Activation of the EGF receptor tyrosine kinase by divalent metal ions: comparison of holoreceptor and isolated kinase domain properties

The activation of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor tyrosine kinase activity is thought to represent a key initial step in EGF-mediated mitogenesis. The mechanisms underlying the regulation of the EGF receptor tyrosine kinase activity were examined through comparisons of the holoreceptor, purified from human placenta, and a soluble 42 kDa tyrosine kinase domain (TKD), generated by the limited trypsin proteolysis of the holoreceptor. The results of these studies highlight the importance of divalent metal ions (Me2+), i.e., Mn2+ and Mg2+, as activators of the tyrosine kinase activity. Manganese is an extremely effective activator of the holoreceptor tyrosine kinase, and under some conditions (low ionic strength) it completely alleviates the need for EGF to stimulate activity. In contrast, Mg2+ only weakly stimulates the holoreceptor tyrosine kinase activity in the absence of EGF, but promotes essentially full activity in the presence of the growth factor. Like the holoreceptor, the soluble TKD is highly active in the presence of Mn2+. However, the isolated TKD is completely inactive in the presence of Mg2+, and, in fact, Mg2+ inhibits the Mn2(+)-stimulated tyrosine kinase activity. The differences in the effects of Mn2+ and Mg2+ on the isolated TKD were further demonstrated by monitoring the effects of Me2+ on the modification of a reactive cysteine residue(s) on the TKD. While Mn2+ potentiates the inhibition by cysteine-directed reagents of the tyrosine kinase activity, Mg2+ has no effect on either the rate or the extent of the inhibition. Both the regulation by Mn2+ of the kinase activity of the TKD and the potentiation by Mn2+ of the cysteine reactivity of the TKD occur over a millimolar concentration range, which implicates a direct binding interaction by the metal ion. Overall, these results demonstrate that there are two key activator sites on the EGF receptor, i.e., the EGF binding site on the extracellular domain and a Me2+ binding site on the cytoplasmic TKD. Me2+ interactions with the cytoplasmic kinase domain apparently result in conformational changes which regulate the levels of tyrosine kinase activity, influence the degree to which this activity is responsive to EGF, and probably account for the effects of Me2+ on the aggregation state of the receptor (Carraway, K.L., III, Koland, J.G. and Cerione, R.A. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 8699-8707). In general, Mg2(+)-induced conformation changes prime the receptor for activation by EGF, while Mn2+ can fully activate the receptor tyrosine kinase and thereby short-circuit growth factor control.     

Modulation of the protein tyrosine kinase activity and autophosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor by its juxtamembrane region

Using peptides epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-13 and EGFR-14, which correspond to residues 645-657 and 679-692, respectively, in the juxtamembrane, cytosolic region of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) we have investigated the role of specific regions of the receptor in regulating its autophosphorylation and protein tyrosine kinase activity. EGFR-13, but not EGFR-14, increased autophosphorylation (by twofold) of the full-length and two truncated forms (Delta1022-1186 and a constitutively active receptor kinase domain) of the EGFR. EGFR-13 increased the stoichiometry of tyrosine phosphorylation of the full-length receptor from 4.2 to 10.1 mol Pi/mol EGFR and that of EGFRDelta1022-1186 from 1.0 to 2 mol Pi/mol receptor. Increased receptor autophosphorylation in the presence of EGFR-13 cannot solely be attributed to an increase in tyrosine kinase activity because EGFR-14 and polylysine increased tyrosine kinase activity of EGFRDelta1022-1186 and full-length EGFR, respectively, to the same extent as EGFR-13 without any effects on receptor autophosphorylation. Phosphorylation of EGFR-13 (P-EGFR-13) on the threonine residue corresponding to Thr654 in EGFR obliterated the ability of the peptide to increase autophosphorylation and markedly diminished its capacity to increase receptor tyrosine kinase activity. Additionally, EGFR-13, but not EGFR-14 or P-EGFR-13, decreased the migration of the receptor on nondenaturing gels, indicating that EGFR-13 induces some conformational change. Phosphopeptide maps of the EGFR phosphorylated in the presence of EGFR-13 or pp60(c-src) demonstrated that the additional sites phosphorylated in the presence of EGFR-13 were the same as those phosphorylated by pp60(c-src) (i.e., Y803, Y845, Y891, Y920, and Y1101). Thus, we conclude that EGFR-13, but not EGFR-14 or P-EGFR-13, competes to disrupt interactions between amino acids 645-657 and some other region(s) on the EGFR to either alleviate a conformational constraint or alter dimer conformation. This change increases the protein tyrosine kinase activity of the EGFR and provides access to additional tyrosine autophosphorylation sites in the receptor.     

Transmodulation of epidermal growth factor receptor function by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase.

Binding of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to its receptor (EGFR) augments the tyrosine kinase activity of the receptor and autophosphorylation. Exposure of some tissues and cells to EGF also stimulates adenylyl cyclase activity and results in an increase in cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels. Because cAMP activates the cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA), we investigated the effect of PKA on the EGFR. The purified catalytic subunit of PKA (PKAc) stoichiometrically phosphorylated the purified full-length wild type (WT) and kinase negative (K721M) forms of the EGFR. PKAc phosphorylated both WT-EGFR as well as a mutant truncated form of EGFR (Delta1022-1186) exclusively on serine residues. Moreover, PKAc also phosphorylated the cytosolic domain of the EGFR (EGFRKD). Phosphorylation of the purified WT as well as EGFRDelta1022-1186 and EGFRKD was accompanied by decreased autophosphorylation and diminished tyrosine kinase activity. Pretreatment of REF-52 cells with the nonhydrolyzable cAMP analog, 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-cAMP, decreased EGF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins as well as activation of the WT-EGFR. Similar effects were also observed in B82L cells transfected to express the Delta1022-1186 form of EGFR. Furthermore, activation of PKAc in intact cells resulted in serine phosphorylation of the EGFR. The decreased phosphorylation of cellular proteins and diminished activation of the EGFR in cells treated with the cAMP analog was not the result of altered binding of EGF to its receptors or changes in receptor internalization. Therefore, we conclude that PKA phosphorylates the EGFR on Ser residues and decreases its tyrosine kinase activity and signal transduction both in vitro and in vivo.     

血管内皮生长因子受体1酪氨酸激酶的克隆、表达和功能

血管内皮生长因子受体 1(Flt 1)在血管生成过程中起着重要的作用。Flt 1胞内域的酪氨酸激酶直接参与了VEGF与Flt 1结合后的胞内信号转导途径。在原核系统中表达得到具有酶活性的Flt 1酪氨酸激酶融合蛋白 ,并进行了初步的性质研究。利用逆转录PCR技术从人肝癌组织总RNA中得到Flt 1酪氨酸激酶区的cDNA ,将其克隆到表达载体质粒 pGEX KG中 ,并在大肠杆菌BL2 1(DE3) pLysS中表达、纯化 ,得到可溶的Flt 1酪氨酸激酶融合蛋白 (GST F)。虽然GST F不包含目前已知的磷酸化位点 ,但研究表明GST F能够进行自磷酸化反应 ,并且其活性需要镁离子或锰离子的参与。同时发现GST F能够磷酸化合成底物 polyE4Y ,而不能作用于MBP和Src相关肽。底物磷酸化时最适的镁离子和锰离子浓度分别为 15mmol/L和 0 .5mmol/L。GST F为寻找抗肿瘤药物提供了一个有效工具     

Activation of the purified protein tyrosine kinase domain of the epidermal growth factor receptor

Biological responses to epidermal growth factor (EGF) depend on the ligand-stimulated protein tyrosine kinase activity of its receptor. To further characterize the enzymatic activity of the EGF receptor, the baculovirus expression system was used to express the cytoplasmic protein tyrosine kinase domain of the EGF receptor. Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells infected with recombinant baculovirus correctly expressed an active tyrosine kinase domain of the EGF receptor as demonstrated by 35S metabolic labeling, immunoblotting with anti-EGF receptor and anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies, and autophosphorylation analysis. The kinase domain (Mr 66,000) was purified to near homogeneity using a monoclonal anti-phosphotyrosine antibody column, providing 0.5 mg of kinase domain/liter of Sf9 cells (23% yield). The purified kinase domain exhibited a strong preference for Mn2+ compared to Mg2+. The specific activity of the kinase domain was low compared to purified, EGF-activated EGF receptor. However, the addition of sphingosine or ammonium sulfate greatly increased the activity of the kinase domain to equal or exceed the activity of ligand-activated holo EGF receptor. These results indicate that the addition of sphingosine or ammonium sulfate to the purified kinase domain can mimic the effect of EGF to induce a conformation of the holo EGF receptor which is optimal for tyrosine kinase activity. Deletion of the ligand binding domain, analogous to that which occurs in erb B, is not sufficient to fully activate the kinase, implying that EGF causes conformational changes additional to removal of an inhibitory constraint.     

Cell movement elicited by epidermal growth factor receptor requires kinase and autophosphorylation but is separable from mitogenesis

The EGF receptor (EGFR) upon activation signals increased cell movement. However, the domains within the receptor, and the pathway which trigger movement are undefined. We expressed EGFR mutants at physiologic levels in receptor-devoid NR6 cells to investigate this biologic response. The receptors possessed kinase activity and underwent autophosphorylation as predicted by primary amino acid sequence. EGF-induced cell motility was assessed in vitro by excess migration into an acellular area and colony scatter in the presence of saturating concentrations of EGF. Wild-type (WT)-EGFR signaled increased motility. However, replacing the conserved lysine721 with methionine resulted in a kinase-inactive receptor which did not elicit movement. Removal of the entire terminus by truncation (c'973) also abrogated ligand-induced motility. Thus, we concentrated on the carboxy- terminal domains. EGF-induced movement was seen with a less-truncated mutant (c'1000) that contained a single autophosphorylated tyrosine (tyrosine992). Other mutants, c'991 and c'1000F992, in which this tyrosine was removed did not signal motility. Fusion mutants which presented other autophosphorylated tyrosine domains also exhibited EGF- induced movement. These findings suggested that the presence of both an autophosphorylated tyrosine signaling domain and the kinase activity are necessary for this biologic response. All kinase-positive mutants signaled cell proliferation but only those that contained autophosphorylatable tyrosines induced movement. The motility responses mediated by these EGFR were identical in the presence or absence of mitomycin-C, at a dose (0.5 micrograms/ml) which completely inhibited cell proliferation. On the other side, D-actinomycin (50 ng/ml) blocked EGF-induced motility but did not affect thymidine incorporation. Thus, EGF-induced mitogenesis and cell motility are mediated through different pathways.     

Role of divalent metals in the activation and regulation of insulin receptor tyrosine kinase

Multiple equilibrium equations were solved to separate the individual effects of ionic divalent metals, free nucleotides and their chelated species on insulin receptor tyrosine kinase (IRTK). Basal IRTK is activated by divalent metal cations when present in excess of that required for substrate formation, indicating the presence of a divalent cation-dependent regulatory site on the kinase. The activatory order for basal activity was Mn2+ greater than Co2+ greater than Mg2+ and Ca2+ = 0. The insulin-dependent activation of IRTK was minimal in the absence of excess free divalent metal, even when the concentration of MnATP or MgATP substrate present exceeded the apparent Km of the kinase. The activatory order for insulin-dependent activation of IRTK changed to Mg2+ greater than Mn2+ and Co2+ = 0. The titration of the MnCl2 saturation response at several concentrations of MgCl2 revealed that the insulin-dependent response of IRTK increases as a function of increasing MgCl2, while basal activity was unaffected. This enhancement of the responsiveness to insulin in the presence of both cations was not due to differing affinities of the kinase for substrate, as evidenced by nearly identical apparent Km values for MnATP and MgATP. The Mg2+-dependent increase in the response of the kinase to insulin may be due to Mg2+ inducing a stronger coupling between receptor and kinase than that observed with Mn2+ alone. The plotting of the effect of several concentrations of free divalent metals on substrate saturation curves revealed that an increase in either of the reactants increased the affinity of the insulin-activated kinase for the other respective reactant. Accordingly, free divalent metal and metal-ATP substrate interact with IRTK in a mutually inclusive manner. CaCl2 saturation curves in the presence of constant MnCl2 and increasing MgCl2 showed that the affinity of IRTK for Ca2+ decreases and the affinity for CaATP increased with increasing Mg2+. Our data suggests that IRTK contains three sites for interaction with divalent metal cations: a MeATP (active) site, a regulatory site, and a metal-dependent site acting to couple the receptor with the kinase.     

The carboxy-terminal domains of erbB-2 and epidermal growth factor receptor exert different regulatory effects on intrinsic receptor tyrosine kinase function and transforming activity.

The erbB-2 gene product, gp185erbB-2, displays a potent transforming effect when overexpressed in NIH 3T3 cells. In addition, it possesses constitutively high levels of tyrosine kinase activity in the absence of exogenously added ligand. In this study, we demonstrate that its carboxy-terminal domain exerts an enhancing effect on erbB-2 kinase and transforming activities. A premature termination mutant of the erbB-2 protein, lacking the entire carboxy-terminal domain (erbB-2 delta 1050), showed a 40-fold reduction in transforming ability and a lowered in vivo kinase activity for intracellular substrates. When the carboxy-terminal domain of erbB-2 was substituted for its analogous region in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) (EGFR/erbB-2COOH chimera), it conferred erbB-2-like properties to the EGFR, including transforming ability in the absence of epidermal growth factor, elevated constitutive autokinase activity in vivo and in vitro, and constitutive ability to phosphorylate phospholipase C-gamma. Conversely, a chimeric erbB-2 molecule bearing an EGFR carboxy-terminal domain (erbB-2/EGFRCOOH chimera) showed reduced transforming and kinase activity with respect to the wild-type erbB-2 and was only slightly more efficient than the erbB-2 delta 1050 mutant. Thus, we conclude that the carboxy-terminal domains of erbB-2 and EGFR exert different regulatory effects on receptor kinase function and biological activity. The up regulation of gp185erbB-2 enzymatic activity exerted by its carboxy-terminal domain can explain, at least in part, its constitutive level of kinase activity.     

Analysis of deletions of the carboxyl terminus of the epidermal growth factor receptor reveals self-phosphorylation at tyrosine 992 and enhanced in vivo tyrosine phosphorylation of cell substrates.

The human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) contains a large C' terminus distal to the protein tyrosine kinase domain that is conserved among members of its extended gene family. To investigate the C' terminus, a series of mutant EGFR cDNAs encoding progressive C'-terminal deletions were prepared and expressed in null recipient B82L cells. In vivo self-phosphorylation was retained in receptors truncated to residues 1052 and 1022 which lack the three identified sites of tyrosine self-phosphorylation. Receptors truncated to residue 991 did not undergo in vivo self-phosphorylation. Purified 1022 truncated receptor was self-phosphorylated to the extent of 1 mol of phosphate/mol of receptor protein. The deduced additional site of tyrosine self-phosphorylation at residue 992 was confirmed by tryptic phosphopeptide mapping and protein sequencing. EGFRs deleted to give C'-terminal residues 1052, 1022, 991, and 973 exhibited enhanced EGF-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of cell substrates in vivo, whereas deletion at residue 944 abolished all detectable EGF-stimulated protein tyrosine phosphorylation. These results indicate that ligand-induced self-phosphorylation is limited to the C' terminus of the EGFR and suggest that this region of the holoreceptor has an inhibitory function.     

Affinity purification and biochemical characterization of histolysin, the major cysteine proteinase of Entamoeba histolytica.

Insulin receptor was co-purified from human placenta together with insulin-stimulated kinase activity that phosphorylates the insulin receptor on serine residues. By using this 'in vitro' system, the mechanism of activation of the serine kinase by insulin was explored. Peptide 1150, histone, poly(Glu-Tyr), eliminating Mn2+ (Mg2+ only), treatment at 37 degrees C (1 h), N-ethylmaleimide, phosphate, beta-glycerol phosphate and anti-phosphotyrosine antibody all inhibited insulin-receptor tyrosine kinase activity and the ability of insulin to stimulate phosphorylation of the insulin receptor on serine. Additionally, direct stimulation of the receptor tyrosine kinase by vanadate increased serine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor. Insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation preceded insulin-stimulated serine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor. The activity of the insulin-sensitive receptor serine kinase was not augmented by cyclic AMP, cyclic GMP, Ca2+, Ca2+ + calmodulin, Ca2+ + phosphatidylserine + diolein or spermine, or inhibited appreciably by heparin. Additionally, the serine kinase phosphorylated casein or phosvitin poorly and was active with Mn2+. This indicates that it is distinct from Ca2+, Ca2+/phospholipid, Ca2+/calmodulin, cyclic AMP- and cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinases, casein kinases I and II and insulin-activated ribosomal S6 kinase. Taken together, these data indicate that a novel species of serine kinase catalyses the insulin-dependent phosphorylation of the insulin receptor and that activation of this receptor serine kinase by insulin requires an active insulin-receptor tyrosine kinase.     

Effect of metal ions on the activity of the catalytic domain of calcineurin

Calcineurin (CN) is a heterodimer, composed of a catalytic subunit (CNA) and a regulatory subunit (CNB). There are four functional domains present in CNA, which are catalytic domain (CNa), CNB-binding domain (BBH), CaM-binding domain (CBH) and autoinhibitory domain (AI). It has been shown previously that the in vitro activity of calcineurin is relied primarily on the binding of metal ions. Mn2+ and Ni2+ are the most crucial cation-activators for this enzyme. In order to determine which domain(s) in CN is functionally regulated by metal ions, the rat CNA alpha subunit and its catalytic domain (CNa) were cloned and expressed in E. coli. The effects of Mn2+, Ni2+ and Mg2+ on the catalytic activity of these purified proteins were examined. Our results demonstrate that all the metal ions tested in this study activated either CNA or CNa. However, the activation degree of CNa by the metal ions was much higher than that of CNA. In term of different metal ions, the activating extents to CNA and CNa were different. To CNA, the activating order from high to low was Mg2+ > > Ni2+ > Mn2+, but Mn2+ > Ni2+ > > Mg2+ to CNa. No effect of CaM/Ca2+ and CNB/Ca2+ on the activity of CNa was observed in our experiments. Moreover, a weak interaction (or untight coordination binding) between metal ions and the enzyme molecule was also identified. These results suggest that the activation of these enzymes by the exogenous metal ions might be via both regulating fragment of CNA (including BBH, CBH and AI) and catalytic domain (CNa), and mainly via regulating fragment to CNA and mainly via catalytic domain to CNa. The activating extents of metal ions via catalytic domain were higher than that via regulating fragment. The results obtained in this study should be very useful for understanding the molecular mechanism underlying the interaction between calcineurin and metal ions, especially Mn2+, Ni2+ and Mg2+.     

Polylysine activates and alters the divalent cation requirements of the insulin receptor protein tyrosine kinase

Protamine and poly(Lys) activate the protein tyrosine kinase of both the human placental insulin receptor and its purified recombinant cytoplasmic domain. Spermidine, poly(Arg) (average molecular mass 15 kDa), poly(Glu), Arg or Lys are not effective. Activation is stable, reversible, and optimal when the enzyme is preincubated with activator, divalent cation and ATP prior to the addition of exogenous protein substrates. The most striking feature of the activation is that it results in 20-30-fold stimulation of the kinase in the presence of 0.2-0.4 mM Mn2+ and induces equivalent activity in the presence of Mg2+ alone (0.4-4.0 mM). The activated protein tyrosine kinase has a specific activity (0.25-0.5 mumol/mg protein) that approaches that of well characterized protein serine kinases.     

Partial purification and characterization of protein tyrosine kinases from normal tissues

Three membranous protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) have been partially purified from human placenta and pig brain. The two placental enzymes (PTK-1 and -2) are distinct with respect to solubility in detergents, molecular weight, and enzymatic properties. The brain protein tyrosine kinase resembles placental PTK-1 with respect to molecular weight and some kinetic properties. However, stimulation of brain PTK is greater with Mn2+ than with Mg2+ whereas placental PTK-1 gives higher rates with Mg2+ than with Mn2+. All three enzymes are inhibited about 50% by 0.1 M NaCl. A monoclonal antibody raised in vitro against the brain enzyme inhibits brain PTK as well as placental PTK-2, but has no effect against PTK-1 or pp60src. It thus appears that these three enzymes are distinct entities that differ from each other both kinetically and immunologically. With synthetic tyrosine-glutamic acid polymers as a substrate, protein tyrosine kinase activity can be detected in crude extracts of membranes.     

Functional and structural stability of the epidermal growth factor receptor in detergent micelles and phospholipid nanodiscs

Cellular signaling mediated by the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR or ErbB) family of receptor tyrosine kinases plays an important role in regulating normal and oncogenic cellular physiology. While structures of isolated EGFR extracellular domains and intracellular protein tyrosine kinase domains have suggested mechanisms for growth factor-mediated receptor dimerization and allosteric kinase domain activation, understanding how the transmembrane and juxtamembrane domains contribute to transmembrane signaling requires structural studies on intact receptor molecules. In this report, recombinant EGFR constructs containing the extracellular, transmembrane, juxtamembrane, and kinase domains are overexpressed and purified from human embryonic kidney 293 cell cultures. The oligomerization state, overall structure, and functional stability of the purified EGF-bound receptor are characterized in detergent micelles and phospholipid bilayers. In the presence of EGF, catalytically active EGFR dimers can be isolated by gel filtration in dodecyl maltoside. Visualization of the dimeric species by negative stain electron microscopy and single particle averaging reveals an overall structure of the extracellular domain that is similar to previously published crystal structures and is consistent with the C-termini of domain IV being juxtaposed against one another as they enter the transmembrane domain. Although detergent-soluble preparations of EGFR are stable as dimers in the presence of EGF, they exhibit differential functional stability in Triton X-100 versus dodecyl maltoside. Furthermore, the kinase activity can be significantly stabilized by reconstituting purified EGF-bound EGFR dimers in phospholipid nanodiscs or vesicles, suggesting that the environment around the hydrophobic transmembrane and amphipathic juxtamembrane domains is important for stabilizing the tyrosine kinase activity in vitro.     

Properties of a membrane-bound tyrosine kinase phosphorylating the cytosolic fragment of the red cell membrane band 3 protein

Band 3 protein of human erythrocyte membrane is phosphorylated on a tyrosine residue located near the NH2 terminal by an endogenous tyrosine kinase activity (Dekowski, S., Rybicki, A. and Drickamer, K. (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 2750-2753). A tyrosine kinase phosphorylating the band 3 protein in situ has been extracted from ghosts by non-ionic detergent and partially characterized (Phan-Dinh-Tuy, F., Henry, J. and Kahn, A. (1985) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 126, 304-312). We have studied the properties of the tyrosine kinase activity which remains bound to the ghosts after detergent extraction using the 43 kDa fragment of protein 3 as substrate. This activity, solubilized from the detergent-resistant material at 0.25 M NaCl and concentrated by phosphocellulose and tyrosine-agarose chromatographies, remains linked to high molecular weight complexes. It is specific for tyrosine. Assayed with the purified 43 kDa fragment it requires the presence of Mn2+ which cannot be replaced by Mg2+. Its affinity for 43 kDa fragment is very high with a Km of 3.3 microM. ATP acts as a phosphoryl donor with a Km of 0.55 microM. The tyrosine kinase activity was not modified by insulin, DMSO, phorbol ester and epidermal growth factor, vanadate and xanthine derivatives. Polyamines spermidine and the polylysine are inhibitors in the presence of Mn2+ but not in the presence of Mg2+. Heparin is a competitive inhibitor of ATP. 2,3-Diphosphoglycerate is an inhibitor at physiological concentrations (Ki = 2 mM). Purified red cell actin is not phosphorylated by the tyrosine kinase. These properties distinguish the red cell membrane-bound tyrosine kinase from other tyrosine kinases extracted from normal cells.     

Src-dependent phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor on tyrosine 845 is required for zinc-induced Ras activation

Previous studies have shown that exposure of cells to Zn2+ ions induces Ras and MAPK activation through the EGF receptor (EGFR). To further determine the role of EGFR in Zn2+-induced signaling, mouse B82L fibroblasts expressing no detectable EGFR protein (B82L-par), wild type EGFR (B82L-wt), kinase-deficient EGFR (B82L-K721M), or COOH-truncated EGFR (B82L-c'958) were tested. Exposure to Zn2+ induced Ras activity in B82L-wt, B82L-K721M, and B82L-c'958 but not in B82L-par cells, indicating that the tyrosine kinase domain and the auto-phosphorylation sites of the EGFR were not required for Zn2+-induced Ras activation. Zn2+ induced Src activation in all B82L cell lines, including B82L-par, indicating that Src activation is independent of the presence of the EGFR. A Src kinase inhibitor blocked Zn2+-induced Ras activation in all the B82L cell lines capable of this response, suggesting the involvement of Src kinase in Zn2+-induced Ras activation via the EGFR. Zn2+ induced the association of the EGFR with Src and specifically increased the phosphorylation of EGFR at tyrosine 845 (Tyr-845), a known Src phosphorylation site. Stably transfected B82L cells with a point mutation of the EGFR at Tyr-845 (B82L-Y845F) exhibited only basal Ras activity following exposure to Zn2+. These data demonstrate that Src-dependent phosphorylation of the EGFR at Tyr-845 is required for EGFR transactivation and Zn2+-induced Ras activation.     

Activation of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase by nerve growth factor involves indirect coupling of the trk proto-oncogene with src homology 2 domains.

Growth factor receptor tyrosine kinases can form stable associations with intracellular proteins that contain src homology (SH) 2 domains, including the p85 regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol (PI)-3 kinase. The activation of this enzyme by growth factors is evaluated in PC12 pheochromocytoma cells and NIH 3T3 fibroblasts expressing the pp140c-trk nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor (3T3-c-trk). NGF causes the rapid stimulation of PI-3 kinase activity detected in anti-phosphotyrosine, but not in anti-trk, immunoprecipitates. This effect coincides with the tyrosine phosphorylation of two proteins, with molecular masses of of 100 kd and 110 kd, that coimmunoprecipitate with p85. Similar phosphorylation patterns are induced when an immobilized fusion protein containing the amino-terminal SH2 domain of p85 is used to precipitate tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins. Thus, although NGF produces the rapid activation of PI-3 kinase through a mechanism that involves tyrosine phosphorylation, there is no evidence for tyrosine phosphorylation of p85, or for its ligand-dependent association with the NGF receptor. Perhaps another phosphoprotein may link the NGF receptor to this enzyme.     

Substitution studies of the second divalent metal cation requirement of protein tyrosine kinase CSK

In addition to a magnesium ion needed to form the ATP-Mg complex, we have previously determined that at least one more free Mg2+ ion is essential for the activation of the protein tyrosine kinase, Csk [Sun, G., and Budde, R. J. A. (1997) Biochemistry 36, 2139-2146]. In this paper, we report that several divalent metal cations, such as Mn2+, Co2+, Ni2+, and Zn2+ bind to the second Mg2+-binding site of Csk with up to 13200-fold higher affinity than Mg2+. This finding enabled us to substitute the free Mg2+ at this site with Mn2+, Co2+, Ni2+, or Zn2+ while keeping ATP saturated with Mg2+ to study the role of the free metal cation in Csk catalysis. Substitution by these divalent metal cations resulted in varied levels of Csk activity, with Mn2+ even more effective than Mg2+. Co2+ and Ni2+ supports reduced levels of Csk activity compared to Mg2+. Zn2+ has the highest affinity for the second Mg2+-binding site of Csk at 0.65 microM, but supports no kinase activity, acting as a dead-end inhibitor. The inhibition by Zn2+ is reversible and competitive against free Mg2+, noncompetitive against ATP-Mg, and mixed against the phosphate accepting substrate, polyE4Y, significantly increasing the affinity for this substrate. Substitution of the free Mg2+ with Mn2+, Co2+, or Ni2+ also results in lower Km values for the peptide substrate. These results suggest that the divalent metal activator is an important element in determining the affinity between Csk and the phosphate-accepting substrate.     

Ligand-induced ubiquitination of the epidermal growth factor receptor involves the interaction of the c-Cbl RING finger and UbcH7.

c-Cbl plays a negative regulatory role in tyrosine kinase signaling by an as yet undefined mechanism. We demonstrate here, using the yeast two-hybrid system and an in vitro binding assay, that the c-Cbl RING finger domain interacts with UbcH7, a ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (E2). UbcH7 interacted with the wild-type c-Cbl RING finger domain but not with a RING finger domain that lacks the amino acids that are deleted in 70Z-Cbl, an oncogenic mutant of c-Cbl. The in vitro interaction was enhanced by sequences on both the N- and C-terminal sides of the RING finger. In vivo and in vitro experiments revealed that c-Cbl and UbcH7 synergistically promote the ligand-induced ubiquitination of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). In contrast, 70Z-Cbl markedly reduced the ligand-induced, UbcH7-mediated ubiquitination of the EGFR. MG132, a proteasome inhibitor, significantly prolonged the ligand-induced phosphorylation of both the EGFR and c-Cbl. Thus, c-Cbl plays an essential role in the ligand-induced ubiquitination of the EGFR by a mechanism that involves an interaction of the RING finger domain with UbcH7. This mechanism participates in the down-regulation of tyrosine kinase receptors and loss of this function, as occurs in the naturally occurring 70Z-Cbl isoform, probably contributes to oncogenic transformation.     

Purification, subunit composition and regulatory properties of the ATP X Mg2+-dependent form of type I phosphoprotein phosphatase from bovine heart

The ATP X Mg2+-dependent phosphoprotein phosphatase has been purified from bovine heart to near-homogeneity. It is a heterodimer (75 kDa) consisting of a catalytic (C) subunit (40 kDa) and a regulatory (R) subunit (35 kDa). The R subunit, which is identical to inhibitor-2, is transiently phosphorylated during activation of the enzyme catalyzed by phosphatase-1 kinase (FA). Maximal activation requires preincubation of the phosphatase with FA and ATP X Mg2+. However, relatively low yet definitively demonstrable basal activity can be expressed by Mg2+ alone (ranging from 3% to 10% of the FA X ATP X Mg activity, depending on the degree of endogenous proteolytic damage of the phosphatase during purification), but not by either FA or ATP alone. Limited trypsinization results in a rapid and total degradation of the R subunit and partial degradation of the 40-kDa C subunit to active proteins of 35-38 kDa. The resulting 'nicked' C subunit of 35-38 kDa is no longer dependent on FA for activation and can be fully activated by Mg2+ (or Mn2+) alone. Endogenous proteolytic damage of the R subunit also results in an increase of activity that can be expressed by M2+ alone with a concomitant decrease of the FA-dependent activation. Although Mn2+ is slightly more effective than Mg2+ in expressing the holoenzyme basal activity, the activation by Mn2+ is only about 60% of that of Mg2+ when FA and ATP are also present. In the activation by adenosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (ATP[gamma S]), Co2+ is the most effective cofactor. The activation by ATP[gamma S] X Co2+ is more than 50% of that by ATP X Mg2+. The present studies indicate that Mg2+ is the natural divalent cation for the FA-catalyzed activation in which Mg2+ plays two distinctly different roles: it forms Mg2+ X ATP which serves as a substrate for the kinase; it acts as an essential cofactor for the catalytic function of the phosphatase. The discrepancies between the results obtained by this and other laboratories with respect to the effectiveness of Mg2+ and ATP[gamma S] in the activation of the phosphatase are discussed.