Homo-oligomerization and Activation of AMP-activated Protein Kinase Are Mediated by the Kinase Domain ��G-Helix

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a heterotrimeric complex playing a crucial role in maintaining cellular energy homeostasis. Recently, homodimerization of mammalian AMPK and yeast ortholog SNF1 was shown by us and others. In SNF1, it involved specific hydrophobic residues in the kinase domain αG-helix. Mutation of the corresponding AMPK α-subunit residues (Val-219 and Phe-223) to glutamate reduced the tendency of the kinase to form higher order homo-oligomers, as was determined by the following three independent techniques in vitro: (i) small angle x-ray scattering, (ii) surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy, and (iii) two-dimensional blue native/SDS-PAGE. Recombinant protein as well as AMPK in cell lysates of primary cells revealed distinct complexes of various sizes. In particular, the assembly of very high molecular mass complexes was dependent on both the αG-helix-mediated hydrophobic interactions and kinase activation. In vitro and when overexpressed in double knock-out (α1^−/−, α2^−/−) mouse embryonic fibroblast cells, activation of mutant AMPK was impaired, indicating a critical role of the αG-helix residues for AMPK activation via its upstream kinases. Also inactivation by protein phosphatase 2Cα was affected in mutant AMPK. Importantly, activation of mutant AMPK by LKB1 was restored by exchanging the corresponding and conserved hydrophobic αG-helix residues of LKB1 (Ile-260 and Phe-264) to positively charged amino acids. These mutations functionally rescued LKB1-dependent activation of mutant AMPK in vitro and in cell culture. Our data suggest a physiological role for the hydrophobic αG-helix residues in homo-oligomerization of heterotrimers and cellular interactions, in particular with upstream kinases, indicating an additional level of AMPK regulation.The maintenance of energy homeostasis is a basic requirement of all living organisms. The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)² is crucially involved in this essential process by playing a central role in sensing and regulating energy metabolism on the cellular and whole body level (1–6). AMPK is also participating in several signaling pathways associated with cancer and metabolic diseases, like type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, and other metabolic disorders (7–9).Mammalian AMPK belongs to a highly conserved family of serine/threonine protein kinases with homologs found in all eukaryotic organisms examined (1, 3, 10). Its heterotrimeric structure includes a catalytic α-subunit and regulatory β- and γ-subunits. These subunits exist in different isoforms (α1, α2, β1, β2, γ1, γ2, and γ3) and splice variants (for γ2 and γ3) and can thus assemble to a broad variety of heterotrimeric isoform combinations. The α- and β-subunits possess multiple autophosphorylation sites, which have been implicated in regulation of subcellular localization and kinase activation (11–15). The most critical step of AMPK activation, however, is phosphorylation of Thr-172 within the activation segment of the α-subunit kinase domain. At least two AMPK upstream kinases (AMPKKs) have been identified so far, namely the tumor suppressor kinase LKB1 in complex with MO25 and STRAD (16) and Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase-2 (CamKK2) (17). Furthermore, the transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase 1 was also shown to activate AMPK using a variety of in vitro approaches (18), but the physiological relevance of these findings remains unclear. Besides direct phosphorylation of Thr-172, AMPK activity is stimulated by the allosteric activator AMP, which can bind to two Bateman domains formed by two pairs of CBS domains within the γ-subunit (19–22). Hereby bound AMP not only allosterically stimulates AMPK but also protects Thr-172 from dephosphorylation by protein phosphatase 2Cα (PP2Cα) and thus hinders inactivation of the kinase (19, 22, 23). Consequently, on the cellular level, AMPK is activated upon metabolic stress increasing the AMP/ATP ratio. Furthermore, AMPK activation can also be induced by several chemical compounds, like nucleoside 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-d-ribofuranoside (24) and the anti-diabetic drug Metformin (25–28). In addition, the small molecule compound A-769662 was recently developed as a direct allosteric activator of AMPK (29, 30).Previous work in our groups proposed a model of AMPK regulation by AMP, which incorporates the major functional features and the latest structural information (31). The latter mainly included truncated core complexes of AMPK from different species (32–35). Further valuable structural information is provided by the x-ray structures of the isolated catalytic domains, in particular of the human AMPK α2-subunit (Protein Data Bank code 2H6D) and its yeast ortholog SNF1 (36, 37). The kinase domain of SNF1 is capable of forming homodimers in the protein crystal, as well as in vitro in solution, in a unique way, which has not been observed previously in any other kinase (36). The dimer interface is predominantly formed by hydrophobic interactions of the loop-αG region, also known as subdomain X situated on the large kinase lobe (36, 38, 39), and it mainly involves Ile-257 and Phe-261. Because the T-loop activation segment was buried within the dimer interface, it was suggested that the dimeric state of the SNF1 catalytic domain represents the inactive form of the kinase. Intriguingly, it was shown in our groups by small angle x-ray scattering that AMPK self-organizes in a concentration-dependent manner to form homo-oligomers in solution (31). However, the interface responsible for oligomerization of the AMPK heterotrimer has remained elusive.Here we further investigate the distinct oligomeric states of the AMPK heterotrimer and suggest a possible regulatory function for this process. Most importantly, we provide conclusive evidence for participation of αG-helix residues in the recognition of AMPK by its upstream kinases LKB1 and CamKK2.     

Regulation of Macropinocytosis by Diacylglycerol Kinase ζ

Macropinosomes arise from the closure of plasma membrane ruffles to bring about the non-selective uptake of nutrients and solutes into cells. The morphological changes underlying ruffle formation and macropinosome biogenesis are driven by actin cytoskeleton rearrangements under the control of the Rho GTPase Rac1. We showed previously that Rac1 is activated by diacylglycerol kinase ζ (DGKζ), which phosphorylates diacylglycerol to yield phosphatidic acid. Here, we show DGKζ is required for optimal macropinocytosis induced by growth factor stimulation of mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Time-lapse imaging of live cells and quantitative analysis revealed DGKζ was associated with membrane ruffles and nascent macropinosomes. Macropinocytosis was attenuated in DGKζ-null cells, as determined by live imaging and vaccinia virus uptake experiments. Moreover, macropinosomes that did form in DGKζ-null cells were smaller than those found in wild type cells. Rescue of this defect required DGKζ catalytic activity, consistent with it also being required for Rac1 activation. A constitutively membrane bound DGKζ mutant substantially increased the size of macropinosomes and potentiated the effect of a constitutively active Rac1 mutant on macropinocytosis. Collectively, our results suggest DGKζ functions in concert with Rac1 to regulate macropinocytosis.     

Signaling Cascade of Diacylglycerol Kinase �� in the Pituitary Intermediate Lobe: Dopamine D2 Receptor/Phospholipase C��4/Diacylglycerol Kinase ��/Protein Kinase C��

The pituitary gland dynamically changes its hormone output under various pathophysiological conditions. One of the pathways implicated in the regulatory mechanism of this gland is a dopaminergic system that operates the phosphoinositide (PI) cycle to transmit downstream signal through second messengers. We have previously shown that diacylglycerol kinase β (DGKβ) is coexpressed with dopamine D1 and D2 receptors in medium spiny neurons of the striatum, suggesting a plausible implication of DGKβ in dopaminergic transmission. However, it remains elusive whether DGKβ is involved in the dopaminergic system in the pituitary gland. The aim of this study is to investigate the expression and localization of DGK in the pituitary gland, together with the molecular components involved in the PI signaling cascade, including dopamine receptors, phospholipase C (PLC), and a major downstream molecule, protein kinase C (PKC). Here we show that DGKβ and the dopamine D2 receptor are coexpressed in the intermediate lobe and localize to the plasma membrane side by side. In addition, we reveal that PLCβ4 and PKCα are the subtypes expressed in the intermediate lobe among those families. These findings will substantiate and further extend our understanding of the molecular-anatomical pathway of PI signaling and the functional roles of DGK in the pituitary intermediate lobe. (J Histochem Cytochem 58:119–129, 2010)     

α1-AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Regulates Hypoxia-Induced Na,K-ATPase Endocytosis via Direct Phosphorylation of Protein Kinase Cζ

Hypoxia promotes Na,K-ATPase endocytosis via protein kinase Cζ (PKCζ)-mediated phosphorylation of the Na,K-ATPase α subunit. Here, we report that hypoxia leads to the phosphorylation of 5′-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) at Thr172 in rat alveolar epithelial cells. The overexpression of a dominant-negative AMPK α subunit (AMPK-DN) construct prevented the hypoxia-induced endocytosis of Na,K-ATPase. The overexpression of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger catalase prevented hypoxia-induced AMPK activation. Moreover, hypoxia failed to activate AMPK in mitochondrion-deficient ρ⁰-A549 cells, suggesting that mitochondrial ROS play an essential role in hypoxia-induced AMPK activation. Hypoxia-induced PKCζ translocation to the plasma membrane and phosphorylation at Thr410 were prevented by the pharmacological inhibition of AMPK or by the overexpression of the AMPK-DN construct. We found that AMPK α phosphorylates PKCζ on residue Thr410 within the PKCζ activation loop. Importantly, the activation of AMPK α was necessary for hypoxia-induced AMPK-PKCζ binding in alveolar epithelial cells. The overexpression of T410A mutant PKCζ prevented hypoxia-induced Na,K-ATPase endocytosis, confirming that PKCζ Thr410 phosphorylation is essential for this process. PKCζ activation by AMPK is isoform specific, as small interfering RNA targeting the α1 but not the α2 catalytic subunit prevented PKCζ activation. Accordingly, we provide the first evidence that hypoxia-generated mitochondrial ROS lead to the activation of the AMPK α1 isoform, which binds and directly phosphorylates PKCζ at Thr410, thereby promoting Na,K-ATPase endocytosis.When exposed to low oxygen levels (hypoxia), cells develop adaptative strategies to maintain adequate levels of ATP (21). These strategies include increasing the efficiency of energy-producing pathways, mostly through anaerobic glycolysis, while decreasing energy-consuming processes such as Na,K-ATPase activity (30). Alveolar hypoxia occurs in many respiratory disorders, and it has been shown to decrease epithelial active Na⁺ transport, leading to impaired fluid reabsorption (37, 41, 42). Active Na⁺ transport and, thus, alveolar fluid reabsortion are effected mostly via apical sodium channels and the basolateral Na,K-ATPase (32, 38, 42). We have reported previously that hypoxia inhibits Na,K-ATPase activity by promoting its endocytosis from the plasma membrane by a mechanism that requires the generation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the phosphorylation of the Na,K-ATPase α subunit at Ser18 by protein kinase Cζ (PKCζ) (8, 9).The 5′-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a heterotrimeric Ser/Thr kinase composed of a catalytic α subunit and regulatory β and γ subunits. Both isoforms of the AMPK catalytic subunit (α1 and α2) form complexes with noncatalytic subunits. The α1 subunit is ubiquitously expressed, whereas the α2 subunit isoform is expressed predominantly in tissues like the liver, heart, and skeletal muscle (36). The α1 and α2 subunit isoforms have ∼90% homology in their N-terminal catalytic domains and ∼60% homology in their C-terminal domains (36), suggesting that they may have distinct downstream targets (31). AMPK activation requires phosphorylation at Thr172 in the activation loop of the α subunit by upstream kinases (12, 19). Findings from recent studies suggest that AMPK is an important signaling intermediary in coupling ion transport and metabolism (15). Indeed, it has been reported that the pharmacological activation of AMPK inhibits amiloride- and ouabain-sensitive epithelial Na⁺ transport (15). Moreover, the activities of the epithelial Na⁺ channel (ENaC) (2, 17), the Na,K-ATPase (40), and the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (17) have been shown to be inhibited by AMPK. Here, we provide evidence that hypoxia, via mitochondrial ROS, leads to AMPK activation and that AMPK binds to and directly phosphorylates PKCζ in an isoform-specific manner, thus promoting Na,K-ATPase endocytosis in alveolar epithelial cells (AEC).     

Structure of the Nuclear Factor κB-inducing Kinase (NIK) Kinase Domain Reveals a Constitutively Active Conformation

NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK) is a central component in the non-canonical NF-κB signaling pathway. Excessive NIK activity is implicated in various disorders, such as autoimmune conditions and cancers. Here, we report the first crystal structure of truncated human NIK in complex with adenosine 5′-O-(thiotriphosphate) at a resolution of 2.5 Å. This truncated protein is a catalytically active construct, including an N-terminal extension of 60 residues prior to the kinase domain, the kinase domain, and 20 residues afterward. The structure reveals that the NIK kinase domain assumes an active conformation in the absence of any phosphorylation. Analysis of the structure uncovers a unique role for the N-terminal extension sequence, which stabilizes helix αC in the active orientation and keeps the kinase domain in the catalytically competent conformation. Our findings shed light on the long-standing debate over whether NIK is a constitutively active kinase. They also provide a molecular basis for the recent observation of gain-of-function activity for an N-terminal deletion mutant (ΔN324) of NIK, leading to constitutive non-canonical NF-κB signaling with enhanced B-cell adhesion and apoptosis resistance.     

Extracellular Signal-regulated Kinase and Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3β Regulate Gephyrin Postsynaptic Aggregation and GABAergic Synaptic Function in a Calpain-dependent Mechanism

Molecular mechanisms of plasticity at GABAergic synapses are currently poorly understood. To identify signaling cascades that converge onto GABAergic postsynaptic density proteins, we performed MS analysis using gephyrin isolated from rat brain and identified multiple novel phosphorylation and acetylation residues on gephyrin. Here, we report the characterization of one of these phosphoresidues, Ser-268, which when dephosphorylated leads to the formation of larger postsynaptic scaffolds. Using a combination of mutagenesis, pharmacological treatment, and biochemical assays, we identify ERK as the kinase phosphorylating Ser-268 and describe a functional interaction between residues Ser-268 and Ser-270. We further demonstrate that alterations in gephyrin clustering via ERK modulation are reflected by amplitude and frequency changes in miniature GABAergic postsynaptic currents. We unravel novel mechanisms for activity- and ERK-dependent calpain action on gephyrin, which are likely relevant in the context of cellular signaling affecting GABAergic transmission and homeostatic synaptic plasticity in pathology.     

Evidence That Atypical Protein Kinase C-λ and Atypical Protein Kinase C-ζ Participate in Ras-mediated Reorganization of the F-actin Cytoskeleton

Expression of transforming Ha-Ras L61 in NIH3T3 cells causes profound morphological alterations which include a disassembly of actin stress fibers. The Ras-induced dissolution of actin stress fibers is blocked by the specific PKC inhibitor GF109203X at concentrations which inhibit the activity of the atypical aPKC isotypes λ and ζ, whereas lower concentrations of the inhibitor which block conventional and novel PKC isotypes are ineffective. Coexpression of transforming Ha-Ras L61 with kinase-defective, dominant-negative (DN) mutants of aPKC-λ and aPKC-ζ, as well as antisense constructs encoding RNA-directed against isotype-specific 5′ sequences of the corresponding mRNA, abrogates the Ha-Ras–induced reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton. Expression of a kinase-defective, DN mutant of cPKC-α was unable to counteract Ras with regard to the dissolution of actin stress fibers. Transfection of cells with constructs encoding constitutively active (CA) mutants of atypical aPKC-λ and aPKC-ζ lead to a disassembly of stress fibers independent of oncogenic Ha-Ras. Coexpression of (DN) Rac-1 N17 and addition of the phosphatidylinositol 3′-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors wortmannin and {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"LY294002","term_id":"1257998346","term_text":"LY294002"}}LY294002 are in agreement with a tentative model suggesting that, in the signaling pathway from Ha-Ras to the cytoskeleton aPKC-λ acts upstream of PI3K and Rac-1, whereas aPKC-ζ functions downstream of PI3K and Rac-1.This model is supported by studies demonstrating that cotransfection with plasmids encoding L61Ras and either aPKC-λ or aPKC-ζ results in a stimulation of the kinase activity of both enzymes. Furthermore, the Ras-mediated activation of PKC-ζ was abrogated by coexpression of DN Rac-1 N17.     

AMP-activated Protein Kinase Attenuates Nitric Oxide-induced ��-Cell Death

During the initial autoimmune response in type 1 diabetes, islets are exposed to a damaging mix of pro-inflammatory molecules that stimulate the production of nitric oxide by β-cells. Nitric oxide causes extensive but reversible cellular damage. In response to nitric oxide, the cell activates pathways for functional recovery and adaptation as well as pathways that direct β-cell death. The molecular events that dictate cellular fate following nitric oxide-induced damage are currently unknown. In this study, we provide evidence that AMPK plays a primary role controlling the response of β-cells to nitric oxide-induced damage. AMPK is transiently activated by nitric oxide in insulinoma cells and rat islets following IL-1 treatment or by the exogenous addition of nitric oxide. Active AMPK promotes the functional recovery of β-cell oxidative metabolism and abrogates the induction of pathways that mediate cell death such as caspase-3 activation following exposure to nitric oxide. Overall, these data show that nitric oxide activates AMPK and that active AMPK suppresses apoptotic signaling allowing the β-cell to recover from nitric oxide-mediated cellular stress.     

Casein Kinase 1δ-dependent Wee1 Protein Degradation

Eukaryotic mitotic entry is controlled by Cdk1, which is activated by the Cdc25 phosphatase and inhibited by Wee1 tyrosine kinase, a target of the ubiquitin proteasome pathway. Here we use a reporter of Wee1 degradation, K328M-Wee1-luciferase, to screen a kinase-directed chemical library. Hit profiling identified CK1δ-dependent Wee1 degradation. Small-molecule CK1δ inhibitors specifically disrupted Wee1 destruction and arrested HeLa cell proliferation. Pharmacological inhibition, siRNA knockdown, or conditional deletion of CK1δ also reduced Wee1 turnover. Thus, these studies define a previously unappreciated role for CK1δ in controlling the cell cycle.     

A Brassinosteroid-Signaling Kinase Interacts withMultiple Receptor-Like Kinases in Arabidopsis

Dear Editor, Higher plants have evolved hundreds of genes encodingreceptor-like kinases （RLKs）, which function as cell surfacereceptors perceiving developmental and environmental sig-nals （Shiu et al., 2004）. Many RLKs have been shown to playspecific roles in hormone responses, developmental regula-tion, defense against pathogen infection, and adaptationto abiotic stresses （Chae et al., 2009; Antolin-Llovera et al.,2012）. The mechanisms that ensure specific signal transduc-tion from each RLK to target cellular responses remain poorlyunderstood. Recent studies revealed that many RLKs trans-duce signals by phosphorylating receptor-like cytoplasmickinases （RLCKs）, which lack the transmembrane domainsbut are anchored at the plasma membrane through lipidmodification （Tang et al., 2008; Zhang et al., 2010; Shi et al.,2013）. There are over 400 RLKs and only about 150 RLCKs inArabidopsis （Shiu et al., 2004）. One outstanding question iswhether each RLCK mediates signaling downstream of a spe-cific RLK, participates in multiple RLK pathways, or mediatescrosstalk between RLK pathways.     

Cell Cycle Dependent Regulation of Deoxycytidine Kinase,Deoxyguanosine Kinase,and Cytosolic 5′-Nucleotidase I Activity in MOLT-4 Cells

Activation of nucleoside analogues is dependent on kinases and 5′-nucleotidases and the balance between the activity of these enzymes. The purpose of this study was to analyze deoxycytidine kinase, deoxyguanosine kinase, and 4 different 5′-nucleotidases during cell cycle progression in MOLT-4 cells. The activity of both kinases was cell cycle dependent and increased during proliferation while the activity of cytosolic 5′-nucleotidase I decreased. We could show that the kinase activity was higher than the total nucleotidase activity, which was unchanged or decreased during cell cycle progression. These data may be important in designing modern combination therapy with nucleoside analogues.     

The Structure of an NDR/LATS Kinase–Mob Complex Reveals a Novel Kinase–Coactivator System and Substrate Docking Mechanism

Eukaryotic cells commonly use protein kinases in signaling systems that relay information and control a wide range of processes. These enzymes have a fundamentally similar structure, but achieve functional diversity through variable regions that determine how the catalytic core is activated and recruited to phosphorylation targets. “Hippo” pathways are ancient protein kinase signaling systems that control cell proliferation and morphogenesis; the NDR/LATS family protein kinases, which associate with “Mob” coactivator proteins, are central but incompletely understood components of these pathways. Here we describe the crystal structure of budding yeast Cbk1–Mob2, to our knowledge the first of an NDR/LATS kinase–Mob complex. It shows a novel coactivator-organized activation region that may be unique to NDR/LATS kinases, in which a key regulatory motif apparently shifts from an inactive binding mode to an active one upon phosphorylation. We also provide a structural basis for a substrate docking mechanism previously unknown in AGC family kinases, and show that docking interaction provides robustness to Cbk1’s regulation of its two known in vivo substrates. Co-evolution of docking motifs and phosphorylation consensus sites strongly indicates that a protein is an in vivo regulatory target of this hippo pathway, and predicts a new group of high-confidence Cbk1 substrates that function at sites of cytokinesis and cell growth. Moreover, docking peptides arise in unstructured regions of proteins that are probably already kinase substrates, suggesting a broad sequential model for adaptive acquisition of kinase docking in rapidly evolving intrinsically disordered polypeptides.