Erythropoietin (EPO) is the primary cytokine regulator of erythropoiesis. Fundamental to this action is the ability of EPO to bind the EPO receptor (EPO-R), and activate the primary associated tyrosine kinase, JAK2. The critical importance of EPO, EPO-R and JAK2 to erythropoiesis is demonstrated by the fatal embryonic anemia that develops upon EPO, EPO-R or JAK2 deletion. Positive regulation of intracellular signal transduction pathways downstream of EPO-R and JAK2 are well documented, but less is known about negative regulation of EPO-R signaling. Two distinct experimental strategies were utilized to examine a subset of the negative regulatory mechanisms underlying EPO-R signaling and erythropoiesis. Mice deficient in the E3 ubiquitin ligase, Cbl, were generated previously and displayed elevated platelet numbers, expansion of splenic red pulp and splenomegaly, suggesting that Cbl-/- mice have defects in megakaryocyte/erythrocyte progenitors or more committed cells of each lineage. Our studies illustrated that genetic ablation of Cbl resulted in elevated total numbers of Burst Forming Unit-Erythroid and Colony Forming Unit-Erythroid, but decreased bone marrow-derived late erythroblasts. Cbl-deficient late erythroblasts displayed elevated apoptosis, as well as increased expression of Foxo3a and increased mRNA levels of the pro-apoptotic genes, Bim and FasL. These studies implicate Cbl as an important negative regulator of multiple facets of erythroid signaling. The discovery that EPO-R is ubiquitinated and degraded by the proteasome and lysosome led us to examine the role of EPO-R ubiquitination on signal transduction and proliferation. Lysine mutagenesis of EPO-R showed that K348, K388 and K428 were the primary ubiquitin acceptor sites when EPO-R mutants were expressed in HEK 293T cells. BaF3 cells expressing an EPO-R deficient in cytoplasmic lysines displayed diminished EPO-mediated EPO-R, JAK2, PKB and STAT5 phosphorylation and could not proliferate in response to EPO. The membrane proximal lysines of EPO-R, K256 and K276, were necessary for proliferation at physiologic EPO concentrations but were not required at saturating EPO concentrations. Single lysine EPO-R add-back mutants restored signaling and proliferation to BaF3 cells at physiologically elevated EPO concentrations, signifying that EPO-R lysines finely mediate EPO-dependent proliferation and signal transduction. These analyses demonstrate a positive regulatory role for lysines in signal transduction and proliferation.

Erythropoietin (EPO) is the primary cytokine regulator of erythropoiesis. Fundamental to this action is the ability of EPO to bind the EPO receptor (EPO-R), and activate the primary associated tyrosine kinase, JAK2. The critical importance of EPO, EPO-R and JAK2 to erythropoiesis is demonstrated by the fatal embryonic anemia that develops upon EPO, EPO-R or JAK2 deletion. Positive regulation of intracellular signal transduction pathways downstream of EPO-R and JAK2 are well documented, but less is known about negative regulation of EPO-R signaling. Two distinct experimental strategies were utilized to examine a subset of the negative regulatory mechanisms underlying EPO-R signaling and erythropoiesis. Mice deficient in the E3 ubiquitin ligase, Cbl, were generated previously and displayed elevated platelet numbers, expansion of splenic red pulp and splenomegaly, suggesting that Cbl-/- mice have defects in megakaryocyte/erythrocyte progenitors or more committed cells of each lineage. Our studies illustrated that genetic ablation of Cbl resulted in elevated total numbers of Burst Forming Unit-Erythroid and Colony Forming Unit-Erythroid, but decreased bone marrow-derived late erythroblasts. Cbl-deficient late erythroblasts displayed elevated apoptosis, as well as increased expression of Foxo3a and increased mRNA levels of the pro-apoptotic genes, Bim and FasL. These studies implicate Cbl as an important negative regulator of multiple facets of erythroid signaling. The discovery that EPO-R is ubiquitinated and degraded by the proteasome and lysosome led us to examine the role of EPO-R ubiquitination on signal transduction and proliferation. Lysine mutagenesis of EPO-R showed that K348, K388 and K428 were the primary ubiquitin acceptor sites when EPO-R mutants were expressed in HEK 293T cells. BaF3 cells expressing an EPO-R deficient in cytoplasmic lysines displayed diminished EPO-mediated EPO-R, JAK2, PKB and STAT5 phosphorylation and could not proliferate in response to EPO. The membrane proximal lysines of EPO-R, K256 and K276, were necessary for proliferation at physiologic EPO concentrations but were not required at saturating EPO concentrations. Single lysine EPO-R add-back mutants restored signaling and proliferation to BaF3 cells at physiologically elevated EPO concentrations, signifying that EPO-R lysines finely mediate EPO-dependent proliferation and signal transduction. These analyses demonstrate a positive regulatory role for lysines in signal transduction and proliferation.

The RET proto-oncogene encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK), with two major isoforms, RET9 and RET51, which differ in their C-termini, and therefore recruit different signaling complexes. RET plays an important role in cell growth, differentiation, migration and survival. Regulation of RET is critical for normal cellular functioning, however, the biochemical mechanisms underlying the downregulation of RET isoforms, are still not clear. Cbl (Casitas B-lineage Lymphoma) is an E3-ubiquitin ligase that plays an essential role in mediating the degradation of RET. Recently, a negative regulator of Cbl, ARHGEF7 (β-pix/ Cool-1) was found to prevent Cbl-catalyzed deregulation of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR). In the current study, we characterized and further examined the association between RET and Cbl. We showed that RET can associate with the c-Cbl and Cbl-b homologues, in co-immunoprecipitations. Using far western assays and GST-pulldowns, with the purified tyrosine kinase binding (TKB) domain of c-Cbl, we detected a potential novel direct interaction between RET and c-Cbl. Previously, an indirect association between RET and Cbl had been established, indicating that a bimodal interaction may occur. Furthermore, we proposed that ARHGEF7 may interfere with RET-Cbl interactions, either by sequestring Cbl, so that it is unable to bind to RET, or by forming a complex with both RET and Cbl, thereby blocking Cbl activation. Here, we investigated the possibility of a complex formation using co-immunoprecipitations. We showed that ARHGEF7 and c-Cbl can co-immunoprecipitate, but we could not detect either of the RET isoforms in this complex. Further examination of a possible relationship between RET isoforms, and ARHGEF7, showed that ARHGEF7 phosphorylation was dependent on RET activation. However, in an in vitro kinase assay, we showed that this phosphorylation did not occur directly, but may occur indirectly through a pathway yet unknown. Our data predicts that ARHGEF7 may modulate Cbl-binding to RET, and subsequently inhibit its degradation, in a manner similar to that seen for EGFR. / Thesis (Master, Pathology & Molecular Medicine) -- Queen's University, 2008-07-14 14:15:31.472

Fragile X Protein (FMRP) is an RNA binding protein linked to the most common form of inherited mental retardation, Fragile X syndrome (FraX). Despite its ubiquitous expression and presence of non-neuronal phenotypes, FMRP function remains understudied outside of neural and synaptic development. In addition to severe cognitive deficits, FraX etiology also includes postpubescent macroorchidism, which is thought to occur due to overproliferation of the germline. Using a Drosophila model for FraX, I have shown that FMRP controls germline proliferation as well as dorso-ventral polarity during oogenesis. dFmr1 null ovaries exhibit egg chambers with increased numbers of germ cells and ventralized embryos. The number of cyclin E and phosphohistone H3 positive cells is increased in dFmr1 germaria compared to wild-type, suggesting that the mutant germline cells exhibit defects in proliferation. In addition, BrdU incorporation is increased during vitellogenesis, consistent with a prolonged S phase for endoreplicating nurse cells. Here I report the FMRP controls the levels of cbl mRNA in the ovary and that the overproliferation and polarity defects found in dFmr1 ovaries can be rescued by reducing cbl dosage in half. These data suggest a model whereby FMRP regulates cellular proliferation and polarity during oogenesis by controlling the E3 ubiquitin ligase cbl.

Hyperactive Wnt signaling is the seminal event in colorectal cancer (CRC) pathogenesis, where β-catenin serves as a key Wnt mediator enhancing CRC cell proliferation and survival. c-Cbl is a unique E3 ligase, which degrades both mutant and active (tumorigenic) β-catenin. c-Cbl phosphorylation at tyrosine 731 (Y731) regulates its binding and down regulation of β-catenin specifically in the presence of Wnt ligand (Wnt-on state). Since aberrant Wnt signaling activation is found in almost all cases of human CRC, it would be critical to understand the influence of c-Cbl phosphorylation on CRC cell survival. We hypothesized that c-Cbl phosphorylation regulates CRC cell survival in a Wnt dependent manner, a state that is mediated through mutations in β-catenin or adenomatosis polyposis coli (APC). Cbl phosphorylation was examined in a panel of Wnt-off cells with wild-type β-catenin and APC CRC cell line (RKO cell line) and Wnt-on cell lines with mutant APC (Wnt-on- DLD1, HCT15 cell line) or mutant β-catenin (HCT116) using phospho-specific antibodies to c-Cbl tyrosine residues at 700 (Y700), 731 and 774 (Y774) positions. Biological significance of specific phosphorylation sites was evaluated with phospho-inactive mutants of c-Cbl (Y700F, Y731F and Y774F) using both the MTT cell proliferation assay and the non-adherent colony formation assay. Potential meditators of c-Cbl were examined using immunoblotting. Here we show that c-Cbl was phosphorylated at all three major phosphorylation sites (Y700, Y731 and Y774) in both Wnt-off and Wnt-on CRC cell lines. However, the amount of phosphorylation was reduced in Wnt-on CRC cell lines (DLD1, HCT116 and HCT15) compared to Wnt-off (RKO) cell line. Wild-type c-Cbl significantly enhanced survival in RKO cell lines and reduced survivability in DLD1 cell lines. In contrast to the effect of wild-type c-Cbl, Y731F increased CRC cell survival and non-adherent colony forming units. Our preliminary data suggests that c-Cbl Y731 mutation regulates CRC survival through β-catenin. c-Cbl is heavily phosphorylated in CRC cell lines, where wild-type c-Cbl significantly inhibits cell survival in Wnt-on and enhances cell survival in Wnt-off CRC cell lines. Furthermore, our data indicates that Y731 influences CRC survival and colony formation only in Wnt-on cell lines. Though further validation is required, this dichotomy in the effect of c-Cbl phosphorylation on CRC survival being mediated by Wnt status can be further explored as a potentially novel therapeutic target in mutant CRC tumors, which represent more than 90% of CRC cases in humans.

Cbl is a multivalent protein that interacts with a number of signaling molecules that affect cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis. Although it is a downstream effector of growth factors, cytokines and integrin signaling all of which influence bone mass, very few studies have examined the role of Cbl in osteoblast proliferation and differentiation. To examine the role(s) of Cbl in the skeletal system we have focused specifically on phosphorylation of CblY737 since it is a unique to Cbl (not present on other family members) and upon phosphorylation by Src family kinases it provides a binding site for the p85 subunit of PI3K which regulates signaling events that modulate apoptosis and survival. To determine the role of tyrosine 737 we are using CblYF/YF knock-in mice (YF) where tyrosine 737 has been substituted to phenylalanine. YF mice had increased bone volume (WT 9%; YF 14%; p= 0.05 vs WT), trabecular thickness, and trabecular numbers. Although the increased bone volume is partly attributed to the decreased bone resorption, static and dynamic parameters of bone formation indicated that numbers of osteoblasts (WT 13 N.OB/BS; YF 20 N.OB/BS; p=0.05 vs WT) and bone formation rates were also upregulated in the CblYF/YF mice. To investigate the role of osteoblast differentiation in increased bone formation, we differentiated osteoblast and assessed ALP activity and Alizarin Red S staining. Both WT and YF osteoblasts had similar levels of ALP activity and mineral deposition during differentiation. To determine if the increased numbers of osteoblasts were due to increased survival and/or proliferation, we performed in vitro experiments with calvarial osteoblasts from age-matched WT and YF pups. MTT assay and TUNEL-staining, for cell viability, showed abrogation of Cbl-PI3K interaction did not affect osteoblast survival. Interestingly, inhibition of PI3K activity with LY294002 showed comparable survival between the WT and YF osteoblasts. We next examined proliferation and found that there was a 2-fold increase in the rate of the proliferation for the YF osteoblasts. This result was further substantiated by colony forming unit assay using bone marrow stromal cells. To establish the role of extracellular factors on osteoblast increased proliferation, various growth factors were assessed (EGF, FGF, IGF, PDGF). Treatment with the growth factors has no differential effects on the WT versus YF osteoblasts. We next used conditioned media from differentiated osteoclasts and bone marrow cells to treat MC3T3-E1, preosteoblast cell line. The osteoclast media from YF osteoclasts did not increase osteoblast proliferation. However, YF bone marrow conditioned media increased proliferation of the MC3T3-E1. Cytokine assays were done to determine the factor(s) that were increased in the YF conditioned media compared to the WT conditioned media. SDF-1 was found to be increased in the YF conditioned media compared to the WT conditioned media. Taken together, this suggests that the abrogation of Cbl-PI3K interaction leads to increased bone formation due to osteoclast resorption deficiency and increased osteoblast proliferation, which may be caused in part by increased SDF-1 expression in the bone marrow niche. / Cell Biology

Thèse numérisée par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

NK cell based anti-tumour therapies demonstrate high efficacy in targeting hematological malignancies, however, treatments for advanced solid tumours face challenges. The immunosuppressive environment produced by tumours prevents NK cells from maintaining cytotoxic activity and reducing tumour burden. Enhancing NK cell activation is essential to improve their function against solid tumours. Genetic manipulation of primary NK cells with viral and non-viral methods has seen a drastic improvement in recent years. Lentiviral vectors are being used to generate CAR-NK cells ex vivo, while refinement of electroporation protocols has allowed for the generation of stable gene knockouts in primary NK cells. To establish and validate the generation of a stable knockout in primary human NK cells we focused on targeting the NCAM-1 (CD56) surface adhesion molecule. The high surface expression of CD56 in NK cells makes it a suitable target to establish the knockout protocol. Furthermore, despite its levels of expression being correlated to different functional phenotypes, the role of CD56 in NK cell function is not understood. Here we have shown that current lentiviral transduction protocols are not viable methods to deliver the sgRNA/Cas9 system into primary NK cells. However, we found that nucleofection of the sgRNA/Cas9 complex into NK cells is an efficient method to generate gene knockouts. Using newly generated CD56KO NK cells we have shown that the expression of CD56 has no effect on NK cell cytotoxicity, cytokine production, proliferation, and in vivo tissue trafficking. In parallel, we have also identified an intracellular pathway that is active in the tumour microenvironment and could inhibit NK cell function. Recent studies on the intracellular signaling of the E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase Cbl-b have highlighted its role in inhibiting NK cell tumour lytic and anti-metastatic activity. Immunosuppressive factors produced by tumours activate the Cbl-b pathway, leading to the targeted degradation of signaling proteins required for NK cell activation. We have shown that Cbl-b is upregulated in ex vivo expanded NK cells cultured with GAS6 or ovarian cancer ascites. Therefore, the generation of human primary Cbl-bKO NK cells could be a beneficial asset to enhance NK cell cancer immunotherapy. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

c-Cbl functions as a multifunctional adaptor and an E3 ubiquitin protein ligase. Several studies have shown that c-Cbl is involved in cytoskeleton-mediated events, but the molecular mechanisms linking c-Cbl to cytoskeletal rearrangements remain to be elucidated. Our previous results indicated that c-Cbl facilitates spreading and migration of v-Abl-transformed NIH 3T3 fibroblasts and suggested that small GTPases play important roles in the cytoskeletal effects of c-Cbl in this system. To elucidate the individual contributions of small GTPases to these effects, we assessed the roles of endogenous Rac1, RhoA and Rap1 in the c-Cbl-dependent spreading and migration of v-Abl-transformed fibroblasts overexpressing c-Cbl, using RNAi. Furthermore, since it has been shown that Rap1 can act as an upstream regulator of Rac1 in inducing cell spreading, we analyzed the interplay between Rap1 and Rac1 in the signaling pathways connecting c-Cbl to the cytoskeletal events. Our results indicate that Rac1 is essential for cell migration and spreading, whereas activation of RhoA exerts a negative effect. We have also shown that Rap1 is essential for cell spreading, although not for migration in our experimental system. Furthermore, we provide evidence that Rap1 is located upstream of Rac1 in one of the signaling pathways that regulate c-Cbl-facilitated cell spreading. Overall, our findings are consistent with the model describing the connection of c-Cbl to the cytoskeletal rearrangements via two pathways, one of which is mediated by PI3K and Rac1, and the other, by CrkL/C3G, Rap1 and Rac1. A major biological feature of glioma is the ability to invade normal brain tissue. The molecular mechanisms of glioma invasion are involved in multiple biological processes which are primarily associated with cytoskeleton-mediated events including adhesion, migration, degradation of extra cellular matrix (ECM). Biological functions of c-Cbl in glioma have not been elucidated. In this study, we examined biological roles of c-Cbl using RNAi-mediated depletion of endogenous c-Cbl and stably c-Cbl expressing glioma cells generated by lentiviral transduction and showed that c-Cbl increases invasion through degradation of ECM by upregulation of MMP2 but not through migration, adhesion, or growth of SNB19, a grade IV glioblastoma cell line. / Microbiology and Immunology / Accompanied by two .avi videos

c-Cbl protein functions as an E3 ligase and scaffolding protein, where three residues, Y700, Y731, and Y774, upon phosphorylation, have been shown to initiate several signaling cascades. In this study, we investigated the role of these phospho-tyrosine residues in the platelet functional responses upon integrin engagement. We observed that c-Cbl Y700, Y731 and Y774 undergo phosphorylation upon platelet adhesion to immobilized fibrinogen, which was inhibited in the presence of PP2, a pan-src family kinase (SFK) inhibitor, suggesting that c-Cbl is phosphorylated downstream of SFKs. However, OXSI-2, a Syk inhibitor, significantly reduced c-Cbl phosphorylation at residues Y774 and Y700, without affecting Y731 phosphorylation. Interestingly, PP2 inhibited both platelet spreading on fibrinogen as well as clot retraction, whereas OXSI-2 blocked only platelet spreading, suggesting a differential role of these tyrosine residues. The physiological role of c-Cbl and Y731 was studied using platelets from c-Cbl KO and c-CblYF/YF knock-in mice. c-Cbl KO and c-Cbl YF/YF platelets had a significantly reduced spreading over immobilized fibrinogen. Furthermore, clot retraction with c-Cbl KO and c-Cbl YF/YF platelets was drastically delayed. These results indicate that c-Cbl and particularly its phosphorylated residue Y731 plays an important role in platelet outside-in signaling contributing to platelet spreading and clot retraction / Physiology