14-3-3zeta is an effector of tau protein phosphorylation

Neurofibrillary tangles associated with Alzheimer's disease are composed mainly of paired helical filaments that are formed by the aggregation of abnormally phosphorylated microtubule-associated protein tau. 14-3-3, a highly conserved protein family that exists as seven isoforms and regulates diverse cellular processes is present in neurofibrillary tangles (Layfield, R., Fergusson, J., Aitken, A., Lowe, J., Landon, M., Mayer, R. J. (1996) Neurosci. Lett. 209, 57-60). The role of 14-3-3 in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis is not known. In this study, we found that the 14-3-3zeta isoform is associated with tau in brain extract and profoundly stimulates cAMP-dependent protein kinase catalyzed in vitro phosphorylation on Ser(262)/Ser(356) located within the microtubule-binding region of tau. 14-3-3zeta binds to both phosphorylated and nonphosphorylated tau, and the binding site is located within the microtubule-binding region of tau. From brain extract, 14-3-3zeta co-purifies with microtubules, and tubulin blocks 14-3-3zeta-tau binding. Among four 14-3-3 isoforms tested, beta and zeta but not gamma and epsilon associate with tau. Our data suggest that 14-3-3zeta is a tau protein effector and may be involved in the abnormal tau phosphorylation occurring during Alzheimer's disease ontogeny.     

Down-regulation of 14-3-3 zeta sensitizes human glioblastoma cells to apoptosis induction

Strong 14-3-3 zeta protein expression plays an important role in tumorigenesis, including in the maintenance of cell growth, resistance increase, and the prevention of apoptosis. In this study, we focus on two targets: (1) the expression of 14-3-3 zeta in the different grades of human astrocytoma (II–IV), (2) suppression of 14-3-3 zeta protein expression in glioblastoma derived astrocytes by 14-3-3 zeta shRNA lentiviral particles. The tissues of human astrocytoma were provided from 30 patients (ten of each grade of astrocytoma). Control tissues were obtained from the peritumoral brain zone of those patients with glioblastoma. The protein and mRNA expression levels of each astrocytoma grade were assessed via western blotting and RT-PCR, respectively. Results indicated that 14-3-3 zeta was significantly expressed in glioblastoma multiforme (grade IV) and 14-3-3 zeta expression levels enhanced according to the increase of astrocytoma malignancy. In the cellular study for knock down of the 14-3-3 zeta protein, surgical biopsy of glioblastoma was used to isolate primary astrocyte. Astrocytes were transduced with 14-3-3 zeta shRNA or non-targeted shRNA lentiviral particles. Furthermore, reduction of the 14-3-3 zeta protein expression in the astrocytes evaluated through qRT-PCR and western blot after transduction of 14-3-3 zeta shRNA lentiviral particles. Moreover, apoptosis properties, including DNA fragmentation and ratio increase of Bax/Bcl-2 were observed in astrocytes following reduction of 14-3-3 zeta protein expression. Further observation indicated that the mitochondrial pathway through release of cytochorome c and caspase-3 activity was involved in the apoptosis induction. Hence, this study demonstrates a key role of the 14-3-3 zeta protein in tumorigenesis but also indicates that 14-3-3 zeta can be considered as a target for the astrocytoma treatment specially glioblastoma.     

Identification of 14-3-3zeta as a protein kinase B/Akt substrate

Protein kinase B/Akt (PKB/Akt) is a member of the ACG kinase family, which also includes protein kinase C, that phosphorylates a number of 14-3-3-binding proteins. 14-3-3 protein regulation of protein kinase C activity is modulated by 14-3-3 phosphorylation. We examined the hypothesis that PKB/Akt interacts with and phosphorylates 14-3-3zeta, leading to modulation of dimerization. By glutathione S-transferase pull-down, Akt precipitated recombinant 14-3-3zeta and endogenous 14-3-3zeta from HEK293 cell lysates. Recombinant active PKB/Akt phosphorylated recombinant 14-3-3zeta in an in vitro kinase assay. Transfection of active PKB/Akt into HEK293 cells resulted in phosphorylation of 14-3-3zeta. Based on a motif search of 14-3-3zeta, a potential PKB/Akt phosphorylation site, Ser-58, was mutated to alanine. PKB/Akt was unable to phosphorylate this mutant protein. Incubation of 14-3-3zeta with recombinant active PKB/Akt resulted in phosphorylation of 45% of the protein, as determined by a pI shift on two-dimensional electrophoresis, but 14-3-3zeta dimerization was not altered. These data indicate that PKB/Akt phosphorylates Ser-58 on 14-3-3zeta both in vitro and in intact cells. The functional relevance of this phosphorylation remains to be determined.     

The proapoptotic protein Bad binds the amphipathic groove of 14-3-3zeta.

Through interaction with a multitude of target proteins, 14-3-3 proteins participate in the regulation of diverse cellular processes including apoptosis. These 14-3-3-interacting proteins include a proapoptotic Bcl-2 homolog, Bad (Bcl-2/Bcl-XL-associated death promoter). To understand how 14-3-3 interacts with Bad and modulates its function, we have identified structural elements of 14-3-3 necessary for 14-3-3/Bad association. 14-3-3 contains a conserved amphipathic groove that is required for binding to several of its ligands. We used peptides of known binding specificity as competitors to demonstrate that Bad interacts with 14-3-3zeta via its amphipathic groove. More detailed analysis revealed that several conserved residues in the groove, including Lys-49, Val-176, and Leu-220, were critical for Bad interaction. These results were applied to investigations of the ability of 14-3-3 to prevent Bad-induced cell death. When co-expressed with Akt, wild-type 14-3-3 could reduce the ability of Bad to cause death, however 14-3-3zetaK49E, which cannot bind Bad, failed to inhibit Bad. It seems that the amphipathic groove of 14-3-3 represents a general binding site for multiple ligands, raising issues related to competition of ligands for 14-3-3.     

Selective association of protein kinase C with 14-3-3 zeta in neuronally differentiated PC12 Cells. Stimulatory and inhibitory effect of 14-3-3 zeta in vivo

The 14-3-3 protein is a family of highly conserved acidic proteins found in a wide range of eukaryotes from yeast to mammals. 14-3-3 acts as an adapter protein and interacts with signaling molecules including protein kinase C (PKC). Although 14-3-3 zeta was originally characterized as an endogenous PKC inhibitor, it was reported to activate PKC in vitro, but the in vivo regulation of PKC by 14-3-3 is still not well understood. To examine the regulation of PKC by 14-3-3 in the cell, we have generated a sub-cell line, PC12-B3, that stably expresses FLAG epitope-tagged 14-3-3 zeta isoform in PC12 cells. Here we show that PKC-alpha and PKC-epsilon become associated with 14-3-3 zeta when the cells are neuronally differentiated by nerve growth factor. We found that the immunoprecipitate by anti-FLAG antibody contains constitutive and autonomous Ca(2+)-independent non-classical PKC activity. In contrast, the FLAG immunoprecipitate has no Ca(2+)-dependent classical PKC activity despite the fact that PKC-alpha is present in the FLAG immunoprecipitate from differentiated PC12-B3 cells. Our results show that the association with 14-3-3 zeta has distinct effects on classical PKC and non-classical PKC activity.     

Protein 14-3-3zeta binds to protein phosphatase PP1gamma2 in bovine epididymal spermatozoa

The protein phosphatase PP1gamma2 is critical in the regulation of sperm motility and fertility. Its activity is regulated by its binding proteins and by phosphorylation. We have recently shown that PP1gamma2 is phosphorylated and that the amount of phosphorylated PP1gamma2 increases during sperm epididymal maturation (Huang et al., Biol Reprod 2004; 70:439-447). Microsequencing revealed that protein 14-3-3 coeluted with phosphorylated PP1gamma2 during column chromatography of bovine sperm extracts. Western blot analyses confirmed the presence of protein 14-3-3 not only in bovine spermatozoa but also in spermatozoa of diverse species-bull, hamster, horseshoe crab, monkey, rat, turkey, and Xenopus. The binding between PP1gamma2 and protein 14-3-3 was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation experiments and in pull-down assays with recombinant GST-14-3-3. Western blot analysis and protein 14-3-3 immunoprecipitates with antibodies against the consensus binding domain of protein 14-3-3 reveal that, in addition to PP1gamma2, at least two other protein 14-3-3 binding partners are present in spermatozoa. Fluorescence immunocytochemistry results indicate that phosphorylated PP1gamma2 and protein 14-3-3 both localize to the postacrosomal region of the head and principal piece of bovine spermatozoa. Together, these results provide conclusive evidence that protein 14-3-3 is present in mature spermatozoa and that PP1gamma2 is one of its binding partners.     

Munc13-4 is a GTP-Rab27-binding protein regulating dense core granule secretion in platelets

Platelets store self-agonists such as ADP and serotonin in dense core granules. Although exocytosis of these granules is crucial for hemostasis and thrombosis, the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. Here, we show that incubation of permeabilized platelets with unprenylated active mutant Rab27A-Q78L, wild type Rab27A, and Rab27B inhibited the secretion, whereas inactive mutant Rab27A-T23N and other GTPases had no effects. Furthermore, we affinity-purified a GTP-Rab27A-binding protein in platelets and identified it as Munc13-4, a homologue of Munc13-1 known as a priming factor for neurotransmitter release. Recombinant Munc13-4 directly bound to GTP-Rab27A and -Rab27B in vitro, but not other GTPases, and enhanced secretion in an in vitro assay. The inhibition of secretion by unprenylated Rab27A was rescued by the addition of Munc13-4, suggesting that Munc13-4 mediates the function of GTP-Rab27. Thus, Rab27 regulates the dense core granule secretion in platelets by employing its binding protein, Munc13-4.     

Effect of mutations mimicking phosphorylation on the structure and properties of human 14-3-3zeta

Effect of mutations mimicking phosphorylation on the structure of human 14-3-3ζ protein was analyzed by different methods. Mutation S58E increased intrinsic Trp fluorescence and binding of bis-ANS to 14-3-3. At low protein concentration mutation S58E increased the probability of dissociation of dimeric 14-3-3 and its susceptibility to proteolysis. Mutation S184E slightly increased Stokes radius and thermal stability of 14-3-3. Mutation T232E induced only small increase of Stokes radius and sedimentation coefficient that probably reflect the changes in the size or shape of 14-3-3. At low protein concentration the triple mutant S58E/S184E/T232E tended to dissociate, whereas at high concentration its properties were comparable with those of the wild type protein. The triple mutant was highly susceptible to proteolysis. Thus, mutation mimicking phosphorylation of Ser58 destabilized, whereas mutation of Ser184 induced stabilization of 14-3-3ζ structure.     

YSK1 is activated by the Golgi matrix protein GM130 and plays a role in cell migration through its substrate 14-3-3zeta

The Golgi apparatus has long been suggested to be important for directing secretion to specific sites on the plasma membrane in response to extracellular signaling events. However, the mechanisms by which signaling events are coordinated with Golgi apparatus function remain poorly understood. Here, we identify a scaffolding function for the Golgi matrix protein GM130 that sheds light on how such signaling events may be regulated. We show that the mammalian Ste20 kinases YSK1 and MST4 target to the Golgi apparatus via the Golgi matrix protein GM130. In addition, GM130 binding activates these kinases by promoting autophosphorylation of a conserved threonine within the T-loop. Interference with YSK1 function perturbs perinuclear Golgi organization, cell migration, and invasion into type I collagen. A biochemical screen identifies 14-3-3zeta as a specific substrate for YSK1 that localizes to the Golgi apparatus, and potentially links YSK1 signaling at the Golgi apparatus with protein transport events, cell adhesion, and polarity complexes important for cell migration.     

Sequence and expression analysis of a Xenopus laevis cDNA which encodes a homologue of mammalian 14-3-3 zeta protein

We report the cloning and characterisation of a cDNA that encodes a novel member of the Xenopus laevis 14-3-3 protein family. Sequence analysis reveals that the cDNA-encoded protein shares 84% identity with the rat, human or sheep 14-3-3ζ isoform, and between 66% and 77% identity with bovine, human or rat β, bovine γ, human τ, Drosophila 14-3-3 and a previously isolated Xenopus member. The corresponding mRNA is present in all adult tissues examined with the highest levels in the brain. Although the gene is expressed throughout embryogenesis, higher levels of mRNA accumulate after gastrulation. Whole-mount in situ hybridisation on tailbud stage embryo reveals strong expression of the gene in the head, optic vesicles, spinal cord and branchial arches with weaker expression in the somites. In addition, expression along the notochord is observed at stage 45 (tadpole). This spatial and temporal expression profile along with recent studies implicating the importance of 14-3-3 proteins in the regulation of signal transduction pathways argues for a key role of this isoform in embryonic development.     

Purification and characterization of a 14-kilodalton protein that is bound to the surface of polyhydroxyalkanoic acid granules in Rhodococcus ruber.

The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the polyhydroxyalkanoic acid (PHA) granule-associated M(r)-15,500 protein of Rhodococcus ruber (the GA14 protein) was analyzed. The sequence revealed that the corresponding structural gene is represented by open reading frame 3, encoding a protein with a calculated M(r) of 14,175 which was recently localized downstream of the PHA synthase gene (U. Pieper and A. Steinbüchel, FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 96:73-80, 1992). A recombinant strain of Escherichia coli XL1-Blue carrying the hybrid plasmid (pSKXA10*) with open reading frame 3 overexpressed the GA14 protein. The GA14 protein was subsequently purified in a three-step procedure including chromatography on DEAE-Sephacel, phenyl-Sepharose CL-4B, and Superose 12. Determination of the molecular weight by gel filtration as well as electron microscopic studies indicates that a tetrameric structure of the recombinant, native GA14 protein is most likely. Immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated a localization of the GA14 protein at the periphery of PHA granules as well as close to the cell membrane in R. ruber. Investigations of PHA-leaky and PHA-negative mutants of R. ruber indicated that expression of the GA14 protein depended strongly on PHA synthesis.     

14-3-3sigma is a p37 AUF1-binding protein that facilitates AUF1 transport and AU-rich mRNA decay

Short-lived cytokine mRNAs contain an AU-rich destabilizing element (ARE). AUF1 proteins bind the ARE, undergo shuttling, and promote cytoplasmic ARE-mRNA decay through a poorly understood mechanism. We therefore identified AUF1-interacting proteins that may play a role in ARE-mRNA decay. We used mass-spectrometry to identify 14-3-3sigma protein as an AUF1-interacting protein. 14-3-3sigma binds selectively and strongly to p37 AUF1 and to a lesser extent to the p40 isoform, the two isoforms most strongly associated with ARE-mRNA decay, but not to the two larger isoforms, p42 and p45. The 14-3-3sigma interaction site on p37 was mapped to a region found only in the two smaller AUF1 isoforms and which overlaps a putative nuclear localization signal (NLS). Stable overexpression of 14-3-3sigma significantly increased cytoplasmic accumulation of p37 AUF1 and reduced the steady-state level and half-life of a reporter ARE-mRNA. siRNA silencing of AUF1 eliminated the effect of 14-3-3sigma overexpression. 14-3-3sigma therefore binds to p37 AUF1, retains it in the cytoplasm probably by masking its NLS, and enhances rapid turnover of ARE-mRNAs.     

Phosphorylation-dependent binding of 14-3-3 to Par3beta, a human Par3-related cell polarity protein

Mammalian Par3alpha and Par3beta/Par3L participate in cell polarity establishment and localize to tight junctions of epithelial cells; Par3alpha acts via binding to atypical PKC (aPKC). Here we show that Par3beta as well as Par3alpha interacts with 14-3-3 proteins in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. In the interaction, Ser-746 of Par3beta and the corresponding residue of Par3alpha (Ser-814) likely play a crucial role, since replacement of these residues by unphosphorylatable alanine results in a loss of interacting activity. The mutant Par3 proteins with the replacement are correctly recruited to tight junctions of MDCK cells and to membrane ruffles induced by an active form of the small GTPase Rac in HeLa cells. Thus, the interaction with 14-3-3 appears to be dispensable to Par3 localization. Consistent with this, the Par3alpha-14-3-3 interaction does not inhibit the Par3alpha-aPKC association required for the Par3alpha localization, although the aPKC-binding site lies close to the Ser-814-containing, 14-3-3-interacting region.     

Proteomic identification of 14-3-3zeta as a mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase 2 substrate: role in dimer formation and ligand binding

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-activated protein kinase 2 (MAPKAPK2) mediates multiple p38 MAPK-dependent inflammatory responses. To define the signal transduction pathways activated by MAPKAPK2, we identified potential MAPKAPK2 substrates by using a functional proteomic approach consisting of in vitro phosphorylation of neutrophil lysate by active recombinant MAPKAPK2, protein separation by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and phosphoprotein identification by peptide mass fingerprinting with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) and protein database analysis. One of the eight candidate MAPKAPK2 substrates identified was the adaptor protein, 14-3-3zeta. We confirmed that MAPKAPK2 interacted with and phosphorylated 14-3-3zeta in vitro and in HEK293 cells. The chemoattractant formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) stimulated p38-MAPK-dependent phosphorylation of 14-3-3 proteins in human neutrophils. Mutation analysis showed that MAPKAPK2 phosphorylated 14-3-3zeta at Ser-58. Computational modeling and calculation of theoretical binding energies predicted that both phosphorylation at Ser-58 and mutation of Ser-58 to Asp (S58D) compromised the ability of 14-3-3zeta to dimerize. Experimentally, S58D mutation significantly impaired both 14-3-3zeta dimerization and binding to Raf-1. These data suggest that MAPKAPK2-mediated phosphorylation regulates 14-3-3zeta functions, and this MAPKAPK2 activity may represent a novel pathway mediating p38 MAPK-dependent inflammation.     

Fusicoccin signaling reveals 14-3-3 protein function as a novel step in left-right patterning during amphibian embryogenesis

To gain insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying the control of morphogenetic signals by H+ flux during embryogenesis, we tested Fusicoccin-A (FC), a compound produced by the fungus Fusicoccum amygdali Del. In plant cells, FC complexes with 14-3-3 proteins to activate H+ pumping across the plasma membrane. It has long been thought that FC acts on higher plants only; here, we show that exposing frog embryos to FC during early development specifically results in randomization of the asymmetry of the left-right (LR) axis (heterotaxia). Biochemical and molecular-genetic evidence is presented that 14-3-3-family proteins are an obligate component of Xenopus FC receptors and that perturbation of 14-3-3 protein function results in heterotaxia. The subcellular localization of 14-3-3 mRNAs and proteins reveals novel cytoplasmic destinations, and a left-right asymmetry at the first cell division. Using gain-of-function and loss-of-function experiments, we show that 14-3-3E protein is likely to be an endogenous and extremely early aspect of LR patterning. These data highlight a striking conservation of signaling pathways across kingdoms, suggest common mechanisms of polarity establishment between C. elegans and vertebrate embryos, and uncover a novel entry point into the pathway of left-right asymmetry determination.     

Proteomic analysis of human norepinephrine transporter complexes reveals associations with protein phosphatase 2A anchoring subunit and 14-3-3 proteins

The norepinephrine transporter (NET) terminates noradrenergic signals by clearing released NE at synapses. NET regulation by receptors and intracellular signaling pathways is supported by a growing list of associated proteins including syntaxin1A, protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) catalytic subunit (PP2A-C), PICK1, and Hic-5. In the present study, we sought evidence for additional partnerships by mass spectrometry-based analysis of proteins co-immunoprecipitated with human NET (hNET) stably expressed in a mouse noradrenergic neuroblastoma cell line. Our initial proteomic analyses reveal multiple peptides derived from hNET, peptides arising from the mouse PP2A anchoring subunit (PP2A-Ar) and peptides derived from 14-3-3 proteins. We verified physical association of NET with PP2A-Ar via co-immunoprecipitation studies using mouse vas deferens extracts and with 14-3-3 via a fusion pull-down approach, implicating specifically the hNET NH2-terminus for interactions. The transporter complexes described likely support mechanisms regulating transporter activity, localization, and trafficking.     

14-3-3 zeta protein secreted by tumor associated monocytes/macrophages from ascites of epithelial ovarian cancer patients

Tumor associated monocytes/macrophages (MO/MA) are known contributors to the immune-inflammatory cell environment of advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC). The secreted proteome of ascitic MO/MA was examined as an aid to the discovery of novel proteins in EOC that are likely to have biological relevance in the inflammatory pathways of EOC. Ascitic fluid MO/MA were isolated from EOC patients, grown short-term in serum-free media. MO/MA supernatants were analyzed for secreted proteins by HPLC fractionation followed by LC-tandem mass spectrometric analysis. The 14-3-3 zeta adaptor protein was identified in supernatants of three of three EOC patients but not in supernatants of buffy coat monocytes isolated from normal donors or the established monocyte cell line THP1. Moreover, 14-3-3 zeta was identified in ascitic fluids in eight of eight chemotherapy-naïve patients by both immunoblot and mass spectrometric analysis. Immunofluorescent staining for 14-3-3 zeta demonstrated expression of the protein on ascitic and peritumoral macrophages in EOC patients. 14-3-3 zeta was also expressed on endothelial cells in the peritumoral stroma and partially on tumor cells. Uptake of 14-3-3 zeta was observed in EOC cell lines co-cultured with the recombinant protein expressed in E. coli. It is demonstrated for the first time that the important adaptor protein 14-3-3 zeta is common to the secretome of ascitic MO/MA and the ascites of advanced EOC patients.