Essential role for phospholipase D2 activation downstream of ERK MAP kinase in nerve growth factor-stimulated neurite outgrowth from PC12 cells

The signaling pathway that triggers morphological differentiation of PC12 cells is mediated by extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), the classic mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase. However, mediators of the pathway downstream of ERK have not been identified. We show here that phospholipase D2 (PLD2), which generates the pleiotropic signaling lipid phosphatidic acid (PA), links ERK activation to neurite outgrowth in nerve growth factor (NGF)-stimulated PC12 cells. Increased expression of wild type PLD2 (WT-PLD2) dramatically elongated neurites induced by NGF stimulation or transient expression of the active form of MAP kinase-ERK kinase (MEK-CA). The response was activity-dependent, because it was inhibited by pharmacological suppression of the PLD-mediated PA production and by expression of a lipase-deficient PLD2 mutant. Furthermore, PLD2 was activated by MEK-CA, whereas NGF-stimulated PLD2 activation and hypertrophic neurite extension were blocked by an MEK-specific inhibitor. Taken together, these results provide evidence that PLD2 functions as a downstream signaling effector of ERK in the NGF signaling pathway, which leads to neurite outgrowth by PC12 cells.     

Retracted: Ethanol disrupts axon outgrowth stimulated by netrin‐1, GDNF,and L1 by blocking their convergent activation of Src family kinase signaling

Pre‐natal alcohol exposure causes fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), the most common, preventable cause of developmental disability. The developing cerebellum is particularly vulnerable to the effects of ethanol. We reported that ethanol inhibits the stimulation of axon outgrowth in cerebellar granule neurons (CGN) by NAP, an active motif of activity‐dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP), by blocking NAP activation of Fyn kinase and its downstream signaling molecule, the scaffolding protein Cas. Here, we asked whether ethanol inhibits the stimulation of axon outgrowth by diverse axon guidance molecules through a common action on the Src family kinases (SFK). We first demonstrated that netrin‐1, glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and neural cell adhesion molecule L1 stimulate axon outgrowth in CGNs by activating SFK, Cas, and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2). The specific SFK inhibitor, PP2, blocked the stimulation of axon outgrowth and the activation of the SFK‐Cas‐ERK1/2 signaling pathway by each of these axon‐guidance molecules. In contrast, brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) stimulated axon outgrowth and activated ERK1/2 without first activating SFK or Cas. Clinically relevant concentrations of ethanol inhibited axon outgrowth and the activation of the SFK‐Cas‐ERK1/2 pathway by netrin‐1, GDNF, and L1, but did not disrupt BDNF‐induced axon outgrowth or ERK1/2 activation. These results indicate that SFK, but not ERK1/2, is a primary target for ethanol inhibition of axon outgrowth. The ability of ethanol to block the convergent activation of the SFK‐Cas‐ERK1/2 pathway by netrin‐1, GDNF, L1, and ADNP could contribute significantly to the pathogenesis of FASD.     

Phospholipase D2 activation by p38 MAP kinase is involved in neurite outgrowth

p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase plays an important role in neurite outgrowth. However, the underlying molecular mechanism(s) remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that phospholipase D2 (PLD2) mediates p38 signaling in neurite outgrowth. Stimulation of rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells with nerve growth factor activated PLD2 and augmented neurite outgrowth, both of which were inhibited by pharmacological suppression of p38. Overexpression of constitutively active MAP kinase kinase 6 (MKK6-CA) activated coexpressed PLD2 in PC12 and mouse neuroblastoma N1E-115 cells. Overexpression of wild-type PLD2 in these cells strongly augmented the neurite outgrowth induced by MKK6-CA, whereas lipase-deficient PLD2 suppressed it. These findings provide evidence that PLD2 functions as a downstream molecule of p38 in the neurite outgrowth signaling cascade.     

Tissue kallikrein mediates neurite outgrowth through epidermal growth factor receptor and flotillin-2 pathway in vitro

Tissue kallikrein (TK) was previously shown to take most of its biological effects through bradykinin receptors. In this study, we assumed that TK mediated neurite outgrowth was independent of bradykinin receptors. To test the hypothesis, we investigated TK-induced neurite outgrowth and its signaling mechanisms in cultured primary neurons and human SH-SY5Y cells. We found that TK stimulation could increase the number of processes and mean process length of primary neurons, which were blocked by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor or down-regulation, small interfering RNA for flotillin-2 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 inhibitor. Moreover, TK-induced neurite outgrowth was associated with EGFR and ERK1/2 activation, which were inhibited by EGFR antagonist or RNA interference and flotillin-2 knockdown. Interestingly, inhibition of bradykinin receptors had no significant effects on EGFR and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. In the present research, our data also suggested that EGFR and flotillin-2 formed constitutive complex that translocated to around the nuclei in the TK stimulation. In sum, our findings provided evidence that TK could promote neurite outgrowth via EGFR, flotillin-2 and ERK1/2 signaling pathway in vitro.     

Depolarization-induced differentiation of PC12 cells is mediated by phospholipase D2 through the transcription factor CREB pathway

The present study examined the role of phospholipase D2 (PLD2) in the regulation of depolarization-induced neurite outgrowth and the expression of growth-associated protein-43 (GAP-43) and synapsin I in rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. Depolarization of PC12 cells with 50 mmol/L KCl increased neurite outgrowth and elevated mRNA and protein expression of GAP-43 and synapsin I. These increases were suppressed by inhibition of Ca²⁺-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), PLD, or mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK). Knockdown of PLD2 by small interfering RNA (siRNA) suppressed the depolarization-induced neurite outgrowth, and the increase in GAP-43 and synapsin I expression. Depolarization evoked a Ca²⁺ rise that activated various signaling enzymes and the cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB). Silencing CaMKIIδ by siRNA blocked KCl-induced phosphorylation of proline-rich protein tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2), Src kinase, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Inhibition of Src or MEK abolished phosphorylation of ERK and CREB. Furthermore, phosphorylation of Pyk2, ERK, and CREB was suppressed by the PLD inhibitor, 1-butanol and transfection of PLD2 siRNA, whereas it was enhanced by over-expression of wild-type PLD2. Depolarization-induced PLD2 activation was suppressed by CaMKII and Src inhibitors, but not by MEK or protein kinase A inhibitors. These results suggest that the signaling pathway of depolarization-induced PLD2 activation was downstream of CaMKIIδ and Src, and upstream of Pyk2(Y881) and ERK/CREB, but independent of the protein kinase A. This is the first demonstration that PLD2 activation is involved in GAP-43 and synapsin I expression during depolarization-induced neuronal differentiation in PC12 cells.     

Phospholipase D1 activation through Src and Ras is involved in basic fibroblast growth factor-induced neurite outgrowth of H19-7 cells

Phospholipase D (PLD) is implicated in a variety of physiological processes that reveal it to be a member of the signal transducing phospholipases. We found that PLD1 is activated when basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) stimulates neurite outgrowth of an immortalized hippocampal cell line (H19-7). Overexpression of PLD1 in H19-7 cells dramatically elongated bFGF-induced neurite outgrowth and increased PLD activity. Transfection of DN-rPLD1 blocked bFGF-induced PLD activation and completely inhibited neurite outgrowth induced by bFGF, suggesting that PLD1 activation is important in bFGF-induced neurite outgrowth of H19-7 cells. PLD activation and neurite outgrowth induced by bFGF was dependent on phospholipase C gamma (PLC-gamma) and Ca2+, but not protein kinase C (PKC). Furthermore, inhibition of Src and Ras partially blocked bFGF-induced PLD activation and neurite outgrowth, respectively. Coinhibition of Src and Ras completely blocked bFGF-induced PLD activation, suggesting that Src and Ras independently regulate PLD1 activation. Interestingly, bFGF-induced PLD activation and neurite outgrowth did not require ERK1/2 activated by Ras. Taken together, this study demonstrates that bFGF activates PLD1 through PLC-gamma activation, which leads to neurite outgrowth in H19-7 cells. Furthermore, our results show that PLD1 activation by bFGF is regulated by Src and Ras independently.     

Shoc2/Sur8 Protein Regulates Neurite Outgrowth

The Shoc2 protein has been implicated in the positive regulation of the Ras-ERK pathway by increasing the functional binding interaction between Ras and Raf, leading to increased ERK activity. Here we found that Shoc2 overexpression induced sustained ERK phosphorylation, notably in the case of EGF stimulation, and Shoc2 knockdown inhibited ERK activation. We demonstrate that ectopic overexpression of human Shoc2 in PC12 cells significantly promotes neurite extension in the presence of EGF, a stimulus that induces proliferation rather than differentiation in these cells. Finally, Shoc2 depletion reduces both NGF-induced neurite outgrowth and ERK activation in PC12 cells. Our data indicate that Shoc2 is essential to modulate the Ras-ERK signaling outcome in cell differentiation processes involved in neurite outgrowth.     

Potential role of phospholipase D2 in increasing interleukin-2 production by T-lymphocytes through activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases ERK1/ERK2

Hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine by phospholipase D (PLD) leads to the generation of phosphatidic acid (PA), which is itself a source of diacylglycerol (DAG). These two versatile lipid second messengers are at the centre of a phospholipid signalling network and as such are involved in several cellular functions. However, their role in T-cell activation and functions are still enigmatic. In order to elucidate this role, we generated a human and a murine T-cell line that stably overexpressed the PLD2 isoform. Analysis of the Ras-MAPK pathway upon phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and ionomycin stimulation revealed that PLD2 promoted an early and sustained increase in ERK1/2 phosphorylation in both cell lines. This response was inhibited by 1-butanol, a well known distracter of PLD activity, or upon overexpression of a dominant negative PLD2, and it was concomitant with a boost of PA/DAG production. As a functional consequence of this PLD2-dependent MAPK activation, interleukin-2 production evoked by PMA/ionomycin stimulation or CD3/CD28 engagement was enhanced in the two T-cell lines overexpressing PLD2. Thus, PLD2 emerged as an early player upstream of the Ras-MAPK-IL-2 pathway in T-cells via PA and DAG production, raising new possibilities of pharmacological manipulation in immune disorders.     

Temporal Production of the Signaling Lipid Phosphatidic Acid by Phospholipase D2 Determines the Output of Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Signaling in Cancer Cells

The Ras-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) cascade is an important signaling module in cells. One regulator of the Ras-ERK cascade is phosphatidic acid (PA) generated by phospholipase D (PLD) and diacylglycerol kinase (DGK). Using a newly developed PA biosensor, PASS (phosphatidic acid biosensor with superior sensitivity), we found that PA was generated sequentially by PLD and DGK in epidermal growth factor (EGF)-stimulated HCC1806 breast cancer cells. Inhibition of PLD2, one of the two PLD members, was sufficient to eliminate most of the PA production, whereas inhibition of DGK decreased PA production only at the later stages of EGF stimulation, suggesting that PLD2 precedes DGK activation. The temporal production of PA by PLD2 is important for the nuclear activation of ERK. While inhibition of both PLD and DGK had no effect on the overall ERK activity, inhibition of PLD2 but not PLD1 or DGK blocked the nuclear ERK activity in several cancer cell lines. The decrease of active ERK in the nucleus inhibited the activation of Elk1, c-fos, and Fra1, the ERK nuclear targets, leading to decreased proliferation of HCC1806 cells. Together, these findings reveal that PA production by PLD2 determines the output of ERK in cancer cell growth factor signaling.     

Phospholipase D is involved in myogenic differentiation through remodeling of actin cytoskeleton

We investigated the role of phospholipase D (PLD) and its product phosphatidic acid (PA) in myogenic differentiation of cultured L6 rat skeletal myoblasts. Arginine-vasopressin (AVP), a differentiation inducer, rapidly activated PLD in a Rho-dependent way, as shown by almost total suppression of activation by C3 exotoxin pretreatment. Addition of 1-butanol, which selectively inhibits PA production by PLD, markedly decreased AVP-induced myogenesis. Conversely, myogenesis was potentiated by PLD1b isoform overexpression but not by PLD2 overexpression, establishing that PLD1 is involved in this process. The expression of the PLD isoforms was differentially regulated during differentiation. AVP stimulation of myoblasts induced the rapid formation of stress fiber-like actin structures (SFLSs). 1-Butanol selectively inhibited this response, whereas PLD1b overexpression induced SFLS formation, showing that it was PLD dependent. Endogenous PLD1 was located at the level of SFLSs, and by means of an intracellularly expressed fluorescent probe, PA was shown to be accumulated along these structures in response to AVP. In addition, AVP induced a PLD-dependent neosynthesis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2), which also was accumulated along actin fibers. These data support the hypothesis that PLD participates in myogenesis through PA- and PIP2-dependent actin fiber formation.     

Ethanol inhibits L1 cell adhesion molecule activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases

Inhibition of the functions of L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1) by ethanol has been implicated in the pathogenesis of the neurodevelopmental aspects of the fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Ethanol at pharmacological concentrations has been shown to inhibit L1-mediated neurite outgrowth of rat post-natal day 6 cerebellar granule cells (CGN). Extracellular signal-related kinases (ERK) 1/2 activation occurs following L1 clustering. Reduction in phosphoERK1/2 by inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) reduces neurite outgrowth of cerebellar neurons. Here, we examine the effects of ethanol on L1 activation of ERK1/2, and whether this activation occurs via activation of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1). Ethanol at 25 mm markedly inhibited ERK1/2 activation by both clustering L1 with cross-linked monoclonal antibodies, or by L1-Fc chimeric proteins. Clustering L1 with subsequent ERK1/2 activation did not result in tyrosine phosphorylation of the FGFR1. In addition, inhibition of FGFR1 tyrosine kinase blocked basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) activation of ERK1/2, but did not affect activation of ERK1/2 by clustered L1. We conclude that ethanol disrupts the signaling pathway between L1 clustering and ERK1/2 activation, and that this occurs independently of the FGFR1 pathway in cerebellar granule cells.     

Mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling is involved in suramin-induced neurite outgrowth in a neuronal cell line

Suramin is a well-known antitrypanosomal drug and a novel experimental agent for the treatment of several cancers. Previous study showed that suramin is an activator of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) signaling in several cell lines including Chinese hamster ovary cells, although the physiological relevance of this activation remains uncertain. Here, it was shown that suramin enhances neurite outgrowth concomitant with activation of ERK1/2 in Neuro-2a cells, a neuronal cell line. These neurite outgrowth and ERK1/2 activation were significantly inhibited by PD98059, an inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase, as well as by activation of endogenous adenosine A2A receptors. The suramin-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was also inhibited by inhibitors of Src family kinases. This attenuation of ERK1/2 activity was accompanied by a significant decrease in suramin-induced neurite outgrowth. These results suggest that suramin activates the Src/ERK1/2 signaling pathway that induces neurite outgrowth, both of which are negatively regulated by cAMP produced in response to activation of endogenous adenosine A2A receptors.     

The Effects of Tag-1 on the Maturation of Mouse Cerebellar Granule Neurons

The cell adhesion molecule Tag-1 is highly expressed in immature cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) during axonogenesis and is down-regulated prior to onset of radial migration. However, its precise role(s) during development of mammalian CGNs has been unclear. Here we studied the effects of anti-Tag-1 function blocking antibodies on the development of mouse CGNs in primary cell culture and in situ. Interfering antibodies inhibited axon formation by mouse CGNs in both cell cultures and in cerebellar slices. Effects on axon extension in cell cultures were observed under conditions of homotypic cell–cell contact, consistent with inhibition of cell adhesion activity. Further, when used as a substratum Tag-1 protein strongly stimulated neurite outgrowth by CGNs. Antagonism of Tag-1 also enhanced CGN migration in modified Boyden chamber assays. Radial migration was inhibited by Tag-1 antibodies in cerebellar slices, possibly reflecting a block in early CGN maturation in situ. These findings are consistent with a regulatory role for Tag-1 in axon emergence as well as migratory behavior by developing mouse CGNs.     

Phospholipase D1 is an Important Regulator of bFGF-Induced Neurotrophin-3 Expression and Neurite Outgrowth in H19-7 Cells

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of phospholipase D1 (PLD1) in basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-induced neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) expression and neurite outgrowth in H19-7 rat hippocampal neuronal progenitor cells. Overexpression of PLD1 increased bFGF-induced NT-3 expression, and dominant-negative-PLD1 or PLD1 siRNA abolished bFGF-induced NT-3 expression and neurite outgrowth. Treatment with bFGF activated the RhoA/Rho-associated kinase (ROCK)/c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway, and bFGF-induced NT-3 expression was blocked by a dominant-negative RhoA as well as by a specific Rho-kinase inhibitor (Y27632) and a SAPK/JNK inhibitor (SP600125). Furthermore, bFGF-induced JNK activation was also blocked by Y27632. These results indicate that the RhoA/ROCK/JNK pathway acts as an upstream signaling pathway in bFGF-induced NT-3 expression. Also, phosphatidic acid, the product of PLD, increased NT-3 expression. We found that PLD regulated the RhoA/ROCK/JNK pathway, which then led to Elk-1 transactivation. When Elk-1 activity was blocked by Elk-1 siRNA, bFGF-induced NT-3 expression and neurite outgrowth decreased. NT-3 overexpression increased neurite outgrowth, indicating that NT-3 is important for neurite outgrowth. Taken together, these results suggest that PLD1 is an important regulator of bFGF-induced NT-3 expression and neurite outgrowth, which are mediated by the RhoA/ROCK/JNK pathway via Elk-1 in H19-7 cells.     

Phospholipase D signaling in serotonin-induced mitogenesis of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells

We have previously reported the participation of mitogen-activated protein, Rho, and phosphoinositide-3 (PI3) kinases in separate pathways in serotonin (5-HT)-induced proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (SMCs). In this study, we investigated the possible participation of phospholipase D (PLD) and phosphatidic acid (PA) in this growth process. 5-HT stimulated a time-dependent increase in [(3)H]phosphatidylbutanol and PA generation. Exposure of SMCs to 1-butanol or overexpression of an inactive mutant of human PLD1R898R blocked 5-HT-induced proliferation. Furthermore, 1-butanol inhibited 5-HT activation of S6K1 and S6 protein, downstream effectors of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), by 80 and 72%, respectively, and partially blocked activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) by 30% but had no effect on other associated signaling pathways. Exogenous PA caused cellular proliferation and revitalized cyclin D1 expression by 5-HT of the 1-butanol-treated cells. PA also reproduced activations by 5-HT of mTOR, S6K1, and ERK. Transfection with inactive human PLD1 reduced 5-HT-induced activation of S6K1 by approximately 50%. Inhibition of 5-HT receptor 2A (R 2A) with ketaserin blocked PLD activation by 5-HT. Inhibition with PI3-kinase inhibitor failed to block either activation of PLD by 5-HT or PA-dependent S6K1 phosphorylation. Taken together, these results indicate that ligation of the 5-HTR 2A by 5-HT initiates PLD activation in SMCs, and that its product, PA, is an early signaling molecule in 5-HT-induced pulmonary artery SMC proliferation. Signaling by PA produces its downstream effects primarily through the mTOR/S6K1 pathway and to a lesser extent through the ERK pathway. Hydrolysis of cell membrane lipid may be important in vascular effects of 5-HT.     

Calcium influx into neurons can solely account for cell contact- dependent neurite outgrowth stimulated by transfected L1

We have used monolayers of control 3T3 cells and 3T3 cells expressing transfected human L1 as a culture substrate for rat PC12 cells and rat cerebellar neurons. PC12 cells and cerebellar neurons extended longer neurites on human L1 expressing cells. Neurons isolated from the cerebellum at postnatal day 9 responded equally as well as those isolated at postnatal day 1-4, and this contrasts with the failure of these older neurons to respond to the transfected human neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM). Human L1-dependent neurite outgrowth could be blocked by antibodies that bound to rat L1 and, additionally, the response could be fully inhibited by pertussis toxin and substantially inhibited by antagonists of L- and N-type calcium channels. Calcium influx into neurons induced by K+ depolarization fully mimics the L1 response. Furthermore, we show that L1- and K+(-)dependent neurite outgrowth can be specifically inhibited by a reduction in extracellular calcium to 0.25 microM, and by pretreatment of cerebellar neurons with the intracellular calcium chelator BAPTA/AM. In contrast, the response was not inhibited by heparin or by removal of polysialic acid from neuronal NCAM both of which substantially inhibit NCAM-dependent neurite outgrowth. These data demonstrate that whereas NCAM and L1 promote neurite outgrowth via activation of a common CAM-specific second messenger pathway in neurons, neuronal responsiveness to NCAM and L1 is not coordinately regulated via posttranslational processing of NCAM. The fact that NCAM- and L1-dependent neurite outgrowth, but not adhesion, are calcium dependent provides further evidence that adhesion per se does not directly contribute to neurite outgrowth.     

Mouse semaphorin H induces PC12 cell neurite outgrowth activating Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway via Ca(2+) influx.

We recently showed that mouse semaphorin H (MSH), a secreted semaphorin molecule, acts as a chemorepulsive factor on sensory neurites. In this study, we found for the first time that MSH induces neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Comparison of Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways between MSH and nerve growth factor (NGF) revealed that these pathways are crucial for MSH action as well as NGF. K-252a, an inhibitor of tyrosine autophosphorylation of tyrosine kinase receptors (Trks), did not inhibit the action of MSH, suggesting that MSH action occurs via a different receptor than NGF. L- and N-types of voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channel blockers, diltiazem and omega-conotoxin, inhibited MSH-induced neurite outgrowth and MAPK phosphorylation in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. A transient elevation in intracellular Ca(2+) level was observed upon MSH stimulation. These findings suggest that extracellular Ca(2+) influx, followed by activation of the Ras-MAPK signaling pathway, is required for MSH induced PC12 cell neurite outgrowth.     

Interplay between cell migration and neurite outgrowth determines SH2B1β-enhanced neurite regeneration of differentiated PC12 cells

The regulation of neurite outgrowth is crucial in developing strategies to promote neurite regeneration after nerve injury and in degenerative diseases. In this study, we demonstrate that overexpression of an adaptor/scaffolding protein SH2B1β promotes neurite re-growth of differentiated PC12 cells, an established neuronal model, using wound healing (scraping) assays. Cell migration and the subsequent remodeling are crucial determinants during neurite regeneration. We provide evidence suggesting that overexpressing SH2B1β enhances protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent cell migration and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT-, mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) kinase (MEK)-ERK-dependent neurite re-growth. Our results further reveal a cross-talk between pathways involving PKC and ERK1/2 in regulating neurite re-growth and cell migration. We conclude that temporal regulation of cell migration and neurite outgrowth by SH2B1β contributes to the enhanced regeneration of differentiated PC12 cells.     

Beta1,4-N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferase III down-regulates neurite outgrowth induced by costimulation of epidermal growth factor and integrins through the Ras/ERK signaling pathway in PC12 cells

A rat pheochromocytoma cell line (PC12), when transfected with beta1,4-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III (GnT-III), which catalyzes the formation of a bisecting GlcNAc structure in N-glycans, resulted in the suppression of neurite outgrowth induced by costimulation of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and integrins. The neurite outgrowth was restored by the overexpression of a constitutively activated mitogen- or extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase-1 (MEK-1). Consistent with this, the EGF receptor (EGFR)-mediated ERK activation was blocked in GnT-III transfectants. Conversely, the overexpression of dominant negative MEK-1 or treatment with PD98059, a specific inhibitor of MEK-1, inhibited neurite outgrowth in controls transfected with mock. Furthermore GnT-III activity is required for these inhibitions, because the overexpression of a dominant negative GnT-III mutant (D321A) failed to reduce neurite outgrowth and EGFR-mediated ERK activation. Lectin blot analysis confirmed that EGFR from wild-type GnT-III transfectants had been modified by bisecting GlcNAc in its N-glycan structures. This modification led to a significant decrease in EGF binding and EGFR autophosphorylation. Collectively, the results constitute a comprehensive body of evidence to show clearly that the overexpression of GnT-III prevents neurite outgrowth induced by costimulation of EGF and integrins through the Ras/MAPK activation pathway and indicates that GnT-III may be an important regulator for cell differentiation in neural tissues.