Activation of Rap1B by G(i) family members in platelets

It has become increasingly appreciated that receptors coupled to G(alpha)(i) family members can stimulate platelet aggregation, but the mechanism for this has remained unclear. One possible mediator is the small GTPase, Rap1, which has been shown to contribute to integrin activation in several cell lines and to be activated by a calcium-dependent mechanism in platelets. Here, we demonstrate that Rap1 is also activated by G(alpha)(i) family members in platelets. First, we show that platelets from mice lacking the G(alpha)(i) family member G(alpha)(z) (which couples to the alpha(2A) adrenergic receptor) are deficient in epinephrine-stimulated Rap1 activation. We also show that platelets from mice lacking G(alpha)(i2), which couples to the ADP receptor, P2Y12, exhibit reduced Rap1 activation in response to ADP. In contrast, platelets from mice that lack G(alpha)(q) show no decrease in the ability to activate Rap1 in response to epinephrine but show a partial reduction in ADP-stimulated Rap1 activation. This result, combined with studies of human platelets treated with ADP receptor-selective inhibitors, indicates that ADP-stimulated Rap1 activation in human platelets is dependent on both the G(alpha)(i)-coupled P2Y12 receptor and the G(alpha)(q)-coupled P2Y1 receptor. G(alpha)(i)-dependent activation of Rap1 in platelets does not appear to be mediated by enhanced intracellular calcium release because no increase in intracellular calcium concentration was detected in response to epinephrine and because the calcium response to ADP was not diminished in platelets from the G(alpha)(i2)-/- mouse. Finally, using human platelets treated with selective inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and mouse platelets selectively lacking the G(beta)(gamma)-activated form of his enzyme (PI3Kgamma), we show that G(i)-mediated Rap1 activation is PI3K-dependent. In summary, activation of Rap1 can be stimulated by G(alpha)(i)- and PI3K-dependent mechanisms in platelets and by G(q)- and Ca(2+)-dependent mechanisms, both of which may play a role in promoting platelet activation.     

Vaccinia virus N1L protein resembles a B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) family protein

Poxviruses encode immuno-modulatory proteins capable of subverting host defenses. The poxvirus vaccinia expresses a small 14-kDa protein, N1L, that is critical for virulence. We report the crystal structure of N1L, which reveals an unexpected but striking resemblance to host apoptotic regulators of the B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) family. Although N1L lacks detectable Bcl-2 homology (BH) motifs at the sequence level, we show that N1L binds with high affinity to the BH3 peptides of pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins in vitro, consistent with a role for N1L in modulating host antiviral defenses.     

Functional diversity and regulation of different interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase (IRAK) family members

Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase (IRAK) was first described as a signal transducer for the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1) and was later implicated in signal transduction of other members of the Toll-like receptor (TLR)/IL-1 receptor (IL-1R) family. In the meantime, four different IRAK-like molecules have been identified: two active kinases, IRAK-1 and IRAK-4, and two inactive kinases, IRAK-2 and IRAK-M. All IRAKs mediate activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Although earlier observations suggested that IRAKs have redundant functions, this hypothesis is now challenged by knockout studies. Furthermore, recent data imply a role for IRAK-1 in tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily-induced signaling pathways as well. The scope of this review is to highlight the specific role of different IRAKs and to discuss several mechanisms that contribute to their activation and regulation.     

CARD11 and CARD14 are novel caspase recruitment domain (CARD)/membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) family members that interact with BCL10 and activate NF-kappa B

The caspase recruitment domain (CARD) is a protein-binding module that mediates the assembly of CARD-containing proteins into apoptosis and NF-kappaB signaling complexes. We report here that CARD protein 11 (CARD11) and CARD protein 14 (CARD14) are novel CARD-containing proteins that belong to the membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) family, a class of proteins that functions as molecular scaffolds for the assembly of multiprotein complexes at specialized regions of the plasma membrane. CARD11 and CARD14 have homologous structures consisting of an N-terminal CARD domain, a central coiled-coil domain, and a C-terminal tripartite domain comprised of a PDZ domain, an Src homology 3 domain, and a GUK domain with homology to guanylate kinase. The CARD domains of both CARD11 and CARD14 associate specifically with the CARD domain of BCL10, a signaling protein that activates NF-kappaB through the IkappaB kinase complex in response to upstream stimuli. When expressed in cells, CARD11 and CARD14 activate NF-kappaB and induce the phosphorylation of BCL10. These findings suggest that CARD11 and CARD14 are novel MAGUK family members that function as upstream activators of BCL10 and NF-kappaB signaling.     

Coordinate regulation of bovine prion protein gene promoter activity by two Sp1 binding site polymorphisms

Relationships between insertion/deletion (Ins/Del) polymorphisms of the bovine prion protein gene (PRNP) promoter and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) susceptibility have been reported. Our previous study has shown that polymorphisms of −6C → T included in the specific protein 1 (Sp1) site in the 5′-flanking region of bovine PRNP influence the promoter activity of bovine PRNP. The present study shows that 12 and 23 bp Ins/Del polymorphisms in the upstream region and an additional polymorphism (−47C → A) in the Sp1 binding site coordinately affect the promoter activity. Reporter gene assays demonstrated that the bovine PRNP promoter containing −47A and 23 bp Del/12 bp Ins or 23 bp Ins/12 bp Ins showed lower promoter activity compared with other haplotypes (23 bp Del/12 bp Ins or 23 bp Ins/12 bp Del with −47C) or the wild-type haplotype (23 bp Del/12 bp Del with −47C). Furthermore, gel shift assays showed that the binding activity of Sp1 to the PRNP promoter was influenced by both polymorphisms with corresponding effects on the promoter activity. The coordinate regulation of the bovine PRNP promoter suggests the two Sp1 binding site polymorphisms control Sp1 binding to the PRNP promoter and its activity.     

Activation induced differential regulation of stem cell antigen-1 (Ly-6A/E) expression in murine B cells

Expression of stem cell antigen-1 (Ly-6A/E) is developmentally regulated in murine B cells. However, little is known about its modulation during B cell activation. We report here the differential regulation of Ly-6A/E expression in response to diverse activation signals in mature B cells. Stimulation of resting B cells through the antigen receptor (BCR) inhibited, Ly-6A/E surface expression in dose dependent manner. Activation induced downregulation of Ly-6A/E is specific to BCR mediated signaling events as stimulation of B cells with anti-CD40, lipopolysaccharide or interferon-γ induced upregulation of Ly-6A/E surface expression. The activation induced differential modulation of Ly-6A/E expression is mediated at the mRNA levels. A role for BCR signaling in inhibition of Ly-6A/E expression was further confirmed using STAT-1^−/− B cells, which expressed constitutive, but not inducible Ly-6A/E. The BCR induced inhibition of Ly-6A/E RNA and surface expression was mimicked by ionomycin, but not phorbol myristate acetate, indicating a role for calcium but not protein kinase C dependent signaling events. Inhibition of calcineurin reversed the BCR or ionomycin inhibited Ly-6A/E expression. Interestingly, in vitro differentiation analysis of Ly-6A/E⁺ and Ly-6A/E⁻ splenic B cells revealed the Ly-6A/E⁺ cells to be the major source of antibody production, suggesting a potential role for Ly-6A/E in B cell differentiation. These studies provide the first evidence for activation induced differential modulation and differentiation of Ly-6A/E⁺ B cells.