Inga I. Kramarenko

Identification of functional bradykinin B2 receptors endogenously expressed in HEK293 cells

The human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cell line is widely used in cell biology research. Although HEK293 cells have been meticulously studied, our knowledge about endogenous G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) in these cells is incomplete. While studying the effects of bradykinin (BK), a potent growth factor for renal cells, we unexpectedly discovered that BK activates extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1 and 2 (ERK) in HEK293 cells. Thus, we hypothesized that HEK293 cells possess endogenous BK receptors. RT-PCR demonstrated the presence of mRNAs for BK B(1) and BK B(2) receptors in HEK293 cells. Western blotting with BK B(1) and BK B(2) receptor antibodies confirmed this result at the protein level. To establish that BK receptors are functional, we employed fluorescent measurements of intracellular Ca(2+), measured changes in extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) as a reflection of the Na(+)/H(+) exchange (NHE) with a Cytosensortrade microphysiometer, and assessed ERK activation by Western blotting with a phospho-specific ERK antibody. Exposure of HEK293 cells to BK produced a concentration-dependent rise in intracellular Ca(2+) (EC(50)=36.5+/-8.0 x 10(-9)M), a rapid increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of ERK (EC(50)=9.8+/-0.4 x 10(-9)M), and elevation in ECAR by approximately 20%. All of these signals were blocked by HOE-140 (B(2) receptor antagonist) but not by des-Arg(10)-HOE-140 (B(1) receptor antagonist). We conclude that HEK293 cells express endogenous functional BK B(2) receptors, which couple to the mobilization of intracellular Ca(2+), increases in ECAR and increases in ERK phosphorylation.

Role of integrins in angiotensin II-induced proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells

Angiotensin II (AII) binds to G protein-coupled receptor AT(1) and stimulates extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), leading to vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) proliferation. Proliferation of mammalian cells is tightly regulated by adhesion to the extracellular matrix, which occurs via integrins. To study cross-talk between G protein-coupled receptor- and integrin-induced signaling, we hypothesized that integrins are involved in AII-induced proliferation of VSMC. Using Oligo GEArray and quantitative RT-PCR, we established that messages for α(1)-, α(5)-, α(V)-, and β(1)-integrins are predominant in VSMC. VSMC were cultured on plastic dishes or on plates coated with either extracellular matrix or poly-d-lysine (which promotes electrostatic cell attachment independent of integrins). AII significantly induced proliferation in VSMC grown on collagen I or fibronectin, and this effect was blocked by the ERK inhibitor PD-98059, suggesting that AII-induced proliferation requires ERK activity. VSMC grown on collagen I or on fibronectin demonstrated approximately three- and approximately sixfold increases in ERK phosphorylation after stimulation with 100 nM AII, respectively, whereas VSMC grown on poly-d-lysine demonstrated no significant ERK activation, supporting the importance of integrin-mediated adhesion. AII-induced ERK activation was reduced by >65% by synthetic peptides containing an RGD (arginine-glycine-aspartic acid) sequence that inhibit α(5)β(1)-integrin, and by ∼60% by the KTS (lysine-threonine-serine)-containing peptides specific for integrin-α(1)β(1). Furthermore, neutralizing antibody against β(1)-integrin and silencing of α(1), α(5), and β(1) expression by transfecting VSMC with short interfering RNAs resulted in decreased AII-induced ERK activation. This work demonstrates roles for specific integrins (most likely α(5)β(1) and α(1)β(1)) in AII-induced proliferation of VSMC.

A Novel Tumor Suppressor Function of Glycine N-Methyltransferase Is Independent of Its Catalytic Activity but Requires Nuclear Localization

Glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT), an abundant cytosolic enzyme, catalyzes the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to glycine generating S-adenosylhomocysteine and sarcosine (N-methylglycine). This reaction is regulated by 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, which inhibits the enzyme catalysis. In the present study, we observed that GNMT is strongly down regulated in human cancers and is undetectable in cancer cell lines while the transient expression of the protein in cancer cells induces apoptosis and results in the activation of ERK1/2 as an early pro-survival response. The antiproliferative effect of GNMT can be partially reversed by treatment with the pan-caspase inhibitor zVAD-fmk but not by supplementation with high folate or SAM. GNMT exerts the suppressor effect primarily in cells originated from malignant tumors: transformed cell line of non-cancer origin, HEK293, was insensitive to GNMT. Of note, high levels of GNMT, detected in regenerating liver and in NIH3T3 mouse fibroblasts, do not produce cytotoxic effects. Importantly, GNMT, a predominantly cytoplasmic protein, was translocated into nuclei upon transfection of cancer cells. The presence of GNMT in the nuclei was also observed in normal human tissues by immunohistochemical staining. We further demonstrated that the induction of apoptosis is associated with the GNMT nuclear localization but is independent of its catalytic activity or folate binding. GNMT targeted to nuclei, through the fusion with nuclear localization signal, still exerts strong antiproliferative effects while its restriction to cytoplasm, through the fusion with nuclear export signal, prevents these effects (in each case the protein was excluded from cytosol or nuclei, respectively). Overall, our study indicates that GNMT has a secondary function, as a regulator of cellular proliferation, which is independent of its catalytic role.

Bradykinin B2 Receptor Interacts with Integrin α5β1 to Transactivate Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in Kidney Cells.

We have shown previously that the vasoactive peptide bradykinin (BK) stimulates proliferation of a cultured murine cell model of the inner medullary collecting duct (mIMCD-3 cells) via transactivation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) by a mechanism that involves matrix metalloproteinases (collagenase-2 and -3). Because collagenases lack an integral membrane domain, we hypothesized that receptors for extracellular matrix proteins, integrins, may play a role in BK-induced signaling by targeting collagenases to the membrane, thus forming a functional signaling complex. BK-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) in mIMCD-3 cells was reduced by ∼65% by synthetic peptides containing an Arg-Gly-Asp sequence, supporting roles for integrins in BK-induced signaling. Neutralizing antibody against α5β1 integrin partially (∼60%) blocked BK-induced ERK activation but did not affect EGF-induced ERK activation. Silencing of α5 and β1 expression by transfecting cells with small interfering RNAs (siRNA) significantly decreased BK-induced ERK activation (∼80%) and EGFR phosphorylation (∼50%). This effect was even more pronounced in cells that were cotransfected with siRNAs directed against both collagenases and α5β1 integrin. On the basis of our results, we suggested that integrin α5β1 is involved in BK-induced signaling in mIMCD-3 cells. Using immunoprecipitation/Western blotting, we demonstrated association of BK B2 receptor with α5β1 integrin upon BK treatment. Furthermore, BK induced association of α5β1 integrin with EGFR. These data provide the first evidence that specific integrins are involved in BK B2 receptor-induced signaling in kidney cells, and ultimately might lead to development of new strategies for treatment of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis.

The bradykinin B 2 receptor induces multiple cellular responses leading to the proliferation of human renal carcinoma cell lines

Background The vasoactive peptide bradykinin (BK) acts as a potent growth factor for normal kidney cells, but there have been few studies on the role of BK in renal cell carcinomas. Purpose In this study, we tested the hypothesis that BK also acts as a mitogen in kidney carcinomas, and explored the effects of BK in human renal carcinoma A498 cells. Methods The presence of mRNAs for BK B1 and BK B2 receptors in A498 cells was demonstrated by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. To study BK signaling pathways, we employed fluorescent measurements of intracellular Ca2+, measured changes in extracellular pH as a reflection of Na+/H+ exchange (NHE) with a Cytosensor microphysiometer, and assessed extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation by Western blotting. Results Exposure to 100 nM of BK resulted in the rapid elevation of intracellular Ca2+, caused a ≥30% increase in NHE activity, and a ≥300% increase in ERK phosphorylation. All BK signals were blocked by HOE140, a BK B2 receptor antagonist, but not by a B1 receptor antagonist. Inhibitor studies suggest that BK-induced ERK activation requires phospholipase C and protein kinase C activities, and is Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent. The amiloride analog 5-(N-methyl-N-isobutyl)-amiloride (MIA) blocked short-term NHE activation and inhibited ERK phosphorylation, suggesting that NHE is critical for ERK activation by BK. BK induced an approximately 40% increase in the proliferation of A498 cells as assessed by bromodeoxyuridine uptake. This effect was blocked by the ERK inhibitor PD98059, and was dependent on NHE activity. Conclusion We conclude that BK exerts mitogenic effects in A498 cells via the BK B2 receptor activation of growth-associated NHE and ERK.