enhanced RasV12-stimulated ERK1 activity, and functioned as a dominant negative, consistent with the concept that MP1 function depends on facilitating these oligomerizations. Activation of the ERK pathway by serum or by RasV12 did not detectably affect MP1-MP1 dimerization or MP1-MEK1 interactions, but caused the dissociation of the MP1-ERK1 complex. Surprisingly, pharmacological inhibition of ERK activation did not restore the complex, suggesting that regulation of complex formation occurs independently of ERK phosphorylation. These results support the concept that MP1 functions as a regulator of MAP kinase signaling by binding to MEK1 and regulating its association with a larger signaling complex that may sequentially service multiple molecules of ERK.     

The differential interaction of p38 MAP kinase and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in human alveolar macrophages and monocytes induced by Mycobacterium tuberculois

Cellular signaling by TNF-alpha is mediated through activation of mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinases. In particular, p38 MAP kinase is activated in mononuclear phagocytes and may be important in sustaining TNF-alpha activity. Here, we compared the activation and mutual regulation of p38 MAP kinase and TNF-alpha by MTB in human alveolar macrophages (AM) and blood monocytes (MN). AM and autologous MN were prepared, and stimulated by MTB at 1:1 (bacteria/cell). MAP kinase activation was assessed by immunoprecipitation and kinase activity. TNF-alpha mRNA was assessed by real-time RT-PCR, and TNF-alpha immunoreactivity was assessed by ELISA. MTB-induced p38MAP kinase rapidly in AM as compared to MN, and inhibition of p38 MAP kinase by SB203580 reduced both TNF-alpha mRNA and protein. Activation of ERK (1/2) by MTB followed similar kinetics in both AM and MN. TNF-alpha produced by MTB sustained p38 MAP kinase activation in MN only. These data suggest that interaction of resident pulmonary macrophages and the more immature MN with MTB differ with regard to both p38 MAP kinase activation and TNF-alpha expression.