Cell type-dependent control of NF-Y activity by TGF-beta.

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) is a pluripotent cytokine that regulates cell growth and differentiation in a cell type-dependent fashion. TGF-beta exerts its effects through the activation of several signaling pathways. One involves membrane proximal events that lead to nuclear translocation of members of the Smad family of transcriptional regulators. TGF-beta can also activate MAPK cascades. Here, we show that TGF-beta induces nuclear translocation of the NF-YA subunit of the transcription factor NF-Y by a process that requires activation of the ERK cascade. This results in increased binding of endogenous NF-Y to chromatin and TGF-beta-dependent transcriptional regulation of the NF-Y target gene cyclin A2. Interestingly, the kinetics of NF-YA relocalization differs between epithelial cells and fibroblasts. NIH3T3 fibroblasts show an elevated basal level of phosphorylated p38 and delayed nuclear accumulation of NF-YA after TGF-beta treatment. In contrast, MDCK cells show low basal p38 activation, higher basal ERK phosphorylation and more rapid localization of NF-YA after induction. Thus, NF-Y activation by TGF-beta1 involves ERK1/2 and potentially an interplay between MAPK pathways, thereby opening the possibility for finely tuned transcriptional regulation.

The role of ERK5 in T-cell signalling.

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) ERK5 plays an important role in mammary epithelial proliferation, endothelial cell survival and normal embryonic development. In nonhaematopoietic cells, mitogenic and stress signals activate the ERK5 cascade. Here, we investigated the role of the ERK5 pathway in T-cell activation and show that primary and leukaemic T cells express ERK5, whose activating phosphorylation is induced by antibodies against CD3 but not by phorbol myristate acetate treatment. ERK5 localized in the cytosol and nucleus in quiescent and activated T cells. In the latter, ERK5 phosphorylation was mainly observed in the nucleus. Selective activation of the ERK5 cascade by transfecting constitutively active MEK5 and wildtype ERK5 induced a reporter gene driven by the IL-2 promoter while barely affecting CD69 expression. These results suggest a new role for the ERK5 cascade in intracellular signalling in T cells.

Distinct functions of Vav1 in JNK1 activation in Jurkat T cells versus non-haematopoietic cells.

Vav1, the 95-kDa protein encoded by the vav1 proto-oncogene, is expressed exclusively in haematopoietic cells, where it becomes phosphorylated on tyrosine residues in response to antigen receptor ligation. Vav1 was found to act as a Rac1-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor and to activate c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK1) in vitro and in ectopic expression systems using non-haematopoietic cells. Here, we studied the role of Vav1 in JNK1 activation in T cells versus non-haematopoietic cells. Vav1 overexpression activated JNK1 in COS7 and 293T cells but not in Jurkat T lymphocytes. In contrast, constitutively activated Rac1 efficiently stimulated JNK1 in both cell types under the same conditions. Vav1 did function in T cells because it clearly stimulated the activity of a nuclear factor of activated T-cell reporter plasmid in the same cells. Moreover, Vav1 induction of JNK1 in T cells required coexpression with calcineurin. This cooperation was cell type specific because it was not observed in COS7 or 293T cells. In contrast, Vav1 did not cooperate with calcineurin to activate either extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 or p38. These findings demonstrate that Vav1 alone is a poor activator of the JNK1 pathway in T cells and emphasize the importance of studying the physiological functions of Vav1 in haematopoietic cells.

Multinucleated osteoclast formation in vivo and in vitro by P2X7 receptor-deficient mice.

The P2X7 receptor is a member of the family of P2X purinergic receptors, which upon sustained activation forms large pores in the plasma membrane. In cells of hematopoietic origin, P2X7 receptor activation has been shown to lead to multiple downstream events, including cytokine release, cell permeabilization, and apoptosis. This receptor has also been implicated in the generation of multinucleated giant cells, polykaryons, and osteoclasts. We have recently demonstrated that a blockade of this receptor inhibits osteoclast formation in vitro; therefore, we examined mice deficient in the P2X7 receptor in the context of bone. These mice were healthy and displayed no overt skeletal problems. Furthermore, we were able to demonstrate their ability to form multinucleated cells, in particular osteoclasts, both in vivo and in vitro. We also demonstrate the ability of P2X7R-/- multinucleated osteoclasts, upon stimulation with maitotoxin (MTX), to form pores in the plasma membrane in vitro. These findings are consistent with the existence of an endogenous pore structure present in osteoclast precursor cells that can be activated either by the P2X7 receptor, or in its absence, by alternative signals to mediate fusion and pore formation. These data provide further insight into the mode of action of the P2X7 receptor.

Adenosine triphosphate stimulates human osteoclast activity via upregulation of osteoblast-expressed receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand.

Nucleotides such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and uridine triphosphate (UTP) exist in the extracellular environment where they are agonists at P2 receptors. Both P2Y G-protein-coupled receptors and P2X ligand-gated ion channels are expressed by osteoblasts and osteoclasts, reflected in the diverse nucleotide-induced effects reported to occur in bone. Previous reports have implicated ATP as a proresorptive agent; however, these studies were unable to determine whether ATP mediated its actions directly on osteoclasts, or indirectly via osteoblasts. The development of techniques to generate human osteoclasts in vitro has allowed us to further investigate the intriguing role of extracellular nucleotides with regard to osteoclast activity. This study reports that nearly all P2-receptor-subtype mRNAs were expressed throughout human osteoclast development, and provides evidence for functional P2 receptor expression by these cells. In cultures of human osteoclasts alone, neither ATP nor UTP affected the quantity of resorption by these cells; however, in cocultures of osteoblast-like UMR-106 cells and human osteoclasts, ATP, but not UTP, greatly enhanced resorption, indicating a role for osteoblasts in mediating the proresorptive effects of ATP. Furthermore, ATP, but not UTP, elevated receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL) mRNA and protein expression by UMR-106 cells. These data are consistent with observations that UMR-106 cells predominantly express P2Y(1) with low expression of P2Y(2), thereby explaining the response to ATP and not UTP, and further substantiating the involvement of osteoblasts in ATP-induced effects on osteoclasts. These results significantly advance our understanding of the role of P2 receptors in bone, and indicate that local-acting ATP may play a pivotal role in osteoclast activation at bone-resorbing sites by inducing elevated expression of RANKL.

Activation of metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 1/protein kinase C/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway is required for postischemic long-term potentiation in the striatum.

Excessive stimulation of glutamate receptors is believed to contribute substantially in determining neuronal vulnerability to ischemia. However, how this pathological event predisposes neurons to excitotoxic insults is still largely unknown. By using electrophysiological recordings from single striatal neurons, we demonstrate in a corticostriatal brain-slice preparation that in vitro ischemia (glucose and oxygen deprivation) activates a complex chain of intracellular events responsible for a dramatic and irreversible increase in the sensitivity of striatal neurons to synaptically released glutamate. This process follows the stimulation of both N-methyl-D-aspartate and metabotropic glutamate receptors and involves the activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase ERK via protein kinase C. This pathological form of synaptic plasticity might play a role in the cell type-specific neuronal vulnerability in the striatum, because it is selectively expressed in neuronal subtypes that are highly sensitive to both acute and chronic disorders involving this brain area.

Inhibition of mitochondrial complex II induces a long-term potentiation of NMDA-mediated synaptic excitation in the striatum requiring endogenous dopamine.

Abnormal involuntary movements and cognitive impairment represent the classical clinical symptoms of Huntington's disease (HD). This genetic disorder involves degeneration of striatal spiny neurons, but not striatal large cholinergic interneurons, and corresponds to a marked decrease in the activity of mitochondrial complex II [succinate dehydrogenase (SD)] in the brains of HD patients. Here we have examined the possibility that SD inhibitors exert their toxic action by increasing glutamatergic transmission. We report that SD inhibitors such as 3-nitroproprionic acid (3-NP), but not an inhibitor of mitochondrial complex I, produce a long-term potentiation of the NMDA-mediated synaptic excitation (3-NP-LTP) in striatal spiny neurons. In contrast, these inhibitors had no effect on excitatory synaptic transmission in striatal cholinergic interneurons and pyramidal cortical neurons. 3-NP-LTP involves increased intracellular calcium and activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase extracellular signal-regulated kinase and is critically dependent on endogenous dopamine acting via D2 receptors, whereas it is negatively regulated by D1 receptors. Thus 3-NP-LTP might play a key role in the regional and cell type-specific neuronal death observed in HD.

Extracellular nucleotide signaling: a mechanism for integrating local and systemic responses in the activation of bone remodeling.

Bone turnover occurs at discreet sites in the remodeling skeleton. The focal nature of this process indicates that local cues may facilitate the activation of bone cells by systemic factors. Nucleotides such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP) are locally released, short-lived, yet potent extracellular signaling molecules. These ligands act at a large family of receptors-the P2 receptors, which are subdivided into P2Y and P2X subtypes based on mechanism of signal transduction. Nucleotides enter the extracellular milieu via non-lytic and lytic mechanisms where they activate multiple P2 receptor types expressed by both osteoblasts and osteoclasts. In this review the release of ATP by bone cells is discussed in the context of activation of bone remodeling. We provide compelling evidence that nucleotides, acting via P2Y receptors, are potent potentiators of parathyroid hormone-induced signaling and transcriptional activation in osteoblasts. The provision of a mechanism to induce activation of osteoblasts above a threshold attained by systemic factors alone may facilitate focal remodeling and address the paradox of why systemic regulators like PTH exert effects at discreet sites.

Expression of a P2X7 receptor by a subpopulation of human osteoblasts.

There is now conclusive evidence that extracellular nucleotides acting via cell surface P2 receptors are important local modulators of bone cell function. Multiple subtypes of P2 receptors have been localized to bone, where their activation modulates multiple processes including osteoblast proliferation, osteoblast-mediated bone formation, and osteoclast formation and resorptive capacity. Locally released nucleotides also have been shown to sensitize surrounding cells to the action of systemic factors such as parathyroid hormone (PTH). In nonskeletal tissue recent attention has focused on one particular P2 receptor, the P2X7 receptor (previously termed P2Z), and its ability to form nonselective aqueous pores in the plasma membrane on prolonged stimulation. Expression of this receptor originally was thought to be restricted to cells of hemopoietic origin, in which it has been implicated in cell fusion, apoptosis, and release of proinflammatory cytokines. However, recent reports have indicated expression of this receptor in cells of stromal origin. In this study, we investigated the expression of the P2X7 receptor in two human osteosarcoma cell lines, as well as several populations of primary human bone-derived cells (HBDCs) at the levels of messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein. We found that there is a subpopulation of osteoblasts that expresses the P2X7 receptor and that these receptors are functional as assessed by monitoring ethidium bromide uptake following pore formation. Inhibition of delayed lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release in response to the specific agonist 2',3'-(4-benzoyl)-benzoyl-adenosine triphosphate (BzATP) by the nonspecific P2X receptor antagonist PPADS confirmed a receptor-mediated event. After treatment with BzATP SaOS-2 cells exhibited dramatic morphological changes consistent with those observed after P2X7-mediated apoptosis in hemopoietic cells. Dual staining with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) and a P2X7-specific monoclonal antibody confirmed the induction of apoptosis in osteoblasts expressing the P2X7 receptor. These data show for the first time the expression of functional P2X7 receptors in a subpopulation of osteoblasts, activation of which can result in ATP-mediated apoptosis.

Parathyroid hormone potentiates nucleotide-induced [Ca2+]i release in rat osteoblasts independently of Gq activation or cyclic monophosphate accumulation. A mechanism for localizing systemic responses in bone.

The regulation of tissue turnover requires the coordinated activity of both local and systemic factors. Nucleotides exist transiently in the extracellular environment, where they serve as ligands to P2 receptors. Here we report that the localized release of these nucleotides can sensitize osteoblasts to the activity of systemic factors. We have investigated the ability of parathyroid hormone (PTH), a principal regulator of bone resorption and formation, to potentiate signals arising from nucleotide stimulation of UMR-106 clonal rat osteoblasts. PTH receptor activation alone did not lead to [Ca(2+)](i) elevation in these cells, indicating no G(q) coupling, however, activation of G(q)-coupled P2Y(1) receptors resulted in characteristic [Ca(2+)](i) release. PTH potentiated this nucleotide-induced Ca(2+) release, independently of Ca(2+) influx. PTH-(1-31), which activates only G(s), mimicked the actions of PTH-(1-34), whereas PTH-(3-34), which only activates G(q), was unable to potentiate nucleotide-induced [Ca(2+)](i) release. Despite this coupling of the PTHR to G(s), cAMP accumulation or protein kinase A activation did not contribute to the potentiation. 3-Isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, but not forskolin effectively potentiated nucleotide-induced [Ca(2+)](i) release, however, further experiments proved that cyclic monophosphates were not involved in the potentiation mechanism. Costimulation of UMR-106 cells with P2Y(1) agonists and PTH led to increased levels of cAMP response element-binding protein phosphorylation and a synergistic effect was observed on endogenous c-fos gene expression following costimulation. In fact the calcium responsive Ca/cAMP response element of the c-fos promoter alone was effective at driving this synergistic gene expression. These findings demonstrate that nucleotides can provide a targeted response to systemic factors, such as PTH, and have important implications for PTH-induced signaling in bone.

Opposing roles of Elk-1 and its brain-specific isoform, short Elk-1, in nerve growth factor-induced PC12 differentiation.

The ternary complex factor Elk-1, a major nuclear target of extracellular signal-regulated kinases, is a strong transactivator of serum-responsive element (SRE) driven gene expression. We report here that mature brain neurons and nerve growth factor (NGF)-differentiated PC12 cells also express a second, smaller isoform of Elk-1, short Elk-1 (sElk-1). sElk-1 arises from an internal translation start site in the Elk-1 sequence, which generates a protein lacking the first 54 amino acids of the DNA-binding domain. This deletion severely compromises the ability of sElk-1 to form complexes with serum response factor on the SRE in vitro and to activate SRE reporter genes in the presence of activated Ras. Instead, sElk, but not a mutant that cannot be phosphorylated, inhibits transactivation driven by Elk-1. More pertinent to the neuronal-specific expression of sElk-1, we show it plays an opposite role to Elk-1 in potentiating NGF-driven PC12 neuronal differentiation. Overexpression of sElk-1 but not Elk-1 increases neurite extension, an effect critically linked to its phosphorylation. Interestingly, in the presence of sElk-1, Elk-1 loses its strictly nuclear localization to resemble the nuclear/cytoplasm pattern observed in the mature brain. This is blocked by mutating a normally cryptic nuclear export signal in Elk-1. These data provide new insights into molecular events underlying neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells mediated by the NGF-ERK signaling cascade.

Induction-independent recruitment of CREB-binding protein to the c-fos serum response element through interactions between the bromodomain and Elk-1.

Proliferative signals lead to the rapid and transient induction of the c-fos proto-oncogene by targeting the ternary complex assembled on the serum response element (SRE). Transactivation by both components of this complex, serum response factor (SRF) and the ternary complex factor Elk-1, can be potentiated by the coactivator CREB-binding protein (CBP). We report a novel interaction between the bromodomain of CBP, amino acids 1100-1286, and Elk-1. DNA binding and glutathione S-transferase pull-down assays demonstrate that binding requires Elk-1(1-212) but not the C-terminal transactivation domain. Competition and antibody controls show that the bromocomplex involves both SRF and Elk-1 on the c-fos SRE and uniquely Elk-1 on the E74 Ets binding site. Interestingly, methylation interference and DNA footprinting analyses show almost indistinguishable patterns between ternary and bromocomplexes, suggesting that CBP-(1100-1286) interacts via Elk-1 and does not require specific DNA contacts. Functionally, the bromocomplex blocks activation, because cotransfection of CBP-(1100-1286) reduces RasV12-driven activation of SRE and E74 luciferase reporters. Repression is relieved moderately or strongly by linking the bromodomain to the N- or C-terminal transactivation domains of CBP, respectively. These results are consistent with a model in which CBP is constitutively bound to the SRE in a higher order complex that would facilitate the rapid transcriptional activation of c-fos by signaling-driven phosphorylation.

Alternative antigen receptor (TCR) signaling in T cells derived from ZAP-70-deficient patients expressing high levels of Syk.

ZAP-70-deficient patients present with nonfunctional CD4+ T cells in the periphery. We find that a subset of primary ZAP-70-deficient T cells, expressing high levels of the related protein-tyrosine kinase Syk, can proliferate in vitro. These cells (denoted herein as Syk(hi)/ZAP-70(-) T cells) provide a unique model in which the contribution of Syk to TCR-mediated responses can be explored in a nontransformed background. Importantly, CD3-induced responses, such as tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular substrates (LAT, SLP76, and PLC-gamma1), as well as calcium mobilization, which are defective in T cells expressing neither ZAP-70 nor Syk, are observed in Syk(hi)/ZAP-70(-) T cells. However, Syk(hi)/ZAP-70(-) T cells differ from control T cells with respect to the T cell antigen receptor (TCR)-mediated activation of the MAPK cascades: extracellular signal-regulated kinase activity and recruitment of the JNK and p38 stress-related MAPK pathways are diminished. This distinct phenotype of Syk(hi)/ZAP-70(-) T cells is associated with a profound decrease in CD3-mediated interleukin 2 secretion and proliferation relative to control T cells. Thus, ZAP-70 and Syk appear to play distinct roles in transducing a TCR-mediated signal.

Caspase-dependent apoptosis of cells expressing the chemokine receptor CXCR4 is induced by cell membrane-associated human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope glycoprotein (gp120).

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope glycoproteins interact with CD4 and chemokine receptors on T cells to deliver signals that trigger either activation, anergy, or apoptosis. However, the molecular mechanisms driving these responses remain poorly understood. In this study we demonstrate that apoptosis is induced upon HIV-1 envelope binding to the chemokine receptor CXCR4. Cells expressing a mutant form of CXCR4 with a C-terminal deletion were also sensitive to HIV-1 envelope-mediated apoptosis, indicating that the cytoplasmic tail of CXCR4 is not required to induce the apoptotic pathway. The specificity of this process was analyzed using several inhibitors of gp120-CD4-CXCR4 interaction. Monoclonal antibodies directed against the gp120-binding site on CD4 (ST4) and against CXCR4 (MAB173) prevented the apoptotic signal in a dose-dependent manner. The cell death program was also inhibited by SDF-1alpha, the natural ligand of CXCR4, and by suramin, a G protein inhibitor that binds with a high affinity to the V3 loop of HIV-1 gp120 envelope protein. These results highlight the role played by gp120-binding on CXCR4 to trigger programmed cell death. Next, we investigated the intracellular signal involved in gp120-induced apoptosis. This cell death program was insensitive to pertussis toxin and did not involve activation of the stress- and apoptosis-related MAP kinases p38(MAPK) and SAPK/JNK but was inhibited by a broad spectrum caspase inhibitor (z-VAD.fmk) and a relatively selective inhibitor of caspase 3 (z-DEVD.fmk). Altogether, our results demonstrate that HIV induces a caspase-dependent apoptotic signaling pathway through CXCR4.

Extracellular ATP activates multiple signalling pathways and potentiates growth factor-induced c-fos gene expression in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

In the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7, the nucleotides ATP gamma S and UTP, acting extracellularly through the purinergic receptor P2Y(2), lead to elevated intracellular calcium levels and increased proliferation. ATP gamma S and UTP treatment of MCF-7 cells activated transcription of the immediate early gene c-fos, an important component in the response to proliferative stimulation. c-fos induction was enhanced by co-treatment with ATP gamma S and a variety of proliferative agents including growth factors, tumour promoters and stress. Stimulation with ATP gamma S or epidermal growth factor (EGF) led to extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation and phosphorylation of the transcription factors CREB and Elk-1. Co-stimulation synergistically activated fos expression and notably led to increased levels of ERK, CREB and EGF receptor phosphorylation, as well as hyperphosphorylation of ternary complex factor. Nevertheless, the ERK pathway does not fully account for this synergy, since fos induction was differentially sensitive to the MEK inhibitor U0126, indicating that these two agonists signal differently to this immediate early gene. Thus, extracellular nucleotides co-operate with growth factors to activate genes linked to the proliferative response in MCF-7 cells through activation of specific purinergic receptors, which thereby represent important potential targets for arresting the neoplastic progression of breast cancer cells.

A novel calcium signaling pathway targets the c-fos intragenic transcriptional pausing site.

In many cell types, increased intracellular calcium gives rise to a robust induction of c-fos gene expression. Here we show that in mouse Ltk(-) fibroblasts, calcium ionophore acts in synergy with either cAMP or PMA to strongly induce the endogenous c-fos gene. Run-on analysis shows that this corresponds to a substantial increase in active polymerases on downstream gene sequences, i.e. relief of an elongation block by calcium. Correspondingly a chimeric gene, in which the human metallothionein promoter is fused to the fos gene, is strongly induced by ionophore alone, unlike a c-fos promoter/beta-globin coding unit chimeric construct. Internal deletions in the hMT-fos reporter localize the intragenic calcium regulatory element to the 5' portion of intron 1, thereby confirming and extending previous in vitro mapping data. Ionophore induced cAMP response element-binding protein phosphorylation on Ser(133) without affecting the extracellular signal-regulated kinase cascade. Surprisingly, induction involved neither CaM-Ks nor calcineurin, while the calmodulin antagonist W7 activated c-fos transcription on its own. These data suggest that a novel calcium signaling pathway mediates intragenic regulation of c-fos expression via suppression of a transcriptional pause site.

Signaling in human osteoblasts by extracellular nucleotides. Their weak induction of the c-fos proto-oncogene via Ca2+ mobilization is strongly potentiated by a parathyroid hormone/cAMP-dependent protein kinase pathway independently of mitogen-activated protein kinase.

Extracellular nucleotides acting through specific P2 receptors activate intracellular signaling cascades. Consistent with the expression of G protein-coupled P2Y receptors in skeletal tissue, the human osteosarcoma cell line SaOS-2 and primary osteoblasts express P2Y1 and P2Y2 receptors, respectively. Their activation by nucleotide agonists (ADP and ATP for P2Y1; ATP and UTP for P2Y2) elevates [Ca2+]i and moderately induces expression of the c-fos proto-oncogene. A synergistic effect on c-fos induction is observed by combining ATP and parathyroid hormone, a key bone cell regulator. Parathyroid hormone elevates intracellular cAMP levels and correspondingly activates a stably integrated reporter gene driven by the Ca2+/cAMP-responsive element of the human c-fos promoter. Nucleotides have little effect on either cAMP levels or this reporter, instead activating luciferase controlled by the full c-fos promoter. This induction is reproduced by a stably integrated serum response element reporter independently of mitogen-activated protein kinase activation and ternary complex factor phosphorylation. This novel example of synergy between the cAMP-dependent protein kinase/CaCRE signaling module and a non-mitogen-activated protein kinase/ternary complex factor pathway that targets the serum response element shows that extracellular ATP, via P2Y receptors, can potentiate strong responses to ubiquitous growth and differentiative factors.

Glutamate induces phosphorylation of Elk-1 and CREB, along with c-fos activation, via an extracellular signal-regulated kinase-dependent pathway in brain slices.

In cell culture systems, the TCF Elk-1 represents a convergence point for extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase (JNK/SAPK) subclasses of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades. Its phosphorylation strongly potentiates its ability to activate transcription of the c-fos promoter through a ternary complex assembled on the c-fos serum response element. In rat brain postmitotic neurons, Elk-1 is strongly expressed (V. Sgambato, P. Vanhoutte, C. Pagès, M. Rogard, R. A. Hipskind, M. J. Besson, and J. Caboche, J. Neurosci. 18:214-226, 1998). However, its physiological role in these postmitotic neurons remains to be established. To investigate biochemically the signaling pathways targeting Elk-1 and c-fos in mature neurons, we used a semi-in vivo system composed of brain slices stimulated with the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. Glutamate treatment leads to a robust, progressive activation of the ERK and JNK/SAPK MAPK cascades. This corresponds kinetically to a significant increase in Ser383-phosphorylated Elk-1 and the appearance of c-fos mRNA. Glutamate also causes increased levels of Ser133-phosphorylated cyclic AMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB) but only transiently relative to Elk-1 and c-fos. ERK and Elk-1 phosphorylation are blocked by the MAPK kinase inhibitor PD98059, indicating the primary role of the ERK cascade in mediating glutamate signaling to Elk-1 in the rat striatum in vivo. Glutamate-mediated CREB phosphorylation is also inhibited by PD98059 treatment. Interestingly, KN62, which interferes with calcium-calmodulin kinase (CaM-K) activity, leads to a reduction of glutamate-induced ERK activation and of CREB phosphorylation. These data indicate that ERK functions as a common component in two signaling pathways (ERK/Elk-1 and ERK/?/CREB) converging on the c-fos promoter in postmitotic neuronal cells and that CaM-Ks act as positive regulators of these pathways.

MAP kinase signaling cascades and gene expression in osteoblasts.

Environmental cues direct osteoblasts to proliferate and differentiate. The mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathways provide a key link between the membrane bound receptors that receive these cues and changes in the pattern of gene expression. The three MAPK cascades in mammalian cells are: the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) cascade, the stress activated protein kinase/c-jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK) cascade and the p38MAPK/RK/HOG cascade. Each has varied roles, depending upon the cell type and context, that include transmitting stress, growth, differentiative and apoptotic signals to the nucleus. These pathways target an overlapping set of transcription factors that lead to the differential activation of rapid response genes, particularly members of the fos and jun family of proto-oncogenes. These proteins are the principal components of the transcription factor AP-1, which plays a central role in regulating genes activated early in osteoblast differentiation. We discuss in detail a) the nature and activation of these pathways b) how they induce c-fos expression and c) how these MAPK cascades can differentially regulate the activity of AP-1 and thereby osteoblast-specific gene expression.

In vivo expression and regulation of Elk-1, a target of the extracellular-regulated kinase signaling pathway, in the adult rat brain.

The transcription factor Elk-1, a nuclear target of extracellular-regulated kinases (ERKs), plays a pivotal role in immediate early gene induction by external stimuli. Notably, the degree of phosphorylation of Elk-1 is tightly correlated with the level of activation of transcription of c-fos by proliferative signals. No data yet indicate the role of Elk-1 in the adult brain in vivo. To address this question, we have analyzed in the present work (1) Elk-1 mRNA and protein expression in the adult rat brain, and (2) the regulation of Elk-1 (i.e., its phosphorylation state) in an in vivo model of immediate early gene (IEG) induction: an electrical stimulation of the cerebral cortex leading to c-fos and zif268 mRNA induction in the striatum. Using in situ hybridization, we show that Elk-1 mRNA is expressed in various brain structures of adult rat, and that this expression is exclusively neuronal. We demonstrate by immunocytochemistry using various specific Elk-1 antisera that the protein is not only nuclear (as shown previously in transiently transfected cell lines) but is also present in soma, dendrites, and axon terminals. On electrical stimulation of the glutamatergic corticostriatal pathway, we show a strict spatiotemporal correspondence among ERK activation, Elk-1 phosphorylation, and IEG mRNA induction. Furthermore, both activated proteins, analyzed by immunocytochemistry, are found in cytosolic and nuclear comparments of neuronal cells in the activated area. Our data suggest that the ERK signaling pathway plays an important role in regulating genes controlled by serum response element sites via phosphorylation of Elk-1 in vivo.