Dominant roles of the Raf/MEK/ERK pathway in cell cycle progression,prevention of apoptosis and sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs

The effects of the Raf/MEK/ERK and PI3K/PTEN/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways on cell cycle progression, gene expression, prevention of apoptosis and sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs were examined in FL/ΔAkt-1:ER*(Myr⁺) + ΔRaf-1:AR cells which are conditionally-transformed to grow in response to Raf-1 and Akt-1 activation by treatment with testosterone or tamoxifen respectively. In these cells we can compare the effects of normal cytokine vs. oncogene mediated signaling in the same cells by changing the culture conditions. Raf-1 was more effective than Akt-1 in inducing cell cycle progression and preventing apoptosis in the presence and absence of chemotherapeutic drugs. The normal cytokine for these cells, interleukin-3 induced/activated most downstream genes transiently, with the exception of p70S6K that was induced for prolonged periods of time. In contrast, most of the downstream genes induced by either the activate Raf-1 or Akt-1 oncogenes were induced for prolonged periods of time, documenting the differences between cytokine and oncogene mediated gene induction which has important therapeutic consequences. The FL/ΔAkt-1:ER*(Myr⁺) + ΔRaf-1:AR cells were sensitive to MEK and PI3K/mTOR inhibitors. Combining MEK and PI3K/mTOR inhibitors increased the induction of apoptosis. The effects of doxorubicin on the induction of apoptosis could be enhanced with MEK, PI3K and mTOR inhibitors. Targeting the Raf/MEK/ERK and PI3K/PTEN/Akt/mTOR pathways may be an effective approach for therapeutic intervention in those cancers which have upstream mutations which result in activation of these pathways.     

Dominant roles of the Raf/MEK/ERK pathway in cell cycle progression,prevention of apoptosis and sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs

The effects of the Raf/MEK/ERK and PI3K/PTEN/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways on cell cycle progression, gene expression, prevention of apoptosis and sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs were examined in FL/ΔAkt-1:ER*(Myr⁺) + ΔRaf-1:AR cells which are conditionally-transformed to grow in response to Raf-1 and Akt-1 activation by treatment with testosterone or tamoxifen respectively. In these cells we can compare the effects of normal cytokine vs. oncogene mediated signaling in the same cells by changing the culture conditions. Raf-1 was more effective than Akt-1 in inducing cell cycle progression and preventing apoptosis in the presence and absence of chemotherapeutic drugs. The normal cytokine for these cells, interleukin-3 induced/activated most downstream genes transiently, with the exception of p70S6K that was induced for prolonged periods of time. In contrast, most of the downstream genes induced by either the activate Raf-1 or Akt-1 oncogenes were induced for prolonged periods of time, documenting the differences between cytokine and oncogene mediated gene induction which has important therapeutic consequences. The FL/ΔAkt-1:ER*(Myr⁺) + ΔRaf-1:AR cells were sensitive to MEK and PI3K/mTOR inhibitors. Combining MEK and PI3K/mTOR inhibitors increased the induction of apoptosis. The effects of doxorubicin on the induction of apoptosis could be enhanced with MEK, PI3K and mTOR inhibitors. Targeting the Raf/MEK/ERK and PI3K/PTEN/Akt/mTOR pathways may be an effective approach for therapeutic intervention in those cancers which have upstream mutations which result in activation of these pathways.     

Effects of Endogenous Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Signaling on DNA Synthesis and ERK Activation in a Cytokine-Dependent Hematopoietic Cell Line

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is commonly thought to affect the proliferation of many cells, especially epithelial cells. Aberrant expression of the receptor for EGF, (EGFR) or members of the EGFR family is often implicated in the etiology of many cancers. Ligation of the EGFR results in the activation of many downstream signaling pathways which have profound effects on cell cycle progression and the prevention of apoptosis. In general, the EGFR is thought to be either not expressed or expressed at low levels in hematopoietic cells. We determined that the EGFR was expressed at a low level in the murine cytokine-dependent hematopoietic cell line FDC-P1 but not in an additional murine IL-3 dependent cell line FL5.12. EGF induced a mild effect on DNA synthesis and ERK activation in EGFR positive FDC-P1 cells but not EGFR negative FL5.12 cells. Addition of suboptimal concentrations of IL-3 synergized with EGF in stimulating DNA synthesis in EGFR-positive FDC-P1 cells. Likewise, the EGFR inhibitor AG1478 induced apoptosis in EGFR positive FDC-P1 cells but not EGFR negative FL5.12 cells. Both cell lines can be directly transformed to cytokine independence by activated EGFR (v-ERBB) expression in the absence of autocrine growth factors indicating that they are poised to fully utilize EGFR mediated signal transduction pathways as a means for proliferation. These results document the functional importance of endogenous EGFR signaling pathway in some hematopoietic cells.     

Synergistic anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activity of combined therapy with bortezomib, a proteasome inhibitor, with anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) drugs in human cancer cells

The proteasome plays a pivotal role in the turnover of regulatory transduction proteins induced by activated cell membrane growth factor receptors. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway is crucial in the development and progression of human epithelial cancers. Proteasome inhibition may sensitize human cancer cell lines to EGFR inhibitors. We investigated the growth inhibitory and pro-apoptotic effects of the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib in combination with anti-EGFR drugs, such as gefitinib, vandetanib, and cetuximab in EGFR-expressing human cancer cell lines. Bortezomib determined dose-dependent growth inhibition in a nine cancer cell line panel (IC(50) values, range 6-42 nM). A significant synergistic growth inhibitory effect was observed with the combination of bortezomib and each EGFR inhibitor in all cell lines (combination index, CI, range 0.10-0.55), which was accompanied by a significant induction in apoptosis by the combined treatment with bortezomib, cetuximab and vandetanib. In HCT-116 colon cancer and A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells, bortezomib plus EGFR inhibitor treatment induced a more effective inhibition of EGFR-activated down-stream signals, including a marked suppression in activated, phosphorylated Akt (P-Akt). In contrast, overexpression of a constitutively active P-Akt protected A549 cells by cell growth inhibition and apoptosis following treatment with bortezomib and EGFR inhibitors. The combined treatment with bortezomib and EGFR inhibitors has a synergistic growth inhibitory and pro-apoptotic activity in different human cancer cells which possess a functional EGFR-dependent autocrine growth pathway through to a more efficient and sustained inhibition of Akt.     

B-raf and insulin synergistically prevent apoptosis and induce cell cycle progression in hematopoietic cells

FDC-P1 hematopoietic cells were conditionally transformed to grow in response to (delta)B Raf:ER, (delta)Raf-1:ER or DA-Raf:ER in which the hormone binding domain of the estrogen receptor (ER) was linked to the N-terminal truncated (delta) Raf genes. When these cells were deprived of IL-3 or beta-estradiol for 24 hrs, they exited the cell cycle and underwent apoptosis. FD/(delta)Raf-1:ER and FD/(delta)A-Raf:ER, but not FD/(delta)B-Raf:ER cells, were readily induced to re-enter the cell cycle after addition of beta-estradiol or IL-3. Deprived FD/(delta)Raf-1:ER, but not FD/(delta)B-Raf:ER cells, expressed activated forms of MEK1 and ERK after beta-estradiol or IL-3 stimulation. Insulin or beta-estradiol alone did not induce FD/(delta)B-Raf:ER cells to re-enter the cell cycle, whereas cell cycle entry was observed upon their co-addition. Apoptosis was prevented in FD/(delta)B-Raf:ER cells when they were cultured in the presence of IL-3 or beta-estradiol, whereas they underwent apoptosis in their absence. Insulin by itself did not prevent apoptosis, however, upon DB-Raf:ER or DRaf-1:ER activation and addition of insulin, more than an additive effect was observed in both lines indicating that these path- ways synergized to prevent apoptosis. Raf isoforms differ in their abilities to control apoptosis and cell cycle progression and B-Raf requires insulin-activated pathways for full antiapoptotic and proliferative activity.     

B-Raf and Insulin Synergistically Prevent Apoptosis and Induce Cell Cycle Progression in Hematopoietic Cell

FDC-P1 hematopoietic cells were conditionally transformed to grow in response to ΔB-Raf:ER, ΔRaf-1:ER or ΔA-Raf:ER in which the hormone binding domain of the estrogen receptor (ER) was linked to the N-terminal truncated (Δ) Raf genes. When these cells were deprived of IL-3 or β-estradiol for 24 hrs, they exited the cell cycle and underwent apoptosis. FD/ΔRaf-1:ER and FD/ΔA-Raf:ER, but not FD/ΔB-Raf:ER cells, were readily induced to re-enter the cell cycle after addition of β-estradiol or IL-3. Deprived FD/ΔRaf-1:ER, but not FD/ΔB-Raf:ER cells, expressed activated forms of MEK1 and ERK after β-estradiol or IL-3 stimulation. Insulin or β-estradiol alone did not induce FD/ΔB-Raf:ER cells to re-enter the cell cycle, whereas cell cycle entry was observed upon their co-addition. Apoptosis was prevented in FD/ΔB-Raf:ER cells when they were cultured in the presence of IL-3 or β-estradiol, whereas they underwent apoptosis in their absence. Insulin by itself did not prevent apoptosis, however, upon ΔB-Raf:ER or ΔRaf-1:ER activation and addition of insulin, more than an additive effect was observed in both lines indicating that these pathways synergized to prevent apoptosis. Raf isoforms differ in their abilities to control apoptosis and cell cycle progression and B-Raf requires insulin-activated pathways for full antiapoptotic and proliferative activity.     

The effect of tyrosine kinase inhibitors, tyrphostins: AG1024 and SU1498, on autocrine growth of prostate cancer cells (DU145)

It is well established that autocrine growth of human prostate cancer cell line DU145 is dependent on TGF (EGF)/EGFR loop. However, the participation of several other growth factors in proliferation of DU145 cells has been also proposed. We employed two selective tyrosine kinase inhibitors (tyrphostins): AG1024 (an IGFIR inhibitor) and SU1498 (a VEGFR2 inhibitor) for growth regulation of DU145 cells, cultured in chemically defined DMEM/F12 medium. Both the tested compounds inhibited autocrine growth of DU145 cells at similar concentration values (IC50 approximately 2.5 microM). The tyrphostins arrested cell growth of DU145 in G1 phase, similarly as inhibitors of EGFR. However, in contrast to selective inhibitors of EGFR, neither AG1024, nor SU1498 (at concentration < or =10 microM) decreased the viability of the investigated cells. These results strongly suggest that autocrine growth of DU145 cells is stimulated by, at least, three autocrine loops: TGFalpha(EGF)/EGFR, IGFII/IGFIr and VEGF/VEGFR2(VEGFR1). These data support the hypothesis of multi-loops growth regulation of metastatic prostate cancer cell lines.     

Raf-Induced Cell Cycle Progression in Human TF-1 Hematopoietic Cells

Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK is a crucial pathway regulating cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and drug resistance. The Ras oncogene is frequently mutated in human cancer, which can result in the activation of the downstream Raf/MEK/ERK cascade leading to cell cycle progression in the absence of a growth stimulus. Raf-induced proliferation has been observed in hematopoietic cells. However, the mechanisms by which Raf affects cell cycle progression are not well described. To investigate the importance of Raf/MEK/ERK signaling in human hematopoietic cell growth, the effects of three different Raf genes, A-Raf, B-Raf and Raf-1, on cell cycle progression and regulatory gene expression were examined in TF-1 cells transformed to grow in response to b-estradiol-regulated DRaf:ER genes. Raf activation increased the expression of cyclin A, cyclin D, cyclin E, and p21Cip1, which are associated with G1 progression. Activated DRaf-1:ER and DA-Raf:ER but not DB-Raf:ER increased Cdk2 and Cdk4 kinase activity. The regulatory role of p16Ink4a, a potent Cdk4 kinase inhibitor, on the kinase activity of Cdk2 and Cdk4 was also examined. Raf induced p16Ink4a suppressor but this did not eliminate Cdk4 kinase activity. These results indicate that human hematopoietic cells transformed to grow in response to activated Raf can be used to elucidate the mechanisms by which various cell cycle regulatory molecules effect cell cycle progression. Furthermore, the differences that the various Raf isoforms have on Cdk4 activity and other cell cycle regulatory molecules can be determined in these cells.

Key Words:

Cell cycle, Raf, p21Cip1, p27Kip1, Cyclins, Cdks, Hematopoietic cells     

Raf-induced cell cycle progression in human TF-1 hematopoietic cells

Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK is a crucial pathway regulating cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and drug resistance. The Ras oncogene is frequently mutated in human cancer, which can result in the activation of the downstream Raf/MEK/ERK cascade leading to cell cycle progression in the absence of a growth stimulus. Raf-induced proliferation has been observed in hematopoietic cells. However, the mechanisms by which Raf affects cell cycle progression are not well described. To investigate the importance of Raf/MEK/ERK signaling in human hematopoietic cell growth, the effects of three different Raf genes, A-Raf, B-Raf and Raf-1, on cell cycle progression and regulatory gene expression were examined in TF-1 cells transformed to grow in response to beta-estradiol-regulated DeltaRaf:ER genes. Raf activation increased the expression of cyclin A, cyclin D, cyclin E, and p21(Cip1), which are associated with G(1) progression. Activated DeltaRaf-1:ER and DeltaA-Raf:ER but not DeltaB-Raf:ER increased Cdk2 and Cdk4 kinase activity. The regulatory role of p16(Ink4a), a potent Cdk4 kinase inhibitor, on the kinase activity of Cdk2 and Cdk4 was also examined. Raf induced p16(Ink4a) suppressor but this did not eliminate Cdk4 kinase activity. These results indicate that human hematopoietic cells transformed to grow in response to activated Raf can be used to elucidate the mechanisms by which various cell cycle regulatory molecules effect cell cycle progression. Furthermore, the differences that the various Raf isoforms have on Cdk4 activity and other cell cycle regulatory molecules can be determined in these cells.     

Down-regulation of glucose-regulated protein (GRP) 78 potentiates cytotoxic effect of celecoxib in human urothelial carcinoma cells

Celecoxib is a selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor that has been reported to elicit anti-proliferative response in various tumors. In this study, we aim to investigate the antitumor effect of celecoxib on urothelial carcinoma (UC) cells and the role endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress plays in celecoxib-induced cytotoxicity. The cytotoxic effects were measured by MTT assay and flow cytometry. The cell cycle progression and ER stress-associated molecules were examined by Western blot and flow cytometry. Moreover, the cytotoxic effects of celecoxib combined with glucose-regulated protein (GRP) 78 knockdown (siRNA), (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) or MG132 were assessed. We demonstrated that celecoxib markedly reduces the cell viability and causes apoptosis in human UC cells through cell cycle G1 arrest. Celecoxib possessed the ability to activate ER stress-related chaperones (IRE-1α and GRP78), caspase-4, and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein homologous protein (CHOP), which were involved in UC cell apoptosis. Down-regulation of GRP78 by siRNA, co-treatment with EGCG (a GRP78 inhibitor) or with MG132 (a proteasome inhibitor) could enhance celecoxib-induced apoptosis. We concluded that celecoxib induces cell cycle G1 arrest, ER stress, and eventually apoptosis in human UC cells. The down-regulation of ER chaperone GRP78 by siRNA, EGCG, or proteosome inhibitor potentiated the cytotoxicity of celecoxib in UC cells. These findings provide a new treatment strategy against UC.     

Synergy between PI3K/Akt and Raf/MEK/ERK pathways in IGF-1R mediated cell cycle progression and prevention of apoptosis in hematopoietic cells

The insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) receptor (R) induced PI3K/Akt signal transduction cascade has critical roles in prevention of apoptosis and regulation of cell cycle progression. Here, we discuss the effects of IGF-1R-mediated signal transduction on hematopoietic cells which normally require interleukin-3 (IL-3) for growth and prevention of apoptosis. Cytokine-dependent FDC-P1 hematopoietic cells were conditionally transformed to grow in response to overexpression of IGF-1R in the presence of IGF-1. When these cells were deprived of IL-3 or IGF-1 for 24 hrs, they exited the cell cycle, activated caspase 3 and underwent apoptosis. The effects of inhibitors which targeted the PI3K/Akt and Raf/MEK/ERK pathways were determined. When the cells were cultured with IGF-1 and either PI3K or MEK inhibitors, cell cycle progression and DNA synthesis were inhibited and caspase 3 activity and apoptosis were induced. Coinhibition of both pathways synergized to prevent cell cycle progression, inhibit DNA synthesis and induce apoptosis. These inhibitors had more apoptotic inducing effects when the cells were grown in response to IGF-1 than IL-3, indicating that IL-3 can induce additional anti-apoptotic pathways. These results demonstrate that the PI3K/Akt and Raf/MEK/ERK pathways are intimately involved in IGF-1R-mediated cell cycle progression and prevention of apoptosis in hematopoietic cells.     

Oncogenic transformation of cells by a conditionally active form of the protein kinase Akt/PKB.

The Akt/PKB protein kinase is implicated in the control of cell cycle progression and the suppression of apoptosis in cancer cells. Here we describe the use of a conditionally active form of Akt/PKB (M+ Akt:ER*) to study the ability of this protein to influence biological processes that are central to the process of oncogenic transformation of mammalian cells. Activation of M+ Akt:ER* in Rat1 cells elicited alterations in cell morphology and promoted anchorage-independent growth in agarose with high efficiency. Consistent with these observations, activation of M+ Akt:ER* suppressed the apoptosis of Rat1 cells that occurs after the detachment of these cells from extracellular matrix. Furthermore, activation of M+ Akt:ER* was sufficient to promote the progression of quiescent Rat1 cells into the S and G2-M phases of the cell cycle. In accord with this is the observation that activation of M+ Akt:ER* led to decreased expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27Kip1 with a concomitant increase in cyclin-dependent kinase-2 activity. Perhaps surprisingly, activation of M+ Akt:ER* or expression of a constitutively active form of Akt led to rapid activation of MAP/ERK Kinase (MEK) and the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases in Rat1 cells. However, pharmacological inhibition of MEK by PD098059 did not inhibit the morphological alterations of Rat1 cells that occur after M+ Akt:ER* activation. These data suggest that M+ Akt:ER* can activate a number of pathways in Rat1 cells, leading to significant alterations in a number of biological processes. The conditional transformation system described here will allow further elucidation of the ability of Akt to contribute to both the normal response of cells to mitogenic stimulation and the aberrant proliferation observed in cancer cells.     

Isothiocyanate–drug interactions in the human adenocarcinoma cell line Caco-2

Loss or mutation of the PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10) gene is associated with resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors. However, the mechanism underlying remains elusive. In this study, we aimed to explore whether sensitivity to the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) is affected by PTEN status in endometrial cancer cells. PTEN siRNA and the PTEN gene were transfected into HEC-1A and Ishikawa endometrial cancer cells using lentiviral vectors. Cells were treated under various concentrations of RG14620 and rapamycin, which are EGFR and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors, respectively. The IC(50) of RG16420 was determined by using the MTT method. Cell apoptosis and the cell cycle were studied, and activation of EGFR, AKT, and p70S6 were detected by Western blot analysis. Loss of PTEN promoted cell proliferation and led to significant increases in the levels of EGFR, phospho-EGFR, AKT, phospho-AKT, and phospho-mTOR proteins. Ishikawa and HEC-1A(PTENkd) cells that displayed loss and inactivation of PTEN function were resistant to RG14620. HEC-1A and Ishikawa(PTEN) cells with intact PTEN were sensitive to RG14620. The combination of two inhibitors was more effective than both monotherapies, particularly in carcinoma cells with PTEN dysfunction. Decreased phospho-EGFR protein expression was observed in all cell lines that were sensitive to RG14620. Decreased phospho-AKT and phospho-p70S6 protein expression was observed in PTEN-intact cells that were sensitive to RG14620. PTEN loss results in resistance to EGFR TKI, which was reversed by PTEN reintroduction or mTOR inhibitor treatment. The combined treatment of EGFR TKI and the mTOR inhibitor provided a synergistic effect by promoting cell death in PTEN-deficient and PTEN-intact endometrial cancer cells, particularly in PTEN-deficient carcinoma cells with up-regulated EGFR activation.     

Inhibition of the EGF receptor and ERK1/2 signaling pathways rescues the human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells from IFNγ-induced apoptosis

Interferon gamma (IFNγ) has been demonstrated to inhibit tumor growth in vivo as well as proliferation of multiple types of cultured transformed cells. In this study, we showed that IFNγ promoted progressive death in A431 cells, overexpressing EGF receptor (EGFR). Based on the data provided by evaluating cell morphology, MTT assay, FACS analysis, and cleaved caspase-3 staining we concluded that the major cause of IFNγ-induced A431 cell growth inhibition was not cell cycle arrest, but apoptosis. We investigated a role for the EGFR and ERK1/2 MAPK signaling pathways in IFNγ-induced apoptosis of A431 cells. IFNγ-induced cell death was accompanied by both an increase of the ERK1/2 MAPK activation and a simultaneous reduction of the EGFR activation. Activation of ERK1/2 was crucial for IFNγ-induced cell death because MEK1/2 inhibitors, PD0325901 and U0126 efficiently protected cells from apoptosis by suppressing caspase-3 activation. Even though EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor AG1478 also rescued A431 cells from IFNγ-induced apoptosis, unlike MEK1/2 inhibitors, it initiated G₁ arrest. Together, these results suggest that sustained inhibition of both EGFR and ERK1/2 leads to significant protection of the cells from IFNγ-induced apoptosis, indicating important roles for the EGFR tyrosine kinase and ERK1/2 MAP-kinases in regulating A431 cell death.     

Targeted combinatorial therapy of non-small cell lung carcinoma using a GST-fusion protein of full-length or truncated MDA-7/IL-24 with Tarceva

Melanoma differentiation associated gene-7/interleukin-24 (mda-7/IL-24), a cytokine belonging to the IL-10 family, displays cancer-specific apoptosis-inducing properties when delivered by a replication-incompetent adenovirus (Ad.mda-7) or as a GST-tagged recombinant protein (GST-MDA-7). Previous studies demonstrated that an adenovirus expressing M4, a truncated version of MDA-7/IL-24 containing amino acid residues 104-206, also induced similar cancer-specific apoptosis. We generated recombinant GST-M4 proteins and examined the potency of GST-MDA-7 and GST-M4 on a panel of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) wild type and mutant non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cells either as a single agent or in combination with a reversible EGFR inhibitor, Tarceva. The combination of either GST-MDA-7 or GST-M4 ( approximately 0.1 microM) and Tarceva (10 microM), at sub-optimal apoptosis-inducing concentrations synergistically enhanced growth inhibition and apoptosis induction over that observed with either agent alone. The combination treatment also augmented inhibition of EGFR signaling, analyzed by phosphorylation of EGFR and its downstream effectors AKT and ERK1/2, over that with single-agent therapy. Tarceva enhanced GST-MDA-7 and GST-M4 toxicity in cells expressing mutated EGFR proteins that are resistant to the inhibitory effects of Tarceva. In total, these data suggest that combined treatment of NSCLC cells with an EGFR inhibitor can augment the efficacy of GST-MDA-7 and GST-M4 and that the EGFR inhibitor Tarceva may mediate this combinatorial effect by inhibiting multiple tyrosine kinases in addition to the EGFR. This approach highlights a potential new combinatorial strategy, which may prove beneficial for NSCLC patients with acquired resistance to EGFR inhibitors.     

Analysis of the role of the Shc and Grb2 proteins in signal transduction by the v-ErbB protein.

The epidermal growth factor receptor, EGFR, has been implicated in cell transformation in both mammalian and avian species. The v-ErbB oncoprotein is an oncogenic form of the chicken EGFR. The tyrosine kinase activity of this oncoprotein is required for transformation, but no transformation-specific cellular substrates have been described to date. Recently activation of the ras signal transduction pathway by the EGFR has been shown to involve the Shc and Grb2 proteins. In this communication, we demonstrate that the Shc proteins are phosphorylated on tyrosine residues and are complexed with Grb2 and the chicken EGFR following ligand activation of this receptor. In fibroblasts and erythroid cells transformed by the avian erythroblastosis virus (AEV) strains H and ES4, the Shc proteins are found to be constitutively phosphorylated on tyrosine residues. The tyrosine-phosphorylated forms of the AEV strain H v-ErbB protein are found in a complex with Shc and Grb2, but the Shc proteins do not bind to the AEV strain ES4 v-ErbB protein. Mutant forms of the v-ErbB protein (in which several of the tyrosines that become autophosphorylated have been deleted by truncation) are unable to transform erythroid cells but can still transform fibroblasts. Analysis of cells transformed by one of these mutants revealed that the truncated v-ErbB protein could no longer bind to either Shc or Grb2, but this oncoprotein still gave rise to tyrosine-phosphorylated Shc proteins that complexed with Grb2 and led to activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase. The results suggest that stable binding of Grb2 and Shc to the v-ErbB protein is not necessary to activate this signal transduction pathway and assuming that the mutant activate MAP kinase in erythroid cells in a manner similar to that of fibroblasts, that activation of this pathway is not sufficient to transform erythroid cells.     

Evidence for a size-sensing mechanism in animal cells

Continuously proliferating cells exactly double their mass during each cell cycle. Here we have addressed the controversial question of if and how cell size is sensed and regulated. We used erythroblasts that proliferate under the control of a constitutively active oncogene (v-ErbB) or under the control of physiological cytokines (stem cell factor, erythropoietin and v-ErbB inhibitor). The oncogene-driven cells proliferated 1.7 times faster and showed a 1.5-fold increase in cell volume. The two phenotypes could be converted into each other 24 h after altering growth factor signalling. The large cells had a higher rate of protein synthesis, together with a shortened G1 phase. Additional experiments with chicken erythroblasts and mouse fibroblasts, synchronized by centrifugal elutriation, provided further evidence that vertebrate cells can respond to cell size alterations (induced either through different growth factor signalling or DNA synthesis inhibitors) by compensatory shortening of the subsequent G1 phase. Taken together, these data suggest that an active size threshold mechanism exists in G1, which induces adjustment of cell-cycle length in the next cycle, thus ensuring maintenance of a proper balance between growth and proliferation rates in vertebrates.     

Raf-induced proliferation or cell cycle arrest is determined by the level of Raf activity with arrest mediated by p21Cip1.

The Raf family of protein kinases display differences in their abilities to promote the entry of quiescent NIH 3T3 cells into the S phase of the cell cycle. Although conditional activation of deltaA-Raf:ER promoted cell cycle progression, activation of deltaRaf-1:ER and deltaB-Raf:ER elicited a G1 arrest that was not overcome by exogenously added growth factors. Activation of all three deltaRaf:ER kinases led to elevated expression of cyclin D1 and cyclin E and reduced expression of p27Kip1. However, activation of deltaB-Raf:ER and deltaRaf-1:ER induced the expression of p21Cip1, whereas activation of deltaA-Raf:ER did not. A catalytically potentiated form of deltaA-Raf:ER, generated by point mutation, strongly induced p21Cip1 expression and elicited cell cycle arrest similarly to deltaB-Raf:ER and deltaRaf-1:ER. These data suggested that the strength and duration of signaling by Raf kinases might influence the biological outcome of activation of this pathway. By titration of deltaB-Raf:ER activity we demonstrated that low levels of Raf activity led to activation of cyclin D1-cdk4 and cyclin E-cdk2 complexes and to cell cycle progression whereas higher Raf activity elicited cell cycle arrest correlating with p21Cip1 induction and inhibition of cyclin-cdk activity. Using green fluorescent protein-tagged forms of deltaRaf-1:ER in primary mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs) we demonstrated that p21Cip1 was induced by Raf in a p53-independent manner, leading to cell cycle arrest. By contrast, activation of Raf in p21Cip1(-/-) MEFs led to a robust mitogenic response that was similar to that observed in response to platelet-derived growth factor. These data indicate that, depending on the level of kinase activity, Raf can elicit either cell cycle progression or cell cycle arrest in mouse fibroblasts. The ability of Raf to elicit cell cycle arrest is strongly associated with its ability to induce the expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21Cip1 in a manner that bears analogy to alpha-factor arrest in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. These data are consistent with a role for Raf kinases in both proliferation and differentiation of mammalian cells.     

Simultaneous Inhibition of Estrogen Receptor and the HER2 Pathway in Breast Cancer: Effects of HER2 Abundance

The estrogen receptor (ER) pathway and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway play pivotal roles in breast cancer progression. Targeted therapies able to intercept ER or signaling downstream to EGFR and its kin, HER2, are routinely used to treat distinct groups of breast cancer patients. However, patient responses are limited by resistance to endocrine therapy, which may be due to compensatory HER2/EGFR signaling. This raises the possibility that simultaneous interception of HER2 and ER may enhance therapeutic efficacy. To address the question, we treated breast cancer cells with both fulvestrant (ICI 182780), an ER antagonist with no agonist effects, and lapatinib, an orally available tyrosine kinase inhibitor specific to EGFR and HER2. Our results indicate that the combination of drugs is especially effective when applied to HER2-overexpressing, ER-positive cancer cells. Interestingly, fulvestrant activated the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway of these cells, but complete inhibition of MAPK signaling was observed on cotreatment with lapatinib. Taken together, our observations reinforce the possibility that the effectiveness of combining anti-ER and anti-HER2/EGFR drugs may be especially effective on a relatively small subtype of HER2-overexpressing, ER-positive tumors of the breast.