A number of protein kinases have been shown to undergo autophosphorylation, but few have demonstrated a coordinate increase or decrease in enzymatic activity as a result. Described here is a novel S6 kinase isolated from human placenta which autoactivates through autophosphorylation in vitro. This S6/H4 kinase, purified in an inactive state, was shown to be a protein of Mr of 60,000 as estimated by SDS-PAGE and could catalyze the phosphorylation of the synthetic peptide S6-21, the histone H4, and myelin basic protein. Mild digestion of the inactive S6/H4 kinase with trypsin was necessary, but not sufficient, to activate the kinase fully

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

Dietary phosphate is essential for normal fracture healing and bone growth. Previous studies have established that mice given a phosphate deficient diet after a fracture demonstrate delayed cartilage maturation and callus mineralization, as well as changes in gene expression consistent with oxidative phosphorylation dysfunction. This study was undertaken in order to examine the role of inorganic and organic phosphate availability on chondrocyte differentiation and mineralization, and to define the relationship between these processes and changes in chondrocyte metabolic function. ATDC5 murine chondroprogenitor cell line, which has been shown to undergo in vitro differentiation and extracellular matrix mineralization, was cultured under both differentiating and non-differentiating media conditions under conditions in 1mM -0.25mM sodium phosphate monobasic (inorganic phosphate) in the presence or absence of 4mM β-glycerol phosphate (organic phosphate). In the first series of studies, overall cell growth (total DNA and protein contents), mineralization (calcium accumulation), and cell-normalized oxidative metabolism (basal respiration, maximal respiration, ATP turnover, spare capacity, proton leak, and non-mitochondrial respiration rates) were measured over a 28 day time course in cultures grown in differentiating (ascorbic acid, insulin-transferrin-selenium, and β-glycerol phosphate) conditions in 1mM phosphate. These studies found that when the cells were induced to differentiate, there was a measurable increase in protein content while DNA content decreased by 30%, indicating a fraction of the cells underwent cell death. Differentiation was further associated with an overall two-fold increase in oxidative respiration. Next we assessed how differentiation, the promotion of matrix mineralization, and inorganic phosphate availability affected oxidative respiration. When differentiation was not induced with ascorbic acid and β-glycerol phosphate, there was no over growth in the cultures nor any change in total extracellular matrix mineralization or oxidative respiration. In the absence only of β-glycerol phosphate, differentiation proceeded but matrix mineralization did not occur. However, overall protein content and oxidative respiration were statistically two- and 1.5-fold higher, respectively, independent of the inorganic phosphate contents of the growth media. These results suggest that both differentiation and overall protein accumulation are strongly associated with increased oxidative metabolism while mineralization of the matrix decreased oxidative function. Only at the lowest phosphate levels were changes in basal oxidative function observed. These results are consistent with previous in vivo findings suggesting that diminished expression of mitochondrial associated genes in callus tissues from hypophosphatemic mice were associated with an overall decrease in chondrocyte differentiation.

Orientador: André Sampaio Pupo / Banca: Fernando Maurício Francis Abdalla / Banca: Carlos Allan Cândido Dias Júnior / Banca: Maria de Fátima Magalhães Lázari / Banca: Flávia Heberler-Barbosa Trovão / Resumo: As catecolaminas endógenas adrenalina e noradrenalina controlam importantes funções fisiológicas através da ativação de 1A-ARs, que são receptores com 7 domínios transmembrana os quais ativam proteínas G. Muitos agonistas de 1-ARs são utilizados na terapêutica, principalmente por conta de seu efeito vasoconstritor, porém, a taquifilaxia observada com a oximetazolina, um agonista de 1-ARs da classe das imidazolinas, é um efeito adverso importante e pode ser observado principalmente com a utilização de descongestionantes nasais por períodos de tempo prolongado. No presente estudo, investigamos a participação de PKC e GRK2 nos processos de fosforilação, dessensibilização e internalização de 1A-ARs induzidos pelos agonistas noradrenalina e oximetazolina. Segundo os resultados obtidos, a oximetazolina, mas não a fenilefrina, induziu taquifilaxia nas contrações de artéria caudal de rato. Além disso, 1A-ARs ativados pela oximetazolina são fosforilados principalmente pela GRK2, seguida de rápida dessensibilização e internalização. Já 1A-ARs ativados pela noradrenalina são fosforilados principalmente pela PKC, sem dessensibilização nem rápida internalização. Esses resultados em conjunto demonstram que a oximetazolina e a noradrenalina regulam os 1A-ARs através de diferentes mecanismos, envolvendo diferentes quinases / Abstract: The endogenous cathecolamines epinephrine and norepinephrine control important physiological functions through activation of 1A-ARs, which are 7-transmembrane receptors that activate G proteins. Several 1-ARs agonists are therapeutically useful in reason of its vasoconstrictor effects; however, tachyphylaxis in the vasoconstrictor effects of nasal decongestant containing oxymetazoline, an imidazoline 1-ARs agonist, is an important adverse effect observed after prolonged treatment. On the present study, we investigated the roles of PKC and GRK2 on the 1A-AR phosphorylation, desensitization and internalization process after receptor activation by norepinephrine and oxymetazoline. The results show that oxymetazoline, but not phenylephrine, induce tachyphylaxis in contractions of rat tail artery. Moreover, 1A-ARs activated by oxymetazoline are phosphorylated predominantly by GRK2, followed by rapid desensitization and internalization whereas 1A-ARs activated by norepinephrine are phosphorylated predominantly by PKC and not followed by desensitization or rapid internalization. These results show that norepinephrine and oxymetazoline regulate 1A-ARs through different mechanisms, involving different protein kinases / Doutor

The ability to sense and respond to environmental cues is crucial for the survival of all organisms. This response is often manifested by exerting control at different levels of gene expression, i.e. transcription, translation and post translation levels. Global control of protein synthesis is frequently exercised at the initial step of translation initiation and is generally achieved by changes in the phosphorylation state of initiation factors or the regulators that interact with them. The formation of ternary complex (TC) is considered first step of translation initiation and depends on the recycling of inactive eIF2-GDP to active eIF2-GTP form. This nucleotide exchange reaction is catalyzed by the eukaryotic initiation factor-2B (eIF2B). eIF2B is composed of a regulatory sub-complex of alphaβdelta subunits and a catalytic sub-complex of the γε subunits. The guanine nucleotide exchange activity of eIF2B is regulated by phosphorylation of eIF2alpha and additionally in mammalian cells, by direct phosphorylation of eIF2B at multiple sites in ε subunit, where most of the catalytic activity of eIF2B resides. Recent unpublished studies in the Pavitt laboratory identified novel phosphorylation sites by Mass Spectrometry in γ and ε subunits of eIF2B catalytic sub-complex. In order to study the functional significance of these phospho-sites for translation initiation, Site Directed Mutagenesis (SDM) was performed to generate Ser to Ala mutants. All mutations are viable and have no significant growth defect on rich or minimal media; however the significance of these sites in yeast growth became apparent by growing yeast in different stress conditions (e.g. Rapamycin, Torin1, amino acid starvation and 1-butanol). Effects on the phosphorylation pattern at these sites were monitored by using custom generated phospho-specific antibodies. All phosphorylation events appear independent of the eIF2alpha kinase (Gcn2p in yeast). The phosphorylation of ε-S528 depends on the presence of ε-S525. This study finds that addition of rapamycin, Torin1, amino acid starvation and butanol, which each inhibits global translation initiation, alters the phosphorylation pattern at ε-S435, ε-S525 and ε-S528 sites. Linking growth to phosphorylation, it appears that phosphorylation at ε-S435 and ε-S525 is directly proportional to growth. Phosphorylation of ε-S435 is necessary for effect of eIF2alpha-Ser51 phosphorylation on protein synthesis while phosphorylation of ε-S528 seems to be a target of various mechanisms. This study also suggests that eIF2Bε may be a key player of the cell cycle progression and phosphorylation changes can serve as marker for the regulation of eIF2B activity. The kinases responsible for phosphorylation at these sites are not yet known in yeast. Further investigation is required to find the functional significance of alterations in phosphorylation pattern to definitively establish eIF2Bε phosphorylation as a mechanism for regulating eIF2B activity in yeast. Models are presented to account for the results obtained that show how phosphorylation of eIF2Bε at these sites may contribute to the control of protein synthesis.

The microtubule-associated protein tau normally functions to bind to and stabilize microtubules. However, evidence now indicates that tau may also play a critical role in signaling pathways linked to neuronal development and neurodegeneration. The tau association with numerous signaling proteins such as tyrosine kinases, adaptor proteins, and scaffold proteins support this hypothesis. Phospho-Y18 tau was previously found in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brain. Interestingly, this phosphorylation appeared to be regulated during neurodegeneration possibly by a tyrosine phosphatase(s). Identifying a candidate phosphatase, our lab found the association between tau and SHP2 in a neuronal cell line and dephosphorylation of phospho-Y18 by protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP2 in vitro. Since both tau and SHP2 play a critical role in NGF-induced signaling pathway, these findings raised the possibility that the tau-SHP2 association has a role in NGF signaling. The aim of this dissertation research is to characterize the tau-SHP2 association and its role in neuronal signaling. Here, we provide evidence that tau phosphorylation is not required for SHP2 association but significantly enhances the interaction. The SHP2 binding region of tau napped to residues 256-273, which contain the microtubule binding repeat 1 of tau. Using in situ proximity ligation assay (PLA), we also showed the presence of endogenous tau-SHP2 and tau-activated SHP2 complexes in neuronal cells. The number of complexes was increased in the cells in response to NGF. Our PLA data also showed the localization of these complexes to actin ruffles. In NGF signaling, we showed that phosphorylation at T231 of tau was necessary for the increase in tau-SHP2 association. Lastly, we provide evidence that tau-SHP2 complexes are present in mouse primary neuronal cultures and mouse brain sections. Together, these findings show a role for tau phosphorylation in SHP2 binding and a potential role for tau-SHP2 interaction in neuronal signal transduction. Based on our findings, we speculate that there is a role for tau-SHP2 association during early brain development and in neurodegenerative disease.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Rhode Island, 2006. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 104-121).

Limb-Bud and Heart (LBH) is a novel key transcriptional regulator of vertebrate development. However, the molecular mechanisms upstream of LBH and its role in adult development are unknown. Here we show that in epithelial development, LBH expression is tightly controlled by Wnt signaling. LBH is transcriptionally induced by the canonical Wnt pathway, as evident by the presence of functional TCF/LEF binding sites in the LBH locus and rapid beta-catenin-dependent upregulation of endogenous LBH by Wnt3a. In contrast, LBH induction by Wnt/beta-catenin signaling is inhibited by Wnt7a, which in limb development signals through a non-canonical pathway involving Lmx1b. Furthermore, we show that Lbh is aberrantly overexpressed in mammary tumors of MMTV-Wnt1 transgenic mice and in aggressive basal-subtype human breast cancers that display Wnt/beta-catenin hyperactivation. Deregulation of LBH in human breast cancer appears to be Wnt/beta-catenin dependent as DKK1 and Wnt7a inhibit LBH expression in breast tumor cells. RNAi mediated knockdown of LBH in basal breast cancer cell lines resulted in loss of CD44high/CD24low tumor cells, luminal differentiation, reduced cell growth, reduced colony forming ability, and increased apoptosis, suggesting a novel pro-survival and stem cell maintenance function of LBH in breast cancer. Reciprocal overexpression studies in the basal breast carcinoma line BT549 resulted in increased tumorigenicity in vitro, suggesting that LBH overexpression is indeed oncogenic. Finally, we further characterized LBH protein expression patterns and post-transcriptional regulation. Collectively, this thesis demonstrates that LBH is a direct Wnt target gene in both development and basal breast cancer that promotes the undifferentiated phenotype and survival of basal breast tumor cells.

Muc4, a heterodimeric transmembrane mucin containing EGF-like domains, has been described as an ErbB2-binding protein which modulates signaling via the ErbB2-ErbB3 pathway. In Muc4-transfected MCF-7 cells, Muc4 expression resulted in alteration of both the time course and phosphorylation levels of NRG beta 1 induced phosphorylation and activation of both ErbB2 and ErbB3. Muc4 significantly enhanced the autophosphorylation of ErbB2 over the early (defined 0-30 min) and intermediate (30-120 min) NRG beta 1 treatment times at three sites, Y1248, Y1221 and Y1139. The sites displayed differential maximal phosphorylation times. At Y1248 and Y1139, maximal phosphorylation occurred entirely during the early treatment phase. However, Y1221/2 showed maximal phosphorylation during the intermediate phase with a smaller peak during the early phase. The ratio of phosphorylated ErbB3 and total receptor level was significantly enhanced (in cells that expressed Muc4 compared without Muc4) over both the early and intermediate NRG beta 1 treatment time at the Y1289 site. This motif is one of several similar ErbB3 motifs whose phosphorylation mediates the binding of PI3-kinase. This phospholipid kinase is a key modulator of numerous cellular pathways leading to proliferation, motility and survival. Aberrancies in the ErbB2-ErbB3 signaling pathway have been implicated in the aggressive behavior of tumor cells, and the identification and characterization of modulators of this pathway are being sought as targets of potential therapeutic interventions. Muc4 significantly enhanced activated ERK in the absence of NRG beta 1 treatment while a NRG beta 1 mediated activation of AKT was observed. At early NRG beta 1 treatment time phases, Muc4 co-localized with phosphorylated ErbB2 (pY1248) independent of NRG beta 1 treatment; co-localization of Muc4 and ErbB2 receptor (activated/receptor forms) was observed at the apical surface or around the cell surface membrane. These data provide evidence in the Muc4-transfected MCF-7 cells for the biological NRG beta 1 mediated ErbB2 and ErbB3 activation. Our data suggests that Muc4 affects steady state phosphorylation levels and duration of the phosphorylation signal of both ErbB receptors, and that NRG beta 1 might affect ErbB2 and ErbB3 signaling differently. Additionally, the results of the timing of phosphorylation studies suggest the possibility that temporal aspects of phosphorylation at different sites may determine the pathways activated preferentially in the subsequent signaling cascades.

Deregulation of the cell cycle is a hallmark of neoplastic transformation and plays a central role in both the initiation and progression of cancer. Members of the NimA-related kinase (NEK) family of protein kinases are emerging as important players in regulation of the eukaryotic cell cycle during normal cell cycle progression and checkpoint activation in response to genotoxic stresses. The focus of this thesis is NEK10, a previously uncharacterized member of the NEK family. While little is known about the biology of NEK10, recent cancer genomics studies have identified NEK10 as a candidate susceptibility gene at chromosome 3p24 in cancer. Work herein describes a role for NEK10 in the cellular response to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. NEK10 was required for the activation of ERK1/2 signaling upon UV irradiation, but not in response to mitogens, such as the epidermal growth factor. NEK10 interacted with Raf and MEK and enhanced MEK activity through a novel mechanism involving MEK autoactivation. Significantly, appropriate maintenance of the G2/M checkpoint following UV irradiation required NEK10 expression and ERK1/2 activation. In support of a conserved role for NEK10 in the cellular response to UV irradiation, nekl-4, the NEK10 C.elegans homologue, affected embryonic sensitivity to UV-irradiation. In search of regulatory inputs into NEK10, using mass spectrometry, our laboratory identified 19 distinct sites of NEK10 phosphorylation. Characterization of a number of these sites revealed a role for intermolecular autophosphorylation in achieving full NEK10 catalytic activity through activation loop phosphorylation on S684 and S688. Further, a C-terminal phosphorylation site on NEK10, S933, was found to be a 14-3-3 binding site, and was essential for NEK10 cytoplasmic to nuclear translocation following UV irradiation. Taken together, my studies have discovered a role for NEK10 in the engagement of the G2/M cell cycle checkpoint and provided a mechanistic insight into the relationship between NEK10 and the Raf/MEK/ERK cascade, and the control of NEK10 subcellular localization. This work will serve as a foundation for future studies aimed at understanding the molecular mechanism of NEK10 action and its function in development and tumourigenesis.