Regulation of RKIP binding to the N-region of the Raf-1 kinase

The Raf kinase inhibitory protein (RKIP) binds to Raf-1 interfering with binding of the MEK substrate and potentially also Raf-1 activation. In response to mitogen stimulation RKIP dissociates from Raf-1 and later re-associates. Here, using a combination of mutational approaches, biochemical studies, peptide arrays and plasmon surface resonance (BIAcore), we fine map and characterize a minimal 24 amino acid long RKIP binding domain in the Raf-1 N-region, which consists of constitutive elements at both flanks and a center element that is regulated by phosphorylation and enhances the re-binding of RKIP to Raf-1 in the later phase of mitogen stimulation.     

RKIP downregulation induces the HBx-mediated Raf-1 mitochondrial translocation

The Raf-1 kinase inhibitory protein (RKIP) can regulate multiple key signaling pathways. Specifically, RKIP binds to Raf-1 kinase and inhibits the Ras-Raf-1-MEK1/2- ERK1/2 pathway. Additionally, Raf-1 has been shown to translocate to mitochondria and thereby protect cells from stress-mediated apoptosis. Recently, HBx was found to stimulate the mitochondrial translocation of Raf-1, contributing to the anti-apoptotic effect. We found that RKIP was downregulated during HBx-mediated hepatocarcinogenesis. In this study, we show that RKIP bound to Raf-1 and consequently inhibited the translocation of Raf-1 into mitochondria. This promoted the apoptosis of cells treated with apoptotic stimulus. Thus, the downregulation of RKIP increased the level of free Raf-1 and thereby elevated the mitochondrial translocation of Raf-1 during HBx-mediated hepatocarcinogenesis. The elevated Raf-1 mitochondrial translocation induced the increased anti-apoptotic effect and subsequently promoted HBx-mediated hepatocarcinogenesis.     

Ligand binding study of human PEBP1/RKIP: interaction with nucleotides and Raf-1 peptides evidenced by NMR and mass spectrometry

Background

Human Phosphatidylethanolamine binding protein 1 (hPEBP1) also known as Raf kinase inhibitory protein (RKIP), affects various cellular processes, and is implicated in metastasis formation and Alzheimer''s disease. Human PEBP1 has also been shown to inhibit the Raf/MEK/ERK pathway. Numerous reports concern various mammalian PEBP1 binding ligands. However, since PEBP1 proteins from many different species were investigated, drawing general conclusions regarding human PEBP1 binding properties is rather difficult. Moreover, the binding site of Raf-1 on hPEBP1 is still unknown.

Methods/Findings

In the present study, we investigated human PEBP1 by NMR to determine the binding site of four different ligands: GTP, FMN, and one Raf-1 peptide in tri-phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated forms. The study was carried out by NMR in near physiological conditions, allowing for the identification of the binding site and the determination of the affinity constants K_D for different ligands. Native mass spectrometry was used as an alternative method for measuring K_D values.

Conclusions/Significance

Our study demonstrates and/or confirms the binding of hPEBP1 to the four studied ligands. All of them bind to the same region centered on the conserved ligand-binding pocket of hPEBP1. Although the affinities for GTP and FMN decrease as pH, salt concentration and temperature increase from pH 6.5/NaCl 0 mM/20°C to pH 7.5/NaCl 100 mM/30°C, both ligands clearly do bind under conditions similar to what is found in cells regarding pH, salt concentration and temperature. In addition, our work confirms that residues in the vicinity of the pocket rather than those within the pocket seem to be required for interaction with Raf-1.     

Reconstitution of the Raf-1-MEK-ERK signal transduction pathway in vitro.

Raf-1 is a serine/threonine kinase which is essential in cell growth and differentiation. Tyrosine kinase oncogenes and receptors and p21ras can activate Raf-1, and recent studies have suggested that Raf-1 functions upstream of MEK (MAP/ERK kinase), which phosphorylates and activates ERK. To determine whether or not Raf-1 directly activates MEK, we developed an in vitro assay with purified recombinant proteins. Epitope-tagged versions of Raf-1 and MEK and kinase-inactive mutants of each protein were expressed in Sf9 cells, and ERK1 was purified as a glutathione S-transferase fusion protein from bacteria. Raf-1 purified from Sf9 cells which had been coinfected with v-src or v-ras was able to phosphorylate kinase-active and kinase-inactive MEK. A kinase-inactive version of Raf-1 purified from cells that had been coinfected with v-src or v-ras was not able to phosphorylate MEK. Raf-1 phosphorylation of MEK activated it, as judged by its ability to stimulate the phosphorylation of myelin basic protein by glutathione S-transferase-ERK1. We conclude that MEK is a direct substrate of Raf-1 and that the activation of MEK by Raf-1 is due to phosphorylation by Raf-1, which is sufficient for MEK activation. We also tested the ability of protein kinase C to activate Raf-1 and found that, although protein kinase C phosphorylation of Raf-1 was able to stimulate its autokinase activity, it did not stimulate its ability to phosphorylate MEK.     

Phosphorylation of 338SSYY341 regulates specific interaction between Raf-1 and MEK1

The present study characterizes the interaction between the Raf-1 kinase domain and MEK1 and examines whether the magnitude of their interaction correlates to the ability of Raf to phosphorylate MEK1. Here we show that the minimal domain required for the Raf kinase activity starts from tryptophan 342. Maximal binding of the Raf kinase domain to MEK1 and its kinase activity are achieved upon phosphorylation of the region (338)SSYY(341) in response to 4beta-12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), or mutation of Y340Y341 to aspartic acids. Conversely, the TPA-stimulated MEK binding and kinase activity are diminished when this region is deleted or Ser(338) and Ser(339) are mutated to alanines. We also show that the integrity of the Raf ATP-binding site is necessary for the interaction between Raf-1 and MEK1. Furthermore, two MEK-binding sites are identified; the first is localized between amino acids 325 and 349, and the second is within the region between amino acids 350 and 648. Separately, the binding of each site to MEK1 is weak, but in a cis context, they give rise to a much stronger association, which can be further stimulated by TPA. Finally, we find that tryptophan 342, which is conserved among the Raf family and other protein kinases, is essential for the Ser(338) phosphorylation of the full-length Raf and its binding to MEK1. Taken together, our results indicate that the phosphorylation of Ser(338) and Tyr(341) on Raf exerts an important effect on reconfiguring the two MEK-binding sites. As a result, these two sites coordinate to form a high affinity MEK-binding epitope, leading to a marked increase in Raf kinase activity.     

Raf kinase inhibitory protein regulates Raf-1 but not B-Raf kinase activation

Raf kinase inhibitory protein (RKIP; also known as phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein or PEBP) is a modulator of the Raf/MAPK signaling cascade and a suppressor of metastatic cancer. Here, we show that RKIP inhibits MAPK by regulating Raf-1 activation; specifically, RKIP acts subsequent to Raf-1 membrane recruitment, prevents association of Raf-1 and p21-activated kinase (PAK), and blocks phosphorylation of the Raf-1 kinase domain by PAK and Src family kinases. Mutation of the PAK and Src phosphorylation sites on Raf-1 to aspartate, a phosphate mimic, prevented RKIP association with or inhibition of Raf-1 signaling. Interestingly, although RKIP can interact with B-Raf, RKIP depletion had no effect on activation of B-Raf. Because c-Raf-1 and B-Raf are both required for maximal MAPK stimulation by epidermal growth factor in neuronal and epithelial cell lines, we determined whether RKIP significantly affects MAPK signaling. In fact, RKIP depletion increased not only the amplitude but also the sensitivity of MAPK and DNA synthesis to epidermal growth factor stimulation by up to an order of magnitude. These results indicate that selective modulation of c-Raf-1 but not B-Raf activation by RKIP can limit the dynamic range of the MAPK signaling response to growth factors and may play a critical role in growth and development.     

A Raf-1 mutant that dissociates MEK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation from malignant transformation and differentiation but not proliferation

It is widely thought that the biological outcomes of Raf-1 activation are solely attributable to the activation of the MEK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway. However, an increasing number of reports suggest that some Raf-1 functions are independent of this pathway. In this report we show that mutation of the amino-terminal 14-3-3 binding site of Raf-1 uncouples its ability to activate the MEK/ERK pathway from the induction of cell transformation and differentiation. In NIH 3T3 fibroblasts and COS-1 cells, mutation of serine 259 resulted in Raf-1 proteins which activated the MEK/ERK pathway as efficiently as v-Raf. However, in contrast to v-Raf, RafS259 mutants failed to transform. They induced morphological alterations and slightly accelerated proliferation in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts but were not tumorigenic in mice and behaved like wild-type Raf-1 in transformation assays measuring loss of contact inhibition or anchorage-independent growth. Curiously, the RafS259 mutants inhibited focus induction by an activated MEK allele, suggesting that they can hyperactivate negative-feedback pathways. In primary cultures of postmitotic chicken neuroretina cells, RafS259A was able to sustain proliferation to a level comparable to that sustained by the membrane-targeted transforming Raf-1 protein, RafCAAX. In contrast, RafS259A was only a poor inducer of neurite formation in PC12 cells in comparison to RafCAAX. Thus, RafS259 mutants genetically separate MEK/ERK activation from the ability of Raf-1 to induce transformation and differentiation. The results further suggest that RafS259 mutants inhibit signaling pathways required to promote these biological processes.     

Regulation of Raf-1 activation and signalling by dephosphorylation.

The Raf-1 kinase is regulated by phosphorylation, and Ser259 has been identified as an inhibitory phosphorylation site. Here we show that the dephosphorylation of Ser259 is an essential part of the Raf-1 activation process, and further reveal the molecular role of Ser259. The fraction of Raf-1 that is phosphorylated on Ser259 is refractory to mitogenic stimulation. Mutating Ser259 elevates kinase activity because of enhanced binding to Ras and constitutive membrane recruitment. This facilitates the phosphorylation of an activating site, Ser338. The mutation of Ser259 also increases the functional coupling to MEK, augmenting the efficiency of MEK activation. Our results suggest that Ser259 regulates the coupling of Raf-1 to upstream activators as well as to its downstream substrate MEK, thus determining the pool of Raf-1 that is competent for signalling. They also suggest a new model for Raf-1 activation where the release of repression through Ser259 dephosphorylation is the pivotal step.     

Raf kinase inhibitory protein regulates aurora B kinase and the spindle checkpoint

Raf kinase inhibitory protein (RKIP or PEBP) is an inhibitor of the Raf/MEK/MAP kinase signaling cascade and a suppressor of cancer metastasis. We now show that RKIP associates with centrosomes and kinetochores and regulates the spindle checkpoint in mammalian cells. RKIP depletion causes decreases in the mitotic index, the number of metaphase cells, and traversal times from nuclear envelope breakdown to anaphase, and an override of mitotic checkpoints induced by spindle poisons. Raf-1 depletion or MEK inhibition reverses the reduction in the mitotic index, whereas hyperactivation of Raf mimics the RKIP-depletion phenotype. Finally, RKIP depletion or Raf hyperactivation reduces kinetochore localization and kinase activity of Aurora B, a regulator of the spindle checkpoint. These results indicate that RKIP regulates Aurora B kinase and the spindle checkpoint via the Raf-1/MEK/ERK cascade and demonstrate that small changes in the MAP kinase (MAPK) pathway can profoundly impact the fidelity of the cell cycle.     

Regulation of Raf-1 by direct feedback phosphorylation

The Raf-1 kinase is an important signaling molecule, functioning in the Ras pathway to transmit mitogenic, differentiative, and oncogenic signals to the downstream kinases MEK and ERK. Because of its integral role in cell signaling, Raf-1 activity must be precisely controlled. Previous studies have shown that phosphorylation is required for Raf-1 activation, and here, we identify six phosphorylation sites that contribute to the downregulation of Raf-1 after mitogen stimulation. Five of the identified sites are proline-directed targets of activated ERK, and phosphorylation of all six sites requires MEK signaling, indicating a negative feedback mechanism. Hyperphosphorylation of these six sites inhibits the Ras/Raf-1 interaction and desensitizes Raf-1 to additional stimuli. The hyperphosphorylated/desensitized Raf-1 is subsequently dephosphorylated and returned to a signaling-competent state through interactions with the protein phosphatase PP2A and the prolyl isomerase Pin1. These findings elucidate a critical Raf-1 regulatory mechanism that contributes to the sensitive, temporal modulation of Ras signaling.     

MEK kinase activity is not necessary for Raf-1 function

Raf-1 protein kinase has been identified as an integral component of the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signalling pathway in mammals. Activation of Raf-1 is achieved by RAS:GTP binding and other events at the plasma membrane including tyrosine phosphorylation at residues 340/341. We have used gene targeting to generate a 'knockout' of the raf-1 gene in mice as well as a rafFF mutant version of endogenous Raf-1 with Y340FY341F mutations. Raf-1(-/-) mice die in embryogenesis and show vascular defects in the yolk sac and placenta as well as increased apoptosis of embryonic tissues. Cell proliferation is not affected. Raf-1 from cells derived from raf-1(FF/FF) mice has no detectable activity towards MEK in vitro, and yet raf-1(FF/FF) mice survive to adulthood, are fertile and have an apparently normal phenotype. In cells derived from both the raf-1(-/-) and raf-1(FF/FF) mice, ERK activation is normal. These results strongly argue that MEK kinase activity of Raf-1 is not essential for normal mouse development and that Raf-1 plays a key role in preventing apoptosis.     

Identification of a novel mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase activation domain recognized by the inhibitor PD 184352

Utilizing a genetic screen in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we identified a novel autoactivation region in mammalian MEK1 that is involved in binding the specific MEK inhibitor, PD 184352. The genetic screen is possible due to the homology between components of the yeast pheromone response pathway and the eukaryotic Raf-MEK-ERK signaling cascade. Using the FUS1::HIS3 reporter as a functional readout for activation of a reconstituted Raf-MEK-ERK signaling cascade, randomly mutagenized MEK variants that were insensitive to PD 184352 were obtained. Seven single-base-change mutations were identified, five of which mapped to kinase subdomains III and IV of MEK. Of the seven variants, only one, a leucine-to-proline substitution at amino acid 115 (Leu115Pro), was completely insensitive to PD 184352 in vitro (50% inhibitory concentration >10 micro M). However, all seven mutants displayed strikingly high basal activity compared to wild-type MEK. Overexpression of the MEK variants in HEK293T cells resulted in an increase in mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase phosphorylation, a finding consistent with the elevated basal activity of these constructs. Further, treatment with PD 184352 failed to inhibit Leu115Pro-stimulated MAP kinase activation in HEK293T cells, whereas all other variants had some reduction in phospho-MAP kinase levels. By using cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (1CDK) as a template, an MEK homology model was generated, with five of the seven identified residues clustered together, forming a potential hydrophobic binding pocket for PD 184352. Additionally, the model allowed identification of other potential residues that would interact with the inhibitor. Directed mutation of these residues supported this region's involvement with inhibitor binding.     

Cyclic AMP-dependent kinase regulates Raf-1 kinase mainly by phosphorylation of serine 259

The Raf-1 kinase activates the ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase) pathway. The cyclic AMP (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase (PKA) can inhibit Raf-1 by direct phosphorylation. We have mapped all cAMP-induced phosphorylation sites in Raf-1, showing that serines 43, 259, and 621 are phosphorylated by PKA in vitro and induced by cAMP in vivo. Serine 43 phosphorylation decreased the binding to Ras in serum-starved but not in mitogen-stimulated cells. However, the kinase activity of a RafS43A mutant was fully inhibited by PKA. Mutation of serine 259 increased the basal Raf-1 activity and rendered it largely resistant to inhibition by PKA. cAMP increased Raf-1 serine 259 phosphorylation in a PKA-dependent manner with kinetics that correlated with ERK deactivation. PKA also decreased Raf-1 serine 338 phosphorylation of Raf-1, previously shown to be required for Raf-1 activation. Serine 338 phosphorylation of a RafS259A mutant was unaffected by PKA. Using RafS259 mutants we also demonstrate that Raf-1 is the sole target for PKA inhibition of ERK and ERK-induced gene expression, and that Raf-1 inhibition is mediated mainly through serine 259 phosphorylation.     

Regulation of Raf-1-dependent signaling during early Xenopus development.

The Raf-1 gene product is activated in response to cellular stimulation by a variety of growth factors and hormones. Raf-1 activity has been implicated in both cellular differentiation and proliferation. We have examined the regulation of the Raf-1/MEK/MAP kinase (MAPK) pathway during embryonic development in the frog Xenopus laevis. We report that Raf-1, MEK, and MAPK activities are turned off following fertilization and remain undetectable up until blastula stages (stage 8), some 4 h later. Tight regulation of the Raf-1/MEK/MAPK pathway following fertilization is crucial for embryonic cell cycle progression. Inappropriate reactivation of MAPK activity by microinjection of oncogenic Raf-1 RNA results in metaphase cell cycle arrest and, consequently, embryonic lethality. Our findings demonstrate an absolute requirement, in vivo, for inactivation of the MAPK signaling pathway to allow normal cell cycle progression during the period of synchronous cell divisions which occur following fertilization. Further, we show that cytostatic factor effects are mediated through MEK and MAPK.     

The C-terminus of Raf-1 acts as a 14-3-3-dependent activation switch

The Raf-1 protein kinase is a major activator of the ERK MAPK pathway, which links signaling by a variety of cell surface receptors to the regulation of cell proliferation, survival, differentiation and migration. Signaling by Raf-1 is regulated by a complex and poorly understood interplay between phosphorylation events and protein–protein interactions. One important mode of Raf-1 regulation involves the phosphorylation-dependent binding of 14-3-3 proteins. Here, we have examined the mechanism whereby the C-terminal 14-3-3 binding site of Raf-1, S621, controls the activation of MEK-ERK signaling. We show that phosphorylation of S621 turns over rapidly and is enriched in the activated pool of endogenous Raf-1. The phosphorylation on this site can be mediated by Raf-1 itself but also by other kinase(s). Mutations that prevent the binding of 14-3-3 proteins to S621 render Raf-1 inactive by specifically disrupting its capacity to bind to ATP, and not by gross conformational alteration as indicated by intact MEK binding. Phosphorylation of S621 correlates with the inhibition of Raf-1 catalytic activity in vitro, but 14-3-3 proteins can completely reverse this inhibition. Our findings suggest that 14-3-3 proteins function as critical cofactors in Raf-1 activation, which induce and maintain the protein in a state that is competent for both ATP binding and MEK phosphorylation.     

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.     

Taming the Hippo: Raf-1 Controls Apoptosis by Suppressing MST2/Hippo

The Raf-1 kinase has a well established role in activating the MEK-ERK/MAPK pathway.However, accumulating evidence including the phenotype of Raf-1-/- mice suggested thatRaf-1 may have other functions independent of its role as MEK activator, in particularpertaining to protection against apoptosis. We have recently demonstrated a new role of Raf-1 by showing that Raf-1 controls the proapoptotic kinase MST2/Hippo. In mammalian cellsMST2 is activated by stress signals and causes apoptosis when overexpressed. Its Drosophilahomologue Hippo regulates apoptosis and cell cycle arrest during differentiation. Raf-1inhibits MST2 by preventing its dimerisation and recruiting a phosphatase that removesactivating phosphorylations on MST2. Both functions require Raf-1 binding to MST2, butare independent of Raf-1’s kinase activity and the ERK pathway. Downregulation of MST2by siRNA reverts the apoptosis hypersensitivity of Raf-1-/- mouse fibroblasts. In contrast, thedownregulation of Raf-1 in Raf-1+/+ cells and human cancer cell lines enhances susceptibilityto Fas induced apoptosis, which is rescued by concomitant downregulation of both Raf-1 andMST2. The MST2:Raf-1 complex is dissociated by stress signals as well as mitogens. Stresssignals robustly activate MST2 and trigger apoptosis. Mitogens only make MST2 permissivefor activation by releasing it from Raf-1, and in addition activate survival pathways allowingproliferation. Thus, by linking mitogenic and apoptotic signalling the MST:Raf-1 complexmay serve as a safeguard against unlicensed proliferation.