SH2-B is required for nerve growth factor-induced neuronal differentiation

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is essential for the development and survival of sympathetic and sensory neurons. NGF binds to TrkA, activates the intrinsic kinase activity of TrkA, and promotes the differentiation of pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells into sympathetic-like neurons. Several signaling molecules and pathways are known to be activated by NGF, including phospholipase Cgamma, phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase, and the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade. However, the mechanism of NGF-induced neuronal differentiation remains unclear. In this study, we examined whether SH2-Bbeta, a recently identified pleckstrin homology and SH2 domain-containing signaling protein, is a critical signaling protein for NGF. TrkA bound to glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins containing SH2-Bbeta, and NGF stimulation dramatically increased that binding. In contrast, NGF was unable to stimulate the association of TrkA with a glutathione S-transferase fusion protein containing a mutant SH2-Bbeta(R555E) with a defective SH2 domain. When overexpressed in PC12 cells, SH2-Bbeta co-immunoprecipitated with TrkA in response to NGF. NGF stimulated tyrosyl phosphorylation of endogenous SH2-Bbeta as well as exogenously expressed GFP-SH2-Bbeta but not GFP-SH2-Bbeta(R555E). Overexpression of SH2-Bbeta(R555E) blocked NGF-induced neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells, whereas overexpression of wild type SH2-Bbeta enhanced NGF-induced neurite outgrowth. Overexpression of either wild type or mutant SH2-Bbeta(R555E) did not alter tyrosyl phosphorylation of TrkA, Shc, or phospholipase Cgamma in response to NGF or NGF-induced activation of ERK1/2, suggesting that SH2-Bbeta may initiate a previously unknown pathway(s) that is essential for NGF-induced neurite outgrowth. Taken together, these data indicate that SH2-Bbeta is a novel signaling molecule required for NGF-induced neuronal differentiation.     

Interplay between the antimetastatic nm23 and the retinoblastoma-related Rb2/p130 genes in promoting neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells.

Increasing evidence indicates that the nm23 genes, initially documented as suppressors of metastasis progression, are involved in normal development and differentiation. We have shown previously that the murine nm23 gene enhances pheochromocytoma PC12 cells responsiveness to NGF by accelerating cell growth arrest and neurite outgrowth. The present study was aimed at elucidating the mechanisms by which nm23 controls cell proliferation and promotes neuronal differentiation. We demonstrated that nm23 modulates the expression of the Rb2/p130 gene, a negative regulator of cell cycle progression also implicated in the maintenance of the differentiated state. Furthermore, we showed that nm23-H1 mutants, defective in inhibiting the invasive phenotype, downregulate Rb2/p130 expression and inhibit NGF-induced PC12 cell differentiation. In synthesis, our results provide first evidence of interplay between the nm23 and the Rb2/p130 genes in driving PC12 cells neuronal differentiation and suggest that the antimetastatic and the differentiative nm23 functions can have similar features.     

Adapter protein SH2-B beta undergoes nucleocytoplasmic shuttling: implications for nerve growth factor induction of neuronal differentiation

The adapter protein SH2-B has been shown to bind to activated nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor TrkA and has been implicated in NGF-induced neuronal differentiation and the survival of sympathetic neurons. However, the mechanism by which SH2-B enhances and maintains neurite outgrowth is unclear. We examined the ability of truncation mutants to regulate neuronal differentiation and observed that certain truncation mutants localized in the nucleus rather than in the cytoplasm or at the plasma membrane as reported for wild-type SH2-B beta. Addition of the nuclear export inhibitor leptomycin B caused both overexpressed wild-type and endogenous SH2-B beta to accumulate in the nucleus of both PC12 cells and COS-7 cells as did deletion of a putative nuclear export sequence (amino acids 224 to 233) or mutation of two critical lysines in that sequence. Deleting or mutating the nuclear export signal caused SH2-B beta to lose its ability to enhance NGF-induced differentiation of PC12 cells. Neither the NGF-induced phosphorylation of ERKs 1 and 2 nor their subcellular distribution was altered in PC12 cells stably expressing the nuclear export-defective SH2-B beta(L231A, L233A). These data provide strong evidence that SH2-B beta shuttles constitutively between the nucleus and cytoplasm. However, SH2-B beta needs continuous access to the cytoplasm and/or plasma membrane to participate in NGF-induced neurite outgrowth. These data also suggest that the stimulatory effect of SH2-B beta on NGF-induced neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells is either downstream of ERKs or via some other pathway yet to be identified.     

SH2B1beta (SH2-Bbeta) enhances expression of a subset of nerve growth factor-regulated genes important for neuronal differentiation including genes encoding urokinase plasminogen activator receptor and matrix metalloproteinase 3/10

Previous work showed that the adapter protein SH2B adapter protein 1beta (SH2B1) (SH2-B) binds to the activated form of the nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor TrkA and is critical for both NGF-dependent neurite outgrowth and maintenance. To identify SH2B1beta-regulated genes critical for neurite outgrowth, we performed microarray analysis of control PC12 cells and PC12 cells stably overexpressing SH2B1beta (PC12-SH2B1beta) or the dominant-negative SH2B1beta(R555E) [PC12-SH2B1beta(R555E)]. NGF-induced microarray expression of Plaur and Mmp10 genes was greatly enhanced in PC12-SH2B1beta cells, whereas NGF-induced Plaur and Mmp3 expression was substantially depressed in PC12-SH2B1beta(R555E) cells. Plaur, Mmp3, and Mmp10 are among the 12 genes most highly up-regulated after 6 h of NGF. Their protein products [urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3), and MMP10] lie in the same pathway of extracellular matrix degradation; uPAR has been shown previously to be critical for NGF-induced neurite outgrowth. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed SH2B1beta enhancement of NGF induction of all three genes and the suppression of NGF induction of all three when endogenous SH2B1 was reduced using short hairpin RNA against SH2B1 and in PC12-SH2B1beta(R555E) cells. NGF-induced levels of uPAR and MMP3/10 and neurite outgrowth through Matrigel (MMP3-dependent) were also increased in PC12-SH2B1beta cells. These results suggest that SH2B1beta stimulates NGF-induced neuronal differentiation at least in part by enhancing expression of a specific subset of NGF-sensitive genes, including Plaur, Mmp3, and/or Mmp10, required for neurite outgrowth.     

Induction of neurite outgrowth by v-src mimics critical aspects of nerve growth factor-induced differentiation.

PC12 cells treated with nerve growth factor (NGF) or infected with Rous sarcoma virus differentiate into sympathetic, neuronlike cells. To compare the differentiation programs induced by NGF and v-src, we have established a PC12 cell line expressing a temperature-sensitive v-src protein. The v-src-expressing PC12 cell line was shown to elaborate neuritic processes in a temperature-inducible manner, indicating that the differentiation process was dependent on the activity of the v-src protein. Further characterization of this cell line, in comparison with NGF-treated PC12 cells, indicated that the events associated with neurite outgrowth induced by these two agents shared features but could be distinguished by others. Both NGF- and v-src-induced neurite outgrowths were reversible. In addition, NGF and v-src could prime PC12 cells for NGF-induced neurite outgrowth, and representative early and late NGF-responsive genes were also induced by v-src. However, unlike NGF-induced neurite growth, v-src-induced neurite outgrowth was not blocked at high cell density. A comparison of phosphotyrosine containing-protein profiles showed that v-src and NGF each increase tyrosine phosphorylation of multiple cellular proteins. There was overlap in substrates; however, both NGF-specific and v-src-specific tyrosine phosphorylations were observed. One protein which was found to be phosphorylated in both the NGF- and v-src-induced PC12 cells was phospholipase C-gamma 1. Taken together, these results suggest that v-src's ability to function as an inducing agent may be a consequence of its ability to mimic critical aspects of the NGF differentiation program and raise the possibility that Src-like tyrosine kinases are involved in mediating some of the events triggered by NGF.     

A positive role of the PI3-K/Akt signaling pathway in PC12 cell differentiation

Activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) is considered to be a key event upon stimulation of cells with growth factors. Akt is known to be a downstream target of PI3-K when it is activated by nerve growth factor (NGF). NGF induces cell differentiation of PC12 cells as indicated by neurite outgrowth. In order to investigate the role of PI3-K/Akt in NGF-induced differentiation of PC12 cells, we generated cells ectopically expressing constitutively activated (CA), wild type (WT) and dominant negative (DN) forms of Akt. NGF-induced neurite outgrowth was greatly accelerated in the cells expressing CA-Akt, and dramatically inhibited in those expressing DN-Akt. Pre-treatment with an Akt inhibitor, ML-9 [1-(5-chloronaphthalene-1-sulfonyl)-1H- hexahydro-1,4-diazepine], inhibited NGF-induced Akt phosphorylation as well as neurite outgrowth but did not markedly affect the activities of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). The PI3-K inhibitors wortmannin and LY294002 blocked NGF-induced Akt phosphorylation as well as neurite outgrowth. These results indicate that PI3-K/Akt is a positive regulator of NGF-induced neuronal differentiation in PC12 cells.     

Effects of fluvoxamine on nerve growth factor-induced neurite outgrowth inhibition by dexamethasone in PC12 cells

In the present study, we examined the effects of fluvoxamine on nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced neurite outgrowth inhibition by dexamethasone (DEX) in PC12 cells. Fluvoxamine increased NGF-induced neurite outgrowth. Compared with co-treatment with NGF and fluvoxamine, p-Akt levels were higher than the values without fluvoxamine. The phosphorylated extracellular regulated kinase 1/2 levels were slightly increased by co-treatment with NGF and fluvoxamine. Fluvoxamine concentration-dependently improved NGF-induced neurite outgrowth inhibition by DEX. Fluvoxamine also improved the decrease in the NGF-induced p-Akt level caused by DEX. Interestingly, the sigma-1 receptor antagonist NE-100 blocked the improvement effects of fluvoxamine on NGF-induced neurite outgrowth inhibition by DEX. The selective sigma-1 receptor agonist PRE-084 also improved NGF-induced neurite outgrowth inhibition by DEX, which is blocked by NE-100. These results indicate that the improvement effects of fluvoxamine on NGF-induced neurite outgrowth inhibition by DEX may be attributable to the phosphorylation of Akt and the sigma-1 receptor.     

Electrical stimulation promotes nerve growth factor-induced neurite outgrowth and signaling

Background

Neurotrophins are important regulators for neural development and regeneration. Nerve growth factor (NGF) therapy has been tested in various models of neural injury and degeneration. However, whether NGF can reach target tissues and maintain effective concentration for a certain period of time remains uncertain. To facilitate neural regeneration, we investigate the possibility of combining NGF and electrical stimulation (ES) in promoting neurite outgrowth, an essential process during neural regeneration.

Methods

PC12 cells were seeded on collagen and indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated area on the transparent conductive devices. Cells were then subjected to the combination of ES and NGF treatment. Neurite outgrowth was compared.

Results

Our findings suggest that ES of 100 mV/mm together with NGF provides optimal effect on neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells. ES increases NGF-induced neurite length but reduces neurite branching, indicative of its primary effect on neurite elongation instead of initiation. One mechanism that ES enhances neurite outgrowth is through increasing NGF-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 (pERK1/2) and expression of Egr1 gene. ES has previously been demonstrated to increase the activity of protein kinase C (PKC). Our result indicates that activating PKC further increases NGF-induced pERK1/2 and thus neurite outgrowth.

Conclusion

It is likely that ES promotes NGF-induced neurite outgrowth through modulating the activity of ERK1/2.

General significance

Findings from this study suggest that combining ES and NGF provides a promising strategy for promoting neurite outgrowth.     

Gab1 mediates neurite outgrowth, DNA synthesis, and survival in PC12 cells

The Gab1-docking protein has been shown to regulate phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase PI3K activity and potentiate nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced survival in PC12 cells. Here, we investigated the potential of Gab1 to induce neurite outgrowth and DNA synthesis, two other important aspects of NGF-induced neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells and NGF-independent survival. We generated a recombinant adenovirus encoding hemagglutinin (HA)-epitope-tagged Gab1 and expressed this protein in PC12 cells. HA-Gab1 was constitutively tyrosine-phosphorylated in PC12 cells and induced the phosphorylation of Akt/protein kinase B and p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase. HA-Gab1-stimulated a 10-fold increase in neurite outgrowth in the absence of NGF and a 5-fold increase in NGF-induced neurite outgrowth. HA-Gab1 also stimulated DNA synthesis and caused NGF-independent survival in PC12 cells. Finally, we found that HA-Gab1-induced neuritogenesis was completely suppressed by pharmacological inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) activity and 50% suppressed by inhibition of PI3K activity. In contrast, HA-Gab1-stimulated cell survival was efficiently suppressed only by inhibition of both PI3K and MEK activities. These results indicate that Gab1 is capable of mediating differentiation, DNA synthesis, and cell survival and uses both PI3K and MEK signaling pathways to achieve its effects.     

CSK negatively regulates nerve growth factor induced neural differentiation and augments AKT kinase activity

Src family kinases are involved in transducing growth factor signals for cellular differentiation and proliferation in a variety of cell types. The activity of all Src family kinases (SFKs) is controlled by phosphorylation at their C-terminal 527-tyrosine residue by C-terminal SRC kinase, CSK. There is a paucity of information regarding the role of CSK and/or specific Src family kinases in neuronal differentiation. Pretreatment of PC12 cells with the Src family kinase inhibitor, PP1, blocked NGF-induced activation of SFKs and obliterated neurite outgrowth. To confirm a role for CSK and specific isoforms of SFKs in neuronal differentiation, we overexpressed active and catalytically dead CSK in the rat pheochromocytoma cell line, PC12. CSK overexpression caused a profound inhibition of NGF-induced activation of FYN, YES, RAS, and ERK and inhibited neurite outgrowth, NGF-stimulated integrin-directed migration and blocked the NGF-induced conversion of GDP-RAC to its GTP-bound active state. CSK overexpression markedly augmented the activation state of AKT following NGF stimulation. In contrast, kinase-dead CSK augmented the activation of FYN, RAS, and ERK and increased neurite outgrowth. These data suggest a distinct requirement for CSK in the regulation of NGF/TrkA activation of RAS, RAC, ERK, and AKT via the differential control of SFKs in the orchestration of neuronal differentiation.     

Individual and combined effects of TrkA and p75NTR nerve growth factor receptors. A role for the high affinity receptor site

A long-standing question in neurotrophin signal transduction is whether heteromeric TrkA-p75NTR complexes possess signaling capabilities that are significantly different from homo-oligomeric TrkA or p75NTR alone. To address this issue, various combinations of transfected PC12 cells expressing a platelet-derived growth factor receptor-TrkA chimera and the p75NTR-selective nerve growth factor mutant (Delta9/13 NGF) were utilized to selectively stimulate TrkA or p75NTR signaling, respectively. The contribution of individual and combined receptor effects was analyzed in terms of downstream signaling and certain end points. The results suggest two unique functions for the high affinity heteromeric NGF receptor site: (a) integration of both the MAPK and Akt pathways in the production of NGF-induced neurite outgrowth, and (b) rapid and sustained activation of the Akt pathway, with consequent long term cellular survival. Whereas activation of TrkA signaling is sufficient for eliciting neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells, signaling through p75NTR plays a modulatory role, especially in the increased formation of fine, synaptic "bouton-like" structures, in which both TrkA and p75NTR appear to co-localize. In addition, a new interaction in the TrkA/p75NTR heteromeric receptor signal transduction network was revealed, namely that NGF-induced activation of the MAPK pathway appears to inhibit the parallel NGF-induced Akt pathway.     

Mimicry and Inhibition of Nerve Growth Factor Effects: Interactions of Staurosporine, Forskolin, and K252a in PC12 Cells and Normal Rat Chromaffin Cells In Vitro

The structurally similar compounds staurosporine and K252a are potent inhibitors of protein kinases. K252a has previously been reported to inhibit most or all of the effects of nerve growth factor (NGF) on PC12 pheochromocytoma cells, and staurosporine has been reported both to inhibit and to mimic NGF-induced neurite outgrowth from a PC12 cell subclone in a dose-dependent manner. We have studied the interactions of these agents with each other, with NGF, and with forskolin, an activator of adenylate cyclase, on the parent PC12 cell line and on normal neonatal and adult rat chromaffin cells. Staurosporine alone or in conjunction with forskolin induces outgrowth of short neurites from PC12 cells but does not substitute for NGF in promoting cell survival. It does not abolish NGF-induced neurite outgrowth but does reverse the effects of NGF on catecholamine synthesis. K252a abolishes NGF-induced neurite outgrowth but only partially decreases outgrowth induced by NGF plus forskolin. It does not inhibit neurite outgrowth produced by staurosporine or staurosporine plus forskolin. These findings with PC12 cells suggest that staurosporine might act downstream from K252a and NGF on components of one or more signal transduction pathways by which NGF selectively affects the expression of certain traits. Both neonatal and adult rat chromaffin cells show dramatic flattening and extension of filopodia in response to staurosporine, an observation suggesting that some of the same pathways might remain active in cells that do not exhibit a typical NGF response. Only a small amount of neurite outgrowth is observed, however, and only in neonatal cultures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Nerve growth factor-induced neuronal differentiation requires generation of Rac1-regulated reactive oxygen species

Nerve growth factor (NGF) stimulation of pheochromocytoma PC12 cells transiently increased the intracellular concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This increase was blocked by the chemical antioxidant N-acetylcysteine and a flavoprotein inhibitor, diphenylene iodonium. NGF responses of PC12 cells, including neurite outgrowth, tyrosine phosphorylation, and AP-1 activation, was inhibited when ROS production was prevented by N-acetylcysteine and diphenylene iodonium. The expression of dominant negative Rac1N17 blocked induction of both ROS generation and morphological differentiation by NGF. The ROS produced appears to be H(2)O(2), because the introduction of catalase into the cells abolished NGF-induced neurite outgrowth, ROS production, and tyrosine phosphorylation. These results suggest that the ROS, perhaps H(2)O(2), acts as an intracellular signal mediator for NGF-induced neuronal differentiation and that NGF-stimulated ROS production is regulated by Rac1 and a flavoprotein-binding protein similar to the phagocytic NADPH oxidase.