Activation of RAF-1 through Ras and protein kinase Calpha mediates 1alpha,25(OH)2-vitamin D3 regulation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in muscle cells

We have previously shown that stimulation of proliferation of avian embryonic muscle cells (myoblasts) by 1alpha,25(OH)(2)-vitamin D(3) (1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3)) is mediated by activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK; ERK1/2). To understand how 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3) up-regulates the MAPK cascade, we have investigated whether the hormone acts upstream through stimulation of Raf-1 and the signaling mechanism by which this effect might take place. Treatment of chick myoblasts with 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3) (1 nm) caused a fast increase of Raf-1 serine phosphorylation (1- and 3-fold over basal at 1 and 2 min, respectively), indicating activation of Raf-1 by the hormone. These effects were abolished by preincubation of cells with a specific Ras inhibitor peptide that involves Ras in 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3) stimulation of Raf-1. 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3) rapidly induced tyrosine de-phosphorylation of Ras-GTPase-activating protein, suggesting that inhibition of Ras-GTP hydrolysis is part of the mechanism by which 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3) activates Ras in myoblasts. The protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors calphostin C, bisindolylmaleimide I, and Ro 318220 blocked 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3)-induced Raf-1 serine phosphorylation, revealing that hormone stimulation of Raf-1 also involves PKC. In addition, transfection of muscle cells with an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide against PKCalpha mRNA suppressed serine phosphorylation by 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3). The increase in MAPK activity and tyrosine phosphorylation caused by 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3) could be abolished by Ras inhibitor peptide, compound PD 98059, which prevents the activation of MEK by Raf-1, or incubation of cell lysates before 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3) exposure with an anti-Raf-1 antibody. In conclusion, these results demonstrate for the first time in a 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3) target cell that activation of Raf-1 via Ras and PKCalpha-dependent serine phosphorylation plays a central role in hormone stimulation of the MAPK-signaling pathway leading to muscle cell proliferation.     

Engineering a "methionine clamp" into Src family kinases enhances specificity toward unnatural ATP analogues

A single alanine or glycine mutation in the ATP binding site of a protein kinase allows unique use of an unnatural analogue of ATP (N(6)-(benzyl) ATP) as a phosphodonor, which is not accepted by wild-type kinases. Addition of [gamma(32)P] N(6)-(benzyl) ATP to a cell lysate containing an ATP analog-specific kinase allele (as1 allele) results in the exclusive radiolabeling of bona fide substrates of the mutant kinase. Here we report efforts to engineer kinase alleles that have enhanced selectivity for ATP analogues and decreased catalytic activity with ATP, thus increasing the signal-to-noise ratio of substrate labeling. Two conserved leucine residues that contact each face of the adenine ring of ATP were mutated to methionine. The introduction of this "methionine clamp" resulted in Src and Fyn kinase alleles that have markedly improved specificity for unnatural N(6)-substituted ATP analogues over the natural substrate, ATP. This preference for unnatural nucleotides is reflected in more efficient labeling of protein substrates in cell extracts using the new analogue-specific v-Src allele. Kinase alleles with enhanced selectivity for unnatural ATP analogues should greatly facilitate the ultimate goal of labeling kinase substrates in intact cells, where concentrations of ATP and other competing nucleotides are high.     

Design and characterization of a traceable protein kinase Calpha

Protein kinase Calpha (PKCalpha) is a critical component of pathways that govern cancer-related phenotypes such as invasion and proliferation. Proteins that serve as immediate substrates for PKCalpha offer potential targets for anticancer drug design. To identify specific substrates, a mutant of PKCalpha (M417A) was constructed at the ATP binding site such that it could bind a sterically large ATP analogue derivatized through the N6 amino group of adenosine ([gamma-32P]-N6-phenyl-ATP). Because this analogue could be utilized by the mutant kinase but not by wild-type PKCalpha (or presumably other protein kinase) to phosphorylate peptide or protein substrates, 32P-labeled products were the direct result of the mutant PKCalpha. Kinetic analysis with [gamma-32P]-N6-phenyl-ATP revealed that the mutant retained undiminished affinity for the peptide substrate (Km = 12.4 microM) and a Vmax value (10.3 pmol/min) that was only 3-fold lower than that exhibited by the wild-type enzyme with natural ATP. However, with [gamma-32P]ATP, the mutant had a somewhat lower affinity (Km = 82.8 microM) than the wild-type enzyme (Km = 9.3 microM) in vitro but was competent in causing aggressive motility in nonmotile MCF-10A human breast cells (with endogenous ATP), as previously described for wild-type PKCalpha. The FLAG-tagged PKCalpha mutant was expressed in MCF-10A cells and used to co-immunoprecipitate high-affinity substrates from lysates. Immunopellets were reacted with [gamma-32P]-N6-phenyl-ATP, and radiolabeled products were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and autoradiography. Mass spectrometry of selected bands identified several known substrates of PKC, thereby validating the methods used in these studies. These findings provide a foundation for future applications of this traceable PKCalpha mutant.     

Protein kinase C and its substrates in tumor promoter-sensitive and -resistant cells

Calcium- and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase C activity and substrates were characterized in cell lysates of preneoplastic JB6 cells, a model system of genetic variants for sensitivity to tumor promoter-induced neoplastic transformation. Protein kinase C activity was similar for sensitive and resistant variants, as measured by calcium- and phospholipid-dependent phosphorylation of an exogenous substrate (histone HIII). Of 13 endogenous protein kinase C substrates, identified by labeling proteins with [gamma-32P] ATP, at least two (80 and 23 kDa) are potential candidates for mediating events on the pathway for promotion of transformation. 32P incorporation into the 80-kDa protein kinase C substrate was stimulated by tetradecanoylphorbol acetate and correlated with phenotype: the highest incorporation was found in promotion-insensitive cells, an intermediate level in promotion-sensitive cells and the lowest in the transformed cells. The phosphorylation of an 80-kDa protein, found by labeling intact cells in monolayer growth with [32P]orthophosphate, was also stimulated by tetradecanoylphorbol acetate and correlated inversely with phenotype. The 80 kDa protein kinase C substrate from cell lysates and the 80-kDa phosphoprotein from intact cells appear to be identical, as indicated by peptide mapping with protease V8 from Staphylococcus aureus. This finding suggests that the 80-kDa substrate is relevant to promoter-induced signal transduction in the intact cell. The 23-kDa protein kinase C substrate exhibited a band shift in sodium dodecyl sulfate gels in response to another transformation promoter in JB6 cells, the calcium analog, lanthanum (Smith, B. M., Gindhart, T. D., and Colburn, N. H. (1986) Carcinogenesis 7, 1949-1956). In summary, there are no unique substrates that distinguish the variants. Quantitative differences in certain substrates or their phosphorylation may, however, account for the difference in promotion sensitivity among the variants.     

Ras recruits Raf-1 to the plasma membrane for activation by tyrosine phosphorylation.

A central feature of signal transduction downstream of both receptor and oncogenic tyrosine kinases is the Ras-dependent activation of a protein kinase cascade consisting of Raf-1, Mek (MAP kinase kinase) and ERKs (MAP kinases). To study the role of tyrosine kinase activity in the activation of Raf-1, we have examined the properties of p74Raf-1 and oncogenic Src that are necessary for activation of p74Raf-1. We show that in mammalian cells activation of p74Raf-1 by oncogenic Src requires pp60Src to be myristoylated and the ability of p74Raf-1 to interact with p21Ras-GTP. The Ras/Raf interaction is required for p21Ras-GTP to bring p74Raf-1 to the plasma membrane for phosphorylation at tyrosine 340 or 341, probably by membrane-bound pp60Src. When oncogenic Src is expressed with Raf-1, p74Raf-1 is activated 5-fold; however, when co-expressed with oncogenic Ras and Src, Raf-1 is activated 25-fold and this is associated with a further 3-fold increase in tyrosine phosphorylation. Thus, p21Ras-GTP is the limiting component in bringing p74Raf-1 to the plasma membrane for tyrosine phosphorylation. Using mutants of Raf-1 at Tyr340/341, we show that in addition to tyrosine phosphorylation at these sites, there is an additional activation step resulting from p21Ras-GTP recruiting p74Raf-1 to the plasma membrane. Thus, the role of Ras in Raf-1 activation is to bring p74Raf-1 to the plasma membrane for at least two different activation steps.     

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulates association and kinase activity of Raf-1 with the EGF receptor.

Raf-1 serine- and threonine-specific protein kinase is transiently activated in cells expressing the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor upon treatment with EGF. The stimulated EGF receptor coimmunoprecipitates with Raf-1 kinase and mediates protein kinase C-independent phosphorylation of Raf-1 on serine residues. Hyperphosphorylated Raf-1 has lower mobility on sodium dodecyl sulfate gels and has sixfold-increased activity in immunocomplex kinase assay with histone H1 or Raf-1 sequence-derived peptide as a substrate. Raf-1 activation requires kinase-active EGF receptor; a point mutant lacking tyrosine kinase activity in inactive in Raf-1 coupling and association. It is noteworthy that tyrosine phosphorylation of c-Raf-1 induced by EGF was not detected in these cells. These observations suggest that Raf-1 kinase may act as an important downstream effector of EGF signal transduction.     

Identifying specific kinase substrates through engineered kinases and ATP analogs

Intracellular signaling by protein kinases controls many aspects of cellular biochemistry and physiology. Determining the direct substrates of protein kinases is important in understanding how these signaling enzymes exert their effect on cellular functions. One of the recent developments in this area takes advantage of the similarity in the ATP binding domains of protein kinases, where a few conserved amino acids containing large side chains come in close contact with the N-6 position of bound ATP. Mutation of one or more of these residues generates a "pocket" in the ATP binding site that allows the mutant kinase, but not other cellular kinases, to utilize analogs of ATP with bulky substituents synthesized onto the N-6 position. The use of such a mutated kinase and radiolabeled ATP analogs allows for the specific labeling of direct substrates of the kinase within a mixture of cellular proteins. We have recently reported the generation of "pocket" mutants of extracellular regulated kinase 2 (ERK2) and their use in the identification of two novel substrates of ERK2. In this report, we discuss the generation and characterization of ERK2 mutants that utilize analogs of ATP and describe the methodology used to identify ERK2-associated substrates. We also describe the direct labeling of ERK2 substrates in cell lysates. These methodologies can be adapted for use with other protein kinases to increase the understanding of intracellular signal transduction.     

Kinetic mechanism for human Rho-Kinase II (ROCK-II)

Rho-Kinase is a serine/threonine kinase that is involved in the regulation of smooth muscle contraction and cytoskeletal reorganization of nonmuscle cells. While the signal transduction pathway in which Rho-Kinase participates has been and continues to be extensively studied, the kinetic mechanism of Rho-Kinase-catalyzed phosphorylation has not been investigated. We report here elucidation of the kinetic mechanism for Rho-Kinase by using steady-state kinetic studies. These studies used the kinase domain of human Rho-Kinase II (ROCK-II 1-534) with S6 peptide (biotin-AKRRRLSSLRA-NH(2)) as the phosphorylatable substrate. Double-reciprocal plots for two-substrate kinetic data yielded intersecting line patterns with either ATP or S6 peptide as the varied substrate, indicating that Rho-Kinase utilized a ternary complex (sequential) kinetic mechanism. Dead-end inhibition studies were used to investigate the order of binding for ATP and the peptide substrate. The ATP-competitive inhibitors AMP-PCP and Y-27632 were noncompetitive inhibitors versus S6 peptide, and the S6 peptide analogue S6-AA (acetyl-AKRRRLAALRA-NH(2)) was a competitive inhibitor versus S6 peptide and a noncompetitive inhibitor versus ATP. These results indicated a random order of binding for ATP and S6 peptide.     

IL-6 expression induced by adenosine A2b receptor stimulation in U373 MG cells depends on p38 mitogen activated kinase and protein kinase C

Adenosine binds to a class of G-protein coupled receptors, which are further distinguished as A(1), A(2a), A(2b) and A(3) adenosine receptors. As we have shown earlier, the stable adenosine analogue NECA (N6-(R)-phenylisopropyladenosine) stimulates IL-6 expression in the human astrocytoma cell line U373 MG via the A(2b) receptor. The mechanism by which NECA promotes astrocytic IL-6 expression has not been identified. By using various inhibitors of signal transduction, we found that p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) activation (inhibitor SB202190), but not extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) (PD98059) and c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)(SP600125), is essential in the NECA-induced signalling cascade that leads to the increase in IL-6 synthesis in U373 MG cells. Results obtained with protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors that have different substrate specificities, indicated that the PKC delta and epsilon isoforms are also involved in adenosine receptor A(2b) dependent upregulation of IL-6 expression. This is supported by the fact that NECA induced the activation of PKC delta and epsilon in U373 MG cells.     

A tyrosine-phosphorylated 70-kDa protein binds a photoaffinity analogue of ATP and associates with both the zeta chain and CD3 components of the activated T cell antigen receptor.

An early event in T cell antigen receptor (TCR)-mediated signal transduction is the activation of a protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) pathway. An unidentified PTK activity and a kinase substrate termed ZAP-70 have previously been shown to associate with TCR zeta upon cross-linking of TCR beta. Here we report that TCR activation, by antibody cross-linking of either TCR beta or CD3 epsilon, results in the association of a PTK activity with both CD3 and TCR zeta. A number of in vitro PTK substrates are also associated with CD3 and TCR zeta, including CD3 epsilon, TCR zeta, p60fyn, p62yes, and a predominant 70-kDa protein (ZAP-70). The shared PTK activity and PTK substrates suggest that both CD3 and TCR zeta are involved in signal transduction via a shared pathway. We used [alpha-32P]gamma-azidoanilido ATP, a photoreactive analogue of ATP, to detect CD3-associated proteins that bound ATP upon TCR activation, reasoning that such proteins could represent PTKs. A 70-kDa protein bound [alpha-32P]gamma-azidoanilido ATP only upon TCR activation, and we propose that this protein and the 70-kDa PTK substrate are the same protein. Furthermore, we propose that this protein is responsible for the PTK activity observed to be associated with TCR zeta and CD3 upon TCR activation.     

Molecular aspects of mechanical stress-induced cardiac hypertrophy

To elucidate the signal transduction pathway from external stimuli to nuclear gene expression in mechanical stress-induced cardiac hypertrophy, we examined the time course of activation of protein kinases such as Raf-1 kinase (Raf-1), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK), MAP kinases (MAPKs) and 90-kDa ribosomal S6 kinase (p90^rsk) in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Mechanical stretch rapidly activated Raf-1 and its maximal activation was observed at 1–2 min after stretch. The activity of MAPKK was also increased by stretch, with a peak at 5 min after stretch. In addition, MAPKs and p90^rsk were maximally activated at 8 min and at 10–30 min after stretch, respectively. Next, the relationship between mechanical stress-induced hypertrophy and the cardiac renin-angiotensin system was investigated. When the stretch-conditioned culture medium was transferred to the culture dish of non-stretched cardiac myocytes, the medium activated MAPK activity slightly but significantly, and the activation was completely blocked by the type 1 angiotensin II receptor antagonist, CV-11974. However, activation of Raf-1 and MAPKs provoked by stretching cardiomyocytes was only partially suppressed by pretreatment with CV-11974. These results suggest that mechanical stress activates the protein kinase cascade of phosphorylation in cardiac myocytes in the order of Raf-1, MAPKK, MAPKs and p90^rsk, and that angiotensin II, which is secreted from stretched myocytes, activates a part of these protein kinases.Abbreviations MAPK mitogen-activated protein kinase - MAPKK MAP kinase kinase - Raf-1 - Raf- 1 kinase p90^rsk, 90 kDa ribosomal S6 kinase; AngII - angiotensin II - MAPKKK MAP kinase kinase kinase - rMAPK recombinant MAPKK fused to gluthathione S transferase - MMAKK recombinant MAPK fused to maltose binding protein - MBP myelin basic protein - ACE angiotensin-converting enzyme     

Identification of Raf-1 S471 as a novel phosphorylation site critical for Raf-1 and B-Raf kinase activities and for MEK binding

The Ras-Raf-MAPK cascade is a key growth-signaling pathway and its uncontrolled activation results in cell transformation. Although the general features of the signal transmission along the cascade are reasonably defined, the mechanisms underlying Raf activation remain incompletely understood. Here, we show that Raf-1 dephosphorylation, primarily at epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced sites, abolishes Raf-1 kinase activity. Using mass spectrometry, we identified five novel in vivo Raf-1 phosphorylation sites, one of which, S471, is located in subdomain VIB of Raf-1 kinase domain. Mutational analyses demonstrated that Raf-1 S471 is critical for Raf-1 kinase activity and for its interaction with mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK). Similarly, mutation of the corresponding B-Raf site, S578, resulted in an inactive kinase, suggesting that the same Raf-1 and B-Raf phosphorylation is needed for Raf kinase activation. Importantly, the naturally occurring, cancer-associated B-Raf activating mutation V599E suppressed the S578A mutation, suggesting that introducing a charged residue at this region eliminates the need for an activating phosphorylation. Our results demonstrate an essential role of specific EGF-induced Raf-1 phosphorylation sites in Raf-1 activation, identify Raf-1 S471 as a novel phosphorylation site critical for Raf-1 and B-Raf kinase activities, and point to the possibility that the V599E mutation activates B-Raf by mimicking a phosphorylation at the S578 site.     

Raf-1 protein kinase is an integral component of the oncogenic signal cascade shared by epidermal growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor.

Our recent studies with cell mutants indicate that a cascade shared by the epidermal growth factor (EGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) signals exists in NRK cells and mediates oncogenic signals induced by many oncogenes (A. Masuda, S. Kizaka-Kondoh, H. Miwatani, Y. Terada, H. Nojima, and H. Okayama, New Biol. 4:489-503, 1992). We have employed the antisense RNA technique to investigate possible involvement of Raf-1 kinase in this signal transduction cascade. NRK cell clones highly reduced in the Raf-1 production are generated by the expression of a c-raf-1 antisense RNA. They have no apparent growth defects and retain proper mitotic responses to growth factors but are refractory to transformation by EGF or PDGF plus transforming growth factor beta, v-erbB, v-fms, v-K-ras, v-mos, v-fos, v-src, simian virus 40 large T, and polyomavirus middle T but not by v-raf or adenovirus E1A. These results not only support our model for the oncogenic signal cascade but also lead to the conclusion that Raf-1 protein kinase is a downstream component of this oncogenic signal cascade shared by EGF and PDGF.     

Extracellular phosphorylation in the parasite, Leishmania major

Intact promastigotes or cell-free extracts of the parasite Leishmania major were labelled with adenosine 5'[gamma-32P]-triphosphate (ATP). This resulted in the identification of eleven phosphoproteins. [gamma-32P]ATP incorporation into endogenous and exogenous substrates was insensitive to most of the commonly used protein kinase inhibitors and activators indicating that the leishmanial enzyme(s) may represent a new class of kinase(s). In addition, exogenous substrate specificity was inconsistent with the preferences of second messenger-dependent protein kinases. Cyclic AMP had differential effects on phosphorylation in intact cells and lysates. The majority of kinase activity could be attributed to an externally oriented membrane-associated protein kinase(s), as no specific cytosolic phosphoproteins were found and intact cells phosphorylated exogenous substrates. Labelled ATP did not cross the membrane and [alpha-32P]ATP was an unsuitable substrate for the phosphorylation activity. The ectokinase activity on live Leishmania exhibited a different substrate preference when compared to the protein kinase activity in the particulate fraction, suggesting that more than one protein kinase may be present in L. major. Three serine-labelled phosphoproteins were specifically released into the medium. The presence of an ecto-kinase and these released phosphoproteins may play a significant role in host-parasite interactions.     

Choline phosphate potentiates sphingosine-1-phosphate-induced Raf-1 kinase activation dependent of Ras--phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase pathway

In NIH3T3 cells, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) caused a significant increase of Raf-1 kinase activity as early as 2 min. Interestingly, choline phosphate (ChoP) produced synergistic increase of S1P-stimulated Raf-1 kinase activation in the presence of ATP while showing additive effect in the absence of ATP. However, Raf-1 kinase activation induced by S1P decreased in the presence of ATP when applied alone. The overexpression of N-terminal fragment of Raf-1 (RfI) to inhibit Raf--Ras interaction caused the inhibition of S1P-induced Raf-1 kinase activation. Also, wortmannin, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, exhibited inhibitory effects on S1P-induced activation of Raf-1 kinase. In addition, we demonstrated that the chemical antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine attenuated Raf-1 activation induced by S1P, suggesting that H(2)O(2) may be required for the signalling pathway leading to Raf-1 activation. This H(2)O(2)-induced Raf-1 kinase activation was also blocked by inhibition of Ras--PI3K signalling pathway using alpha-hydroxyfarnesylphosphonic acid and wortmannin. Taken together, these results indicate that S1P-induced Raf-1 kinase activation is mediated by H(2)O(2) stimulation of Ras--PI3K pathway, and is enhanced by ChoP in the presence of ATP.     

Ensemble structural analyses depict the regulatory mechanism of non-phosphorylated human MAP2K4

Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4 (MAP2K4) plays a critical role in regulating the stress-activated protein kinase signaling cascade. A small angle X-ray scattering experiment, a powerful technique for analyzing a solution structure cleared from the structural artifacts due to crystal packing, provided the ensemble structures of human non-phosphorylated MAP2K4 in three states involving the apo form, the binary complex with an ATP analogue, and the ternary complex with the ATP analogue and substrate peptide. These ensemble structures provided more detailed mechanisms for regulating MAP2K4 in addition to those delineated only by the crystal structures in three states.     

Activation of Raf-1 signaling by protein kinase C through a mechanism involving Raf kinase inhibitory protein

Protein kinase C (PKC) regulates activation of the Raf-1 signaling cascade by growth factors, but the mechanism by which this occurs has not been elucidated. Here we report that one mechanism involves dissociation of Raf kinase inhibitory protein (RKIP) from Raf-1. Classic and atypical but not novel PKC isoforms phosphorylate RKIP at serine 153 (Ser-153). RKIP Ser-153 phosphorylation by PKC either in vitro or in response to 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate or epidermal growth factor causes release of RKIP from Raf-1, whereas mutant RKIP (S153V or S153E) remains bound. Increased expression of PKC can rescue inhibition of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signaling cascade by wild-type but not mutant S153V RKIP. Taken together, these results constitute the first model showing how phosphorylation by PKC relieves a key inhibitor of the Raf/MAP kinase signaling cascade and may represent a general mechanism for the regulation of MAP kinase pathways.     

Kinase suppressor of RAS (KSR) amplifies the differentiation signal provided by low concentrations 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3

The activity of kinase suppressor of ras (KSR), a kinase or a molecular scaffold upstream from Raf-1, is involved in the MEK/ERK MAP kinase cascade which can signal cell growth, survival, or differentiation, depending on the cellular context. We provide evidence here that KSR is upregulated in HL60 cells undergoing differentiation induced by low (0.3-3 nM) concentrations of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25D(3)), and an antisense oligo (AS), but not a sense oligo, to KSR inhibits this differentiation. The inhibition of differentiation by AS-KSR oligo was less apparent when the concentration of 1,25D(3) was increased, suggesting that at the higher concentrations of 1,25D(3) KSR is not essential for the signaling of the differentiated phenotype. The reduced differentiation of HL60 cells exposed to AS-KSR was paralleled by reduced phosphorylation of Raf-1 Ser 259, and of p90RSK, used here as read-out for MAPK cascade activity. Conversely, ectopic expression of Flag-tagged wild type KSR potentiated the differentiation-inducing effects of low concentrations of 1,25D(3). Additional data suggest that the kinase activity of KSR is required for these effects, as transfection of a kinase inactive KSR construct did not significantly increase the 1,25D(3)-induced differentiation. Enzyme assays performed with KSR immunoprecipitated from 1,25D(3)-treated cells showed kinase activity when recombinant Raf-1 was used as the substrate, but not when the 1,25D(3)-treated cells were pretreated with AS-KSR oligos. Taken together, these data suggest that KSR participates in signaling of monocytic differentiation by augmenting the strength of the signal transmitted through Raf-1 to downstream targets.     

Identification of ChChd3 as a novel substrate of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) using an analog-sensitive catalytic subunit

Due to the numerous kinases in the cell, many with overlapping substrates, it is difficult to find novel substrates for a specific kinase. To identify novel substrates of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), the PKA catalytic subunit was engineered to accept bulky N(6)-substituted ATP analogs, using a chemical genetics approach initially pioneered with v-Src (1). Methionine 120 was mutated to glycine in the ATP-binding pocket of the catalytic subunit. To express the stable mutant C-subunit in Escherichia coli required co-expression with PDK1. This mutant protein was active and fully phosphorylated on Thr(197) and Ser(338). Based on its kinetic properties, the engineered C-subunit preferred N(6)(benzyl)-ATP and N(6)(phenethyl)-ATP over other ATP analogs, but still retained a 30 microm K(m) for ATP. This mutant recombinant C-subunit was used to identify three novel PKA substrates. One protein, a novel mitochondrial ChChd protein, ChChd3, was identified, suggesting that PKA may regulate mitochondria proteins.     

Thyrotropin-induced mitogenesis is Ras dependent but appears to bypass the Raf-dependent cytoplasmic kinase cascade.

Cellular growth control requires the coordination and integration of multiple signaling pathways which are likely to be activated concomitantly. Mitogenic signaling initiated by thyrotropin (TSH) in thyroid cells seems to require two distinct signaling pathways, a cyclic AMP (cAMP)-dependent signaling pathway and a Ras-dependent pathway. This is a paradox, since activated cAMP-dependent protein kinase disrupts Ras-dependent signaling induced by growth factors such as epidermal growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor. This inhibition may occur by preventing Raf-1 protein kinase from binding to Ras, an event thought to be necessary for the activation of Raf-1 and the subsequent activation of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) kinases (MEKs) and MAP kinase (MAPK)/ERKs. Here we report that serum-stimulated hyperphosphorylation of Raf-1 was inhibited by TSH treatment of Wistar rat thyroid cells, indicating that in this cell line, as in other cell types, increases in intracellular cAMP levels inhibit activation of downstream kinases targeted by Ras. Ras-stimulated expression of genes containing AP-1 promoter elements was similarly inhibited by TSH. On the other hand, stimulation of thyroid cells with TSH resulted in stimulation of DNA synthesis which was Ras dependent but both Raf-1 and MEK independent. We also show that Ras-stimulated DNA synthesis required the use of this kinase cascade in untreated quiescent cells but not in TSH-treated cells. These data suggest that in TSH-treated thyroid cells, Ras might be able to signal through effectors other than the well-studied cytoplasmic kinase cascade.