PTPN12 controls PTEN and the AKT signalling to FAK and HER2 in migrating ovarian cancer cells.

Several tyrosine phosphatases control cell motility; understanding their signaling helps to decipher cancer mechanisms. Previously, we found that the negative regulation of migration exerted by PTPN12 in ovarian cancer SKOV-3 cells involves direct FAK Y397 targeting, in HER2-dependent way. In this study, we describe that PTPN12 silencing depresses also PTEN RNA and protein. This, in turn, contributes to regulate FAK, through the activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway, resulting in GSK3 inactivation and decreased FAK phosphorylation at the inhibitory and GSK3 target S722. Altogether, in SKOV-3 cells, both PTPN12 and PTEN signaling merge on FAK which is negatively regulated through Y397 dephosphorylation (directly by PTPN12) and S722 phosphorylation (through PTEN/AKT/GSK3). Although HER2 activity sustains SKOV-3 cell motility, the HER2 inhibitor Ag825 impairs migration only in PTPN12 silenced cells, suggesting the ability of PTPN12 to affect HER2. This hypothesis is supported by the finding that, in migrating cells, Ag825 decreases HER2 phosphorylation at Y1248, Y1221/2, and Y877 (i.e., inactivates HER2) only after PTPN12 silencing. Conversely, cell exposure to the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 increases HER2 phosphorylation, suggesting the involvement of PI3K/AKT in HER2 regulation. Altogether, the results reveal a new PTEN mechanism in the control cell migration and suggest a complex cross-talk between PTPN12 and HER2.

Tyrosine phosphatases in the HER2-directed motility of ovarian cancer cells: Involvement of PTPN12, ERK5 and FAK.

BACKGROUND: HER2 activation in tumours supports multiple signalling pathways, including those regulating invasion and metastasis. Among the involved genes, tyrosine and dual specificity phosphatases (PTPs and DSPs) may play a relevant, though not completely clear role. METHODS: HER2 was silenced in ovarian SKOV-3 cells, a genome-wide expression analysis of PTPs and DSPs was performed, the effects on cell motility were analysed and compared with those of PTPN12-silencing, focusing on FAK. RESULTS: HER2-silencing altered the expression of 4 PTPs and 6 DSPs; PTPN12 displayed also 3-4-fold protein increase. Conversely, PTPN12-silencing enhanced migration, suggesting that PTPN12 down-modulation by HER2 favours motility. HER2-silencing inactivated FAK, in quiescent and migrating cells, involving FAK dephosphorylation at Y397 and S910. Conversely, in PTPN12-silenced cells FAK activity was close to control, altogether suggesting that PTPN12 targets Y397. As regards to S910, cell-treatment with the MEK inhibitor UO126 and ERK5-silencing indicated its targeting by ERK5. Loss of pS910 and decreased ERK5 kinase activity in HER2-silenced cells confirmed their control by HER2. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate the contribution of PTPN12, targeting FAK Y397, and ERK5, targeting FAK S910, to the HER2-driven cell motility, thus depicting new aspects of the complex cross-talk between HER2 and the motility machinery.

Expression profile of tyrosine phosphatases in HER2 breast cancer cells and tumors.

BACKGROUND: HER2-overexpression promotes malignancy by modulating signalling molecules, which include PTPs/DSPs (protein tyrosine and dual-specificity phosphatases). Our aim was to identify PTPs/DSPs displaying HER2-associated expression alterations. METHODS: HER2 activity was modulated in MDA-MB-453 cells and PTPs/DSPs expression was analysed with a DNA oligoarray, by RT-PCR and immunoblotting. Two public breast tumor datasets were analysed to identify PTPs/DSPs differentially expressed in HER2-positive tumors. RESULTS: In cells (1) HER2-inhibition up-regulated 4 PTPs (PTPRA, PTPRK, PTPN11, PTPN18) and 11 DSPs (7 MKPs [MAP Kinase Phosphatases], 2 PTP4, 2 MTMRs [Myotubularin related phosphatases]) and down-regulated 7 DSPs (2 MKPs, 2 MTMRs, CDKN3, PTEN, CDC25C); (2) HER2-activation with EGF affected 10 DSPs (5 MKPs, 2 MTMRs, PTP4A1, CDKN3, CDC25B) and PTPN13; 8 DSPs were found in both groups. Furthermore, 7 PTPs/DSPs displayed also altered protein level. Analysis of 2 breast cancer datasets identified 6 differentially expressed DSPs: DUSP6, strongly up-regulated in both datasets; DUSP10 and CDC25B, up-regulated; PTP4A2, CDC14A and MTMR11 down-regulated in one dataset. CONCLUSIONS: Several DSPs, mainly MKPs and, unexpectedly, MTMRs, were altered following HER2-modulation in cells and 3 DSPs (DUSP6, CDC25B and MTMR11) were altered in both cells and tumors. Among these, DUSP6, strongly up-regulated in HER2-positive tumors, would deserve further investigation as tumor marker or potential therapy target.

Protein-tyrosine phosphatase PTPD1 regulates focal adhesion kinase autophosphorylation and cell migration.

PTPD1 is a cytosolic nonreceptor tyrosine phosphatase and a positive regulator of the Src-epidermal growth factor transduction pathway. We show that PTPD1 localizes along actin filaments and at adhesion plaques. PTPD1 forms a stable complex via distinct molecular modules with actin, Src tyrosine kinase, and focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a scaffold protein kinase enriched at adhesion plaques. Overexpression of PTPD1 promoted cell scattering and migration, short hairpin RNA-mediated silencing of endogenous PTPD1, or expression of PTPD1 mutants lacking either catalytic activity (PTPD1(C1108S)) or the FERM domain (PTPD1(Delta1-325)) significantly reduced cell motility. PTPD1 and Src catalytic activities were both required for epidermal growth factor-induced FAK autophosphorylation at its active site and for downstream propagation of ERK1/2 signaling. Our findings demonstrate that PTPD1 is a component of a multivalent scaffold complex nucleated by FAK at specific intracellular sites. By modulating Src-FAK signaling at adhesion sites, PTPD1 promotes the cytoskeleton events that induce cell adhesion and migration.

Targeting of FAK Ser910 by ERK5 and PP1delta in non-stimulated and phorbol ester-stimulated cells.

Ser910 of FAK (focal adhesion kinase) was phosphorylated in fibroblasts treated with the phorbol ester PMA and dephosphorylated by PP1d (protein phosphatase 1d), as indicated by shRNA (small-hairpin RNA) gene silencing. Ser910 of FAK was reported previously to be an ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase) 1/2 target in cells treated with phorbol esters. In contrast, various approaches, including the use of the MEK (mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK kinase) inhibitors UO126 and CI-1040 to inhibit ERK1/2 pointed to the involvement of ERK5. This hypothesis was confirmed by: (i) shRNA ERK5 gene silencing, which resulted in complete pSer910 loss in non-stimulated and PMA-stimulated cells; (ii) direct phosphorylation of recombinant FAK by ERK5; and (iii) ERK5 activation by PMA. PMA stimulation and ERK5 silencing in MDA-MB 231 and MDA-MB 361 breast cancer cells indicated Ser910 targeting by ERK5 also in these cells. Given the proximity of Ser910 to the FAT (focal adhesion targeting) regulatory domain of FAK, cell proliferation and morphology were investigated in FAK-/- cells expressing S910A mutant FAK. The cell growth rate decreased and exposure to PMA induced peculiar morphological changes in cells expressing S910A, with respect to wild-type FAK, suggesting a role for Ser910 in these processes. The present study indicates, for the first time, the phosphorylation of Ser910 of FAK by ERK5 and its dephosphorylation by PP1d, and suggested a role for Ser910 in the control of cell shape and proliferation.

Proper chromatin condensation and maintenance of histone H3 phosphorylation during mouse oocyte meiosis requires protein phosphatase activity.

We have shown okadaic acid (OA) and calyculin-A (CLA) inhibition of mouse oocyte phosphoprotein phosphatase 1 (PPP1C) and/or phosphoprotein phosphatase 2A (PPP2CA) results in aberrant chromatin condensation, as evidenced by the inability to resolve bivalents. Phosphorylation of histone H3 at specific residues is thought to regulate chromatin condensation. Therefore, we examined changes in histone H3 phosphorylation during oocyte meiosis and the potential regulation by protein PPPs. Western blot and immunocytochemical analysis revealed histone H3 phosphorylation changed during mouse oocyte meiosis, with changes in chromatin condensation. Germinal vesicle-intact (GV-intact; 0 h) oocytes had no phospho-Ser10 but did have phospho-Ser28 histone H3. Oocytes that had undergone germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD; 2 h) and progressed to metaphase I (MI; 7 h) and MII (16 h) had phosphorylated Ser10 and Ser28 histone H3 associated with condensed chromatin. To determine whether OA-induced aberrations in chromatin condensation were due to alterations in levels of histone H3 phosphorylation, we assessed phosphorylation of Ser10 and Ser28 residues following PPP inhibition. Oocytes treated with OA (1 microM) displayed increased phosphorylation of histone H3 at both Ser10 and Ser28 compared with controls. To begin to elucidate which OA-sensitive PPP is responsible for regulating chromatin condensation and histone H3 phosphorylation, we examined spatial and temporal localization of OA-sensitive PPPs, PPP1C, and PPP2CA. PPPC2A did not localize to condensed chromatin, whereas PPP1beta (PPP1CB) associated with condensing chromatin in GVBD, MI, and MII oocytes. Additionally, Western blot and immunocytochemistry confirmed presence of the PPP1C regulatory inhibitor subunit 2 (PPP1R2) in oocytes at condensed chromatin during meiosis and indicated a change in PPP1R2 phosphorylation. Inhibition of oocyte glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) appeared to regulate phosphorylation of PPP1R2. Furthermore, inhibition of GSK3 resulted in aberrant oocyte bivalent formation similar to that observed following PPP inhibition. These data suggest that PPP1CB is the OA/CLA-sensitive PPP that regulates oocyte chromatin condensation through regulation of histone H3 phosphorylation. Furthermore, GSK3 inhibition results in aberrant chromatin condensation and appears to regulate phosphorylation of PPP1R2.

Direct interaction between the catalytic subunit of Protein Phosphatase 1 and pRb.

BACKGROUND: The product of the retinoblastoma-susceptibility gene (pRb) is a substrate for Protein Phosphatase 1 (PP1). At mitotic exit, all three PP1 isoforms, alpha, gamma1 and delta, bind to pRb and dephosphorylate its Ser/Thr sites in a sequential and site-specific way. The pRb-C terminal has been reported to be necessary and sufficient for PP1alpha binding. The present study investigated whether the three PP1 isoforms from mitotic or asynchronous HeLa cells associate differentially with wild-type and pRb mutants, as well as the holoenzyme composition of the pRb-directed PP1. RESULTS: The requirement for the entire pRb molecule to achieve optimal PP1-binding was indicated by the fact that full-length pRb displayed the highest affinity for all three PP1 isoforms. Ser/Thr-to-Ala substitution for up to 14 pRb sites did not affect the ability of pRb to bind the PP1 isoforms derived from mitotic or asynchronous HeLa cells, thus suggesting that the phosphate-accepting residues on pRb do not regulate the interaction with PP1. To probe for the presence of PP1 targeting subunits in the pRb-directed PP1 complex, PP1 from mitotic or asynchronous HeLa cells was isolated by affinity chromatography on GST-Rb (either full-length or its deletion mutants Rb-big pocket or Rb-C-terminal). The PP1 was always obtained as free catalytic subunit, displaying all three isoforms, thus suggesting direct interaction between pRb and PP1. The direct association was confirmed by the ability of pRb to pull-down purified PP1 catalytic subunits and by in vitro reconstitution of a complex between PP1 catalytic subunit and the pRb-C-terminal. CONCLUSION: The work indicated that the full length of the pRb molecule is required for optimal interaction with the PP1 isoforms and that the association between pRb and PP1 isoforms is direct.

Regulation of K-Cl cotransport by protein phosphatase 1alpha in mouse erythrocytes.

The K-Cl cotransport (KCC) is an electroneutral-gradient-driven-membrane transport system, which is involved in regulation of red cell volume. Although the regulatory cascade of KCC is largely unknown, a signaling pathway involving phosphatases and kinases has been proposed. Here, we investigated the expression and the activity of protein phosphatase 1(PP-1) isoforms in mouse red cells, focusing on two models of abnormally activated KCC: mice genetically lacking the two Src-family tyrosine kinases, Hck and Fgr, (hck-/-fgr-/-) and the SAD transgenic sickle-cell-mice. The PP-1alpha, PP-1gamma, PP-1delta isoforms were expressed at similar levels in wild-type, hck-/-fgr-/- and SAD mouse erythrocytes and in each case were predominantly localized to cytoplasm. The PP-1alpha activity was significantly higher in both membrane and cytosol fractions of hck-/-fgr-/- and of SAD erythrocytes than in those of wild-type red cells, suggesting PP-1alpha as a target of the Hck and Fgr kinases. The PP2, a specific inhibitor of Src-family kinase, significantly increased KCC activity in wild-type mouse red cells, but failed to modify the already increased KCC activity in SAD erythrocytes. The lag-time for activation of KCC was considerably reduced in both hck-/-fgr-/- and SAD erythrocytes, suggesting that the rate limiting activation steps in both strains are freed from their tonic inhibition. Sulfhydryl reduction by dithiothreitol (DTT) lowered KCC activity only in SAD red cells, but did not affect the PP2-treated erythrocytes. These data suggest up-regulation of KCC in SAD red cells is mainly secondary to oxidative damage, which most likely reduces or removes the tonic KCC inhibition resulting from PP-1alpha activity controlled in turn by Src-family kinases.

Reciprocally interacting domains of protein phosphatase 1 and focal adhesion kinase.

Protein phosphatase 1delta (PP1delta) localizes to focal adhesions and associates with the focal adhesion kinase (FAK). In the present work we used deletion mutants of PP1delta and FAK to detect their reciprocally interacting domains. Dissection of PP1delta indicated 194-260 as the shortest FAK-interacting domain among those tested. Domain 194-260 encompasses several sites involved in catalysis, indirectly confirming that FAK is a PP1 substrate. Mutation of one of these sites, R220 (R220S or R220Q), did not abolish but on the contrary increased the ability of 194-260 to pull-down FAK. Such property might be exploited to detect new potential PP1 substrates. Among the FAK deletion mutants, only the C-terminal domain (684-1053, also known as FRNK) pulled-down a significant amount of PP1. The PP1 eluted from a GST-FRNK affinity column displayed Mr of 35,000 when analyzed by gel-filtration on FPLC Superose 12, indicating the presence of an isolated PP1 catalytic subunit.

Regulation of FAK Ser-722 phosphorylation and kinase activity by GSK3 and PP1 during cell spreading and migration.

In addition to tyrosine sites, FAK (focal adhesion kinase) is phosphorylated on multiple serine residues. In the present study, the regulation of two of these sites, Ser-722 (S1) and Ser-911 (S4), was investigated. Phosphorylation of S1 (but not S4) decreased in resuspended cells, and recovered during spreading on fibronectin, indicating adhesion-dependent regulation. GSK3 (glycogen synthase kinase 3) inhibitors decreased S1 phosphorylation, and siRNA (short interfering RNA) silencing indicated further the involvement of GSK3beta. Furthermore, GSK3beta was found to become activated during cell spreading on fibronectin, and to physically associate with FAK. S1 phosphorylation was observed to decrease in wounded cell monolayers, while GSK3beta underwent inactivation and later was observed to increase to the original level within 24 h. Direct phosphorylation of S1, requiring pre-phosphorylation of Ser-726 in the +4 position, was demonstrated using purified GSK3 and a synthetic peptide containing FAK residues 714-730. An inhibitory role for S1 phosphorylation in FAK signalling was indicated by findings that both alanine substitution for S1 and dephosphorylation of S1 by PP1 (serine/threonine protein phosphatase type-1) resulted in an increase in FAK kinase activity; likewise, this role was also shown by cell treatment with the GSK3 inhibitor LiCl. The inhibitory role was confirmed by the finding that cells expressing FAK with alanine substitution for S1 displayed improved cell spreading and faster migration in wound-healing and trans-well assays. Finally, the finding that S1 phosphorylation increased in cells treated with the PP1 inhibitor okadaic acid indicated targeting of this site by PP1. These results indicate an additional mechanism for regulation of FAK activity during cell spreading and migration, involving Ser-722 phosphorylation modulated through the competing actions of GSK3beta and PP1.

Protein phosphatase 1 binds to phospho-Ser-1394 of the macrophage-stimulating protein receptor.

The tyrosine kinase Ron, receptor for MSP (macrophage-stimulating protein), displays several serine residues of unknown functions. Using [(32)P]H(3)PO(4) metabolic labelling, we found that Ron is serine-phosphorylated and dephosphorylated in vitro by PP1 (protein phosphatase 1). PP1 associates with Ron obtained from cells of different origins. The association is stimulated by MSP or serum and is prevented by wortmannin, an inhibitor of the Akt/PKB (protein serine/threonine kinase B) pathway. Akt/PKB phosphorylates Ron Ser-1394, thus providing a docking site for 14-3-3 (scaffold proteins binding to phosphoserine/phosphothreonine-containing sequences). In living cells, PP1 binds to the Ron mutant S1394A, but the association is no longer regulated by serum, MSP or wortmannin. The role of PP1 association with Ron is highlighted by (1) Ser-1394 dephosphorylation by PP1 in vitro and in living cells, (2) loss of 14-3-3 association with Ron after Ser-1394 dephosphorylation by PP1 in vitro and (3) an increase in 14-3-3 association after PP1 inactivation in living cells. These results suggest that PP1 can modulate the downstream Ron signalling generated by MSP via Akt/PKB and 14-3-3 binding. This is the first report on ligand-regulated association of PP1 with a growth factor receptor.

Inducible expression of catalytically active type 1 serine/threonine protein phosphatase in a human carcinoma cell line.

BACKGROUND: One of the major cellular serine/threonine protein phosphatases is protein phosphatase type 1 (PP1). Studies employing many eukaryotic systems all point to a crucial role for PP1 activity in controlling cell cycle progression. One physiological substrate for PP1 appears to be the product of the retinoblastoma susceptibility gene (pRB), a demonstrated tumor suppressor. The growth suppressive activity of pRB is regulated by its phosphorylation state. Of critical importance is the question of the in vivo effect of PP1 activity on pRB and growth regulation. As a first step towards addressing this question, we developed an inducible PP1 expression system to investigate the regulation of PP1 activity. RESULTS: We have established a cell line for inducing protein expression of the type 1, alpha-isotype, serine/threonine protein phosphatase (PP1alpha). A plasmid encoding a fusion protein of the catalytic subunit of PP1alpha with a 6-histidine peptide (6His) and a peptide from hemagluttinin (HA) was transfected into the UMUC3 transitional cell carcinoma cell line, previously transfected with the reverse tetracycline transactivator plasmid pUHD172-1neo. A stable cell line designated LLWO2F was established by selection with hygromycin B. 6His-HA-PP1alpha protein appeared in cell lysates within two hours following addition of doxycycline to the culture medium. This protein localizes to the nucleus as does endogenous PP1alpha, and was shown to associate with PNUTS, a PP1-nuclear targeting subunit. Like endogenous PP1alpha, immunocomplexed 6His-HA-PP1alpha is active toward phosphorylase a and the product of the retinoblastoma susceptibility gene, pRB. When forcibly overexpressing 6His-HA-PP1alpha, there is a concomitant decrease in endogenous PP1alpha levels. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest the existence of an autoregulatory mechanism by which PP1alpha protein levels and activity remain relatively constant. RT-PCR analyses of isolated polysome fractions support the notion that this putative autoregulatory mechanism is exerted, at least in part, at the translational level. Implications of these findings for the study of PP1alpha function in vivo are discussed.

M20, the small subunit of PP1M, binds to microtubules.

Myosin light chain phosphatase (PP1M) is composed of three subunits, i.e., M20, MBS, and a catalytic subunit. Whereas MBS is assigned as a myosin binding subunit, the function of M20 is unknown. In the present study, we found that M20 binds to microtubules. The binding activity was revealed by cosedimentation of M20 with microtubules and binding of tubulin to M20 affinity resin. Green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged M20 (M20-GFP) was expressed in chicken primary smooth muscle cells and COS-7 cells and was used as a probe for studying the association between M20 and microtubules in living cells. M20-GFP was localized on filamentous structures in both cell types. Colocalization analysis revealed that M20-GFP colocalized with tubulin. Treatment with nocodazole, but not cytochalasin B, abolished the filamentous structure of M20-GFP. These results indicate that M20-GFP associates with microtubules in cells. Microinjection of rhodamine-tubulin into the M20-expressing cells revealed that incorporation of rhodamine-tubulin into microtubules was significantly facilitated by microtubule-associated M20. Consistent with this result, M20 enhanced the rate of tubulin polymerization in vitro and produced elongated microtubules. These results suggest that M20 has a microtubule binding activity and plays a role in regulating microtubule dynamics.