Glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3beta) has been demonstrated to play a critical role in a diverse range of cellular functions from cell fate determination to cancer development. It is also implicated to be involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Alzheimer's disease), cancers and endocrine disorders (e.g. Type II diabetes). To gain further insight into the cellular mechanisms mediated by GSK-3beta, proteomic approach to identify novel cellular targets has become popular in recent years. GSK-3beta was inhibited by treating with lithium and kenpaullone in SH-SY5Y cell model, and over-expressed in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) Tet-Off cell model. To getting more reliable results, we have used both conventional 2-D approach and Difference Gel Electrophoresis (DIGE) approach for this proteomic study. In 2-D electrophoresis, samples were resolved by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel-electrophoresis (2D-PAGE). Protein spots were excised from the gels for in-gel trypsin digestion and further subjected to protein identification using mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS or MS/MS). In the GSK-3beta inhibition approach, cofilin was found to be down-regulated and Pin1 was found to be up-regulated, these consequence events demonstrated inhibition of GSK-3beta would protect the cells from structure alteration and tau hyperphosphorylation. In the GSK-3beta activation approach, cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK-5) was found to significantly up-regulated in tau and GSK-3beta/Tau over-expressed cells, confirmed by Western blotting and RT-PCR. This finding indicates there is a new pathway between GSK-3beta, tau and CDK-5. Pin1 is also identified to be up-regulated after GSK-3beta activation. This result indicated a protection mechanism in response to the accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau proteins. Our study help to get a better understanding of the GSK-3beta mediated substrates and pathways that help us to identify novel targets for the treatment of neurodegenerative and other diseases mediated by GSK-3beta. / Mak, Ying Cheong. / "September 2007." / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 69-08, Section: B, page: 4588. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 157-181). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

A majority of kinase inhibitors predominantly occupy the highly conserved adenine-binding pocket located in the kinase catalytic cleft, and therefore the target selectivity of these molecules is a major concern. In order to design highly specific next-generation drugs, it is essential to exploit the less-conserved binding pockets, which lie adjacent to the adenine-binding pocket. Small peptides that can function as adenosine triphosphate (ATP) competitive inhibitors would prove useful in identifying and validating new druggable surfaces in the kinase catalytic cleft. These peptides, being larger than small molecules, have the potential to target the ATP binding pocket as well as surfaces that lie adjacent to this pocket. Such peptides recognizing novel binding pockets can assist the drug discovery process in several ways. In this thesis, we describe the isolation and characterization of a novel class of cyclic peptides, referred to as lariats, against Abl kinase, a drug target important in chronic myeloid leukemia and other disorders. Using a yeast two-hybrid approach, we first isolated two related lariats, named A1 and A2, from a pool of five million lariats, which interact with the catalytic domain of Abl kinase. In vitro studies indicated that the synthetic A1 lariat competitively inhibits ATP binding by targeting the catalytic cleft that lies between the N- and C- lobes of the kinase catalytic domain. To obtain tighter-binding variants of the A1 lariat, we developed an affinity maturation protocol consisting of two steps. In the first step, we defined acceptable and tolerable substitutions at each position of the A1 lariat using site-saturation mutagenesis (SSM). In the second step, we designed specific mutations to the A1 lariat based on the SSM results and evolved higher affinity variants. Synthetic and recombinant higher affinity lariats exhibited a strong inhibition of Abl kinase activity in vitro and Bcr-Abl kinase activity in vivo, respectively, illustrating the potential of lariats as chemical genetic tools. Resistance mutation profiling showed that the lariats are not affected by the activating mutations located in the activation loop of kinase, and instead bind preferentially to the kinase active conformation. Selectivity analysis indicated that the lariats do not recognize Src family kinases, which share a high structural similarity with Abl kinase in their active conformation. These findings, coupled with preliminary results from modeling studies, strongly suggest that the lariats have identified novel allosteric drug-binding pockets in the kinase catalytic cleft.

In nature, non-covalent interactions are as important and dynamic as they are elusive. As such, the study of non-covalent interactions both in vivo and in vitro has proven to be challenging. Given the potential benefits of elucidating protein-protein, ligand-receptor, and other biologically relevant interactions, the development of methodologies for the study of non-covalent interactions is an attractive goal.Biologically encoded protein and peptide libraries that connect the genotypic information with the expressed phenotype have emerged in recent years as powerful methods for studying non-covalent interactions. One of the quintessential platforms for the creation of such libraries is phage display. In phage display, the connection between genetic information and the corresponding protein allows for the iterative isolation and amplification of library members that possess a desired function. Hence, an in vitro selection can be used to isolate epitopes that bind to desired targets or display specific attributes.We have sought to develop novel phage display methodologies that have the potential to expand the scope of this in vitro selection platform. Specifically, we developed a method for the non-covalent attachment of a small molecule ligand to a cyclic peptide library. This system localizes the phage display library to the ligand binding site, thus allowing for the translation of the selected cyclic peptides to a covalently tethered bivalent inhibitor.The first class of biological molecules that we chose to target with our methodology is the biologically and therapeutically important class of enzymes called protein kinases. In the first demonstration of this strategy, we were able to isolate cyclic peptide ligands for the model kinase PKA (cAMP-dependent protein kinase), which were subsequently translated to a bivalent inhibitor. This inhibitor showed both increased affinity and selectivity for PKA in relation to other protein kinases.In a separate project, we sought to develop a method for the isolation of small molecule-responsive mutants of a well-characterized protein scaffold from a phage display library. During these investigations, we discovered interesting homologous single-point mutations of the protein that resulted in large spherical oligomers that may mimic species relevant to the study of protein misfolding diseases such as Alzheimer's.

FES protein-tyrosine kinase (PTK) activation downstream of the KIT receptor in mast cells (MC) promotes cell polarization and migration towards the KIT ligand Stem cell factor (SCF). A variety of tumours secrete SCF to promote MC recruitment and release of mediators that enhance tumour vascularization and growth. This study investigates whether FES promotes MC migration via regulation of microtubules (MTs), and if FES is required for MC recruitment to the tumour microenvironment. MT binding assays showed that FES has at least two MT binding sites, which likely contribute to the partial co-localization of FES with MTs in polarized bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs). Live cell imaging revealed a significant defect in chemotaxis of FES-deficient BMMCs towards SCF embedded within an agarose drop, which correlated with less MT organization compared to control cells. To extend these results to a tumour model, mouse mammary carcinoma AC2M2 cells were engrafted under the skin and into the mammary fat pads of immune compromised control (nu/nu) or FES-deficient (nu/nu:fes-/-) mice. A drastic reduction in tumour-associated MCs was observed in FES-deficient mice compared to control in both mammary and skin tissue sections. This correlated with a trend towards reduced tumour volumes in FES-deficient mice. These results implicate FES signaling downstream of KIT, in promoting MT reorganization during cell polarization and for chemotaxis of MCs towards tumour-derived SCF. Thus, FES is a potential therapeutic target to limit recruitment of stromal mast cells or macrophages to solid tumours that enhance tumour progression. / Thesis (Master, Biochemistry) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-14 11:49:32.871

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2002. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Case Western Reserve University, 2008. / [School of Medicine] Department of Neurosciences. Includes bibliographical references.

Thèse (Ph. D.)--Université Laval, 2007. / Bibliogr.: f. [191]-231. Publié aussi en version électronique dans la Collection Mémoires et thèses électroniques.

Thesis (doctoral)--Lund University, 1998. / Added t.p. with thesis statement inserted.

Thesis (doctoral)--Lund University, 1998. / Added t.p. with thesis statement inserted.

Chez la drolosophile, des mutants de Greatwall présentent des défauts de condensation des chromosomes lors de la mitose. Plus tard, la même équipe a montré que chez le Xénope, Greatwall est nécessaire pour entrer en mitose. L'idée consistant à penser que puisque Greatwall ne permet plus l'entrée en mitose, il joue un rôle dans la boucle qui conduit à l'auto-amplification de MPF. En 2009, notre équipe a montré que Greatwall est réellement impliquée dans l'entrée en mitose, mais de façon indirecte par rapport à la boucle d'amplification de MPF, et cela en contrôlant l'activité de la phosphatase PP2A. Notre équipe a montré que lorsque l'on enlève PP2A, on peut sauver le phénotype de l'absence de Greatwall. Plus tard, il a été montré que la phosphorylation de Greatwall est nécessaire pour l'entrée en mitose. La phosphorylation de Greatwall sur la partie C-terminale est nécessaire pour activer Greatwall. Par conséquent, Greatwall doit être phosphorylé pour être actif. Une fois activé, Greatwall est capable de phosphoryler Arpp19 qui lie la phosphatase PP2AB55, et qui l'inhibe permettant ainsi de maintenir les phosphorylations des substrats mitotiques. Si cette voie de signalisation n'est pas fonctionnelle, la phosphatase PP2A va déphosphoryler tous les substrats mitotiques et la cellule n'entrera jamais en mitose. Greatwall doit être phosphorylé pour s'activer et pour entrer en mitose, mais on observe aussi qu'au moment de la sortie de mitose, il est déphosphorylé, et il doit être déphosphorylé pour s'inactiver. (On ne sait pas s'il est requisse pour sortir). Mon projet consiste à chercher la/les phosphatase(s) qui pourrait contrôler l'activité ou l'inactivation de Greatwall. Les questions que l'on se pose : Comment et par quelle(s) phosphatase(s) Greatwall est déphosphorylé, comment ces phosphoatases sont activées, quel est l'ordre d'activation de ces phosphatases ? Pour étudier comment Greatwall est déphosphorylé, il y a 2 sites majors : T194 et S875. Ces 2 sites sont nécessaires pour l'activité de Greatwall. Nous avons réalisé les 2 mutants T194A et S875A, et les traduit dans l'extrait interphasique d'œufs de Xénope, pour mesurer l'activité de kinase Greatwall. Pour déphosphoryler ces 2 sites, il y a 4 phosphatases principales comme candidats : Calcineurine, Fcp1, PP1, PP2A. / The establishment of mitosis requires phosphorylaton of several substrates induced by kinases. Cdk1-cyclin B and Greatwall kinases are both necessary for the entry into mitosis. Cdk1-cyclin B complex phosphorylates many substrates and at the same time Greatwall phosphorylates Arpp19 which binds PP2AB55 phosphatase and inhibits it. PP2AB55 has an important role in the dephosphorylation of Cdk1-cyclin B mitotic substrates.In my laboratory, we found that after Greatwall depletion, either in Xenopus egg extracts or in human cells, PP2A is no longer inhibited and cells exit mitosis. Since activation of Greatwall requires its phosphorylation in the c-terminal part and in the T-loop site, we suppose that mitosis exit require dephosphorylation of Greatwall. So these dephosphorylations could be involved for Greatwall inactivation. Several phosphatases are candidates for this process: Fcp1, PP1, PP2A and Calcineurin. My project proposes to determine the involvement of these four phosphatases in Xenopus egg extracts after depletion and overexpression of these four proteins.