Characterization of Rabaptin-5 γ isoform.

Rab GTPases are key regulators of intracellular membrane traffic acting through their effector molecules. Rabaptin-5 is a Rab5 effector in early endosome fusion and connects Rab5- and Rab4-positive membrane compartments owing to its ability to interact with Rab4 GTPase. Recent studies showed that Rabaptin-5 transcript is subjected to extensive alternative splicing, thus resulting in expression of Rabaptin-5 isoforms mostly bearing short deletions in the polypeptide chain. As interactions of a Rab GTPase with different effectors lead to different responses, functional characterization of Rabaptin-5 isoforms becomes an attractive issue. Indeed, it was shown that Rab GTPase effector properties of Rabaptin-5 and its α and δ isoforms are different. This work focused on another Rabaptin-5 isoform, Rabaptin-5γ. Despite its ability to interact with Rab5, endogenously produced Rabaptin-5γ was absent from early endosomes. Rather, it was found to be tightly associated with trans-Golgi network and partially localized to a Rab4-positive membrane compartment. The revealed intracellular localization of Rabaptin-5γ indicates that it is not involved in Rab5-driven events; rather, it functions in other membrane transport steps. Our study signifies the role of alternative splicing in determination of functional activities of Rab effector molecules.

Nanoantibodies for detection and blocking of bioactivity of human vascular endothelial growth factor A(165).

Nanoantibodies (single-domain antibodies, nanobodies) derived from noncanonical single-chain immunoglobulins provide an attractive tool for in vitro and in vivo diagnostics as well as for development of targeted drugs for clinical use. Nanoantibodies against several clinically important targets have been developed and are actively investigated. However, no development of nanoantibodies against vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF-A(165) has been reported. We describe here the generation of nanoantibodies derived from single-chain Bactrian camel immunoglobulins directed against VEGF-A(165). We demonstrate that these nanoantibodies are suitable for enzyme-linked immunoassay to quantify human VEGF-A(165) as well as for blocking its activity. Our results provide a basis for diagnostic kit development for quantification of VEGF-A(165), which emerges as a biomarker useful in various pathological conditions. In addition, the nanoantibodies might be used for development of therapeutic molecules targeting VEGF-A(165)-dependent pathological neoangiogenesis.

Application of mRNA regulatory regions to improve tumor specificity of transgene expression.

Efficiency and specificity are two key attributes of anti-cancer drugs including genetic therapeutic agents. We suggest a way to improve specificity of gene therapy drugs based on the ability of 3'-untranslated regions (UTR) of some mRNAs selectively stabilize transcripts only during cell division. The mRNAs of genes encoding DNA methyltransferase I (DNMT1) and topoisomerase IIα (TOP2A) are among such transcripts. When inserted into genetic constructs designed to produce therapeutic protein in tumor cells, such 3'-UTR would lead to diminished effect of therapeutic protein on normal cells, which are characterized by low or absent proliferative activity. However, when included in gene expression cassette, these 3'-UTR might result in decreased transgene expression, thus, overweighting the advantage of increased specificity of expression. We showed that DNMT1 and to the lesser extent TOP2A 3'-UTR do not alter significantly therapeutic transgene expression level in tumor cells, thus, confirming the functionality of the proposed approach.

[Pdcd4 tumor suppressor: properties, functions, and their application to oncology].

Inactivation of tumor suppressors and activation of protooncogenes are critical events in malignant cell transformation and tumor progression. Pdcd4 encodes a protein with tumor suppressor functions, which accounts for an increased interest to Pdcd4 as a potential diagnostic and prognostic marker, as well as a target for antineoplastic therapy. This review summarizes well-known properties and functions of Pdcd4 tumor suppressor and mechanisms of its regulation in tumor cells. It is also focused to the role of Pdcd4 in cellular transformation and tumor progression, as well as on its potential practical application in oncology.

Membrane localization of the MAK-V protein kinase.

Activities of many proteins including protein kinases are often regulated by their dynamic association with specific intracellular compartments. MAK-V is an AMPK-like protein kinase with poorly characterized functions and mechanisms of action. Similarly to many other protein kinases, association of MAK-V with specific intracellular compartments could be essential for its proper functions. In this work, we studied subcellular distribution of exogenously produced and endogenous MAK-V proteins in mammalian cells using biochemical cell fractioning aiming to supplement data on MAK-V intracellular localization studied by immunocytochemical methods. We found that a significant portion of MAK-V protein in mammalian cells is associated with membranes. Moreover, MAK-V expressed in yeast was also targeted to membrane, thus suggesting an evolutionarily conservative mechanism of MAK-V membrane association. Based on the ability of various MAK-V deletion mutants to localize to membrane and comparison of MAK-V amino acid sequences from different species, we suggest a possible mechanism governing MAK-V association with intracellular membranes.

[Suppression of WIFI transcript and protein in non-small cell lung carcinomas].

Changes in WIFI expression, an extracellular inhibitor of Wnt pathway, in non-small cell lung carcinomas were analyzed. Frequent (67% cases) suppression of WIFI transcript in non-small cell lung carcinomas were found. Our results, together with previously published data, suggest that inhibition of WIFI expression often occurs in squamous cell carcinomas and is less typical of adenocarcinomas. It was also found that a decrease in the WIFI transcript in tumors is parallel to concomitant suppression of the WIFI protein level. Our results provide further evidence that the WIFI suppression is a frequent event in the lung carcinogenesis, which might lead to disregulation of Wnt signaling pathway and contribute to tumor progression.

[Multiadaptor 4.1 and RanBP9 protein family members as putative interaction partners for VARP, a Rab21 GTPase guanine nucleotide exchange factor].

VARP is a novel VPS9 domain-containing protein which acts as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for small GTPases Rab21 and Rab5, regulators of early endocytosis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying VARP activity regulation and intracellular localization remain unknown. Using protein interaction cloning in yeast we isolated multiadaptor proteins of 4.1 protein family and RanBP9 as putative VARP interaction partners. The interactions revealed might be important for proper intracellular localization of VARP and its functions in early endocytosis.

[WIF1: perspectives of application in oncology].

Changes in the intracellular signaling cascades underlay many human pathologies including oncological diseases. Modification of the Wnt-signaling pathway are often associated with development of tumor and may play a significant role in carcinogenesis. This gives rise to a significant interest to studies of regulators and components of the Wnt-signaling pathway and search for approaches to practical implementation of the properties of the regulators. The goal of this work was to review the properties of WIF1 (Wnt inhibitor factor-1), a regulator of Wnt-signaling pathway, as a possible diagnostic and prognostic marker of human tumors, as well as basis for development of novel antitumoral preparations.

Dimerization properties of Rabaptin-5 and its isoforms.

Rabaptin-5 plays an important role in intracellular membrane traffic acting as an effector molecule of small GTPases Rab5 and Rab4. It was previously demonstrated that Rabaptin-5 exists as a part of a large protein complex in vivo and is able to form dimers in vitro. Data of X-ray structural analysis suggest that dimerization of Rabaptin-5 is an important feature required for its interaction with Rab5 GTPase. Recently several isoforms of Rabaptin-5 characterized by various deletions in the polypeptide chains have been identified. These isoforms might exhibit functional properties that differ from those of Rabaptin-5. In this study, we have investigated dimerization properties of delta and gamma isoforms of Rabaptin-5. In addition, we have provided the first direct evidence for Rabaptin-5 dimerization in cells.

[Molecular cloning and characterization of the mouse mak-v/Hunk gene promoter].

MAK-V/Hunk is a recently isolated MARK/Par-1-related mammalian protein kinase with yet unknown function. To investigate transcriptional regulation of the mouse mak-v/Hunk gene, we isolated genomic fragment of the mouse mak-v/Hunk promoter region. The mak-v/Hunk promoter has no typical TATA box or CAAT box, is GC-rich and contains CpG-island. Amplification of cDNA ends suggested that transcription initiation site is 156 nt upstream translation initiation site. The 5'-flanking region of the mak-v/Hunk gene was ligated to luciferase reporter gene and possessed functional promoter activity. Luciferase assay with a series of truncated 5'-flanking regions demonstrated the region between nt -508 and -347 has a pronounced stimulating effect on transcription activity. In addition, our data suggest that mak-v/Hunk promoter region might be a target for CpG methylation.

[The use of the two-hybrid cloning in yeast for functional characterization of protein kinase MAK-V]. / Ispol'zovanie dvugibridnogo klonirovaniia v drozhzhakh dlia funktsional'noi kharakteristiki proteinkinazy MAK-V.

Identification of interaction partners opens a way to direct functional characterization of proteins. Several cDNAs coding for potential partners of protein kinase MAK-V/Hunk were isolated using two-hybrid cloning in yeast. Based on the partner properties, MAK-V/Hunk was assumed to play a role in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. With the previous results of two-hybrid cloning, MAK-V/Hunk was shown to participate in vesicular transport.

The MAK-V protein kinase regulates endocytosis in mouse.

We report the cloning of a mouse cDNA encoding the MAK-V protein kinase, with a putative specificity for serine/threonine residues. The mak-v gene is transcribed in adult brain and in the mouse embryo from at least 7.5 dpc. Using the yeast two-hybrid system, we showed that MAK-V interacts with Rabaptin-5, a protein which plays an important role in endocytosis. Functional studies of the MAK-V protein suggest that it regulates endocytosis. We also constructed a human mak-v cDNA and localized the human mak-v gene at 21q22.11. Its chromosomal location suggests that mak-v could be involved in disorders of the nervous system, development or in malignancies.

Resistance to tumor necrosis factor induced apoptosis in vitro correlates with high metastatic capacity of cells in vivo.

TNF is one of the cytokines secreted by the cells of the immune system. Our data demonstrate that those cell lines lacking capability to form metastatic tumors in vivo are susceptible to TNF induced apoptosis in vitro. However, cell lines with high metastatic potential are resistant to TNF in vitro. Furthermore, the same cell lines were resistant to cytolytic action of other cytotoxic proteins secreted by LAK cells. Our data showed that TNF resistance in vitro correlates with the increased level of transcription factor NF-kappaB. This finding may provide a tool to improve current protocols of immunotherapy and insights to how tumor cells are or are not killed by LAK cells.

Molecular cloning and characterization of the mouse tag7 gene encoding a novel cytokine.

Cloning of the mouse tag7 gene encoding a novel cytokine is described. The Tag7 protein consists of 182 amino acids. Genomic organization of the tag7 gene and its promoter region remind those of the genes of the tumor necrosis factor locus, although the tag7 gene is not linked to this locus. The gene is located on chromosome 7 at the area that corresponds to band 7A3, which has genetic linkage with lupus-like disease in mouse models. tag7 transcription is essential for lymphoid organs. It is also detected in certain areas of lungs, brain, and intestine and in some tumors. Tag7 protein is detectable in both cell-associated and soluble forms. The soluble form of Tag7 triggers apoptosis in mouse L929 cells in vitro and does not involve NF-kappaB activation. The relationship between Tag7 and tumor necrosis factor family of ligands is discussed.