Mass Assays to Quantify Bioactive PtdIns3P and PtdIns5P During Autophagic Responses.

Autophagy is a cellular process whereby cytoplasmic substrates are targeted for degradation in the lysosome via the membrane structures autophagosomes. This process is initiated by specific phosphoinositides, PtdIns3P and PtdIns5P, which play a key role in autophagy by recruiting effectors such as Atg18/WIPI2. Therefore, quantifying those lipids is important to better understand the assembly of the complex autophagic machinery. Herein, we describe in detail methods to quantify PtdIns3P and PtdIns5P by specific mass assays feasible in most laboratories.

Cdc42-dependent F-actin dynamics drive structuration of the demarcation membrane system in megakaryocytes.

UNLABELLED: Essentials Information about the formation of the demarcation membrane system (DMS) is still lacking. We investigated the role of the cytoskeleton in DMS structuration in megakaryocytes. Cdc42/Pak-dependent F-actin remodeling regulates DMS organization for proper megakaryopoiesis. These data highlight the mandatory role of F-actin in platelet biogenesis. SUMMARY: Background Blood platelet biogenesis results from the maturation of megakaryocytes (MKs), which involves the development of a complex demarcation membrane system (DMS). Therefore, MK differentiation is an attractive model for studying membrane remodeling. Objectives We sought to investigate the mechanism of DMS structuration in relationship to the cytoskeleton. Results Using three-dimensional (3D) confocal imaging, we have identified consecutive stages of DMS organization that rely on F-actin dynamics to polarize membranes and nuclei territories. Interestingly, microtubules are not involved in this process. We found that the mechanism underlying F-actin-dependent DMS formation required the activation of the guanosine triphosphate hydrolase Cdc42 and its p21-activated kinase effectors (Pak1/2/3). Förster resonance energy transfer demonstrated that active Cdc42 was associated with endomembrane dynamics throughout terminal maturation. Inhibition of Cdc42 or Pak1/2/3 severely destructured the DMS and blocked proplatelet formation. Even though this process does not require containment within the hematopoietic niche, because DMS structuration was observed upon thrombopoietin-treatment in suspension, integrin outside-in signaling was required for Pak activation and probably resulted from secretion of extracellular matrix by MKs. Conclusions These data indicate a functional link, mandatory for MK differentiation, between actin dynamics, regulated by Cdc42/Pak1/2/3, and DMS maturation.

Inhibition of Rac controls NPM-ALK-dependent lymphoma development and dissemination.

Nucleophosmin-anaplastic lymphoma kinase (NPM-ALK) is a tyrosine kinase oncogene responsible for the pathogenesis of the majority of human ALK-positive lymphomas. We recently reported that it activated the Rac1 GTPase in anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL), leading to Rac-dependent formation of active invadopodia required for invasiveness. Herein, we went further into the study of this pathway and used the inhibitor of Rac, NSC23766, to validate its potential as a molecular target in ALCL in vitro and in vivo in a xenograft model and in a conditional model of NPM-ALK transgenic mice. Our data demonstrate that Rac regulates important effectors of NPM-ALK-induced transformation such as Erk1/2, p38 and Akt. Moreover, inhibition of Rac signaling abrogates NPM-ALK-elicited disease progression and metastasis in mice, highlighting the potential of small GTPases and their regulators as additional therapic targets in lymphomas.

Reactive oxygen species and lipoxygenases regulate the oncogenicity of NPM-ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphomas.

The chimera nucleophosmin-anaplastic lymphoma kinase (NPM-ALK), the tyrosine kinase activity of which is constitutively upregulated, is the causative agent of 75% of the anaplastic large-cell lymphomas (ALCLs). We have demonstrated that NPM-ALK induces the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by a pathway involving the arachidonic acid-metabolizing enzymes of the lipoxygenase (LOX) family. The use of the LOX inhibitor nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and of the anti-oxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) demonstrated that ROS are important in maintaining the ALK kinase active. Consistent with this, NDGA treatment resulted in the inhibition of key pathways, such as Akt, signal transducer and activator of transcription factor 3 (STAT3) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), which are involved in NPM-ALK antiapoptotic and pro-mitogenic functions. Conversely, the stress-activated kinase p38, described in some instances as a mediator of apoptosis, was activated. Interestingly, 5-LOX, an isoform involved in many cancers, was found to be activated in NPM-ALK(+) cells. Functional studies have shown that transforming properties, namely proliferation and resistance to apoptosis, were abrogated by treatment with either NDGA or the 5-LOX inhibitor (N-(3-phenoxycinnamyl)-acetohydroxamic acid) (BW A4C). Together, these data point to the ROS/LOX pathway as a potential new target for therapy in NPM-ALK-positive tumors.

Activation of Rac1 and the exchange factor Vav3 are involved in NPM-ALK signaling in anaplastic large cell lymphomas.

The majority of anaplastic large cell lymphomas (ALCLs) express the nucleophosmin-anaplastic lymphoma kinase (NPM-ALK) fusion protein, which is oncogenic due to its constitutive tyrosine kinase activity. Transformation by NPM-ALK not only increases proliferation, but also modifies cell shape and motility in both lymphoid and fibroblastic cells. We report that the Rac1 GTPase, a known cytoskeletal regulator, is activated by NPM-ALK in ALCL cell lines (Karpas 299 and Cost) and transfected cells (lymphoid Ba/F3 cells, NIH-3T3 fibroblasts). We have identified Vav3 as one of the exchange factors involved in Rac1 activation. Stimulation of Vav3 and Rac1 by NPM-ALK is under the control of Src kinases. It involves formation of a signaling complex between NPM-ALK, pp60(c-src), Lyn and Vav3, in which Vav3 associates with tyrosine 343 of NPM-ALK via its SH2 domain. Moreover, Vav3 is phosphorylated in NPM-ALK positive biopsies from patients suffering from ALCL, demonstrating the pathological relevance of this observation. The use of Vav3-specific shRNA and a dominant negative Rac1 mutant demonstrates the central role of GTPases in NPM-ALK elicited motility and invasion.