The TSG101 protein has been implicated in multiple biological functions including the regulation of gene transcription, vesicular trafficking, cellular growth and differentiation. Previous reports indicated the steady-state level of TSG101 must be maintained in a narrow range. Either deprivation or overexpression of TSG101 protein could result in neoplastic transformation. However, cellular signals that control TSG101 functions are not clear. TSG101 protein contains many kinase phosphorylation sites including two GSK-3£] phosphorylation sites, S-172 (S172-P-Y-P-S176 ) and S202 (S202-Q-Y-P-S206). Our previous in vitro kinase assay result indicated TSG101 could be phosphorylated by GSK-3£]. In the present study, we demonstrated that 47 kDa TSG101 is monoubiquitination of 42 kDa TSG101. The GSK-3£] inhibitors, LiCl and TDZD8 could decrease TSG101 level in both HeLa and HEp-2 cells. On the contrary, activation of GSK-3£] by serum starvation or by transfection of a plasmid encodes for constitutive active GSK-3£] led to the increase of TSG101 level in a dose-dependent manner. The effect of LiCl and TDZD8 could be blocked by MG132, implying the involvement of proteaosome mediated mechanism. Expression of constitutive active GSK-3bmutS9A led to a dose-dependent increases of wildtype and HA-TSG101mutS172176A, but decrease of HA-TSG101mutS202206A protein. In addition, either wildtype or mutant HA-TSG101 could complex with GFP-GSK-3b. The mutation of S202 GSK-3b phosphorylation site of TSG101 compromised its ability to for complex with GSK-3b. In summary, our data support that GSK-3b is an important cellular signaling in regulation of monoubiquitinated TSG101 steady-state level. Whether it also affects the subcellular localization of TSG101 awaits further investigation.

Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 (GSK-3) is a highly conserved serine/threonine kinase comprised of two mammalian homologues, GSK-3α and β, encoded by independent genes. This thesis reports the characterization of GSK-3-null primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) generated by gene targeting to gain insight into the physiological functions of this protein kinase. Combined inactivation of both alleles of GSK-3α and GSK-β led to elevated sensitivity to TNFα-induced apoptosis, altered organization of focal adhesion complexes, defects in cell spreading on fibronectin, decreased cell growth associated with altered cell cycle progression through the G2/M phase and increased spontaneous apoptosis. Future work will focus on unraveling the molecular mechanisms responsible for these effects and identifying the common and distinct cellular roles for GSK-3α and β, and specific variants of these isoforms.

Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 (GSK-3) is a highly conserved serine/threonine kinase comprised of two mammalian homologues, GSK-3α and β, encoded by independent genes. This thesis reports the characterization of GSK-3-null primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) generated by gene targeting to gain insight into the physiological functions of this protein kinase. Combined inactivation of both alleles of GSK-3α and GSK-β led to elevated sensitivity to TNFα-induced apoptosis, altered organization of focal adhesion complexes, defects in cell spreading on fibronectin, decreased cell growth associated with altered cell cycle progression through the G2/M phase and increased spontaneous apoptosis. Future work will focus on unraveling the molecular mechanisms responsible for these effects and identifying the common and distinct cellular roles for GSK-3α and β, and specific variants of these isoforms.

No description available.

No description available.

Abstract¡G Tumor susceptibility gene 101, TSG101, is a protein exhibits multiple biological functions. For most protein, its specific function or structure stability can be regulated through protein phosphorylation or modification. The analysis of the amino acid sequence of TSG101 revealed that it has two GSK-3£] phosphorylation concensus sequences. Our previous data of in vitro kinase assay have demonstrated that TSG101 can be phosphorylated by GSK-3£], a wellknown protein kinase that regulates the stability and function of it¡¦s target protein. To investigate the effect of GSK-3£] phosphorylation on the stability and the function of TSG101 protein, we first exploited the effect of GSK-3£]inhibitor, LiCl, on endogenous TSG101 protein in COS1 cells. The results suggested that inhibition of GSK-3£] phosphorylation could impact on the stability of TSG101 protein. Upon the transfection of an active form GSK-3£] expression plasmid GSK-3£]/pEGFP, additional protein products of 40, 50-80 kD were detected, suggesting that GSK-3£] phosphorylation might induce modification or degradation of TSG101 protein. GSK-3£] phosphorylation site mutant TSG101 protein expression plasmids were constructed using site-directed mutagenesis, and were transfected into COS1 cells to evaluate the effect of GSK-3£] on TSG101 level. The results showed that GSK-3£] phosphorylation site mutant TSG101 protein is more stable then wild type TSG101 due to the lack of GSK-3£] phosphorylation site. The inhibition of GSK-3£] activity by LiCl treatment resulted in the increase of wildtype as well as the S172AS176 and S172AS176AS202AS206A mutant TSG101 proteins, whereas the S202AS206A mutant TSG101 protein level was not affected by LiCl treatment. The above data indicated that GSK-3£] might regulate the stability and biological activity of TSG101 protein through phosphorylation of serine residue at position 202, which is worthy of further investigation.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most malignant form of brain cancer. Therapies targeting glioblastoma have not consistently been able to give those diagnosed the best prognosis. Treatments that directly infiltrate into the tumor are highly sought after. Indirubins have been used to treat various types of cancers and are a promising avenue for future glioma research. In the current study, we further researched several key GSK-3 inhibitors, BIO (an indirubin) and CHIR99021, in addition to LiCl, to see their effects on the translocation of β-catenin to the nucleus, and the invasion and migration of cells in both a sphere assay and an aortic ring assay. Here we studied anti-invasive therapies that may have a future role in GBM treatment. It is thought that combining conventional treatments with anti-invasive therapies will create cytotoxicity in and reduce migration of the tumor. Three types of cells were used throughout the experiments: HBMEC, HUVEC, and U251 glioma cells. We reported that GSK-3 inhibitors might have a valuable role in the treatment of GBM. The selected inhibitors (BIO, CHIR99021, and LiCl) all were shown to lessen cell migration and invasion in vitro in a range of assays and in all cell lines tested. All inhibitors tested cause a dose-dependent, reversible inhibition of glioma cell invasion in spheroid assays. BIO was shown to cause a rapid upregulation of total and nuclear β-catenin. BIO, at higher concentrations, also created a toxic environment for cells, sometimes killing them. This shows that a more in-depth experiment involving different BIO concentrations is needed to test the optimal concentration for treatment. Each of the experimented GSK-3 inhibitors also showed a change in the junctions between cells. NaCl as a control showed normal, spikey, junctions, while CHIR99021 and BIO caused the junctions to become more smooth. This suggests that GSK-3 inhibition has a role in either maintaining the ECM and/or in communication between cells. Also in this assay, there was a heterogeneity between cells treated with the same inhibitor and in the same dish, indicating that not all cells respond to each drug the same way. The reasons for this are not known and further investigation is required. A new construct was also made to report β-catenin transcriptional coactivation using luciferase expression as the reporter in response to these selected GSK-3 inhibitors.With the combined results of these experiments, we concluded that GSK-3 inhibitors may be a promising approach to the treatment of GBM. Further investigation is required before any treatments can be administered to those diagnosed.

Glioblastoma is the most malignant form of brain cancer. Due to its aggressive nature, extensive research has been performed, but little progress has been made in identifying effective treatment options. Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) is a ubiquitous, multifaceted protein kinase. Previous studies have shown that small molecule inhibitors of GSK-3 block the migration of glioblastoma cells and may prevent spread of tumor in the brain. However, these studies were performed using non-selective GSK-3 inhibitors (LiCl and an indirubin derivative, BIO); thus, it was unclear whether GSK-3 was the most important target. In this study, we used recently generated highly selective GSK-3 inhibitors (CHIR99021, AZD1080, and AZD2858, as well as BIO) to investigate these questions. These were applied to four glioblastoma cell lines: G30, G9, U251, and U1242, in three migration assays: transwell, spheroid, and wound healing (scratch) assay to further assess the suitability of GSK-3 as a target in glioblastoma. We also utilized the ATP Luciferase reporter assay for cell viability to assess the influence of our panel of drugs on cell migration versus viability. In addition, the TOPFlash Luciferase reporter assay was performed as an indicator of the level of GSK-3 inhibition. The TOPFlash assay showed that all GSK-3 inhibitors were able to increase luciferase levels. This indicates that GSK-3 was inhibited in our cells after drug treatment. The transwell assays showed us that the GSK-3 inhibitors were able to block migration significantly in all cell lines tested in a dose-dependent manner. The effectiveness of GSK-3 inhibition in the three-dimensional collagen spheroid assays was cell line-dependent, with the non-selective GSK-3 inhibitor BIO showing the most potent effects. Cell migration was not blocked by any of the three selective GSK-3 inhibitors in the wound healing scratch assay. Thus we have found that the three distinct highly selective inhibitors of GSK-3 block glioblastoma cell migration, but only work consistently in the transwell assay. Therefore, we conclude that GSK-3 might be important in the contraction and morphological changes necessary for glioblastoma cells to migrate through the 8 micron pores in the transwell. Further investigation into this observation is necessary. Though results were variable between assays, we conclude that the inhibition of GSK-3 is a promising potential therapeutic strategy for glioblastoma treatment.

O estudo investigou a ação sensibilizadora à insulina da glimepirida (Gp), em ratos MSG, resistentes à insulina. Animais controle (C) e MSG, e tratados (CG e MSG/G) ou não com Gp, foram submetidos a ITT; análise do GLUT4 no tecido adiposo (TAB), EDL, sóleo e coração; ensaios de translocação e captação de glicose/incorporação ao glicogênio no sóleo; dosagem do glicogênio e p-GSK3 no fígado. No TAB, mRNA e proteína GLUT4 se elevaram nos MSG, o que foi revertido pela Gp, efeito importante para não agravar a obesidade. No sóleo, o mRNA aumentou nos MSG, mas a proteína GLUT4 foi igual a C, e se elevou com a Gp. Sob estímulo insulínico, GLUT4 em membranas plasmáticas aumentou em ratos C e MSG/G. Captação de glicose e incorporação ao glicogênio muscular no sóleo, conteúdo de glicogênio e de p-GSK3 no fígado foram menores nos MSG. A Gp aumentou a expressão/translocação de GLUT4 em músculo de ratos MSG, melhorando a captação de glicose e glicogeniogênese neste tecido. Estes efeitos, mais o aumento da glicogeniogênese hepática, conferem à Gp ação sensibilizadora à insulina. / The study investigated the insulin sensitizer action of the glimepiride (Gp) in insulin- resistant MSG rats. Control (C) and MSG animals, non-treated or treated with Gp (CG and MSG/G) were submitted to ITT; GLUT4 analysis in adipose tissue (WAT), EDL, soleus and heart; GLUT4 translocation assays and glucose uptake/glycogen incorporation in soleus; glycogen and p-GSK3 analysis in the liver. In WAT, GLUT4 mRNA and protein increase in MSG rats was abolished by Gp, an effect important to avoid the aggravation of the obesity. In MSG soleus, GLUT4 mRNA increased but protein was similar to C, elevating after Gp. Under insulin stimulation, GLUT4 in plasma membrane increased in C and MSG/G only. Glucose uptake and incorporation to muscular glycogen in soleus, and glycogen/p-GSK-3 content in the liver were all lower in MSG rats. Gp increased GLUT4 expression/translocation in MSG muscle, improving glucose uptake and glycogenesis in this tissue. These effects, added to the higher hepatic glycogenesis confer the Gp its insulin sensitizer action.

O estudo investigou a ação sensibilizadora à insulina da glimepirida (Gp), em ratos MSG, resistentes à insulina. Animais controle (C) e MSG, e tratados (CG e MSG/G) ou não com Gp, foram submetidos a ITT; análise do GLUT4 no tecido adiposo (TAB), EDL, sóleo e coração; ensaios de translocação e captação de glicose/incorporação ao glicogênio no sóleo; dosagem do glicogênio e p-GSK3 no fígado. No TAB, mRNA e proteína GLUT4 se elevaram nos MSG, o que foi revertido pela Gp, efeito importante para não agravar a obesidade. No sóleo, o mRNA aumentou nos MSG, mas a proteína GLUT4 foi igual a C, e se elevou com a Gp. Sob estímulo insulínico, GLUT4 em membranas plasmáticas aumentou em ratos C e MSG/G. Captação de glicose e incorporação ao glicogênio muscular no sóleo, conteúdo de glicogênio e de p-GSK3 no fígado foram menores nos MSG. A Gp aumentou a expressão/translocação de GLUT4 em músculo de ratos MSG, melhorando a captação de glicose e glicogeniogênese neste tecido. Estes efeitos, mais o aumento da glicogeniogênese hepática, conferem à Gp ação sensibilizadora à insulina. / The study investigated the insulin sensitizer action of the glimepiride (Gp) in insulin- resistant MSG rats. Control (C) and MSG animals, non-treated or treated with Gp (CG and MSG/G) were submitted to ITT; GLUT4 analysis in adipose tissue (WAT), EDL, soleus and heart; GLUT4 translocation assays and glucose uptake/glycogen incorporation in soleus; glycogen and p-GSK3 analysis in the liver. In WAT, GLUT4 mRNA and protein increase in MSG rats was abolished by Gp, an effect important to avoid the aggravation of the obesity. In MSG soleus, GLUT4 mRNA increased but protein was similar to C, elevating after Gp. Under insulin stimulation, GLUT4 in plasma membrane increased in C and MSG/G only. Glucose uptake and incorporation to muscular glycogen in soleus, and glycogen/p-GSK-3 content in the liver were all lower in MSG rats. Gp increased GLUT4 expression/translocation in MSG muscle, improving glucose uptake and glycogenesis in this tissue. These effects, added to the higher hepatic glycogenesis confer the Gp its insulin sensitizer action.