cdc25 is a specific tyrosine phosphatase that directly activates p34cdc2

cdc25 controls the activity of the cyclin-p34cdc2 complex by regulating the state of tyrosine phosphorylation of p34cdc2. Drosophila cdc25 protein from two different expression systems activates inactive cyclin-p34cdc2 and induces M phase in Xenopus oocytes and egg extracts. We find that the cdc25 sequence shows weak but significant homology to a phylogenetically diverse group of protein tyrosine phosphatases. cdc25 itself is a very specific protein tyrosine phosphatase. Bacterially expressed cdc25 directly dephosphorylates bacterially expressed p34cdc2 on Tyr-15 in a minimal system devoid of eukaryotic cell components, but does not dephosphorylate other tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins at appreciable rates. In addition, mutations in the putative catalytic site abolish the in vivo activity of cdc25 and its phosphatase activity in vitro. Therefore, cdc25 is a specific protein phosphatase that dephosphorylates tyrosine and possibly threonine residues on p34cdc2 and regulates MPF activation.     

Fission yeast cdc25 is a cell-cycle regulated protein

Fission yeast cell division is initiated by the cdc2/cdc13-cyclin protein kinase which in its catalytically active state comprises the mitotic inducer. During interphase the cdc2/cyclin complex is assembled in an inactive state that requires cdc25+ gene function for M-phase activation. The cdc25+ product, a 76 kd phosphoprotein, is shown to oscillate in abundance during the cell cycle, reaching a peak at G2/M, and to be sensitive to nitrogen starvation. The level of cdc25 is subject to feedback regulation involving both cdc25 and cdc2.     

Dominant-negative polo-like kinase 1 induces mitotic catastrophe independent of cdc25C function.

Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1), which has been shown to have a critical role in mitosis, is one possible target for cancer therapeutic intervention. PLK1, at least in Xenopus, starts the mitotic cascade by phosphorylating and activating cdc25C phosphatase. Also, loss of PLK1 function has been shown to induce mitotic catastrophe in a HeLa cervical carcinoma cell line but not in normal Hs68 fibroblasts. We wanted to understand whether the selective mitotic catastrophe in HeLa cells could be extended to other tumor types, and, if so, whether it could be attributable to a tumor-specific loss of dependence on PLK1 for cdc25C activation. When PLK1 function was blocked through adenovirus delivery of a dominant-negative gene, we observed tumor-selective apoptosis in most tumor cell lines. In some lines, dominant-negative PLK1 induced a mitotic catastrophe similar to that published in HeLa cells (K. E. Mundt et al., Biochem. Biophys Res. Commun., 239: 377-385, 1997). Normal human mammary epithelial cells, although arrested in mitosis, appeared to escape the loss of centrosome maturation and mitotic catastrophe seen in tumor lines. Mitotic phosphorylation of cdc25C and activation of cdk1 was blocked by dominant-negative PLK1 in human mammary epithelial cells as well as in the tumor lines regardless of whether they underwent mitotic catastrophe. These data strongly argue that the mitotic catastrophe is not attributable to a lack of dependence for PLK1 in activating cdc25C.     

cdc25 is a nuclear protein expressed constitutively throughout the cell cycle in nontransformed mammalian cells

A family of proteins homologous to the cdc25 gene product of the fission yeast bear specific protein tyrosine phosphatase activity involved in the activation of the p34cdc2-cyclin B kinase. Using affinity-purified antibodies raised against a synthetic peptide corresponding to the catalytic site of the cdc25 phosphatase, we show that cdc25 protein is constitutively expressed throughout the cell cycle of nontransformed mammalian fibroblasts and does not undergo major changes in protein level. By indirect immunofluorescence, cdc25 protein is found essentially localized in the nucleus throughout interphase and during early prophase. Just before the complete nuclear envelope breakdown at the prophase-prometaphase boundary, cdc25 proteins are redistributed throughout the cytoplasm. During metaphase and anaphase, cdc25 staining remains distributed throughout the cell and excludes the condensed chromosomes. The nuclear locale reappears during telophase. In light of the recent data describing the cytoplasmic localization of cyclin B protein (Pines, J., and T. Hunter. 1991. J. Cell Biol. 115:1-17), the data presented here suggest that separation in two distinct cellular compartments of the cdc25 phosphatase and its substrate p34cdc2-cyclin B may be of importance in the regulation of the cdc2 kinase activity.     

Systemic acquired resistance is induced by R gene-mediated responses independent of cell death

On infection by pathogens, plants initiate defence responses that are able to curtail infection locally. These responses are mediated either by receptor-like proteins that recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns or by the protein products of disease resistance ( R ) genes. At the same time, primary defence responses often result in the generation of signals that induce what is known as systemic acquired resistance (SAR), such that defence responses are enhanced on secondary pathogen challenge in distal tissues. R protein-mediated SAR induction is normally accompanied by a type of programmed cell death known as the hypersensitive response (HR) and, in some instances, cell death alone has been implicated in the induction of SAR. This has raised the question of whether R protein-mediated signalling per se induces SAR or whether SAR is an indirect result of the induction of HR. Using the Rx gene of potato, which confers resistance to Potato Virus X in the absence of cell death, we have shown that the HR is dispensable for R protein-mediated induction of SAR and that Rx-induced SAR is mediated by the same salicylate-dependent pathway induced by other R proteins.     

Evidence that beta cell death in the nonobese diabetic mouse is Fas independent.

Recent studies suggest that Fas expression on pancreatic beta cells may be important in the development of autoimmune diabetes in the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse. To address this, pancreatic islets from NOD mice were analyzed by flow cytometry to directly identify which cells express Fas and Fas ligand (FasL) ex vivo and after in vitro culture with cytokines. Fas expression was not detected on beta cells isolated from young (35 days) NOD mice. In vitro, incubation of NOD mouse islets with both IL-1 and IFN-gamma was required to achieve sufficient Fas expression and sensitivity for islets to be susceptible to lysis by soluble FasL. In islets isolated from older (>/=125 days) NOD mice, Fas expression was detected on a limited number of beta cells (1-5%). FasL was not detected on beta cells from either NOD or Fas-deficient MRLlpr/lpr islets. Also, both NOD and MRLlpr/lpr islets were equally susceptible to cytokine-induced cell death. This eliminates the possibility that cytokine-treated murine islet cells commit "suicide" due to simultaneous expression of Fas and FasL. Last, we show that NO is not required for cytokine-induced Fas expression and Fas-mediated apoptosis of islet cells. These findings indicate that beta cells can be killed by Fas-dependent cytotoxicity; however, our results raise further doubts about the clinical significance of Fas-mediated beta cell destruction because few Fas-positive cells were isolated immediately before the development of diabetes.     

Programmed cell death of retinal cone bipolar cells is independent of afferent or target control

Programmed cell death contributes to the histogenesis of the nervous system, and is believed to be modulated through the sustaining effects of afferents and targets during the period of synaptogenesis. Cone bipolar cells undergo programmed cell death during development, and we confirm that the numbers of three different types are increased when the pro-apoptotic Bax gene is knocked out. When their cone afferents are selectively eliminated, or when the population of retinal ganglion cells is increased, however, cone bipolar cell number remains unchanged. Programmed cell death of the cone bipolar cell populations, therefore, may be modulated cell-intrinsically rather than via interactions with these synaptic partners.     

Chromaffin cell death induced by 6-hydroxydopamine is independent of mitochondrial swelling and caspase activation

Our results provide evidence that 6-hydroxydopamine induced, after auto-oxidation, toxic levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) that caused bovine chromaffin cell toxicity and death. 6-Hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) treatment markedly reduced, in a dose-response fashion, chromaffin cell viability. Cell death was accompanied by cell shrinkage, nuclear condensation and DNA degradation. Under our experimental conditions, 6-OHDA auto-oxidation formed quinones and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that mainly contributed to 6-OHDA-induced cytotoxicity in bovine chromaffin cells. Accordingly, different antioxidants, including catalase, vitamin E, Mn(IIItetrakis(4-benzoic acid)porphyrin chloride (MnTBAP) or ascorbic acid, provided protection against 6-OHDA-induced toxicity. Further evidence that 6-OHDA induces oxidative stress is provided by the fact that this compound decreased total mitochondrial reduced NAD(P)H levels. Our results also suggest that mitochondrial swelling and caspase activation do not play a direct role in 6-OHDA-induced death in bovine chromaffin cells.     

Yeast cell death during DNA damage arrest is independent of caspase or reactive oxygen species

CDC13 encodes a telomere-binding protein that prevents degradation of telomeres. cdc13-1 yeast grown at the nonpermissive temperature undergo G2/M arrest, progressive chromosome instability, and subsequent cell death. Recently, it has been suggested that cell death in the cdc13-1 mutant is an active process characterized by phenotypic hallmarks of apoptosis and caspase activation. In this work, we show that cell death triggered by cdc13-1 is independent of the yeast metacaspase Yca1p and reactive oxygen species but related to cell cycle arrest per se. Inactivating YCA1 or depleting reactive oxygen species does not increase viability of cdc13-1 cells. In turn, caspase activation does not precede cell death in the cdc13-1 mutant. Yca1p activity assayed by cell binding of mammalian caspase inhibitors is confounded by artifactual labeling of dead yeast cells, which nonspecifically bind fluorochromes. We speculate that during a prolonged cell cycle arrest, cdc13-1 cells reach a critical size and die by cell lysis.     

Bax-mediated cell death by the Gax homeoprotein requires mitogen activation but is independent of cell cycle activity.

Tissues with the highest rates of proliferation typically exhibit the highest frequencies of apoptosis, but the mechanisms that coordinate these processes are largely unknown. The homeodomain protein Gax is down-regulated when quiescent cells are stimulated to proliferate, and constitutive Gax expression inhibits cell proliferation in a p21(WAF/CIP)-dependent manner. To understand how mitogen-induced proliferation influences the apoptotic process, we investigated the effects of deregulated Gax expression on cell viability. Forced Gax expression induced apoptosis in mitogen-activated cultures, but quiescent cultures were resistant to cell death. Though mitogen activation was required for apoptosis, neither the cdk inhibitor p21(WAF/CIP) nor the tumor suppressor p53 was required for Gax-induced cell death. Arrest in G1 or S phases of the cell cycle with chemical inhibitors also did not affect apoptosis, further suggesting that Gax-mediated cell death is independent of cell cycle activity. Forced Gax expression led to Bcl-2 down-regulation and Bax up-regulation in mitogen-activated, but not quiescent cultures. Mouse embryonic fibroblasts homozygous null for the Bax gene were refractive to Gax-induced apoptosis, demonstrating the functional significance of this regulation. These data suggest that the homeostatic balance between cell growth and death can be controlled by mitogen-dependent pathways that circumvent the cell cycle to alter Bcl-2 family protein expression.     

Hyperoxia augments ER-stress-induced cell death independent of BiP loss

Cytotoxic reactive oxygen species are constantly formed as a by-product of aerobic respiration and are thought to contribute to aging and disease. Cells respond to oxidative stress by activating various pathways, whose balance is important for adaptation or induction of cell death. Our lab recently reported that BiP (GRP78), a proposed negative regulator of the unfolded protein response (UPR), declines during hyperoxia, a model of chronic oxidative stress. Here, we investigate whether exposure to hyperoxia, and consequent loss of BiP, activates the UPR or sensitizes cells to ER stress. Evidence is provided that hyperoxia does not activate the three ER stress receptors IRE1, PERK, and ATF6. Although hyperoxia alone did not activate the UPR, it sensitized cells to tunicamycin-induced cell death. Conversely, overexpression of BiP did not block hyperoxia-induced ROS production or increased sensitivity to tunicamycin. These findings demonstrate that hyperoxia and loss of BiP alone are insufficient to activate the UPR. However, hyperoxia can sensitize cells to toxicity from unfolded proteins, implying that chronic ROS, such as that seen throughout aging, could augment the UPR and, moreover, suggesting that the therapeutic use of hyperoxia may be detrimental for lung diseases associated with ER stress.     

Regulation of the cdc25 protein during the cell cycle in Xenopus extracts.

The cdc25 protein is a highly specific tyrosine phosphatase that triggers mitosis by dephosphorylating the cdc2 protein kinase. Using Xenopus extracts, we have found that the cdc25 protein is active at a low level throughout interphase. Near the onset of mitosis, the cdc25 protein undergoes a marked elevation in phosphatase activity that coincides with an extensive phosphorylation of the protein in its N-terminal region. In vitro dephosphorylation of this hyperphosphorylated form of cdc25 reduces its phosphatase activity back to the interphase level. Moreover, treatment of interphase Xenopus extracts with okadaic acid, a phosphatase inhibitor that accelerates the entry into mitosis, elicits both the premature hyperphosphorylation of cdc25 and the stimulation of its cdc2-specific tyrosine phosphatase activity. These experiments demonstrate the existence of a cdc25 regulatory system consisting of both a stimulatory kinase that phosphorylates a putative regulatory domain of the cdc25 protein and an inhibitory serine/threonine phosphatase that counteracts this kinase activity.     

p80cdc25 mitotic inducer is the tyrosine phosphatase that activates p34cdc2 kinase in fission yeast.

We have investigated the mechanism by which fission yeast p80cdc25 induces mitosis. The in vivo active domain was localized to the C-terminal 23 kDa of p80cdc25. This domain produced as a bacterial fusion protein (GST-cdc25) caused tyrosyl dephosphorylation and activation of immunoprecipitated p34cdc2. Furthermore, GST-cdc25 dephosphorylated both para-nitrophenyl-phosphate (pNPP) and casein phosphorylated on serine in vitro. Reaction requirements and inhibitor sensitivities were the same as those of phosphotyrosine phosphatases (PTPases). Analysis of cdc25 C-terminal domains from a variety of species revealed a conserved motif having critical residues present at the active site of PTPases. Mutation of the cdc25 Cys480 codon, corresponding to an essential cysteine in the active site of PTPases, abolished the phosphatase activity of GST-cdc25. These data indicate that cdc25 proteins define a novel subclass of eukaryotic PTPases, and strongly argue that cdc25 proteins directly dephosphorylate and activate p34cdc2 kinase to induce M-phase.