Functions and regulation of the 70kDa ribosomal S6 kinases.

The 70kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinases, S6K1 and S6K2 are two highly homologous serine/threonine kinases that are activated in response to growth factors, cytokines and nutrients. The S6 kinases have been linked to diverse cellular processes, including protein synthesis, mRNA processing, glucose homeostasis, cell growth and survival. Studies in model organisms have highlighted the roles that S6K activity plays in a number of pathologies, including obesity, diabetes, ageing and cancer. The importance of S6K function in human diseases has led to the development of S6K-specific inhibitors by a number of companies, offering the promise of improved tools with which to study these enzymes and potentially the effective targeting of deregulated S6K signalling in patients. Here we review the current literature on the role of S6Ks in the regulation of cell growth, survival and proliferation downstream of various signalling pathways and how their dysregulation contributes to the pathogenesis of human diseases.

S6K1 is acetylated at lysine 516 in response to growth factor stimulation.

The 70kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) plays important roles in the regulation of protein synthesis, cell growth and metabolism. S6K1 is activated by the phosphorylation of multiple serine and threonine residues in response to stimulation by a variety of growth factors and cytokines. In addition to phosphorylation, we have recently shown that S6K1 is also targeted by lysine acetylation. Here, using tandem mass spectrometry we have mapped acetylation of S6K1 to lysine 516, a site close to the C-terminus of the kinase that is highly conserved amongst vertebrate S6K1 orthologues. Using acetyl-specific K516 antibodies, we show that acetylation of endogenous S6K1 at this site is potently induced upon growth factor stimulation. Although S6K1 acetylation and phosphorylation are both induced by growth factor stimulation, these events appear to be functionally independent. Indeed, experiments using inhibitors of S6K1 activation and exposure of cells to various stresses indicate that S6K1 acetylation can occur in the absence of phosphorylation and vice versa. We propose that K516 acetylation may serve to modulate important kinase-independent functions of S6K1 in response to growth factor signalling.

CoA Synthase is phosphorylated on tyrosines in mammalian cells, interacts with and is dephosphorylated by Shp2PTP.

CoA Synthase (CoASy, 4'-phosphopantetheine adenylyltransferase/dephospho-CoA kinase) mediates two final stages of de novo coenzyme A (CoA) biosynthesis in higher eukaryotes. Unfortunately very little is known about regulation of this important metabolic pathway. In this study, we demonstrate that CoASy interacts in vitro with Src homology-2 (SH2) domains of a number of signaling proteins, including Src homology-2 domains containing protein tyrosine phosphatase (Shp2PTP). Complexes between CoASy and Shp2PTP exist in vivo in mammalian cells and this interaction is regulated in a growth-factor-dependent manner. We have also demonstrated that endogenous CoASy is phosphorylated on tyrosine residues in vivo, and that cytoplasmic protein tyrosine kinases can mediate this phosphorylation in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, Shp2PTP-mediated CoASy in vitro dephosphorylation leads to an increase in CoASy enzymatic phosphopantetheine adenylyltransferase (PPAT) activity. We therefore argue that CoASy is a novel potential substrate of Shp2PTP and phosphorylation of CoASy at tyrosine residue(s) could represent unrecognized before mechanism of modulation intracellular CoA level in response to hormonal and (or) other extracellular stimuli.

CoA synthase is in complex with p85alphaPI3K and affects PI3K signaling pathway.

The complex interplay between cellular signaling and metabolism in eukaryotic cells just start to emerge. Coenzyme A (CoA) and its derivatives play a key role in cell metabolism and also participate in regulatory processes. CoA synthase (CoASy) is a mitochondria-associated enzyme which mediates two final stages of de novo CoA biosynthesis. Here, we report that CoASy is involved in signaling events in the cell and forms a functional complex with p85alphaPI3K in vivo. Importantly, observed interaction of endogenous CoASy and p85alphaPI3K is regulated in a growth factor dependent manner. Surprisingly, both catalytic p110alpha and regulatory p85alpha subunits of PI3K were detected in mitochondrial fraction where mitochondria-localized p85alphaPI3K was found in complex with CoASy. Unexpectedly, significant changes of PI3K signaling pathway activity were observed in experiments with siRNA-mediated CoASy knockdown pointing on the role of CoA biosynthetic pathway in signal transduction.

Nuclear export of S6K1 II is regulated by protein kinase CK2 phosphorylation at Ser-17.

Ribosomal S6 kinases (S6Ks) are principal players in the regulation of cell growth and energy metabolism. Signaling via phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and mammalian target of rapamycin pathways mediates the activation of S6K in response to various mitogenic stimuli. The family of S6Ks consists of two forms, S6K1 and -2, that have cytoplasmic and nuclear splicing variants, S6K1 II and S6K1 I, respectively. Nuclear-cytoplasmic shuttling of both isoforms induced by mitogenic stimuli has been reported recently. Here we present the identification of protein kinase CK2 (CK2) as a novel binding and regulatory partner for S6K1 II. The interaction between S6K1 II and CK2beta regulatory subunit was initially identified in a yeast two-hybrid screen and further confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation of transiently expressed and endogenous proteins. The interaction between S6K1 II and CK2 was found to occur in serum-starved and serum-stimulated cells. In addition, we found that S6K1 II is a substrate for CK2. The localization of the CK2 phosphorylation site was narrowed down to Ser-17 in S6K1 II. Mutational analysis and the use of phosphospecific antibody indicate that Ser-17 is a major in vitro and in vivo phosphorylation site for CK2. Functional studies reveal that, in contrast to the wild type kinase, the phosphorylation-mimicking mutant of S6K1 II (S17E) retains its cytoplasmic localization in serum-stimulated cells. Treatment of cells with the nuclear export inhibitor leptomycin B revealed that the S17E mutant accumulates in the nucleus to the same extent as S6K1 II wild type. These results indicate that nuclear import of the S17E mutant is not affected, although the export is significantly enhanced. We also provide evidence that nuclear export of S6K1 is mediated by a CRM1-dependent mechanism. Taken together, this study establishes a functional link between S6K1 II and CK2 signaling, which involves the regulation of S6K1 II nuclear export by CK2-mediated phosphorylation of Ser-17.

FGF-2 protects small cell lung cancer cells from apoptosis through a complex involving PKCepsilon, B-Raf and S6K2.

Patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) die because of chemoresistance. Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) increases the expression of antiapoptotic proteins, XIAP and Bcl-X(L), and triggers chemoresistance in SCLC cells. Here we show that these effects are mediated through the formation of a specific multiprotein complex comprising B-Raf, PKCepsilon and S6K2. S6K1, Raf-1 and other PKC isoforms do not form similar complexes. RNAi-mediated downregulation of B-Raf, PKCepsilon or S6K2 abolishes FGF-2-mediated survival. In contrast, overexpression of PKCepsilon increases XIAP and Bcl-X(L) levels and chemoresistance in SCLC cells. In a tetracycline-inducible system, increased S6K2 kinase activity triggers upregulation of XIAP, Bcl-X(L) and prosurvival effects. However, increased S6K1 kinase activity has no such effect. Thus, S6K2 but not S6K1 mediates prosurvival/chemoresistance signalling.

Receptor association and tyrosine phosphorylation of S6 kinases.

Ribosomal protein S6 kinase (S6K) is activated by an array of mitogenic stimuli and is a key player in the regulation of cell growth. The activation process of S6 kinase involves a complex and sequential series of multiple Ser/Thr phosphorylations and is mainly mediated via phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK1) and mTor-dependent pathways. Upstream regulators of S6K, such as PDK1 and protein kinase B (PKB/Akt), are recruited to the membrane via their pleckstrin homology (PH) or protein-protein interaction domains. However, the mechanism of integration of S6K into a multi-enzyme complex around activated receptor tyrosine kinases is not clear. In the present study, we describe a specific interaction between S6K with receptor tyrosine kinases, such as platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR). The interaction with PDGFR is mediated via the kinase or the kinase extension domain of S6K. Complex formation is inducible by growth factors and leads to S6K tyrosine phosphorylation. Using PDGFR mutants, we have shown that the phosphorylation is exerted via a PDGFR-src pathway. Furthermore, src kinase phosphorylates and coimmunoprecipitates with S6K in vivo. Inhibitors towards tyrosine kinases, such as genistein and PP1, or src-specific SU6656, but not PI3K and mTor inhibitors, lead to a reduction in tyrosine phosphorylation of S6K. In addition, we mapped the sites of tyrosine phosphorylation in S6K1 and S6K2 to Y39 and Y45, respectively. Mutational and immunofluorescent analysis indicated that phosphorylation of S6Ks at these sites does not affect their activity or subcellular localization. Our data indicate that S6 kinase is recruited into a complex with RTKs and src and becomes phosphorylated on tyrosine/s in response to PDGF or serum.

Identification of a novel CoA synthase isoform, which is primarily expressed in the brain.

CoA and its derivatives Acetyl-CoA and Acyl-CoA are important players in cellular metabolism and signal transduction. CoA synthase is a bifunctional enzyme which mediates the final stages of CoA biosynthesis. In previous studies, we have reported molecular cloning, biochemical characterization, and subcellular localization of CoA synthase (CoASy). Here, we describe the existence of a novel CoA synthase isoform, which is the product of alternative splicing and possesses a 29aa extension at the N-terminus. We termed it CoASy beta and originally identified CoA synthase, CoASy alpha. The transcript specific for CoASy beta was identified by electronic screening and by RT-PCR analysis of various rat tissues. The existence of this novel isoform was further confirmed by immunoblot analysis with antibodies directed to the N-terminal peptide of CoASy beta. In contrast to CoASy alpha, which shows ubiquitous expression, CoASy beta is primarily expressed in the brain. Using confocal microscopy, we demonstrated that both isoforms are localized on mitochondria. The N-terminal extension does not affect the activity of CoA synthase, but possesses a proline-rich sequence which can bring the enzyme into complexes with signalling proteins containing SH3 or WW domains. The role of this novel isoform in CoA biosynthesis, especially in the brain, requires further elucidation.

Specific interaction between S6K1 and CoA synthase: a potential link between the mTOR/S6K pathway, CoA biosynthesis and energy metabolism.

Ribosomal protein S6 kinase (S6K) is a key regulator of cell size and growth. It is regulated via phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K) and the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathways. We demonstrate for the first time that CoA synthase associates specifically with S6K1. The association was observed between native and transiently overexpressed proteins in vivo, as well as by BIAcore analysis in vitro. The sites of interaction were mapped to the C-terminal regions of both CoA synthase and S6K1. In vitro studies indicated that the interaction does not affect their enzymatic activities and that CoA synthase is not a substrate for S6 kinase. This study uncovers a potential link between mTor/S6K signaling pathway and energy metabolism through CoA and its thioester derivatives, but its physiological relevance should be further elucidated.

Immunohistochemical analysis of S6K1 and S6K2 expression in human breast tumors.

AIM: To express recombinant S6K2 in baculovirus expression system; to purify large quantities of recombinant S6K2 for biochemical studies; to generate and characterise specific MABs against recombinant S6K2; to study the patterns S6K1 and S6K2 expression and subcellular localization in normal, benign and malignant breast tissues. METHODS: Recombinant baculovirus, expressing wild type S6K2 was generated using Bac-to-Bac system (Invitrogen); recombinant S6K was purified from infected Sf9 cells using affinity purification approach; monoclonal antibodies against recombinant S6K2 were generated; the specificity of generated MABs towards recombinant and endogenous S6K2 were examined by ELISA, Western blotting, immunoprecipitation and immuhohistochemical staining; immunohistochemical detection of S6K1 and S6K2 in human breast tissues was performed using specific monoclonal antibodies towards S6K1 and S6K2. RESULTS: Large amounts of enzymatically active S6K2 were purified using baculovirus expression system; highly purified preparations of S6K2 were used to generate and characterize anti-S6K2 MABs; elevated levels of S6K1 and S6K2 were found in breast tumors when compared to normal breast tissues; S6K2 is frequently localized in the nuclei of adenocarcinoma tissues, but rarely in fibroadenoma or "normal" breast tissues. CONCLUSION: Production of recombinant S6K2 in large amount and generation of specific monoclonal antibodies towards S6K2 has provided us with excellent tools to study the function and regulation of this important signalling molecule in normal and cancer cells. Immunnohistochemical analysis of S6K1 and S6K2 expression in normal and malignant breast clearly indicates that both kinases are overexpressed in breast tumors, when compared to "normal" tissues. The retention of S6K2 in the nuclei of malignant cells may be caused by disregulation of nucleocytoplasmic shuttling and could subsequently affect cell growth and proliferation.

Immunohistochemical analysis of S6K1 and S6K2 expression in endometrial adenocarcinomas.

AIM: The aim of this study was to analyze the levels 70 kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) and 70 kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase 2 (S6K2) expression and S6 ribosomal protein phosphorylation in endometrial adenocarcinomas. METHODS: S6K1/2 expression and phosphorylated ribosomal S6 protein (phS6) content have been detected in formalin fixed, paraffin embedded sections of 50 human endometrial adenocarcinomas with different grade of differentiation and in 13 normal endometrial tissues using immunohistochemical approach with following semiquantitative analysis. RESULTS: In normal endometrial epithelial cells both S6K1 and S6K2 were expressed on the low level. S6K1 and S6K2 has been detected predominantly in stromal elements. Increased phS6 level was found in superficial epithelial cells. In deeper parts of endometrial glands and vessels phS6 was discovered occasionally. In endometrial adenocarcinoma's tissues, overexpression of S6K1 was found in cytoplasm and nuclei in 8.0% of cases, overexpression of S6K2--in cytoplasm in 12.0% of cases and in nuclei in 18.0% of cases. Overexpression of S6K1 in endothelial cells of vessels was discovered in 58% of cases. Positive correlation has been determined between: 1) tumor stage and intensity of stromal staining for S6K1 (p = 0.027); 2) tumor differentiation grade and intensity of cytoplasm staining of cancer cells for S6K1 (p = 0.039); 3) intensity of stromal staining and vessel's staining for S6K1 (p = 0.019); 4) vessel's staining for S6K1 and staining for phS6 (p = 0.028). CONCLUSION: Overexpression of S6K1 and S6K2 is a characteristic feature of parenchyma and vessels of endometrial adenocarcinomas. Phosphorylation of ribosomal S6 protein is not dependent from expression level of S6K1 and S6K2.

Immunohistochemical analysis of S6K1 and S6K2 localization in human breast tumors.

AIM: To perform an immunohistochemical analysis of human breast adenomas and adenocarcinomas as well as normal breast tissues in respect of S6 ribosomal protein kinase (S6K) expression and localization in normal and transformed cells. METHODS: The expression level and localization of S6K have been detected in formalin fixed, paraffin embedded sections of normal human breast tissues, adenomas and adenocarcinomas with different grade of differentiation. Immunohistochemical detection of S6K1 and S6K2 in normal human breast tissues and breast tumors were performed using specific monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies against S6K1 and S6K2 with following semiquantitative analysis. RESULTS: The increase of S6K content in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells in benign and malignant tumors has been detected. Nuclear accumulation of S6K1 and to a greater extend S6K2 have been found in breast adenocarcinomas. About 80% of breast adenocarcinomas cases revealed S6K2 nuclear staining comparing to normal tissues. In 31% of cases more then 50% of cancer cells had strong nuclear staining. Accumulation of S6K1 in the nucleus of neoplastic cells has been demonstrated in 25% of cases. Nuclear localization of S6K in the epithelial cells in normal breast tissues has not been detected. CONCLUSION: Immunohistochemical analysis of S6K1 and S6K2 expression in normal human breast tissues, benign and malignant breast tumors clearly indicates that both kinases are overexpressed in breast tumors. Semiquantitative analysis of peculiarities of S6K localization in normal tissues and tumors revealed that nucleoplasmic accumulation of S6K (especially S6K2) is a distinguishing feature of cancer cells.

Subcellular localization and regulation of coenzyme A synthase.

CoA synthase mediates the last two steps in the sequence of enzymatic reactions, leading to CoA biosynthesis. We have recently identified cDNA for CoA synthase and demonstrated that it encodes a bifunctional enzyme possessing 4'-phosphopantetheine adenylyltransferase and dephospho-CoA kinase activities. Molecular cloning of CoA synthase provided us with necessary tools to study subcellular localization and the regulation of this bifunctional enzyme. Transient expression studies and confocal microscopy allowed us to demonstrate that full-length CoA synthase is associated with the mitochondria, whereas the removal of the N-terminal region relocates the enzyme to the cytosol. In addition, we showed that the N-terminal sequence of CoA synthase (amino acids 1-29) exhibits a hydrophobic profile and targets green fluorescent protein exclusively to mitochondria. Further analysis, involving subcellular fractionation and limited proteolysis, indicated that CoA synthase is localized on the mitochondrial outer membrane. Moreover, we demonstrate for the first time that phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, which are the main components of the mitochondrial outer membrane, are potent activators of both enzymatic activities of CoA synthase in vitro. Taken together, these data provide the evidence that the final stages of CoA biosynthesis take place on mitochondria and the activity of CoA synthase is regulated by phospholipids.

Protein kinase C phosphorylates ribosomal protein S6 kinase betaII and regulates its subcellular localization.

The ribosomal protein S6 kinase (S6K) belongs to the AGC family of Ser/Thr kinases and is known to be involved in the regulation of protein synthesis and the G(1)/S transition of the cell cycle. There are two forms of S6K, termed S6Kalpha and S6Kbeta, which have cytoplasmic and nuclear splice variants. Nucleocytoplasmic shuttling has been recently proposed for S6Kalpha, based on the use of the nuclear export inhibitor, leptomycin B. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating subcellular localization of S6Ks in response to mitogenic stimuli remain to be elucidated. Here we present data on the in vitro and in vivo phosphorylation of S6Kbeta, but not S6Kalpha, by protein kinase C (PKC). The site of phosphorylation was identified as S486, which is located within the C-terminal nuclear localization signal. Mutational analysis and the use of phosphospecific antibodies provided evidence that PKC-mediated phosphorylation at S486 does not affect S6K activity but eliminates the function of its nuclear localization signal and causes retention of an activated form of the kinase in the cytoplasm. Taken together, this study uncovers a novel mechanism for the regulation of nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of S6KbetaII by PKC-mediated phosphorylation.

Molecular cloning of CoA Synthase. The missing link in CoA biosynthesis.

Coenzyme A functions as a carrier of acetyl and acyl groups in living cells and is essential for numerous biosynthetic, energy-yielding, and degradative metabolic pathways. There are five enzymatic steps in CoA biosynthesis. To date, molecular cloning of enzymes involved in the CoA biosynthetic pathway in mammals has been only reported for pantothenate kinase. In this study, we present cDNA cloning and functional characterization of CoA synthase. It has an open reading frame of 563 aa and encodes a protein of approximately 60 kDa. Sequence alignments suggested that the protein possesses both phosphopantetheine adenylyltransferase and dephospho-CoA kinase domains. Biochemical assays using wild type recombinant protein confirmed the gene product indeed contained both these enzymatic activities. The presence of intrinsic phosphopantetheine adenylyltransferase activity was further confirmed by site-directed mutagenesis. Therefore, this study describes the first cloning and characterization of a mammalian CoA synthase and confirms this is a bifunctional enzyme containing the last two components of CoA biosynthesis.