Inhibition of the Proprotein Convertases Represses the Invasiveness of Human Primary Melanoma Cells with Altered p53, CDKN2A and N-Ras Genes

Background

Altered tumor suppressor p53 and/or CDKN2A as well as Ras genes are frequently found in primary and metastatic melanomas. These alterations were found to be responsible for acquisition of invasive and metastatic potential through their defective regulatory control of metalloproteinases and urokinase genes.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Using primary human melanoma M10 cells with altered p53, CDKN2A and N-Ras genes, we found that inhibition of the proprotein convertases (PCs), enzymes involved in the proteolytic activation of various cancer-related protein precursors resulted in significantly reduced invasiveness. Analysis of M10 cells and their gastric and lymph node derived metastatic cells revealed the presence of all the PCs found in the secretory pathway. Expression of the general PCs inhibitor α1-PDX in these cells in a stable manner (M10/PDX) had no effect on the mRNA expression levels of these PCs. Whereas, in vitro digestion assays and cell transfection experiments, revealed that M10/PDX cells display reduced PCs activity and are unable to process the PCs substrates proIGF-1R and proPDGF-A. These cells showed reduced migration and invasion that paralleled decreased gelatinase MMP-2 activity and increased expression and secretion of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and TIMP-2. Furthermore, these cells showed decreased levels of urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) and increased levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1).

Conclusions

Taken together, these data suggest that inhibition of PCs activity results in decreased invasiveness of primary human melanoma cells despite their altered p53, CDKN2A and N-Ras genes, suggesting that PCs may serve as novel therapeutic targets in melanoma.     

Plant-derived recombinant human insulin-like growth factor precursor prohormone IGF-1B caused differentiation of human neuroblastoma cell lines SH-SY5Y

The potential of plant expression systems to produce functional recombinant proteins was used to produce human prohormone insulin-like growth factor-1B (pro-IGF-1B). Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) plays a role in normal growth, development and cell division. The analysis of IGF-1 cDNAs predicted two prohormone precursors (pro-IGF-1A and pro-IGF-1B) with distinct C-terminal E domains. The functions of these precursors, and the E-peptides generated on cleavage to mature IGF-1, are unknown. We expressed human pro-IGF-1B in transgenic tobacco plants and to our knowledge this is the first report of the plant-based recombinant prohormone. The plant-expressed pro-IGF-1B caused proliferation and differentiation of human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y comparable to human IGF-1. This implies a distinct biological role for pro-IGF-1B. It also suggests that pro-IGF-1B may play a role in tumorigenesis. These results are important in view of obtaining a better knowledge of the role of pro-IGF-1B in human neuroblastoma cells and its relationship to IGF-1. The data also confirm the feasibility of using plant expression system as a cheap and safe bioreactor to produce the recombinant protein for further analysis.     

Proprotein convertases regulate insulin-like growth factor 1-induced membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase in VSMCs via endoproteolytic activation of the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor

The IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) and MT1-MMP are synthesized as larger precursor proproteins, which require endoproteolytic activation by the proprotein convertases (PCs) furin/PC5 to gain full biological activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of PCs to IGF-1R and/or MT1-MMP activation in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) as well as VSMC proliferation/migration, which are key elements in vascular remodeling. Furin and PC5 mRNAs and proteins were found in VSMCs. Inhibition of furin-like PCs with the specific pharmacological inhibitor dec-CMK inhibited IGF-1R endoproteolytic activation. Inhibition of IGF-1R maturation abrogated IGF-induced IGF-1R autophosphorylation, PI3-kinase and MAPK induction, as well as VSMC proliferation (p<0.05 vs. controls), whereas it had no effect of PDGF-stimulated signaling pathways or cell growth. Both, IGF-1 and PDGF-BB, induced MT1-MMP expression, but only IGF-1-mediated MT1-MMP induction was inhibited by dec-CMK. Induction of MMP-2 by IGF-1 was inhibited by the PI3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin, but not by the MEK-inhibitor PD98059. Dec-CMK inhibited VSMC chemotaxis comparable to the effects of the MMP-inhibitor GM6001 (both p<0.05 vs. controls), supporting that MMPs are involved. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that targeting furin-like PCs and thus inhibiting IGF-1R activation is a novel target to inhibit IGF-1-mediated signaling and cell functions, such as IGF-1-induced MT1-MMP/MMP-2 in VSMCs.     

Role of endoproteolytic processing in the adhesive and signaling functions of alphavbeta5 integrin

Some integrin alpha subunits undergo a post-translational cleavage in their extracellular domain. However, the role of this cleavage in integrin function is unclear. Enzymes involved in this maturation belong to the subtilisin-like endoprotease family (convertases). To understand the role of the alpha subunit cleavage in integrin function, we have designed stable transfectants (PDX39P cells) expressing alpha(1)-PDX, a convertase inhibitor. Immunoprecipitation of cell surface proteins from PDX39P showed that alpha(3), alpha(6) and alpha(v) integrins lack endoproteolytic cleavage. We have compared adhesion between PDX39P cells and mock-transfected cells on different extracellular matrix proteins. No difference in adhesion could be observed on laminin-1 and type I collagen, while attachment of PDX39P cells to vitronectin (ligand of the alpha(v)beta(5) integrin) was dramatically reduced. The reduced adhesion of PDX39P cells was not due to changes in integrin affinity as determined by solid-phase receptor assay in a cell-free environment. Intracellular signaling pathways activated by alpha(v) integrin ligation were also affected in PDX39P cells. It thus seems that the absence of endoproteolytic cleavage of alpha(v) integrins has important consequences on signal transduction pathways leading to alterations in integrin function such as cell adhesion.     

IGF-1 receptor contributes to the malignant phenotype in human and canine osteosarcoma

To further define the role of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and its receptor (IGF-1R) in osteosarcoma (OS), human OS cell lines with low (SAOS-2) and high (SAOS-LM2) metastatic potential and three canine OS-derived cell lines were studied. Cell lines were evaluated for: IGF-1R expression; expression of IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs); effect of IGF-1 on tumor cell growth, invasion, expression of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), and soluble uPA receptor (suPAR), and; ectopic and orthotopic tumorigenicity of the canine OS cells in athymic mice. All cell lines exhibited steady-state mRNA expression of IGF-1R. The SAOS-2 and SAOS-LM2 cells expressed 9,138 and 10,234 cell-associated binding sites, respectively. Canine OS cells expressed from 1,728 to 3,883 binding sites. Two IGF-1-treated cell lines displayed enhanced proliferation. Two cell lines formed colonies in semisolid media, and IGF-1 increased colony number. Matrigel invasion was enhanced in one cell line following IGF-1 treatment. uPA and suPAR were unchanged in SAOS-2 and SAOS-LM2 cells following IGF-1 treatment, but the highly metastatic OS line SAOS-LM2 expressed five times more suPAR and displayed enhanced invasion compared to the parental, low metastatic SAOS-2. IGFBP-5 was detected in four of five cell lines, and IGFBP-3 was detected in two canine OS cell lines. Two canine OS lines were tumorigenic, and one metastasized spontaneously. In conclusion, OS cells express IGF-1R, which can contribute to their growth and invasion. There is suggestive evidence that increasing receptor number may contribute to in vivo tumorigenesis. Additional studies are needed to determine how IGF-1/IGF-1R interactions contribute to the malignant phenotype of OS.     

TACE/ADAM-17 maturation and activation of sheddase activity require proprotein convertase activity

Proprotein convertases (PCs) have been proposed to play a role in tumor necrosis factor-alpha converting enzyme (TACE) processing/activation. Using the furin-deficient LoVo cells, as well as the furin-proficient synoviocytes and HT1080 cells expressing the furin inhibitor alpha(1)-PDX, we demonstrate that furin activity alone is not sufficient for effective maturation and activation of the TACE enzyme. Data from in vitro and in vivo cleavage assays indicate that PACE-4, PC5/PC6, PC1 and PC2 can directly cleave the TACE protein and/or peptide. PC inhibition in macrophages reduced the release of soluble TNF-alpha from transmembrane pro-TNF-alpha. We therefore conclude that furin, in addition to other candidate PCs, is involved in TACE maturation and activation.     

IGF-1R tyrosine kinase expression and dependency in clones of IGF-1R knockout cells (R-)

Insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) plays many crucial roles in cancer, like anti-apoptotic activity and necessity for transformation. IGF-1R knockout cells (R-) represent a useful tool for molecular mapping of biological properties of the receptor. R- cells have been shown to be refractory to transformation by viral and cellular oncogenes, highlighting the necessity of this receptor for transformation. Surprisingly, more recent studies have shown that these cells can undergo spontaneous transformation. This observation raises the question as whether R- cells over the years have acquired some properties mimicking those of IGF-1R. Using an IGF-1R inhibitor (cyclolignan PPP) we have identified clones of R- (R-s) that are sensitive to this compound. Since, PPP is closely related to podophyllotoxin, which is an efficient microtubule inhibitor, we first investigated if such a mechanism could explain the sensitivity to PPP. However, highly purified PPP showed no or very slight tubulin binding. Further analysis of R-s revealed expression of a 90 kDa protein being reactive to IGF-1R beta-subunit antibodies. This protein was weakly but constitutively tyrosine phosphorylated and was downregulated by siRNA targeting IGF-1R. This downregulation was paralleled by decreased R-s survival. Taken together, our study suggests that clones of R- express IGF-1R activity and dependency, which in turn may explain that R- can undergo spontaneous transformation.     

BMP-4 is proteolytically activated by furin and/or PC6 during vertebrate embryonic development.

Bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP-4) is a multifunctional developmental regulator. BMP-4 is synthesized as an inactive precursor that is proteolytically activated by cleavage following the amino acid motif -Arg-Ser-Lys-Arg-. Very little is known about processing and secretion of BMPs. The proprotein convertases (PCs) are a family of seven structurally related serine endoproteases, at least one of which, furin, cleaves after the amino acid motif -Arg-X-Arg/Lys-Arg-. To examine potential roles of PCs during embryonic development we have misexpressed a potent protein inhibitor of furin, alpha1-antitrypsin Portland (alpha1-PDX) in early Xenopus embryos. Ectopic expression of alpha1-PDX phenocopies the effect of blocking endogenous BMP activity, leading to dorsalization of mesoderm and direct neural induction. alpha1-PDX-mediated neural induction can be reversed by co-expression of downstream components of the BMP-4 signaling pathway. Thus, alpha1-PDX can block BMP activity upstream of receptor binding, suggesting that it inhibits an endogenous BMP-4 convertase(s). Consistent with this hypothesis, alpha1-PDX prevents cleavage of BMP-4 in an oocyte translation assay. Using an in vitro digestion assay, we demonstrate that four members of the PC family have the ability to cleave BMP-4, but of these, only furin and PC6B are sensitive to alpha1-PDX. These studies provide the first in vivo evidence that furin and/or PC6 proteolytically activate BMP-4 during vertebrate embryogenesis.     

Estrogen receptor alpha rapidly activates the IGF-1 receptor pathway

Estrogen and insulin-like-growth factor 1 (IGF-1) are potent mitogenic stimuli that share important properties in the control of cellular proliferation. However, the coupling between the signaling cascades of estrogen receptors alpha and beta and the IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) is poorly understood. Therefore, we selectively transfected estrogen receptor alpha or beta in COS7 and HEK293 cells, which contain IGF-1R. In presence of estrogen receptor alpha but not beta, 17beta-estradiol (E2) rapidly induces phosphorylation of the IGF-1R and the extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2. Furthermore, upon stimulation with E2, estrogen receptor alpha but not beta bound rapidly to the IGF-1R in COS7 as well as L6 cells, which express all investigated receptors endogenously. Control experiments in the IGF-1R-deficient fibroblast cell line R(-) showed that after stimulation with E2 only estrogen receptor alpha bound to the transfected IGF-1R. Overexpression of dominant negative mitogen-activated protein kinases kinase inhibited this effect. Finally, estrogen receptor alpha but not beta is required to induce the activation of the estrogen receptor-responsive reporter ERE-LUC in IGF-1-stimulated cells. Taken together, these data demonstrate that ligand bound estrogen receptor alpha is required for rapid activation of the IGF-1R signaling cascade.     

Novel insights into cadherin processing by subtilisin-like convertases

Proprotein convertases (PCs) are known to activate many important molecules and their overexpression plays a significant role in tumor progression. Only little is known about the involvement of PCs in the processing of cadherin adhesion molecules, which are potent tumor suppressors. Here we show in a baculovirus overexpression system that the desmosomal cadherins Dsg1 and Dsg3 are substrates for the PC furin. Accordingly, inhibition of PCs in differentiating mouse keratinocytes by alpha 1-anti-trypsin Portland (alpha 1-PDX) negatively interfered with pro-epithelial (proE)-cadherin processing, but unexpectedly also resulted in a dramatic reduction of E-cadherin, Dsg1 and Dsg3 protein and Dsg1 mRNA. Because loss of intercellular adhesion is a rate-limiting step in the transition from benign to malignant tumors, these results have significant implications for the use of PC inhibitors as possible therapeutic tools.     

IGF-1-dependent subunit communication of the IGF-1 holoreceptor: interactions between alpha beta heterodimeric receptor halves

Examination of 125I-IGF-1 affinity cross-linking and beta-subunit autophosphorylation has indicated that IGF-1 induces a covalent association of isolated alpha beta heterodimeric IGF-1 receptors into an alpha 2 beta 2 heterotetrameric state, in a similar manner to that observed for the insulin receptor [Morrison, B.D., Swanson, M.L., Sweet, L.J., & Pessin, J.E. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 7806-7813]. The formation of the alpha 2 beta 2 heterotetrameric IGF-1 receptor complex from the partially purified alpha beta heterodimers was time dependent with half-maximal formation in approximately 30 min at saturating IGF-1 concentrations. The IGF-1-dependent association of the partially purified alpha beta heterodimers into an alpha 2 beta 2 heterotetrameric state was specific for the IGF-1 receptors since IGF-1 was unable to stimulate the protein kinase activity of the purified alpha beta heterodimeric insulin receptor complex. Incubation of the alpha 2 beta 2 heterotetrameric IGF-1 holoreceptor with the specific sulfhydryl agent iodoacetamide (IAN) did not alter 125I-IGF-1 binding of IGF-1 stimulation of protein kinase activity. In addition, IAN did not affect the Mn/MgATP-dependent noncovalent association of IGF-1 receptor alpha beta heterodimers into an alpha 2 beta 2 heterotetrameric state. However, IAN treatment of the alpha beta heterodimeric IGF-1 receptors inhibited the IGF-1-dependent covalent formation of the disulfide-linked alpha 2 beta 2 heterotetrameric complex. These data indicate that IGF-1 induces the covalent association of isolated alpha beta heterodimeric IGF-1 receptor complexes into a disulfide-linked alpha 2 beta 2 heterotetrameric state whereas Mn/MgATP induces a noncovalent association.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Fluorescent-Antibody Targeting of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Receptor Visualizes Metastatic Human Colon Cancer in Orthotopic Mouse Models

Fluorescent-antibody targeting of metastatic cancer has been demonstrated by our laboratory to enable tumor visualization and effective fluorescence-guided surgery. The goal of the present study was to determine whether insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) antibodies, conjugated with bright fluorophores, could enable visualization of metastatic colon cancer in orthotopic nude mouse models. IGF-1R antibody (clone 24–31) was conjugated with 550 nm, 650 nm or PEGylated 650 nm fluorophores. Subcutaneous, orthotopic, and liver metastasis models of colon cancer in nude mice were targeted with the fluorescent IGF-1R antibodies. Western blotting confirmed the expression of IGF-1R in HT-29 and HCT 116 human colon cancer cell lines, both expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP). Labeling with fluorophore-conjugated IGF-1R antibody demonstrated fluorescent foci on the membrane of colon cancer cells. Subcutaneously- and orthotopically-transplanted HT-29-GFP and HCT 116-GFP tumors brightly fluoresced at the longer wavelengths after intravenous administration of fluorescent IGF-1R antibodies. Orthotopically-transplanted HCT 116-GFP tumors were brightly labeled by fluorescent IGF-1R antibodies such that they could be imaged non-invasively at the longer wavelengths. In an experimental liver metastasis model, IGF-1R antibodies conjugated with PEGylated 650 nm fluorophores selectively highlighted the liver metastases, which could then be non-invasively imaged. The IGF-1R fluorescent-antibody labeled liver metastases were very bright compared to the normal liver and the fluorescent-antibody label co-located with green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression of the colon cancer cells. The present study thus demonstrates that fluorophore-conjugated IGF-1R antibodies selectively visualize metastatic colon cancer and have clinical potential for improved diagnosis and fluorescence-guided surgery.     

Transactivation of CXCR4 by the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) in human MDA-MB-231 breast cancer epithelial cells

In the multimolecular environment in tissues and organs, cross-talk between growth factor and G protein-coupled receptors is likely to play an important role in both normal and pathological responses. In this report, we demonstrate transactivation of the chemokine receptor CXCR4 by the growth factor insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 is required for IGF-1-induced cell migration in metastatic MDA-MB-231 cells. The induction of chemotaxis in MDA-MB-231 cells by IGF-1 was inhibited by pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin (PTX) and by RNAi-mediated knockdown of CXCR4. Transactivation of the CXCR4 pathway by IGF-1 occurred independently of CXCL12, the chemokine ligand of CXCR4. Neither CXCR4 knockdown nor PTX had any effect on the ability of IGF-1 to activate IGF-1R, suggesting that CXCR4 and G proteins are activated subsequent to, or independently of, phosphorylation of IGF-1R by IGF-1. Coprecipitation studies revealed the presence of a constitutive complex containing IGF-1R, CXCR4, and the G protein subunits, G(i)alpha2 and Gbeta, and stimulation of MDA-MB-231 cells with IGF-1 led to the release of G(i)alpha2 and Gbeta from CXCR4. Based on our findings, we propose that CXCR4 constitutively forms a complex with IGF-1R in MDA-MB-231 cells, and that this interaction allows IGF-1 to activate migrational signaling pathways through CXCR4, G(i)alpha2 and Gbeta.     

Lentivirus-mediated shRNA targeting insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) enhances chemosensitivity of osteosarcoma cells in vitro and in vivo

The overexpression of the type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R) has been reported to be associated with malignant transformation, tumor development and chemo- or radioresistance of tumor cells. Previously, we have reported that inhibition of IGF-1R could reverse the radioresistance of human osteosarcoma cells. However, whether inhibition of IGF-1R could enhance chemosensitivity of ostesosarcoma cells is unclear. In this study, lentivirus-mediated shRNA was employed to downregulate endogenous IGF-1R expression to study the function of IGF-1R in chemoresistance of osteosarcoma cells. Results showed that lentivirus-mediated shRNA targeting IGF-1R combined with chemotherapy (CDDP or DTX) could lead to growth suppression of osteosarcoma cells not only in vitro but also in vivo. Moreover, inhibition of IGF-1R gene combined with chemotherapy also synergistically enhanced Caspase-3-mediated apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells. The synergistical enhancement of apoptosis might be associated with downregulation of Bcl-2 and upregulation of Bax in osteosarcoma cells induced by IGF-1R inhibition. Therefore, the overexpression of IGF-1R gene might play important roles in chemoresistance of osteosarcoma cells, and lentivirus-mediated RNAi targeting IGF-1R would be an attractive anti-cancer strategy to chemosensitization of osteosarcoma cell.     

Disruption of the protein interaction between FAK and IGF-1R inhibits melanoma tumor growth

FAK (focal adhesion kinase) and IGF-1R (insulin-like growth factor receptor-1) directly interact with each other and thereby activate crucial signaling pathways that benefit cancer cells. Inhibition of FAK and IGF-1R function has been shown to significantly decrease cancer cell proliferation and increase sensitivity to chemotherapy and radiation treatment. As a novel approach in human melanoma, we evaluated the effect of a small-molecule compound that disrupts the protein interaction of FAK and IGF-1R.

Previously, using virtual screening and functional testing, we identified a lead compound (INT2–31) that targets the known FAK-IGF-1R protein interaction site. We studied the ability of this compound to disrupt FAK-IGF-1R protein interactions, inhibit downstream signaling, decrease human melanoma cell proliferation, alter cell cycle progression, induce apoptosis and decrease tumor growth in vivo.

INT2–31 blocked the interaction of FAK and IGF-1R in vitro and in vivo in melanoma cells and tumor xenografts through precluding the activation of IRS-1, leading to reduced phosphorylation of AKT upon IGF-1 stimulation. As a result, INT2–31 significantly inhibited cell proliferation and viability (range 0.05–10 μM). More importantly, 15 mg/kg of INT2–31 given for 21 d via intraperitoneal injection disrupted the interaction of FAK and IGF-1R and effectively decreased phosphorylation of tumor AKT, resulting in significant melanoma tumor regression in vivo.

Our data suggest that the FAK-IGF-1R protein interaction is an important target, and disruption of this interaction with a novel small molecule (INT2–31) has potential anti-neoplastic therapeutic effects in human melanoma.     

Disruption of the protein interaction between FAK and IGF-1R inhibits melanoma tumor growth

FAK (focal adhesion kinase) and IGF-1R (insulin-like growth factor receptor-1) directly interact with each other and thereby activate crucial signaling pathways that benefit cancer cells. Inhibition of FAK and IGF-1R function has been shown to significantly decrease cancer cell proliferation and increase sensitivity to chemotherapy and radiation treatment. As a novel approach in human melanoma, we evaluated the effect of a small-molecule compound that disrupts the protein interaction of FAK and IGF-1R. Previously, using virtual screening and functional testing, we identified a lead compound (INT2–31) that targets the known FAK-IGF-1R protein interaction site. We studied the ability of this compound to disrupt FAK-IGF-1R protein interactions, inhibit downstream signaling, decrease human melanoma cell proliferation, alter cell cycle progression, induce apoptosis and decrease tumor growth in vivo. INT2–31 blocked the interaction of FAK and IGF-1R in vitro and in vivo in melanoma cells and tumor xenografts through precluding the activation of IRS-1, leading to reduced phosphorylation of AKT upon IGF-1 stimulation. As a result, INT2–31 significantly inhibited cell proliferation and viability (range 0.05–10 μM). More importantly, 15 mg/kg of INT2–31 given for 21 d via intraperitoneal injection disrupted the interaction of FAK and IGF-1R and effectively decreased phosphorylation of tumor AKT, resulting in significant melanoma tumor regression in vivo. Our data suggest that the FAK-IGF-1R protein interaction is an important target, and disruption of this interaction with a novel small molecule (INT2–31) has potential anti-neoplastic therapeutic effects in human melanoma.     

The insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) receptor is responsible for mediating the effects of insulin, IGF-1, and IGF-2 in Xenopus laevis oocytes.

Competitive hormone binding studies with membrane and partially purified receptors from Xenopus laevis oocytes revealed that the oocyte possesses high affinity (KD = 1-3 nM) binding sites for both insulin growth factors 1 and 2 (IGF-1 and IGF-2), but not for insulin. Consistent with these findings, IGF-1 activates hexose uptake by Xenopus oocytes with a KA (3 nM) identical with its KD, while IGF-2 and insulin activate hexose uptake with KA values of 50 nM and 200-250 nM, respectively, suggesting activation mediated through an IGF-1 receptor. Both IGF-1 and insulin activate receptor beta-subunit autophosphorylation and, thereby, protein substrate (reduced and carboxyamidomethylated lysozyme, i.e. RCAM-lysozyme) phosphorylation with KA values comparable to their respective KD values for ligand binding and KA values for activation of hexose uptake. The autophosphorylated beta-subunit(s) of the receptor were resolved into two discrete components, beta 1 and beta 2 (108 kDa and 94 kDa, respectively), which were phosphorylated exclusively on tyrosine and which exhibited similar extents of IGF-1-activated autophosphorylation. When added prior to autophosphorylation, RCAM-lysozyme blocks IGF-1-activated autophosphorylation and, thereby, IGF-1-activated protein substrate (RCAM-lysozyme) phosphorylation. Based on these findings, we conclude that IGF-1-stimulated autophosphorylation of its receptor is a prerequisite for catalysis of protein substrate phosphorylation by the receptor's tyrosine-specific protein kinase. The IGF-1 receptor kinase is implicated in signal transmission from the receptor, since anti-tyrosine kinase domain antibody blocks IGF-1-stimulated kinase activity in vitro and, when microinjected into intact oocytes, prevents IGF-1-stimulated hexose uptake.     

Differential effects of low density lipoproteins on insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and IGF-1 receptor expression in vascular smooth muscle cells

Low density lipoproteins (LDLs) play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. LDL has been shown to be mitogenic and proapoptotic for vascular smooth muscle cells. However, the mechanisms are poorly understood and may result from an alteration in intracellular mitogenic signaling either directly by LDL or indirectly through an autocrine effect involving growth factor secretion and/or growth factor receptor expression. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is an autocrine/paracrine factor for vascular smooth muscle cells and has potent anti-apoptotic effects. Thus, we hypothesized that part of the proliferative responses to LDLs may be explained by its modulation of IGF-1 or IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) expression. Treatment of rat vascular smooth muscle cells with increasing doses of native LDL dose-dependently increased IGF-1 mRNA by up to 2.6-fold; however, native LDL had no effect on IGF-1R mRNA expression. In contrast, the same doses of oxidized LDL significantly reduced IGF-1 and IGF-1R mRNA by 80 and 61%, respectively, and reduced IGF-1 and IGF-1R protein expression by 63 and 46%. In addition, native and oxidized LDL significantly increased IGF-1-binding protein-2 and IGF-1-binding protein-4 expression as measured by Western ligand blot. Most interestingly, anti-IGF-1 antiserum completely inhibited LDL-induced but not serum-induced increase in (3)H-thymidine incorporation, indicating a requirement for IGF-1 in the LDL-stimulated mitogenic signaling pathway. In summary, these results suggest that native and oxidized LDLs have differential effects on IGF-1 and IGF-1R expression. Because IGF-1 is a potent survival factor for vascular smooth muscle cells, our findings suggest that moderately oxidized LDL may favor proliferation of smooth muscle cells, whereas oxidized LDL may contribute to plaque apoptosis by local depletion of IGF-1 and IGF-1R.