A 41-kilodalton protein is a potential substrate for the p210bcr-abl protein-tyrosine kinase in chronic myelogenous leukemia cells.

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is characterized by a translocation involving the c-abl protein-tyrosine kinase gene. A chimeric mRNA is formed containing sequences from a chromosome 22 gene (bcr) at its 5' end and all but the variable exon 1 of c-abl sequence. The product of this mRNA, p210bcr-abl, has constitutively high protein-tyrosine kinase activity. We examined K562 cells and other lines established from CML patients for the presence of phosphotyrosine (P-Tyr)-containing proteins which might be p210bcr-abl substrates. Two-dimensional gel separation of 32P-labeled proteins followed by phosphoamino acid analysis of 25 phosphoproteins, which comprised the major alkali-stable phosphoproteins, indicated that three related proteins of 41 kDa are the most prominent P-Tyr-containing proteins detected by this method. The 41-kDa phosphoproteins are found in two other CML lines that we examined but not in lines of similar lineage isolated from patients with distinct leukemic disease. A protein that comigrates with the major form of pp41 (pp41A) and contains P-Tyr is also found in murine fibroblasts and B-lymphoid cells transformed by Abelson murine leukemia virus, which encodes the v-abl protein, and in platelet-derived growth factor-treated fibroblasts, in which it has been described previously. We analyzed three pairs of Epstein-Barr virus-immortalized B-cell lines from individual CML patients and found that only the lines in which active p210bcr-abl was present contained detectable pp41. We also performed immunoblotting with anti-P-Tyr antibodies on the same CML cell lines and detected at least four other putative substrates of p210bcr-abl, which were undetected with use of the two-dimensional gel technique.     

An alteration of the human c-abl protein in K562 leukemia cells unmasks associated tyrosine kinase activity

The v-abl protein is known to be a tyrosine-specific protein kinase. However, its normal cellular homolog, c-abl P150, is not detectably phosphorylated on tyrosine in vivo or in vitro. The lack of associated tyrosine kinase activity for the c-abl protein seems paradoxical since it is the c-abl-derived sequences of the v-abl protein that encode the kinase activity. We have detected an altered human c-abl protein (P210) with associated tyrosine kinase activity in the K562 leukemia cell line. K562 cells are known to have a 9:22 chromosomal translocation involving the c-abl locus and have amplified the c-able gene 4 to 8 fold. The altered P210 human c-abl is serologically and structurally related to the normal c-abl protein. A structural alteration of the human c-abl protein. K562 cells may have unmasked its associated tyrosine kinase activity. This altered c-abl protein may have important implications for a mechanism of activation of this oncogene.     

Induction of apoptosis in chronic myelogenous leukemia cells through nuclear entrapment of BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase

The chimeric BCR-ABL oncoprotein is the molecular hallmark of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). BCR-ABL contains nuclear import and export signals but it is localized only in the cytoplasm where it activates mitogenic and anti-apoptotic pathways. We have found that inhibition of the BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase, either by mutation or by the drug STI571, can stimulate its nuclear entry. By combining STI571 with leptomycin B (LMB) to block nuclear export, we trapped BCR-ABL in the nucleus and the nuclear BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase activates apoptosis. As a result, the combined treatment with STI571 and LMB causes the irreversible and complete killing of BCR-ABL transformed cells, whereas the effect of either drug alone is fully reversible. The combined treatment with STI571 and LMB also preferentially eliminates mouse bone marrow cells that express BCR-ABL. These results indicate that nuclear entrapment of BCR-ABL can be used as a therapeutic strategy to selectively kill chronic myelogenous leukemia cells.     

Properties of purified folate-binding proteins from chronic myelogenous leukemia cells.

Folate-binding protein(s) from chronic myelogenous leukemia cells have been purified using acid dialysis, ammonium sulfate fractionation and affinity chromatography. The purified preparation which migrates as a single band on disc electrophoresis could be separated by DEAE agarose chromatography into two folate-binding proteins (binders I and II) which bind molar equivalents of folic acid. One binder (I) eluted from DEAE at 1 mM sodium phosphate, pH 6.0, and the other (II) at 100 mM sodium phosphate, pH 7.4. Analysis of the purified mixture, which contained more than 90% binder II, by sedimentation equilibrium centrifugation indicated a homogeneous protein with a calculated molecular weight of 44000. Antiserum raised against the purified mixture gave a single precipitin line by immunodiffusion against a preparation of partially purified cell lysate. Hydrolysis of the more acidic binder (II) with neuraminidase converted it to a weakly acidic protein similar to binder I, suggesting that these binders are glycoproteins which differ in sialic acid content. With isoelectric focusing, the binding of folic acid could be demonstrated at pH 6.7, 7.3, 7.8 and 8.2 for binder I, and at pH 5.1, 5.8, and 6.5 for binder II. Binders I and II had equally high affinity for folic acid and dihydrofolate, lower affinity for N5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate, and no apparent affinity for N5-formyltetrahydrofolate or methotrexate.     

Arsenic trioxide induces apoptosis in chronic myelogenous leukemia K562 cells: possible involvement of p38 MAP kinase

Arsenic trioxide (As(2)O(3)) was recently demonstrated to be an effective inducer of apoptosis in patients with relapsed acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) as well as in patients with APL in whom all-trans-retinoic acid and conventional chemotherapy failed. Chronic myelogenous leukemia cells are highly resistant to chemotherapeutic drugs. To determine if As(2)O(3) might be useful for the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia, we examined the ability of As(2)O(3) to induce apoptosis in K562 cells. In vitro cytotoxicity of As(2)O(3) was evaluated in K562 cells by a MTT assay; the IC(50) value for As(2)O(3) was determined to be 10 microM. When analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis, the DNA fragments became evident after incubation of the cells with 20 microM As(2)O(3) for 24 h. We also found morphological changes and chromatin condensation of the cells undergoing apoptosis. Activation of caspase-3 was observed 6 h after treatment with 20 microM As(2)O(3) by a Western blot analysis. Next, we examined the MAP kinase-signaling pathway of As(2)O(3)-induced apoptosis in K562 cells. As(2)O(3) at 10 microM strongly induced the activation of p38 and JNK 1/2, while ERK 1/2 was inhibited. In addition, pretreatment of SB203580, a specific inhibitor of p38, inhibited As(2)O(3) induced apoptotic cell death. These results suggest that As(2)O(3) is able to induce the apoptotic activity in K562 cells, and its apoptotic mechanism may be associated with the activation of p38.     

Numerous proteins phosphorylated on tyrosine and enhanced tyrosine kinase activities in vanadate-treated NIH 3T3 fibroblasts

A monoclonal antibody that can immunoprecipitate proteins containing phosphotyrosine has been isolated and characterized. To identify proteins that can act as substrates for tyrosine kinases in intact cells, extracts of phosphate-labeled NIH cells that had been treated with the phosphotyrosyl phosphatase inhibitor, vanadate, were precipitated with the antibody, and the immunoprecipitates were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Numerous proteins were specifically precipitated from vanadate-treated NIH 3T3 cells by the antibody. The high level of phosphotyrosine detected in vanadate-treated cells is presumably primarily due to phosphatase inhibition, but approx. 2-fold increased tyrosine kinase activities were also detected in extracts of the cells after treatment with vanadate. The enhanced tyrosine kinase activity may contribute to the generation of the transformed phenotype seen in response to treatment with vanadate.     

Selective induction of apoptosis in Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia cells by an inhibitor of BCR - ABL tyrosine kinase, CGP 57148

The BCR - ABL tyrosine kinase has been implicated as the cause of Philadelphia chromosome (Ph1)-positive leukemias. We report herein that CGP 57148, a selective inhibitor of the ABL tyrosine kinase, caused apoptosis specifically in bcr - abl-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) cells, K562 and KYO-1. Upon treatment with CGP 57148, CRKL, a specific substrate for BCR - ABL that propagates signals via phosphatidylinositol-3' kinase (PI3K), was dephosphorylated, indicating inhibition of BCR - ABL tyrosine kinase at the cellular level. Likewise, MAPK/ERK, a downstream mediator of Ras, was also dephosphorylated. Caspase activation and cleavage of retinoblastoma protein (pRB) accompanied the development of CGP 57148-induced apoptosis. Inhibition of caspase suppressed apoptosis and the cleavage of pRB, and in turn arrested cells in the G1 phase. These results indicate that CGP 57148 shows apoptogenic and anti-proliferative effects on bcr - abl-positive cells by blocking BCR - ABL-initiated signaling pathways.     

The Csk homologous kinase, Chk, binds tyrosine phosphorylated paxillin in human blastic T cells

In determining the role of Chk in T cell signaling, we have focused on its protein-protein interactions. We detected a tyrosine phosphoprotein that coimmunoprecipitated with Chk from pervanadate stimulated human blastic T cells. Subsequent Western blot analysis identified this tyrosine phosphoprotein as paxillin. Paxillin, a cytoskeletal protein involved in focal adhesions, was first identified as a v-Src substrate in transformed fibroblasts. Interestingly, Chk specifically bound tyrosine phosphorylated paxillin. Consistent with our in vivo data, Chk and paxillin were observed to localize in similar cellular regions prior to and following stimulation. Using GST fusion proteins, we determined that the Chk SH2 domain, not the SH3 domain, bound tyrosine phosphorylated paxillin. Specifically, paxillin bound to the FLVRES motif of the Chk SH2 domain. Using Far Western analysis, we revealed that the Chk SH2 domain directly associates with tyrosine phosphorylated paxillin. Finally, p52(Chk) expression in Csk-deficient mouse embryo fibroblasts decreased total phosphotyrosine levels of paxillin, implying a physiological role for Chk. These studies provide important insight into the role of Chk in tyrosine mediated signaling, as well as T cell physiology.     

Quantification of change in phosphorylation of BCR-ABL kinase and its substrates in response to Imatinib treatment in human chronic myelogenous leukemia cells

Phosphorylation by the constitutively activated BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase is associated with the pathogenesis of the human chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). It is difficult to characterize kinase response to stimuli or drug treatment because regulatory phosphorylation events are largely transient changes affecting low abundance proteins. Stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) has emerged as a pivotal technology for quantitative proteomics. By metabolically labeling proteins with light or heavy tyrosine, we are able to quantify the change in phosphorylation of BCR-ABL kinase and its substrates in response to drug treatment in human CML cells. In this study, we observed that BCR-ABL kinase is phosphorylated at tyrosines 393 and 644, and that SH2-domain containing inositol phosphatase (SHIP)-2 and downstream of kinase (Dok)-2 are phosphorylated at tyrosine 1135 and 299, respectively. Based on the relative intensity of isotopic peptide pairs, we demonstrate that the level of phosphorylation of BCR-ABL kinase as well as SHIP-2 and Dok-2 is reduced approximately 90% upon treatment with Imatinib, a specific inhibitor of BCR-ABL kinase. Furthermore, proteins, such as SHIP-1, SH2-containing protein (SHC) and Casitas B-lineage lymphoma proto-oncogene (CBL), are also regulated by Imatinib. These results demonstrate the simplicity and utility of SILAC as a method to quantify dynamic changes in phosphorylation at specific sites in response to stimuli or drug treatment in cell culture.     

A temperature sensitive p210 BCR-ABL mutant defines the primary consequences of BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase expression in growth factor dependent cells.

The Philadelphia translocation commonly observed in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) and a proportion of cases of acute leukaemia results in the creation of a chimeric fusion protein, BCR-ABL. The fusion protein exhibits an elevated tyrosine kinase activity as compared to normal ABL. Using a temperature sensitive mutant of p210 BCR-ABL (ts-p210) we find that the primary effect of BCR-ABL expression in an IL-3 dependent cell line is to prolong survival following growth factor withdrawal; only a small proportion of cells remain viable and rapidly evolve to complete growth factor independence. During passage in the presence of IL-3 at the temperature permissive for kinase activity, ts-p210 expressing cultures become dominated by completely growth factor independent cells within 10-30 days. There is also a significant difference between BCR-ABL and IL-3 mediated signalling with respect to the MAP kinase pathway; in contrast to IL-3 stimulation or v-ABL expression, BCR-ABL does not signal ERK 2 (MAP 2 kinase) activation, underlining the apparent inability of BCR-ABL to deliver an immediate proliferative signal in Ba/F3 cells. Our data suggest that growth factor independence does not simply reflect the convergence of BCR-ABL and IL-3 mediated signalling pathways and its development, at least in Ba/F3 cells, requires prolonged exposure to BCR-ABL kinase activity. We suggest that the myeloid expansion characteristic of CML may result from the prolongation of survival of myeloid progenitor cells under conditions of limiting growth factor rather than their uncontrolled proliferation.     

Effects of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib mesylate (STI571) on bone marrow features in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia

Preliminary data are available about bone marrow (BM) changes in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who received the molecularly targeted and highly effective tyrosine kinase inhibitor Imatinib mesylate (STI571). This review is focused on a systematic assessment of BM features detectable at different stages of CML (stable, accelerated, blastic) following long-term (more than 10 months) treatment. By applying enzyme- and immunohistochemistry including monoclonal antibodies visualizing proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and apoptosis (anti-apostatin), a more elaborate insight into alterations affecting hematopoiesis and the stroma compartment was gained. In patients with stable-phase CML therapy resulted in a significant reduction in cellularity, neutrophil granulopoiesis and number of megakaryocytes, accompanied by a retrieval of erythroid precursors. In patients with Imatinib as the only treatment morphometric analysis of CD61+ megakaryopoiesis was in keeping with a significant decrease in maturation defects implying a lesser amount of atypical micromegakaryocytes almost consistent with normalization. Moreover, a reduction of the initially enhanced (CD34+) microvessel density was detectable associated with a decrease in luminal distension. Regression of marked to moderate myelofibrosis was recognizable in about 70% of patients especially in the accelerated and blastic phases. The amount of myeloblasts, CD34+ progenitor cells and lysozyme-expressing immature myelomonocytic cells declined with treatment, but recurred in about 19% of patients that developed a leukemic relapse after 21+/-6 months of therapy. Data on proliferative activity and apoptosis in general supported in vitro findings concerning the inhibitory effect of this agent on growth associated with a tendency for stimulated apoptosis, at least in responding patients.     

Gamma-linolenic acid induces apoptosis and lipid peroxidation in human chronic myelogenous leukemia K562 cells

Various polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), inhibit the growth of a variety of tumor cells. Some evidence indicates that polyunsaturated fatty acid can kill cells by apoptosis. In the current study, we tested the apoptotic effect of GLA on human chronic myelogenous leukemia K562 cells. GLA induced K562 cell death in a dose-dependent manner. Typical apoptotic nuclei were shown by staining of K562 cells with DNA-binding fluorochrome Hoechst 33342, characterized by chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation. Flow cytometric analysis also demonstrated that GLA caused dose-dependent apoptosis of K562 cells. The apoptosis could be inhibited by a pancaspase inhibitor (z-VAD-fmk), suggesting the involvement of caspases. Further, release of cytochrome c, activation of caspase-3 and cleavage of PARP were found in GLA-induced apoptosis. GLA treatment could also elevate lipid peroxidation in K562 cells, and antioxidant α-tocopherol could reverse the cytotoxicity of GLA. The saturated fatty acid SA, which did not exhibit significant increase in lipid peroxidation, also did not induce cytotoxicity. Intracellular GSH was also determined, and there was no marked change of GSH levels in cells after incubation with GLA compared with the control. These results demonstrate that GLA could induce apoptosis in K562 cells. Apoptosis is mediated by release of cytochrome c, activation of caspase-3. Lipid peroxidation may play a role in GLA cytotoxicity.     

Polymorphism at codon 72 of the p53 gene in human acute myelogenous leukemia.

A common polymorphism at codon 72 of the p53 gene in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) was analyzed by single-strand conformation polymorphism assay and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis of immunoprecipitated 35S-labeled P53 protein. No association between this polymorphism and a marked predisposition to AML was found. The half-lives of these two polymorphic forms of P53 were equivalent in normal phytohemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocytes, while the P53 Pro72 isoform was found to be twice as stable as the Arg72 isoform in Daudi cells.     

Studies of purine and tiazofurin metabolism in drug sensitive human chronic myelogenous leukemia K 562 cells

Antineoplastic activity of tiazofurin (2-beta-D-ribofuranosylthiazole-4-carboxamide) is mediated by an anabolite of the drug thiazole-4-carboxamide adenine dinucleotide (TAD), an analog of NAD which inhibits IMP dehydrogenase activity resulting in the depletion of guanylate pools and cell death. Human chronic myelogenous leukemia K 562 cells were found to be sensitive to tiazofurin with an IC50 of 19.2 microM. TAD content in K 562 cells (1.3 nmol/10(9)/h) was in the range found in susceptible murine and human tumor cells. Studies were conducted to relate tiazofurin toxicity with biochemical effects by examining nucleotide pools. Among the nucleotides, only guanylate pools were significantly depleted by the drug. To further study the effect of the drug on the purine nucleotide de novo and salvage biosynthetic pathways, flux of radiolabelled formate and guanine was employed. The results showed that de novo synthesis of guanylates was curtailed primarily by the drug's action without influencing adenylate biosynthesis or salvage of guanine to guanylates. These studies show that K 562 cells are sensitive to selective inhibition of de novo guanylate pathway indicating that human chronic myelogenous leukemia in blast crisis might be a good candidate for Phase II clinical trials with tiazofurin.     

Purification and characterization of p93fes- and p60src-related tyrosine protein kinase activities in differentiated HL-60 leukemia cells

Two tyrosine protein kinase activities have been identified previously to be present in HL-60 leukemia cells during induction of granulocytic and monocytic differentiation with a variety of differentiating agents. We have copurified a membrane-associated tyrosine kinase (p93) and an activity associated with both the cytosol and membrane fractions (p60). Triton X-100 extracts from HL-60 cells treated with dimethyl sulfoxide were subjected to tyrosine-agarose chromatography, polypropyl aspartamide high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and HPLC using an antiphosphotyrosine IgG-derivatized column. Overall purification was 2700-fold for p93 and 1800-fold for p60. p60 and p93 are phosphorylated exclusively on tyrosine residues and can use poly(Glu,Tyr)4:1, histone H1 and vasoactive intestinal peptide as substrates. Poly(Glu,Tyr)1:1 and poly(Glu,Ala,Tyr)6:3:1 were less effective substrates for p60 and p93. The activity of p93 was dependent on Mg2+ or Mn2+, whereas p60 was dependent on Mg2+; however, the activity of p60 was stimulated in a synergistic manner by the presence of both Mg2+ and Mn2+, whereas the activity of p93 was not enhanced further by the combination of divalent ions. Both p60 and p93 were immunoprecipitated by an anti-v-src monoclonal antibody but only p93 was immunoprecipitated by an anti-v-fps/fes antibody. V8 protease digestion of p60 revealed one major proteolytic fragment containing phosphotyrosine, whereas V8 protease digestion of p93 produced two major peptides that were phosphorylated on tyrosine residues. These results suggest that, although p93 and p60 may possess some epitopic similarities, they have distinguishing phosphorylation sites. Moreover, p93, in contrast to p60, appears to be strictly associated with granulocytic/monocytic differentiation and related to the cellular fps/fes protooncogene.     

Analysis of membrane proteins from human chronic myelogenous leukemia cells: comparison of extraction methods for multidimensional LC-MS/MS

An important strategy for "shotgun proteomics" profiling involves solution proteolysis of proteins, followed by peptide separation using multidimensional liquid chromatography and automated sequencing by mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Several protocols for extracting and handling membrane proteins for shotgun proteomics experiments have been reported, but few direct comparisons of different protocols have been reported. We compare four methods for preparing membrane proteins from human cells, using acid labile surfactants (ALS), urea, and mixed organic-aqueous solvents. These methods were compared with respect to their efficiency of protein solubilization and proteolysis, peptide and protein recovery, membrane protein enrichment, and peptide coverage of transmembrane proteins. Overall, approximately 50-60% of proteins recovered were membrane-associated, identified from Gene Ontology annotations and transmembrane prediction software. Samples extracted with ALS, extracted with urea followed by dilution, or extracted with urea followed by desalting yielded comparable peptide recoveries and sequence coverage of transmembrane proteins. In contrast, suboptimal proteolysis was observed with organic solvent. Urea extraction followed by desalting may be a particularly useful approach, as it is less costly than ALS and yields satisfactory protein denaturation and proteolysis under conditions that minimize reactivity with urea-derived cyanate. Spectral counting was used to compare datasets of proteins from membrane samples with those of soluble proteins from K562 cells, and to estimate fold differences in protein abundances. Proteins most highly abundant in the membrane samples showed enrichment of integral membrane protein identifications, consistent with their isolation by differential centrifugation.     

Activation of the c-abl oncogene by viral transduction or chromosomal translocation generates altered c-abl proteins with similar in vitro kinase properties.

The v-abl protein of Abelson murine leukemia virus is a tyrosine-specific kinase. Its normal cellular homolog, murine c-abl, does not possess detectable tyrosine kinase activity in vitro. Previously, we have detected tyrosine kinase activity in vitro for an altered c-abl gene product (c-abl P210) in the K562 human chronic myelogenous leukemia cell line. The expression of this variant c-abl gene product correlates with chromosomal translocation and amplification of the c-abl gene in K562 cells. Like v-abl, c-abl P210 is a fusion protein containing non-abl sequences near the amino terminus of c-abl. We compared the in vitro tyrosine kinase activity of c-abl P210 with that of wild-type murine v-abl. The remarkable similarities of these two proteins with respect to cis-acting autophosphorylation, trans-acting phosphorylation of exogenous substrates, and kinase inhibition, using site-directed abl-specific antisera, suggested that c-abl P210 could function similarly to v-abl in vivo. In addition, c-abl P210 possessed an associated serine kinase activity in immunoprecipitates. The serine kinase activity was not inhibited by site-directed, abl-specific antisera that inhibit the tyrosine kinase activity, suggesting that the serine kinase activity is not an intrinsic property of c-abl P210. Thus, the activation of the c-abl gene in a human leukemia cell line may have functional consequences analogous to activation of the c-abl gene in Abelson murine leukemia virus.     

Altered erythrocyte protein kinase C activity and membrane protein phosphorylation in chronic myelogenous leukemia

The membrane protein kinase C (PKC) content was found to be higher in erythrocytes form patients suffering from chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) compared to normal erythrocytes. PKC activity was also higher in the cytosol and after translocation to the membrane, as assessed by histone phosphorylation. The increased PKC activity in CML erythrocytes was associated with abnormal phosphorylation of protein 4.1. Since phosphorylation-dephosphorylation mechanisms are likely candidates for controlling membrane protein associations, the altered PKC activity may be one of the factors responsible for altered thermal sensitivity and mechanical stability of CML erythrocytes.