Bone-metastatic prostate carcinoma favors mesenchymal stem cell differentiation toward osteoblasts and reduces their osteoclastogenic potential.

Bone homeostasis is achieved by the balance between osteoclast-dependent bone resorption and osteoblastic events involving differentiation of adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Prostate carcinoma (PC) cells display the propensity to metastasize to bone marrow where they disrupt bone homeostasis as a result of mixed osteolytic and osteoblastic lesions. The PC-dependent activation of osteoclasts represents the initial step of tumor engraftment into bone, followed by an accelerated osteoblastic activity and exaggerated bone formation. However, the interactions between PC cells and MSCs and their participation in the disease progression remain as yet unclear. In this study, we show that bone metastatic PC-3 carcinoma cells release factors that increase the expression by human (h)MSCs of several known pro-osteoblastic commitment factors, such as α5/ß1 integrins, fibronectin, and osteoprotegerin. As a consequence, as shown in an osteogenesis assay, hMSCs treated with conditioned medium (C(ed) M) derived from PC-3 cells have an enhanced potential to differentiate into osteoblasts, as compared to hMSCs treated with control medium or with C(ed) M from non-metastatic 22RV1 cells. We demonstrate that FGF-9, one of the factors produced by PC-3 cells, is involved in this process. Furthermore, we show that PC-3 C(ed) M decreases the pro-osteoclastic activity of hMSCs. Altogether, these findings allow us to propose clues to understand the mechanisms by which PC favors bone synthesis by regulating MSC outcome and properties.

Novel evidences for a tumor suppressor role of Rev3, the catalytic subunit of Pol zeta.

Cell cycle checkpoints and DNA repair act in concert to ensure DNA integrity during perturbation of normal replication or in response to genotoxic agents. Deficiencies in these protective mechanisms can lead to cellular transformation and ultimately tumorigenesis. Here we focused on Rev3, the catalytic subunit of the low-fidelity DNA repair polymerase zeta. Rev3 is believed to play a role in double-strand break (DSB)-induced DNA repair by homologous recombination. In line with this hypothesis, we show the accumulation of chromatin-bound Rev3 protein in late S-G2 of untreated cells and in response to clastogenic DNA damage as well as an gamma-H2AX accumulation in Rev3-depleted cells. Moreover, serine 995 of Rev3 is in vitro phosphorylated by the DSB-inducible checkpoint kinase, Chk2. Our data also disclose a significant reduction of rev3 gene expression in 74 colon carcinomas when compared to the normal adjacent tissues. This reduced expression is independent of the carcinoma stages, suggesting that the downregulation of rev3 might have occurred early during tumorigenesis.

Mechanism of caffeine-induced checkpoint override in fission yeast.

Mitotic checkpoints restrain the onset of mitosis (M) when DNA is incompletely replicated or damaged. These checkpoints are conserved between the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe and mammals. In both types of organisms, the methylxanthine caffeine overrides the synthesis (S)-M checkpoint that couples mitosis to completion of DNA S phase. The molecular target of caffeine was sought in fission yeast. Caffeine prevented activation of Cds1 and phosphorylation of Chk1, two protein kinases that enforce the S-M checkpoint triggered by hydroxyurea. Caffeine did not inhibit these kinases in vitro but did inhibit Rad3, a kinase that regulates Cds1 and Chk1. In accordance with this finding, caffeine also overrode the G(2)-M DNA damage checkpoint that requires Rad3 function. Rad3 coprecipitated with Cds1 expressed at endogenous amounts, a finding that supports the hypothesis that Rad3 is involved in direct activation of Cds1.

Basis for the checkpoint signal specificity that regulates Chk1 and Cds1 protein kinases.

Six checkpoint Rad proteins (Rad1, Rad3, Rad9, Rad17, Rad26, and Hus1) are needed to regulate checkpoint protein kinases Chk1 and Cds1 in fission yeast. Chk1 is required to prevent mitosis when DNA is damaged by ionizing radiation (IR), whereas either kinase is sufficient to prevent mitosis when DNA replication is inhibited by hydroxyurea (HU). Checkpoint Rad proteins are required for IR-induced phosphorylation of Chk1 and HU-induced activation of Cds1. IR activates Cds1 only during the DNA synthesis (S) phase, whereas HU induces Chk1 phosphorylation only in cds1 mutants. Here, we investigate the basis of the checkpoint signal specificity of Chk1 phosphorylation and Cds1 activation. We show that IR fails to induce Chk1 phosphorylation in HU-arrested cells. Release from the HU arrest following IR causes substantial Chk1 phosphorylation. These and other data indicate that Cds1 prevents Chk1 phosphorylation in HU-arrested cells, which suggests that Cds1 actively suppresses a repair process that leads to Chk1 phosphorylation. Cds1 becomes more highly concentrated in the nucleus only during the S phase of the cell cycle. This finding correlates with S-phase specificity of IR-induced activation of Cds1. However, constitutive nuclear localization of Cds1 does not enhance IR-induced activation of Cds1. This result suggests that Cds1 activation requires DNA structures or protein activities that are present only during S phase. These findings help to explain how Chk1 and Cds1 respond to different checkpoint signals.

Reduced MAP kinase phosphatase-1 degradation after p42/p44MAPK-dependent phosphorylation.

The mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascade is inactivated at the level of MAP kinase by members of the MAP kinase phosphatase (MKP) family, including MKP-1. MKP-1 was a labile protein in CCL39 hamster fibroblasts; its degradation was attenuated by inhibitors of the ubiquitin-directed proteasome complex. MKP-1 was a target in vivo and in vitro for p42(MAPK) or p44(MAPK), which phosphorylates MKP-1 on two carboxyl-terminal serine residues, Serine 359 and Serine 364. This phosphorylation did not modify MKP-1's intrinsic ability to dephosphorylate p44(MAPK) but led to stabilization of the protein. These results illustrate the importance of regulated protein degradation in the control of mitogenic signaling.

Growth factor-induced p42/p44 MAPK nuclear translocation and retention requires both MAPK activation and neosynthesis of nuclear anchoring proteins.

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (p42/p44 MAPK, also called Erk2 and Erk1) are key mediators of signal transduction from the cell surface to the nucleus. We have previously shown that the activation of p42/p44 MAPK required for transduction of mitogenic signaling is associated with a rapid nuclear translocation of these kinases. However, the means by which p42 and p44 MAPK translocate into the nucleus after cytoplasmic activation is still not understood and cannot simply be deduced from their protein sequences. In this study, we have demonstrated that activation of the p42/ p44 MAPK pathway was necessary and sufficient for triggering nuclear translocation of p42 and p44 MAPK. First, addition of the MEK inhibitor PD 98059, which blocks activation of the p42/p44 MAPK pathway, impedes the nuclear accumulation, whereas direct activation of the p42/p44 MAPK pathway by the chimera DeltaRaf-1:ER is sufficient to promote nuclear accumulation of p42/p44 MAPK. In addition, we have shown that this nuclear accumulation of p42/p44 MAPK required the neosynthesis of short-lived proteins. Indeed, inhibitors of protein synthesis abrogate nuclear accumulation in response to serum and accelerate p42/p44 MAPK nuclear efflux under conditions of persistent p42/p44 MAPK activation. In contrast, inhibition of targeted proteolysis by the proteasome synergistically potentiated p42/p44 MAPK nuclear localization by nonmitogenic agonists and markedly prolonged nuclear localization of p42/p44 MAPK after mitogenic stimulation. We therefore conclude that the MAPK nuclear translocation requires both activation of the p42/p44 MAPK module and neosynthesis of short-lived proteins that we postulate to be nuclear anchors.

The dual specificity mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 and -2 are induced by the p42/p44MAPK cascade.

Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) and MKP-2 are two members of a recently described family of dual specificity phosphatases that are capable of dephosphorylating p42/p44MAPK. Overexpression of MKP-1 or MKP-2 inhibits MAP kinase-dependent intracellular signaling events and fibroblast proliferation. By using specific antibodies that recognize endogenous MKP-1 and MKP-2 in CCL39 cells, we show that MKP-1 and MKP-2 are not expressed in quiescent cells, but are rapidly induced following serum addition, with protein detectable as early as 30 min (MKP-1) or 60 min (MKP-2). Serum induction of MKP-1 and MKP-2 is sustained, with protein detectable up to 14 h after serum addition. Induction of MKP-1 and, to a lesser extent, MKP-2 temporally correlates with p42/p44MAPK inactivation. To analyze the contribution of the MAP kinase cascade to MKP-1 and MKP-2 induction, we examined CCL39 cells transformed with either v-ras or a constitutively active direct upstream activator of MAP kinase, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase-1 (MKK-1; MKK-1(SD/SD) mutant). In both cell models, MKP-1 and MKP-2 are constitutively expressed, with MKP-2 being prevalent. In addition, in CCL39 cells expressing an estradiol-inducible deltaRaf-1::ER chimera, activation of Raf alone is sufficient to induce MKP-1 and MKP-2. The role of the MAP kinase cascade in MKP induction was highlighted by the MKK-1 inhibitor PD 098059, which blunted both the activation of p42/p44MAPK and the induction of MKP-1 and MKP-2. However, the MAP kinase cascade is not absolutely required for the induction of MKP-1, as this phosphatase, but not MKP-2, was induced to detectable levels by agents that stimulate protein kinases A and C. Thus, activation of the p42/p44MAPK cascade promotes the induction of MKP-1 and MKP-2, which may then attenuate p42/p44MAPK-dependent events in an inhibitory feedback loop.

Constitutive MAP kinase phosphatase (MKP-1) expression blocks G1 specific gene transcription and S-phase entry in fibroblasts.

MAP kinase (mitogen activated protein kinase) represents a ubiquitously expressed family of kinases whose long term activation via phosphorylation is essential for the mitogenic response in fibroblasts. Two family members, p42 and p44 MAP kinase are cytosolic proteins in quiescent cells, but become nuclear following mitogenic stimulation. Inactivation of MAP kinases occurs via a specific phosphatase, MKP-1. Hence, we examined the localisation of this phosphatase, to determine the cellular site of MAP kinase inactivation. Transient transfection of CCL39 fibroblasts with epitope-tagged MKP-1 showed the protein to be entirely nuclear in both quiescent and mitogen stimulated cells, whereas a catalytically inactive mutant in which the essential cysteine was mutated to serine (MKP-1CS) was predominately cytoplasmic and again serum stimulation failed to alter the protein's localisation. Expression of either wild type or inactive MKP-1 did not alter the cytosolic localisation of p44 MAP kinase in quiescent cells nor the ability of MAP kinase to translocate to the nucleus following mitogen stimulation. Expression of wild type MKP-1 inhibited serum stimulated early (c-fos promoter) and late (dhfr promoter) transcriptional events as well as entry into S-phase. This inhibition was reversed by the co-expression of an active MAP kinase. We conclude that in the continual expression of MKP-1, the cellular localisation of MAP kinase is unaffected and that inactivation of MAP kinase by MKP-1 is a nuclear process leading to the inhibition of cell division.

The phosphotyrosine phosphatase PTP1D, but not PTP1C, is an essential mediator of fibroblast proliferation induced by tyrosine kinase and G protein-coupled receptors.

PTP1C and PTP1D are non-transmembrane protein-tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs), which contain two src homology-2 domains. These enzymes are believed to play a role in regulating downstream signaling from receptors with intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity. The present study describes the tyrosine phosphorylation and the catalytic activity of both PTPs in CCL39 cells, a Chinese hamster lung fibroblast cell line, upon addition of a variety of growth factors. We demonstrate that PTP1C activity was significantly stimulated by insulin and the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate but was not influenced by serum, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), or alpha-thrombin. However, tyrosine phosphorylation of PTP1C was increased in response to insulin, PDGF, and alpha-thrombin. PTP1D activity was slightly stimulated by insulin and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate but was significantly inhibited by serum, PDGF, and alpha-thrombin, although tyrosine phosphorylation is increased in response to these agonists. Mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylated PTP1C and PTP1D in in vitro kinase assays, suggesting that both PTPs are target proteins for mitogen-activated protein kinase. We also show that overexpression of PTP1C or PTP1D had no effect on DNA synthesis stimulated by different growth factors. However, a mutated inactive form of PTP1D strongly inhibited the stimulatory effects of both PDGF and alpha-thrombin on early gene transcription and DNA synthesis. These results demonstrate for the first time that PTP1C and PTP1D may participate in signal transduction but in different manners and that only PTP1D is a positive mediator of mitogenic signals induced by both tyrosine kinase receptors and G protein-coupled receptors in fibroblasts.

[MAP kinase module: role in the control of cell proliferation]. / Le module MAP kinase: rôle dans le contrôle de la prolifération cellulaire.

A kinase cascade highly conserved throughout evolution, Raf/MAP kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK)-->MAP kinase kinase (MAPKK)-->MAP kinase (MAPK)-->ribosomal S6 kinase (p90 RSK), is thought to play a crucial role in signal transduction from the membrane to the nucleus. In mammalian cells, this cascade is connected both to tyrosine kinase receptors and G protein-coupled receptors. Although the mode of activation at the receptor level differs, all mitogens activate the ubiquitously expressed isoforms of MAPK, p42 and p44. We have cloned, epitope tagged and expressed in fibroblasts, the Hamster MAPKK and p44 MAPK in order to analyze their time-course of activation, their subcellular localization, their regulatory phosphorylation sites and their role in cell cycle entry. We have demonstrated that MAPK activation was rapid, biphasic and persistent. The sustained phase of activation is only obtained with potent mitogenic agents, correlating with their ability to elicit cell cycle entry. Activation of MAPKK is also rapid and persistent but does not distinguish between mitogenic and non mitogenic factors, indicating that a distinction occurs at the MAPK level, probably by the action of specific phosphatases such as MAPK phosphatase MKP-1. Both isoforms of MAPK are translocated into the nucleus upon growth factor addition whereas the upstream activators (MAPKKK, Raf and MAPKK) remain cytoplasmic. MAPK translocation, together with the ability of MAPK to phosphorylate transcription factors, indicates that MAPK might constitute a relay between cytoplasmic and nuclear events. Finally we show that interfering with the MAP kinase cascade, by expressing either MAPK antisense, a MAPK dominant negative mutant or the MAPK specific phosphatase, MKP-1, suppresses the growth factor induced G0 to G1 transition. In addition, permanently activated versions of MAPKK reduce growth factor requirement, allow autonomous cell growth and induce tumor formation in nude mice. We therefore conclude that MAP kinase activation is both necessary and sufficient to trigger cell cycle entry.