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The predicted protein product of open reading frame slr0328 from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, SynPTP, possesses significant amino acid sequence similarity with known low molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs). To determine the gross functional properties of this hypothetical protein, open reading frame slr0328 was cloned, and its predicted protein product was expressed in E. coli. The recombinant protein, SynPTP, was purified by metal ion column chromatography. The catalytic activity of SynPTP was examined toward several exogenous protein substrates that had been phosphorylated on either tyrosine residues or serine residues. SynPTP exhibited phosphatase activity toward tyrosine phosphorylated protein substrates (Vmax toward phosphotyrosyl 32P-casein was 1.5 nmol/min/mg). However, no phosphatase activity was detected toward serine phosphorylated protein substrates. SynPTP displayed phosphohydrolase activity toward several organophosphoesters including para-nitrophenyl phosphate (p-NPP), beta-napthyl phosphate and phosphotyrosine but not toward alpha-napthyl phosphate, phosphoserine, or phosphothreonine. Kinetic analysis indicated that the Km (0.6 mM) and Vmax (3.2 mmole/min/mg) values for SynPTP toward pNPP are similar to those of other known bacterial low molecular weight PTPs. The protein phosphatase activity of SynPTP was inhibited by sodium orthovanadate, a known inhibitor for tyrosine phosphatases, but not by okadaic acid, an inhibitor for many serine/threonine phosphatases. Mutagenic alteration of the predicted catalytic cysteine, Cys7, to serine abolished enzyme activity. Several phosphotyrosine containing proteins were detected from the whole cell extracts of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 through immunoreactions using anti-phosphotyrosine antibody. SynPTP was observed to dephosphorylate three of these proteins in vitro. Two of these proteins were identified by peptide-mass fingerprinting analysis, as PsaD (photosystem I subunit II) and CpcD (phycocyanin rod linker protein). In addition, several phosphotyrosine proteins were detected from the soluble and membrane fractions of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 cell extracts by in vitro substrate trapping as potential endogenous substrates of SynPTP. Two of these proteins were identified as the alpha and beta subunits of phycocyanin. We therefore speculate that SynPTP might be involved in the regulation of photosynthesis in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. / Ph. D.

Damage to the vasculature is a common occurrence in diabetes mellitus. At the cellular level, dysfunction of vascular endothelial cells is often associated with diabetic conditions. Multiple agents maintain the endothelium, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), an endothelial cell mitogen/survival factor, and insulin, which has anti-apoptotic effects on endothelial cells in addition to regulating glucose homeostasis. Insulin and VEGF, upon activating their respective tyrosine kinase receptors, can engage the PI3-kinase/Akt, MAPK, and PLC-γ/PKC pathways. Thus, crosstalk between VEGF and insulin signaling may occur at numerous points. Our objectives were twofold: 1) to characterize the combined effects of insulin and VEGF on downstream elements, and 2) to determine the ability of signaling intermediates principally associated with either insulin or VEGF signaling to interact directly. After treatment with VEGF, insulin, or both, cells expressing both VEGF receptor-2 (KDR) and the insulin receptor were immunoprecipitated for total Akt and PLC-γ. Isolates from cells stimulated with both ligands demonstrated activation of PLC-γ and Akt that was less than additive over fifteen minutes. Conversely, cells pretreated with advanced glycation end products showed increased Akt phosphorylation. The effect of insulin on VEGF bioactivity was also measured by PLC-γ-mediated hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol. These studies suggested suppressed VEGF activity in the presence of insulin. To examine direct signaling interactions, recombinant reagents capable of selective binding (via SH2 domains) to phosphorylated receptors were generated. Overall results showed relatively unaffected VEGF activity in the presence of insulin; however, this relationship is likely altered within the diabetic state. / Master of Science

L’hypertension artérielle pulmonaire idiopathique (HTAPi) se caractérise par une une augmentation des résistances vasculaire, une augmentation de la PAPm et à long terme une insuffisance ventriculaire droite. La dysfonction endothéliale est l’événement initial de la maladie. Elle résulte d’un déséquilibre de synthèse des molécules vasoactives, d’un défaut de production de facteurs de croissance. Ces perturbations affectent directement le muscle lisse adjacent qui en réponse produit une vasoconstriction et une prolifération excessive. Le muscle lisse possède également ses propres anomalies intrinsèques contribuant à amplifier son phénotype vasoconstrictif et prolifératif. Actuellement, les thérapeutiques de l’HTAP ne permettent pas de corriger le remodelage vasculaire et les données cliniques soulignent leur manque d’efficacité en ce qui concerne la survie des patients. Ces travaux de doctorat ont visé à proposer de nouvelles approches thérapeutiques. Dans cette optique, nous nous sommes intéressés à l’implication de la kinase Src dans la pathogenèse de l’HTAP. Nous avons montré que l’augmentation du niveau de Src dans les CML-AP été associée au développement de l’HTAPi. Aussi, nous avons montré que l’inhibition de Src, avec des molécules spécifiques, prévient la prolifération des CML-AP in vitro et réverse l’HTAP dans un modèle expérimental induit par la monocrotaline. Dans un second temps, nous nous sommes intéressés à l’inhibition des récepteurs adrénergiques dans l’HTAP. Nous avons comparé les effets du nébivolol, un β-bloquant de troisième génération qui possède des propriétés vasodilatatrices, aux effets du métoprolol, un β-bloquant de deuxième génération. Nous avons montré que le nébivolol, contrairement au métoprolol, a des effets positifs sur la dysfonction endothéliale, la relaxation des artères pulmonaires et sur le modèle expérimental de l’HP induite par la monocrotaline. Ainsi au cours de ce doctorat, nous avons caractérisé deux stratégies thérapeutiques différentes qui ont montré toutes deux un potentiel intéressant pour le traitement de l’HTAP. / Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (iPAH) is characterized by an increased vascular resistance, increase pulmonary artery pressure, and at long term, a right ventricular failure. Endothelial dysfunction is the initial event of this pathology. It is a result of altered vasoactive molecules synthesis, altered growth factors production. These alterations directly affect the neighboring smooth muscle which produces an important vasoconstriction and a significant proliferation. Also, the smooth muscle has its own intrinsic abnormalities that participate in its vasoconstriction and proliferation phenotypes.It is to note that to date, PAH treatment strategies do not improve the vascular remodeling. Moreover, clinical results show no efficiency of these treatments on patient survival. Accordingly, this thesis studies have targeted new and better therapeutic approaches. To this aim, we have fist oriented our research toward the involvement of Src kinase in PAH pathology. We found that increased Src level in the Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells (PA-SMC) was associated with PAH development. Also, we have showed that, in vitro, Src inhibition, with specific molecules, prevent PA-SMC proliferation and revert PAH in a monocrotaline-induced experimental model. The second aim of this thesis work was oriented toward beta-adrenergic receptor inhibition in PAH. We have compared the effect of both the nebivolol, which is a third generation of b-blockers that has a vasodilation proterties, and metoprolol, which is a second generation of -blockers. Our results show that, as opposite to metoprolol, nebivolol has positive effects on endothelial dysfunctions, pulmonary artery relaxation, and on monocrotaline-induced PH in rats.Therefore, during this thesis, we have characterized two different therapeutic strategies that both show interesting potential in PAH treatment.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Umeå universitet, 2008. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

ADP-ribosylation factor-1 (ARF1) est une petite GTPase principalement connue pour son rôle dans la formation de vésicules au niveau de l’appareil de Golgi. Récemment, dans des cellules de cancer du sein, nous avons démontré qu’ARF1 est aussi un médiateur important de la signalisation du récepteur du facteur de croissance épidermique (EGFR) contrôlant la prolifération, la migration et l'invasion cellulaire. Cependant, le mécanisme par lequel l’EGFR active la GTPase ainsi que le rôle de cette dernière dans la régulation de la fonction du récepteur demeure inconnue. Dans cette thèse, nous avions comme objectifs de définir le mécanisme d'activation de ARF1 dans les cellules de cancer du sein hautement invasif et démontrer que l’activation de cette isoforme de ARF joue un rôle essentiel dans la résistance de ces cellules aux inhibiteurs de l'EGFR. Nos études démontrent que les protéines d’adaptatrices Grb2 et p66Shc jouent un rôle important dans l'activation de ARF1. Alors que Grb2 favorise le recrutement d’ARF1 à l'EGFR ainsi que l'activation de cette petite GTPase, p66Shc inhibe le recrutement du complexe Grb2-ARF1 au récepteur et donc contribue à limiter l’activation d’ARF1. De plus, nous démontrons que ARF1 favorise la résistance aux inhibiteurs des tyrosines kinases dans les cellules de cancer du sein hautement invasif. En effet, une diminution de l’expression de ARF1 a augmenté la sensibilité descellules aux inhibiteurs de l'EGFR. Nous montrons également que de hauts niveaux de ARF1 contribuent à la résistance des cellules à ces médicaments en améliorant la survie et les signaux prolifératifs à travers ERK1/2, Src et AKT, tout en bloquant les voies apoptotiques (p38MAPK et JNK). Enfin, nous mettons en évidence le rôle de la protéine ARF1 dans l’apoptose en réponse aux traitements des inhibiteurs de l’EGFR. Nos résultats indiquent que la dépletion d’ARF1 promeut la mort cellulaire induite par gefitinib, en augmentant l'expression de facteurs pro-apoptotiques (p66shc, Bax), en altérant le potentiel de la membrane mitochondriale et la libération du cytochrome C. Ensemble, nos résultats délimitent un nouveau mécanisme d'activation de ARF1 dans les cellules du cancer du sein hautement invasif et impliquent l’activité d’ARF1 comme un médiateur important de la résistance aux inhibiteurs EGFR. / The small GTPase ADP-ribosylation factor-1 (ARF1) has been well described for its role in regulating transport within the Golgi. Recently, in breast cancer cells, we have characterized ARF1 as important mediator of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signals leading to cell proliferation, migration and invasion. However, the mechanisms regulating ARF1 activity downstream of the EGFR had yet to be defined. Here, we aim to characterize these mechanisms of ARF1 activation in invasive breast cancer cells and demonstrate that activated ARF1 plays an essential role in mediating the resistance of breast cancer cells to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors. We show that the adaptor proteins Grb2 and p66Shc regulate EGF-dependent ARF1 activation. While Grb2 was shown to be essential in the recruitment of ARF1 to the EGFR as well as the activation of this small GTPase, p66Shc blocked the recruitment of this Grb2-ARF1 complex to the receptor and thus suppressed EGF-induced ARF1 activation. Additionally, we demonstrate that ARF1 promotes EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance in invasive breast cancer cells. Indeed, the depletion of ARF1 was associated with an increased sensitivity to EGFR inhibition. We show that ARF1 promotes resistance by enhancing survival and proliferative signals through Erk1/2, Src and AKT, while blocking the apoptotic p38MAPK and JNK pathways. Furthermore, ARF1 was shown to stabilize EGFR dynamics (Expression, activation, dimerization and down-regulation) in response to treatment with EGFR inhibitors. Finally, we highlight the role of ARF1 in mediating mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis in response to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment. The depletion of ARF1 was shown to promote gefitinib-induced cell death as measured by increase expression of pro-apoptotic factors(p66Shc, Bax), altered mitochondrial membrane potential and cytochrome C release. Together, our results delineate a novel mechanism of ARF1 activation in breast cancer cells and implicate ARF1 activity as an important mediator of EGFR inhibitor resistance further supporting the importance of targeting this GTPase in breast cancer patients.

The Cbl family of E3 ubiquitin ligases are important negative regulators of multiple receptor and cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases, and participate in a wide variety of cellular processes. Uncoupling of Cbl-mediated negative regulation allows activated receptor tyrosine kinases such as the Met receptor to escape degradation, enhancing their oncogenic potential in vitro and in vivo. Despite the consequences of loss of Cbl-mediated negative regulation for human disease, little is known about the mechanisms regulating Cbl protein levels themselves. / In this thesis work, I demonstrate a differential regulation of c-Cbl and Cbl-b downstream of the Met receptor tyrosine kinase. Cbl-b protein levels decrease in response to Met kinase activity, whereas c-Cbl levels remain stable. Cbl-b is partially degraded in a proteasome-dependant manner. This requires Cbl-b ubiquitin ligase activity and a carboxy terminal domain region located between the RING and UBA domains. I conclude that the regulation of c-Cbl and Cbl-b differs downstream of Met, and propose that negative regulation of Cbl-b by a dysregulated Met receptor may contribute to tumourigenesis.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Univ., 2002. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2002. / Härtill 6 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Uppsala universitet, 2007. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.