epidermal-growth-factor and lysophosphatidic-acid

Therapeutics targeting the ErbB protein family receptors have not always yielded favorable or successful results in present cancer therapy. This review discusses the possibility of the clinical adaptation of targeting against heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF), one of the ligands of the ErbB system, in ovarian cancer therapy.. We have previously described the results of studies concerning roles of HB-EGF in tumor formation in ovarian cancer. In brief, lisophosphatidic acid (LPA) and HB-EGF are predominantly expressed in advanced ovarian cancer, and LPA-induced, a disintegrin and metalloprotease-mediated ectodomain shedding of HB-EGF was found to be critical to tumor formation. We also noted that exogenous expression of HB-EGF enhanced tumor formation but inhibition blocked both extracellular signal-related kinase and serine/threonine protein kinase activation. Finally we investigated the antitumor effects of CRM197 - a specific HB-EGF inhibitor - on ovarian cancer cells by evaluating human ovarian cancer cell proliferation.. We discuss alternative strategies to develop the chemotherapeutic agent based on targeting ErbB family ligands rather than their receptors. A phase I study of CRM197 for advanced ovarian cancer has already begun, which is the first approved trial of ErbB-ligand-targeted therapy. We also discuss clinical adaptations based on combination of CRM197 with other conventional chemotherapeutic agents.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Bacterial Proteins; Cell Proliferation; Clinical Trials, Phase I as Topic; Epidermal Growth Factor; Female; Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor; Humans; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Lysophospholipids; Ovarian Neoplasms; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; Signal Transduction

The bioactive phospholipids, LPA (lysophosphatidic acid) and PA (phosphatidic acid), regulate pivotal processes related to the pathogenesis of cancer. Recently, we cloned a novel type of lipid kinase that phosphorylates monoacylglycerols (such as 2-arachidonoylglycerol, an endogenous cannabinoid receptor ligand) and diacylglycerols, to form LPA and PA, respectively. This AGK (acylglycerol kinase) is highly expressed in prostate cancer cell lines and the results reviewed here suggest that AGK might be a critical player in the initiation and progression of prostate cancer. Intriguingly, down-regulation of endogenous AGK inhibited EGF (epidermal growth factor), but not LPA-induced ERK1/2 (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1/2) activation and progression through the S-phase of the cell cycle. In this review, we will summarize the evidence demonstrating that AGK amplifies EGF growth signalling pathways that play an important role in the pathophysiology of prostate cancer. Because LPA has long been implicated as an autocrine and paracrine growth stimulatory factor for prostate cancer cells, the identification of this novel lipid kinase that regulates its production could provide new and useful targets for preventive or therapeutic measures.

Topics: Cell Proliferation; Cell Survival; Epidermal Growth Factor; Humans; Lysophospholipids; Male; Phosphatidic Acids; Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor); Prostatic Neoplasms; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; Signal Transduction

Topics: Ascitic Fluid; Calcium; Cell Division; Drug Design; Epidermal Growth Factor; ErbB Receptors; Female; Humans; Lysophospholipids; Ovarian Neoplasms; Signal Transduction

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Bacterial Proteins; Cell Division; Drug Design; Epidermal Growth Factor; ErbB Receptors; Female; Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor; Humans; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Ligands; Lysophospholipids; Ovarian Neoplasms; Signal Transduction

Lysophosphatidic acid-supplemented culture medium significantly increases the oocyte maturation rate in vitro. However, potential targets and pathways involved remain unknown.. A total of 43 women, who underwent cesarean section and aged between 18 and 35 years with good health, were included in this study. Immature oocytes were obtained and cultured with 10 µM lysophosphatidic acid. After culture, oocyte maturation was assessed and oocytes and cumulus cells were collected for RNA sequencing. Hierarchical indexing for spliced alignment of transcripts 2 method was used to align clean reads to the human genome. The featureCounts and edgeR package were used to calculate gene expression and analyze differences between groups respectively. ClusterProfiler program was used to perform Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis.. Oocyte maturation rate increased significantly following 48 h culture with lysophosphatidic acid. In cumulus cells, Gene Ontology analysis revealed the top 20 items enriched by upregulated genes and downregulated genes respectively; Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis showed that upregulated genes in the treatment group were enriched in TNF signaling and insulin secretion pathways and downregulated genes were enriched in TNF signaling and cell adhesion molecules. In oocytes, Gene Ontology analysis revealed the top 20 items enriched by upregulated genes and downregulated genes respectively; Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis showed that upregulated genes in the treatment group were enriched in MAPK signaling, gap junction, and cell cycle pathways and downregulated genes were enriched in MAPK signaling, estrogen signaling, RAP1 signaling, and gap junction pathways.. Lysophosphatidic acid in culture medium enhances human oocyte maturation in vitro and the identified some potential pathways may associate with oocyte maturation.

Topics: Adult; Cell Cycle; Culture Media; Cumulus Cells; Down-Regulation; Epidermal Growth Factor; Estrogens; Female; Follicle Stimulating Hormone; Gap Junctions; Gene Expression; Gene Ontology; Humans; In Vitro Oocyte Maturation Techniques; Luteinizing Hormone; Lysophospholipids; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Oocytes; Ovarian Follicle; Signal Transduction; Up-Regulation; Young Adult

Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) are regenerated continuously from intestinal stem cells (ISCs) near the base of intestinal crypts in order to maintain homeostasis and structural integrity of intestinal epithelium. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is thought to be important to drive the proliferation and differentiation of IECs from ISCs, it remains unknown whether other growth factors or lipid mediators are also important for such regulation, however. Here we show that lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), instead of EGF, robustly promoted the development of intestinal organoids prepared from the mouse small intestine. Indeed, LPA exhibited the proliferative activity of IECs as well as induction of differentiation of IECs into goblet cells, Paneth cells, and enteroendocrine cells in intestinal organoids. Inhibitors for LPA receptor 1 markedly suppressed the LPA-promoted development of intestinal organoids. LPA also promoted the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 in intestinal organoids, whereas inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK kinase (MEK) 1/2 significantly suppressed the development of, as well as the proliferative activity and differentiation of, intestinal organoids in response to LPA. Our results thus suggest that LPA is a key factor that drives the proliferation and differentiation of IECs.

Topics: Animals; Cell Differentiation; Cell Proliferation; Epidermal Growth Factor; Epithelial Cells; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; Intestinal Mucosa; Lysophospholipids; Male; MAP Kinase Signaling System; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Organoids; Phosphorylation; Receptors, Lysophosphatidic Acid; Tissue Culture Techniques

Tumor cells initiate platelet activation leading to the secretion of bioactive molecules, which promote metastasis. Platelet receptors on tumors have not been well-characterized, resulting in a critical gap in knowledge concerning platelet-promoted metastasis. We identify a direct interaction between platelets and tumor CD97 that stimulates rapid bidirectional signaling. CD97, an adhesion G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), is an overexpressed tumor antigen in several cancer types. Purified CD97 extracellular domain or tumor cell-associated CD97 stimulated platelet activation. CD97-initiated platelet activation led to granule secretion, including the release of ATP, a mediator of endothelial junction disruption. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) derived from platelets induced tumor invasiveness via proximal CD97-LPAR heterodimer signaling, coupling coincident tumor cell migration and vascular permeability to promote transendothelial migration. Consistent with this, CD97 was necessary for tumor cell-induced vascular permeability in vivo and metastasis formation in preclinical models. These findings support targeted blockade of tumor CD97 as an approach to ameliorate metastatic spread.

Topics: Antigens, CD; Blood Platelets; Cell Adhesion; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Movement; Colorectal Neoplasms; Dimerization; Epidermal Growth Factor; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; Humans; Lysophospholipids; Platelet Activation; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; Receptors, Lysophosphatidic Acid; RNA Interference; RNA, Small Interfering; Signal Transduction; Tight Junctions; Transforming Growth Factor beta

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a lipid mediator that mediates cellular effects via G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a peptide that acts via a receptor tyrosine kinase. LPA and EGF both induce proliferation of prostate cancer cells and can transactivate each other's receptors. The LPA receptor LPA1 is particularly important for LPA response in human prostate cancer cells. Previous work in our laboratory has demonstrated that free fatty acid 4 (FFA4), a GPCR activated by ω-3 fatty acids, inhibits responses to both LPA and EGF in these cells. One potential mechanism for the inhibition involves negative interactions between FFA4 and LPA1, thereby suppressing responses to EGF that require LPA1 In the current study, we examined the role of LPA1 in mediating EGF and FFA4 agonist responses in two human prostate cancer cell lines, DU145 and PC-3. The results show that an LPA1-selective antagonist inhibits proliferation and migration to both LPA and EGF. Knockdown of LPA1 expression, using silencing RNA, blocks responses to LPA and significantly inhibits responses to EGF. The partial response to EGF that is observed after LPA1 knockdown is not inhibited by FFA4 agonists. Finally, the role of arrestin-3, a GPCR-binding protein that mediates many actions of activated GPCRs, was tested. Knockdown of arrestin-3 completely inhibits responses to both LPA and EGF in prostate cancer cells. Taken together, these results suggest that LPA1 plays a critical role in EGF responses and that FFA4 agonists inhibit proliferation by suppressing positive cross-talk between LPA1 and the EGF receptor.

Topics: beta-Arrestin 2; Cell Movement; Cell Proliferation; Epidermal Growth Factor; ErbB Receptors; Gene Knockdown Techniques; Humans; Lysophospholipids; Male; Prostatic Neoplasms; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; Receptors, Lysophosphatidic Acid

The Matrigel-embedded epithelium of the mouse submandibular gland undergoes branching morphogenesis when cultured in medium supplemented with fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7) and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), whereas it elongates a stalk with limited branching in medium with only FGF7. Because LPA is a well-known activator of epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling, we hypothesized the involvement of autocrine EGF family growth factors in the branching morphogenesis.. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction studies showed that three members, Tgfa, Hbegf,and Nrg1 of the EGF family were expressed in the epithelium cultured with FGF7 + LPA as well as in the epithelium freshly isolated from the rudiments. All the growth factors induced extensive branching morphogenesis in the Matrigel-embedded epithelium in the presence of LPA. Tyrphostin AG112, an inhibitor of EGF signaling, severely impaired branching morphogenesis induced by FGF7 + LPA without exogenous addition of EGF family growth factors to the culture medium. The shaking cultures, which were expected to decrease the concentration of autocrine growth factors near the epithelium by promoting their diffusion, significantly reduced branching morphogenesis induced by FGF7 + LPA.. Autocrine EGF family growth factors are involved in epithelial branching morphogenesis induced by FGF7 + LPA.

Topics: Animals; Autocrine Communication; Epidermal Growth Factor; Epithelium; Fibroblast Growth Factor 7; Lysophospholipids; Mice; Morphogenesis; Salivary Glands

Cancer cells alter their migratory properties during tumor progression to invade surrounding tissues and metastasize to distant sites. However, it remains unclear how migratory behaviors differ between tumor cells of different malignancy and whether these migratory behaviors can be utilized to assess the malignant potential of tumor cells. Here, we analyzed the migratory behaviors of cell lines representing different stages of breast cancer progression using conventional migration assays or time-lapse imaging and particle image velocimetry (PIV) to capture migration dynamics. We find that the number of migrating cells in transwell assays, and the distance and speed of migration in unconstrained 2D assays, show no correlation with malignant potential. However, the directionality of cell motion during 2D migration nicely distinguishes benign and tumorigenic cell lines, with tumorigenic cell lines harboring less directed, more random motion. Furthermore, the migratory behaviors of epithelial sheets observed under basal conditions and in response to stimulation with epidermal growth factor (EGF) or lysophosphatitic acid (LPA) are distinct for each cell line with regard to cell speed, directionality, and spatiotemporal motion patterns. Surprisingly, treatment with LPA promotes a more cohesive, directional sheet movement in lung colony forming MCF10CA1a cells compared to basal conditions or EGF stimulation, implying that the LPA signaling pathway may alter the invasive potential of MCF10CA1a cells. Together, our findings identify cell directionality as a promising indicator for assessing the tumorigenic potential of breast cancer cell lines and show that LPA induces more cohesive motility in a subset of metastatic breast cancer cells.

Topics: Breast Neoplasms; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Migration Assays; Cell Movement; Disease Progression; Epidermal Growth Factor; Female; Humans; Lysophospholipids; Neoplasm Metastasis; Phenotype; Tumor Stem Cell Assay

The transcription factor E2F4 controls proliferation of normal and cancerous intestinal epithelial cells. E2F4 localization in normal human intestinal epithelial cells (HIEC) is cell cycle-dependent, being cytoplasmic in quiescent differentiated cells but nuclear in proliferative cells. However, the intracellular signaling mechanisms regulating such E2F4 localization remain unknown.. Treatment of quiescent HIEC with serum induced ERK1/2 activation, E2F4 phosphorylation, E2F4 nuclear translocation and G1/S phase transition while inhibition of MEK/ERK signaling by U0126 prevented these events. Stimulation of HIEC with epidermal growth factor (EGF) also led to the activation of ERK1/2 but, in contrast to serum or lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), EGF failed to induce E2F4 phosphorylation, E2F4 nuclear translocation and G1/S phase transition. Furthermore, Akt and GSK3β phosphorylation levels were markedly enhanced in serum- or LPA-stimulated HIEC but not by EGF. Importantly, E2F4 phosphorylation, E2F4 nuclear translocation and G1/S phase transition were all observed in response to EGF when GSK3 activity was concomitantly inhibited by SB216763. Finally, E2F4 was found to be overexpressed, phosphorylated and nuclear localized in epithelial cells from human colorectal adenomas exhibiting mutations in APC and KRAS or BRAF genes, known to deregulate GSK3/β-catenin and MEK/ERK signaling, respectively.. The present results indicate that MEK/ERK activation and GSK3 inhibition are both required for E2F4 phosphorylation as well as its nuclear translocation and S phase entry in HIEC. This finding suggests that dysregulated E2F4 nuclear localization may be an instigating event leading to hyperproliferation and hence, of tumor initiation and promotion in the colon and rectum.

Topics: Adenoma; Butadienes; Cell Cycle; Cell Line; Cell Proliferation; Cells, Cultured; Colorectal Neoplasms; E2F4 Transcription Factor; Enzyme Inhibitors; Epidermal Growth Factor; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3; Humans; Intestinal Mucosa; Lysophospholipids; MAP Kinase Signaling System; Mitogens; Nitriles; Phosphorylation; Transcription, Genetic

Various pathways impinge on the actin-myosin pathway to facilitate cell migration and invasion including members of the Rho family of small GTPases and MAPK. However, the signaling components that are considered important for these processes vary substantially within the literature with certain pathways being favored. These distinctions in signaling pathways utilized are often attributed to differences in cell type or physiological conditions; however, these attributes have not been systematically assessed.. To address this question, we analyzed the migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 breast carcinoma cell line in response to various stimuli including lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) and determined the involvement of select signaling pathways that impact myosin light chain phosphorylation.. LPA, a potent stimulator of the Rho-ROCK pathway, surprisingly did not require the Rho-ROCK pathway to stimulate migration but instead utilized Rac and MAPK. In contrast, LPA-stimulated invasion required Rho, Rac, and MAPK. Of these three major pathways, EGF-stimulated MDA-MB-231 migration and invasion required Rho; however, Rac was essential only for invasion and MAPK was dispensable for migration. HGF signaling, interestingly, utilized the same pathways for migration and invasion, requiring Rho but not Rac signaling. Notably, the dependency of HGF-stimulated migration and invasion as well as EGF-stimulated invasion on MAPK was subject to the inhibitors used. As expected, myosin light chain kinase (MLCK), a convergence point for MAPK and Rho family GTPase signaling, was required for all six conditions.. These observations suggest that, while multiple signaling pathways contribute to cancer cell motility, not all pathways operate under all conditions. Thus, our study highlights the plasticity of cancer cells to adapt to multiple migratory cues.

Topics: Actins; Breast Neoplasms; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Movement; Epidermal Growth Factor; Female; Hepatocyte Growth Factor; Humans; Lysophospholipids; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Myosin-Light-Chain Kinase; Myosins; Neoplasm Invasiveness; rac GTP-Binding Proteins; rho GTP-Binding Proteins; Signal Transduction

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that function as master regulators of posttranscriptional gene expression with each miRNA negatively regulating hundreds of genes. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a mitogenic lipid present within the ovarian tumor microenvironment and induces LPA receptor activation and intracellular signaling cascades like ERK/MAPK, leading to enhanced cellular proliferation. Here, we show that in SKOV-3 and OVCAR-3 cells, LPA stimulation at concentrations ranging from 1 nmol/L to 20 μmol/L for 30 to 60 minutes increases miR-30c-2*, and this effect is mediated through a combination of receptors because knock down of multiple LPA receptors is required for inhibition. The epidermal growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor also increase miR-30c-2* transcript expression, suggesting a broader responsive role for miR-30c-2*. Thus, we investigated the functional role of miR-30c-2* through ectopic expression of synthetic miRNA precursors of mature miRNA or antagomir transfection and observed that microRNA-30c-2* reduces, and the antagomir enhances, cell proliferation and viability in OVCAR-3, cisplatin-insensitive SKOV-3 and chemoresistant HeyA8-MDR cells. Ectopic expression of miR-30c-2* reduces BCL9 mRNA transcript abundance and BCL9 protein. Consistent with this observation, miR-30c-2* ectopic expression also reduced BCL9 luciferase reporter gene expression. In comparison with IOSE cells, all cancer cells examined showed increased BCL9 expression, which is consistent with its role in tumor progression. Taken together, this suggest that growth factor induced proliferation mediates a neutralizing response by significantly increasing miR-30c-2* which reduces BCL9 expression and cell proliferation in SKOV-3 and OVCAR-3 cells, likely as a mechanism to regulate signal transduction downstream.

Topics: Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Cell Survival; Epidermal Growth Factor; Female; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Gene Knockdown Techniques; Genome, Human; Humans; Lysophospholipids; MicroRNAs; Neoplasm Proteins; Ovarian Neoplasms; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; Receptors, Lysophosphatidic Acid; Signal Transduction; Transcription Factors; Transfection

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), is a lipid mediator that binds to G-protein coupled receptors. Epidermal growth factor (EGF), a polypeptide growth factor, binds to the EGF receptor (EGFR), a receptor tyrosine kinase. Both LPA and EGF induce responses in tumor cells that include proliferation, migration, metastasis, and induction of angiogenesis. LPA has the potential to act as an autocrine/paracrine factor and can transactivate the EGFR. This study explores the role of phospholipase D2 (PLD2) activation in LPA production, as well as cross-talk between EGF and LPA receptors. We demonstrate that EGF and LPA both stimulate production of LPA by OVCAR3 and SKOV3 human ovarian cancer cell lines. PD158780, an EGFR-selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor, blocks LPA production in response to both EGF and LPA in OVCAR3 and SKOV3 cells. Pertussis toxin, an inhibitor of LPA receptor signaling, inhibits LPA production in response to both EGF and LPA. Similar results were observed for the LPA receptor antagonist, Ki16425. Overexpression of PLD2 increases LPA production, while knockdown of PLD2 blocks EGF-induced LPA production. A phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitor also blocks LPA- and EGF-induced LPA production. These results indicate that EGF stimulates LPA production in a manner that requires PLD2, and suggest that cross-talk can occur bidirectionally between EGF and LPA receptors.

Topics: Cell Line, Tumor; Epidermal Growth Factor; ErbB Receptors; Female; Genetic Vectors; Humans; Lysophospholipids; Ovarian Neoplasms; Pertussis Toxin; Phospholipase D; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; Receptor Cross-Talk; Receptors, Lysophosphatidic Acid; Transcriptional Activation; Transfection

The role of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and other receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) in provoking biological actions of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) has been one of the most disputed subjects in the field of GPCR signal transduction. The purpose of the current study is to identify EGFR-mediated mechanisms involved in activation of G protein cascades and the downstream transcription factors by lysophosphatidic acid (LPA).. In ovarian cancer cells highly responsive to LPA, activation of AP-1 by LPA was suppressed by inhibition of EGFR, an effect that could be reversed by co-stimulation of another receptor tyrosine kinase c-Met with hepatocyte growth factor, indicating that LPA-mediated activation of AP-1 requires activity of a RTK, not necessarily EGFR. Induction of AP-1 components by LPA lied downstream of Gi, G12/13, and Gq. Activation of the effectors of Gi, but not Gq or G12/13 was sensitive to inhibition of EGFR. In contrast, LPA stimulated another prominent transcription factor NF-kappaB via the Gq-PKC pathway in an EGFR-independent manner. Consistent with the importance of Gi-elicited signals in a plethora of biological processes, LPA-induced cytokine production, cell proliferation, migration and invasion require intact EGFR.. An RTK activity is required for activation of the AP-1 transcription factor and other Gi-dependent cellular responses to LPA. In contrast, activation of G12/13, Gq and Gq-elicited NF-kappaB by LPA is independent of such an input. These results provide a novel insight into the role of RTK in GPCR signal transduction and biological functions.

Topics: Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Movement; Cell Proliferation; Epidermal Growth Factor; ErbB Receptors; Female; GTP-Binding Proteins; Hepatocyte Growth Factor; Humans; Interleukin-8; Lysophospholipids; Neoplasm Invasiveness; NF-kappa B; Phosphotyrosine; Transcription Factor AP-1

In many cell types, G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-induced Erk1/2 MAP kinase activation is mediated via receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) transactivation, in particular via the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), acting via GPCRs, is a mitogen and MAP kinase activator in many systems, and LPA can regulate adipocyte proliferation. The mechanism by which LPA activates the Erk1/2 MAP kinase is generally accepted to be via EGF receptor transactivation. In primary cultures of brown pre-adipocytes, EGF can induce Erk1/2 activation, which is obligatory and determinant for EGF-induced proliferation of these cells. Therefore, we have here examined whether LPA, via EGF transactivation, can activate Erk1/2 in brown pre-adipocytes. We found that LPA could induce Erk1/2 activation. However, the LPA-induced Erk1/2 activation was independent of transactivation of EGF receptors (or PDGF receptors) in these cells (whereas in transformed HIB-1B brown adipocytes, the LPA-induced Erk1/2 activation indeed proceeded via EGF receptor transactivation). In the brown pre-adipocytes, LPA instead induced Erk1/2 activation via two distinct non-transactivational pathways, one G(i)-protein dependent, involving PKC and Src activation, the other, a PTX-insensitive pathway, involving PI3K (but not Akt) activation. Earlier studies showing LPA-induced Erk1/2 activation being fully dependent on RTK transactivation have all been performed in cell lines and transfected cells. The present study implies that in non-transformed systems, RTK transactivation may not be involved in the mediation of GPCR-induced Erk1/2 MAP kinase activation.

Topics: Adipocytes, Brown; Animals; Cyclic AMP; Enzyme Activation; Epidermal Growth Factor; ErbB Receptors; Immunoblotting; Lysophospholipids; Male; Mice; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; Phosphorylation; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; Transcriptional Activation

Malignant ascites from pancreatic cancer patients has been reported to stimulate migration of pancreatic cancer cells through lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and LPA(1) receptors. Indeed, ascites- and LPA-induced migration was inhibited by Ki16425, an LPA(1) and LPA(3) antagonist, in Panc-1 cells. Unexpectedly, however, in the presence of Ki16425, ascites and LPA inhibited cell migration in response to epidermal growth factor (EGF). The inhibitory migratory response to ascites and LPA was also observed in the cells treated with pertussis toxin (PTX), a G(i) protein inhibitor, and attenuated by a small interfering RNA (siRNA) specific to the LPA(2) receptor. The inhibitory LPA action was reversed by the regulators of G-protein signaling domain of p115RhoGEF, dominant-negative RhoA or C3 toxin. Indeed, LPA activated RhoA, which was attenuated by the siRNA against the LPA(2) receptor. Moreover, LP-105, an LPA(2) agonist, also inhibited EGF-induced migration in the PTX-treated cells. A similar inhibitory migration response through LPA(2) receptors was also observed in YAPC-PD, BxPC-3, CFPAC-1 and PK-1 pancreatic cancer cell lines. LPA also inhibited the invasion of Panc-1 cells in the PTX-treated cells in the in vitro Matrigel invasion assay. We conclude that LPA(2) receptors are coupled to the G(12/13) protein/Rho-signaling pathway, leading to the inhibition of EGF-induced migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells.

Topics: Ascites; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Movement; Collagen; Drug Combinations; Epidermal Growth Factor; GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go; Humans; Isoxazoles; Laminin; Lysophospholipids; Neoplasm Invasiveness; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Pertussis Toxin; Propionates; Proteoglycans; Receptors, Lysophosphatidic Acid; rhoA GTP-Binding Protein; RNA, Small Interfering

1 Mitogen-activated protein kinases mediate hormone/neurotransmitter action on proliferation and differentiation and participate in receptor regulation. The effect of inhibitors of mitogen-activated kinase kinase (MEK) on alpha(1B)-adrenoceptor phosphorylation state and function was studied using different cell lines. It was observed that at nanomolar concentrations the MEK inhibitors, PD98059 (2'-amino-3'-methoxyflavone) and UO126 [1,4-(diamino-2,3-dicyano/1,4-bis-(2-aminophenylthio)-butadiene], increased alpha(1B)-adrenoceptor phosphorylation and diminished the functional response of this receptor to noradrenaline. These agents did not alter the action of lysophosphatidic acid. 2 Staurosporine (IC(50) approximately 0.8 nm) (a general protein kinase inhibitor) and bis-indolyl-maleimide I (IC(50) approximately 200 nm) (a selective protein kinase C inhibitor) inhibited PD98059-induced alpha(1B)-adrenoceptor phosphorylation. In contrast, neither wortmannin (phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor) nor genistein (protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor) had any effect. The data suggest the possibility that MEK might exert control on the activity of the enzymes that regulate receptor phosphorylation, such as G-protein-coupled receptor kinases, protein kinase C or serine/threonine protein phosphatases. 3 Coimmunoprecipitation studies showed a constant association of total extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2) with alpha(1B)-adrenoceptors. Association of phospho-ERK 1/2 to alpha(1B)-adrenoceptors increased not only in response to agonist but also in response to agents that increase alpha(1B)-adrenoceptor and ERK1/2 phosphorylation [such as endothelin-1, phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) and epidermal growth factor (EGF)]; not surprisingly, PD98059 decreased this effect. 4 Our data show that blockade of MEK activity results in increased alpha(1B)-adrenoceptor phosphorylation, diminished adrenoceptor function and perturbation of receptor-ERK1/2 interaction.

Topics: Androstadienes; Animals; Butadienes; Calcium Signaling; Cell Line; Cricetinae; Endothelin-1; Epidermal Growth Factor; Flavonoids; Genistein; Humans; Indoles; Lysophospholipids; Maleimides; MAP Kinase Kinase 2; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases; Nitriles; Norepinephrine; Phosphorylation; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Rats; Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1; RNA, Small Interfering; Staurosporine; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; Wortmannin

Protein tyrosine phosphatase-alpha (PTPalpha) is a widely expressed receptor-type phosphatase that functions in multiple signaling systems. The actions of PTPalpha can be regulated by its phosphorylation on serine and tyrosine residues, although little is known about the conditions that promote PTPalpha phosphorylation. In this study, we tested the ability of several extracellular factors to stimulate PTPalpha tyrosine phosphorylation. The growth factors IGF-I and acidic FGF induced the highest increase in PTPalpha phosphorylation at tyrosine 789, followed by PMA and lysophosphatidic acid, while EGF had little effect. Further investigation of IGF-I-induced PTPalpha tyrosine phosphorylation demonstrated that this occurs through a novel Src family kinase-independent mechanism that does not require focal adhesion kinase, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, or MEK. We also show that PTPalpha physically interacts with the IGF-I receptor. In contrast to IGF-I-induced PTPalpha phosphorylation, this association does not require IGF-I. The interaction of PTPalpha and the IGF-I receptor is independent of PTPalpha catalytic activity, and expression of exogenous PTPalpha does not promote IGF-I receptor tyrosine dephosphorylation, indicating that PTPalpha does not act as an IGF-I receptor phosphatase. However, PTPalpha mediates IGF-I signaling, because IGF-I-stimulated fibroblast migration was reduced by approximately 50% in cells lacking PTPalpha or in cells with mutant PTPalpha lacking the tyrosine 789 phosphorylation site. Our results suggest that PTPalpha tyrosine phosphorylation can occur in response to diverse stimuli and can be mediated by various tyrosine kinases. In the case of IGF-I, we propose that IGF-I-induced tyrosine 789 phosphorylation of PTPalpha, possibly catalyzed by the PTPalpha-associated IGF-I receptor tyrosine kinase, is required for efficient cell migration in response to this growth factor.

Topics: Animals; Cell Line; Cell Movement; Epidermal Growth Factor; Fibroblast Growth Factor 1; Fibroblasts; Focal Adhesion Kinase 1; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; Lysophospholipids; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Mutation; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Phosphorylation; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fyn; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-yes; Receptor-Like Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases, Class 4; Receptor, IGF Type 1; Signal Transduction; src-Family Kinases; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; Transfection; Tyrosine

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a lipid mediator that acts through specific G protein-coupled receptors to stimulate the proliferation, migration and survival of many cell types. LPA signaling has been implicated in development, wound healing and cancer. While LPA signaling pathways have been studied extensively, it remains unknown how LPA affects global gene expression in its target cells.. We have examined the temporal program of global gene expression in quiescent mouse embryonic fibroblasts stimulated with LPA using 32 k oligonucleotide microarrays. In addition to genes involved in growth stimulation and cytoskeletal reorganization, LPA induced many genes that encode secreted factors, including chemokines, growth factors, cytokines, pro-angiogenic and pro-fibrotic factors, components of the plasminogen activator system and metalloproteases. Strikingly, epidermal growth factor induced a broadly overlapping expression pattern, but some 7% of the genes (105 out of 1508 transcripts) showed differential regulation by LPA. The subset of LPA-specific genes was enriched for those associated with cytoskeletal remodeling, in keeping with LPA's ability to regulate cell shape and motility.. This study highlights the importance of LPA in programming fibroblasts not only to proliferate and migrate but also to produce many paracrine mediators of tissue remodeling, angiogenesis, inflammation and tumor progression. Furthermore, our results show that G protein-coupled receptors and receptor tyrosine kinases can signal independently to regulate broadly overlapping sets of genes in the same cell type.

Topics: Animals; Cell Movement; Cell Proliferation; Cells, Cultured; Cytoskeleton; Embryo, Mammalian; Epidermal Growth Factor; Fibroblasts; Gene Expression Profiling; Gene Expression Regulation; Lysophospholipids; Mice; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; Receptors, Lysophosphatidic Acid; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA; Time Factors

Directed cell migration requires the orientation of the Golgi and centrosome toward the leading edge. We show that stimulation of interphase cells with the mitogens epidermal growth factor or lysophosphatidic acid activates the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), which phosphorylates the Golgi structural protein GRASP65 at serine 277. Expression of a GRASP65 Ser277 to alanine mutant or a GRASP65 1-201 truncation mutant, neither of which can be phosphorylated by ERK, prevents Golgi orientation to the leading edge in a wound assay. We show that phosphorylation of GRASP65 with recombinant ERK leads to the loss of GRASP65 oligomerization and causes Golgi cisternal unstacking. Furthermore, preventing Golgi polarization by expressing mutated GRASP65 inhibits centrosome orientation, which is rescued upon disassembly of the Golgi structure by brefeldin A. We conclude that Golgi remodeling, mediated by phosphorylation of GRASP65 by ERK, is critical for the establishment of cell polarity in migrating cells.

Topics: Animals; Brefeldin A; Cell Movement; Cell Polarity; Centrosome; Enzyme Activation; Epidermal Growth Factor; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; Golgi Apparatus; Golgi Matrix Proteins; Interphase; Lysophospholipids; Membrane Proteins; Mitogens; Phosphorylation; Protein Structure, Tertiary; Protein Synthesis Inhibitors; Rats

A rapid increase in the tyrosine phosphorylation of the non-receptor tyrosine kinase FAK is a prominent early event in fibroblasts stimulated by a variety of signaling molecules. However, a variety of epithelial cells, including intestinal epithelial cells, show a high basal level of tyrosine phosphorylated FAK that is only slightly further increased by addition of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) agonists or growth factors. In this study, we determined whether these stimuli could elicit FAK phosphorylation at serine residues, including Ser-910 and Ser-843. Our results show that multiple agonists including angiotensin II (ANGII), lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), phorbol esters and EGF induced a striking stimulation of FAK phosphorylation at Ser-910 in rat intestinal epithelial IEC-18 cells via an ERK-dependent pathway. In striking contrast, none of these stimuli promoted a significant further increase in FAK phosphorylation at Tyr-397 in these cells. These results were extended using cultures of polarized human colonic epithelial T84 cells. We found that either carbachol or EGF promoted a striking ERK-dependent phosphorylation of FAK at Ser-910, but these agonists caused only slight stimulation of FAK at Tyr-397 in T84 cells. In addition, we demonstrated that GPCR agonists also induced a dramatic increase of FAK phosphorylation at Ser-843 in either IEC-18 or T84 cells. Our results indicate that Ser-910 and Ser-843, rather than Tyr-397, are prominent sites differentially phosphorylated in response to neurotransmitters, bioactive lipids, tumor promoters and growth factors in intestinal epithelial cells.

Topics: Angiotensins; Animals; Carbachol; Cell Line; Epidermal Growth Factor; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; Humans; Intestinal Mucosa; Ionomycin; Kinetics; Lysophospholipids; Phosphorylation; Protein Kinase C; Rats; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; Serine; Signal Transduction; Tyrosine

To identify the underlying mechanisms by which lipid mediator lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) acts as a growth factor in stimulating extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PI3K) during corneal epithelial wound healing.. Epithelial debridement wounds in cultured porcine corneas and scratch wounds in an epithelial monolayer of SV40-immortalized human corneal epithelial (THCE) cells were allowed to heal in the presence or absence of an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor (tyrphostin AG1478), a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor (GM6001), or a heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) antagonist (CRM197) with or without LPA. EGFR activation was analyzed by immunoprecipitation using EGFR antibodies and Western blotting with phosphotyrosine antibodies. Phosphorylation of ERK and AKT (a major substrate of PI3K) was analyzed by Western blotting with antibodies specific to the phosphorylated proteins. Wound- and LPA-induced shedding of HB-EGF was assessed by measuring the release of alkaline phosphatase (AP) in a stable THCE cell line that expressed HB-EGF with AP inserted in the heparin-binding site.. In organ and cell culture models, LPA enhanced corneal epithelial wound healing. LPA-stimulated and spontaneous wound closure was attenuated by AG1478, GM6001, or CRM197. Consistent with the effects on epithelial migration, these inhibitors, as well as the Src kinase inhibitor (PP2), retarded LPA-induced activation of EGFR and its downstream effectors ERK and AKT in THCE cells. Unlike exogenously added HB-EGF, LPA stimulated moderate EGFR phosphorylation; the level of phosphorylated EGFR was similar to that induced by wounding. However, LPA appeared to prolong wound-induced EGFR signaling. The release of HB-EGF assessed by AP activity increased significantly in response to wounding, LPA, or both, and the release of HB-EGF-AP induced by LPA was inhibited by PP2 and GM6001.. LPA accelerates corneal epithelial wound healing through its ability to induce autocrine HB-EGF signaling. Transactivation of EGFR by LPA represents a convergent signaling pathway accessible to stimuli such as growth factors and ligands of G-protein-coupled receptors in response to pathophysiological challenge in human corneal epithelial cells.

Topics: Animals; Cell Culture Techniques; Cell Movement; Debridement; Epidermal Growth Factor; Epithelium, Corneal; ErbB Receptors; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Lysophospholipids; Oncogene Protein v-akt; Organ Culture Techniques; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Phosphorylation; Swine; Transcriptional Activation; Wound Healing

PLA2 (phospholipase A2) enzymes play critical roles in membrane phospholipid homoeostasis and in generation of lysophospholipid growth factors. In the present study, we show that the activity of the cytosolic iPLA2 (calcium-independent PLA2), but not that of the calcium-dependent cPLA2 (cytosolic PLA2), is required for growth-factor-independent, autonomous replication of ovarian carcinoma cells. Blocking iPLA2 activity with the pharmacological inhibitor BEL (bromoenol lactone) induces cell cycle arrest in S- and G2/M-phases independently of the status of the p53 tumour suppressor. Inhibition of iPLA2 activity also leads to modest increases in apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells. The S- and G2/M-phase accumulation is accompanied by increased levels of the cell cycle regulators cyclins B and E. Interestingly, the S-phase arrest is released by supplementing the growth factors LPA (lysophosphatidic acid) or EGF (epidermal growth factor). However, inhibition of iPLA2 activity with BEL remains effective in repressing growth-factor- or serum-stimulated proliferation of ovarian cancer cells through G2/M-phase arrest. Down-regulation of iPLA2b expression with lentivirus-mediated RNA interference inhibited cell proliferation in culture and tumorigenicity of ovarian cancer cell lines in nude mice. These results indicate an essential role for iPLA2 in cell cycle progression and tumorigenesis of ovarian carcinoma cells.

Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Blotting, Western; Calcium; Cell Division; Cell Proliferation; Cyclins; Cytosol; Epidermal Growth Factor; Female; G2 Phase; Group VI Phospholipases A2; Humans; Lysophospholipids; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Nude; Naphthalenes; Ovarian Neoplasms; Phospholipases A; Phospholipases A2; Pyrones; RNA, Small Interfering; S Phase; Tumor Cells, Cultured

We showed previously that treatment of human airway smooth muscle cells and lung fibroblasts with lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) increases the binding of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to EGF receptors (EGFRs). The purpose of this study was to determine whether LPA also regulates EGFR binding in airway epithelial cells. Airway epithelial cells were incubated in the absence or presence of 10 microM LPA for increasing times, and binding of 125I-EGF to intact cells on ice was measured. Exposure to LPA for only 15 min caused a 30 to 70% decrease in EGFR binding in a dose-dependent manner, depending on the cell line. This decrease in binding was sustained to at least 18 h in BEAS-2B and primary human bronchial epithelial cells. In contrast, the LPA-induced decrease in binding reversed rapidly in two lung cancer epithelial cell lines, H292 and A549, returning to control levels within 3 h. LPA increased phosphorylation of the EGFR in BEAS-2B cells, and this phosphorylation was inhibited by both 4-(3'-chloroanilino)-6,7-dimethoxy-quinazoline (AG1478; EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor) and N-[(2R)-2-(hydroxamidocarbonylmethyl)-4-methylpentanoyl]-l-tryptophan methylamide (GM6001; matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor) but not by CRM197 (heparin-binding EGF inhibitor). AG-1478 and GM6001 also inhibited the LPA-induced decrease in EGFR binding but only by 50%, suggesting only partial involvement of EGFR transactivation in the decrease in EGFR binding. In summary, LPA stimulates a decrease in EGFR binding in airway epithelial cells that is sustained in normal cells but that rapidly reverses in cancer cells. LPA-induced transactivation of EGFRs occurs and contributes to the decrease in EGFR binding, but additional pathway(s) may also be involved.

Topics: Bronchi; Cell Line, Tumor; Epidermal Growth Factor; Epithelial Cells; ErbB Receptors; Fatty Acids; Humans; Lung; Lysophospholipids; Phosphorylation; Protein Binding; Radioligand Assay; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; Time Factors

Epithelial morphogenesis is supported by diffusible growth factors and by nondiffusible cell substrata, such as laminin and fibronectin. When embedded in a laminin-rich basement-membrane substratum, embryonic mouse submandibular epithelium undergoes cell proliferation and branching morphogenesis in response to epidermal growth factor (EGF) in mesenchyme-free culture but not in serum-free medium. In this study, we sought to identify the biologically active factor in serum. As this factor was heat-stable and trypsin-resistant, the lipid fraction was analyzed. Horse serum was fractionated by ethanol extraction, Folch partition with chloroform-methanol-water, and high-performance liquid chromatography, and we tested the branch-inducing activity of each fraction. We also analyzed the partially purified fraction with a mass spectrometer, indicating that the active fraction largely consisted of lysophosphatidyl-hexose. Finally we identified the molecule as lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), because, whereas lysophosphatidyl-inositol had only a slight branch-inducing activity, its relevant LPA fully substituted for serum and induced branching morphogenesis in cooperation with EGF. LPA receptor genes were expressed in submandibular epithelial cells. DNA-synthesizing cells were abundant only when cultured in the presence of both EGF and LPA, but not either singly.

Topics: Animals; Cell Proliferation; DNA; Epidermal Growth Factor; Epithelium; Hot Temperature; Lipid Metabolism; Lysophospholipids; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Morphogenesis; Receptors, Lysophosphatidic Acid; Salivary Glands; Trypsin

Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) is synthesized as a transmembrane precursor protein that is anchored to the plasma membrane. The extracellular EGF-like domain acts as a mitogen and motogen upon ectodomain shedding, but the functional roles of the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains are largely unknown. We demonstrate here that cytoplasmic domain of HB-EGF is phosphorylated by external stimuli, and that the phosphorylation site is involved in HB-EGF-dependent tumorigenesis. Treatment of Vero cells overexpressing human HB-EGF with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) caused ectodomain shedding of HB-EGF and generated two carboxyl (C)-terminal fragments with distinct electrophoretic mobilities. Mutation analysis showed that Ser207 in the cytoplasmic domain of HB-EGF is phosphorylated upon TPA stimulation, generating two C-terminal fragments with distinct phosphorylation states. Treatment of cells with lysophosphatidic acid, anisomycin, and calcium ionophore, all of which are known to induce ectodomain shedding, also caused phosphorylation of HB-EGF. Although ectodomain shedding and phosphorylation of HB-EGF occurred coordinately, Ala substitution of Ser207 had no effect on TPA-induced or constitutive ectodomain shedding. Injection of cells overexpressing HB-EGF into nude mice showed that Ala substitution of Ser207 reduced the tumorigenic activity of HB-EGF, even though the cell surface level and ectodomain shedding of HB-EGF were not affected by the mutation. Moreover, we found that the cytoplasmic domain of another EGFR ligand, transforming growth factor-alpha, is phosphorylated upon TPA stimulation. Thus, the present results suggest a novel role for the cytoplasmic domain of HB-EGF and other EGF family growth factors that is regulated by phosphorylation.

Topics: Alanine; Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Anisomycin; Cell Line; Chlorocebus aethiops; Cytoplasm; Epidermal Growth Factor; Gene Expression Regulation; Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Ionophores; Lysophospholipids; Male; Mice; Mice, Nude; Molecular Sequence Data; Mutation; Neoplasms, Experimental; Peptide Fragments; Phosphorylation; Protein Structure, Tertiary; Serine; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; Transforming Growth Factor alpha; Vero Cells

Rho GTPases participate in a wide variety of signal transduction pathways regulating the actin cytoskeleton, gene expression, cellular migration and proliferation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of Rho GTPases in signal transduction pathways during acinus formation in a human salivary gland (HSG) cell line initiated by extracellular matrix (ECM; Matrigel) alone or in combination with epidermal growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). Immunohistochemical and Western blotting analyses showed that HSG cells contained RhoA, RhoB, Rac1 and Cdc42 proteins. All growth factors enhanced the effects of ECM on acinus formation, in a pathway dependent on PI3-kinase and Rho GTPases. The role of ROCK, a major RhoA effector, seemed limited to cortical actin polymerization. LPA stimulated cell migration and acinus formation in a PI3-kinase-independent pathway. The results suggest that Rho proteins are important for epithelial-mesenchymal interactions during salivary gland development.

Topics: Actins; Cell Culture Techniques; Cell Line; Epidermal Growth Factor; Extracellular Matrix; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; Fluorescent Dyes; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Lysophospholipids; Microscopy, Confocal; Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins; Phalloidine; Rhodamines; Salivary Glands; Signal Transduction

We have demonstrated earlier that lysophosphatidic acid (LPA)-induced interleukin-8 (IL-8) secretion is regulated by protein kinase Cdelta (PKCdelta)-dependent NF-kappaB activation in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEpCs). Here we provide evidence for signaling pathways that regulate LPA-mediated transactivation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the role of cross-talk between G-protein-coupled receptors and receptor-tyrosine kinases in IL-8 secretion in HBEpCs. Treatment of HBEpCs with LPA stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of EGFR, which was attenuated by matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor (GM6001), heparin binding (HB)-EGF inhibitor (CRM 197), and HB-EGF neutralizing antibody. Overexpression of dominant negative PKCdelta or pretreatment with a PKCdelta inhibitor (rottlerin) or Src kinase family inhibitor (PP2) partially blocked LPA-induced MMP activation, proHB-EGF shedding, and EGFR tyrosine phosphorylation. Down-regulation of Lyn kinase, but not Src kinase, by specific small interfering RNA mitigated LPA-induced MMP activation, proHB-EGF shedding, and EGFR phosphorylation. In addition, overexpression of dominant negative PKCdelta blocked LPA-induced phosphorylation and translocation of Lyn kinase to the plasma membrane. Furthermore, down-regulation of EGFR by EGFR small interfering RNA or pretreatment of cells with EGFR inhibitors AG1478 and PD158780 almost completely blocked LPA-dependent EGFR phosphorylation and partially attenuated IL-8 secretion, respectively. These results demonstrate that LPA-induced IL-8 secretion is partly dependent on EGFR transactivation regulated by PKCdelta-dependent activation of Lyn kinase and MMPs and proHB-EGF shedding, suggesting a novel mechanism of cross-talk and interaction between G-protein-coupled receptors and receptor-tyrosine kinases in HBEpCs.

Topics: Bronchi; Enzyme Inhibitors; Epidermal Growth Factor; Epithelial Cells; ErbB Receptors; Gene Expression Regulation; Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor; Humans; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Interleukin-8; Lysophospholipids; Matrix Metalloproteinases; Protein Kinase C-delta; src-Family Kinases; Transcriptional Activation

The regulation of adrenal function, including aldosterone production from adrenal glomerulosa cells, is dependent on a variety of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). In many cell types, GPCR-mediated MAPK activation is mediated through transactivation of RTKs, in particular the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGF-R). However, the extent to which this cross-communication between GPCRs and RTKs is operative in the adrenal glomerulosa has not been defined. Bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells express receptors for lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and EGF. In cultured bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells, LPA, which is predominantly coupled to Gi and partially to Gq/protein kinase C alpha and epsilon, caused phosphorylation of Src (at Tyr416), proline-rich tyrosine kinase (Pyk2 at Tyr402), EGF-R, protein kinase B/Akt, extracellularly regulated signal kinases 1/2, and their dependent protein, p90 ribosomal S6 kinase. Overexpression of dominant negative mutants of Ras or EGF-R, and selective inhibition of EGF-R kinase with AG1478, significantly reduced LPA-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation. However, this was not impaired by inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and heparin-binding EGF. LPA-induced ERK1/2 activation occurs predominantly through EGF-R transactivation by Gi/Src and partly through activation of protein kinase C, which acts downstream of EGF-R and Ras. In contrast, LPA-induced phosphorylation of Shc and ERK1/2 in clonal hepatocytes (C9 cells) was primarily mediated through MMP-dependent transactivation of the EGF-R. These observations in adrenal glomerulosa and hepatic cells demonstrate that LPA phosphorylates ERK1/2 through EGF-R transactivation in a MMP-dependent or -independent manner in individual target cells. This reflects the ability of GPCRs expressed in cell lines and neoplastic cells to utilize distinct signaling pathways that can elicit altered responses compared with those of native tissues.

Topics: Animals; Cattle; Cells, Cultured; Enzyme Activation; Epidermal Growth Factor; ErbB Receptors; Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor; In Vitro Techniques; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Lysophospholipids; Matrix Metalloproteinases; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; Models, Biological; Transcriptional Activation; Zona Glomerulosa

Topics: ADAM Proteins; ADAM17 Protein; Antineoplastic Agents; Epidermal Growth Factor; Female; Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor; Humans; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Lysophospholipids; Models, Biological; Ovarian Neoplasms; Signal Transduction

The protein kinase, PAK1, is overexpressed in human breast cancer and may contribute to malignancy through induction of proliferation and invasiveness. In this study, we examined the role of PAK1 in the survival of detached MCF10A breast epithelial cells to test whether it may also regulate the early stages of neoplasia. MCF10A cells undergo anoikis, as measured by the cleavage of caspase 3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), after more than 8 hours of detachment. Endogenous Akt, PAK1, and BAD are phosphorylated in attached MCF10A cells, but these phosphorylation events are all lost during the first 8 hours of detachment. Expression of constitutively active PAK1 or Akt suppresses the cleavage of caspase 3 and PARP in detached MCF10A cells. Co-overexpression of active PAK1 with dominant-negative Akt, or of active Akt with dominant-negative PAK1, still suppresses anoikis. Thus, Akt and PAK1 enhance survival through pathways that are at least partially independent. PAK1-dependent regulation of anoikis is likely to occur early in the apoptotic cascade as expression of dominant-negative PAK1 increased the cleavage of the upstream caspase 9, while constitutively active PAK1 inhibited caspase 9 activation. These results support a role for activated PAK1 in the suppression of anoikis in MCF10A epithelial cells.

Topics: Anoikis; Breast Neoplasms; Caspase 3; Caspase 9; Caspases; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Epidermal Growth Factor; Epithelial Cells; Genes, Dominant; Humans; Lysophospholipids; Neoplasm Invasiveness; p21-Activated Kinases; Phosphorylation; Plasmids; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; Protein Structure, Tertiary; Signal Transduction; Time Factors; Transfection

G protein-coupled receptors often employ novel signaling mechanisms, such as transactivation of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors or G protein-independent signals transmitted by beta-arrestins, to control the activity of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2). In this study we investigated the role of beta-arrestins in lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptor-stimulated ERK1/2 activation using fibroblast lines derived from wild type, beta-arrestin 1, beta-arrestin 2, and beta-arrestin 1/2 knock-out mice. LPA stimulation produced robust ERK1/2 phosphorylation in all four backgrounds. In cells lacking beta-arrestin 2, >80% of LPA-stimulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation was mediated by transactivated EGF receptors. In contrast, ERK1/2 activation in cells expressing beta-arrestin 2 was predominantly EGF receptor-independent. Introducing FLAG epitope-tagged beta-arrestin 2 into the beta-arrestin 1/2 null background restored EGF receptor-independent ERK1/2 activation, indicating that beta-arrestin 2 expression confers ERK1/2 activation via a distinct mechanism. To determine the contributions of beta-arrestin 2, transactivated EGF receptors, and ERK1/2 to LPA-stimulated transcriptional responses, we employed gene expression arrays containing cDNA markers for G protein-coupled receptor-mediated signaling. In the beta-arrestin 1/2 null background, 1 h of exposure to LPA significantly increased transcription of seven marker genes. Six of these responses were EGF receptor-dependent, and two required ERK1/2 activation. In beta-arrestin 2 expressing cells, three of the seven LPA-stimulated transcriptional responses observed in the beta-arrestin 1/2 null background were lost. The four residual responses were independent of EGF receptor transactivation, but all were ERK1/2-dependent. These data indicate that beta-arrestin 2 functions both to attenuate EGF receptor transactivation-dependent signaling and to promote a distinct subset of ERK1/2-mediated responses to LPA receptor activation.

Topics: Animals; Arrestins; beta-Arrestin 1; beta-Arrestin 2; beta-Arrestins; Cells, Cultured; DNA, Complementary; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Enzyme Inhibitors; Epidermal Growth Factor; Epitopes; ErbB Receptors; Fibroblasts; Flavonoids; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Lysophospholipids; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Microscopy, Confocal; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; Models, Biological; Phosphorylation; Quinazolines; ras Proteins; RNA; Signal Transduction; Transcription, Genetic; Transcriptional Activation; Transfection; Tyrphostins

Changes in the redox equilibrium of cells influence a host of cell functions. Alterations in the redox equilibrium are precipitated by changing either the glutathione/glutathione-disulfide ratio (GSH/GSSG) and/or the reduced/oxidized thioredoxin ratio. Redox-sensitive green fluorescent proteins (GFP) allow real time visualization of the oxidation state of the indicator. Ratios of fluorescence from excitation at 400 and 490 nm indicate the extent of oxidation and thus the redox potential while canceling out the amount of indicator and the absolute optical sensitivity. Because the indicator is genetically encoded, it can be targeted to specific proteins or organelles of interest and expressed in a wide variety of cells and organisms. We evaluated roGFP1 (GFP with mutations C48S, S147C, and Q204C) and roGFP2 (the same plus S65T) with physiologically or toxicologically relevant oxidants both in vitro and in living mammalian cells. Furthermore, we investigated the response of the redox probes under physiological redox changes during superoxide bursts in macrophage cells, hyperoxic and hypoxic conditions, and in responses to H(2)O(2)-stimulating agents, e.g. epidermal growth factor and lysophosphatidic acid.

Topics: Cloning, Molecular; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Epidermal Growth Factor; Flow Cytometry; Glutathione; Glutathione Disulfide; Green Fluorescent Proteins; HeLa Cells; HL-60 Cells; Humans; Hydrogen Peroxide; Hypoxia; Luminescent Proteins; Lysine; Lysophospholipids; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Mutation; Oxidants; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxygen; Spectrometry, Fluorescence; Superoxides; Time Factors; Xanthine Oxidase

Transient elevation of intracellular calcium (Ca2+(i)) by various means accelerates murine preimplantation development and trophoblast differentiation. Several G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), including the lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptor (LPAR), induce Ca2+(i) transients and transactivate the EGF receptor (ErbB1) through mobilization of EGF family members, including heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF). Because HB-EGF accelerates blastocyst differentiation in vitro, we examined whether crosstalk between LPA and HB-EGF regulates peri-implantation development. During mouse blastocyst differentiation, embryos expressed LPAR1 mRNA constitutively, LPAR2 only in late stage blastocysts and no LPAR3. Consistent with a mechanism based on Ca2+(i) signaling, LPA rapidly accelerated the rate of trophoblast outgrowth, an index of blastocyst differentiation, and chelation of Ca2+(i) with BAPTA-AM blocked LPA stimulation. Interfering with HB-EGF signaling through ErbB1 or ErbB4 also attenuated LPA stimulation. We established that mouse blastocysts indeed express HB-EGF and that LPA induces the transient accumulation of HB-EGF on the embryo surface, which was blocked by treatment with either BAPTA-AM or the protein trafficking inhibitor, brefeldin A. We conclude that LPA accelerates blastocyst differentiation through its ability to induce Ca2+(i) transients and HB-EGF autocrine signaling. Transactivation of ErbB1 or ErbB4 by HB-EGF could represent a convergent signaling pathway accessed in the trophoblast by stimuli that mobilize Ca2+(i).

Topics: Animals; Autocrine Communication; Blastocyst; Calcium; Cell Differentiation; Cells, Cultured; Embryo Implantation; Embryo, Mammalian; Epidermal Growth Factor; ErbB Receptors; Female; Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Lysophospholipids; Mice; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; Receptors, Lysophosphatidic Acid; RNA, Messenger; Transcriptional Activation; Trophoblasts

An examination of cellular processes involved in myometrial function has been greatly assisted by the use of human myometrial cells in primary culture. However, these cells can be used only for several passages before they senesce, and responses to various agents change with time in culture. The use of transformed cells is limited, as they can be polynucleated and can lose or gain chromosomes. We have developed three telomerase-immortalized cell lines from term-pregnant human myometrium to eliminate variability between passage numbers and allow genetic manipulations of myometrial cells to fully characterize signal pathways. These cells have a normal karyotype and were verified to be uterine smooth muscle by immunocytochemical staining for smooth muscle cell-specific alpha-actin and high affinity oxytocin antagonist binding sites. The three cell lines and the cells in primary culture from which they were derived were examined by cDNA microarray analysis. Of >10 000 expressed genes, there were consistent changes in the expression of approximately 1% in the three immortalized cell lines. We were unable to detect any significant differences between primary and immortalized cells in signal pathways such as epidermal growth factor-stimulated epidermal growth factor receptor phosphorylation, insulin-stimulated Akt phosphorylation, oxytocin and lysophosphatidic acid-stimulated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 phosphorylation, myosin light chain phosphorylation, and interleukin-1 induction of IkappaBalpha degradation. The immortalized cells should be useful for a range of studies, including high throughput analyses of the effects of environmental agents on the human myometrium.

Topics: Cell Line; DNA-Binding Proteins; Epidermal Growth Factor; ErbB Receptors; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; Female; Gene Expression Profiling; Genetic Vectors; Humans; I-kappa B Proteins; Interleukin-1; Karyotyping; Lysophospholipids; Myometrium; Myosin Light Chains; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; Oxytocin; Pregnancy; Signal Transduction; Telomerase

Ovarian cancer is the most frequent cause of cancer death among all gynecologic cancers. We demonstrate here that lysophosphatidic acid (LPA)-induced ectodomain shedding of heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) is a critical to tumor formation in ovarian cancer. We found that among the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family of growth factors, HB-EGF gene expression in cancerous tissues and HB-EGF protein levels in patients' ascites fluid were significantly elevated. The human ovarian cancer cell lines SKOV3 and RMG-1 form tumors in nude mice. Tumor formation of these cells was enhanced by exogenous expression of pro-HB-EGF and completely blocked by pro-HB-EGF gene RNA interference or by CRM197, a specific HB-EGF inhibitor. Transfection with mutant forms of HB-EGF indicated that the release of soluble HB-EGF is essential for tumor formation. LPA, which is constitutively produced by ovarian cancer cells, induced HB-EGF ectodomain shedding in SKOV3 and RMG-1 cells, resulting in the transactivation of EGFR and the downstream kinase extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase. LPA-induced transactivation was abrogated by HB-EGF gene RNA interference or by CRM197. Introduction of lipid phosphate phosphohydrolase, which hydrolyzes LPA, decreased the constitutive shedding of HB-EGF, EGFR transactivation, and the tumorigenic potential of SKOV3 and RMG-1 cells. These results indicate that HB-EGF is the primary member of the EGFR family of growth factors expressed in ovarian cancer and that LPA-induced ectodomain shedding of this growth factor is a critical step in tumor formation, making HB-EGF a novel therapeutic target for ovarian cancer.

Topics: Animals; Bacterial Proteins; Cell Line, Tumor; Epidermal Growth Factor; ErbB Receptors; Extracellular Fluid; Female; Gene Expression; Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor; Humans; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Lysophospholipids; Mice; Ovarian Neoplasms; Receptors, Cell Surface; Transcriptional Activation; Transfection

Cross-talk between G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling systems is widely established in a variety of normal and transformed cell types. Here, we demonstrate that the EGFR transactivation signal requires metalloproteinase cleavage of epidermal growth factor-like growth factor precursors in fibroblasts, ACHN kidney, and TccSup bladder carcinoma cells. Furthermore, we present evidence that blockade of the metalloproteinase-disintegrin tumor necrosis factor-alpha-converting enzyme (TACE/ADAM17) by a dominant negative ADAM17 mutant prevents angiotensin II-stimulated pro-HB-EGF cleavage, EGFR activation, and cell proliferation in ACHN tumor cells. Moreover, we found that in TccSup cancer cells, the lysophosphatidic acid-induced transactivation signal is mediated by ADAM15, demonstrating that distinct combinations of growth factor precursors and ADAMs (a disintegrin and metalloproteinases) regulate GPCR-EGFR cross-talk pathways in cell lines derived from urogenital cancer. Our data show further that activation of ADAMs results in discrete cellular responses; whereas GPCR agonists promote activation of the Ras/MAPK pathway and cell proliferation via the EGFR in fibroblasts and ACHN cells, EGFR transactivation pathways regulate activation of the survival mediator Akt/protein kinase B and the susceptibility of fibroblasts and TccSup bladder carcinoma cells to proapoptotic signals such as serum deprivation, death receptor stimulation, and the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin. Thus, ADAM15 and -17 function as effectors of GPCR-mediated signaling and define critical characteristics of cancer cells.

Topics: ADAM Proteins; ADAM17 Protein; Animals; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; Apoptosis; Cell Cycle; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Cell Survival; Doxorubicin; Enzyme Activation; Epidermal Growth Factor; ErbB Receptors; Fibroblasts; Humans; Kidney Neoplasms; Ligands; Lysophospholipids; Metalloendopeptidases; Rats; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; RNA, Small Interfering; Signal Transduction; Transcriptional Activation; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms

The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/stress activated protein kinase is preferentially activated by stress stimuli. Growth factors, particularly ligands for G protein-coupled receptors, usually induce only modest JNK activation, although they may trigger marked activation of the related extracellular signal-regulated kinase. In the present study, we demonstrated that homozygous disruption of glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK-3beta) dramatically sensitized mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) to JNK activation induced by lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and sphingosine-1-phosphate, two prototype ligands for G protein-coupled receptors. To a lesser degree, a lack of GSK-3beta also potentiated JNK activation in response to epidermal growth factor. In contrast, the absence of GSK-3beta decreased UV light-induced JNK activation. The increased JNK activation induced by LPA in GSK-3beta null MEFs was insufficient to trigger apoptotic cell death or growth inhibition. Instead, the increased JNK activation observed in GSK-3beta-/- MEFs was associated with an increased proliferative response to LPA, which was reduced by the inhibition of JNK. Ectopic expression of GSK-3beta in GSK-3beta-negative MEFs restrained LPA-triggered JNK phosphorylation and induced a concomitant decrease in the mitogenic response to LPA compatible with GSK-3beta through the inhibition of JNK activation, thus limiting LPA-induced cell proliferation. Mutation analysis indicated that GSK-3beta kinase activity was required for GSK-3beta to optimally inhibit LPA-stimulated JNK activation. Thus GSK-3beta serves as a physiological switch to specifically repress JNK activation in response to LPA, sphingosine-1-phosphate, or the epidermal growth factor. These results reveal a novel role for GSK-3beta in signal transduction and cellular responses to growth factors.

Topics: 3T3 Cells; Animals; Apoptosis; Blotting, Western; Cells, Cultured; Cytoplasm; DNA Mutational Analysis; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Enzyme Activation; Epidermal Growth Factor; Fibroblasts; Genetic Vectors; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; Growth Substances; Homozygote; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Ligands; Lithium Chloride; Lysophospholipids; Mice; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; Mutation; Phosphorylation; Propidium; Protein Structure, Tertiary; Retroviridae; Signal Transduction; Sphingosine; Thymidine; Time Factors; Ultraviolet Rays

Neural stem/progenitor cells are clonogenic in vitro and produce neurospheres in serum-free medium containing epidermal growth factor (EGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF2). Here, we demonstrate that lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) instigated the clonal generation of neurospheres from dissociated mouse postnatal forebrain in the absence of EGF and FGF2. LPA induced proliferation of cells which co-expressed Sca-1 antigen and AC133, markers of primitive hematopoietic and neural stem/progenitor cells. Clonal expansion of these cells induced by LPA was inhibited by diacylglycerol- pyrophosphate (DGPP), an antagonist of the LPA receptor subtypes LPA1 and LPA3. Moreover, Sca-1- and AC133-positive cells of these neurospheres expressed LPA1, LPA2, and LPA3, suggesting important roles for these LPA receptors in proliferation of neural progenitors. LPA induced neurospheres to differentiate on an adherent laminin/poly-L-ornithine matrix. In differentiating neurospheres, LPA receptors co-localized with betaIII-tubulin, nestin, and CNPase, but not with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a marker of astrocyte lineage. Our results demonstrate for the first time that lysophosphatidic acid induces clonal neurosphere development via proliferation of AC133/Sca-1-positive stem cells by a receptor-dependent mechanism. This differentiation was characterized by the initial co-localization of neural specific antigens at sites of LPA receptor expression upon their interaction with the inducing agonist.

Topics: AC133 Antigen; Animals; Antigens, CD; Astrocytes; Ataxin-1; Ataxins; Brain; Cell Differentiation; Cell Lineage; Cell Proliferation; Cells, Cultured; Culture Media, Serum-Free; Diphosphates; Epidermal Growth Factor; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Glycerol; Glycoproteins; Immunohistochemistry; Lysophospholipids; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Neurons; Nuclear Proteins; Oligodendroglia; Peptides; Prosencephalon; Receptors, Lysophosphatidic Acid; Stem Cells

We investigated the mechanism of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) signaling in ovarian theca cells and observed that stimulation with this bioactive lipid markedly enhanced Thr/Tyr phosphorylation of the MAPK ERK1/2. Activation of ERK was transient, showing a peak at 5 min that declined thereafter, and was not associated with a concomitant nuclear translocation of the enzyme, suggesting that a cytosolic tyrosine phosphatase may be responsible for switching off the signal. Epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced activation of the enzyme in the same cell system was more rapid (peaking at 1 min), sustainable for at least 60 min, and could be suppressed by prior treatment with either pertussis toxin or a noncompetitive inhibitor of Ras acceptor protein, manumycin A. This functional inhibition of either Gi or Ras failed, however, to affect the LPA-induced ERK-phosphorylation. Surprisingly, functional inhibition of Rho-GTPase, in C3-exotoxin-lipofected cells, markedly reduced LPA-stimulated phosphorylation of ERK, without affecting the EGF-induced stimulation of MAPK. Theca cells labeled with anti-LPA1/edg2-type antibody showed a distinct cell surface labeling, which is reflected in the expression of (LPA1)-type LPA receptors at both mRNA and protein levels. The findings indicate that LPA transiently stimulates MAPK ERK in LPA1/edg2-expressing theca cells and suggest an alternative mechanism regulating the activation of ERK that differs from the canonical EGF-Ras-MAPK kinase pathway.

Topics: 8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate; Animals; Cattle; Cell Membrane; Cell Nucleus; Cells, Cultured; Enzyme Activation; Enzyme Inhibitors; Epidermal Growth Factor; Female; Humans; Lysophospholipids; MAP Kinase Kinase 1; Mice; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Pertussis Toxin; Phosphorylation; Protein Transport; ras Proteins; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; Receptors, Lysophosphatidic Acid; Signal Transduction; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; Theca Cells

Recent data suggest that G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), including those for PTH and prostaglandins (PGs), contribute to the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts in vivo. To understand how these signals are transduced, we studied activation of the ERK1/2 MAPK cascade in cultures of differentiating TMOb murine osteoblasts. In TMOb cells, stimulation of endogenous Gs/Gq-coupled PTH receptors, Gq-coupled PGF2 alpha receptors, and Gi/Gq-coupled lysophosphatidic acid receptors, but not Gs-coupled PGE2 receptors, caused a rapid 5- to 10-fold increase in ERK1/2 phosphorylation. GPCR-stimulated ERK1/2 activation coincided with increased tyrosine phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors and was blocked by the EGF receptor inhibitor, tyrphostin AG1478, and the metalloprotease inhibitor, batimastat, suggesting that the response involved transactivation of EGF receptors through the proteolytic release of an EGF receptor ligand. To further examine the mechanism of PTH-stimulated EGF receptor transactivation, we employed COS-7 cells expressing the rat PTH receptor. Here, stimulation with PTH(1-34) caused proteolysis of hemagglutinin epitope-tagged heparin binding-EGF, increased tyrosine autophosphorylation of EGF receptors, and AG1478-sensitive ERK1/2 activation. When PTH receptor-expressing COS-7 cells were placed in a mixed culture with cells lacking the PTH receptor but expressing a green fluorescent protein-tagged ERK2, stimulation with PTH(1-34) induced phosphorylation of green fluorescent protein-ERK2 that was abolished by either batimastat or tyrphostin AG1478. These data suggest that autocrine/paracrine cross-talk between EGF receptors and Gi- or Gq/11-coupled GPCRs represents the predominant mechanism of GPCR-mediated activation of ERK1/2 in cultured TMOb osteoblasts.

Topics: Animals; Cell Differentiation; Cells, Cultured; Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases; Dinoprost; Enzyme Activation; Epidermal Growth Factor; ErbB Receptors; Lysophospholipids; Mice; Mice, Transgenic; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Osteoblasts; Parathyroid Hormone; Phosphorylation; Protein Kinase C; Quinazolines; Rats; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; Receptors, Lysophosphatidic Acid; Receptors, Prostaglandin; Signal Transduction; Transcriptional Activation; Tyrphostins

p21-activated kinases (PAKs) were the first identified mammalian members of a growing family of Ste20-like serine-threonine protein kinases. In this study, we show that PAK1 can be stimulated by carbachol, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) by multiple independent and overlapping pathways. Dominant-negative Ras, Rac, and Cdc42 inhibited PAK1 activation by all of these agonists, while active Rac1 and Cdc42 were sufficient to maximally activate PAK1 in the absence of any treatment. Active Ras induced only a weak activation of PAK1 that could be potentiated by muscarinic receptor stimulation. Studies using inhibitors of the EGF receptor tyrosine kinase, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) and protein kinase C (PKC) revealed that all of the cell surface agonists could activate PAK1 through pathways independent of PKC, that EGF stimulated a PI3-kinase dependent pathway to stimulate PAK1, and that muscarinic receptor stimulation of PAK1 was predominantly mediated through this EGF-R-dependent mechanism. Activation of PAK1 by LPA was independent of PI3-kinase and the EGF receptor, but was inhibited by dominant-negative RhoA. These results identify multiple Ras-dependent pathways to activation of PAK1.

Topics: Androstadienes; Animals; Carbachol; cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein; Cell Line, Tumor; Chlorocebus aethiops; COS Cells; Epidermal Growth Factor; ErbB Receptors; Humans; Indoles; Kinetics; Lysophospholipids; Maleimides; Mice; Models, Biological; Myelin Basic Protein; NIH 3T3 Cells; p21-Activated Kinases; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors; Phosphorylation; Protein Kinase C; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; Quinazolines; rac GTP-Binding Proteins; ras Proteins; Receptor, Muscarinic M2; Receptors, Cell Surface; rho GTP-Binding Proteins; Signal Transduction; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; Transfection; Tyrphostins; Wortmannin

The uptake of myo-inositol and its incorporation into the phosphoinositides and inositol phosphates of the phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) signal transduction system by in vivo elongating cattle blastocysts was investigated using [3H]myo-inositol. Uptake was examined in 13-, 14- and 16-day-old blastocysts and was largely sodium-dependent throughout (P<0.001), indicating the presence of a sodium-dependent inositol transporter. Incorporation of inositol into the three phosphoinositides, PtdIns, PtdInsP and PtdInsP2, and the inositol phosphates of the phosphatidylinositol signal transduction system was examined at Days 14 and 16; incorporation into the three phosphoinositides and into the inositol phosphate species, InsP1, InsP2, InsP3 (including the second messenger, Ins(1,4,5)P3) and InsP4 was detected in both blastocyst stages. The effects of the peptide growth factor, epidermal growth factor (EGF), and the lipid growth factors, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and platelet activating factor (PAF), on the activity of the phosphatidylinositol signalling system in 14- and 16-day-old blastocysts were examined. All growth factors significantly stimulated phosphatidylinositol signalling activity. Epidermal growth factor was stimulatory (P<0.001) only in 16-day-old blastocysts, whereas LPA and PAF were active in both 14- (P<0.005 for LPA and P<0.001 for PAF) and 16-day-old blastocysts (P<0.001 for LPA and PAF). These results indicate that the phosphatidylinositol signalling system is present in cattle blastocysts at the elongation stage and is responsive to stimulation by growth factors.

Topics: Animals; Blastocyst; Cattle; Epidermal Growth Factor; Growth Substances; Inositol; Inositol Phosphates; Lysophospholipids; Phosphatidylinositols; Platelet Activating Factor; Signal Transduction; Sodium; Tritium; Type C Phospholipases

Rap1 is a small Ras-related GTPase which when over-expressed is able to revert transformation by Ki-Ras. We have investigated the role of Rap1 in regulating 'normal' Ras function by studying the activation of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases ERK1 and ERK2 by two fundamentally different growth factors, epidermal growth factor (EGF) and 1-oleoyl-lyso-phosphatidic acid (LPA). Conditional expression of RasN17 (a dominant-negative mutant) in Rat-1 cells inhibited activation of MAP kinases by EGF and also LPA, the first time a defined G-protein-coupled receptor mitogen has been shown to require Ras to exert its effects. Conditional or constitutive expression of even low levels of RapV12 (a mutant insensitive to Rap-GAP) attenuated activation of MAP kinases by EGF and LPA, but did not interfere with growth factor-stimulated increases in Ras-GTP, indicating that signalling from receptors to Ras was not impaired. Inhibition of Ras-mediated signalling with either RasN17 or RapV12 attenuated DNA synthesis by EGF and LPA. We conclude that receptor tyrosine kinases and G-protein-coupled receptors use Ras as a common step in signalling to MAP kinases and that Rap-GTP (RapV12) at physiological levels interferes with downstream signalling from Ras to MAP kinases in vivo.

Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Blotting, Western; Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases; Cell Line; Enzyme Activation; Epidermal Growth Factor; Fibroblasts; Genes, ras; GTP-Binding Proteins; Kinetics; Lysophospholipids; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Models, Biological; Molecular Sequence Data; Peptides; Proto-Oncogene Proteins; rap GTP-Binding Proteins; Rats; Recombinant Proteins; Signal Transduction