Mark K. Abe

Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase 7 (ERK7), a Novel ERK with a C-Terminal Domain That Regulates Its Activity, Its Cellular Localization, and Cell Growth

ABSTRACT Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases play distinct roles in a variety of cellular signaling pathways and are regulated through multiple mechanisms. In this study, a novel 61-kDa member of the MAP kinase family, termed extracellular signal-regulated kinase 7 (ERK7), has been cloned and characterized. Although it has the signature TEY activation motif of ERK1 and ERK2, ERK7 is not activated by extracellular stimuli that typically activate ERK1 and ERK2 or by common activators of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 kinase. Instead, ERK7 has appreciable constitutive activity in serum-starved cells that is dependent on the presence of its C-terminal domain. Interestingly, the C-terminal tail, not the kinase domain, of ERK7 regulates its nuclear localization and inhibition of growth. Taken together, these results elucidate a novel type of MAP kinase whereby interactions via its C-terminal tail, rather than extracellular signal-mediated activation cascades, regulate its activity, localization, and function.

ERK8, a New Member of the Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Family

The ERKs are a subfamily of the MAPKs that have been implicated in cell growth and differentiation. By using the rat ERK7 cDNA to screen a human multiple tissue cDNA library, we identified a new member of the ERK family, ERK8, that shares 69% amino acid sequence identity with ERK7. Northern analysis demonstrates that ERK8 is present in a number of tissues with maximal expression in the lung and kidney. Fluorescence in situ hybridization localized the ERK8 gene to chromosome 8, band q24.3. Expression of ERK8 in COS cells and bacteria indicates that, in contrast to constitutively active ERK7, ERK8 has minimal basal kinase activity and a unique substrate profile. ERK8, which contains two SH3-binding motifs in its C-terminal region, associates with the c-Src SH3 domain in vitro and co-immunoprecipitates with c-Srcin vivo. Co-transfection with either v-Src or a constitutively active c-Src increases ERK8 activation indicating that ERK8 can be activated downstream of c-Src. ERK8 is also activated following serum stimulation, and the extent of this activation is reduced by pretreatment with the specific Src family inhibitor PP2. The ERK8 activation by serum or Src was not affected by the MEK inhibitor U0126 indicating that activation of ERK8 does not require MEK1, MEK2, or MEK5. Although most closely related to ERK7, the relatively low sequence identity, minimal basal activity, and different substrate profile identify ERK8 as a distinct member of the MAPK family that is activated by an Src-dependent signaling pathway.

MOLECULAR CLONING AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A MITOGEN-ACTIVATED PROTEIN KINASE-ASSOCIATED INTRACELLULAR CHLORIDE CHANNEL

ERK7, a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase family, has a carboxyl-terminal tail that is required for ERK7 activation, cellular localization, and its ability to inhibit DNA synthesis. To identify proteins that interact with ERK7, we utilized a yeast two-hybrid screen with the COOH-terminal tail of ERK7 as bait and isolated the cDNA for a novel protein termed CLIC3. The interaction between CLIC3 and ERK7 in mammalian cells was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation. CLIC3 has significant homology to human intracellular chloride channels 1 (NCC27/CLIC1) and 2 and bovine kidney chloride channel p64. Like NCC27/CLIC1, CLIC3 is predominantly localized in the nucleus and stimulates chloride conductance when expressed in cells. Taken together, these results suggest that CLIC3 is a new member of the human CLIC family. The observed interaction between CLIC3 and ERK7 is the first demonstration of a stable complex between a protein that activates chloride ion transport and a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase family of signal transducers. The specific association of CLIC3 with the COOH-terminal tail of ERK7 suggests that CLIC3 may play a role in the regulation of cell growth.

Raf, but not MEK or ERK, is sufficient for differentiation of hippocampal neuronal cells.

To elucidate signal transduction pathways leading to neuronal differentiation, we have investigated a conditionally immortalized cell line from rat hippocampal neurons (H19-7) that express a temperature sensitive simian virus 40 large T antigen. Treatment of H19-7 cells with the differentiating agent basic fibroblast growth factor at 39 degrees C, the nonpermissive temperature for T function, resulted in the activation of c-Raf-1, MEK, and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases (ERK1 and -2). To evaluate the role of Raf-1 in neuronal cell differentiation, we stably transfected H19-7 cells with v-raf or an oncogenic human Raf-1-estrogen receptor fusion gene (deltaRaf-1:ER). deltaRaf-1:ER transfectants in the presence of estradiol for 1 to 2 days expressed a differentiation phenotype only at the nonpermissive temperature. However, extended exposure of the deltaRaf-1:ER transfectants to estradiol or stable expression of the v-raf construct yielded cells that extended processes at the permissive as well as the nonpermissive temperature, suggesting that cells expressing the large T antigen are capable of responding to the Raf differentiation signal. deltaRaf-1:ER, MEK, and MAP kinase activities in the deltaRaf-1:ER cells were elevated constitutively for up to 36 h of estradiol treatment at the permissive temperature. At the nonpermissive temperature, MEK and ERKs were activated to a significantly lesser extent, suggesting that prolonged MAP kinase activation may not be sufficient for differentiation. To test this possibility, H19-7 cells were transfected or microinjected with constitutively activated MEK. The results indicate that prolonged activation of MEK or MAP kinases (ERK1 and -2) is not sufficient for differentiation of H19-7 neuronal cells and raise the possibility that an alternative signaling pathway is required for differentiation of H19-7 cells by Raf.

ERK8 Down-regulates Transactivation of the Glucocorticoid Receptor through Hic-5

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 8 (ERK8) is the most recently identified member of the ERK subfamily of MAPKs. Although other members of the ERK subfamily are established regulators of signaling pathways involved in cell growth and/or differentiation, less is known about ERK8. To understand the cellular function of ERK8, a yeast two-hybrid screen of a human lung library was performed to identify binding partners. One binding partner identified was Hic-5 (also known as ARA55), a multiple LIM domain containing protein implicated in focal adhesion signaling and the regulation of specific nuclear receptors, including the androgen receptor and the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Co-immunoprecipitation experiments in mammalian cells confirmed the interaction between Hic-5 and both ERK8 and its rodent ortholog ERK7. The C-terminal region of ERK8 was not required for the interaction. Although the LIM3 and LIM4 domains of Hic-5 were sufficient and required for this interaction, the specific zinc finger motifs in these domains were not. Transcriptional activation reporter assays revealed that ERK8 can negatively regulate transcriptional co-activation of androgen receptor and GRα by Hic-5 in a kinase-independent manner. Knockdown of endogenous ERK8 in human airway epithelial cells enhanced dexamethasone-stimulated transcriptional activity of endogenous GR. Transcriptional regulation of GRα and interaction with its ligand binding domain by ERK8 were dependent on the presence of Hic-5. These results provide the first physiological function for human ERK8 as a negative regulator of human GRα, acting through Hic-5, and suggest a broader role for ERK8 in the regulation of nuclear receptors beyond estrogen receptor α.

Rhinovirus 16 3C Protease Induces Interleukin-8 and Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor Expression in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells

Rhinovirus (RV), a member of the Picornaviridae family, accounts for many virus-induced asthma exacerbations. RV induces airway cell chemokine expression both in vivo and in vitro. Because of the known interactions of proteases with cellular functions, we hypothesized that RV 3C protease is sufficient for cytokine up-regulation. A cDNA encoding RV16 3C protease was constructed by PCR amplification and transfected into 16HBE14o− human bronchial epithelial cells. 3C protease induced expression of both IL-8 and GM-CSF, as well as transcription from both the IL-8 and GM-CSF promoters. 3C expression also induced activator protein 1 and NF-κB transcriptional activation. Finally, mutation of IL-8 promoter AP-1 and NF-κB promoter sequences significantly reduced 3C-induced responses. Together, these data suggest expression of RV16 3C protease is sufficient to induce chemokine expression in human bronchial epithelial cells, and does so in an AP-1- and NF-κB–dependent manner.

Role for mitogen-activated protein kinase p38α in lung epithelial branching morphogenesis

In the early stages of lung development, the endoderm undergoes extensive and stereotypic branching morphogenesis. During this process, a simple epithelial bud develops into a complex tree-like system of tubes specialized for the transport and exchange of gas with blood. The endodermal cells in the distal tips of the developing lung express a special set of genes, have a higher proliferation rate than proximal part, undergo shape change and initiate branching morphogenesis. In this study, we found that of the four p38 genes, only p38 alpha mRNA is localized specifically to the distal endoderm suggesting a role in the regulation of budding morphogenesis. Chemical inhibitors specific for the p38 alpha and p38 beta isoforms suppress budding of embryonic mouse lung explants and isolated endoderm in vitro. Specific knockdown of p38 alpha in cultured lung endoderm using shRNA also inhibited budding morphogenesis, consistent with the chemical inhibition of the p38 signaling pathway. Disruption of p38 alpha did not affect proliferation or expression of the distal cell markers, Sox9 and Erm. However, the amount of E-cadherin protein increased significantly and ectopic expression of E-cadherin also impaired budding of endoderm in vitro. These results suggest that p38 alpha modulates epithelial cell-cell interactions and possibly cell rearrangement during branching morphogenesis. This study provides the first evidence that p38 alpha is involved in the morphogenesis of an epithelial organ.

Insulin receptor substrate-1/2 mediates IL-4-induced migration of human airway epithelial cells

Migration of airway epithelial cells (AEC) is an integral component of airway mucosal repair after injury. The inflammatory cytokine IL-4, abundant in chronic inflammatory airways diseases such as asthma, stimulates overproduction of mucins and secretion of chemokines from AEC; these actions enhance persistent airway inflammation. The effect of IL-4 on AEC migration and repair after injury, however, is not known. We examined migration in primary human AEC differentiated in air-liquid interface culture for 3 wk. Wounds were created by mechanical abrasion and followed to closure using digital microscopy. Concurrent treatment with IL-4 up to 10 ng/ml accelerated migration significantly in fully differentiated AEC. As expected, IL-4 treatment induced phosphorylation of the IL-4 receptor-associated protein STAT (signal transducer and activator of transcription)6, a transcription factor known to mediate several IL-4-induced AEC responses. Expressing a dominant negative STAT6 cDNA delivered by lentivirus infection, however, failed to block IL-4-stimulated migration. In contrast, decreasing expression of either insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 or IRS-2 using a silencing hairpin RNA blocked IL-4-stimulated AEC migration completely. These data demonstrate that IL-4 can accelerate migration of differentiated AEC after injury. This reparative response does not require STAT6 activation, but rather requires IRS-1 and/or IRS-2.

ATS Core Curriculum 2017: Part II. Pediatric pulmonary medicine series editor: Jason T. Poston Part II Editors: Paul E. Moore and Jessica Pittman

Paul E. Moore, Jason T. Poston, Debra Boyer, Emily Barsky, Jonathan Gaffin, Kathleen B. Boyne, Kristie R. Ross, Laura Beth Mann Dosier, Timothy J. Vece, Alicia M. Casey, Sebastian K. Welsh, J. Wells Logan, Edward G. Shepherd, Pelton A. Phinzy, Howard B. Panitch, Christina M. Papantonakis, Eric D. Austin, Amir B. Orandi, Maleewan Kitcharoensakkul, Mark K. Abe, Amjad Horani, Jordan S. Rettig, and Jessica Pittman Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee; Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, and Section of Critical Care, Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Division of Respiratory Diseases and Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio; Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina; Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Division of Neonatology, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio; Division of Pulmonary Medicine, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri

PARTIAL PURIFICATION OF A NOVEL MEK ACTIVATOR IN CULTURED AIRWAY SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS. ▴ 2304

Excess airway smooth muscle proliferation may play a role in the pathogenesis of airflow obstruction in patients with asthma and BPD. We therefore studied the activation pathway of MAP kinase, a family of cytosolic serine/threonine kinases which participate in the transduction of mitogenic signals to the cell nucleus, in cultured bovine tracheal myocytes. The major MAP kinase activation pathway appears to involve sequential activation of Ras, Raf-1 and MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK); alternative pathways exist, however. Previous experiments in bovine tracheal myocytes suggest that MEK-1 activation is required and sufficient for MAP kinase activation in these cells(Pediatr Res 37: 392A, 1995). To examine the contribution of Raf-1 to growth factor-induced MAP kinase activation, we measured Raf-1 and MAP kinase activities following PDGF and EGF stimulation. Raf-1 activity was assessed by an in vitro phosphorylation assay employing recombinant inactive MEK-1 as a substrate; MAP kinase activity was measured by an in-gel kinase assay using myelin basic protein as a substrate. As expected, treatment with PDGF and EGF increased both Raf-1 and MAP kinase activities. However, pre-treatment with forskolin, an activator of adenyl cyclase which inhibits Raf-1 activation via cAMP-dependent protein kinase A, significantly reduced Raf-1 activity but had no effect on the activation of MAP kinase by either growth factor, suggesting that there is a major Raf-1-independent MEK activation pathway in bovine tracheal myocytes. To identify proteins other than Raf-1 which activate MEK-1, lysates from PDGF and forskolin-treated cells were resolved using a Mono-Q FPLC ion-exchange column and phosphorylation activity for MEK-1 assessed by in vitro phosphorylation assay. Despite the inhibition of Raf-1 by forskolin, significant MEK phosphorylation was observed. Peak phosphorylation activity eluted from the column at 160-170 mM NaCl. Western analyses demonstrated that the observed phosphorylation activity was not attributable to MEKK, Raf-1 or MAP kinase, suggesting that the MEK activator is novel. Supported by HL-02731 and HL-54685.