Protein phosphatase 1alpha is a Ras-activated Bad phosphatase that regulates interleukin-2 deprivation-induced apoptosis

Growth factor deprivation is a physiological mechanism to regulate cell death. We utilize an interleukin-2 (IL-2)-dependent murine T-cell line to identify proteins that interact with Bad upon IL-2 stimulation or deprivation. Using the yeast two-hybrid system, glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion proteins and co-immunoprecipitation techniques, we found that Bad interacts with protein phosphatase 1alpha (PP1alpha). Serine phosphorylation of Bad is induced by IL-2 and its dephosphorylation correlates with appearance of apoptosis. IL-2 deprivation induces Bad dephosphorylation, suggesting the involvement of a serine phosphatase. A serine/threonine phosphatase activity, sensitive to the phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid, was detected in Bad immunoprecipitates from IL-2-stimulated cells, increasing after IL-2 deprivation. This enzymatic activity also dephosphorylates in vivo (32)P-labeled Bad. Treatment of cells with okadaic acid blocks Bad dephosphorylation and prevents cell death. Finally, Ras activation controls the catalytic activity of PP1alpha. These results strongly suggest that Bad is an in vitro and in vivo substrate for PP1alpha phosphatase and that IL-2 deprivation-induced apoptosis may operate by regulating Bad phosphorylation through PP1alpha phosphatase, whose enzymatic activity is regulated by Ras.     

Protein phosphatase 2A regulates apoptosis in intestinal epithelial cells

Polyamine depletion prevents apoptosis by increasing serine/threonine phosphorylation leading to either inactivation or activation of pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins, respectively. Despite evidence that protein kinases are regulators of apoptosis, a specific role for protein phosphatases in regulating cell survival has not been established. In this study, we show that polyamine depletion inhibits serine/threonine phosphatase 2A (PP2A). Inhibition of PP2A in cells depleted of polyamines correlated well with increased phosphorylation of Bad at Ser112. Bad Ser112 phosphorylation in response to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha treatment decreased with time in cells grown in control as well as those grown in the presence of alpha-difluoromethylornithine plus putrescine. However, a sustained increase in the levels of Bad Ser112 phosphorylation was maintained in response to TNF-alpha treatment in cells grown in the presence of alpha-difluoromethylornithine. Inhibition of PP2A by okadaic acid and fostriecin or PP2A small interfering RNA transfection significantly decreased TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis in control and polyamine-depleted cells. Inhibition of PP2A by okadaic acid: 1) increased Bad and Bcl-2 phosphorylation at Ser112 and Ser70, respectively; 2) increased ERK activity; 3) prevented JNK activation; 4) prevented cytochrome c release, and activation of caspases-9 and -3 in response to TNF-alpha. Inhibition of MEK1 by U0126 prevented phosphorylation of Bad at Ser112. These results indicate that polyamines regulate PP2A activity, and inhibition of PP2A in response to polyamine depletion increases steady state levels of Bad and Bcl-2 proteins and their phosphorylation and thereby prevents cytochrome c release, caspase-9, and caspase-3 activation.     

The yeast phosphotyrosyl phosphatase activator is part of the Tap42-phosphatase complexes

Phosphotyrosyl phosphatase activator PTPA is a type 2A phosphatase regulatory protein that possesses an ability to stimulate the phosphotyrosyl phosphatase activity of PP2A in vitro. In yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, PTPA is encoded by two related genes, RRD1 and RRD2, whose products are 38 and 37% identical, respectively, to the mammalian PTPA. Inactivation of either gene renders yeast cells rapamycin resistant. In this study, we investigate the mechanism underling rapamycin resistance associated with inactivation of PTPA in yeast. We show that the yeast PTPA is an integral part of the Tap42-phosphatase complexes that act downstream of the Tor proteins, the target of rapamycin. We demonstrate a specific interaction of Rrd1 with the Tap42-Sit4 complex and that of Rrd2 with the Tap42-PP2Ac complex. A small portion of PTPA also is found to be associated with the AC dimeric core of PP2A, but the amount is significantly less than that associated with the Tap42-containing complexes. In addition, our results show that the association of PTPA with Tap42-phosphatase complexes is rapamycin sensitive, and importantly, that rapamycin treatment results in release of the PTPA-phosphatase dimer as a functional phosphatase unit.     

Structure and mechanism of the phosphotyrosyl phosphatase activator

Phosphotyrosyl phosphatase activator (PTPA), also known as PP2A phosphatase activator, is a conserved protein from yeast to human. Here we report the 1.9 A crystal structure of human PTPA, which reveals a previously unreported fold consisting of three subdomains: core, lid, and linker. Structural analysis uncovers a highly conserved surface patch, which borders the three subdomains, and an associated deep pocket located between the core and the linker subdomains. The conserved surface patch and the deep pocket are responsible for binding to PP2A and ATP, respectively. PTPA and PP2A A-C dimer together constitute a composite ATPase. PTPA binding to PP2A results in a dramatic alteration of substrate specificity, with enhanced phosphotyrosine phosphatase activity and decreased phosphoserine phosphatase activity. This function of PTPA strictly depends on the composite ATPase activity. These observations reveal significant insights into the function and mechanism of PTPA and have important ramifications for understanding PP2A function.     

The protein phosphatase 2A phosphatase activator is a novel peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans-isomerase

The protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) phosphatase activator (PTPA) is an essential protein involved in the regulation of PP2A and the PP2A-like enzymes. In this study we demonstrate that PTPA and its yeast homologues Ypa1 and Ypa2 can induce a conformational change in some model substrates. Using these model substrates in different assays with and without helper proteases, this isomerase activity is similar to the isomerase activity of FKBP12, the human cyclophilin A, and one of its yeast homologs Cpr7 but dissimilar to the isomerase activity of Pin1. However, neither FKBP12 nor Cpr7 can reactivate the inactive form of PP2A. Therefore, PTPA belongs to a novel peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans-isomerase (PPIase) family. The PPIase activity of PTPA correlates with its activating activity since both are stimulated by the presence of Mg2+ATP, and a PTPA mutant (Delta208-213) with 400-fold less activity in the activation reaction of PP2A also showed almost no PPIase activity. The point mutant Asp205 --> Gly (in Ypa1) identified this amino acid as essential for both activities. Moreover, PTPA dissociates the inactive form from the complex with the PP2A methylesterase. Finally, Pro190 in the catalytic subunit of PP2A (PP2AC) could be identified as the target Pro isomerized by PTPA/Mg2+ATP since among the 14 Pro residues present in 12 synthesized peptides representing the microenvironments of these prolines in PP2AC, only Pro190 could be isomerized by PTPA/Mg2+ATP. This Pro190 is present in a predicted loop structure near the catalytic center of PP2AC and, if mutated into a Phe, the phosphatase is inactive and can no longer be activated by PTPA/Mg2+ATP.     

Bad-dependent rafts alteration is a consequence of an early intracellular signal triggered by interleukin-4 deprivation

Many molecules are inducibly localized in lipid rafts, and their alteration inhibits early activation events, supporting a critical role for these domains in signaling. Using confocal microscopy and cellular fractionation, we have shown that the pool of Bad, attached to lipid rafts in proliferating cells, is released when cells undergo apoptosis. Kinetic studies indicate that rafts alteration is a consequence of an intracellular signal triggered by interleukin-4 deprivation. Growth factor deprivation in turn induces PP1alpha phosphatase activation, responsible for cytoplasmic Bad dephosphorylation as well as caspase-9 and caspase-3 activation. Caspases translocate to rafts and induce their modification followed by translocation of Bad from rafts to mitochondria, which correlates with apoptosis. Taken together, our results suggest that alteration of lipid rafts is an early event in the apoptotic cascade indirectly induced by interleukin-4 deprivation via PP1alpha activation, dephosphorylation of cytoplasmic Bad, and caspase activation.     

Structural basis of PP2A activation by PTPA,an ATP-dependent activation chaperone

Proper activation of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) catalytic subunit is central for the complex PP2A regulation and is crucial for broad aspects of cellular function. The crystal structure of PP2A bound to PP2A phosphatase activator (PTPA) and ATPγS reveals that PTPA makes broad contacts with the structural elements surrounding the PP2A active site and the adenine moiety of ATP. PTPA-binding stabilizes the protein fold of apo-PP2A required for activation, and orients ATP phosphoryl groups to bind directly to the PP2A active site. This allows ATP to modulate the metal-binding preferences of the PP2A active site and utilize the PP2A active site for ATP hydrolysis. In vitro, ATP selectively and drastically enhances binding of endogenous catalytic metal ions, which requires ATP hydrolysis and is crucial for acquisition of pSer/Thr-specific phosphatase activity. Furthermore, both PP2A- and ATP-binding are required for PTPA function in cell proliferation and survival. Our results suggest novel mechanisms of PTPA in PP2A activation with structural economy and a unique ATP-binding pocket that could potentially serve as a specific therapeutic target.     

p38 MAPK regulates phosphorylation of Bad via PP2A-dependent suppression of the MEK1/2-ERK1/2 survival pathway in TNF-alpha induced endothelial apoptosis

We recently reported that p38 MAPK regulates TNF-induced endothelial apoptosis via phosphorylation and downregulation of Bcl-xL. Here, we describe that such apoptosis includes p38 MAPK-mediated, protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A)-dependent, downregulation of the MEK-ERK pathway. Inhibition of PP2A with fostriecin or calyculin A significantly increased MEK phosphorylation, as did exposure to the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580. Inhibition of MEK potentiated TNF-induced caspase-3 activity and cell death, and both those events were suppressed by treatment with fostriecin or calyculin A. Immunoprecipitation experiments revealed an association between p38 MAPK, PP2A and MEK, and the results of a phosphatase assay suggested that PP2A is a downstream target of p38 MAPK. Importantly, phosphorylation of Bad at Ser-112 was found to be regulated by p38 MAPK and PP2A. In summary, the present findings indicate a novel p38 MAPK-mediated apoptosis pathway, involving activation of Bad via PP2A-dependent inhibition of the MEK-ERK pathway.     

Knockdown of phosphotyrosyl phosphatase activator induces apoptosis via mitochondrial pathway and the attenuation by simultaneous tau hyperphosphorylation

Phosphotyrosyl phosphatase activator (PTPA) is decreased in the brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the AD transgenic mouse models. Here, we investigated whether down‐regulation of PTPA affects cell viability and the underlying mechanisms. We found that PTPA was located in the integral membrane of mitochondria, and knockdown of PTPA induced cell apoptosis in HEK293 and N2a cell lines. PTPA knockdown decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and induced Bax translocation into the mitochondria with a simultaneous release of Cyt C, activation of caspase‐3, cleavage of poly (DNA ribose) polymerase (PARP), and decrease in Bcl‐xl and Bcl‐2 protein levels. Over‐expression of Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) catalytic subunit (PP2A_C) did not rescue the apoptosis induced by PTPA knockdown, and PTPA knockdown did not affect the level of and their phosphorylation of mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs), indicating that PP2A and MAPKs were not involved in the apoptosis induced by PTPA knockdown. In the cells with over‐expression of tau, PTPA knockdown induced PP2A inhibition and tau hyperphosphorylation but did not cause significant cell death. These data suggest that PTPA deficit causes apoptotic cell death through mitochondrial pathway and simultaneous tau hyperphosphorylation attenuates the PTPA‐induced cell death.

     

Bcl-2 targets protein phosphatase 1 alpha to Bad

The diverse forms of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) in vivo result from the association of the catalytic subunit with different regulatory subunits. We recently have described that PP1alpha is a Ras-activated Bad phosphatase that regulates IL-2 deprivation-induced apoptosis. With the yeast two-hybrid system, GST fusion proteins, indirect immunofluorescence, and coimmunoprecipitation, we found that Bcl-2 interacts with PP1alpha and Bad. In contrast, Bad did not interact with 14-3-3 protein. Bcl-2 depletion decreased phosphatase activity and association of PP1alpha to Bad. Bcl-2 contains the RIVAF motif, analogous to the well characterized R/KXV/IXF consensus motif shared by most PP1-interacting proteins. This sequence is involved in the binding of Bcl-2 to PP1alpha. Disruption of Bcl-2/PP1alpha association strongly decreased Bcl-2 and Bad-associated phosphatase activity and formation of the trimolecular complex. These results suggest that Bcl-2 targets PP1alpha to Bad.     

Protein phosphatase 2A dephosphorylation of phosphoserine 112 plays the gatekeeper role for BAD-mediated apoptosis

BAD, a proapoptotic molecule of the BCL2 family, is regulated by reversible phosphorylation. During survival, BAD is sequestered by 14-3-3 through serine 136 phosphorylation and is dissociated from BCL-X(L) through serine 155 phosphorylation. We report that phosphoserine 112 (pSer112) dephosphorylation functions as a gatekeeper for BAD-mediated apoptosis. During apoptosis, dephosphorylation of pSer112 preceded pSer136 dephosphorylation. Dephosphorylation of pSer112 accelerated dephosphorylation of pSer136, and inhibition of pSer112 dephosphorylation prevented pSer136 dephosphorylation, indicating that dephosphorylation of pSer112 is required for dephosphorylation of pSer136. Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is the major pSer112 phosphatase. PP2A competed with 14-3-3 for BAD binding, and survival factor withdrawal enhanced PP2A association with BAD. Dephosphorylation of the critical residue, pSer136, could only be blocked by inhibition of all known subfamilies of serine/threonine phosphatases, suggesting that multiple phosphatases are involved in pSer136 dephosphorylation. Inhibition of PP2A rescued FL5.12 cells from apoptosis, demonstrating a physiologic role for PP2A-mediated pSer112 dephosphorylation. Thus, PP2A dephosphorylation of pSer112 is the key initiating event regulating the activation of BAD during interleukin-3 withdrawal-induced apoptosis.     

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae homologue YPA1 of the mammalian phosphotyrosyl phosphatase activator of protein phosphatase 2A controls progression through the G1 phase of the yeast cell cycle

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene YPA1 encodes a protein homologous to the phosphotyrosyl phosphatase activator, PTPA, of the mammalian protein phosphatase type 2A (PP2A). In order to examine the biological role of PTPA, we disrupted YPA1 and characterised the phenotype of the ypa1Delta mutant. Comparison of the growth rate of the wild-type strain and the ypa1Delta mutant on glucose-rich medium after nutrient depletion showed that the ypa1Delta mutant traversed the lag period more rapidly. This accelerated progression through "Start" was also observed after release from alpha-factor-induced G1 arrest as evidenced by a higher number of budding cells, a faster increase in CLN2 mRNA expression and a more rapid reactivation of Cdc28 kinase activity. This phenotype was specific for deletion of YPA1 since it was not observed when YPA2, the second PTPA gene in budding yeast was deleted. Reintroduction of YPA1 or the human PTPA cDNA in the ypa1Delta mutant suppressed this phenotype as opposed to overexpression of YPA2. Disruption of both YPA genes is lethal, since sporulation of heterozygous diploids resulted in at most three viable spores, none of them with a ypa1Delta ypa2Delta genotype. This observation indicates that YPA1 and YPA2 share some essential functions. We compared the ypa1Delta mutant phenotype with a PP2A double deletion mutant and a PP2A temperature-sensitive mutant. The PP2A-deficient yeast strain also showed accelerated progression through the G1 phase. In addition, both PP2A and ypa1Delta mutants show similar aberrant bud morphology. This would support the notion that YPA1 may act as a positive regulator of PP2A in vivo.     

Protein phosphatase 2A enhances the proapoptotic function of Bax through dephosphorylation

Bax is a major proapoptotic member of the Bcl2 family that is required for apoptotic cell death. We have recently discovered that Bax phosphorylation at serine 184 induced by nicotine through activation of protein kinase AKT abolishes its proapoptotic function in human lung cancer cells. Here we found that either treatment of cells with the protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) inhibitor okadaic acid or specific disruption of PP2A activity by expression of SV40 small tumor antigen enhanced Bax phosphorylation, whereas C(2)-ceramide, a potent PP2A activator, reduced nicotine-induced Bax phosphorylation, suggesting that PP2A may function as a physiological Bax phosphatase. PP2A co-localized and interacted with Bax. Purified, active PP2A directly dephosphorylated Bax in vitro. Overexpression of the PP2A catalytic subunit (PP2A/C) suppressed nicotine-stimulated Bax phosphorylation in association with increased apoptotic cell death. By contrast, depletion of PP2A/C by RNA interference enhanced Bax phosphorylation and prolonged cell survival. Mechanistically C(2)-ceramide-induced Bax dephosphorylation caused a conformational change by exposure of the 6A7 epitope (amino acids 13-19) that is normally hidden at its N terminus that promoted the insertion of Bax into mitochondrial membranes and formation of Bax oligomers leading to cytochrome c release and apoptosis. In addition, PP2A directly disrupted the Bcl2/Bax association to liberate Bax from the heterodimer complex. Thus, PP2A may function as a physiological Bax regulatory phosphatase that not only dephosphorylates Bax but also activates its proapoptotic function.     

Pertussis Toxin Modification of PC12 Cells Inhibits a Protein Phosphatase 2A-Like Phosphatase

Abstract: We have found that modification of rat PC12 cells with pertussis toxin resulted in an ∼50% inhibition of a protein phosphatase 2A-like phosphatase. Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a major cellular serine/threonine-specific protein phosphatase. Treatment of extracts from pertussis toxin-modified PC12 cells with either immobilized alkaline phosphatase or Ca²⁺ reversed this inhibition. Reactivation of the PP2A-like phosphatase in Ca²⁺ appears to result from the dephosphorylation of a protein by the Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase calcineurin. The PP2A-like phosphatase in extracts from pertussis toxin-modified PC12 cells eluted from a Mono Q column at a higher ionic strength than did the PP2A-like phosphatase in extracts from control cells. After incubation in Ca²⁺, the PP2A-like phosphatase in extracts from pertussis toxin-modified cells eluted from a Mono Q column at the same ionic strength as did the PP2A-like phosphatase in extracts from control cells. These results indicate that the effect of pertussis toxin on this PP2A-like activity results from the phosphorylation of either one of the subunits of the PP2A-like phosphatase or a protein that when phosphorylated binds to and inhibits this phosphatase. Pertussis toxin modification did not result in the phosphorylation of the catalytic subunit of PP2A. Because phosphorylation regulates the activities of many enzymes and cell surface receptors, a pertussis toxin-induced decrease in PP2A activity could alter signaling pathways and other cellular processes in which G proteins are not directly involved.     

The crystal structure of a human PP2A phosphatase activator reveals a novel fold and highly conserved cleft implicated in protein-protein interactions

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a heterotrimeric Ser/Thr phosphatase that is involved in regulating a plethora of signaling pathways in the cell, making its regulation a critical part of the well being of the cell. For example, three of the non-catalytic PP2A subunits have been linked to carcinogenic events. Therefore, the molecular basis for the complicated protein-protein interaction pattern of PP2A and its regulators is of special interest. The PP2A phosphatase activator (PTPA) protein is highly conserved from humans to yeast. It is an activator of PP2A and has been shown to be essential for a fully functional PP2A, but its mechanism of activation is still not well defined. We have solved the crystal structure of human PTPA to 1.6A. It reveals a two-domain protein with a novel fold comprised of 13 alpha-helices. We have identified a highly conserved cleft as a potential region for interaction with peptide segments of other proteins. Binding studies with ATP and its analogs are not consistent with ATP being a cofactor/substrate for PTPA as had previously been proposed. The structure of PTPA can serve as a basis for structure-function studies directed at elucidating its mechanism as an activator of PP2A.     

Mitochondrial mechanisms in amyloid beta peptide-induced cerebrovascular degeneration

Prevailing evidence suggests that amyloid beta peptide (Aβ), a key mediator in age-dependent neuronal and cerebrovascular degeneration, activates death signaling processes leading to neuronal as well as non-neuronal cell death in the central nervous system. A major cellular event in Aβ-induced death of non-neuronal cells, including cerebral endothelial cells, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, is mitochondrial dysfunction. The death signaling cascade upstream of mitochondria entails Aβ activation of neutral sphingomyelinase, resulting in the release of ceramide from membrane sphingomyelin. Ceramide then activates protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), a member in the ceramide-activated protein phosphatase (CAPP) family. PP2A dephosphorylation of Akt and FKHRL1 plays a pivotal role in Aβ-induced Bad translocation to mitochondria and transactivation of Bim. Bad and Bim are pro-apoptotic proteins that cause mitochondrial dysfunction characterized by excessive ROS formation, mitochnondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage, and release of mitochondrial apoptotic proteins including cytochrome c, apoptosis inducing factor (AIF), endonuclease G and Smac. The cellular events activated by Aβ to induce death of non-neuronal cells are complex. Understanding these death signaling processes will aid in the development of more effective strategies to slow down age-dependent cerebrovascular degeneration caused by progressive cerebrovascular Aβ deposition.     

Activation of protein kinase C delta following cerebral ischemia leads to release of cytochrome C from the mitochondria via bad pathway

Background

The release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria following cerebral ischemia is a key event leading to cell death. The goal of the present study was to determine the mechanisms involved in post-ischemic activation of protein kinase c delta (δPKC) that lead to cytochrome c release.

Methods/Findings

We used a rat model of cardiac arrest as an in vivo model, and an in vitro analog, oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) in rat hippocampal synaptosomes. Cardiac arrest triggered translocation of δPKC to the mitochondrial fraction at 1 h reperfusion. In synaptosomes, the peptide inhibitor of δPKC blocked OGD-induced translocation to the mitochondria. We tested two potential pathways by which δPKC activation could lead to cytochrome c release: phosphorylation of phospholipid scramblase-3 (PLSCR3) and/or protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). Cardiac arrest increased levels of phosphorlyated PLSCR3; however, inhibition of δPKC translocation failed to affect the OGD-induced increase in PLSCR3 in synaptosomal mitochondria suggesting the post-ischemic phosphorylation of PLSCR3 is not mediated by δPKC. Inhibition of either δPKC or PP2A decreased cytochrome c release from synaptosomal mitochondria. Cardiac arrest results in the dephosphorylation of Bad and Bax, both downstream targets of PP2A promoting apoptosis. Inhibition of δPKC or PP2A prevented OGD-induced Bad, but not Bax, dephosphorylation. To complement these studies, we used proteomics to identify novel mitochondrial substrates of δPKC.

Conclusions

We conclude that δPKC initiates cytochrome c release via phosphorylation of PP2A and subsequent dephosphorylation of Bad and identified δPKC, PP2A and additional mitochondrial proteins as potential therapeutic targets for ischemic neuroprotection.