phosphothreonine and Breast-Neoplasms

The BRCA2 tumor suppressor protein is involved in the maintenance of genome integrity through its role in homologous recombination. In mitosis, BRCA2 is phosphorylated by Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1). Here we describe how this phosphorylation contributes to the control of mitosis. We identify a conserved phosphorylation site at T207 of BRCA2 that constitutes a bona fide docking site for PLK1 and is phosphorylated in mitotic cells. We show that BRCA2 bound to PLK1 forms a complex with the phosphatase PP2A and phosphorylated-BUBR1. Reducing BRCA2 binding to PLK1, as observed in BRCA2 breast cancer variants S206C and T207A, alters the tetrameric complex resulting in unstable kinetochore-microtubule interactions, misaligned chromosomes, faulty chromosome segregation and aneuploidy. We thus reveal a role of BRCA2 in the alignment of chromosomes, distinct from its DNA repair function, with important consequences on chromosome stability. These findings may explain in part the aneuploidy observed in BRCA2-mutated tumors.

Topics: Aneuploidy; BRCA2 Protein; Breast Neoplasms; Cell Cycle Proteins; Chromosome Segregation; Chromosomes, Human; Female; Genetic Variation; HeLa Cells; Homologous Recombination; Humans; Kinetics; Kinetochores; Mitosis; Molecular Docking Simulation; Phosphorylation; Phosphoserine; Phosphothreonine; Polo-Like Kinase 1; Protein Binding; Protein Phosphatase 2; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; Proto-Oncogene Proteins

We have recently identified tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) at Thr-669 and Ser-1046/1047 via ERK and p38 pathways, respectively. In the present study, we investigated the roles of ligand-induced phosphorylation of serine and threonine residues in EGFR-overexpressing MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells. Epidermal growth factor and heregulin, an ErbB3 ligand, induced the phosphorylation of Thr-669 and Ser-1046/1047. Inversely, constitutive tyrosine phosphorylation of the C-terminal domain, including Tyr-1068, was significantly downregulated on ligand stimulation. Inhibition of the ERK pathway by U0126 blocked ligand-induced Thr-669 phosphorylation as well as Tyr-1068 dephosphorylation. Downregulation of constitutive tyrosine phosphorylation of EGFR in HEK293 cells stably expressing the wild type was abolished by substitution of Thr-669 for Ala. In an asymmetric EGFR homodimer structure, one Thr-669 in the receiver kinase of the dimer was involved in downregulation. Similarly, Thr-669 in an EGFR-ErbB3 heterodimer also participated in tyrosine dephosphorylation. These results indicate that ERK-mediated Thr-669 phosphorylation suppresses constitutive tyrosine phosphosphorylation in the homo- and heterodimer asymmetric conformations of the EGFR.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Breast Neoplasms; Butadienes; Cell Line, Tumor; Dimerization; Epidermal Growth Factor; ErbB Receptors; Feedback, Physiological; Female; Humans; Ligands; MAP Kinase Signaling System; Neoplasm Proteins; Neuregulin-1; Nitriles; Phosphorylation; Phosphothreonine; Protein Conformation; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Recombinant Proteins; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Serine 7 of centromere protein A (CENP-A) is a very important mitosis-specific phosphorylation site. In this study, we demonstrate the subcellular distribution of Ser7 phosphorylated CENP-A during mitosis in MCF-7 cells. The Ser7 phosphorylation of CENP-A was observed beginning at prophase at centromeres. Upon progression of mitosis, the fluorescence signals emerged in the central region of the metaphase plate and were maintained until anaphase at centromeres. At late anaphase, the fluorescence signals moved to the midzone gradually and transferred from the centromere to the midbody completely at telophase. They were compacted into the centre of the midbody in a thin cylinder consisting of a sandglass-like "mitotic machine" with microtubules and condensed chromosome. We also found that Ser10 phosphorylated H3 and Thr11 phosphorylated H3 were co-localized at the midbody in two bell-like symmetrical bodies with Ser7 phosphorylated CENP-A during the terminal stage of cytokinesis. Midbody isolation and immunoblotting experiments also indicated that Ser7 phosphorylated CENP-A are components of the midbody. These findings suggest that Ser7 phosphorylated CENP-A acts as a chromosomal passenger protein and may play an important role in cytokinesis.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Autoantigens; Biological Transport; Breast Neoplasms; Centromere; Centromere Protein A; Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone; Cytokinesis; Female; Histones; Humans; MCF-7 Cells; Microscopy, Confocal; Microscopy, Fluorescence; Mitosis; Neoplasm Proteins; Phosphorylation; Phosphoserine; Phosphothreonine; Pregnancy; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Spindle Apparatus

Tumor cell migration plays a central role in the process of cancer metastasis. We recently identified dopamine and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein of 32 kDa (DARPP-32) as an antimigratory phosphoprotein in breast cancer cells. Here we link this effect of DARPP-32 to Wnt-5a signaling by demonstrating that recombinant Wnt-5a triggers cAMP elevation at the plasma membrane and Thr34-DARPP-32 phosphorylation in MCF-7 cells. In agreement, both protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitors and siRNA-mediated knockdown of Frizzled-3 receptor or Galpha(s) expression abolished Wnt-5a-induced phosphorylation of DARPP-32. Furthermore, Wnt-5a induced DARPP-32-dependent inhibition of MCF-7 cell migration. Phospho-Thr-34-DARPP-32 interacted with protein phosphatase-1 (PP1) and potentiated the Wnt-5a-mediated phosphorylation of CREB, a well-known PP1 substrate, but had no effect on CREB phosphorylation by itself. Moreover, inhibition of the Wnt-5a/DARPP-32/CREB pathway, by expression of dominant negative CREB (DN-CREB), diminished the antimigratory effect of Wnt-5a-induced phospho-Thr-34-DARPP-32. Phalloidin-staining revealed that that the presence of phospho-Thr-34-DARPP-32 in MCF-7 cells results in reduced filopodia formation. In accordance, the activity of the Rho GTPase Cdc42, known to be crucial for filopodia formation, was reduced in MCF-7 cells expressing phospho-Thr-34-DARPP-32. The effects of DARPP-32 on cell migration and filopodia formation could be reversed in T47D breast cancer cells that were depleted of their endogenous DARPP-32 by siRNA targeting. Consequently, Wnt-5a activates a Frizzled-3/Galpha(s)/cAMP/PKA signaling pathway that triggers a DARPP-32- and CREB-dependent antimigratory response in breast cancer cells, representing a novel mechanism whereby Wnt-5a can inhibit breast cancer cell migration.

Topics: Animals; Breast Neoplasms; Carrier Proteins; Cell Cycle Proteins; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Movement; Cyclic AMP; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein; Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases; DNA-Binding Proteins; Dopamine and cAMP-Regulated Phosphoprotein 32; Frizzled Receptors; Humans; Mice; Nuclear Proteins; Phosphorylation; Phosphothreonine; Protein Phosphatase 1; Proto-Oncogene Proteins; Pseudopodia; Rats; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; Signal Transduction; Wnt Proteins; Wnt-5a Protein

Prolactin (PRL) is a polypeptide hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland and other sites that acts both systemically and locally to cause lactation and other biological effects by interacting with the PRL receptor, a Janus kinase (JAK)2-coupled cytokine receptor family member, and activating downstream signal pathways. Recent evidence suggests PRL is a player in the pathogenesis and progression of breast cancer. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) also has effects on breast tissue, working through its receptors, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and ErbB-2 (c-neu, HER2), both intrinsic tyrosine kinase growth factor receptors. EGFR promotes pubertal breast ductal morphogenesis in mice, and both EGFR and ErbB-2 are relevant in pathogenesis and behavior of breast and other human cancers. Previous studies showed that PRL and EGF synergize to enhance motility in the human breast cancer cell line, T47D. In this study, we explored crosstalk between the PRL and EGF signaling pathways in T47D cells, with an ultimate aim of understanding how these two important factors might work together in vivo to affect breast cancer behavior. Both PRL and EGF caused robust signaling in T47D cells; PRL acutely activated JAK2, signal transducer and activator of transcription-5 (STAT5), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1 and -2 (ERK1 and ERK2), whereas EGF caused EGFR activation and consequent src homology collagen (SHC) activation and ERK activation. Notably, PRL also caused phosphorylation of the EGFR and ErbB-2 at sites detected by PTP101, an antibody that recognizes threonine phosphorylation at consensus motifs for ERK-induced phosphorylation. PRL-induced PTP101-reactive phosphorylation was prevented by pretreatment with PD98059, an ERK pathway inhibitor. Furthermore, PRL synergized with EGF in activating SHC and ERK and transactivating a luciferase reporter driven by c-fos gene enhancer elements, suggesting that PRL allowed markedly enhanced EGF signaling. This was accompanied by substantial inhibition of EGF-induced EGFR downregulation when PRL and EGF cotreatment was compared to EGF treatment alone. This effect of PRL was abrogated by ERK pathway inhibitor pretreatment. Our data suggest that PRL synergistically augments EGF signaling in T47D breast cancer cells at least in part by lessening EGF-induced EGFR downregulation and that this effect requires PRL-induced ERK activity and threonine phosphorylation of EGFR.

Topics: Breast Neoplasms; Cell Line, Tumor; Down-Regulation; Epidermal Growth Factor; ErbB Receptors; Humans; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; Phosphorylation; Phosphothreonine; Prolactin; Protein Transport; Receptor, ErbB-2; Signal Transduction

The anti-HER2 antibody trastuzumab (Herceptin) has been used to treat patients with breast cancers that overexpress HER2. We have demonstrated that p27(Kip1) upregulation is one of the key events that cause G(1) arrest upon trastuzumab treatment. Here, we have examined the effect of trastuzumab on expression of CDK2, Rb, E2F, NPAT and histone H4 in breast cancer cells that overexpress HER2. Trastuzumab treatment dramatically inhibited the kinase activity and expression of CDK2, whereas the kinase activity and expression of CDK4 were not affected. Unlike the p27(Kip1) upregulation that occurs primarily through post-translational mechanisms, CDK2 was downregulated primarily at a transcriptional level as shown by Northern blotting and real-time RT-PCR analyses. With a decrease in CDK2 activity, trastuzumab decreased the kinase activity of cyclin E but had little effect on cyclin E protein level. Overexpression of wild-type cyclin E or its lower molecular weight forms did not influence the response to trastuzumab. Levels and activities of CDK6, cyclin A, and cyclin D1 were all suppressed by trastuzumab. As a result, trastuzumab inhibited Rb phosphorylation that associates with CDK2, cyclin E, CDK6, cyclin A, or cyclin D1. As predicted from these changes, trastuzumab decreased the DNA-binding activity of E2F, decreased the level of NPAT protein, and decreased the level of histone H4 mRNA. Blockade of the PI3K pathway with LY294002 produced similar effects to trastuzumab treatment on expression of each of these genes. Taken together, treatment of breast cancer cells that overexpress HER2 with the anti-HER2 antibody trastuzumab inhibits CDK2, Rb phosphorylation, E2F activity, NPAT, and histone H4 via PI3K signaling that are needed for both DNA and histone synthesis during progression from G(1) phase to S phase of the cell cycle.

Topics: Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Antineoplastic Agents; Breast Neoplasms; Cell Cycle Proteins; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 2; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 6; DNA, Neoplasm; E2F1 Transcription Factor; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Histones; Humans; Models, Biological; Nuclear Proteins; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors; Phosphorylation; Phosphoserine; Phosphothreonine; Protein Binding; Receptor, ErbB-2; Retinoblastoma Protein; RNA, Messenger; Trastuzumab; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Estrogen, which has been strongly implicated in breast cancer, suppresses apoptosis in estrogen receptor (ER) positive MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Phospholipase D (PLD), which is commonly elevated in ER negative breast cancer cells, also suppresses apoptosis. Survival signals generated by both estrogen and PLD are dependent upon elevated Myc expression. We report here that estrogen- and PLD-induced increases in Myc expression are due to reduced turnover of Myc protein. Estrogen and PLD suppressed phosphorylation of Myc at Thr58--a site that targets Myc for degradation by the proteasome. The data provide a mechanism for elevated Myc expression in hormone-dependent and hormone-independent breast cancer.

Topics: Breast Neoplasms; Cell Line, Tumor; Estradiol; Estrogens; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3; Humans; Phospholipase D; Phosphorylation; Phosphoserine; Phosphothreonine; Protein Binding; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc

Survivin is a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis gene family that is expressed in most human cancers and may facilitate evasion from apoptosis and aberrant mitotic progression. Here, exposure of breast carcinoma MCF-7 or cervical carcinoma HeLa cells to anticancer agents, including Adriamycin, Taxol, or UVB resulted in a 4-5-fold increased survivin expression. Changes in survivin levels after anticancer treatment did not involve modulation of survivin mRNA expression and were independent of de novo gene transcription. Conversely, inhibition of survivin phosphorylation on Thr(34) by the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor flavopiridol resulted in loss of survivin expression, and nonphosphorylatable survivin Thr(34)-->Ala exhibited accelerated clearance as compared with wild-type survivin. Sequential ablation of survivin phosphorylation on Thr(34) enhanced tumor cell apoptosis induced by anticancer agents independently of p53 and suppressed tumor growth without toxicity in a breast cancer xenograft model in vivo. These data suggest that Thr(34) phosphorylation critically regulates survivin levels in tumor cells and that sequential ablation of p34(cdc2) kinase activity may remove the survivin viability checkpoint and enhance apoptosis in tumor cells.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Apoptosis; Breast Neoplasms; Doxorubicin; Female; Flavonoids; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; HeLa Cells; Humans; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins; Microtubule-Associated Proteins; Neoplasm Proteins; Paclitaxel; Phosphorylation; Phosphothreonine; Piperidines; RNA, Messenger; Survivin; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Ultraviolet Rays

Protein kinase C (PKC) alpha has been implicated in beta1 integrin-mediated cell migration. Stable expression of PKCalpha is shown here to enhance wound closure. This PKC-driven migratory response directly correlates with increased C-terminal threonine phosphorylation of ezrin/moesin/radixin (ERM) at the wound edge. Both the wound migratory response and ERM phosphorylation are dependent upon the catalytic function of PKC and are susceptible to inhibition by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase blockade. Upon phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate stimulation, green fluorescent protein-PKCalpha and beta1 integrins co-sediment with ERM proteins in low-density sucrose gradient fractions that are enriched in transferrin receptors. Using fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy, PKCalpha is shown to form a molecular complex with ezrin, and the PKC-co-precipitated endogenous ERM is hyperphosphorylated at the C-terminal threonine residue, i.e. activated. Electron microscopy showed an enrichment of both proteins in plasma membrane protrusions. Finally, overexpression of the C-terminal threonine phosphorylation site mutant of ezrin has a dominant inhibitory effect on PKCalpha-induced cell migration. We provide the first evidence that PKCalpha or a PKCalpha-associated serine/threonine kinase can phosphorylate the ERM C-terminal threonine residue within a kinase-ezrin molecular complex in vivo.

Topics: Amino Acid Substitution; Breast Neoplasms; Cell Membrane; Cell Movement; Chromones; Cytoskeletal Proteins; Enzyme Inhibitors; Female; Green Fluorescent Proteins; Humans; Integrin beta1; Isoenzymes; Kinetics; Luminescent Proteins; Microscopy, Confocal; Morpholines; Mutagenesis, Site-Directed; Phorbol 12,13-Dibutyrate; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Phosphoproteins; Phosphorylation; Phosphothreonine; Protein Kinase C; Protein Kinase C-alpha; Recombinant Fusion Proteins; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Wound Healing

Spatially resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) measured by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM), provides a method for tracing the catalytic activity of fluorescently tagged proteins inside live cell cultures and enables determination of the functional state of proteins in fixed cells and tissues. Here, a dynamic marker of protein kinase Calpha (PKCalpha) activation is identified and exploited. Activation of PKCalpha is detected through the binding of fluorescently tagged phosphorylation site-specific antibodies; the consequent FRET is measured through the donor fluorophore on PKCalpha by FLIM. This approach enabled the imaging of PKCalpha activation in live and fixed cultured cells and was also applied to pathological samples.

Topics: 3T3 Cells; Animals; Breast Neoplasms; Catalysis; COS Cells; Cytoplasm; Endoplasmic Reticulum; Energy Transfer; Enzyme Activation; Fluorescence; Fluorescent Dyes; Golgi Apparatus; Green Fluorescent Proteins; Humans; Immune Sera; Isoenzymes; Luminescent Proteins; Mice; Microscopy, Fluorescence; Phosphorylation; Phosphothreonine; Protein Kinase C; Protein Kinase C-alpha; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; Transfection

The ability to separate the isoforms of human tumour suppressor protein p53 expressed in insect cells using heparin-Sepharose correlates with differences in the isoelectric point of p53, demonstrating that p53 can be heterogeneously modified and providing support for the use of insect cells as a model system for identifying novel signalling pathways that target p53. One p53 isoform that was reduced in its binding to the monoclonal antibody DO-1 could be stimulated in its binding to DO-1 by prior incubation with protein phosphatases, suggesting the presence of a previously unidentified N-terminal phosphorylation site capable of masking the DO-1 epitope. A synthetic peptide from the N-terminal domain of p53 containing phosphate at Ser(20) inhibited DO-1 binding, thus identifying the phosphorylation site responsible for DO-1 epitope masking. Monoclonal antibodies overlapping the DO-1 epitope were developed that are specific for phospho-Thr(18) (adjacent to the DO-1 epitope) and phospho-Ser(20) (within the DO-1 epitope) to determine whether direct evidence could be obtained for novel phosphorylation sites in human p53. A monoclonal antibody highly specific for phospho-Ser(20) detected significant phosphorylation of human p53 expressed in insect cells, whereas the relative proportion of p53 modified at Thr(18) was substantially lower. The relevance of these two novel phosphorylation sites to p53 regulation in human cells was made evident by the extensive phosphorylation of human p53 at Thr(18) and Ser(20) in a panel of human breast cancers with a wild-type p53 status. Phospho-Ser(20) or phospho-Thr(18) containing p53 peptides are as effective as the phospho-Ser(15) peptide at reducing mdm2 (mouse double minute 2) protein binding, indicating that the functional effects of these phosphorylation events might be to regulate the binding of heterologous proteins to p53. These results provide evidence in vivo for two novel phosphorylation sites within p53 at Ser(20) and Thr(18) that can affect p53 protein-protein interactions and indicate that some human cancers might have amplified one or more Ser(20) and Thr(18) kinase signalling cascades to modulate p53 activity.

Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antibody Specificity; Breast Neoplasms; Cell Line; Epitopes; Humans; Isoelectric Point; Nuclear Proteins; Peptide Fragments; Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases; Phosphorylation; Phosphoserine; Phosphothreonine; Protein Isoforms; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Proto-Oncogene Proteins; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2; Recombinant Proteins; Signal Transduction; Spodoptera; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53

Using an in situ kinase assay we have identified kinases that are elevated in some multidrug resistant cells. Kinases were detected by measurement of 32P incorporation in proteins that were renatured after being subjected to SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and transferred to polyvinylidene difluoride membranes [Ferrell and Martin: J Biol Chem 264:20723-20729, 1989; Mol Cell Biol 10:3020-3026, 1990]. Kinases at 79, 84, and 92 kDa showed increased activity in the multidrug resistant human KB-V1 cells as compared to the sensitive parental KB-3-1 cells. The KB-V1 multidrug resistant cell line exhibited a 170 kDa membrane associated kinase activity that was not present in the parental drug sensitive line. The 170 kDa kinase activity was not affected by Ca++, phosphatidylserine, or cAMP, but was diminished after incubation in the presence of the kinase inhibitors staurosporine, K252a and KT5720. The 170 kDa kinase activity phosphorylated mainly threonine, with no evidence of tyrosine phosphorylation, and was not identical to either the multidrug resistance associated P-glycoprotein or the EGF receptor. Other multidrug resistant cell lines also showed elevated 170 kDa kinase activity, such as the human breast cancer MCF-7/Adr(R) and murine melanoma B16/Adr(R) cells, but the activity was not present in murine leukemia P-388 sensitive or multidrug resistant cells.

Topics: Alkaloids; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1; Breast Neoplasms; Calcium; Carbazoles; Carrier Proteins; Clone Cells; Cyclic AMP; Drug Resistance; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Humans; Indole Alkaloids; Indoles; KB Cells; Melanoma, Experimental; Membrane Glycoproteins; Mice; Neoplasm Proteins; Phosphatidylserines; Phosphorylation; Phosphothreonine; Phosphotyrosine; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; Pyrroles; Staurosporine; Transfection; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Tyrosine

The product of the HER-2 proto-oncogene, p185HER-2, was found to be amplified approximately 10-fold in the human breast carcinoma cell line, BT474, compared to a cell line, HBL-100, derived from normal breast tissue. To explore the possible role of p185HER-2 in growth of the breast carcinoma cells, we investigated factors that may modulate cell growth and phosphorylation of the HER-2 protein product. Two growth factors, epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin, stimulated phosphorylation of the HER-2 protein product. In response to insulin, the phosphoserine and phosphothreonine content in p185HER-2 was transiently enhanced about 6-fold. When EGF was added to BT474 cells there was 2- to 3-fold enhanced phosphorylation of serine and threonine residues in p185HER-2 which was maintained for at least 60 min. Although p185HER-2 has been found to be phosphorylated on tyrosine residues following EGF treatment of several different cell types, we estimate that less than 1% of the protein contained phosphotyrosine in the BT474 cells.

Topics: Blood; Breast Neoplasms; Epidermal Growth Factor; ErbB Receptors; Humans; Insulin; Phosphorylation; Phosphoserine; Phosphothreonine; Phosphotyrosine; Proto-Oncogene Mas; Proto-Oncogene Proteins; Receptor, ErbB-2; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Tyrosine