The role of the epidermal growth factor-like protein dlk in cell differentiation

This review focuses on the current knowledge about the function of the EGF-like homeotic protein dlk. dlk is a transmembrane protein that possesses six Epidermal Growth Factor-like sequences at the extracellular domain, a single transmembrane domain and a short intracellular tail. Because of its overall structure and amino acid homology, dlk belongs to the EGF-like homeotic protein family. This family includes proteins such as the Notch receptor and its homologues, as well as Notch ligands, such as Delta, Serrate, and their mammalian homologues Dll1, Dll2 and Dll3 and Jagged 1 and Jagged 2. (For a recent review see Fleming, 1998). dlk is highly expressed by preadipose cell lines, and neuroendocrine tumors, such as pheochromocytomas and neuroblastomas. dlk has been involved in several differentiation processes, such as adipogenesis, hematopoiesis and B cell lymphopoiesis, and neuroendocrine differentiation, including the differentiation of pancreas and the adrenal gland. The extracellular region of dlk can be released by action of an unknown protease and this soluble dlk variant accumulates in the amniotic fluid and is able to inhibit adipocyte differentiation in vitro. Recent evidence indicates, however, that membrane-associated dlk variants play a positive role in the differentiation process. These findings suggest that dlk plays an important role in differentiation and tumorigenesis of several cellular types.     

Multiple requirements for SHPTP2 in epidermal growth factor-mediated cell cycle progression.

Using transient overexpression and microinjection approaches, we examined SHPTP2's function in growth factor signaling. Overexpression of catalytically inactive SHPTP2 (PTP2CS) but not catalytically inactive SHPTP1, inhibited mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activation and Elk-1 transactivation following epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulation of 293 cells. An SHPTP2 mutant with both C-terminal tyrosyl phosphorylation sites converted to phenylalanine (PTP2YF) was also without effect; moreover, PTP2YF rescued PTP2CS-induced inhibition of EGF-induced Elk-1 transactivation. PTP2CS did not inhibit transactivation by activated Ras, suggesting that SHPTP2 acts upstream of or parallel to Ras. Neither PTP2CS nor PTP2YF inhibited platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced Elk-1 transactivation. Thus, protein-tyrosine phosphatase activity, but not tyrosyl phosphorylation of SHPTP2, is required for the immediate-early responses to EGF but not to PDGF. To determine whether SHPTP2 is required later in the cell cycle, we assessed S-phase entry in NIH 3T3 cells microinjected with anti-SHPTP2 antibodies or with a glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion protein encoding both SH2 domains (GST-SH2). Microinjection of anti-SHPTP2 antibodies prior to stimulation inhibited EGF- but no PDGF- or serum-induced S-phase entry. Anti-SHPTP2 antibodies or GST-SH2 fusion protein could inhibit EGF-induced S-phase entry for up to 8 h after EGF addition. Although MAP kinase activation was detected shortly after EGF stimulation, no MAP kinase activation was detected around the restriction point. Therefore, SHPTP2 is absolutely required for immediate-early and late events induced by some, but not all, growth factors, and the immediate-early and late signal transduction pathways regulated by SHPTP2 are distinguishable.     

Effect of cytidine analogs on cell growth and differentiation on a human neuroblastoma line

The cytidine analog 5-AZA-2'-deoxycytidine (5-AZA-CdR) has been demonstrated to induce cellular differentiation; on the other hand, induction of differentiation has been suggested as a possible form of therapy for leukemic cells. We have evaluated the possibility that the neuroblastoma malignant tumor growth could be controlled by treatment that promotes the differentiation of immature tumor cells. We have previously reported on differentiation of murine neuroblastoma cells (41A3) treated with 5-AZA-CdR. In this paper, we describe the effect of 5-AZA-CdR on human neuroblastoma cell line CHP-100. The drug-treated cells show some degree of differentiation, demonstrated by morphological and biochemical markers. A significant DNA hypomethylation and partial inhibition of DNA synthesis and cell proliferation is also observed. This effect is more stable than that caused by another cytidine analog, Cytosine-beta-D-Arabinofuranoside (ARA-C).     

Effect of 5-azacytidine and galectin-1 on growth and differentiation of the human b lymphoma cell line bl36

Background  

5-AzaCytidine (AzaC) is a DNA demethylating drugs that has been shown to inhibit cell growth and to induce apoptosis in certain cancer cells. Induced expression of the galectin1 (Gal1) protein, a galactoside-binding protein distributed widely in immune cells, has been described in cultured hepatoma-derived cells treated with AzaC and this event may have a role in the effect of the drug. According to this hypothesis, we investigated the effect of AzaC and Gal1 on human lymphoid B cells phenotype.     

ERK negatively regulates the epidermal growth factor-mediated interaction of Gab1 and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase

We have examined the ability of epidermal growth factor (EGF)-stimulated ERK activation to regulate Grb2-associated binder-1 (Gab1)/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) interactions. Inhibiting ERK activation with the MEK inhibitor U0126 increased the EGF-stimulated association of Gab1 with either full-length glutathione S-transferase-p85 or the p85 C-terminal Src homology 2 (SH2) domain, a result reproduced by co-immunoprecipitation of the native proteins from intact cells. This increased association of Gab1 and the PI3K correlates with an increase in PI3K activity and greater phosphorylation of Akt. This result is in direct contrast to what we have previously reported following HGF stimulation where MEK inhibition decreased the HGF-stimulated association of Gab1 and p85. In support of this divergent effect of ERK on Gab1/PI3K association following HGF and EGF stimulation, U0126 decreased the HGF-stimulated association of p85 and the Gab1 c-Met binding domain but did not alter the EGF-stimulated association of p85 and the c-Met binding domain. An examination of the mechanism of this effect revealed that the treatment of cells with EGF + U0126 increased the tyrosine phosphorylation of Gab1 as well as its association with another SH2-containing protein, SHP2. Furthermore, overexpression of a catalytically inactive form of SHP2 or pretreatment with pervanadate markedly increased EGF-stimulated Gab1 tyrosine phosphorylation. These experiments demonstrate that EGF and HGF-mediated ERK activation result in divergent effects on Gab1/PI3K signaling. HGF-stimulated ERK activation increases the Gab1/PI3K association, whereas EGF-stimulated ERK activation results in a decrease in the tyrosine phosphorylation of Gab1 and a decreased association with the PI3K. SHP2 is shown to associate with and dephosphorylate Gab1, suggesting that EGF-stimulated ERK might act through the regulation of SHP2.     

Effects of substitution of threonine 654 of the epidermal growth factor receptor on epidermal growth factor-mediated activation of phospholipase C

Addition of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to many cell types activates phospholipase C resulting in increased levels of diacylglycerol and intracellular Ca2+ which may lead to activation of protein kinase C. EGF treatment of cells can also lead to phosphorylation of the EGF receptor at threonine 654 (a protein kinase C phosphorylation site) which appears to attenuate some aspects of receptor signaling. Thus, a feedback loop involving the EGF receptor, phospholipase C, and protein kinase C may regulate EGF receptor function. In this report, the role of phosphorylation of threonine 654 of the EGF receptor in regulation of EGF-stimulated activation of phospholipase C was investigated. NIH-3T3 cells expressing the normal human EGF receptor or expressing EGF receptor in which an alanine residue had been substituted at residue 654 of the receptor were used. Addition of EGF to cells expressing wild-type receptor induced a rapid, but transient, increase in phosphorylation of threonine 654. EGF addition also caused the rapid accumulation of inositol phosphates in these cells. EGF-stimulated accumulation of inositol phosphates was significantly higher in cells expressing Ala-654 receptors compared to control cells. Treatment of cells with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), which stimulated phosphorylation of threonine 654 to a greater degree than EGF, completely inhibited EGF-dependent inositol phosphate accumulation in cells expressing wild-type receptor, but caused only a 20-30% inhibition in Ala-654 expressing cells. EGF stimulated phosphorylation of phospholipase C-gamma on serine and tyrosine residues in cells expressing wild-type of Ala-654 receptors. However, TPA treatment of cells inhibited EGF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase C-gamma only in cells expressing wild-type receptors. Similarly, TPA inhibited tyrosine-specific autophosphorylation of the EGF receptor and tyrosine phosphorylation of several other proteins in wild-type receptor cells, but not in Ala-654 cells. TPA treatment abolished high affinity binding of EGF to cells expressing wild-type receptors, while decreasing the number of high affinity binding sites 20-30% in Ala-654 cells. These data suggest that phosphorylation of threonine 654 can regulate early events in EGF receptor signal transduction such as phosphoinositide turnover, probably through a feedback mechanism involving protein kinase C. Subsequent dephosphorylation of threonine 654 could reactivate the EGF receptor for participation in later signaling events.     

Proliferation, differentiation and maturation of a mouse epidermal keratinocyte cell line

The spontaneous development of a cell line of neonatal mouse C3H/He epidermal cells is described. The culture has been serially passaged at 29 °C over 18 months in the absence of any dermal support. The cell morphology of the 18th passage is reported. During early growth phase, the morphology of the cell layers was similar to that observed in the basal and differentiating strata of the epidermis: numerous tonofilament bundles and desmosome-filament complexes were observed. During late growth phase, maturation and vertical stratification occurred: demonstrated by the tonofilament accumulation, cell organelle degradation, nuclear pyknosis, presence of keratohyalin granules and horny cell layers with thickened membranes. Hemidesmosome-like structures were shown. No basal lamina or membrane coating granules were detectable. The 18th passage cultured cells did not induce tumors in nude mice. This keratinocyte cell line is not permanent, however: a malignant transformation occurred after 25 subcultures which resulted in an undifferentiated cell population.     

Patterns of glycosidases in the histiocytic cell line U-937. Effects of agents inducing cell differentiation

1. The cell bound glycosidases in sublines and clones of the histiocytic cell line U-937 have previously been shown to display characteristic patterns. 2. In this paper the effects of differentiation inducing agents upon glycosidase patterns of one subline, U-937 GTB, are presented. 3. Teleocidin, 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), dimethyl-sulfoxide (DMSO), dihydroxyvitamin D3 and supernatants from mixed lymphocyte culture (MCL) all induce cellular differentiation of U-937 GTB. 4. Significant changes of the levels of cell bound glycosidases were seen after addition of inducing agents. 5. Alterations have been monitored as relative effects upon the absolute glycosidase activities and as effects upon selected ratios of different glycosidases. 6. The separate inducing agents show distinct enzyme patterns.     

Effect of glucocorticoid on epidermal growth factor receptor in human salivary gland adenocarcinoma cell line HSG

Human salivary gland adenocarcinoma (HSG) cells treated with 10(-6) M triamcinolone acetonide for 48 h exhibited a 1.7- to 2.0-fold increase in [125I]human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) binding capacity as compared with untreated HSG cells. Scatchard analysis of [125I]EGF binding data revealed that the number of binding sites was 83,700 (+/- 29,200) receptors/cell in untreated cells and 160,500 (+/- 35,500) receptors/cell in treated cells. No substantial change in receptor affinity was detected. The dissociation constant of the EGF receptor was 0.78 (+/- 0.26).10(-9) M for untreated cells, whereas it was 0.93 (+/- 0.31).10(-9)M for treated cells. The triamcinolone acetonide-induced increase in [125I]EGF binding capacity was dose-dependent between 10(-9) and 10(-6)M, and maximal binding was observed at 10(-6)M. EGF receptors on HSG cells were affinity-labeled with [125I]EGF by use of the cross-linking reagent disuccinimidyl suberate (DSS). The cross-linked [125I]EGF was 3-4% of the total [125I]EGF bound to HSG cells. The affinity-labeled EGF receptor was detected as a specific 170 kDa band in the autoradiograph after SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Densitometric analysis revealed that triamcinolone acetonide amplified the intensity of this band 2.0-fold over that of the band of untreated cells. EGF receptor synthesis was also measured by immunoprecipitation of [3H]leucine-labeled EGF receptor protein with anti-hEGF receptor monoclonal antibody. Receptor synthesis was increased 1.7- to 1.8-fold when HSG cells were treated with 10(-8)-10(-6)M triamcinolone acetonide for 48 h. When the immunoprecipitated, [35S]methionine-pulse-labeled EGF receptor was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and fluorography, the newly synthesized EGF receptor was detected at the position of 170 kDa; and treatment of HSG cells with triamcinolone acetonide resulted in a 2.0-fold amplification of this 170 kDa band. There was no significant difference in turnover rate of EGF receptor between treated and untreated HSG cells. These results demonstrate that the triamcinolone acetonide-induced increase in [125I]EGF binding capacity is due to the increased synthesis of EGF receptor protein in HSG cells.     

Effect of epidermal growth factor on rat pleural mesothelial cell growth

We recently reported that the growth of normal rat pleural mesothelial cells (RPMCs) is inhibited by conditioned media from either in vivo or in vitro transformed RPMCs. In this study we report that the growth of normal RPMCs is inhibited by epidermal growth factor (EGF). This was demonstrated by using three methods of investigation. Two types of studies were carried out with growing cells. First, cell counts indicated that the number of cells was reduced in EGF-treated cultures when compared with untreated cultures. Second, the percentage of S cells detected by flow cytometry following treatment with EGF was lower than without EGF. In other experiments, incorporation of tritiated thymidine in confluent cells was decreased by EGF treatment, either in the presence or absence of fetal calf serum; these effects were dose dependent and were observed from 2 ng/ml EGF. Lower EGF concentrations did not significantly modify thymidine incorporation when compared with untreated cells. Analysis of 125I EGF binding experiments by the Scatchard method indicated that RPMCs posses EGF receptors (about 10(5) per cell) with low ligand binding affinity (Kd = 1.7 +/- 0.4 nM). These results indicate that EGF might modulate the growth of RPMCs.     

Amplified gene for the epidermal growth factor receptor in a human glioblastoma cell line encodes an enzymatically inactive protein.

The gene encoding the receptor for epidermal growth factor was amplified two- to fivefold in the human glioblastoma cell line SF268. The amplified gene gave rise to abundant quantities of receptor that bound EGF with a high affinity (Kd, 0.35 nM). The binding of ligand failed to elicit cellular DNA synthesis, however, and the receptor was enzymatically inactive. We presume that the amplified receptor gene carries a mutation(s) that affects several aspects of the receptor's function. Characterization of the mutation(s) may illuminate how structure dictates function in the receptor protein.     

The epidermal growth factor-mediated inhibition of growth in A431 cells is accompanied by an atypical stimulation of protein breakdown

Addition of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to serum-free or serum-supplemented cultures of A431 cells stimulates protein breakdown without affecting rates of protein synthesis. These effects are atypical because in other cell lines, including AG2804-transformed human fibroblasts examined for comparison, EGF inhibits protein breakdown and stimulates protein synthesis. The response to EGF in A431 cells does not reflect a general post-receptor modification in growth factor action, since addition of insulin to the cells leads to the normal inhibition of protein breakdown. These findings indicate that the unusual growth inhibition produced by EGF in A431 cells can be explained by an increased rate of intracellular protein breakdown.     

Cell-to-cell movement of the CAPRICE protein in Arabidopsis root epidermal cell differentiation

CAPRICE (CPC), a small, R3-type Myb-like protein, is a positive regulator of root hair development in Arabidopsis. Cell-to-cell movement of CPC is important for the differentiation of epidermal cells into trichoblasts (root hair cells). CPC is transported from atrichoblasts (hairless cells), where it is expressed, to trichoblasts, and generally accumulates in their nuclei. Using truncated versions of CPC fused to GFP, we identified a signal domain that is necessary and sufficient for CPC cell-to-cell movement. This domain includes the N-terminal region and a part of the Myb domain. Amino acid substitution experiments indicated that W76 and M78 in the Myb domain are critical for targeted transport, and that W76 is crucial for the nuclear accumulation of CPC:GFP. To evaluate the tissue-specificity of CPC movement, CPC:GFP was expressed in the stele using the SHR promoter and in trichoblasts using the EGL3 promoter. CPC:GFP was able to move from trichoblasts to atrichoblasts but could not exit from the stele, suggesting the involvement of tissue-specific regulatory factors in the intercellular movement of CPC. Analyses with a secretion inhibitor, Brefeldin A, and with an rhd3 mutant defective in the secretion process in root epidermis suggested that intercellular CPC movement is mediated through plasmodesmata. Furthermore, the fusion of CPC to tandem-GFPs defined the capability of CPC to increase the size exclusion limit of plasmodesmata.     

Down-modulation of epidermal growth factor receptor accompanies TNF-induced differentiation of the DiFi human adenocarcinoma cell line toward a goblet-like phenotype

Although the biologic response modifier tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) is a known differentiation Inducer in hematopoietic cells, its role in differentiation of other tissue types has yet to be elucidated. In the studies presented here, TNF treatment of the human rectal adenocarcinoma cell line, DiFi, elicits characteristics of early stage differentiating, mucin-producing colonocytes. Not only are TNF-treated DiFi cells growth-inhibited by TNF, but they also display a unique morphology. Additionally, TNF treatment of DiFi cells enhances > fivefold the expression of high molecular weight mucin glycoproteins, as measured by [¹²⁵I]-wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) binding and the human milk fat globule-1 (HMFG-1) anti-MUC1 antibody reactivity. The induction of these differentiation characteristics correlates with novel alterations in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R). Following 5-day TNF treatment of DiFi cultures, EGF receptor levels, kinase autophosphorylation activity, and receptor tyrosine phosphorylation are reduced by > fourfold. The establishment of a model system in which goblet-like cell characteristics and alterations in a growth factor receptor can be induced in vitro may be potentially useful in studying the underlying mechanisms of colonic epithelial cell proliferation and differentiation. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Nerve growth factor-induced reduction in epidermal growth factor responsiveness and epidermal growth factor receptors in PC12 cells: an aspect of cell differentiation.

The rat pheochromocytoma clone PC12 responds to nerve growth factor through the expression of a number of differentiated neuronal properties. One of the most rapid changes is a large, transient increase in the activity of ornithine decarboxylase. These cells also show an increase in ornithine decarboxylase activity in response to the mitogen, epidermal growth factor, but do not respond morphologically as they do to nerve growth factor. Specific, high-affinity epidermal growth factor receptors are present on the cells. When the cells are differentiated with nerve growth factor, the response to epidermal growth factor is markedly diminished and there is a marked reduction in the binding of epidermal growth factor to the cells.     

Control by fibroblast growth factor of differentiation in the BC3H1 muscle cell line

The regulation of creatine phosphokinase (CPK) expression by polypeptide growth factors has been examined in the clonal mouse muscle BC3H1 cell line. After arrest of cell growth by exposure to low concentrations of serum, BC3H1 cells accumulate high levels of muscle-specific proteins including CPK. The induction of this enzyme is reversible in the presence of high concentrations of fetal calf serum, which cause quiescent, differentiated cells to reenter the cell cycle. Under these conditions, the rate of CPK synthesis is drastically reduced. We show in the present communication that either pituitary-derived fibroblast growth factor (FGF) or brain-derived FGF are as effective as serum in repressing the synthesis of CPK when added to quiescent, differentiated cells. The decrease in the rate of synthesis of CPK occurs within 22 h after the addition of pituitary FGF to the cells. Pituitary FGF had very little effect, if any, on the rate CPK degradation. The overall rate of protein synthesis and the pattern of synthesis of the major polypeptides made by these cells was not altered by the addition of FGF. Although pituitary FGF was mitogenic for BC3H1 cells, the rate of cell growth was not absolutely correlated with the extent of repression of CPK. Brain-derived FGF fully repressed CPK induction under conditions where it showed no significant mitogenic activity. These results show that the expression of a muscle-specific protein, CPK, can be controlled by a single defined polypeptide growth factor in fully differentiated cultures, and that initiation of cell division is not required for their regulation to take place.