Human securin, hPTTG, is associated with Ku heterodimer, the regulatory subunit of the DNA-dependent protein kinase.

We have previously isolated the hpttg proto-oncogene, which is expressed in normal tissues containing proliferating cells and in several kinds of tumors. In fact, expression of hPTTG correlates with cell proliferation in a cell cycle-dependent manner. Recently it was reported that PTTG is a vertebrate analog of the yeast securins Pds1 and Cut2, which are involved in sister chromatid separation. Here we show that hPTTG binds to Ku, the regulatory subunit of the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK). hPTTG and Ku associate both in vitro and in vivo and the DNA-PK catalytic subunit phosphorylates hPTTG in vitro. Furthermore, DNA double-strand breaks prevent hPTTG-Ku association and disrupt the hPTTG-Ku complexes, indicating that genome damaging events, which result in the induction of pathways that activate DNA repair mechanisms and halt cell cycle progression, might inhibit hPTTG-Ku interaction in vivo. We propose that hPTTG might connect DNA damage-response pathways with sister chromatid separation, delaying the onset of mitosis while DNA repair occurs.

Upregulation of the apoptosis-associated protein Grb3-3 in HIV-1-infected human CD4(+) lymphocytes.

The mechanism(s) by which HIV-1 infection contributes to depletion of CD4(+) T cell is not well understood. In this report, we investigated whether a recently identified isoform of growth factor receptor bound protein (Grb2), named Grb3-3, a signaling molecule that is associated with the MAP kinase pathway and with apoptosis could be involved. We find that Grb3-3 is markedly up-regulated following HIV-1 infection of CD4(+) peripheral blood mononuclear cells undergoing apoptosis. Although IL-2 deprived CD4(+) cells also undergo apoptosis to a similar extent, Grb3-3 upregulation is not detected under these experimental conditions. Transient overexpression of Grb3-3 in Jurkat T-cells also causes apoptosis. Upon staurosporine stimulation, Grb3-3 predisposes Sup-T1 cell to apoptosis. Finally, analysis of the HIV-1 genes responsible for Grb3-3 expression demonstrates that Tat and Nef can independently induces its expression, suggesting these two earliest viral gene products of HIV-1 may share some common pathway(s) in up-regulating Grb3-3 expression.

Grb3-3 is up-regulated in HIV-1-infected T-cells and can potentiate cell activation through NFATc.

The MAPK pathway is required for T-cell activation; however, its role in modulating T-cell function following human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection is poorly understood. In this report, we investigated whether Grb3-3, an isoform of the Grb2 (growth factor receptor-bound protein-2) adaptor molecule that is associated with the MAPK pathway, could be involved. We found that Grb3-3, but not its isoform Grb2, is markedly up-regulated in CD4(+) peripheral blood mononuclear cells derived from either in vitro HIV-1-infected cultures or HIV-1-infected human subjects. Analysis of HIV-1 gene products indicated that Tat and Nef, both of which have been implicated in modulating T-cell function, can independently induce expression of Grb3-3. By using NFAT/AP-1, AP-1, or NFAT reporter assays, we found that Grb3-3 can potentiate NFAT (but not AP-1) promoter activity in Jurkat T-cells upon engagement of the T-cell receptor and CD28 co-receptor. In addition, potentiation of NFAT by Grb3-3 is substantially suppressed by MEKK1, a kinase that may play an important role in retaining NFAT in the cytoplasm, and by cyclosporin A. Finally, we also found that Grb3-3 potentiates HIV-1 long terminal (LTR) repeat promoter activity following T-cell receptor stimulation, an effect that can be largely suppressed by cyclosporin A. Taken together, this study indicates that Grb3-3 is a cellular factor that can be up-regulated by HIV-1. In addition, Grb3-3 can also function as a positive factor for T-cell activation and, in doing so, may aid in establishing an intracellular environment that can optimally support HIV-1 replication.

Cell cycle regulated expression and phosphorylation of hpttg proto-oncogene product.

We recently isolated a cDNA for hpttg, the human homolog of rat pituitary tumor transforming gene. Now we have analysed the expression of hpttg as a function of cell proliferation. hPTTG protein level is up-regulated in rapidly proliferating cells, is down-regulated in response to serum starvation or cell confluence, and is regulated in a cell cycle-dependent manner, peaking in mitosis. In addition, we show that hPTTG is phosphorylated during mitosis. Immunodepletion and in vitro phosphorylation experiments, together with the use of a specific inhibitor, indicate that Cdc2 is the kinase that phosphorylates hPTTG. These results suggest that hpttg is induced by, and may have a role in, regulatory pathways involved in the control of cell proliferation.

Grb2 interaction with MEK-kinase 1 is involved in regulation of Jun-kinase activities in response to epidermal growth factor.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor was shown to be involved in the activation pathway of the stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK) cascade not only by EGF, but also by UV radiation or osmotic stress. This paper describes a specific interaction between the COOH-terminal SH3 domain of Grb2 and the NH2-terminal regulatory domain of MEKK1 in ER22 cells overexpressing the EGF receptor. This interaction results in the formation of a constitutive complex between Grb2 and MEKK1 in both proliferating and resting cells. EGF stimulation causes this complex to be rapidly and transiently recruited by Shc proteins. The subsequent release of the Grb2-MEKK1 complex from Shc proteins correlates with JNK activation. Transfection of the NH2-terminal regulatory domain of MEKK1 specifically inhibits EGF-dependent JNK activation indicating that Grb2 is involved in MEKK1 activation. Thus, adaptor proteins have a new role in the regulation of the SAPK/JNK cascade after EGF stimulation.

Intracellular expression of an antibody fragment-neutralizing p21 ras promotes tumor regression.

Mutated ras genes are found in a large number of human tumors and, therefore, constitute one of the primary targets for cancer treatment. Microinjection of the neutralizing anti-Ras monoclonal antibody Y13-259 was previously reported to induce transient phenotypic reversion of ras-transformed rodent fibroblasts in vitro. We have prepared a single-chain Fv fragment (scFv) derived from Y13-259, and here, we show that intracellular expression of the scFv led to the specific inhibition of the Ras signaling pathway in Xenopus laevis oocytes and NIH3T3 fibroblasts. Moreover, neutralizing Ras with the scFv specifically promoted apoptosis in vitro in human cancer cells but not in untransformed cells. As a step toward cancer gene therapy, we finally demonstrated that intratumor transduction of HCT116 colon carcinoma cells with the anti-Ras scFv using an adenoviral vector elicited sustained tumor regression in nude mice.

Ras-GTPase activating protein (GAP): a putative effector for Ras.

One attractive candidate for a Ras effector protein, other than the Raf kinases, is Ras-GAP. Indeed, recent literature suggests that besides the Raf/MAP kinase cascade, additional pathways must be stimulated to elicit a full biological response to Ras. Ras binds the COOH terminal domain of Ras-GAP, while the NH2 terminal domain appears to be essential for triggering downstream signals. Since Ras-GAP itself has no obvious enzymatic function that might explain a role in processes associated with proliferation, differentiation or apoptosis, candidates for downstream Ras-GAP effectors that fulfill this role remain to be identified. The newly found GAP-SH3 domain Binding Protein (G3BP) may be one of these. This review will briefly overview the candidates Ras effectors and discuss the results that position Ras-GAP as a critical effector downstream of Ras.

Cloning of a Grb2 isoform with apoptotic properties.

Growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2) links tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins to a guanine nucleotide releasing factor of the son of sevenless (Sos) class by attaching to the former by its Src homology 2 (SH2) moiety and to the latter by its SH3 domains. An isoform of grb2 complementary DNA (cDNA) was cloned that has a deletion in the SH2 domain. The protein encoded by this cDNA, Grb3-3, did not bind to phosphorylated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) but retained functional SH3 domains and inhibited EGF-induced transactivation of a Ras-responsive element. The messenger RNA encoding Grb3-3 was expressed in high amounts in the thymus of rats at an age when massive negative selection of thymocytes occurs. Microinjection of Grb3-3 into Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts induced apoptosis. These findings indicate that Grb3-3, by acting as a dominant negative protein over Grb2 and by suppressing proliferative signals, may trigger active programmed cell death.

Identification of a human guanine nucleotide-releasing factor (H-GRF55) specific for Ras proteins.

A critical step in the activation of cellular Ras is the release of bound GDP. Oligonucleotide primers derived from a mouse cDNA sequence homologous to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae CDC25 gene product were used to screen a human brain cDNA library. The cloning led to the isolation of a 2.8-kb cDNA predicted to encode a protein of 488 amino acids. This protein was produced in Escherichia coli as a glutathione S-transferase fusion protein and functioned in vitro as a specific guanine nucleotide-releasing factor. Polyclonal antibodies raised against the last 281 amino acids of the protein allowed a protein in the molecular weight range of 55 kDa to be identified in human cortex homogenates. Analysis by Northern blotting led to the identification of a 5.5-kb mRNA in brain poly(A)+ RNA. The functionality of the encoded protein was evaluated after expression in different cells: (i) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae the effects of the cdc25.5 and RAS2 Ala-22 mutations were reversed; (ii) in chinese hamster ovary cells, a RAS-responsive element was transactivated as demonstrated by the expression of a CAT reporter gene under the control of the polyomavirus enhancer. Finally, in situ hybridization on of human chromosomes revealed a localization on band 15q2.4.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae CDC25 (1028-1589) is a guanine nucleotide releasing factor for mammalian ras proteins and is oncogenic in NIH3T3 cells.

The best characterized yeast guanine nucleotide releasing factor is CDC25, which acts on RAS and thereby stimulates cAMP production in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In order to determine if CDC25 could be a specific GDP-GTP releasing factor for the mammalian proteins Ha-ras, Ki-ras, and N-ras, its functions were studied both in vitro and in NIH3T3 cells. The 561 amino acid composing the C-terminal domain of CDC25 (CDC25 C-domain) released guanine nucleotides (both GDP and GTP) from Ha-, Ki-, and N-ras but not from Rap1A, Rab5, and Rab11. CDC25 acted on oncogenically activated Ha-ras even if the last 23 amino acids (167-189) of the Ras proteins were not present. CDC25 transformed NIH3T3 cells; its transforming capacity was enhanced by overexpression of wild-type Ha-ras. CDC25 C-domain probably exerts its effects through the activation of cellular Ras proteins. These data suggest that the CDC25 C-domain can function as an upstream activator of Ras proteins in a heterologous system and therefore could be a useful tool to study the regulation of Ras activation by growth factor receptors.

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae SDC25 C-domain gene product overcomes the dominant inhibitory activity of Ha-Ras Asn-17.

The carboxy-terminal part of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae SDC25 gene product (SDC25 C domain) can elicit activation of mammalian Ras proteins. Specifically, SDC25 C domain functions as an exchange factor for cellular Ras proteins in CHO cells. In this study, we used the dominant inhibitory Ha-Ras Asn-17 mutant and SDC25 C domain to further investigate the interaction between cellular Ras proteins and their putative endogenous guanine nucleotide-releasing factors. Transcription from the polyomavirus thymidine kinase gene (Py tk) promoter is strongly inhibited by the expression of Ha-Ras Asn-17 in NIH 3T3 cells. Coexpression of SDC25 C domain overcomes the negative effect of the Ras mutant on the Py tk promoter. On the other hand, transactivation of the Ras-responsive element of the Py tk promoter induced by SDC25 C domain is lost upon coexpression of increasing amounts of Ha-Ras Asn-17. In addition, coexpression of SDC25 C domain overcomes the inhibition of proliferation of NIH 3T3 cells caused by Ha-Ras Asn-17. These results are consistent with the idea that the Ha-Ras Asn-17 mutant functions by titrating an upstream activator of cellular Ras proteins.

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene product SDC25 C-domain functions as an oncoprotein in NIH3T3 cells.

Ras proteins in mammalian cells cycle between a GTP-bound 'on' state and a GDP-bound 'off' state. Activation of Ras p21 results from the dissociation of tightly bound GDP and the exchange of bound GDP for GTP. A guanine nucleotide exchange factor is required for this activation. Activation promotes interaction with effector molecules and allows the signal to be transduced. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the function of guanine nucleotide exchange has been ascribed to the product of the CDC25 gene. The C-terminus domain of SDC25, a homologue of CDC25, can substitute for the CDC25 protein in yeast. We have demonstrated that the SDC25 C-terminus domain promotes GTP binding to Ras p21 in CHO cells. In the present study, we found that the stable expression of the SDC25 C-terminus domain induced transformation of NIH3T3 cells. Ras proteins in these tumorigenic cells were GTP bound. In addition, the coexpression of wild-type Ha-Ras protein with the SDC25 C-terminus was found to enhance the tumorigenic properties of the NIH3T3 cells. These results imply that, in subsets of human tumours, cellular Ras p21 might be found in its GTP-bound active form as a consequence of an oncogenic activation of a mammalian Ras guanine nucleotide exchange factor.

Implication of GAP in Ras-dependent transactivation of a polyoma enhancer sequence.

Controversy exists as to whether the interaction of a guanosine triphosphatase activating protein (GAP) with Ras proteins functions both to initiate and to terminate Ras-dependent signaling events or only to terminate them. GAP-C, a carboxyl-terminal fragment of GAP that is sufficient to stimulate GTPase activity, inhibited the stimulation of transcription produced by some oncoproteins (v-Src, polyoma middle T, wild-type Ras, and oncogenic Ras) but not that produced by v-Mos. Wild-type GAP did not affect transcription induced by oncogenic Ras but reversed the inhibitory effect of GAP-C on transcription induced by oncogenic Ras. These results indicate that GAP is a negative regulator of wild-type Ras and elicits a downstream signal by interacting with Ras-GTP (guanosine triphosphate).

Comparative cytotoxicities of a series of ellipticine and olivacine derivatives on multidrug resistant cells of human and murine origins.

The MDR P-glycoprotein has been described as a major factor of multidrug resistance. This transmembrane glycoprotein acts like an energy dependent efflux pump which possesses a broad specificity. It seems to be acting as a pump requiring drug fixation prior to extrusion. With the aim of investigating which parameters influence the recognition of drugs by the MDR system, we have determined the toxicities of different drugs on human and murine sensitive and resistant cell lines. For this purpose we have isolated and characterized a human adriamycin-resistant cell line, CEM/Adr, which presents an MDR phenotype. The tested drugs were ellipticine and olivacine derivatives which differ through discrete lateral chain substitutions. The influence of lateral chain lipophilicity and nitrogen quaternarization on drug recognition was studied. Small modifications in the chemical structure of the drugs have induced large changes in their toxicities and in the cross-resistance levels of the MDR cells to the tested compounds. The cross-resistances of the murine and human cells to the various compounds were strikingly different. The validity of murine screening models in the selection of anti-tumor drugs for human therapy must therefore be questioned.