Glycoprotein biosynthesis in B lymphocytes: induction of protein N-glycosylation, RNA synthesis, and DNA synthesis by phorbol ester plus ionomycin is blocked by protein kinase inhibitors

The combination of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and ionomycin produces a dramatic increase in the incorporation of [2-3H]mannose into Glc3Man9GlcNAc2-P-P-dolichol and glycoprotein, and the induction of RNA and DNA synthesis in murine splenic B lymphocytes (B cells). The kinetics of the induction processes and the concentrations of PMA and ionomycin required for the optimal response have been defined. While the levels of induction of RNA and DNA synthesis by PMA + ionomycin were similar to the mitogenic response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide, activation by PMA and the calcium ionophore resulted in a threefold higher stimulation in dolichol-linked oligosaccharide biosynthesis and protein N-glycosylation. These results indicate that all signalling mechanisms that trigger RNA and DNA synthesis may not be sufficient to produce maximal induction of the N-glycosylation apparatus. 1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H-7), a potent protein kinase C inhibitor, prevented the induction of protein N-glycosylation activity (IC50 = 11 microM), as well as RNA (IC50 = 18 microM) and DNA synthesis (IC50 = 12 microM), two common indices of B cell activation. N-[2-(Methylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide (H-8) also inhibited the induction of oligosaccharide-lipid intermediate, glycoprotein, RNA, and DNA synthesis, but required higher concentrations than H-7 for 50% inhibition. N-(2-Guanidinoethyl)-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide (HA1004), a potent inhibitor of cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinases, had little effect on the activation of the B cell metabolic processes. The H-7-sensitive reactions involved in the induction of RNA and DNA synthesis occurred within 4 h, but induction of lipid intermediate and glycoprotein biosynthesis remained sensitive to H-7 for 10 h after exposure to PMA and ionomycin. Direct in vitro assays in the presence of 0.6% Brij 58 reveal that a cytosolic, phospholipid-dependent protein kinase activity is translocated to a membrane site(s) after treatment with PMA and ionomycin, and the translocated protein kinase is sensitive to H-7. The relative order of potency of the protein kinase inhibitors on the metabolic processes strongly supports the hypothesis that protein kinase C, acting synergistically with Ca2+ mobilization, plays a key regulatory role in the early stages of B cell activation. The synthesis of oligosaccharide-lipid intermediates and protein N-glycosylation are also shown to be induced in B cells activated by PMA + ionomycin.     

Activation signals in human lymphocytes: interleukin 2 synthesis and expression of high affinity interleukin 2 receptors require differential signalling for the activation of protein kinase C

The mitogenic activation of resting T lymphocytes involves two distinct cellular events, the synthesis of the ultimate mitogen interleukin 2 and the synthesis and expression of receptors for it. In order to get more detailed information on the mechanisms associated with these activating steps (the effects of different stimuli, leading to activation of protein kinase C were investigated in human lymphocytes). The anti-T-cell receptor (TCR) and anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies (BMA 031 and BMA 030, respectively), as well as the combination of the phorbol ester, TPA, with a calcium ionophore-induced interleukin 2 synthesis and subsequent proliferation in human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Incubation of cells with synthetic diacylglycerols and calcium ionophores proved to be effective in expression of high affinity interleukin receptors, no detectable amounts of interleukin 2 were, however, synthetized. When diacylglycerols were, however, added repetitively, interleukin 2 was also produced. Both anti-TCR/CD3 antibodies and TPA or DiC8 caused activation and translocation of protein kinase C from the cytosol to the plasma membrane. Significant differences, however, were observed between the time kinetics of the translocation of the enzyme. In plasma membranes of TPA-stimulated cells activation of protein kinase C was detectable up to 4 hr. In contrast, the highest specific activity of protein kinase C was measured in the plasma membranes after 15 min of DiC8 addition to cells. Anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies activated protein kinase C in a biphasic manner. Shortly after binding of BMA 030 to the T cell antigen receptor/CD3 complex the activity of protein kinase C was increased in the plasma membrane, then it declined to control levels followed by a second long-lasting activation of the enzyme up to 4 hr. These results suggest different signal requirements for different activation steps. While for synthesis and expression of interleukin 2 receptors a short term activation of protein kinase C is sufficient, long-term activation of the enzyme is necessary for interleukin 2 synthesis in human lymphocytes.     

NMDA receptor activation results in PKA- and ERK-dependent Mnk1 activation and increased eIF4E phosphorylation in hippocampal area CA1

Protein synthesis is essential for the stabilization of glutamate receptor-dependent forms of long-lasting hippocampal synaptic plasticity and for the consolidation of memory, but the signal transduction mechanisms that regulate translation factors during these processes are not well understood. As a first step towards understanding how translation is activated during synaptic plasticity, we investigated how the eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E), a rate-limiting mRNA cap-binding protein, and its kinase, Mnk1, are regulated by protein kinase C (PKC), cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activation in hippocampal area CA1. We found that treatment of mouse hippocampal slices with either phorbol ester, to activate PKC, or forskolin, to activate PKA, resulted in activation of Mnk1 and increased eIF4E phosphorylation that was dependent on extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Similarly, brief treatment of hippocampal slices with NMDA resulted in activation of Mnk1 and increased phosphorylation of eIF4E. The NMDA-induced activation of Mnk1 and increased phosphorylation of eIF4E were dependent on PKA and ERK, but not PKC, and were present in synaptoneurosome preparations. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the PKA- and ERK-dependent increases in Mnk1 activation induced by NMDA also occurred in dendrites. These findings identify a specific regulatory pathway that can couple NMDA receptor activation to translation initiation factors in the hippocampus, and may represent a mechanism for triggering dendritic protein synthesis during long-term potentiation and long-term memory formation.     

Regulation of interleukin 2 receptor expression: effects of phorbol diester, phospholipase C, and reexposure to lectin or antigen

Anti-Tac monoclonal antibody identifies the receptor for interleukin 2 (IL 2, or T cell growth factor) present on activated human T lymphocytes. By using tritiated anti-Tac, we now report a sensitive and specific binding assay to evaluate cell surface IL 2 receptor expression. IL 2 receptors on human peripheral blood lymphocytes can be detected within 6 hr after PHA stimulation. PHA-induced receptor expression is inhibited by actinomycin D and cycloheximide, but not by mitomycin C, suggesting a requirement for de novo RNA and protein synthesis, but not DNA synthesis. Scatchard analysis of [3H]-anti-Tac binding to lymphocytes stimulated with PHA for 3 days revealed from 20,000 to 60,000 molecules of antibody bound per cell, and a Kd of 1 to 3 x 10(-10) mol/l. Sequential binding studies of activated human lymphocytes maintained in long-term culture with IL 2 demonstrated a progressive decline in receptor number correlating with diminished growth rate. Restimulation with lectin or antigen increased the number of IL 2 receptors, suggesting that IL 2 dependent immune responses may be regulated, at least in part, by IL 2 receptor expression. Receptor number was also increased by PMA. Moreover, similar effects were produced by incubation with phospholipase C but not interleukin 1. Because both PMA and phospholipase C result in activation of protein kinase C, these data suggest the possibility that activation of protein kinase C may induce IL 2 receptor expression.     

Inhibitors of protein kinase C block activation of B lymphocytes by bacterial lipopolysaccharide

Activation of murine splenic B lymphocytes (B cells) by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was found to be markedly inhibited by 1-(5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H-7) and N-[2-(methylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide (H-8), two potent inhibitors of protein kinases. The higher sensitivity of DNA synthesis, RNA synthesis and protein N-glycosylation activity to H-7, relative to H-8, strongly supports the proposal that protein kinase C plays a critical role in the activation of B cells. A kinetic study on the time of addition of H-7 indicated that protein kinase C promoted the activation process continuously after the addition of LPS.     

Inhibition of the protein kinase PKR by the internal ribosome entry site of hepatitis C virus genomic RNA

Translation of the hepatitis C genome is mediated by internal ribosome entry on the structurally complex 5' untranslated region of the large viral RNA. Initiation of protein synthesis by this mechanism is independent of the cap-binding factor eIF4E, but activity of the initiator Met-tRNA(f)-binding factor eIF2 is still required. HCV protein synthesis is thus potentially sensitive to the inhibition of eIF2 activity that can result from the phosphorylation of the latter by the interferon-inducible, double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase PKR. Two virally encoded proteins, NS5A and E2, have been shown to reduce this inhibitory effect of PKR by impairing the activation of the kinase. Here we present evidence for a third viral strategy for PKR inhibition. A region of the viral RNA comprising part of the internal ribosome entry site (IRES) is able to bind to PKR in competition with double-stranded RNA and can prevent autophosphorylation and activation of the kinase in vitro. The HCV IRES itself has no PKR-activating ability. Consistent with these findings, cotransfection experiments employing a bicistronic reporter construct and wild-type PKR indicate that expression of the protein kinase is less inhibitory towards HCV IRES-driven protein synthesis than towards cap-dependent protein synthesis. These data suggest a dual function for the viral IRES, with both a structural role in promoting initiation complex formation and a regulatory role in preventing inhibition of initiation by PKR.     

Epidermal growth factor receptor synthesis is stimulated by phorbol ester and epidermal growth factor. Evidence for a common mechanism

Previously, we and others have shown that epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulates the synthesis of its own receptor and the accumulation of EGF receptor mRNA. Here, we demonstrate that the tumor promotor, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), like EGF, also stimulates receptor synthesis in the human breast carcinoma cell line, MDA468 cells. The receptor synthesis rate increased 5-fold with a peak at 8 h after exposure to TPA with half-maximal stimulation at a dose of 5 ng/ml TPA. This stimulation of receptor synthesis occurred despite a 30% decrease in general cellular protein synthesis. The increased receptor synthesis rate resulted in the accumulation of 60% more receptor protein as determined by quantitative immunoblotting using a newly developed monoclonal antibody, H9B4. Although TPA treatment resulted in an immediate loss of high affinity EGF-binding sites, the long-term effect was an increase in both the low and high affinity binding sites. The effects of EGF and TPA on receptor synthesis were not additive. Furthermore, down-regulation of protein kinase C (the Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent enzyme) by long-term TPA treatment resulted in cells unable to respond to the stimulatory effects of both TPA and EGF on receptor synthesis. Nevertheless, the TPA-pretreated cells were still growth-inhibited by EGF. These results suggest that the stimulatory effect of EGF on receptor synthesis requires protein kinase C, whereas the inhibitory effect of EGF on the proliferation of these cells does not. Although we confirmed that EGF stimulated the incorporation of phosphate into phosphatidylinositol in A431 cells, it failed to do so in the MDA468 cells. Thus, in MDA468 cells, EGF may require protein kinase C for part of its action, but we could not demonstrate an associated activation of phosphatidylinositol turnover by EGF. The exact mechanism of involvement of protein kinase C in EGF action is still not clear.     

Long-term potentiation,protein kinase C,and glutamate receptors

Among the various molecular events that have been proposed to contribute to the mechanisms of long-term potentiation (LTP), one of the most cited possibilities has been the activation of protein kinase C (PKC). Here we review various aspects of the cellular actions of PKC activation and inhibition, with special emphasis on the effects of the kinase on synaptic transmission and the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and non-NMDA receptor-mediated components of synaptic responses. We discuss the implications of these effects for interpretations of the role of PKC in the mechanisms of LTP induction and maintenance.     

A positive feedback signal transduction loop determines timing of cerebellar long-term depression

Synaptic activity produces short-lived second messengers that ultimately yield a long-term depression (LTD) of cerebellar Purkinje cells. Here, we test the hypothesis that these brief second messenger signals are translated into long-lasting biochemical signals by a positive feedback loop that includes protein kinase C (PKC) and mitogen-activated protein kinase. Histochemical "epistasis" experiments demonstrate the reciprocal activation of these kinases, and physiological experiments--including the use of a light-activated protein kinase--demonstrate that such reciprocal activation is required for LTD. Timed application of enzyme inhibitors reveals that this positive feedback loop causes PKC to be active for more than 20 min, allowing sufficient time for LTD expression. Such regenerative mechanisms may sustain other long-lasting forms of synaptic plasticity and could be a general mechanism for prolonging signal transduction networks.     

Synergistic stimulation of DNA synthesis by bradykinin and vasopressin in swiss 3T3 cells

Vasopressin and bradykinin bind to receptors coupled to GTP-binding proteins and rapidly induce polyphosphoinositide breakdown leading to Ca²⁺ mobilization and activation of protein kinase C. Both peptides are known to induce mitogenesis in the presence of growth factors that act through receptors with intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity. Surprisingly, addition of a combination of vaso-pressin and bradykinin to Swiss 3T3 cells synergistically stimulates DNA synthesis in the absence of any other growth factors. This effect is induced at nanomolar concentrations of the peptides and could be inhibited by addition of specific receptor antagonists or broad spectrum neuropeptide antagonists. Bradykinin, which stimulates transient activation of protein kinase C, induces DNA synthesis in synergy with substances that cause long-term activation of protein kinase C, like vasopression or phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate. Down-regulation of protein kinase C inhibited the induction of mitogenesis by the combination of vasopressin and bradykinin, thus demonstrating the importance of long-term activation of this enzyme for DNA synthesis. Analysis of tyrosine phosphorylated proteins of M_r = 110,000–130,000 and M_r = 70,000–80,000 revealed a biphasic response after stimulation with bradykinin, whereas the response induced by vasopressin declined after the initial maximum. The combination of bradykinin with vasopressin caused an enhanced and prolonged increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of these proteins as compared with the individual peptides. Inhibition of tyrosine phosphorylation by tyrphostin was paralleled by inhibition of DNA synthesis. Together, these results demonstrate synergistic stimulation of DNA synthesis by bradykinin and vasopressin via prolonged stimulation of multiple signaling pathways and imply that the interactive effects of Ca²⁺ -mobilizing peptides on mitogenesis may be more general than previously thought. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

M-phase-specific protein kinase from mitotic sea urchin eggs: cyclic activation depends on protein synthesis and phosphorylation but does not require DNA or RNA synthesis

Histone H1 kinase (H1K) undergoes a transient activation at each early M phase of both meiotic and mitotic cell cycles. The mechanisms underlying the transient activation of this protein kinase were investigated in mitotic sea urchin eggs. Translocation of active H1K from particulate to soluble fraction does not seem to be responsible for this activation. H1K activation cannot be accounted for by the transient disappearance of a putative H1K inhibitor present in soluble fractions of homogenates. Aphidicolin, an inhibitor of DNA synthesis, and actinomycin D, an inhibitor of RNA synthesis, do not impede the transient appearance of H1K activity. H1K activation therefore does not require DNA or RNA synthesis. Fertilization triggers a rise in intracellular pH responsible for the increase of protein synthesis. H1K activation is highly dependent on the intracellular pH. Ammonia triggers an increase of intracellular pH and stimulates protein synthesis and H1K activation. Acetate lowers the intracellular pH, decreases protein synthesis, and blocks H1K activation. Protein synthesis is an absolute requirement for H1K activation as demonstrated by their identical sensitivities to emetine concentration and to time of emetine addition. About 60 min after fertilization, H1K activation and cleavage become independent of protein synthesis. The concentration of p34, a homolog of the yeast cdc2 gene product which has been recently shown to be a subunit of H1K, does not vary during the cell cycle and remains constant in emetine-treated cells. H1K activation thus requires the synthesis of either a p34 postranslational modifying enzyme or another subunit. Finally, phosphatase inhibitors and ATP slow down in the in vitro inactivation rate of H1K. These results suggest that a subunit or an activator of H1K is stored as an mRNA in the egg before mitosis and that full activation of H1K requires a phosphorylation.     

Inhibition of PKR activation by the proline-rich RNA binding domain of the herpes simplex virus type 1 Us11 protein

Upon activation by double-stranded RNA in virus-infected cells, the cellular PKR kinase phosphorylates the translation initiation factor eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2) and thereby inhibits protein synthesis. The gamma 34.5 and Us11 gene products encoded by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) are dedicated to preventing the accumulation of phosphorylated eIF2. While the gamma 34.5 gene specifies a regulatory subunit for protein phosphatase 1 alpha, the Us11 gene encodes an RNA binding protein that also prevents PKR activation. gamma 34.5 mutants fail to grow on a variety of human cells as phosphorylated eIF2 accumulates and protein synthesis ceases prior to the completion of the viral life cycle. We demonstrate that expression of a 68-amino-acid fragment of Us11 containing a novel proline-rich basic RNA binding domain allows for sustained protein synthesis and enhanced growth of gamma 34.5 mutants. Furthermore, this fragment is sufficient to inhibit activation of the cellular PKR kinase in a cell-free system, suggesting that the intrinsic activities of this small fragment, notably RNA binding and ribosome association, may be required to prevent PKR activation.     

Molecular events in B cell activation. I. Signals required to stimulate G0 to G1 transition of resting B lymphocytes

Anti-immunoglobulin antibodies (anti-Ig) can stimulate a majority of resting B cells via their receptor Ig. Evidence suggests that the signals generated after this ligand-receptor interaction may be transduced via hydrolysis of inositol phospholipids. In other systems, the ability of inositol phospholipid hydrolysis to link receptor-ligand interactions to subsequent activational events has been suggested to relate to the ability of metabolic intermediates of this hydrolytic process to facilitate activation of protein kinase C and mobilization of Ca+2. In this study, we investigated the importance of protein kinase C and Ca+2 mobilization in the signaling mechanism by which anti-Ig drives B cells to undergo G0 to G1 transition. Our results show that pharmacologic inhibition of either protein kinase C activity or channel-mediated Ca+2 influx completely abrogates the increase in RNA synthesis associated with B cell activation after stimulation by anti-Ig. This suggests that pathways leading to both protein kinase C activation and elevation of intracellular Ca+2 are critical for receptor Ig-mediated G0 to G1 transition. Furthermore, studies in which anti-Ig-induced signaling could be bypassed by directly facilitating Ca+2 mobilization and protein kinase C activation using Ca+2 ionophore and phorbol diester show that these events are sufficient to drive the majority of resting B cells into G1 in the absence of additional signaling from accessory cells or extra-cellular factors. However, like anti-Ig-induced stimulation, Ca+2 ionophore and phorbol diester are relatively inefficient in driving B cells that have entered G1 into S phase. We discuss the relevance of these results towards the transduction mechanism linking B cell membrane-associated Ig-generated signals with subsequent activation events.     

Activation of signal transduction pathways protects quiescent Balb/c-3T3 fibroblasts against death due to serum deprivation.

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and insulin protect density-inhibited murine Balb/c-3T3 fibroblasts against death by distinctive mechanisms. Determination of the cell survival-enhancing activity of growth factors by cell enumeration and neutral red uptake measurement gives equivalent results. PDGF displays a steep dose-response relationship in the 1-5 ng/ml range. The other factors display shallow log-linear relationships in the following ranges: EGF: 0.2-5 ng/ml; IGF-1: 2-80 ng/ml; and insulin: 57-4,500 ng/ml. Agonists that lead to the activation of protein kinase A, including forskolin, 8-bromoadenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (Br-cAMP) and N6,2'-O-dibutyryladenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (db-cAMP), markedly increase both short-term (5-h) and long-term (20-h) survival of cells. 2-Isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) markedly enhances short-term survival, but its effect decays with time. The protein kinase C agonist 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) has a moderate protective effect at concentrations of 16-32 nM, and 64 nM TPA is highly effective. The synthetic diaclglycerols 1,2-dioctanoylglycerol (DiC8) and 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol (OAG) and the calcium ionophore ionomycin show low activity. Supplementation of EGF with a protein kinase A or C agonist results in a varying additive increase in short-term (5-h) cell survival and supplementation of EGF + insulin or PDGF + EGF + insulin increases further the already high level of protection given by the growth factor combinations. Combining a protein kinase A and a protein kinase C agonist in the absence of growth factors gives an approximately additive increase in cell survival. Results obtained with kinase, RNA, and protein synthesis inhibitors suggest that: 1) activated protein kinase C catalyzes one or more phosphorylation events in quiescent Balb/c-3T3 cells that lead to gene expression with the protein product(s) mediating protection of quiescent cells against death, and 2) phosphorylation events catalyzed by protein kinase A largely serve to protect cells by a mechanism not requiring de novo RNA and protein biosynthesis.