Smad signal and TGFbeta induced apoptosis in human lymphoma cells

Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF beta1) has antiproliferative and/or apoptotic effect on lymphoid cells. In certain lymphomas exogenous TGF beta1 is able to induce apoptosis, however many lymphoid malignancies are resistant to the endogenous TGF beta1 production. We studied the expression and the activity of TGF beta1 signalling components in B cell lymphoma cell lines (e.g. HT 58 cells) and in isolated human peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy individual's and B-CLL patient's blood. We found that all signal transducer Smads (Smad2,-3; Smad4) and at least one of the inhibitory Smads (Smad6,-7) were expressed in non-treated lymphoma cells, but the inhibitory Smads did not in normal/control PBMCs. However, after TGF beta1 treatment Smad6 disappeared, while the expression of Smad7 increased in HT 58 cells. The activity of Smad signals was proved by phosphorylation of Smad2, nuclear translocation of Smad2/3, and the increased expression of Smad-dependent gene, TIEG in TGF beta1 treated lymphoma cells. These results showed that Smad signaling is available in certain different human lymphoma cells, however ISmads expression could inhibit the signal transmission. This findings indicates that the lost sensitivity of lymphoma cells toward a physiological regulatory factor could be reversed.     

Smad1 stabilization and delocalization in response to the blockade of BMP activity

Signaling at the plasma membrane receptors is generally terminated by some form of feedback regulation, such as endocytosis and/or degradation of the receptors. BMP-Smad1 signaling can also be attenuated by BMP-induced expression of the inhibitory Smads, which are negative regulators of Smad1 transactivation activity and/or BMP antagonists. Here, we report on a novel Smad1 regulation mechanism that occurs in response to the blockade of BMP activity. Lowering the serum levels or antagonizing BMPs with noggin led to upregulation of Smad1 at the protein level in several cell lines, but not to upregulation of Smad5, Smad8 or Smad2/3. The Smad1 upregulation occurs at the level of protein stabilization. Upregulated Smad1 was relocalized to the perinuclear region. These alterations seem to affect the dynamics and amplitude of BMP2-induced Smad1 reactivation. Our findings indicate that depleting or antagonizing BMPs leads to Smad1 stabilization and relocalization, thus revealing an unexpected regulatory mechanism for BMP-Smad1 signaling.     

Inhibitory Smads differentially regulate cell fate specification and axon dynamics in the dorsal spinal cord

The roof plate resident BMPs have sequential functions in the developing spinal cord, establishing cell fate and orienting axonal trajectories. These activities are, however, restricted to the dI1–dI3 neurons in the most dorsal region of the spinal cord. What limits the extent of the action of the BMPs to these neurons? To address this question, we have examined both the distribution of the inhibitory Smads (I-Smads), Smad6 and Smad7 in the spinal cord and the consequence of ectopically expressing the I-Smads in chicken embryos. Our studies suggest that the I-Smads function in vivo to restrict the action of BMP signaling in the dorsal spinal cord. Moreover, the I-Smads have distinct roles in regulating the diverse activities of the BMPs. Thus, the ectopic expression of Smad7 suppresses the dI1 and dI3 neural fates and concomitantly increases the number of dI4–dI6 spinal neurons. In contrast, Smad6 most potently functions to block dI1 axon outgrowth. Taken together, these experiments suggest that the I-Smads have distinct roles in spatially limiting the response of cells to BMP signaling.     

Nodal Signaling Regulates the Bone Morphogenic Protein Pluripotency Pathway in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells

Members of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily play essential roles in both the pluripotency and differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells. Although bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) maintain pluripotency of undifferentiated mouse ES cells, the role of autocrine Nodal signaling is less clear. Pharmacological, molecular, and genetic methods were used to further understand the roles and potential interactions of these pathways. Treatment of undifferentiated ES cells with SB431542, a pharmacological inhibitor of Smad2 signaling, resulted in a rapid reduction of phosphorylated Smad2 and altered the expression of several putative downstream targets. Unexpectedly, inhibition of the Nodal signaling pathway resulted in enhanced BMP signaling, as assessed by Smad1/5 phosphorylation. SB431542-treated cells also demonstrated significant induction of the Id genes, which are known direct targets of BMP signaling and important factors in ES cell pluripotency. Inhibition of BMP signaling decreased the SB431542-mediated phosphorylation of Smad1/5 and induction of Id genes, suggesting that BMP signaling is necessary for some Smad2-mediated activity. Because Smad7, a known inhibitory factor to both Nodal and BMP signaling, was down-regulated following inhibition of Nodal-Smad2 signaling, the contribution of Smad7 to the cross-talk between the transforming growth factor-β pathways in ES cells was examined. Biochemical manipulation of Smad7 expression, through shRNA knockdown or inducible gene expression, significantly reduced the SB431542-mediated phosphorylation of Smad1/5 and induction of the Id genes. We conclude that autocrine Nodal signaling in undifferentiated mouse ES cells modulates the vital pluripotency pathway of BMP signaling.     

Lactacystin, a proteasome inhibitor, enhances BMP-induced osteoblastic differentiation by increasing active Smads

Proteasome inhibitors enhance bone formation and osteoblastic differentiation in vivo and in vitro. In the present study, we examined whether the molecular mechanisms of lactacystin, one of many proteasome inhibitors, stimulated the osteoblastic differentiation of C2C12 cells that is induced by bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). Pretreatment with lactacystin enhanced the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity induced by BMP2, BMP4 or BMP7, but lactacystin did not induce ALP in the absence of BMPs. In addition, lactacystin-stimulated BMP2 induced mRNA expression of ALP, type I collagen, osteonectin, osteocalcin, Id1, Osterix, and Runx2. Lactacystin maintained BMP2-induced phosphorylation of Smad1/5/8 and increased the length of time that these Smads were bound to target DNA. Moreover, lactacystin prevented BMP receptor-induced Smad degradation. This enhancement of BMP2-induced ALP activity and Smad phosphorylation by lactacystin was also observed in primary osteoblasts. These findings suggest that pretreatment with lactacystin accelerates BMP-induced osteoblastic differentiation by increasing the levels of phosphorylated Smads, which are maintained because BMP receptor-induced degradation is inhibited. We propose that optimized stimulation by proteasome inhibitors in a clinical setting may facilitate autogenous or BMP-induced bone formation in areas of defective bone.     

Cooperative inhibition of bone morphogenetic protein signaling by Smurf1 and inhibitory Smads

Smad ubiquitin regulatory factor (Smurf) 1 binds to receptor-regulated Smads for bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) Smad1/5 and promotes their degradation. In addition, Smurf1 associates with transforming growth factor-beta type I receptor through the inhibitory Smad (I-Smad) Smad7 and induces their degradation. Herein, we examined whether Smurf1 negatively regulates BMP signaling together with the I-Smads Smad6/7. Smurf1 and Smad6 cooperatively induced secondary axes in Xenopus embryos. Using a BMP-responsive promoter-reporter construct in mammalian cells, we found that Smurf1 cooperated with I-Smad in inhibiting BMP signaling and that the inhibitory activity of Smurf1 was not necessarily correlated with its ability to bind to Smad1/5 directly. Smurf1 bound to BMP type I receptors via I-Smads and induced ubiquitination and degradation of these receptors. Moreover, Smurf1 associated with Smad1/5 indirectly through I-Smads and induced their ubiquitination and degradation. Smurf1 thus controls BMP signaling with and without I-Smads through multiple mechanisms.     

An Atypical Canonical Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) Signaling Pathway Regulates Msh Homeobox 1 (Msx1) Expression during Odontogenesis

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling plays an essential role in early tooth development, evidenced by disruption of BMP signaling leading to an early arrested tooth development. Despite being a central mediator of BMP canonical signaling pathway, inactivation of Smad4 in dental mesenchyme does not result in early developmental defects. In the current study, we investigated the mechanism of receptor-activated Smads (R-Smads) and Smad4 in the regulation of the odontogenic gene Msx1 expression in the dental mesenchyme. We showed that the canonical BMP signaling is not operating in the early developing tooth, as assessed by failed activation of the BRE-Gal transgenic allele and the absence of phospho-(p)Smad1/5/8-Smad4 complexes. The absence of pSmad1/5/8-Smad4 complex appeared to be the consequence of saturation of Smad4 by pSmad2/3 in the dental mesenchyme as knockdown of Smad2/3 or overexpression of Smad4 led to the formation of pSmad1/5/8-Smad4 complexes and activation of canonical BMP signaling in dental mesenchymal cells. We showed that Smad1/5 but not Smad4 are required for BMP-induced expression of Msx1 in dental mesenchymal cells. We further presented evidence that in the absence of Smad4, BMPs are still able to induce pSmad1/5/8 nuclear translocation and their binding to the Msx1 promoter directly in dental mesenchymal cells. Our results demonstrate the functional operation of an atypical canonical BMP signaling (Smad4-independent and Smad1/5/8-dependent) pathway in the dental mesenchyme during early odontogenesis, which may have general implication in the development of other organs.     

The RING domain of PIASy is involved in the suppression of bone morphogenetic protein-signaling pathway

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) play central roles in differentiation, development, and physiologic tissue remodeling. Recently, we have demonstrated that a protein inhibitor of activated STAT, PIASy, suppresses TGF-beta signaling by interacting with Sma and MAD-related protein 3 (Smad3). In this study, we examined a PIASy-dependent inhibitory effect on BMP signaling. PIASy expression was induced by BMP-2 stimulation and suppressed BMP-2-dependent Smad activity in hepatoma cells. Furthermore, BMP-2-regulated Smads directly bound to PIASy. We also demonstrated that the RING domain of PIASy played an important role in PIASy-mediated suppression of Smad activity. We here provide evidence that the inhibitory action of PIASy on BMP-regulated Smad activity was due to direct physical interactions between Smads and PIASy through its RING domain.     

Roles of bone morphogenetic protein type I receptors and Smad proteins in osteoblast and chondroblast differentiation

The biological effects of type I serine/threonine kinase receptors and Smad proteins were examined using an adenovirus-based vector system. Constitutively active forms of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) type I receptors (BMPR-IA and BMPR-IB; BMPR-I group) and those of activin receptor-like kinase (ALK)-1 and ALK-2 (ALK-1 group) induced alkaline phosphatase activity in C2C12 cells. Receptor-regulated Smads (R-Smads) that act in the BMP pathways, such as Smad1 and Smad5, also induced the alkaline phosphatase activity in C2C12 cells. BMP-6 dramatically enhanced alkaline phosphatase activity induced by Smad1 or Smad5, probably because of the nuclear translocation of R-Smads triggered by the ligand. Inhibitory Smads, i.e., Smad6 and Smad7, repressed the alkaline phosphatase activity induced by BMP-6 or the type I receptors. Chondrogenic differentiation of ATDC5 cells was induced by the receptors of the BMPR-I group but not by those of the ALK-1 group. However, kinase-inactive forms of the receptors of the ALK-1 and BMPR-I groups blocked chondrogenic differentiation. Although R-Smads failed to induce cartilage nodule formation, inhibitory Smads blocked it. Osteoblast differentiation induced by BMPs is thus mediated mainly via the Smad-signaling pathway, whereas chondrogenic differentiation may be transmitted by Smad-dependent and independent pathways.     

Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 and 7 inhibit the degeneration of intervertebral discs by blocking the Puma-dependent apoptotic signaling

Recombinant human bone morphogenetic proteins (rhBMPs) can stimulate bone formation and growth in the treatment of spinal fusions and nonunions. However, it is still unclear whether rhBMPs function in the prevention of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Here, we discovered that BMP levels were decreased in IDD patients, which impaired the BMP/Smad (Mothers against decapentaplegic homologs) signaling. Conducting a microarray assay in Smad4-knockdown cells, we found that expression of PUMA (p53-upregulated modulator of apoptosis) was significantly induced. The molecular analysis revealed that Smad4 recruited HDAC1 (histone deacetylase 1) and the phosphorylated Smad1/5/8 to dock on the promoter of PUMA to repress its expression. The impairment of BMP/Smad signaling in IDD patients caused the significant induction of Puma-dependent apoptosis and resulted in the pathogenesis of IDD. In vitro knockdown of BMP receptors (BMPR1a and BMPR2) in nucleus pulposus (NP) cells could mimic the molecular changes of BMP/Smad signaling and Puma-dependent apoptotic signaling that were observed in IDD patients. Exposing NP cells to RITA (reactivating p53 and inducing tumor apoptosis) small molecule and rhBMP2 (or rhBMP7), we observed that rhBMP2/7 could significantly decrease protein levels of Puma and its downstream proapoptotic molecules, blocking cell apoptosis. Importantly, administration of rhBMPs in aged rats could inhibit the occurrence of IDD. Our results provide a link between BMP/Smad signaling and Puma-dependent apoptotic signaling, revealing a new mechanism of how BMPs contribute to IDD pathogenesis and providing evidence that rhBMPs may decrease apoptosis and improve the outcome of IDD.     

A Gene Panel,Including LRP12, Is Frequently Hypermethylated in Major Types of B-Cell Lymphoma

Epigenetic modifications and DNA methylation in particular, have been recognized as important mechanisms to alter gene expression in malignant cells. Here, we identified candidate genes which were upregulated after an epigenetic treatment of B-cell lymphoma cell lines (Burkitt''s lymphoma, BL; Follicular lymphoma, FL; Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, DLBCL activated B-cell like, ABC; and germinal center like, GCB) and simultaneously expressed at low levels in samples from lymphoma patients. Qualitative methylation analysis of 24 candidate genes in cell lines revealed five methylated genes (BMP7, BMPER, CDH1, DUSP4 and LRP12), which were further subjected to quantitative methylation analysis in clinical samples from 59 lymphoma patients (BL, FL, DLBCL ABC and GCB; and primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma, PMBL). The genes LRP12 and CDH1 showed the highest methylation frequencies (94% and 92%, respectively). BMPER (58%), DUSP4 (32%) and BMP7 (22%), were also frequently methylated in patient samples. Importantly, all gene promoters were unmethylated in various control samples (CD19+ peripheral blood B cells, peripheral blood mononuclear cells and tonsils) as well as in follicular hyperplasia samples, underscoring a high specificity. The combination of LRP12 and CDH1 methylation could successfully discriminate between the vast majority of the lymphoma and control samples, emphasized by receiver operating characteristic analysis with a c-statistic of 0.999. These two genes represent promising epigenetic markers which may be suitable for monitoring of B-cell lymphoma.     

Immunohistochemical localization of bone morphogenetic protein-signaling Smads during long-bone distraction osteogenesis.

In this study we investigated the expression of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-signaling Smads in distraction osteogenesis (DO). Osteotomy of the right tibia was performed in 14 skeletally mature white New Zealand male rabbits. Lengthening was started 1 week later at a rate of 0.5 mm/12 hr and was maintained for 3 weeks. Expression of Smad proteins 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 and Smad ubiquitin regulatory factors (Smurfs) 1 and 2 was evaluated in the distracted zone using immunohistochemistry. Expression of receptor-regulated Smads (R-Smads) 1, 5, and 8 showed a significant increase during the distraction phase, followed by a gradual decrease during the consolidation phase. Smad 4 showed significant expression during both distraction and the beginning of the consolidation phase. Smad 6 and Smad 7 were highly expressed during the consolidation phase. Staining for both Smurfs 1 and 2 was maximal at the end of the distraction period. Staining for all proteins was most intense in chondrocyte and fibroblast-like cells. Expression pattern of R-Smads correlated with our previously reported expression pattern of BMPs 2, 4, and 7 and their receptors. These results therefore suggest a role for the whole BMP signaling pathway including the Smad proteins in DO.     

SANE,a novel LEM domain protein,regulates bone morphogenetic protein signaling through interaction with Smad1

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily that play important roles in bone formation, embryonic patterning, and epidermal-neural cell fate decisions. BMPs signal through pathway specific mediators such as Smads1 and 5, but the upstream regulation of BMP-specific Smads has not been fully characterized. Here we report the identification of SANE (Smad1 Antagonistic Effector), a novel protein with significant sequence similarity to nuclear envelop proteins such as MAN1. SANE binds to Smad1/5 and to BMP type I receptors and regulates BMP signaling. SANE specifically blocks BMP-dependent signaling in Xenopus embryos and in a mammalian model of bone formation but does not inhibit the TGF-beta/Smad2 pathway. Inhibition of BMP signaling by SANE requires interaction between SANE and Smad1, because a SANE mutant that does not bind Smad1 does not inhibit BMP signaling. Furthermore, inhibition appears to be mediated by inhibition of BMP-induced Smad1 phosphorylation, blocking ligand-dependent nuclear translocation of Smad1. These studies define a new mode of regulation for intracellular BMP/Smad1 signaling.