phosphothreonine and Cell-Transformation--Neoplastic

The androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathway plays a crucial role in the development and growth of prostate malignancies. Regulation of AR homeostasis in prostate tumorigenesis has not yet been fully characterized. In this study, we demonstrate that p21-activated kinase 6 (PAK6) inhibits prostate tumorigenesis by regulating AR homeostasis. First, we demonstrated that in normal prostate epithelium, AR co-localizes with PAK6 in the cytoplasm and translocates into the nucleus in malignant prostate. Furthermore, AR phosphorylation at Ser-578 by PAK6 promotes AR-E3 ligase murine double minute-2 (Mdm2) association, causing AR degradation upon androgen stimuli. We also showed that PAK6 phosphorylates Mdm2 on Thr-158 and Ser-186, which is critical for AR ubiquitin-mediated degradation. Moreover, we found that Thr-158 collaborates with Ser-186 for AR-Mdm2 association and AR ubiquitin-mediated degradation as it facilitates PAK6-mediated AR homeostasis. PAK6 knockdown promotes prostate tumor growth in vivo. Interestingly, we found a strong inverse correlation between PAK6 and AR expression in the cytoplasm of prostate cancer cells. These observations indicate that PAK6 may be important for the maintenance of androgen-induced AR signaling homeostasis and in prostate malignancy, as well as being a possible new therapeutic target for AR-positive and hormone-sensitive prostate cancer.

Topics: Animals; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Chlorocebus aethiops; COS Cells; HEK293 Cells; Humans; Male; Mice; Models, Biological; p21-Activated Kinases; Phosphorylation; Phosphoserine; Phosphothreonine; Prostatic Neoplasms; Protein Transport; Proteolysis; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2; Receptors, Androgen; Ubiquitin; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases

Although the recently identified Pirh2 protein is known as a p53-induced ubiquitin-protein E3 ligase, which negatively regulates p53, the detailed mechanism underlying the regulation of Pirh2 remains largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that while Pirh2 is mostly detected in the phosphorylated form in normal tissues, it is predominantly present in the unphosphorylated form in majority of tumor cell lines and tissues examined. Phosphorylated Pirh2 is far more unstable than its unphosphorylated form. We further identified that Calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMK II) phosphorylates Pirh2 on residues Thr-154 and Ser-155. Phosphorylation of Pirh2 appears to be regulated through cell cycle-dependent mechanism. CaMK II-mediated Pirh2 phosphorylation abrogates its E3 ligase activity toward p53. Together, our data suggest that phosphorylation of Pirh2 may act as a fine-tuning to maintain the balance of p53-Pirh2 autoregulatory feedback loop, which facilitates the tight regulation of p53 stability and tumor suppression.

Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2; Cell Cycle; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Conserved Sequence; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Mice; Molecular Sequence Data; Phosphorylation; Phosphoserine; Phosphothreonine; Protein Binding; Sequence Alignment; Substrate Specificity; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; Ubiquitin; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases

The Maf oncoproteins are b-Zip transcription factors of the AP-1 superfamily. They are involved in developmental, metabolic, and tumorigenic processes. Maf proteins are overexpressed in about 50% of human multiple myelomas. Here, we show that Maf-transforming activity is controlled by GSK-3-dependent phosphorylation and that phosphorylation by GSK-3 can increase the oncogenic activity of a protein. Using microarray analysis, we identify a gene-expression subprogram regulated by GSK-3-mediated Maf phosphorylation involved in extracellular matrix remodeling and relevant to cancer progression. We also demonstrate that GSK-3 triggers MafA sequential phosphorylation on residues S61, T57, T53, and S49, inducing its ubiquitination and degradation. Paradoxically, this phosphorylation increases MafA-transcriptional activity through the recruitment of the coactivator P/CAF. We further demonstrate that P/CAF protects MafA from ubiquitination and degradation, suggesting that, upon the release of the coactivator complex, MafA becomes polyubiquitinated and degraded to allow the response to terminate.

Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Cell Line; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Chickens; Chlorocebus aethiops; COS Cells; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3; Humans; Maf Transcription Factors, Large; Molecular Sequence Data; p300-CBP Transcription Factors; Phosphorylation; Phosphoserine; Phosphothreonine; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Rats; Transcription, Genetic; Ubiquitination

Although cyclin D1 is overexpressed in a significant number of human cancers, overexpression alone is insufficient to promote tumorigenesis. In vitro studies have revealed that inhibition of cyclin D1 nuclear export unmasks its neoplastic potential. Cyclin D1 nuclear export depends upon phosphorylation of a C-terminal residue, threonine 286, (Thr-286) which in turn promotes association with the nuclear exportin, CRM1. Mutation of Thr-286 to a non-phosphorylatable residue results in a constitutively nuclear cyclin D1 protein with significantly increased oncogenic potential. To determine whether cyclin D1 is subject to mutations that inhibit its nuclear export in human cancer, we have sequenced exon 5 of cyclin D1 in primary esophageal carcinoma samples and in cell lines derived from esophageal cancer. Our work reveals that cyclin D1 is subject to mutations in primary human cancer. The mutations identified specifically disrupt phosphorylation of cyclin D1 at Thr-286, thereby enforcing nuclear accumulation of cyclin D1. Through characterization of these mutants, we also define an acidic residue within the C-terminus of cyclin D1 that is necessary for recognition and phosphorylation of cyclin D1 by glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta. Finally, through construction of compound mutants, we demonstrate that cell transformation by the cancer-derived cyclin D1 alleles correlates with their ability to associate with and activate CDK4. Our data reveal that cyclin D1 is subject to mutations in primary human cancer that specifically disrupt phosphorylation-dependent nuclear export of cyclin D1 and suggest that such mutations contribute to the genesis and progression of neoplastic growth.

Topics: Alleles; Amino Acid Substitution; Animals; Carcinoma; Cell Line; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Nucleus; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Cyclin D; Cyclin D1; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4; Cyclins; DNA Mutational Analysis; DNA, Neoplasm; Esophageal Neoplasms; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; Humans; Mice; Mutation, Missense; Neoplasm Proteins; NIH 3T3 Cells; Phosphorylation; Phosphothreonine; Point Mutation; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Protein Transport; Recombinant Fusion Proteins; Sequence Deletion; Spodoptera

The activity of the kinase Aurora-A (Aur-A) peaks during mitosis and depends on phosphorylation by one or more unknown kinases. Mitotic phosphorylation sites were mapped by mass spec sequencing of recombinant Aur-A protein that had been activated by incubation in extracts of metaphase-arrested Xenopus eggs. Three sites were identified: serine 53 (Ser-53), threonine 295 (Thr-295), and serine 349 (Ser-349), which are equivalent to Ser-51, Thr-288, and Ser-342, respectively, in human Aur-A. To ask how phosphorylation of these residues might affect kinase activity, each was mutated to either alanine or aspartic acid, and the recombinant proteins were then tested for their ability to be activated by M phase extract. Mutation of Thr-295, which resides in the activation loop of the kinase, to either alanine or aspartic acid abolished activity. The S349A mutant had slightly reduced activity, indicating that phosphorylation is not required for activity. The S349D mutation completely blocked activation, suggesting that Ser-349 is important for either the structure or regulation of Aur-A. Finally, like human Aur-A, overexpression of Xenopus Aur-A transformed NIH 3T3 cells and led to tumors in nude mice. These results provide further evidence that Xenopus Aur-A is a functional ortholog of human Aur-A and, along with the recently described crystal structure of human Aur-A, should help in future studies of the mechanisms that regulate Aur-A activity during mitotic progression.

Topics: 3T3 Cells; Amino Acid Sequence; Amino Acid Substitution; Anaphase-Promoting Complex-Cyclosome; Animals; Aurora Kinase A; Aurora Kinases; Cell Cycle Proteins; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Egg Proteins; Enzyme Activation; Enzyme Inhibitors; Female; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Ligases; Mice; Mice, Nude; Mitosis; Molecular Sequence Data; Mutagenesis, Site-Directed; Neoplasm Transplantation; Neoplasms, Experimental; Oocytes; Phosphoprotein Phosphatases; Phosphorylation; Phosphoserine; Phosphothreonine; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Protein Kinases; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; Proto-Oncogene Proteins; Recombinant Fusion Proteins; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; Species Specificity; Structure-Activity Relationship; Ubiquitin; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligase Complexes; Xenopus laevis; Xenopus Proteins

The Raf kinase family serves as a central intermediate to relay signals from Ras to ERK. The precise molecular mechanism for Raf activation is still not fully understood. Here we report that phosphorylation of Thr598 and Ser601, which lie between kinase subdomains VII and VIII, is essential for B-Raf activation by Ras. Substitution of these residues by alanine (B-RafAA) abolished Ras-induced B-Raf activation without altering the association of B-Raf with other signaling proteins. Phosphopeptide mapping and immunoblotting with phospho-specific antibodies confirmed that Thr598 and Ser601 are in vivo phosphorylation sites induced by Ras. Furthermore, replacement of these two sites by acidic residues (B-RafED) renders B-Raf constitutively active. Con sistent with these data, B-RafAA and B-RafED exhibited diminished and enhanced ability, respectively, to stimulate ERK activation and Elk-dependent transcription. Moreover, functional studies revealed that B-RafED was able to promote NIH 3T3 cell transformation and PC12 cell differentiation. Since Thr598 and Ser601 are conserved in all Raf family members from Caenorhabditis elegans to mammals, we propose that phosphorylation of these two residues may be a general mechanism for Raf activation.

Topics: 14-3-3 Proteins; Amino Acid Sequence; Amino Acid Substitution; Animals; Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; Cell Differentiation; Cell Line; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Conserved Sequence; Enzyme Activation; HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins; MAP Kinase Kinase 1; Mice; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Molecular Sequence Data; Oncogene Protein p21(ras); Peptide Mapping; Phosphorylation; Phosphoserine; Phosphothreonine; Protein Binding; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf; Rats; Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; Receptor, EphB4; Receptors, Eph Family; Transcription, Genetic; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase

Using an extensive series of deletion and site-specific mutation constructs, we have identified five new phosphorylation sites in c-Myc in the N-terminal transactivation domain and near the C-terminal DNA binding/heterodimerization domain. We have also found that Thr-58 phosphorylation is regulated by specific cellular events. When c-Myc is overexpressed in cells Thr-58 phosphorylation was greatly enhanced in the overexpressed, exogenous c-Myc as compared with the endogenous protein. In contrast, an inhibition of Thr-58 phosphorylation and an enhancement of Serine 62 phosphorylation was observed in c-Myc from immortalized cells compared with primary cells. No significant changes in c-Myc phosphorylation were found when transformed and nontransformed cells were compared. Finally, mutations at these phosphorylation sites, either individually or in combination with previously described sites, did not affect the ability of c-Myc to transactivate through the CACGTG Myc/Max DNA binding sites. These results further suggest that either the molecular role for c-Myc phosphorylation does not involve modulating transcriptional activity of c-Myc or that the CACGTG site does not represent a physiological promoter element.

Topics: 3T3 Cells; Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Cell Survival; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Mice; Molecular Sequence Data; Peptide Mapping; Phosphorylation; Phosphoserine; Phosphothreonine; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc; Sequence Deletion; Structure-Activity Relationship; Transcriptional Activation; Tumor Cells, Cultured

In earlier studies, we molecularly cloned a normal cellular gene, c-rasH-1, homologous to the v-ras oncogene of Harvey murine sarcoma virus (v-rasH). By ligating a type c retroviral promotor to c-rasH-1, we could transform NIH 3T3 cells with the c-rasH-1 gene. The transformed cells contained high levels of a p21 protein coded for by the c-rasH-1 gene. In the current studies, we have purified extensively both v-rasH p21 and c-rasH p21 and compared the in vivo and in vitro biochemical properties of both these p21 molecules. The p21 proteins coded for by v-rasH and c-rasH-1 shared certain properties: each protein was synthesized as a precursor protein which subsequently became bound to the inner surface of the plasma membrane; each protein was associated with guanine nucleotide-binding activity, a property which copurified with p21 molecules on a high-pressure liquid chromatography molecular sizing column. In some other properties, the v-rasH and c-rasH p21 proteins differed. In vivo, approximately 20 to 30% of v-rasH p21 molecules were in the form of phosphothreonine-containing pp21 molecules, whereas in vivo only a minute fraction of c-rasH-1 p21 contained phosphate, and this phosphate was found on a serine residue. v-rasH pp21 molecules with an authentic phosphothreonine peptide could be synthesized in vitro in an autophosphorylation reaction in which the gamma phosphate of GTP was transferred to v-rasH p21. No autophosphorylating activity was associated with purified c-rasH-1 p21 in vitro. The results indicate a major qualitative difference between the p21 proteins coded for by v-rasH and c-rasH-1. The p21 coded for by a mouse-derived oncogenic virus, BALB murine sarcoma virus, resembled the p21 coded for by c-rasH-1 in that it bound guanine nucleotides but did not label appreciably with 32Pi. The forms of p21 coded for by other members of the ras gene family were compared, and the results indicate that the guanine nucleotide-binding activity is common to p21 molecules coded for by all known members of the ras gene family.

Topics: Animals; Blood Proteins; Cell Line; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Cell Transformation, Viral; Genes, Viral; GTP-Binding Proteins; Guanosine Diphosphate; Guanosine Triphosphate; Mice; Oncogenes; Phosphoserine; Phosphothreonine; Receptors, Cell Surface; Sarcoma Viruses, Murine; Viral Proteins