A ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme, ube2d3.2, regulates xMLK2 and pronephros formation in Xenopus

Abstract The Jun N-terminal kinase kinase kinase MLK2 is required for the formation of the pronephros during early Xenopus development. Here, we have used a yeast 2-hybrid screen to identify proteins that interact with and regulate xMLK2. Using an N-terminal polypeptide encompassing the SH3 and kinase domains of xMLK2 as bait, five independent cDNAs were identified, all of which encoded a Xenopus ubiquitin conjugating enzyme, ube2d3.2. Ube2d3.2 is a functional E2 enzyme expressed maternally and in a tissue-restricted fashion during development. Ectopic expression of ube2d3.2 inhibits formation of the pronephric tubules, resulting in a phenotype very similar to the loss of xMLK2 function. Because ube2d3.2 is also shown to limit accumulation of xMLK2, it is likely that this effect is direct, although other explanations are possible. Ube2d3.2 is thus probably an endogenous regulator of xMLK2, and hence of JNK activity.     

Mixed-lineage kinase control of JNK and p38 MAPK pathways

Mixed-lineage kinases (MLKs) are serine/threonine protein kinases that regulate signalling by the c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated-protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. MLKs are represented in the genomes of both Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster. The Drosophila MLK Slipper regulates JNK to control dorsal closure during embryonic morphogenesis. In mammalian cells, MLKs are implicated in the control of apoptosis and are potential drug targets for many neurodegenerative diseases.     

Mixed lineage kinase LZK forms a functional signaling complex with JIP-1, a scaffold protein of the c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase pathway.

Leucine zipper-bearing kinase (LZK) is a novel member of the mixed lineage kinase (MLK) protein family, the cDNA of which was first cloned from a human brain cDNA library [Sakuma, H., Ikeda, A., Oka, S., Kozutsumi, Y., Zanetta, J.-P., and Kawasaki, T. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 28622-28629]. Several MLK family proteins have been proposed to function as MAP kinase kinase kinases in the c-Jun NH(2) terminal kinase (JNK)/stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) pathway. In the present study, we demonstrated that, like other MLKs, LZK activated the JNK/SAPK pathway but not the ERK pathway. LZK directly phosphorylated and activated MKK7, one of the two MAPKKs in the JNK/SAPK pathway, to a comparable extent to a constitutive active form of MEKK1 (MEKK1DeltaN), suggesting a biological role of LZK as a MAPKKK in the JNK/SAPK pathway. Recent studies have revealed the essential roles of scaffold proteins in intracellular signaling pathways including MAP kinase pathways. JIP-1, one of the scaffold proteins, has been shown to be associated with MLKs, MKK7, and JNK [Whitmarsh, A.J., Cavanagh, J., Tournier, C., Yasuda, J., and Davis, R.J. (1998) Science 281, 1671-1674], suggesting the presence of a selective signaling pathway including LZK, MKK7, and JNK. Consistent with this hypothesis, we provided evidence that LZK is associated with the C-terminal region of JIP-1 through its kinase catalytic domain. In addition, LZK-induced JNK activation was markedly enhanced when LZK and JNK were co-expressed with JIP-1. These results constituted important clues for understanding the molecular mechanisms regulating the signaling specificities of various JNK activators under different cellular conditions.     

Cep-1347 (KT7515), a semisynthetic inhibitor of the mixed lineage kinase family

CEP-1347 (KT7515) promotes neuronal survival at dosages that inhibit activation of the c-Jun amino-terminal kinases (JNKs) in primary embryonic cultures and differentiated PC12 cells after trophic withdrawal and in mice treated with 1-methyl-4-phenyl tetrahydropyridine. In an effort to identify molecular target(s) of CEP-1347 in the JNK cascade, JNK1 and known upstream regulators of JNK1 were co-expressed in Cos-7 cells to determine whether CEP-1347 could modulate JNK1 activation. CEP-1347 blocked JNK1 activation induced by members of the mixed lineage kinase (MLK) family (MLK3, MLK2, MLK1, dual leucine zipper kinase, and leucine zipper kinase). The response was selective because CEP-1347 did not inhibit JNK1 activation in cells induced by kinases independent of the MLK cascade. CEP-1347 inhibition of recombinant MLK members in vitro was competitive with ATP, resulting in IC(50) values ranging from 23 to 51 nm, comparable to inhibitory potencies observed in intact cells. In addition, overexpression of MLK3 led to death in Chinese hamster ovary cells, and CEP-1347 blocked this death at doses comparable to those that inhibited MLK3 kinase activity. These results identify MLKs as targets of CEP-1347 in the JNK signaling cascade and demonstrate that CEP-1347 can block MLK-induced cell death.     

Negative regulation of mixed lineage kinase 3 by protein kinase B/AKT leads to cell survival

Mixed lineage kinase 3 (MLK3) is a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK) that activates c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and can induce cell death in neurons. By contrast, the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and AKT/protein kinase B (PKB) acts to suppress neuronal apoptosis. Here, we report a functional interaction between MLK3 and AKT1/PKBalpha. Endogenous MLK3 and AKT1 interact in HepG2 cells, and this interaction is regulated by insulin. The interaction domain maps to the C-terminal half of MLK3 (amino acids 511-847), and this region also contains a putative AKT phosphorylation consensus sequence. Endogenous JNK, MKK7, and MLK3 kinase activities in HepG2 cells are significantly attenuated by insulin treatment, whereas the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitors LY294002 and wortmannin reversed the effect. Finally, MLK3-mediated JNK activation is inhibited by AKT1. AKT phosphorylates MLK3 on serine 674 both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the expression of activated AKT1 inhibits MLK3-mediated cell death in a manner dependent on serine 674 phosphorylation. Thus, these data provide the first direct link between MLK3-mediated cell death and its regulation by a cell survival signaling protein, AKT1.     

Mice lacking both mixed-lineage kinase genes Mlk1 and Mlk2 retain a wild type phenotype

The mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinases of the mixed-lineage kinase (MLK) family have been shown to activate the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, and to regulate the other two principal MAPK cascades, p38 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Although there is growing evidence for their involvement in neuronal cell death leading to neurodegenerative disorders, little in vivo data is available for the members of this family of kinases. Here, we report that the inactivation of mouse Mlk1 and Mlk2 genes. Mlk1-/- and Mlk2-/- mice were found to be viable and healthy. Surprisingly, mice carrying the compound Mlk1/Mlk2 null mutations were also found to be viable, fertile and to have a normal life span. The nervous system, testis and kidney, the major sites of MLK1 and 2 expression, all appear normal, as do other organs where these kinases were found to be more weakly expressed. Surprisingly, developmental neuronal programmed cell death, another potential target for MLK family members, was also found to be unaffected. Our results suggest that there is extensive functional redundancy between MLK1/MLK2 and the other member of the family, MLK3, which is also not required for survival in mouse.     

The MLK Family Mediates c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase Activation in Neuronal Apoptosis

Neuronal apoptotic death induced by nerve growth factor (NGF) deprivation is reported to be in part mediated through a pathway that includes Rac1 and Cdc42, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases 4 and 7 (MKK4 and -7), c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs), and c-Jun. However, additional components of the pathway remain to be defined. We show here that members of the mixed-lineage kinase (MLK) family (including MLK1, MLK2, MLK3, and dual leucine zipper kinase [DLK]) are expressed in neuronal cells and are likely to act between Rac1/Cdc42 and MKK4 and -7 in death signaling. Overexpression of MLKs effectively induces apoptotic death of cultured neuronal PC12 cells and sympathetic neurons, while expression of dominant-negative forms of MLKs suppresses death evoked by NGF deprivation or expression of activated forms of Rac1 and Cdc42. CEP-1347 (KT7515), which blocks neuronal death caused by NGF deprivation and a variety of additional apoptotic stimuli and which selectively inhibits the activities of MLKs, effectively protects neuronal PC12 cells from death induced by overexpression of MLK family members. In addition, NGF deprivation or UV irradiation leads to an increase in both level and phosphorylation of endogenous DLK. These observations support a role for MLKs in the neuronal death mechanism. With respect to ordering the death pathway, dominant-negative forms of MKK4 and -7 and c-Jun are protective against death induced by MLK overexpression, placing MLKs upstream of these kinases. Additional findings place the MLKs upstream of mitochondrial cytochrome c release and caspase activation.     

Cytokine-induced activation of mixed lineage kinase 3 requires TRAF2 and TRAF6

Mixed lineage kinase 3 (MLK3) is a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAP3K) that activates multiple mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways in response to growth factors, stresses and the pro-inflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor (TNF). MLK3 is required for optimal activation of stress activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK) signaling by TNF, however, the mechanism by which MLK3 is recruited and activated by the TNF receptor remains poorly understood. Here we report that both TNF and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) stimulation rapidly activate MLK3 kinase activity. We observed that TNF stimulates an interaction between MLK3 and TNF receptor associated factor (TRAF) 2 and IL-1β stimulates an interaction between MLK3 and TRAF6. RNA interference (RNAi) of traf2 or traf6 dramatically impairs MLK3 activation by TNF indicating that TRAF2 and TRAF6 are critically required for MLK3 activation. We show that TNF also stimulates ubiquitination of MLK3 and MLK3 can be conjugated with lysine 48 (K48)- and lysine 63 (K63)-linked polyubiquitin chains. Our results suggest that K48-linked ubiquitination directs MLK3 for proteosomal degradation while K63-linked ubiquitination is important for MLK3 kinase activity. These results reveal a novel mechanism for MLK3 activation by the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF and IL-1β.     

The MAP kinase kinase kinase MLK2 co-localizes with activated JNK along microtubules and associates with kinesin superfamily motor KIF3.

The MLK (mixed lineage) ser/thr kinases are most closely related to the MAP kinase kinase kinase family. In addition to a kinase domain, MLK1, MLK2 and MLK3 each contain an SH3 domain, a leucine zipper domain and a potential Rac/Cdc42 GTPase-binding (CRIB) motif. The C-terminal regions of the proteins are essentially unrelated. Using yeast two-hybrid analysis and in vitro dot-blots, we show that MLK2 and MLK3 interact with the activated (GTP-bound) forms of Rac and Cdc42, with a slight preference for Rac. Transfection of MLK2 into COS cells leads to strong and constitutive activation of the JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) MAP kinase cascade, but also to activation of ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) and p38. When expressed in fibroblasts, MLK2 co-localizes with active, dually phosphorylated JNK1/2 to punctate structures along microtubules. In an attempt to identify proteins that affect the activity and localization of MLK2, we have screened a yeast two-hybrid cDNA library. MLK2 and MLK3 interact with members of the KIF3 family of kinesin superfamily motor proteins and with KAP3A, the putative targeting component of KIF3 motor complexes, suggesting a potential link between stress activation and motor protein function.     

Mixed lineage kinase 3 inhibits phorbol myristoyl acetate-induced DNA synthesis but not osteopontin expression in rat mesangial cells

Mixed lineage kinase 3 (MLK 3) (also called SPRK or PTK-1) is a recently described member of the family of the mixed lineage kinase subfamily of Ser/Thr protein kinases that interacts with mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. In order to test the biological relevance and potential interaction of MLK 3 with protein kinase C-mediated signaling pathways, human MLK 3 was stably expressed in rat glomerular mesangial cells using a retroviral vector (LXSN) and the effects of phorbol myristoyl acetate (PMA) on DNA synthesis and osteopontin mRNA expression were examined. In control (vector-transfected) mesangial cells PMA increased [³H]-thymidine incorporation in a concentration-dependent manner. In mesangial cells stably expressing MLK 3, the PMA-induced increase in [³H]-thymidine incorporation was significantly reduced (> 50%). However, the PMA-induced increase in osteopontin mRNA was not affected by MLK 3 expression. To determine the mechanisms of these effects, activation of ERK2, JNK1 and p38 in response to PMA was examined in both vector and MLK 3 transfected cells. ERK2 activation was increased several fold by PMA in control cells but was attenuated significantly in MLK 3 expressing cells, suggesting that MLK 3 expression in mesangial cells can negatively regulate the ERK pathway. PMA had no significant effect on JNK and P38 activation, in either vector- or MLK 3-expressing cells. PD98059, a MEK inhibitor blocked PMA-induced DNA synthesis without affecting osteopontin expression. These results suggest that while protein kinase C activation increases cellular proliferation and osteopontin mRNA expression, over-expression of MLK 3 affects only the PKC-induced DNA synthesis, probably through inhibition of ERK. These results also indicate a novel mechanism of growth regulation by a member of the mixed-lineage kinase family that might have significant therapeutic implications in proliferative glomerulonephritis.     

Inhibition of microglial inflammation by the MLK inhibitor CEP-1347

CEP-1347 is a potent inhibitor of the mixed lineage kinases (MLKs), a distinct family of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinases (MAPKKK). It blocks the activation of the c-Jun/JNK apoptotic pathway in neurons exposed to various stressors and attenuates neurodegeneration in animal models of Parkinson's disease (PD). Microglial activation may involve kinase pathways controlled by MLKs and might contribute to the pathology of neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, the possibility that CEP-1347 modulates the microglial inflammatory response [tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1)] was explored. Indeed, the MLK inhibitor CEP-1347 reduced cytokine production in primary cultures of human and murine microglia, and in monocyte/macrophage-derived cell lines, stimulated with various endotoxins or the plaque forming peptide Abeta1-40. Moreover, CEP-1347 inhibited brain TNF production induced by intracerebroventricular injection of lipopolysaccharide in mice. As expected from a MLK inhibitor, CEP-1347 acted upstream of p38 and c-Jun activation in microglia by dampening the activity of both pathways. These data imply MLKs as important, yet unrecognized, modulators of microglial inflammation, and demonstrate a novel anti-inflammatory potential of CEP-1347.     

Regulation of the protein stability of POSH and MLK family

Sequential activation of the JNK pathway components, including Rac1/Cdc42, MLKs (mixed-lineage kinases), MKK4/7 and JNKs, plays a required role in many cell death paradigms. Those components are organized by a scaffold protein, POSH (Plenty of SH3’s), to ensure the effective activation of the JNK pathway and cell death upon apoptotic stimuli. We have shown recently that the expression of POSH and MLK family proteins are regulated through protein stability. By generating a variety of mutants, we provide evidence here that the N-terminal half of POSH is accountable for its stability regulation and its over-expression-induced cell death. In addition, POSH’s ability to induce apoptosis is correlated with its stability as well as its MLK binding ability. MLK family’s stability, like that of POSH, requires activation of JNKs. However, we were surprised to find out that the widely used dominant negative (d/n) form of c-Jun could down-regulate MLK’s stability, indicating that peptide from d/n c-Jun can be potentially developed into a therapeutical drug.     

Synergistic effects of the SAPK/JNK and the proteasome pathway on glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) accumulation in Alexander disease

Protein aggregates in astrocytes that contain glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), small heat shock proteins, and ubiquitinated proteins are termed Rosenthal fibers and characterize Alexander disease, a leukodystrophy caused by heterozygous mutations in GFAP. The mechanisms responsible for the massive accumulation of GFAP in Alexander disease remain unclear. In this study, we show that overexpression of both wild type and R239C mutant human GFAP led to cytoplasmic inclusions. GFAP accumulation also led to a decrease of proteasome activity and an activation of the MLK2-JNK pathway. In turn, the expression of activated mixed lineage kinases (MLKs) induced JNK activation and increased GFAP accumulation, whereas blocking the JNK pathway decreased GFAP accumulation. Activated MLK also inhibited proteasome function. A direct inhibition of proteasome function pharmacologically further activated JNK. Our data suggest a synergistic interplay between the proteasome and the SAPK/JNK pathway in the context of GFAP accumulation. Feedback interactions among GFAP accumulation, SAPK/JNK activation, and proteasomal hypofunction cooperate to produce further protein accumulation and cellular stress responses.     

Knock-down of POSH expression is neuroprotective through down-regulating activation of the MLK3-MKK4-JNK pathway following cerebral ischaemia in the rat hippocampal CA1 subfield

We investigated the expression and subcellular localization of the multidomain protein POSH (plenty of SH3s) by immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis, as well as its role in the selective activation of mixed-lineage kinases (MLKs) 3, MAP kinase kinase (MKK) 4, c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) and the c-Jun signalling cascade in the rat hippocampal CA1 region following cerebral ischaemia. Our results indicated that the cytosol immunoreactivity of POSH was strong in the CA1-CA3 pyramidal cell but weak in the DG granule cell of the rat hippocampus both in sham control and after reperfusion. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments showed that the interactions of MLK3, MKK4 and phospho-JNKs with POSH were persistently enhanced during the early (30 min) and the later reperfusion period (from 1 to 3 days) compared with sham controls. Consistently, MLK3-MKK4-JNK activation was rapidly increased with peaks both at 30 min and 3 days of reperfusion. Intracerebroventricular infusion of POSH antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (AS-ODNs) not only significantly reduced the protein level of POSH, markedly decreased its interactions with MLK3, MKK4 and phospho-JNKs, but also attenuated the activation of the JNK signalling pathway. In addition, infusion of POSH AS-ODNs significantly increased the neuronal density in the CA1 region at 5 days of reperfusion. Our results suggest that POSH might serve as a scaffold mediating JNK signalling activation in the hippocampal CA1 region following cerebral ischaemia, and POSH AS-ODNs exerts its protective effects on ischaemic injury through a mechanism of inhibition of the MLK3-MKK4-JNK signalling pathway, involving c-Jun and caspase 3 activation.     

Connective tissue growth factor induces collagen I expression in human lung fibroblasts through the Rac1/MLK3/JNK/AP-1 pathway

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) plays an important role in lung fibrosis. In this study, we investigated the role of Rac1, mixed-lineage kinase 3 (MLK3), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and activator protein-1 (AP-1) in CTGF-induced collagen I expression in human lung fibroblasts. CTGF caused concentration- and time-dependent increases in collagen I expression. CTGF-induced collagen I expression was inhibited by the dominant negative mutant (DN) of Rac1 (RacN17), MLK3DN, MLK3 inhibitor (K252a), JNK1DN, JNK2DN, a JNK inhibitor (SP600125), and an AP-1 inhibitor (curcumin). Treatment of cells with CTGF caused activation of Rac1, MLK3, JNK, and AP-1. The CTGF-induced increase in MLK3 phosphorylation was inhibited by RacN17. Treatment with RacN17 and the MLK3DN inhibited CTGF-induced JNK phosphorylation. CTGF caused increases in c-Jun phosphorylation and the recruitment of c-Jun and c-Fos to the collagen I promoter. Furthermore, stimulation of cells with the CTGF resulted in increases in AP-1-luciferase activity; this effect was inhibited by Rac1N17, MLK3DN, JNK1DN, and JNK2DN. Moreover, CTGF-induced α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression was inhibited by the procollagen I small interfering RNA (siRNA). These results suggest for the first time that CTGF acting through Rac1 activates the MLK3/JNK signaling pathway, which in turn initiates AP-1 activation and recruitment of c-Jun and c-Fos to the collagen I promoter and ultimately induces collagen I expression in human lung fibroblasts.     

Complete inhibition of anisomycin and UV radiation but not cytokine induced JNK and p38 activation by an aryl-substituted dihydropyrrolopyrazole quinoline and mixed lineage kinase 7 small interfering RNA

Mixed lineage kinase 7 (MLK7) is a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK) that activates the pro-apoptotic signaling pathways p38 and JNK. A library of potential kinase inhibitors was screened, and a series of dihydropyrrolopyrazole quinolines was identified as highly potent inhibitors of MLK7 in vitro catalytic activity. Of this series, an aryl-substituted dihydropyrrolopyrazole quinoline (DHP-2) demonstrated an IC50 of 70 nM for inhibition of pJNK formation in COS-7 cell MLK7/JNK co-transfection assays. In stimulated cells, DHP-2 at 200 nM or MLK7 small interfering RNA completely blocked anisomycin and UV induced but had no effect on interleukin-1beta or tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced p38 and JNK activation. Additionally, the compound blocked anisomycin and UV-induced apoptosis in COS-7 cells. Heart tissue homogenates from MLK7 transgenic mice treated with DHP-2 at 30 mg/kg had reduced JNK and p38 activation with no apparent effect on ERK activation, demonstrating that this compound can be used to block MLK7-driven MAPK pathway activation in vivo. Taken together, these data demonstrate that MLK7 is the MAPKKK required for modulation of the stress-activated MAPKs downstream of anisomycin and UV stimulation and that DHP-2 can be used to block MLK7 pathway activation in cells as well as in vivo.     

PAK interacts with NCK and MLK2 to regulate the activation of jun N-terminal kinase

The p21-GTPase activated kinase, PAK1, and the mixed lineage kinase, MLK2, have been implicated in the activation of jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). However, the role of PAK1 in JNK activation is still not understood. Here we show that over-expression of the SH3-SH2 adapter Nck 'squelches' JNK activation but this squelching is relieved by over-expression of PAK1. In turn, PAK1 squelches activation of JNK by MLK2 and these kinases interact via their catalytic domains. The data suggest that PAK1 recruits MLK2 to an activated receptor via the adapter Nck, but cannot itself induce activation of the JNK cascade.     

Mixed lineage kinase 3 connects reactive oxygen species to c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase-induced mitochondrial apoptosis in genipin-treated PC3 human prostate cancer cells

It has been reported that genipin, the aglycone of geniposide, induces apoptotic cell death in human hepatoma cells via a NADPH oxidase-reactive oxygen species (ROS)-c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK)-dependent activation of mitochondrial pathway. This continuing work aimed to define that mixed lineage kinase 3 (MLK3) is a key mediator, which connect between ROS and JNK in genipin-induced cell death signaling. In PC3 human prostate cancer cells, genipin stimulated MLK3 activity in concentration- and time-dependent manner. The PC3 cells stably transfected with dominant-negative form of MLK3 was less susceptible to population of the sub-G1 apoptotic cells, activation of caspase, collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential, and release of cytochrome c triggered by genipin, suggesting a crucial role of MLK3 in genipin signaling to apoptotic cell death. Diphenyleneiodonium (DPI), a specific inhibitor of NADPH oxidase, markedly inhibited ROS generation and MLK3 phosphorylation in the genipin-treated cells. Pretreatment with SP0600125, a specific inhibitor of JNK but neither U0126, a specific inhibitor of MEK1/2 nor PD169316, a specific inhibitor of p38 suppressed genipin-induced apoptotic cell death. Notably, both the phosphorylation of JNK and induction of c-Jun induced by genipin were markedly inhibited in PC3-EGFP-MLK3 (K144R) cells expressing a dominant-negative MLK3 mutant. Taken together, our observations suggest genipin signaling to apoptosis of PC3 cells is mediated via activation of ROS-dependent MLK3, which leads to downstream activation of JNK.