A cell cycle regulatory network controlling NF-kappaB subunit activity and function

Aberrantly active NF-kappaB complexes can contribute to tumorigenesis by regulating genes that promote the growth and survival of cancer cells. We have investigated NF-kappaB during the cell cycle and find that its ability to regulate the G1-phase expression of key proto-oncogenes is subject to regulation by the integrated activity of IkappaB kinase (IKK)alpha, IKKbeta, Akt and Chk1. The coordinated binding of NF-kappaB subunits to the Cyclin D1, c-Myc and Skp2 promoters is dynamic with distinct changes in promoter occupancy and RelA(p65) phosphorylation occurring through G1, S and G2 phases, concomitant with a switch from coactivator to corepressor recruitment. Akt activity is required for IKK-dependent phosphorylation of NF-kappaB subunits in G1 and G2 phases, where Chk1 is inactive. However, in S-phase, Akt is inactivated, while Chk1 phosphorylates RelA and associates with IKKalpha, inhibiting the processing of the p100 (NF-kappaB2) subunit, which also plays a critical role in the regulation of these genes. These data reveal a complex regulatory network integrating NF-kappaB with the DNA-replication checkpoint and the expression of critical regulators of cell proliferation.     

Differential involvement of IkappaB kinases alpha and beta in cytokine- and insulin-induced mammalian target of rapamycin activation determined by Akt

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a mediator of cell growth, survival, and energy metabolism at least partly through its ability to regulate mRNA translation. mTOR is activated downstream of growth factors such as insulin, cytokines such as TNF, and Akt-dependent signaling associated with oncoprotein expression. mTOR is negatively controlled by the tuberous sclerosis complex 1/2 (TSC1/2), and activation of Akt induces phosphorylation of TSC2, which blocks the repressive TSC1/2 activity. Previously, we showed that activation of mTOR in PTEN-deficient cancer cells involves IkappaB kinase (IKK) alpha, a catalytic subunit of the IKK complex that controls NF-kappaB activation. Recently, a distinct IKK subunit, IKKbeta, was shown to phosphorylate TSC1 to promote mTOR activation in an Akt-independent manner in certain cells stimulated with TNF and in some cancer cells. In this study, we have explored the involvement of both IKKalpha and IKKbeta in insulin- and TNF-induced mTOR activation. Insulin activation of mTOR requires Akt in a manner that involves IKKalpha, preferentially to IKKbeta, and TSC2 phosphorylation. TNF, in most cells examined, activates Akt to use IKKalpha to control mTOR activation. In MCF7 cells, TNF does not activate Akt and requires IKKbeta to activate mTOR. The results show that Akt-dependent signaling, induced by cytokines or insulin, alters the IKK subunit-dependent control of mTOR.     

Regulation of I(kappa)B kinase complex by phosphorylation of (gamma)-binding domain of I(kappa)B kinase (beta) by Polo-like kinase 1

IkappaB kinase (IKK) complex is a key regulator of NF-kappaB pathways. Signal-induced interaction of the IKKgamma (NEMO) subunit with the C-terminal IKKgamma/NEMO-binding domain (gammaBD) of IKKbeta is an essential interaction for IKK regulation. Underlying regulatory mechanism(s) of this interaction are not known. Phosphorylation of gammaBD has been suggested to play a regulatory role for IKK activation. However, a kinase that phosphorylates gammaBD has not been identified. In this study, we used a C-terminal fragment of IKKbeta as substrate and purified Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) from HeLa cell extracts by standard chromatography as a gammaBD kinase. Plk1 phosphorylates serines 733, 740, and 750 in the gammaBD of IKKbeta in vitro. Phosphorylating gammaBD with Plk1 decreased its affinity for IKKgamma in pulldown assay. We generated phosphoantibodies against serine 740 and showed that gammaBD is phosphorylated in vivo. Expressing a constitutively active Plk1 in mammalian cells reduced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-induced IKK activation, resulting in decreased phosphorylation of endogenous IkappaBalpha and reduced NF-kappaB activation. To activate endogenous Plk1, cells were treated with nocodazole, which reduced TNF-induced IKK activation, and increased the phosphorylation of gammaBD. Knocking down Plk1 in mammalian cells restored TNF-induced IKK activation in nocodazole-treated cells. Activation of Plk1 inhibited TNF-induced expression of cyclin D1. In cells in which Plk1 was knocked down, TNFalpha increased expression of cyclin D1 and the proportion of cells in the S phase of the cell cycle. Taken together, this study shows that phosphorylation regulates the interaction of gammaBD of IKKbeta with IKKgamma and therefore plays a critical role for IKK activation. Moreover, we identify Plk1 as a gammaBD kinase, which negatively regulates TNF-induced IKK activation and cyclin D1 expression, thereby affecting cell cycle regulation. Untimely activation of cyclin D1 by TNFalpha can provide a potential mechanism for an involvement of TNFalpha in inflammation-induced cancer.     

Activity of the selective IκB kinase inhibitor BMS-345541 against T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Several lines of evidence suggest that the IκB kinase (IKK)/nuclear factor-κB (NFκB) axis is required for viability of leukemic cells and is a predictor of relapse in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Moreover, many anticancer agents induce NFκB nuclear translocation and activation of its target genes, which counteract cellular resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs. Therefore, the design and the study of IKK-specific drugs is crucial to inhibit tumor cell proliferation and to prevent cancer drug-resistance. Here, we report the anti-proliferative effects induced by BMS-345541 (a highly selective IKK inhibitor) in three Notch1-mutated T-ALL cell lines and in T-ALL primary cells from pediatric patients. BMS-345541 induced apoptosis and an accumulation of cells in the G₂/M phase of the cell cycle via inhibition of IKK/NFκB signaling. We also report that T-ALL cells treated with BMS-345541 displayed nuclear translocation of FOXO3a and restoration of its functions, including control of p21^Cip1 expression levels. We demonstrated that FOXO3a subcellular re-distribution is independent of AKT and ERK 1/2 signaling, speculating that in T-ALL the loss of FOXO3a tumor suppressor function could be due to deregulation of IKK, as has been previously demonstrated in other cancer types.

It is well known that, differently from p53, FOXO3a mutations have not yet been found in human tumors, which makes therapeutics activating FOXO3a more appealing than others. For these features, BMS-345541 could be used alone or in combination with traditional therapies in the treatment of T-ALL.     

Zerumbone suppresses IKKα, Akt,and FOXO1 activation,resulting in apoptosis of GBM 8401 cells

Background

Zerumbone, a sesquiterpene compound isolated from subtropical ginger, Zingiber zerumbet Smith, has been documented to exert antitumoral and anti- inflammatory activities. In this study, we demonstrate that zerumbone induces apoptosis in human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM8401) cells and investigate the apoptotic mechanism.

Methods

We added a caspase inhibitor and transfected wild-type (WT) IKK and Akt into GBM 8401 cells, and measured cell viability and apoptosis by MTT assay and flow cytometry. By western blotting, we evaluated activation of caspase-3, dephosphorylation of IKK, Akt, FOXO1 with time, and change of IKK, Akt, and FOXO1 phosphorylation after transfection of WT IKK and Akt.

Results

Zerumbone (10∽50 μM) induced death of GBM8401 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometry studies showed that zerumbone increased the percentage of apoptotic GBM cells. Zerumbone also caused caspase-3 activation and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) production. N-benzyloxycarbonyl -Val-Ala-Asp- fluoromethylketone (zVAD-fmk), a broad-spectrum caspase inhibitor, hindered zerumbone-induced cell death. Transfection of GBM 8401 cells with WT IKKα inhibited zerumbone-induced apoptosis, and zerumbone significantly decreased IKKα phosphorylation levels in a time-dependent manner. Similarly, transfection of GBM8401 cells with Akt suppressed zerumbone-induced apoptosis, and zerumbone also diminished Akt phosphorylation levels remarkably and time-dependently. Moreover, transfection of GBM8401 cells with WT IKKα reduced the zerumbone-induced decrease in Akt and FOXO1 phosphorylation. However, transfection with WT Akt decreased FOXO1, but not IKKα, phosphorylation.

Conclusion

The results suggest that inactivation of IKKα, followed by Akt and FOXO1 phosphorylation and caspase-3 activation, contributes to zerumbone-induced GBM cell apoptosis.     

The human T-cell leukemia virus type-1 Tax protein regulates the activity of the IkappaB kinase complex

Two cytokine-inducible kinases, IKKalpha and IKKbeta, are components of a 700-kDa kinase complex that specifically phosphorylates IkappaB. Phosphorylation of IkappaB by IKK leads to its ubiquitination and subsequent degradation, resulting in the nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB. The oncogenic protein Tax, encoded by human T-cell leukemia virus type-1 (HTLV-1), stimulates IKK activity to result in constitutive nuclear levels of NF-kappaB. In an attempt to gain insights into the mechanism by which Tax mediates constitutive activation of the NF-kappaB pathway, we analyzed the chromatographic distribution of IKK proteins using cellular extracts prepared from three T lymphocytes either lacking or containing Tax. IKK kinase activity and the distribution of proteins in the IKK complex were characterized. In extracts prepared from cells containing Tax, the activity of both IKKalpha and IKKbeta present in the 700-kDa IKK complex were increased. Surprisingly, cell lines expressing Tax also contained an additional peak of IKKbeta, but not IKKalpha activity, that migrated at 300 kDa rather than at 700 kDa. We noted that extracts containing Tax had extremely low levels of IkappaBbeta, but not IkappaBalpha, and contained predominantly a truncated form of the MAP3K MEKK1. These results suggest that Tax may target several components of the NF-kappaB pathway leading to constitutive activation of this important regulator of cellular gene expression.     

Binding of manumycin A inhibits IkappaB kinase beta activity

IkappaB kinase (IKK) catalytic subunits play a key role in cytokinemediated nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB signaling, and a loss of NF-kappaB function appears to inhibit inflammation and oncogenesis. Manumycin A is a potent and selective farnesyltransferase inhibitor with antitumor activity. We found that manumycin A caused a rapid and potent inhibition of IKK activity induced by tumor necrosis factor alpha in a number of cell types. Most unexpectedly, other classes of farnesyltransferase inhibitors had no inhibitory effect. To identify the molecular mechanisms of manumycin A action, cultured human HepG2 hepatoma cells were transiently transfected with various IKKalpha and IKKbeta constructs, and a striking difference in manumycin A sensitivity was observed. Furthermore, cells expressing wild-type IKKbeta and IKKbeta mutated in the activation loop at Cys-179 exhibited covalent homotypic dimerization of IKKbeta in response to manumycin A, whereas substitution of Cys-662 and -716 conferred protection against dimer formation. Direct inhibition of IKK activity and formation of stable IKKbeta dimers were observed in the presence of manumycin A that could be blocked by dithiothreitol. IKK interaction with the adaptor protein IKKgamma/NEMO was disrupted in manumycin A-treated cells. Most importantly, administration of manumycin A to mice xenografted with murine B16F10 tumors caused potent IKK-suppressive effects. Thus, manumycin A with its epoxyquinoid moieties plays an important regulatory function in IKK signaling through pathways distinct from its role as a protein farnesylation inhibitor.     

Constitutively Nuclear FOXO3a Localization Predicts Poor Survival and Promotes Akt Phosphorylation in Breast Cancer

Background

The PI3K-Akt signal pathway plays a key role in tumorigenesis and the development of drug-resistance. Cytotoxic chemotherapy resistance is linked to limited therapeutic options and poor prognosis.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Examination of FOXO3a and phosphorylated-Akt (P-Akt) expression in breast cancer tissue microarrays showed nuclear FOXO3a was associated with lymph node positivity (p = 0.052), poor prognosis (p = 0.014), and P-Akt expression in invasive ductal carcinoma. Using tamoxifen and doxorubicin-sensitive and -resistant breast cancer cell lines as models, we found that doxorubicin- but not tamoxifen-resistance is associated with nuclear accumulation of FOXO3a, consistent with the finding that sustained nuclear FOXO3a is associated with poor prognosis. We also established that doxorubicin treatment induces proliferation arrest and FOXO3a nuclear relocation in sensitive breast cancer cells. Induction of FOXO3a activity in doxorubicin-sensitive MCF-7 cells was sufficient to promote Akt phosphorylation and arrest cell proliferation. Conversely, knockdown of endogenous FOXO3a expression reduced PI3K/Akt activity. Using MDA-MB-231 cells, in which FOXO3a activity can be induced by 4-hydroxytamoxifen, we showed that FOXO3a induction up-regulates PI3K-Akt activity and enhanced doxorubicin resistance. However FOXO3a induction has little effect on cell proliferation, indicating that FOXO3a or its downstream activity is deregulated in the cytotoxic drug resistant breast cancer cells. Thus, our results suggest that sustained FOXO3a activation can enhance hyperactivation of the PI3K/Akt pathway.

Conclusions/Significance

Together these data suggest that lymph node metastasis and poor survival in invasive ductal breast carcinoma are linked to an uncoupling of the Akt-FOXO3a signaling axis. In these breast cancers activated Akt fails to inactivate and re-localize FOXO3a to the cytoplasm, and nuclear-targeted FOXO3a does not induce cell death or cell cycle arrest. As such, sustained nuclear FOXO3a expression in breast cancer may culminate in cancer progression and the development of an aggressive phenotype similar to that observed in cytotoxic chemotherapy resistant breast cancer cell models.     

Akt phosphorylates MstI and prevents its proteolytic activation, blocking FOXO3 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation

Oxidative stress can induce apoptosis through activation of MstI, subsequent phosphorylation of FOXO and nuclear translocation. MstI is a common component of apoptosis initiated by various stresses. MstI kinase activation requires autophosphorylation and proteolytic degradation by caspases. The role of Akt in regulating MstI activity has not been previously examined. Here, we show that MstI is a physiological substrate of Akt. Akt phosphorylation of MstI diminishes its apoptotic cleavage by caspases and prevents its kinase activity on FOXO3. MstI directly binds to Akt, which is regulated Akt kinase activity. Akt phosphorylates MstI on the Thr(387) residue and protects MstI from apoptotic cleavage in vitro and in apoptotic cells. Interestingly, Akt phosphorylation of MstI strongly inhibits its kinase activity on FOXO3. The phosphorylation mimetic mutant MST1 T387E blocks H2O2-triggered FOXO3 nuclear translocation and apoptosis. Thus, our findings support that Akt blocks MstI-triggered FOXO3 nuclear translocation by phosphorylating MstI, promoting cell survival.     

Inhibition of interleukin-1beta -induced NF-kappa B activation by calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase occurs through Akt activation associated with interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase phosphorylation and uncoupling of MyD88

Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase (CaMKK) and Akt are two multifunctional kinases involved in many cellular responses. Although Akt and Ca(2+) signals have been implicated in NF-kappaB activation in response to certain stimuli, these results are still controversial, and the mechanism(s) involved remains unknown. In this study, we show the roles that CaMKK and Akt play in regulating interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta)-induced NF-kappaB signaling. In human embryonic kidney 293 cells, IL-1beta induces IkappaB kinase beta (IKKbeta) activation, IkappaBalpha degradation, NF-kappaB transactivation, and weak Akt activation. A CaMKK inhibitor (KN-93) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitors (wortmannin and LY294002) do not inhibit IL-1beta-induced NF-kappaB activation. However, IL-1beta-induced NF-kappaB activity is attenuated by increased intracellular calcium in response to ionomycin, UTP, or thapsigargin or by overexpression of CaMKKc and/or Akt. Ionomycin and CaMKKc overexpression increases Akt phosphorylation on Thr(308) and enzyme activity. Under these conditions or upon overexpression of wild type Akt, IL-1beta-induced IKKbeta activity is diminished. Furthermore, a dominant negative mutant of Akt abolishes IKKbeta inhibition by CaMKKc and ionomycin, suggesting that Akt acts as a mediator of CaMKK signaling to inhibit IL-1beta-induced IKK activity at an upstream target site. We have also identified a novel interaction between CaMKK-stimulated Akt and interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1), which plays a key role in IL-1beta-induced NF-kappaB activation. CaMKKc and Akt overexpression decreases IRAK1-mediated NF-kappaB activity and its association with MyD88 in response to IL-1beta stimulation. Furthermore, CaMKKc and Akt overexpression increases IRAK1 phosphorylation at Thr(100), and point mutation of this site abrogates the inhibitory effect of Akt on IRAK1-mediated NF-kappaB activation. Taken together, these results indicate a novel regulatory mechanism for IL-1beta signaling and suggest that CaMKK-dependent Akt activation inhibits IL-1beta-induced NF-kappaB activation through interference with the coupling of IRAK1 to MyD88.