Background: Resveratrol is emerging as a novel anticancer agent. However, the mechanism(s) by which resveratrol exerts its effects on endometrial cancer (EC) are unknown. We previously reported that β-arrestin 2 plays a critical role in cell apoptosis. The role of β-arrestin 2 in resveratrol modulation of endometrial cancer cell apoptosis remains to be established. Scope of Review: EC cells HEC1B and Ishikawa were transfected with either β-arrestin 2 RNA interfering (RNAi) plasmid or β-arrestin 2 full-length plasmid and control vector. The cells were then exposed to differing concentrations of resveratrol. Apoptotic cells were detected by TUNEL assay. Expression of total and phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt), total and phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (p-GSK3β), and caspase-3 were determined by Western blot analysis. Our data demonstrate that inhibition of β-arrestin 2 increases the number of apoptotic cells and caspase-3 activation. Additionally β-arrestin 2 exerted an additive effect on resveratrol-reduced levels of p-Akt and p-GSK3β. Overexpression of β-arrestin 2 decreased the percentage of apoptosis and caspase-3 activation and attenuated resveratrol-reduced levels of p-Akt and p-GSK3β. Taken together, our studies demonstrate for the first time that β-arrestin 2 mediated signaling plays a critical role in resveratrol-induced apoptosis in EC cells. Major Conclusions: Resveratrol primes EC cells to undergo apoptosis by modulating β-arrestin 2 mediated Akt/GSK3β signaling pathways. General significance: These inspiring findings would provide a new molecular basis for further understanding of cell apoptotic mechanisms mediated by β-arrestin 2 and may provide insights into a potential clinical relevance in EC.

We have previously reported that morphine induces apoptosis. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), a key immune receptor in the TLR family, modulates cell survival and cell death in various systems. Evidence indicates that β-arrestin 2 acts as a negative regulator of innate immune activation by TLRs. Here, we investigated the roles of TLR2, the downstreaming mediator MyD88, and β-arrestin 2 in morphine-induced apoptosis. We showed that overexpression of TLR2 in HEK293 cells caused a significant increase in apoptosis after morphine treatment. Inhibition of MyD88 by transfecting dominant negative MyD88 or overexpression of β-arrestin 2 by transfecting β-arrestin 2 full length plasmid in TLR2 overexpressing HEK293 cells attenuated morphine-induced apoptosis. Our study thus demonstrates that TLR2 signaling mediates the morphine-induced apoptosis, and β-arrestin 2 is a negative regulator in morphine-induced, TLR2-mediated apoptosis.

β-arrestins, a family of regulatory and scaffold proteins, are well-known negative regulators of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRS) including opioid receptors. Recent studies have shown that β-arrestin2 plays a potential role in inhibiting cell death. It has been reported that opioids such as morphine induce cell death at high concentrations (>500 μM for 24 hours), which is similar to morphine plasma concentrations in cancer patients receiving chronic morphine treatment for pain relievers. However, the role of β-arrestin2 in opioid-induced cell death remains to be elucidated. We report here that β-arrestin2 significantly blocks morphine-induced number of cell death in human breast cancer MCF-7 and MDA-MB231 cells. Suppression of endogenous β-arrestin2 by specific RNA interfering (RNAi) and morphine treatment significantly attenuates the levels of phosphorylated Akt compared with inhibition of β-arrestin2 or morphine treatment alone. However, blockade of morphine-induced cell death by β-arrestin2 seems to be dependent on the inhibition of caspase-8, as inhibition of β-arrestin2 and morphine treatment significantly enhanced the levels of cleaved caspase-8. These studies show for the first time that β-arrestin2 blocks morphine-induced cell death through anti-apoptotic Akt and pro-apoptotic caspase-8 pathways. Therefore, targeting β-arrestin2 may be useful for treating side effects of opioids as pain relievers for cancer patients.

The mechanisms by which opioids affect progression of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection are not well-defined. HIV-1 gp120 is important in the apoptotic death of uninfected, bystander T cells. In this study, we show that co-treatment of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with HIV-1 gp120/morphine synergistically induces apoptosis in PBMC. Co-treatment of murine splenocytes from μ opiate receptor knockout mice with gp120/morphine resulted in decreased apoptosis when compared to splenocytes from wild type mice. Co-treatment of human PBMC or murine splenocytes with gp120/morphine led to decreased expression of β-arrestin 2, a protein required for opioid-mediated signaling. The role of β-arrestin 2 was confirmed in Jurkat lymphocytes, in which 1) over-expression of β-arrestin 2 inhibited gp120/morphine-induced apoptosis and 2) RNA interference of β-arrestin 2 expression enhanced gp120/morphine-induced apoptosis. These data suggest a novel mechanism by which HIV-1 gp120 and opioids induce lymphocyte cell death.

No description available.

Les récepteurs couplés aux protéines G (RCPG) peuvent activer des voies de signalisation indépendantes des protéines G. Cependant, la régulation de ces voies, et en particulier leur désensibilisation, est peu connue. Le récepteur de la sérotonine de type 4 (R-5-HT4) est un RCPG exprimé dans le cerveau et les organes périphériques. Il est impliqué dans des fonctions physiologiques importantes comme la mémoire, l'apprentissage, la prise de nourriture, le contrôle respiratoire et la mobilité gastro-intestinale. Le R-5-HT4 est couplé à la protéine Gs. De plus, il active la voie Src/ERK1/2, indépendamment des protéines G et des β-arrestines.Nous avons montré que GRK5, physiquement associé à la région C-terminale (C-ter) du R-5-HT4 inhibait la voie Src/ERK1/2 couplée au récepteur, mais pas la voie Gs. Ce résultat a été observé dans la lignée de cellules HEK-293 mais aussi dans des neurones de collicules en culture. Cette inhibition nécessite deux séquences d'évènements : l'association de la β-arrestine1 à une région riche en sérines et thréonines, localisée dans le domaine C-ter du récepteur et la phosphorylation par GRK5, de la β-arrestine1 (en sérine 412) liée au récepteur. La β-arrestine1 phosphorylée empêche l'activation de Src, constitutivement liée au récepteur, nécessaire à l'activation d'ERK1/2. Ceci constitue la première démonstration que la phosphorylation d'une β-arrestine par une GRK régule la signalisation indépendante des protéines G. En plus de ces résultats, nous avons démontré que l'activation d'ERK1/2 par le R-5-HT4, indépendante des β-arrestines, implique la libération d'un ligand induite par une métalloprotéase, conduisant à la transactivation d'un autre récepteur. Par une approche protéomique, nous avons également identifiés plusieurs partenaires potentiels du R-5-HT4. L'étude de ces partenaires pourrait apporter un éclairage supplémentaire sur les voies de signalisation du récepteur et leur régulation. / G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have been found to trigger G protein-independent signalling. However, the regulation of G protein-independent pathways, especially their desensitization, is poorly characterized.The 5-Hydroxytryptamine 4 receptor (5-HT4R) is a GPCR widely expressed in the brain and at the periphery. It is implicated in important physiological functions such as memory, cognition, feeding, respiratory control and gastrointestinal motility. 5-HT4R couples to the Gs/cAMP/PKA pathway. Moreover, this receptor can activate a Src/ERK pathway independently of both G proteins and β-arrestins.Here, we show that the G protein-independent 5-HT4R-operated Src/ERK pathway, but not the Gs pathway, is inhibited by GPCR kinase 5 (GRK5), physically associated with the proximal region of receptor C-terminus, in both HEK-293 cells and colliculi neurons. This inhibition requires two sequences of events: the association of β-arrestin1 to a phosphorylated serine/threonine cluster located within the receptor C-terminal domain and the phosphorylation by GRK5 of β-arrestin1 (at Ser 412) bound to the receptor. Phosphorylated β-arrestin1 prevents in turn activation of Src constitutively bound to 5-HT4R, a necessary step in receptor-stimulated ERK signalling. This is the first demonstration that β-arrestin phosphorylation by a GRK regulates G protein-independent signalling.In addition to these results, we also demonstrated that the β-arrestin-independent activation of ERK1/2 by the 5-HT4R involves a metalloprotease-dependant ectodomain shedding and transactivation of another receptor. By a proteomic approach, we also identified several potential partners of the 5-HT4R. Study of these proteins may provide a better understanding of 5-HT4R signalling and his regulation.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest group of membrane-bound receptors. Transmission of signals into the cell interior is mediated through the interactions of these receptors with other signaling molecules. Nowadays, a great attention is devoted to biased ligands which are able to alter the conformation of the receptor in a specific way and thus distinctly affect its function. This diploma thesis was focused on a study of µ-opioid receptor (MOR), which is important in nociception. The aim of this study was to find out, how the activation of MOR by specific biased ligands (morphine, endomorphin-2 and DAMGO) affects the function and the interactions of MOR with potential molecular partners (for example G proteins or β-arrestin) A method of siRNA interference was used to knock down the following selected signaling molecules: Gαi1, Gαi2, Gαi3, Gαz and β-arrestin2. The effect of biased ligands on lateral mobility of MOR in the plasma membrane and on activity of adenylyl cyclase (AC) was examined under these conditions. We observed a possible involvement of Gαz subunit in the lateral mobility of MOR after the effect of morphine and endomorphin-2. The lateral mobility of MOR was significantly increased in cells lacking Gαi2 or Gαi3 or β-arrestin2. In this case the MOR was in inactive state....

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), a key member of the TLR family, has been well characterized by its function in the induction of inflammatory products of innate immunity. However, the involvement of TLR4 in a variety of apoptotic events by an unknown mechanism has been the focus of great interest. Our investigation found that TLR4 promoted apoptotic signalling by affecting the glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) pathway in a serum-deprivation- induced apoptotic paradigm. Serum deprivation induces GSK-3β activation in a pathway that leads to subsequent cell apoptosis. Intriguingly, this apoptotic cascade is amplified in presence of TLR4 but greatly attenuated by β-arrestin 2, another critical molecule implicated in TLR4-mediated immune responses. Our data suggest that the association of β-arrestin 2 with GSK-3β contributes to the stabilization of phospho-GSK-3β, an inactive form of GSK-3β. It becomes a critical determinant for the attenuation of TLR4-initiated apoptosis by β-arrestin 2. Taken together, we demonstrate that the TLR4 possesses the capability of accelerating GSK-3β activation thereby deteriorating serum-deprivation-induced apoptosis; β-arrestin 2 represents an inhibitory effect on the TLR4-mediated apoptotic cascade, through controlling the homeostasis of activation and inactivation of GSK-3β.

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医学) / 甲第24525号 / 医博第4967号 / 新制||医||1065(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 渡邊 直樹, 教授 中川 一路, 教授 秋山 芳展 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

Résumé : La contraction cellulaire est une activité centrale dans plusieurs processus physiologiques. Entre autre, elle joue un rôle dans la régulation de la perméabilité vasculaire et de la pression artérielle. Il est également établi qu’une contraction anormale des cellules du muscle lisse vasculaire (VSMC) est souvent associée à l’hypertension et ses complications. Il est donc suggéré que l’étude des mécanismes impliqués dans la transduction de signaux menant à la contraction cellulaire et les mécanismes impliqués dans la régulation de celle-ci pourrait permettre d’identifier de nouvelles cibles potentielles afin d’envisager de nouveaux traitements pour cette maladie. Étant donné le rôle connu du système angiotensinergique dans l’activité contractile des VSMC et les nombreux indices suggérant une dérégulation de ce système dans de développement de l’hypertension; la présente thèse a été consacrée, dans un premier temps, à identifier de nouveaux mécanismes de signalisation impliqués dans la contraction cellulaire induite par l’angiotensine II. Ainsi, il est montré, pour la première fois, que les β-arrestines; des protéines adaptatrices impliquées dans la désensibilisation et la signalisation des récepteurs couplés aux protéines G, participent à la contraction cellulaire associée à l’activation du récepteur de l’angiotensine de type 1, et ce, en exerçant des effets opposés sur la phosphorylation de la chaîne légère de la myosine. Dans un second temps, étant donné qu’en condition diabétique une dysfonction vasculaire est observée et que cette dernière serait reliée à des changements dans le phénotype fonctionnel des VSMC; la deuxième partie de cette thèse traite des effets de l’exposition aux produits de glycation avancée (AGE) sur le phénotype et l’activité contractile des VSMC. Effet, les AGE, issus de la réaction entre les protéines et le glucose et dont la formation est particulièrement favorisée en contexte diabétique, pourraient être impliqués dans la dysfonction vasculaire observée. Ainsi, il est montré, pour la première fois, que l’exposition des VSMC aux AGE inhibe l’expression de leur phénotype contractile en affectant leurs propriétés mécaniques et diverses fonctions cellulaires telles que la signalisation, la contraction et l’organisation du cytosquelette. Dans un contexte plus large, cette thèse confirme également l’importance d’intégrer les approches biophysiques à la biologie cellulaire. En effet, les résultats obtenus par microscopie à force atomique sont uniques puisqu’ils offrent une nouvelle perspective concernant l’activité cellulaire via la caractérisation du phénotype mécanique de la cellule et la mesure de la contraction au niveau d’une seule cellule. || Abstract : Cell contraction plays a key role in a variety of physiological processes, among those; it regulates vascular permeability and blood pressure. It is known that abnormal contraction of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) is often associated with hypertension and its complications. Therefore, it is suggested that studying mechanisms involved in signal transduction leading to cell contraction and mechanisms regulating the cell ability to contract may allow identifying new therapeutic targets in order to suggest new treatments for hypertension. Knowing the role of the angiotensin system in VSMC contractility and the numerous evidences suggesting a dysregulation of this system in the development of hypertension; this thesis first sought to identify new signaling mechanisms involved in cell contraction induced by angiotensin II. Therefore, it is shown here, for the first time, that β- arrestins; which are scaffolding proteins involved in the desensitisation and the signalling of protein G-coupled receptors, participate in cell contractile activity induced by angiotensin receptor type 1 activation by reciprocally regulating myosin activity through its light chain phosphorylation. Secondly, knowing that a vascular dysfunction is observed in diabetes which could be attributed to changes in VSCM functional phenotype; this thesis also investigated the effect of advanced glycation end-products (AGE) exposure on the contractile phenotype and function of VSMC. Indeed, AGE, which are the product of a reaction between proteins and glucose, are increased significantly in diabetes and are suspected to be involved in the vascular dysfunction observed in this metabolic disease. Therefore, it shown, for the first time, that AGE stimulation of the VSMC A7r5 interfere with the expression of their contractile phenotype by changing their mechanical properties and various cellular functions such as signal transduction, contraction and cytoskeletal organisation. Finally, this thesis also underlines the utility of integrating biophysical tools into studying cellular biology. Indeed, the various results obtained using atomic force microscopy are unique in a way that they provide new insights into studying cellular activity trough the measurement of single cell contraction and characterisation its mechanical phenotype