A proteína FBXO25 é uma E3-ligase do tipo SCF, responsável pela seletividade da ligação da Ub à proteína substrato e pelo direcionamento da proteína marcada para o barril proteassomal 26s. Sabe-se que FBXO25 é capaz de interagir e ubiquitinar a proteína Elk-1 em células HEK293T e, assim, inibir a expressão de genes importantes na regulação da proliferação celular, como C-FOS e EGR-1, após estímulo com o mitógeno PMA. Aqui mostramos que FBXO25 atua em um outro ponto da via das MAPKs, modulando os níveis de fosforilação de ERK1/2. Por meio da utilização de células nocaute para FBXO25 (FBXO25KO) foi possível observar que o tratamento com PMA promoveu aumento dos níveis de fosforilação de ERK1/2 nestas células quando comparadas com sua linhagem parental. Observouse também que o estímulo com os mitógenos PMA ou ATP levou a um aumento da proliferação celular não relacionada à modulação direta do ciclo celular nas células nocautes, sendo que estas apresentaram uma redução significativa dos seus níveis de apoptose. Tomando esses resultados em conjunto, mostramos que FBXO25 atua sobre a sinalização de MAPK por meio de redução da ativação ERK1/2 e, dessa forma, promove uma resposta secundária sobre o fenótipo de proliferação celular / The FBXO25 protein is an SCF-type E3-ligase responsible for the selectivity of Ub binding to the protein and the targeting of the labeled protein to the 26s proteasome barrel. FBXO25 has been long known to be able to interact and ubiquitinate the Elk-1 protein in HEK293T cells, thereby inducing a decrease in the expression of important genes in the regulation of cell proliferation such as CFOS and EGR-1 after stimulation with the mitogen PMA. Here we show that FBXO25 acts at another point in the MAPK pathway by modulating the ERK1/2 phosphorylation levels. We observed that the treatment with PMA rised the phosphorylated levels of ERK1/2 in knockout cells for FBXO25 (FBXO25KO) when compared to its parental lineage. Stimulation with the mitogens PMA or ATP also led to an increase in cell proliferation unrelated to a direct modulation of the cell cycle in knockout cells, with a significant weight of apoptosis levels being observed. Taking these results together, we show that FBXO25 acts on MAPK signaling by reducing ERK1/2 activation and thus promotes a secondary response on the cell proliferation phenotype.

A proteína FBXO25 é uma E3-ligase do tipo SCF, responsável pela seletividade da ligação da Ub à proteína substrato e pelo direcionamento da proteína marcada para o barril proteassomal 26s. Sabe-se que FBXO25 é capaz de interagir e ubiquitinar a proteína Elk-1 em células HEK293T e, assim, inibir a expressão de genes importantes na regulação da proliferação celular, como C-FOS e EGR-1, após estímulo com o mitógeno PMA. Aqui mostramos que FBXO25 atua em um outro ponto da via das MAPKs, modulando os níveis de fosforilação de ERK1/2. Por meio da utilização de células nocaute para FBXO25 (FBXO25KO) foi possível observar que o tratamento com PMA promoveu aumento dos níveis de fosforilação de ERK1/2 nestas células quando comparadas com sua linhagem parental. Observouse também que o estímulo com os mitógenos PMA ou ATP levou a um aumento da proliferação celular não relacionada à modulação direta do ciclo celular nas células nocautes, sendo que estas apresentaram uma redução significativa dos seus níveis de apoptose. Tomando esses resultados em conjunto, mostramos que FBXO25 atua sobre a sinalização de MAPK por meio de redução da ativação ERK1/2 e, dessa forma, promove uma resposta secundária sobre o fenótipo de proliferação celular / The FBXO25 protein is an SCF-type E3-ligase responsible for the selectivity of Ub binding to the protein and the targeting of the labeled protein to the 26s proteasome barrel. FBXO25 has been long known to be able to interact and ubiquitinate the Elk-1 protein in HEK293T cells, thereby inducing a decrease in the expression of important genes in the regulation of cell proliferation such as CFOS and EGR-1 after stimulation with the mitogen PMA. Here we show that FBXO25 acts at another point in the MAPK pathway by modulating the ERK1/2 phosphorylation levels. We observed that the treatment with PMA rised the phosphorylated levels of ERK1/2 in knockout cells for FBXO25 (FBXO25KO) when compared to its parental lineage. Stimulation with the mitogens PMA or ATP also led to an increase in cell proliferation unrelated to a direct modulation of the cell cycle in knockout cells, with a significant weight of apoptosis levels being observed. Taking these results together, we show that FBXO25 acts on MAPK signaling by reducing ERK1/2 activation and thus promotes a secondary response on the cell proliferation phenotype.

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

Maspin (Mammary Serine Protease Inhibitor) was first reported in 1994 as a serpin with tumor suppressive properties. Maspin was initially isolated through subtractive hybridization and differential display analysis as a 42kDa protein that is expressed in normal mammary epithelial cells but reduced or absent in breast carcinomas. Further research led to maspin's characterization as a class II tumor suppressor based on its ability to inhibit cell invasion, promote apoptosis and inhibit angiogenesis. Since then, efforts have been made to characterize maspin's tumor suppressive mechanisms. In particular, researchers have studied maspin localization, the regulation of maspin expression, and more recently, maspin protein interactions. We employed a maspin-baited yeast two-hybrid system and subsequently identified Interferon Regulatory Factor 6 (IRF6) as a maspin-binding protein. Whereas many of the IRF family members have been well characterized, IRF6 remains poorly understood. In this dissertation, we elucidate some of the complex mechanisms involved in maspin activity, specifically relating to IRF6 regulation and function. We have examined the expression of IRF6 in breast cancer cells and we show that, similar to maspin, IRF6 is reduced or absent in breast carcinomas. We further show that the re-expression of IRF6 in breast cancer cells results in genotypic and phenotypic changes which can be abrogated in the presence of maspin. We identify ERK1/2 as a kinase involved in IRF6 phosphorylation, and we demonstrate a possible role for toll-like receptor signaling in the activation of IRF6. We also evaluate the differential expression of maspin and IRF6 during murine mammary gland development and we show that both maspin and IRF6 are maximally expressed during lactation. These studies have increased our understanding of the complex, pleiotropic nature of maspin and provide an avenue to develop maspin's potential as a diagnostic marker for cancer progression and as a potentially powerful therapeutic agent in the fight against breast cancer.

Chronic oxidative injury by allylamine induces proliferative vascular smooth muscle cell (vSMC) phenotypes in the rat aorta similar to those seen in rodent and human atherosclerotic lesions. In this study, we evaluate the potential role of cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors, p21 and p27, and extracellular regulated kinases (ERK1/2) to mediate the proliferative advantage of oxidatively stressed (i.e. allylamine injured) vSMC. Isolated rat aortic SMC from allylamine treated and control rats were cultured on different extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Following mitogen restriction, cultures were stimulated with serum with or without inhibitors of NF-kB or MEK. Western blot analysis was performed to identify protein differences between treatment groups. Basal levels of p21 were 1.6 fold higher in randomly cycling allylamine cells than control counterparts seeded on a plastic substrate, a difference lost when cells were seeded on collagen. p27 levels were comparable in both cell types irrespective of substrate. Basal levels of p21 and p27 were 1.4 fold higher in G0 synchronized allylamine cells compared with G0 synchronized control cells seeded on a plastic substrate. Following cell cycle progression, differences in protein levels were not detected. Treatment with 100 nM pyrollidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) resulted in significant decreases in p21 and p27 in allylamine cells versus control cells following serum stimulation for 9 hours. This decrease was even greater for p21 in allylamine cells when grown on collagen relative to control cells. Alterations in peak and temporal activation of ERK1/2 were observed in allylamine cells seeded on a plastic substrate as compared to control cells, following serum stimulation. Seeding on collagen decreased the enhanced peak phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and increased the sustained activity in allylamine cells compared with control counterparts. Inhibition of ERK1/2 activity resulted in reduced p21 expression in both cells types, but the response was markedly enhanced in allylamine cells, and preferentially observed on a restrictive collagen substrate. We conclude that induction of proliferative (i.e. atherogenic) phenotypes following repeated cycles of oxidative injury involves ERK1/2 activity and modulation of the cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors, p21 and p27, in a matrix-dependent manner.

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is caused by the lack of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). The animal model of FXS, Fmr1 knockout (KO) mice, shows impairment in hippocampus-dependent learning and memory. However, results for long-term potentiation (LTP), remain inconclusive in the hippocampus of Fmr1 KO mice. Here, we demonstrate that FMRP is required for glycine-induced LTP (Gly-LTP) in the CA1 of hippocampus. The Gly-LTP requires activation of postsynaptic NMDA receptors and metabotropic glutamateric receptors, as well as the subsequent activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2. However, paired-pulse facilitation was not affected by glycine treatment. Our study provide evidences that FMRP participates in Gly-LTP by regulating the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, and that improper regulation of these signaling pathways may contribute to the learning and memory deficits observed in FXS.

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is caused by the lack of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). The animal model of FXS, Fmr1 knockout (KO) mice, shows impairment in hippocampus-dependent learning and memory. However, results for long-term potentiation (LTP), remain inconclusive in the hippocampus of Fmr1 KO mice. Here, we demonstrate that FMRP is required for glycine-induced LTP (Gly-LTP) in the CA1 of hippocampus. The Gly-LTP requires activation of postsynaptic NMDA receptors and metabotropic glutamateric receptors, as well as the subsequent activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2. However, paired-pulse facilitation was not affected by glycine treatment. Our study provide evidences that FMRP participates in Gly-LTP by regulating the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, and that improper regulation of these signaling pathways may contribute to the learning and memory deficits observed in FXS.

Chronic oxidative injury by allylamine induces proliferative vascular smooth muscle cell (vSMC) phenotypes in the rat aorta similar to those seen in rodent and human atherosclerotic lesions. In this study, we evaluate the potential role of cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors, p21 and p27, and extracellular regulated kinases (ERK1/2) to mediate the proliferative advantage of oxidatively stressed (i.e. allylamine injured) vSMC. Isolated rat aortic SMC from allylamine treated and control rats were cultured on different extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Following mitogen restriction, cultures were stimulated with serum with or without inhibitors of NF-kB or MEK. Western blot analysis was performed to identify protein differences between treatment groups. Basal levels of p21 were 1.6 fold higher in randomly cycling allylamine cells than control counterparts seeded on a plastic substrate, a difference lost when cells were seeded on collagen. p27 levels were comparable in both cell types irrespective of substrate. Basal levels of p21 and p27 were 1.4 fold higher in G0 synchronized allylamine cells compared with G0 synchronized control cells seeded on a plastic substrate. Following cell cycle progression, differences in protein levels were not detected. Treatment with 100 nM pyrollidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) resulted in significant decreases in p21 and p27 in allylamine cells versus control cells following serum stimulation for 9 hours. This decrease was even greater for p21 in allylamine cells when grown on collagen relative to control cells. Alterations in peak and temporal activation of ERK1/2 were observed in allylamine cells seeded on a plastic substrate as compared to control cells, following serum stimulation. Seeding on collagen decreased the enhanced peak phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and increased the sustained activity in allylamine cells compared with control counterparts. Inhibition of ERK1/2 activity resulted in reduced p21 expression in both cells types, but the response was markedly enhanced in allylamine cells, and preferentially observed on a restrictive collagen substrate. We conclude that induction of proliferative (i.e. atherogenic) phenotypes following repeated cycles of oxidative injury involves ERK1/2 activity and modulation of the cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors, p21 and p27, in a matrix-dependent manner.

We have shown that the stimulation of β-adrenergic receptors (β-AR) increases apoptosis in adult rat ventricular myocytes (ARVMs). Integrins, a family of αβ-heterodimeric cell surface receptors, are postulated to play a role in ventricular remodeling. Here, we show that norepinephrine (NE) increases β1 integrins expression in ARVMs via the stimulation of α1-AR, not β-AR. Inhibition of ERK1/2 using PD 98059, an inhibitor of ERK1/2 pathway, inhibited α1-AR-stimulated increases in β1 integrins expression. Activation of β1 integrins signaling pathway using laminin (LN) inhibited β-AR-stimulated apoptosis as measured by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL)-staining and flow cytometry. Likewise, ligation of β1 integrins with anti-β1 integrin antibodies prevented β-AR-stimulated apoptosis. Treatment of cells using LN or anti-β1 integrin antibodies activated ERK1/2 pathway. PD 98059 inhibited activation of ERK1/2 by LN, and prevented the anti-apoptotic effects of LN. Thus (1) stimulation of α1-AR regulates β1 integrins expression via the activation of ERK1/2, (2) β1 integrins signaling protects ARVMs from β-AR-stimulated apoptosis, (3) activation of ERK1/2 plays a critical role in the anti-apoptotic effects of β1-integrin signaling. These data suggest that β1 integrin signaling protects ARVMs against β-AR-stimulated apoptosis possibly via the involvement of ERK1/2.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a family of extracellular endopeptidases, are implicated in angiogenesis because of their ability to selectively degrade components of the extracellular matrix. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), increased in the heart post-myocardial infarction (post-MI), plays a protective role in the pathophysiology of left ventricular (LV) remodeling following MI. Here we studied expression of various angiogenic genes affected by IL-1β in cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) and investigated the signaling pathways involved in the regulation of MMP-2. cDNA array analysis of 96 angiogenesis-related genes indicated that IL-1β modulates the expression of numerous genes, notably increasing the expression of MMP-2, not MMP-9. RT-PCR and Western blot analyses confirmed increased expression of MMP-2 in response to IL-1β. Gelatin in-gel zymography and Biotrak activity assay demonstrated that IL-1β increases MMP-2 activity in the conditioned media. IL-1β activated ERK1/2, JNKs, and protein kinase C (PKC), specifically PKCα/β1, and inhibition of these cascades partially inhibited IL-1β-stimulated increases in MMP-2. Inhibition of PKCα/β1 failed to inhibit ERK1/2. However, concurrent inhibition of PKCα/β1 and ERK1/2 almost completely inhibited IL-1β-mediated increases in MMP-2 expression. Inhibition of p38 kinase and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) had no effect. Pretreatment with superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimetic, MnTMPyP, increased MMP-2 protein levels, whereas pretreatment with SOD and catalase mimetic, EUK134, partially inhibited IL-1β-stimulated increases in MMP-2 protein levels. Exogenous H2O2 significantly increased MMP-2 protein levels, whereas superoxide generation by xanthine/xanthine oxidase had no effect. This in vitro study suggests that IL-1β modulates expression and activity of MMP-2 in CMECs.