The pro-apoptotic kinase Mst1 and its caspase cleavage products are direct inhibitors of Akt1

Akt kinases mediate cell growth and survival. Here, we report that a pro-apoptotic kinase, Mst1/STK4, is a physiological Akt1 interaction partner. Mst1 was identified as a component of an Akt1 multiprotein complex isolated from lipid raft-enriched fractions of LNCaP human prostate cancer cells. Endogenous Mst1, along with its paralog, Mst2, acted as inhibitors of endogenous Akt1. Surprisingly, mature Mst1 as well as both of its caspase cleavage products, which localize to distinct subcellular compartments and are not structurally homologous, complexed with and inhibited Akt1. cRNAs encoding full-length Mst1, and N- and C-terminal caspase Mst1 cleavage products, reverted an early lethal phenotype in zebrafish development induced by expression of membrane-targeted Akt1. Mst1 and Akt1 localized to identical subcellular sites in human prostate tumors. Mst1 levels declined with progression from clinically localized to hormone refractory disease, coinciding with an increase in Akt activation with transition from hormone naïve to hormone-resistant metastases. These results position Mst1/2 within a novel branch of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt pathway and suggest an important role in cancer progression.     

Inhibitors of 2,3-Oxidosqualene Cyclase as Tools for Studying the Mechanism and Function of the Enzyme

Diacylglycerol kinases (DGKs) are a class of enzymes that catalyze the ATP-dependent conversion of diacylglycerol (DAG) to phosphatidic acid (PtdOH), resulting in the coordinate regulation of these two lipid second messengers. This regulation is particularly important in the nervous system where it is now well-established that DAG and PtdOH serve very important roles in modulating a variety of neurological functions. There are currently 10 identified mammalian DGKs, organized into five classes or “Types” based upon similarities in their primary sequences. A number of studies have identified eight of these isoforms in various regions of the mammalian central nervous system (CNS): DGK-α, DGK-β, DGK-γ, DGK-η, DGK-ζ, DGK-ι, DGK-?, and DGK-θ. Further studies have provided compelling evidence supporting roles for these enzymes in neuronal spine density, myelination, synaptic activity, neuronal plasticity, epileptogenesis and neurotransmitter release. The physiological regulation of these enzymes is less clear. Like all interfacial enzymes, DGKs metabolize their hydrophobic substrate (DAG) at a membrane-aqueous interface. Therefore, these enzymes can be regulated by alterations in their subcellular localization, enzymatic activity, and/or membrane association. In this review, we summarize what is currently understood about the localization and regulation of the neuronal DGKs in the mammalian CNS.     

Regulation of expression and function of Lck tyrosine kinase by high cell density

For many types of cells, an increase in cell density leads to characteristic changes in intracellular signalling and cell function. It is unknown, however, whether cell density affects the function of T lymphocytes. It is presented here that aggregation of Jurkat T cells, murine thymocytes or human peripheral blood T cells, results in gradual modification of the Lck tyrosine kinase. Within one hour of aggregation, Lck in the detergent-insoluble lipid raft fraction is dephosphorylated mainly at the carboxy-terminal tyrosine. Further aggregation leads to gradual loss of Lck protein from both lipid raft and non-raft fractions which is accompanied by increased protein ubiquitination, a process that is more evident in the detergent-soluble fraction. In contrast, the expression of LAT, which like Lck distributes to raft and non-raft membrane, or Csk, a kinase with a structure similar to Lck, is not affected by cell aggregation. Dephosphorylation of lipid raft-associated Lck, albeit with reduced kinetics, is observed in aggregated Jurkat CD45-deficient cells as well, suggesting involvement of additional tyrosine phosphatases. Changes in Lck structure and expression correlate with reduced ability of aggregated cells to fully activate protein tyrosine phosphorylation after stimulation of the TCR, and with changes in the activation of down-stream signalling cascades.     

Shedding new light on lipid biology with coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering microscopy

Despite the ubiquitous roles of lipids in biology, the detection of lipids has relied on invasive techniques, population measurements, or nonspecific labeling. Such difficulties can be circumvented by a label-free imaging technique known as coherent anti-Stokes Raman (CARS) microscopy, which is capable of chemically selective, highly sensitive, and high-speed imaging of lipid-rich structures with submicron three-dimensional spatial resolution. We review the broad applications of CARS microscopy to studies of lipid biology in cell cultures, tissue biopsies, and model organisms. Recent technical advances, limitations of the technique, and perspectives are discussed.     

Involvement of signal transduction pathway components in photoperiodic flower induction in Pharbitis nil

The possible participation of several major components of the signal transduction pathway in photoperiodic flower induction was examined in Pharbitis cotyledons. Exogenous applications of GTP-γ-S (1–10 μ M ) or of the phorbol ester, phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA, 0.1–5.0 μ M ) to Pharbitis plants held under a marginal inductive period (11.5 h dark) significantly increased their flowering response. Membrane lipid fluidity, GTP-binding and protein kinase activity were increased following a single flowering-inducing dark period of 16 h; however, a light-break of 10 min that abolished flower induction failed to reverse the dark-induced increase in these processes. Photo-inductive dark conditions significantly increased the content of diacylglycerol (DAG) and phosphoinositides in the cotyledon membranes, together with the activities of their kinases, and a light break decreased them to control levels and below. In addition, a single spraying with GTP-γ-S or PMA at 1 μ M significantly increased both the lipid content and the kinase activities. These compounds also enhanced the kinase activities in vitro. It is concluded that DAG and phosphoinositide metabolism play a role in the linking of the photoperiodic induction of the phytochrome with the flowering response in Pharbitis nil .     

The sphingosine and diacylglycerol kinase superfamily of signaling kinases: localization as a key to signaling function

The sphingosine and diacylglycerol kinases form a superfamily of structurally related lipid signaling kinases. One of the striking features of these kinases is that although they are clearly involved in agonist-mediated signaling, this signaling is accomplished with only a moderate (and sometimes no) increase in the enzymatic activity of the enzymes. Here, we summarize findings that indicate that signaling by these kinases is strongly dependent on their localization to specific intracellular sites rather than on increases in enzyme activity. Both the substrates and products of these enzymes are bioactive lipids. Moreover, many of the metabolic enzymes that act on these lipids are found in specific organelles. Therefore, changes in the membrane localization of these signaling kinases have profound effects not only on the production of signaling lipid phosphates but also on the metabolism of the upstream signaling lipids.     

Membrane domains in lymphocytes - from lipid rafts to protein scaffolds

Lateral compartmentalization of the plasma membrane into domains is a key feature of immune cell activation and subsequent immune effector functions. Here, we will review the high diversity of membrane domains, ranging from elementary lipid rafts, envisioned as dynamic and small domains (in the tens of nm), to relatively stable μm-scale membrane domains, which form the immunologic synapse of T lymphocytes. We will discuss the relationship between these different types of plasma membrane domains and how raft lipid- and protein-controlled interactions and cell biological processes cooperate to generate functional domains that mediate lymphocyte activity.     

TGFbeta induces GDNF responsiveness in neurons by recruitment of GFRalpha1 to the plasma membrane

We have previously shown that the neurotrophic effect of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in vitro and in vivo requires the presence of transforming growth factor (TGF)beta. Using primary neurons (chick E8 ciliary) we show that the combination of GDNF plus TGFbeta promotes survival, whereas the single factors do not. This cooperative effect is inhibited by blocking the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/MAPK pathway, but not by interfering with the PI3 kinase signaling cascade. Although there is no functional GDNF signaling in the absence of TGFbeta, pretreatment with TGFbeta confers GDNF responsiveness to the cells. This is not due to upregulation of GDNF receptors mRNA and protein, but to TGFbeta-induced recruitment of the glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol-anchored GDNF receptor (GFR)alpha1 to the plasma membrane. This is supported by the fact that GDNF in the presence of a soluble GFRalpha1 can promote survival in the absence of TGFbeta. Our data suggest that TGFbeta is involved in GFRalpha1 membrane translocation, thereby permitting GDNF signaling and neurotrophic effects.     

Substrates and signalling complexes: the tortured path to insulin action.

In the last few years several potential substrates of the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase have been identified, purified, and their cDNAs isolated. These putative substrates include: 1) pp15, a fatty acid-binding protein; 2) pp120, a plasma membrane ecto-ATPase; 3) pp42, a MAP serine/threonine kinase; 4) pp85, a subunit of the Type 1 phosphatidylinositol kinase; and 5) pp185, a phosphatidylinositol kinase binding protein. Although the tyrosine phosphorylation of several of these substrates correlates with the signalling capabilities of various mutant receptors, the role of these substrates in mediating any one of insulin's many biological responses is still unknown. In addition, recent data indicate that the tyrosine phosphorylation of pp42 may in fact be due to autophosphorylation, thereby removing it from the list of putative substrates of the insulin receptor kinase. Finally, the present review discusses the question of whether signalling occurs as a result of the tyrosine phosphorylation of substrates or via the formation of signalling complexes.     

Prediction,refinement, and persistency of transmembrane helix dimers in lipid bilayers using implicit and explicit solvent/lipid representations: Microsecond molecular dynamics simulations of ErbB1/B2 and EphA1

All‐atom simulations are carried out on ErbB1/B2 and EphA1 transmembrane helix dimers in lipid bilayers starting from their solution/DMPC bicelle NMR structures. Over the course of microsecond trajectories, the structures remain in close proximity to the initial configuration and satisfy the majority of experimental tertiary contact restraints. These results further validate CHARMM protein/lipid force fields and simulation protocols on Anton. Separately, dimer conformations are generated using replica exchange in conjunction with an implicit solvent and lipid representation. The implicit model requires further improvement, and this study investigates whether lengthy all‐atom molecular dynamics simulations can alleviate the shortcomings of the initial conditions. The simulations correct many of the deficiencies. For example, excessive helix twisting is eliminated over a period of hundreds of nanoseconds. The helix tilt, crossing angles, and dimer contacts approximate those of the NMR‐derived structure, although the detailed contact surface remains off‐set for one of two helices in both systems. Hence, even microsecond simulations are not long enough for extensive helix rotations. The alternate structures can be rationalized with reference to interaction motifs and may represent still sought after receptor states that are important in ErbB1/B2 and EphA1 signaling. Proteins 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Scaffolding by ERK3 regulates MK5 in development

Extracellular-regulated kinase 3 (ERK3, MAPK6) is an atypical member of the ERKs, lacking the threonine and tyrosine residues in the activation loop, carrying a unique C-terminal extension and being mainly regulated by its own protein stability and/or by autophosphorylation. Here we show that ERK3 specifically interacts with the MAPK-activated protein kinase 5 (MK5 or PRAK) in vitro and in vivo. Expression of ERK3 in mammalian cells leads to nuclear-cytoplasmic translocation and activation of MK5 and to phosphorylation of both ERK3 and MK5. Remarkably, activation of MK5 is independent of ERK3 enzymatic activity, but depends on its own catalytic activity as well as on a region in the C-terminal extension of ERK3. In mouse embryonic development, mRNA expression patterns of ERK3 and MK5 suggest spatiotemporal coexpression of both kinases. Deletion of MK5 leads to strong reduction of ERK3 protein levels and embryonic lethality at about stage E11, where ERK3 expression in wild-type mice is maximum, indicating a role of this signalling module in development.     

Role of cell signalling involved in induction of apoptosis by benzo[a]pyrene and cyclopenta[c,d]pyrene in Hepa1c1c7 cells

The reactive metabolites of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and cyclopenta[c,d]pyrene (CPP) induced an accumulation/phosphorylation of p53 in Hepa1c1c7 cells, whereas inhibition of p53 reduced the apoptosis. Judged by the inhibiting effect of wortmannin, phosphatidyl-inositol-3 (PI-3) kinases such as DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK), ATM (ataxia-telangiectasia mutated), and/or ATR (ATM related kinase), appeared to be involved in the DNA damage recognition and the B[a]P-/CPP-induced accumulation of p53. B[a]P and CPP also induced phosphorylation of jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK). While inhibition of JNK had no effects on the B[a]P-/CPP-induced apoptosis, inhibition of p38 MAPK activity reduced this effect. Interestingly, survival signals such as phosphorylation of Akt and Bad seemed to be induced by the B[a]P-/CPP-compounds. Furthermore, also extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 was activated and seemed to function as a survival signal in B[a]P-/CPP-induced apoptosis.     

DGKζ deficiency protects against peripheral insulin resistance and improves energy metabolism

Diacylglycerol kinases (DGKs) regulate the balance between diacylglycerol (DAG) and phosphatidic acid. DGKζ is highly abundant in skeletal muscle and induces fiber hypertrophy. We hypothesized that DGKζ influences functional and metabolic adaptations in skeletal muscle and whole-body fuel utilization. DAG content was increased in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue, but unaltered in liver of DGKζ KO mice. Linear growth, body weight, fat mass, and lean mass were reduced in DGKζ KO versus wild-type mice. Conversely, male DGKζ KO and wild-type mice displayed a similar robust increase in plantaris weight after functional overload, suggesting that DGKζ is dispensable for muscle hypertrophy. Although glucose tolerance was similar, insulin levels were reduced in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed DGKζ KO versus wild-type mice. Submaximal insulin-stimulated glucose transport and p-Akt Ser⁴⁷³ were increased, suggesting enhanced skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity. Energy homeostasis was altered in DGKζ KO mice, as evidenced by an elevated respiratory exchange ratio, independent of altered physical activity or food intake. In conclusion, DGKζ deficiency increases tissue DAG content and leads to modest growth retardation, reduced adiposity, and protection against insulin resistance. DGKζ plays a role in the control of growth and metabolic processes, further highlighting specialized functions of DGK isoforms in type 2 diabetes pathophysiology.     

Phosphorylation of human microtubule-associated protein tau by protein kinases of the AGC subfamily

Intraneuronal inclusions made of hyperphosphorylated microtubule-associated protein tau are a defining neuropathological characteristic of Alzheimer's disease, and of several other neurodegenerative disorders. Many phosphorylation sites in tau are S/TP sites that flank the microtubule-binding repeats. Others are KXGS motifs in the repeats. One site upstream of the repeats lies in a consensus sequence for AGC kinases. This site (S214) is believed to play an important role in the events leading from normal, soluble to filamentous, insoluble tau. Here, we show that all AGC kinases tested phosphorylated S214. RSK1 and p70 S6 kinase also phosphorylated the neighbouring T212, a TP site that conforms weakly to the AGC kinase consensus sequence. MSK1 phosphorylated S214, as well as S262, a KXGS site in the first repeat, and S305 in the second repeat.     

蛋白激酶研究进展：Ⅰ.结构和分类

蛋白激酶含有２５０～３００个氨基酸残基构成的催化功能域,包括１２个功能亚域．这些氨基酸序列折叠成为一个核心催化结构．根据蛋白激酶功能域氨基酸序列比较分析可以找出各蛋白激酶在进化上的亲缘关系,这是蛋白激酶的分类基础．蛋白激酶可分为二大类,一类是丝氨酸／苏氨酸蛋白激酶,另一类是酪氨酸蛋白激酶．丝氨酸／苏氨酸蛋白激酶在进化上出现较早,可分为几个组,每个组又分为许多家族．酪氨酸蛋白激酶在进化上出现较晚,亲缘关系较紧密,同属于一个组,该组也分为许多家族．最近发现的许多双底物特异蛋白激酶,分散在丝氨酸／苏氨酸蛋白激酶的不同家族中．