Amlodipine,a Ca2+ channel blocker,suppresses phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor receptor in human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells

AimsAmlodipine, a dihydropyridine Ca²⁺ channel blocker, inhibits the proliferation of human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells in vitro and in vivo. This study examined the underlying mechanism of this antiproliferative effect in relation to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling.Main methodsThe tyrosine phosphorylated active state of EGFR in A431 cells incubated with the test agents was evaluated by western blot with anti-phosphotyrosine antibody. EGFR phosphorylation levels in A431 xenograft tumors were assessed by immunostaining of matrigel plug sections and western blotting for phosphoEGFR in A431 xenograft tumor homogenates.Key findingsIn vitro treatment of exponentially growing A431 cells with amlodipine decreased the tyrosine phosphorylation states of EGFR. Amlodipine also suppressed the EGF-stimulated phosphorylation of EGFR and a membrane scaffolding protein, caveolin-1, in serum-starved A431 cells. Amlodipine attenuated the EGF-stimulated phosphorylation of EGFR coimmunoprecipitated with caveolin-1 without affecting the EGFR/caveolin-1 interaction. Crosslinking experiments showed that amlodipine also suppressed the EGF-stimulated phosphorylation of EGFR predimers. Addition of cholesterol abolished these inhibitory effects of amlodipine plus its inhibition of cell growth. Furthermore, treatment of mice with amlodipine (10 mg/kg/day × 7 days, i.p.) decreased the levels of phosphorylated EGFR in A431 xenograft tumors.SignificanceThe results indicated that amlodipine inhibits tyrosine phosphorylation of EGFR in vitro and in vivo, possibly via modulating cholesterol-rich, caveolin-1-containing membrane microdomains.     

Biosynthesis of the epidermal growth factor receptor in A431 cells.

A monoclonal antibody R1 against the human epidermal growth factor receptor has been used to study biosynthesis in the carcinoma cell line A431. Two glycoproteins of apparent mol. wts. 95 000 and 160 000 were immunoprecipitated from cells labelled for short times with [35S]methionine or [3H]mannose. Pulse-chase studies show the 160 000 mol. wt. glycoprotein to be a precursor of the 175 000 mol. wt. receptor, but do not establish a precursor role for the 95 000 mol. wt. glycoprotein. Limited proteolysis, peptide mapping, endoglycosidase digestion and the use of monensin and tunicamycin show that the 95 000 mol. wt. glycoprotein is structurally related to the 160 000 mol. wt. glycoprotein and that both glycoproteins have approximately 22 000 - 28 000 mol. wt. of oligosaccharide side chains. Monensin blocks conversion of the 160 000 to the 175 000 mol. wt. mature receptor, a process which involves complexing several of its N-linked oligosaccharide chains. Pulse-chase studies showed that an immunoprecipitable polypeptide of 115 000 mol. wt., or 95 000 mol. wt., in the presence of monensin, was secreted into the medium at late chase times. The possible mechanisms for the origins of all the receptor-related polypeptides are discussed.     

Recycling of epidermal growth factor in A431 cells

The fate of epidermal growth factor (EGF) after internalization by A431 cells was studied. First, cells containing 125I-EGF-receptor complexes in endosomes were obtained. Subsequent incubation of the cells at 37 degrees C resulted in the recycling of 125I-EGF from endosomes to the cell surface in the receptor-bound state and the gradual release of recycled ligand into the medium. The excess of unlabeled EGF blocked both rebinding and re-internalization of recycled 125I-EGF to produce enhanced accumulation of ligand in the medium. The rate of recycling was shown to be much higher than that of EGF degradation.     

Biosynthesis of the epidermal growth factor receptor in human epidermoid carcinoma-derived A431 cells

Using human-specific antibody reagents, we have examined the biosynthesis of the epidermal growth factor receptor in human epidermoid carcinoma-derived A431 cells. Four Mr species (Mr = 70,000, 95,000, 135,000, and 145,000) are detected when cells are subjected to a brief pulse of L-[35S]methionine; an Mr = 165,000 species is detected after 45-60 min of exposure of cells to radiolabel. In pulse-chase experiments, the four lower Mr species appear to bear a precursor relation to the Mr = 165,000 protein. The molecule acquires N-linked oligosaccharide cotranslationally, and two of the species (Mr = 95,000 and 145,000) are susceptible to digestion with endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H. The Mr = 145,000 and Mr = 165,000 proteins, which become labeled with 125I-epidermal growth factor after treatment of intact cells with a bifunctional cross-linking reagent, are phosphorylated at serine and threonine on identical tryptic peptides.     

Transforming growth factor beta modulates phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor and proliferation of A431 cells.

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) increased the phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor and inhibited the growth of A431 cells. Incubation with TGF-beta induced maximal EGF receptor phosphorylation to levels 1.5-fold higher than controls. Phosphorylation increased more prominently (4-5-fold) on tyrosine residues as determined by phosphoamino acid analysis and antiphosphotyrosine antibody immunoblotting. The kinase activity of EGF receptor was also elevated 2.5-fold when cells were cultured in the presence of TGF-beta. The antiproliferative effect of TGF-beta on A431 cells was accompanied by prolongation of G0-G1 phase and by morphological changes. TGF-beta augmented the growth inhibition of A431 cells which could be induced by EGF. In parallel, the specific EGF-induced increase in total phosphorylation of the EGF receptor was also augmented in the presence of TGF-beta. In cells cultured with TGF-beta, the phosphorylation of EGF receptor tyrosines induced by 20-min exposure to EGF was further increased 2-3-fold, suggesting additive effects upon receptor phosphorylation. EGF receptor activation by TGF-beta is characterized by kinetics quite distinct from that induced by EGF and therefore appears to take place through an independent mechanism. The TGF-beta-induced elevation in the phosphorylation of the EGF receptor may have a role in the augmented growth inhibition of A431 cells observed in the presence of EGF and TGF-beta.     

Monoclonal antibodies against the human epidermal growth factor receptor from A431 cells. Isolation, characterization, and use in the purification of active epidermal growth factor receptor

A431 cells have been used as an immunogen for generating monoclonal antibodies against the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor. Two immunoglobulin M and eight immunoglobulin G3 anti-EGF receptor antibodies were cloned. All ten antibodies immunoprecipitated biosynthetically labeled mature A431 cell EGF receptor and were able to recognize the receptor in Western blotting. However, none of the antibodies immunoprecipitated precursor polypeptides of the A431 cell EGF receptor, neither did they recognize EGF receptors from human foreskin fibroblasts, human placenta, nor a human-mouse hybrid cell expressing EGF receptor. The antibodies were found to bind to glycolipids from A431 cells and it was shown that the determinant involved was the blood group A antigen. It appears that this determinant is present on both the EGF receptor and glycolipids of A431 cells but is not expressed on EGF receptors from other human cells tested. One of the monoclonal antibodies raised was used for immunoaffinity purification of the EGF receptor. The procedure took advantage of the carbohydrate nature of the antigenic determinant by employing sugar-specific elution. The mild conditions permitted the purification of A431 cell EGF receptor (70-80% pure) that possessed an intrinsic EGF-stimulated tyrosine kinase activity with a specific activity of about 20 nmol/min/mg.     

Ligand-induced association of epidermal growth factor receptor to the cytoskeleton of A431 cells

Recently, we have obtained evidence in favor of a structural interaction between the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor and the Triton X-100-insoluble cytoskeleton of epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells. Here we present a further analysis of the properties of EGF receptors attached to the cytoskeleton. Steady-state EGF binding studies, analyzed according to the Scatchard method, showed that A431 cells contain two classes of EGF-binding sites: a high-affinity site with an apparent dissociation constant (KD) of 0.7 nM (7.5 x 10(4) sites per cell) and a low-affinity site with a KD of 8.5 nM (1.9 x 10(6) sites per cell). Non-equilibrium binding studies revealed the existence of two kinetically distinguishable sites: a fast-dissociating site, with a dissociation rate constant (k-1) of 1.1 x 10(-3) s-1 (1.0-1.3 x 10(6) sites per cell) and a slow-dissociating site, with a k-1 of 3.5 x 10(-5) s-1 (0.6-0.7 x 10(6) sites per cell). The cytoskeleton of A431 cells was isolated by Triton X-100 extraction. Scatchard analysis revealed that approximately 5% of the original number of receptors were associated with the cytoskeleton predominantly via high-affinity sites (KD = 1.5 nM). This class of receptors is further characterized by the presence of a fast-dissociating component (k-1 = 2.0 x 10(-3) s-1) and a slow-dissociating component (k-1 = 9.1 x 10(-5) s-1). The distribution between fast and slow sites of the cytoskeleton was similar to that of intact cells (65% fast and 35% slow sites). Incubation of A431 cells for 2 h at 4 degrees C in the presence of EGF resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of EGF receptors associated to the cytoskeleton. These newly cytoskeleton-associated receptors appeared to represent low-affinity binding sites (KD = 7 nM). Dissociation kinetics also revealed an increase of fast-dissociating sites. These results indicate that at 4 degrees C EGF induces the binding of low-affinity, fast-dissociating sites to the cytoskeleton of A431 cells.     

Relation of epidermal growth factor receptor concentration to growth of human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells

The relation between the concentration of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor/kinase and effects of EGF on cell proliferation has been studied using variant A431 cells and antagonist anti-EGF receptor monoclonal antibodies. Clonal A431 cell variants selected for escape from the EGF-mediated growth inhibition of parental A431 cells all have reduced concentrations of EGF receptor/kinase; Harvey sarcoma virus-transformed A431 cells, which have escaped from EGF-mediated growth inhibition, also have reduced EGF receptors. Three clonal variants which have reacquired EGF-mediated growth inhibition have 2- to 4-fold more EGF receptor than their respective parent variant. A biphasic response with stimulation at low and inhibition at high concentrations of EGF was especially evident in revertants of clone 29. Three separate antagonist monoclonal anti-EGF receptor antibodies block the growth inhibitory effects of EGF and uncover EGF-mediated growth stimulation. These studies indicate that in A431 cell variants a continuum of ligand-activated EGF receptors determines proliferative responses from low concentrations of active receptors under basal conditions to intermediate concentrations causing growth stimulation to high concentrations, causing inhibition of cell proliferation.     

Compartmentalization dynamics of the epidermal growth factor in A431 cells

Dynamics of compartmentalization of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in human carcinoma A431 cells during the first hour after initiation of endocytosis was examined by methods of the organelle fractionation on a 20% Percoll gradient and of the microfluorimetric visualization of endocytosis of rhodamine-labeled EGF (EGF-R). EGF was revealed in small vesicles localized in the peripheral region of cytoplasm in a few minutes after endocytosis initiation. During centrifugation in Percoll these vesicles (endosomes), with an average density of 1.038 g/ml, were seen co-sedimented with Golgi membranes. By one hour after initiation of endocytosis, EGF-R was accumulated in perinuclear zone, in a trans-Golgi region, as numerous big luminous centres that were apparently MB-endosomes and had the same density in Percoll as did small peripheral endosomes. Such centres appeared in several cells already within 5-10 minutes. In A431 cells EGF did not reach lysosomes within 60 minutes, because no accumulation of 125I-EGF was shown in lysosome corresponding regions of Percoll gradient (average density 1.070 g/ml).     

A role of lyso-phosphatidylcholine in GM3-dependent inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor autophosphorylation in A431 plasma membranes

EGF-dependent receptor autophosphorylation (EDRA) in A431 plasma membrane was specifically stimulated by lysophospholipids having phosphorylcholine head group (e.g., lyso-phosphatidylcholine; lyso-PC) but not other lysophospholipids, in the absence of detergent. In contrast, GM3 specifically inhibited EDRA under the same experimental conditions in which lyso-PC stimulated EDRA. This GM3-dependent inhibition was more efficient in the absence (vs. presence) of a detergent (Triton X-100). These results indicate an essential role of lyso-PC in GM3-regulated EGF receptor functions.     

The role of microfilaments in the capping of epidermal growth factor receptor in A431 cells

Capping of the EGF receptor (EGF-R) on the surface of suspended and adherent epidermoid carcinoma cells, A431, is studied. It was induced at 20 degrees C after treating cells with monoclonal antibody to the EGF receptor followed by the second antibody conjugated with FITC. Accumulation of cortical actin under the caps was detected by rhodamine-phalloidin. Destruction of the actin stress-fiber-like bundles was observed during incubation of cells with the ligands at 0 degrees C. Two processes appear to take place at 20 degrees C: redistribution of the EGF-R with cortical actin into the caps within 15-30 min and reconstruction of cytoplasmic actin bundles over 45-60 min. Dihydrocytochalasin B prevented cap formation in adherent cells, but small patches of EGF-R colocalized with actin aggregates under plasma membrane were observed. The function of different actin-containing cytoskeleton structures in the process of capping is discussed.     

Aspects of the metabolism of the epidermal growth factor receptor in A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells.

The biosynthesis and posttranslational metabolism of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor were examined in the A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cell line. Polyclonal antibody against the receptor specifically immunoprecipitated two [35S]methionine-labeled proteins of Mr = 160,000 and 170,000. Pulse chase experiments showed the Mr = 160,000 protein to be a precursor of the Mr = 170,000 protein. Preincubation with tunicamycin resulted in immunoprecipitation of a single band of Mr = 130,000, whereas monensin inhibited maturation to the Mr = 170,000 form. Digestion of the Mr = 160,000 and 170,000 proteins with endoglycosidase H resulted in the appearance of Mr = 130,000 and 165,000 proteins, respectively. Prolonged pulse-chase experiments indicated that the half-life of the receptor is ca. 20 h in the absence of EGF and 5 h in the presence of EGF. Approximately three- to five-fold more phosphate is incorporated into the mature receptor upon addition of EGF, due primarily to increases in levels of phosphotyrosine and phosphoserine. Phosphate was also present on the Mr = 160,000 protein and the Mr = 130,000 protein found in the presence of tunicamycin.     

Kinetics and regulation of the tyrosine phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor receptor in intact A431 cells.

We have previously reported that antibodies to phosphotyrosine recognize the phosphorylated forms of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors (Zippel et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta 881:54-61, 1986, and Sturani et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 137:343-350, 1986). In this report, the time course of receptor phosphorylation is investigated. In normal human fibroblasts, ligand-induced phosphorylation of PDGF and EGF receptors is followed by rapid dephosphorylation. However, in A431 cells the tyrosine-phosphorylated form of EGF receptor persists for many hours after EGF stimulation, allowing a detailed analysis of the conditions affecting receptor phosphorylation and dephosphorylation. In A431 cells, the number of receptor molecules phosphorylated on tyrosine was quantitated and found to be about 10% of total EGF receptors. The phosphorylated receptor molecules are localized on the cell surface, and they are rapidly dephosphorylated upon removal of EGF from binding sites by a short acid wash of intact cells and upon a mild treatment with trypsin. ATP depletion also results in rapid dephosphorylation, indicating that continuous phosphorylation-dephosphorylation reactions occur in the ligand-receptor complex at steady state. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate added shortly before EGF reduces the rate and the final extent of receptor phosphorylation. Moreover, it also reduces the amount of phosphorylated receptors if it is added after EGF. Down-regulation of protein kinase C by chronic treatment with phorbol dibutyrate increases the receptor phosphorylation induced by EGF, suggesting a homologous feedback regulation of EGF receptor functions.     

Visualization of epidermal growth factor receptor in cryosections of cultured A431 cells by immuno-gold labeling

Cryo-ultramicrotomy in combination with immuno-gold labeling has been demonstrated to present a powerful tool in the visualization of extra- and intracellular located antigens. We have applied this method to localize epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor in cultured A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells. However, both the labeling efficiency, maintenance of antigenicity, and the recognizability of the ultrastructure in cryosections are highly dependent upon the fixation procedures. Using 125I-EGF or a consecutive labeling with a monoclonal anti EGF-receptor antibody, rabbit-anti-mouse antibody and 125I-protein A, it was shown that maintenance of antigenicity was optimal using 2% paraformaldehyde as a fixative, whereas under these conditions also the recognizability of ultrastructure was sufficient. After appropriate fixation and labeling, gold particles were observed associated with various regions of the plasma membrane, including coated pits, and with various types of vesicles, including coated vesicles, intracellular vesicular membranes, multi-vesicular bodies and lysosomes. The results indicate that this method allows a visualization of EGF-receptors and resolution of the EGF-receptor processing pathway at the electron microscopic level, independent of the internalization process of labeled ligands.     

Blood group-active carbohydrate chains on the receptor for epidermal growth factor of A431 cells

The antigens expressed on the carbohydrate chains of the receptor for epidermal growth factor of A431 cells were studied by immunoblotting with monoclonal antibodies. Blood group A and the Type 1 based blood group ALeb and Lea antigens were detected as well as antigens associated with unsubstituted, monofucosylated and difucosylated Type 2 blood group chains. The Lea and the difucosylated Type 2 antigen activities were abolished by treating the blotted receptor with endo-beta-galactosidase, indicating that they are expressed on backbone structures of poly-lacto/neolacto type. (The term 'poly-lacto/neolacto' is used here to describe oligosaccharide backbone structures consisting of repeating Type 1, Gal beta 1-3GlcNAc (lacto) or Type 2, Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc (neolacto) sequences.) The glycosidic linkage of oligosaccharides to protein was investigated using Pronase digests of the receptor biosynthetically labelled with [3H]glucosamine or [3H]fucose. The oligosaccharides were alkali-resistant, consistent with N- rather than O-glycosidically linked chains. A proportion of [3H]fucose-labelled glycopeptides was susceptible to endo-beta-galactosidase, confirming the immunoblotting experiment using antibodies against the Lea and the difucosylated Type 2 antigenic determinants. Oligosaccharides were released from the [3H]fucose- and [3H]-glucosamine-labelled glycopeptides by hydrazinolysis. Chromatography of the oligosaccharides on Bio-Gel P6 and Concanavalin A columns indicated a spectrum of oligosaccharides which include those of high mannose type labelled with [3H]glucosamine, and a mixture of oligosaccharides labelled with [3H]fucose and [3H]glucosamine of bi- and multiantennary complex types of which a subpopulation is susceptible to digestion with endo-beta-galactosidase.     

Presence of mannose phosphate on the epidermal growth factor receptor in A-431 cells

In this report, we demonstrate a novel post-translational modification of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor. This modification involves the presence of phosphate, previously thought to exist only on amino acid residues in the EGF receptor, on oligosaccharides of the receptor. We have utilized several independent approaches to determine that mannose phosphate is present on the EGF receptor in A-431 cells. Following metabolic labeling with 32P, immunoisolation of the EGF receptor, and digestion with Pronase radioactivity was determined to be present on high mannose type oligosaccharides by concanavalin A chromatography. Also, after acid hydrolysis of in vivo 32P-labeled EGF receptor, radioactivity was detected that co-migrated with mannose 6-phosphate on two-dimensional thin layer electrophoresis. This radiolabeled material co-eluted with a mannose 6-phosphate standard from a high pressure liquid chromatography anion exchange column. Last, an acid hydrolysate of [3H]mannose-labeled EGF receptor contained two radiolabeled fractions, as analyzed by thin layer electrophoresis, and the radioactivity in one of these fractions was substantially reduced by alkaline phosphatase treatment prior to electrophoresis. These experiments indicate that the mature EGF receptor in A-431 cells contains mannose phosphate. This is a novel modification for membrane receptors and has only been reported previously for lysosomal enzymes and a few secreted proteins.     

Regulation of protein breakdown by epidermal growth factor in A431 cells

Addition of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to cultures of A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells produces an increase in the rate of intracellular protein breakdown that cannot be accounted for by increased proteolysis in lysates from EGF-treated cells. In support of this observation, inhibition of protein synthesis with cycloheximide does not reduce the EGF response in cell monolayers. On the other hand, inhibitors of lysosomal proteolytic function such as leupeptin, vinblastine and especially the weak base, ammonia, are able to block the ability of EGF to increase protein breakdown. Additional results suggest that the EGF effect is mediated via a stimulation of autophagy. First, the autophagocytosis inhibitor, 3-methyladenine, reduces the EGF response, and second, the ability of insulin to inhibit protein breakdown by preventing the formation of autophagic vacuoles is overcome by EGF. Moreover, the actions of inhibitors and competing hormones are similar to those reported for glucagon, a hormone known to increase autophagy. The EGF response on protein breakdown persists for at least 6 h after thorough washing of the A431 monolayers. This result contrasts with the rapid reversal of EGF effects in other cell lines. Examination of the fate of bound EGF in cells washed and incubated for 2 h at 37 degrees C shows that some 500-fold more EGF per mg protein is retained on the surface of A431 cells compared to AG2804-transformed fibroblasts, a difference which probably explains the unusual persistence of the EGF effect on protein breakdown.     

Epidermal growth factor receptor of A431 cells. Characterization of a monoclonal anti-receptor antibody noncompetitive agonist of epidermal growth factor action

A monoclonal antibody to the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor of A431 cells, denoted 2D1-IgM, was generated after fusion of immunized BALB/c mouse spleen cells with SP2/0-Ag14 myeloma cells. Specific binding of 2D1-IgM to the A431 cell-surface receptor for EGF was demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence, immunoprecipitation, and immunoblot analysis. Scatchard analysis of 125I-EGF binding to A431 cells demonstrated that 2D1-IgM treatment did not change the number of EGF receptors, but caused an increase in the affinity of EGF receptors from a population of low affinity to a uniform population of high affinity. Like EGF, 2D1-IgM induced phosphorylation of EGF receptors and EGF receptor clustering. As in the case of EGF, a biphasic growth response with stimulation of DNA synthesis at low and inhibition at high concentrations of 2D1-IgM was evident in A431 cells. The intrinsic "EGF-like" bioactivity of 2D1-IgM was enhanced by the presence of EGF. These results suggest that the binding of 2D1-IgM to the EGF receptor at a different site from that to which EGF binds can initiate an effective EGF-like biological response; and the EGF-like biological effects of 2D1-IgM may be mediated by a population of high affinity EGF receptors which may be involved in the control of cellular growth.     

Proteolytic cleavage and activation of PAK2 during UV irradiation-induced apoptosis in A431 cells

Exposure of mammalian cells to ultraviolet (UV) light elicits a cellular response and can also lead to apoptotic cell death. In this report, we show that a 36-kDa myelin basic protein (MBP) kinase detected by an in-gel kinase assay can be dramatically activated during the early stages of UV irradiation-triggered apoptosis of A431 cells. Immunoblot analysis revealed that this 36-kDa MBP kinase could be recognized by an antibody against the C-terminal regions of a family of p21^Cdc42/Rac-activated kinases (PAKs). By using this antibody and a PAK2-specific antibody against the N-terminal region of PAK2 as studying tools, we further demonstrated that UV irradiation caused cleavage of PAK2 to generate a 36-kDa C-terminal catalytic fragment and a 30-kDa N-terminal fragment in A431 cells. The appearance of the 36-kDa C-terminal catalytic fragment of PAK2 matched exactly with the activation of the 36-kDa MBP kinase in A431 cells upon UV irradiation. In addition, UV irradiation also led to activation of CPP32/caspase-3, but not ICH-1L/caspase-2 and ICE/caspase-1, in A431 cells and the kinetics of activation of CPP32/caspase-3 appeared to correlate well with that of DNA fragmentation and of cleavage/activation of PAK2, respectively. Moreover, blockage of activation of CPP32/caspase-3 by pretreating the cells with two specific tetrapeptidic inhibitors for caspases (Ac-DEVD-cho and Ac-YVAD-cmk) could significantly attenuate the extent of cleavage/activation of PAK2 induced by UV irradiation. Collectively, the results demonstrate that cleavage and activation of PAK2 can be induced during the early stages of UV irradiation-triggered apoptosis and indicate the involvement of CPP32/caspase-3 in this process. J. Cell. Biochem. 70:442-454, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.