The phosphoinositide phosphatase Sac1 is required for midline axon guidance

Sac1 phosphoinositide (PI) phosphatases are important regulators of PtdIns(4)P turnover at the ER, Golgi, and plasma membrane (PM) and are involved in diverse cellular processes including cytoskeletal organization and vesicular trafficking. Here, we present evidence that Sac1 regulates axon guidance in the embryonic CNS of Drosophila. Sac1 is expressed on three longitudinal axon tracts that are defined by the cell adhesion molecule Fasciclin II (Fas II). Mutations in the sac1 gene cause ectopic midline crossing of Fas II-positive axon tracts. This phenotype is rescued by neuronal expression of wild-type Sac1 but not by a catalytically-inactive mutant. Finally, sac1 displays dosage-sensitive genetic interactions with mutations in the genes that encode the midline repellent Slit and its axonal receptor Robo. Taken together, our results suggest that Sac1-mediated regulation of PIs is critical for Slit/Robo-dependent axon repulsion at the CNS midline.     

Dual blockade of VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 by a novel peptide abrogates VEGF-driven angiogenesis,tumor growth,and metastasis through PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK1/2 pathway

Background

Neutralization of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1) and/or VEGFR2 is a widely used means of inhibiting tumor angiogenesis.

Suppression of migratory and metastatic pathways via blocking VEGFR1 and VEGFR2

Abstract

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) A and B are endothelial cell mitogens whose ligation to VEGFR1/VEGFR2 drives tumor angiogenesis and metastasis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Blockade of these signaling axes could be obtained by disturbing the interactions between VEGFA and/or VEGFB with VEGFR1 and/or VEGFR2.

Methods: A 14-mer peptide (VGB) that recognizes both VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 were investigated for its inhibitory effects on the VEGF‐induced proliferation and migration using MTT and scratch assay, respectively. Downstream signaling pathways were also assessed by quantitative estimation of gene and protein expression using real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Results: We investigated the inhibitory effects of VGB on downstream mediators of metastasis, including epithelial-cadherin (E-cadherin), matrix metalloprotease-9 (MMP-9), cancer myelocytomatosis (c-Myc), and nuclear factor-κβ (NF-κβ), and migration, comprising focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and its substrate Paxilin. VGB inhibited the VEGF‐induced proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), 4T1 and U87 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner and migration of HUVECs. Based on IHC analyses, treatment of 4T1 mammary carcinoma tumor with VGB led to the suppression of p-AKT, p-ERK_1/2, MMP-9, NF-κβ, and activation of E-cadherin compared with PBS-treated controls. Moreover, quantitative real-time PCR analyses of VGB-treated tumors revealed the reduced expression level of FAK, Paxilin, NF-κβ, MMP-9, c-Myc, and increased expression level of E-cadherin compared to PBS-treated controls.

Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that simultaneous blockade of VEGFR1/VEGFR2 is an effective strategy to fight solid tumors by targeting a wider range of mediators involved in tumor angiogenesis, growth, and metastasis.     

RhoJ facilitates angiogenesis in glioblastoma via JNK/VEGFR2 mediated activation of PAK and ERK signaling pathways

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly vascularized malignant tumor that depends on new blood vessel formation. Small molecules targeting the angiogenic process may be an effective anti-GBM therapeutic strategy. We previously demonstrated that RhoJ promoted the progression and invasion of GBM. RhoJ has also been shown to be expressed in endothelial cells and plays an important role in regulating endothelial cell migration and tumor angiogenesis. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the role and mechanism of actions of RhoJ in GBM angiogenesis. We analyzed the expression of RhoJ in different grade gliomas and investigated its role in GBM angiogenesis in vivo and in vitro. Furtherly, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), Western blotting and immunofluorescence were performed to identify the molecular mechanism of RhoJ in regulating endothelial cell behavior and GBM angiogenesis. Here, we found that silencing RhoJ resulted in inhibition of HUVEC cell migration and blood vessel formation. Overexpression of RhoJ promoted the expression of CD31, EpCAM and moesin, suggesting RhoJ facilitated angiogenesis and the malignant progression of GBM. RNA-seq data showed that VEGF/TNF signaling pathway positively regulated RhoJ. The expression levels of RhoJ was upregulated with the stimulation of VEGF, and reduced by the treatment of JNK inhibitor SP600125. It was also found that the activity of PAK-BRAF-ERK was down-regulated upon RhoJ and JNK knockdown. In conclusion, these results suggested that RhoJ plays an essential role in regulating GBM angiogenesis through the JNK/VEGFR2-PAK-ERK signaling pathway and there might exist a VEGF-JNK/ERK-VEGF circuitry. Thus, RhoJ may be a candidate therapeutic target for anti-angiogenesis treatment in GBM.     

Hypoxia differentially regulates VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 levels and alters intracellular signaling and cell migration in endothelial cells

The role of hypoxia on endothelial cell function and response to growth factors is unknown. Here, we tested the hypothesis that hypoxia re-programs endothelial function by modulating vascular endothelial growth factor receptor levels which in turn alter intracellular signaling and cell function. Hypoxia stimulated VEGF-A and VEGFR1 expression but decreased VEGFR2 levels in endothelial cells. During hypoxia, plasma membrane VEGFR1 levels were elevated whereas VEGFR2 levels were depleted. One functional consequence of hypoxia is a reduction in VEGF-A-stimulated and VEGFR2-regulated intracellular signaling including lowered endothelial nitric oxide synthase activation. Venous, arterial and capillary endothelial cells subjected to hypoxia all exhibited reduced cell migration in response to VEGF-A. A mechanistic explanation is that VEGFR1:VEGFR2 ratio is substantially increased during hypoxia to block VEGF-A-stimulated and VEGFR2-regulated endothelial responses to maximize cell viability and recovery.     

Ligand-Stimulated VEGFR2 Signaling is Regulated by Co-Ordinated Trafficking and Proteolysis

Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A)-induced signaling through VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) regulates both physiological and pathological angiogenesis in mammals. However, the temporal and spatial mechanism underlying VEGFR2-mediated intracellular signaling is not clear. Here, we define a pathway for VEGFR2 trafficking and proteolysis that regulates VEGF-A-stimulated signaling and endothelial cell migration. Ligand-stimulated VEGFR2 activation and ubiquitination preceded proteolysis and cytoplasmic domain removal associated with endosomes. A soluble VEGFR2 cytoplasmic domain fragment displayed tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of downstream intracellular signaling. Perturbation of endocytosis by the depletion of either clathrin heavy chain or an ESCRT-0 subunit caused differential effects on ligand-stimulated VEGFR2 proteolysis and signaling. This novel VEGFR2 proteolysis was blocked by the inhibitors of 26S proteasome activity. Inhibition of proteasome activity prolonged VEGF-A-induced intracellular signaling to c-Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). VEGF-A-stimulated endothelial cell migration was dependent on VEGFR2 and VEGFR tyrosine kinase activity. Inhibition of proteasome activity in this assay stimulated VEGF-A-mediated endothelial cell migration. VEGFR2 endocytosis, ubiquitination and proteolysis could also be stimulated by a protein kinase C-dependent pathway. Thus, removal of the VEGFR2 carboxyl terminus linked to phosphorylation, ubiquitination and trafficking is necessary for VEGF-stimulated endothelial signaling and cell migration.     

Crystal structure of the yeast Sac1: implications for its phosphoinositide phosphatase function

Sac family phosphoinositide (PI) phosphatases are an essential family of CX₅R(T/S)‐based enzymes, involved in numerous aspects of cellular function such as PI homeostasis, cellular signalling, and membrane trafficking. Genetic deletions of several Sac family members result in lethality in animal models and mutations of the Sac3 gene have been found in human hereditary diseases. In this study, we report the crystal structure of a founding member of this family, the Sac phosphatase domain of yeast Sac1. The 2.0 Å resolution structure shows that the Sac domain comprises of two closely packed sub‐domains, a novel N‐terminal sub‐domain and the PI phosphatase catalytic sub‐domain. The structure further shows a striking conformation of the catalytic P‐loop and a large positively charged groove at the catalytic site. These findings suggest an unusual mechanism for its dephosphorylation function. Homology structural modeling of human Fig4/Sac3 allows the mapping of several disease‐related mutations and provides a framework for the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of human diseases.     

VEGF,not VEGFR2, is associated with the angiogenesis effect of mini-TyrRS/mini-TrpRS in human umbilical vein endothelial cells in hypoxia

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between VEGF and mini-TyrRS/mini-TrpRS in angiogenesis in hypoxic culture and to begin to comprehend their mechanism in angiogenesis. We designed a VEGF gene silencing assay by using lentivirus vectors, and then western blotting was used to determine the protein expression of VEGF, VEGFR2 and pVEGFR2 in three groups in hypoxic culture at 3, 6, 12, or 24 h: (1) untransfected human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) (Control); (2) pGCSIL-GFP lentivirus vector-transduced HUVECs (Mock); and (3) pGCSIL-shVEGF lentivirus vector-transduced HUVECs (Experimental). We also detected the effects of mini-TyrRS/mini-TrpRS peptides on HUVEC proliferation, migration and tube formation after lentivirus vector transfection and VEGFR2 antibody injection. The results indicated that expression of the mini-TyrRS protein was increased, whereas that of mini-TrpRS was specifically decreased in hypoxic culture both in control and mock groups. However, this trend in protein levels of mini-TyrRS and mini-TrpRS was lost in the experimental group after transduction with the pGCSIL-shVEGF lentivirus vector. The protein expression of VEGF was increased in hypoxic culture both in control and mock groups. After transduction with the pGCSIL-shVEGF lentivirus vector, the protein level of VEGF was noticeably decreased in the experimental group; however, for VEGFR2, the results showed no significant difference in VEGFR2 protein expression in any of the groups. For pVEGFR2, we found a distinct trend from that seen with VEGF. The protein expression of pVEGFR2 was sharply increased in hypoxic culture in the three groups. The addition of mini-TyrRS significantly promoted proliferation, migration and tube formation of HUVECs, while mini-TrpRS inhibited these processes in both control and mock groups in hypoxic culture. However, these effects disappeared after transduction with the pGCSIL-shVEGF lentivirus vector in the experimental group, but no significant difference was observed after VEGFR2 antibody injection. The protein expression of VEGF is similar to that of mini-TyrRS in hypoxic culture and plays an important role in the mini-TyrRS/mini-TrpRS-stimulated proliferation, migration and tube formation of HUVECs in hypoxia. These results also suggest that the change in mini-TyrRS and mini-TrpRS expression in hypoxic culture is not related to VEGFR2 and that some other possible mechanisms, are involved in the phosphorylation of VEGFR2.     

Novel thioureido-benzenesulfonamide derivatives with enaminone linker as potent anticancer,radiosensitizers and VEGFR2 inhibitors

In this study, novel series of thioureido-benzenesulfonamide derivatives bearing an enaminone linker either meta or para oriented and having terminal linear or substituted aromatic or heteroaromatic ring system 5–16a,b were designed and synthesized based on the general pharmacophoric features of type II VEGFR2 inhibitors. Evaluation of the synthesized compounds against HEPG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro identified compounds 5b, 6b and 10–13b as most active anticancer agents with IC₅₀ equal to 0.12, 0.29, 0.58, 0.44, 0.42 and 0.66?µM, respectively. These compounds were evaluated for their ability to in vitro inhibit VEGFR2 kinase enzyme. The results demonstrated highly potent dose-related VEGFR2 inhibition with IC₅₀ values in nanomolar range (33, 57, 210, 37, 37 and 220?nM, respectively). The radiosensitizing ability of the most promising compounds was studied which showed an increase in the cell killing effect of radiation after combination with the synthesized compounds which revealed lowered IC₅₀ by nearly 50%. Molecular docking for the most potent compounds was performed to predict their possible binding mode within VEGFR2 active site and they showed binding affinity in a similar way to sorafenib.     

Interactions between Ligand-Bound EGFR and VEGFR2

In this work, we put forward the provocative hypothesis that the active, ligand-bound RTK dimers from unrelated subfamilies can associate into heterooligomers with novel signaling properties. This hypothesis is based on a quantitative FRET study that monitors the interactions between EGFR and VEGFR2 in the plasma membrane of live cells in the absence of ligand, in the presence of either EGF or VEGF, and in the presence of both ligands. We show that direct interactions occur between EGFR and VEGFR2 in the absence of ligand and in the presence of the two cognate ligands. However, there are not significant heterointeractions between EGFR and VEGFR2 when only one of the ligands is present. Since RTK dimers and RTK oligomers are believed to signal differently, this finding suggests a novel mechanism for signal diversification.     

Molecular docking analysis of C-phycocyanin with VEGFR2

C-phycocyanin (C-PC) produced from cyanobacterial species finds application in drug development. Therefore, it is of interest to document the molecular binding features of C-PC with the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2). C-PC showed H-bond interactions with residues on both sides of the Deusche Forschugsgemein-Schalt (DFG) loop (Asp1046-Phe1047-Gly1048). A hydrophobic association between the activation loop and the DFG residue (Gly1048) helps to inhibit the activity of VEGFR2 kinases. Thus, C-PC is reported as a potential angiogenesis inhibitor for VEGFR2 in combating cancer.     

瞬时基因表达可溶性的VEGFR2: I-IV

通过RT-PCR的方法从三个月的流产绒毛组织中克隆目的基因VEGFR2 (Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, 血管内皮细胞生长因子受体2) 胞外I-IV区, 连接到真核表达载体上构建了重组表达载体。首先在无血清悬浮培养的HEK293细胞中, 使用报告基因GFP(Green fluorescence protein, 绿色荧光蛋白)优化转染条件, 发现在转染时DNA: PEI=1:2 (W/W)、1.5 mg DNA/106 cells及开始转染4 h内使用无血清、摇床(120 r/min)时可以达到最佳的转染效率和细胞数量。在确定转染条件之后, 将构建的表达载体分别在HEK293细胞、COS-7细胞和CHO-K1细胞中进行瞬时转染表达, 结果发现仅在CHO-K1细胞的培养上清中检测到目的蛋白的表达。瞬时转染CHO-K1细胞至总体积约为1.5 L, 由于目的蛋白的羧基端有8-His标签, 通过Ni2+-IDA柱纯化得到5 mg左右的目的蛋白。     

瞬时基因表达可溶性的VEGFR2: I-IV

通过RT-PCR的方法从三个月的流产绒毛组织中克隆目的基因VEGFR2 (Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, 血管内皮细胞生长因子受体2) 胞外I-IV区, 连接到真核表达载体上构建了重组表达载体。首先在无血清悬浮培养的HEK293细胞中, 使用报告基因GFP(Green fluorescence protein, 绿色荧光蛋白)优化转染条件, 发现在转染时DNA: PEI=1:2 (W/W)、1.5 mg DNA/106 cells及开始转染4 h内使用无血清、摇床(120 r/min)时可以达到最佳的转染效率和细胞数量。在确定转染条件之后, 将构建的表达载体分别在HEK293细胞、COS-7细胞和CHO-K1细胞中进行瞬时转染表达, 结果发现仅在CHO-K1细胞的培养上清中检测到目的蛋白的表达。瞬时转染CHO-K1细胞至总体积约为1.5 L, 由于目的蛋白的羧基端有8-His标签, 通过Ni2+-IDA柱纯化得到5 mg左右的目的蛋白。     

The phosphatidylinositol‐transfer protein Nir2 binds phosphatidic acid and positively regulates phosphoinositide signalling

Phosphatidic acid (PA) and phosphoinositides are metabolically interconverted lipid second messengers that have central roles in many growth factor (GF)‐stimulated signalling pathways. Yet, little is known about the mechanisms that coordinate their production and downstream signalling. Here we show that the phosphatidylinositol (PI)‐transfer protein Nir2 translocates from the Golgi complex to the plasma membrane in response to GF stimulation. This translocation is triggered by PA formation and is mediated by its C‐terminal region that binds PA in vitro. We further show that depletion of Nir2 substantially reduces the PI(4,5)P2 levels at the plasma membrane and concomitantly GF‐stimulated PI(3,4,5)P3 production. Finally, we show that Nir2 positively regulates the MAPK and PI3K/AKT pathways. We propose that Nir2 through its PA‐binding capability and PI‐transfer activity can couple PA to phosphoinositide signalling, and possibly coordinates their local lipid metabolism and downstream signalling.     

Characterization and functional studies of a FYVE domain-containing phosphatase in C. elegans

The myotubularin (MTM) enzymes are phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PI3P) and phosphatidylinositol 3,5-bisphosphate phosphatases. Mutation of MTM1, the founder member of this family, is responsible for X-linked myotubular myopathy in humans. Here, we have isolated and characterized a Caenorhabditis elegans homology of the enzymes designated ceMTM3. ceMTM3 preferably dephosphorylates PI3P and contains a FYVE lipid-binding domain at its C-terminus which binds PI3P. Immunoblotting analyses revealed that the enzyme is expressed during the early development and adulthood of the animal. Immunofluorescent staining revealed predominant expression of the enzyme in eggs and muscles. Knockdown of the enzyme by using feeding-based RNA interference resulted in an increased level of PI3P and caused severe impairment of body movement of the worms at their post-reproductive ages and significantly shortened their lifespan. This study thus reveals an important role of the MTM phosphatases in maintaining muscle function, which may have clinical implications in prevention and treatment of sarcopenia.     

The VEGFR2 receptor tyrosine kinase undergoes constitutive endosome-to-plasma membrane recycling

The VEGFR2 receptor tyrosine kinase regulates vascular physiology and animal development. The mechanism underlying VEGFR2 membrane trafficking is not well understood. Herein, we show that VEGFR2 undergoes membrane recycling in both vascular and non-vascular cells. In primary human endothelial cells, VEGFR2 normally distributes between the plasma membrane and early endosomes undergoing endocytosis and recycling. This pathway is independent of VEGFR tyrosine kinase activity and occurs constitutively, similar to other integral membrane proteins such as the transferrin receptor and β1 integrin. Expression of a VEGFR2-EGFP hybrid protein in non-vascular cells revealed plasma membrane and endosome distribution. The VEGF-A ligand stimulated phosphorylation of residue Y1175 on VEGFR2-EGFP which is a key hallmark of receptor activation. Live cell imaging and quantitative analysis showed that activated VEGFR2-EGFP displayed reduced mobility linked to endocytosis and recycling between the plasma membrane and endosomes. Total internal reflection microscopy and kinetics indicates that VEGFR2 undergoes recycling between the plasma membrane and peripheral endosomes proximal to the membrane bilayer. We thus provide evidence that the VEGFR2 receptor tyrosine kinase undertakes a constitutive recycling pathway between the peripheral endosomes and cell surface and this exists in both vascular and non-vascular cells.     

FYVE-DSP2, a FYVE domain-containing dual specificity protein phosphatase that dephosphorylates phosphotidylinositol 3-phosphate

We have recently isolated FYVE-DSP1, a FYVE domain-containing dual specificity protein phosphatase (R. Zhao, Y. Qi, and Z. J. Zhao, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 270, 222--229 (2000)). Here, we report a novel isozyme that we designated FYVE-DSP2. FYVE-2 contains a single FYVE domain at the C-terminus, and it shares approximately 47% overall sequence identity with FYBE-DSP1. Genomic sequence analyses revealed that the FYVE-DSP1 and FYVE-DSP2 genes share similar intron/exon organization. They are localizedon human chromosome 22q12 and chromosome 17, respectively. Like FYVE-DSP1, recombinant FYVE-DSP2 dephosphorylated low-molecular-weight phosphatase substrate para-nitrophenylphosphate, and its activity was inhibited by sodium vanadate. More importantly, our study also revealed that both FYVE-DSP1 and FYVE-DSP2 efficiently and specifically dephosphorylated phosphotidylinositol 3-phosphate. Subcellular fractionation demonstrated partition of FYVE-DSP1 and FYVE-DSP2 in membrane fractions, and immunofluorescent cell staining showed perinuclear localization of the enzymes. FYVE-DSP2 is expressed in many human tissues with an alternatively spliced isoform expressed in the kidney. Together with two homologous hypothetical proteins found in Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila, FYVE-DSP1 and FYVE-DSP2 form a subfamilyof phosphatases that may have an importantrole in cellular processes.     

Induction of E-cadherin endocytosis by loss of protein phosphatase 2A expression in human breast cancers

The cell-cell adhesion molecule E-cadherin is stabilized by linking intracellularly with the actin cytoskeleton through PP2A-mediated recruitment of IQGAP1 to Rac1-bound E-cadherin-catenins complex in nonmalignant HME cells. However, little is known about the dysfunction of E-cadherin by loss or reduced expression of PP2A in human breast cancer cells. We report here that both human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells were deficient in expression of the PP2A-A protein and lost the IQGAP1 recruitment to Rac1-bound catenins. In MDA-MB-231 cells, E-cadherin was also deficient. Immunohistochemical analysis of the normal-carcinoma matched human breast tissue arrays revealed that PP2A-A was expressed in 96% of normal tissue specimens but not in 57% of carcinoma specimens. Expression of E-cadherin in MCF-7 cells was 1.5-fold higher than that in HME cells, however, 80% of E-cadherin was endocytosed and incompletely anchored to F-actin. Therefore, we propose that the dysfunction of E-cadherin due to its endocytosis may occur in some proportion of human breast carcinomas in which the PP2A-A protein is lost or significantly reduced.     

VEGFR2 Trafficking,Signaling and Proteolysis is Regulated by the Ubiquitin Isopeptidase USP8

Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF‐A) regulates many aspects of vascular function. VEGF‐A binding to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) stimulates endothelial signal transduction and regulates multiple cellular responses. Activated VEGFR2 undergoes ubiquitination but the enzymes that regulate this post‐translational modification are unclear. In this study, the de‐ubiquitinating enzyme, USP8, is shown to regulate VEGFR2 trafficking, de‐ubiquitination, proteolysis and signal transduction. USP8‐depleted endothelial cells displayed altered VEGFR2 ubiquitination and production of a unique VEGFR2 extracellular domain proteolytic fragment caused by VEGFR2 accumulation in the endosome–lysosome system. In addition, perturbed VEGFR2 trafficking impaired VEGF‐A‐stimulated signal transduction in USP8‐depleted cells. Thus, regulation of VEGFR2 ubiquitination and de‐ubiquitination has important consequences for the endothelial cell response and vascular physiology.