Ovarian cancer is the deadliest of all the gynecologic cancers and is known for its clinically occult and asymptomatic dissemination. Most ovarian malignancies are diagnosed in the late stages of the disease and the high rate of morbidity is thought to be due, in part, to the highly metastatic nature of ovarian carcinomas. Cancer metastasis relies on the ability of cells to migrate away from primary tumors and invade into target tissues. Though the processes are distinct, cancer cell invasion relies on the underlying migration machinery to invade target tissues. Cell migration requires the coordinated effort of numerous spatially-regulated signaling pathways to extend protrusions, create new adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM), translocate the cell body, and retract the cell rear. Our lab established that the cyclic-AMP dependent protein kinase (PKA) subunits and enzymatic activity are localized to the leading edge of migrating cells and are required for cell movement. Despite the importance for localized PKA activity during migration, neither its role in regulating ovarian cancer cell migration and invasion nor the mechanism regulating leading edge PKA activity have been determined. Therefore, the objective of the enclosed work is to establish the importance of PKA for ovarian cancer cell migration and invasion and elucidate the molecular mechanism governing leading edge PKA. We demonstrate, for the first time, that PKA activity and spatial distribution through A-Kinase Anchoring Proteins (AKAPs) is required for efficient ovarian cancer cell migration and invasion. Additionally, we establish a link between leading edge PKA activity in migrating cells, ECM stiffness sensing, and the regulation of both PKA activity and ovarian cancer cell migration by the mechanical properties of the ECM. Finally, we delineate the hierarchy of cell signaling events that regulate leading edge PKA activity and, ultimately, the migration of ovarian cancer cells. Specifically, we elucidate a mechanism where leading edge protrusions elicit leading edge calcium currents through the stretch-activated calcium channel (SACC) of the transient receptor potential family melastatin 7 (TrpM7) to activate actomyosin contractility. ECM substrate stiffness is sensed by the actin cytoskeleton and actomyosin contractility, which, in turn, regulates the activity of leading edge PKA activity. These studies have provided important insights into the regulation of cell migration and have established the mechanistic details governing leading edge PKA activity during cell migration.

Master of Science / Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Interdepartmental Program / Anna Zolkiewska / Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling plays an important role in the proliferation, survival, and therapy resistance of breast cancer cells. Two important protein kinases involved in the MAPK pathway are MEK and ERK. The MEK/ERK signaling cascade can be stimulated by activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) upon binding of EGF-like ligands, which are released from cells by ADAM proteases. EGFR is frequently overexpressed in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer. Our analysis of clinical data revealed that high expression of ADAM12, but not other ADAMs, in TNBC is associated with poor patient survival. Thus, we hypothesized that ADAM12 plays a critical role in the progression of TNBC, possibly by stimulating MEK/ERK activity in an EGFR-dependent manner. To test this hypothesis, ADAM12 was knocked-down (KD) in SUM159PT TNBC cells, which express high levels of the endogenous ADAM12 protein. An antibody array assay indicated a significant decrease in the activation of the MAPK pathway in SUM159PT cells after ADAM12 KD. The decrease in MAPK activity was further confirmed by Western blotting using phospho-MEK and phospho-ERK specific antibodies. Additionally, conditioned media from ADAM12-deficient SUM159PT cells failed to support the survival of MCF10A cells, suggesting that ADAM12 KD reduced the release of pro-survival growth factors from SUM159PT cells. Based upon this data, we propose that ADAM12 is a novel regulator of the MAPK pathway and a potential therapeutic target in breast cancer.

Le cycle réplicatif du HIV-1 aboutit à la formation de virions qui s’assemblent dans des microdomaines spécifiques localisés à la membrane plasmique ou sur des compartiments intracellulaires particuliers, nommés VCC pour « Virus-Containing Compartments ». Selon les cas, ces virions sont ensuite relâchés par bourgeonnement ou exocytose. Ces étapes nécessitent un remodelage membranaire via le cytosquelette d’actine, ce qui est régulé par des voies de signalisation contrôlées par les RhoGTPases. Certains résultats suggèrent l’implication de ces protéines dans la biogénèse du HIV-1. Cependant, il reste à caractériser les mécanismes moléculaires spécifiquement impliqués dans la régulation cellulaire de l’assemblage viral.L’objectif de cette thèse consistait donc à identifier les RhoGTPases et les effecteurs des voies de signalisation spécifiquement requis durant la biogénèse virale. Cette étude a porté sur les GTPases Rac1, Cdc42 et RhoA car elles ont un rôle majeur dans la régulation du cytosquelette d’actine et de la dynamique membranaire. Elle a été réalisée sur les lymphocytes T (LT) Jurkat, cellules modèles pour l’infection HIV-1 où les virions s’assemblent à la membrane plasmique ; et les cellules adhérentes HeLa où les virions peuvent aussi s’assembler au niveau des VCC. Nos résultats ont révélé le rôle de la voie de signalisation Rac1-IRSp53-Wave2 dans l’assemblage de Gag à la membrane plasmique des LT Jurkat, et un rôle pour RhoA dans la régulation de l’assemblage viral suggéré au niveau des VCC. Ce travail améliore la compréhension des voies de signalisation cellulaires sollicitées lors de l’assemblage du HIV-1, en particulier dans les lymphocytes T, cibles du virus. / During the last steps of HIV-1 replication cycle, the Gag proteins come together in particular microdomains located at the plasma membrane or in some intracellular compartments, named “Virus-containing compartments”. Then, the viral particles are released by budding or exocytosis. All these steps involve membrane and actin cytoskeleton remodeling which is regulated by the RhoGTPases. In fact, some data suggest the implication of such proteins in HIV-1 biogenesis, but molecular mechanisms underlying this effect is not yet understood. During this thesis, our aim was to characterize the RhoGTPases and the effectors of cell signaling pathways which are specifically required during HIV-1 particle biogenesis. We focused our study on the GTPases Rac1, Cdc42 and RhoA because their influence on membrane and actin cytoskeleton was essential. Moreover, this work was accomplished on Jurkat T lymphocytes which are model cells to HIV-1 infection where the Gag proteins assemble at the plasma membrane, and on HeLa cells where the Gag proteins can also assemble on virus-containing compartments. Our results showed the requirement of the Rac1-IRSp53-Wave2 signaling pathway for HIV-1 Gag assembly at the plasma membrane of Jurkat T cells, and a role for RhoA GTPase in the regulation of viral particle assembly on virus-containing compartments in HeLa cells. This study improved understanding of cell signaling pathways required during the HIV-1 particle biogenesis and release, particularly in T cells which are the main host cell for HIV-1.

Dans de nombreux cancers, l’expression du gène Fhit (Fragile Histidine Triad) estfréquemment altérée. Fhit est décrit comme un important gène suppresseur de tumeur de parson rôle pro-apoptotique et anti-prolifératif. Nous avons mis en évidence que, in vivo et invitro, la diminution de l’expression de Fhit est associée au caractère infiltrant des cellulestumorales bronchiques, ce qui suggère que Fhit pourrait être impliqué dans le processusd’invasion tumorale. Nous avons en effet montré que la surexpression et l’inhibition de Fhitinduisent respectivement une diminution et une augmentation des capacités migratoires etinvasives des cellules bronchiques. Nous avons aussi mis en évidence que Fhit contrôlel’invasion des cellules tumorales bronchiques en régulant l’expression d’éléments clés de latransition épithélio-mésenchymateuse (TEM) tels que l’organisation des jonctions serrées etadhérentes, l’expression des métalloprotéinases matricielles et de la vimentine. De plus, Fhitrégule la TEM via une cascade de signalisation impliquant le récepteur au TGF-β, lesrécepteurs à tyrosine kinase (RTK), Src, Erk et Slug. Le double rôle de Fhit en tant quesuppresseur de tumeur et d’invasion renforce l’idée que Fhit pourrait représenter un nouveaubiomarqueur d’agressivité tumorale et pourrait constituer une nouvelle cible thérapeutiquedans le traitement des cancers broncho-pulmonaires. / In many types of cancers, Fhit (Fragile histidine triad) expression is frequentlydecreased or lost. Fhit is described as a tumor suppressor gene by its ability to induceapoptosis and to inhibit proliferation of tumor cells. We have demonstrated that a low Fhitexpression is associated with in vivo and in vitro invasiveness of lung tumor cells. Then, wehave shown that Fhit controls the invasive phenotype of lung tumor cells by regulating keyelements of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) such as cell-cell adhesion molecules,matrix metalloproteinase and vimentin expression. Our results provide also evidence that Fhitcontrols EMT by regulating several signaling pathways implying TGF-βR, RTK, Src, ERKand Slug. The dual function of Fhit as a tumor and invasion suppressor gene strengthens theidea that Fhit could represent a new biomarker of aggressiveness of lung cancer and couldconstitute a new therapeutic target to limit tumor progression.

This thesis provides a physics account of the ability of cells to integrate environmental information to make complex decisions, a process commonly known as signaling. It strives to address the following questions: (i) How do cells relate the state of the environment (e.g. presence/absence of specific molecules) to a desired response such as gene expression? (ii) How can cells robustly transfer information? (iii) Is there a biophysical limit to a cells' ability to process information? (iv) Can we use the answers to the above questions to formulate biophysical principles that inform us about the evolution of signaling? Throughout, I borrow techniques from non-equilibrium statistical physics, statistical learning theory, information theory and information geometry to construct biophysical models capable of making quantitative experimental predictions. Finally, I address the connection of energy expenditure and biological efficiency by zeroing in on a process unique to eukaryotic cells-- nuclear transport. The thesis concludes with a discussion of our theory and its implications for synthetic biology.

The core of the doctoral thesis "Regulation of signal transduction by leukocyte surface proteins" consists of three publications in international peer-reviewed journals dealing with leukocyte signaling both at the level of individual signaling pathways and in the context of a multicellular organism. Most attention is paid to signaling via the T cell receptor (TCR), which plays a central role in the development and function of T cells and represents a key signaling pathway for proper function of the adaptive component of the immune system. Transmembrane protein tyrosine phosphatase CD148 was considered a negative regulator of TCR signaling through dephosphorylation of LAT and PLCγ1 proteins. This study brings evidence that CD148 is able to modulate signaling also at the level of Lck, both positively and negatively. The net effect of CD148 activity on the TCR signaling is determined by the intracellular biochemical context, notably, the presence of another tyrosine phosphatase CD45. The second project dealt with the characterization of a transmembrane adaptor protein PRR7. This adapter inhibits TCR signaling via down-regulation of the intracellular Lck and cell surface TCR levels. The research concerning the signaling in the environment of a multicellular organism is represented by the analysis of...

Botropasina (Bt) é uma toxina isolada do veneno da serpente Bothrops jararaca, associada a processos inflamatórios. Neste contexto da inflamação como fator desencadeante da angiogênese, verificamos se a botropasina, uma metaloproteinase isolada do veneno da serpente Bothrops jararaca, poderia modular diretamente as transições fenotípicas do processo angiogênico. O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar os efeitos da Botropasina, domínios DC e peptídeos sintéticos derivados dos domínios DC (Ca II, Ca III e HCR), sobre os eventos da angiogênese como proliferação, migração, secreção de gelatinases, tubulogênese, e os mecanismos moleculares envolvidos no sistema in vitro nas células endoteliais HUVEC-CS. Nossos resultados mostram que tanto as proteínas Bt e DC, e o peptídeo HCR induzem os eventos angiogênicos de proliferação, migração, secreção de MPPs e formação de túbulos em matrigel, e estes são dependentes da dose. Os peptídeos Ca II e Ca III não induziram todas as características próprias da angiogênese. A migração observada tanto nos ensaios 2D, 3D, assim como na expressão do DLL4 e as fibras de estresse do citoesqueleto, sugerem que o tratamento com botropasina e o peptídeo HCR induzem o fenótipo migratório - tip cells nas células endoteliais. A ativação da via de sinalização de Erk via integrinas, seria o mecanismo de sinalização das proteínas Bt e DC, enquanto o peptídeo linear HCR teria um mecanismo de interação direta com receptores intracelulares. O tratamento com a Bt estimula a fosforilação das proteínas Akt, Fak e p38, envolvidas na migração, sobrevida e estresse celular, mas sem alterações na morfologia. A presença de proteínas inflamatórias como vimentina e calistatina nas formas secretada, indica que os tratamentos com as proteínas Bt e DC induzem uma resposta inflamatória nas células endotelias, promovendo os eventos da angiogênese, enquanto o peptídeo HCR se mostra como altamente mitogênico e sem efeitos inflamatórios. / Botrophasin (Bt) is a metalloproteinase isolated from Bothrops jararaca snake venom, an associated with inflammatory processes. In the context of inflammation as a triggering factor of angiogenesis, we tested if botropasin, could directly modulate the phenotypic transitions of the angiogenic process. The objective of this work was to characterize the effects of Botropasin, DC domains and synthetic peptides derived from the DC domains (Ca II, Ca III and HCR), on the events of angiogenesis such as proliferation, migration, gelatinases secretion, tubulogenesis, and molecular mechanisms involved in the in vitro system in HUVEC-CS endothelial cells. Our results show that both Bt, DC proteins, and the HCR peptide induce the angiogenic events of proliferation, migration, MPP secretion and matrigel tubule formation, and these are dose dependent. Ca II and Ca III peptides did not induce all the angiogenesis characteristics. The migration observed in both the 2D and 3D assays, as well as in the expression of DLL4 and cytoskeletal stress fibers, suggests that treatment with bothropasin and the HCR peptide induce the migratory phenotype - tip cells in the endothelial cells. Activation of the Erk signaling pathway via integrins would be the signaling mechanism for Bt and DC proteins, whereas the linear peptide HCR would have a mechanism of direct interaction with intracellular receptors. Treatment with Bt stimulates the phosphorylation of Akt, Fak and p38 proteins, involved in migration, survival and cell stress, but without changes in morphology. The presence of inflammatory proteins such as secreted vimentin and kallistatin indicates that the treatments with Bt and DC proteins induce an inflammatory response in the endothelial cells, promoting the angiogenesis events, whereas the HCR peptide shows to be highly mitogenic and without inflammatory effects.

Le syndrome WHIM (SW) est un déficit immuno-hématologique rare causé principalement par des mutations autosomales dominantes du gène CXCR4 qui entrainent une troncation du domaine C-terminal (C-Ter) du récepteur. Les formes mutantes de CXCR4 associées au SW génèrent des altérations de la désensibilisation et de l’internalisation du récepteur en réponse à CXCL12, qui se traduisent par une hypersensibilité à l’action chimiotactique du ligand. CXCR4 est un récepteur de chimiokine exprimé sur les leucocytes dont le rôle dans l’hématopoïèse et le trafic leucocytaire à l’état basal suggère que la lympho-neutropénie des patients atteints du SW est due à des défauts de production et/ou de domiciliation périphérique des leucocytes causés par le gain de fonction de CXCR4. Néanmoins, la validation de cette hypothèse est difficile chez les patients. En générant une souche de souris (Cxcr4+/1013), porteuse d’une mutation rapportée chez une famille de patients par une stratégie de knock-in, nous avons mis en évidence le rôle du domaine C-Ter de Cxcr4 dans le développement, la domiciliation périphérique des lymphocytes et l’immunité adaptative à médiation humorale.Les principaux résultats issus de notre travail, obtenus en combinant des approches biochimiques, fonctionnelles, de reconstitution de l’hématopoïèse par compétition, de transferts adoptifs et d’injection d’anticorps anti-CD45 in vivo, sont : 1) La mutation Cxcr41013 tronquant le domaine C-Ter se comporte différemment en terme de signalisation, selon qu’elle soit présente à l’état hétérozygote ou homozygote, et perturbe respectivement les transitions double-négatif (DN) 2-DN3 et proB-preB de la lymphopoïèse dans le thymus et la moelle osseuse (MO). Au contraire, elle ne génère pas d’effets sur le développement des cellules NK et la myélopoïèse ; 2) La lymphopénie qui touche les lymphocytes B (LB) et T (LT) est un processus intrinsèque aux cellules porteuses de la mutation Cxcr41013 et suit un modèle allèle-dose-dépendant ; 3) Le défaut de désensibilisation de Cxcr41013 empêche le relargage des lymphocytes NK et B immatures de la MO et celui des LB et LT matures des ganglions lymphatiques dans le sang. A l’inverse, le gain de fonction exacerbe la migration des LB recirculants et LT matures et leur rétention dans le parenchyme médullaire ; et 4) malgré l’absence de follicules primaires dans les ganglions lymphatiques, les souris mutantes sont capables de mettre en place une réponse immunitaire humorale efficace et spécifique d’un antigène T-dépendant, comme en témoigne l’augmentation des LB du centre germinatif et des plasmocytes ayant effectué une commutation isotypique. En conclusion, nous démontrons que la signalisation fine médiée par Cxcr4 est nécessaire pour le développement, la compartimentalisation périphérique et la fonction des lymphocytes. / The WHIM Syndrome (WS) is a rare combined immuno-hematological disorder caused by inherited heterozygous autosomal dominant mutations in CXCR4, which result in most cases in the distal truncation of the receptor’s Carboxyl-terminal tail (C-Tail). Mutants of CXCR4 associated with WS display impaired desensitization and internalization of the receptor upon CXCL12 exposure, leading to enhanced migratory response. Because CXCR4 is expressed on leukocytes, we hypothesized that circulating pan-leukopenia could arise from altered CXCR4-mediated signalling that would skew tissue distribution and differentiation of leukocytes. This assumption was obviously difficult to address in patients. By generating a knock-in mouse strain (Cxcr4+/1013) that harbors a WS-linked gain-of-Cxcr4-function mutation, we establish that the C-tail domain in Cxcr4-mediated signalling is a pivotal regulator of lymphocyte development, peripheral trafficking and humoral immunity. The essential findings of our work, obtained by combining biochemical, bone marrow (BM)-mixed chimeras, in vivo labelling, adoptive co-transfers and functional approaches, are: 1) the C-tail truncating Cxcr41013 mutation caused differential signalling capacities depending on its heterozygous versus homozygous status and inhibited double-negative (DN) 2-to-DN3 and pro-B-to-pre-B developmental transitions during lymphopoiesis. In contrast, it had no effect on NK lymphopoiesis and granulopoiesis; 2) the resulting circulating B and T lymphopenia was due to hematopoietic cell-intrinsic defects and followed a mutated allele dose-dependent pattern; 3) impaired Cxcr41013 desensitization prevented the release of immature BM NK and B cells and mature lymph node (LN) B and T lymphocytes into the blood. Conversely, it forced homing and retention of mature recirculating B and T cells in the BM parenchyma; and 4) despite the absence of primary B-cell follicles in LNs, mutant mice produced efficient humoral responses upon immunization as illustrated by increased antigen-specific germinal center B cells and isotype-switched plasma cells. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that fine-tuning of Cxcr4 signal strength is required for optimal trafficking, egress and fitness of lymphocytes.

B and T lymphocytes are critical to the adaptive immune response against invading microorganisms. B and T cells develop in the bone marrow and thymus, respectively, and initiate a series of proliferative responses once they encounter their cognate antigen in the peripheral lymphoid organs. These developmental and functional processes are controlled by different networks of transcriptional regulators that repress and activate gene expression. Identifying proteins that activate or repress specific genes and integrating these proteins into their transcriptional networks is critical to understanding lymphocyte development and function. The study of B lymphopoiesis and CD4+ T cell functional responses has greatly increased our understanding of how transcriptional regulators and other proteins cooperate to specify cell fates and responses. While many of the key components of these protein networks have been defined, several factors have yet to be described. Chemically induced random mutagenesis is a powerful tool for identifying genes that have critical biological functions. Justy mutant mice were generated by injecting wild-type mice with of N-Ethyl-N-Nitrosourea (ENU), a mutagen, which generated a unique point mutation in the mouse Gon4-like (Gon4l) gene. This mutation was found to specifically blunt B cell development and impair the functional responses of CD4+ T cells. Given that the Gon4l protein contains domains implicated in transcriptional regulation and B lymphopoiesis and T cell responses are regulated transcriptionally, the aim of this project was to characterize T and B lymphocyte populations from Justy mice and provide insights into the mechanisms underlying the regulation of gene expression during these biological processes. The work presented in this dissertation demonstrates that the protein encoded by Gon4l is essential for B lymphopoiesis, likely through the repression of alternate lineage genes. This work also shows that in CD4+ T cells, decreased Gon4l protein expression results in reduced levels of proliferation in response to exogenous IL-2 or T cell receptor (TCR) engagement. Additionally, Justy mutant CD4+ T cells display a reduced ability to generate IFNγ-producing cells in response to Th1 polarization in vitro. Collectively, these defects correlate with elevated levels of genes known to specifically inhibit the above developmental and functional processes. Thus, this dissertation proposes that Gon4l acts as a transcriptional repressor within the protein networks controlling B lymphopoiesis and CD4+ T cell responses.

CD4+ T cells are critical in the fight against parasitic, bacterial, and viral infections, but are also involved in many autoimmune and pathological disorders. Ligation of the T Cell Receptor (TCR) is the primary signal required for T cell activation proliferation, differentiation and cytokine release. Upon TCR activation, several kinases and adaptor proteins are assembled at the TCR/linker for activation of T cells (LAT) signaling complexes, a process indispensable for optimal signal transduction. One important group of proteins recruited to the TCR/LAT complexes is the GRB2 family of adaptors. Due to their role in mediating signaling complexes, the GRB2 family of adaptors are critical for development, proliferation, and survival of diverse cell types. These proteins have been linked to the initiation and progression of numerous pathological conditions including diabetes, asthma/allergy, and solid and hematopoietic malignancies. Therefore, it is essential to characterize and understand the complete functions of these proteins for the generation of safe and efficient targeting treatments for diseases mediated by these proteins. In T cells, GRB2 and its homologs, GADS and GRAP, are crucial for the propagation of signaling pathways through the TCR and adaptor protein LAT. These proteins recruit distinct sets of proline-rich ligands to LAT thereby inducing multiple signaling pathways such as MAP kinase activation, calcium influx and cellular adhesion. However, the role of GRB2 family members in controlling TCR and LAT mediated signaling in mature human T cells is not completely understood. Moreover, the relative role of GRB2 family members in the extent and timing of the recruitment of SH3 domain ligands to the LAT complex is unknown. Our hypothesis is that these proteins recruit distinct sets of ligands to the LAT complex that can drive differential downstream signaling events. As presented in CHAPTER III, we developed microRNA and shRNA targeting viral vectors to effectively inhibit the expression of GRB2 and GADS in human CD4+ T cells to examine the role of these adaptors in mature human T cells. We also established optimized protocols for high efficacy retro or lentiviral transduction of human T cell lines, activated and "hard-to-transduce" non-activated primary human CD4+ T cells. In CHAPTER IV, we demonstrate the requirement for GRB2 in TCR-induced IL-2 and IFN-γ release. The defects in cytokine release in the absence of GRB2 were attributed to diminished formation of LAT signaling microclusters, which resulted in reduced MAP kinase activation, calcium flux and PLC-γ1 recruitment to LAT signaling clusters. Overall, the data presented in this chapter demonstrate that the ability of GRB2 to facilitate protein clustering is as important in regulating TCR-mediated functions as its capacity to recruit effector proteins. This highlights that GRB2 regulates signaling downstream of adaptors and receptors by both recruiting effector proteins and regulating the formation of signaling complexes. In CHAPTER V, we describe the role for GADS in mediating TCR-induced IL-2 and IFN-γ production. GADS was critical for the recruitment of SLP-76 and PLC-γ1 to the LAT complex and subsequent calcium influx. We also show, in contrast to the current paradigm, that recruitment of GADS/SLP-76 complexes to LAT is not required for TCR-mediated adhesion and cytoskeletal arrangement. Overall, our studies reveal novel mechanisms for the role of GRB2 family members in TCR-mediated signaling. They also provide insight into the mechanisms that regulate growth factor, cytokine and insulin receptors. Importantly, studies presented in this thesis will help us understand the mechanisms of T cell activation and highlight potential new therapies for T cell-mediated diseases, including leukemia, lymphomas, autoimmune disorders and cardiovascular disease.