Romina Marone

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase p110beta activity : key role in metabolism and mammary gland cancer but not development

The phosphoinositide 3-kinase p110β subunit has noncatalytic functions; its catalytic activity is pertinent to both diabetes and cancer. Unveiling p110β Phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling has been implicated in the response to insulin and various growth factors. However, the specific role of the β isoform of the PI3K catalytic subunit (p110β) has been unclear. Analysis of mouse mutants carrying a catalytically inactive form of p110β reveals that it possesses noncatalytic as well as catalytic functions. Moreover, its catalytic activity is involved in sustaining the response to insulin signaling and in mediating forms of breast cancer associated with oncogenic epidermal growth factor signaling. The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway crucially controls metabolism and cell growth. Although different PI3K catalytic subunits are known to play distinct roles, the specific in vivo function of p110β (the product of the PIK3CB gene) is not clear. Here, we show that mouse mutants expressing a catalytically inactive PIK3CBK805R mutant survived to adulthood but showed growth retardation and developed mild insulin resistance with age. Pharmacological and genetic analyses of p110β function revealed that p110β catalytic activity is required for PI3K signaling downstream of heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide–binding protein (G protein)–coupled receptors as well as to sustain long-term insulin signaling. In addition, PIK3CBK805R mice were protected in a model of ERBB2-driven tumor development. These findings indicate an unexpected role for p110β catalytic activity in diabetes and cancer, opening potential avenues for therapeutic intervention.

Targeting melanoma with dual phosphoinositide 3-kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors.

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B/Akt and Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways are often constitutively activated in melanoma and have thus been considered as promising drug targets. Exposure of melanoma cells to NVP-BAG956, NVP-BBD130, and NVP-BEZ235, a series of novel, potent, and stable dual PI3K/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors, resulted in complete G1 growth arrest, reduction of cyclin D1, and increased levels of p27KIP1, but negligible apoptosis. In contrast, treatment of melanoma with the pan-class I PI3K inhibitor ZSTK474 or the mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin resulted only in minor reduction of cell proliferation. In a syngeneic B16 mouse melanoma tumor model, orally administered NVP-BBD130 and NVP-BEZ235 efficiently attenuated tumor growth at primary and lymph node metastatic sites with no obvious toxicity. Metastatic melanoma in inhibitor-treated mice displayed reduced numbers of proliferating and significantly smaller tumor cells. In addition, neovascularization was blocked and tumoral necrosis increased when compared with vehicle-treated mice. In conclusion, compounds targeting PI3K and mTOR simultaneously were advantageous to attenuate melanoma growth and they develop their potential by targeting tumor growth directly, and indirectly via their interference with angiogenesis. Based on the above results, NVP-BEZ235, which has entered phase I/II clinical trials in patients with advanced solid tumors, has a potential in metastatic melanoma therapy. (Mol Cancer Res 2009;7(4):601–13)

Memo mediates ErbB2-driven cell motility

Clinical studies have revealed that cancer patients whose tumours have increased ErbB2 expression tend to have more aggressive, metastatic disease, which is associated with parameters predicting a poor outcome. The molecular basis underlying ErbB2-dependent cell motility and metastases formation, however, still remains poorly understood. In this study, we show that activation of a set of signalling molecules, including MAPK, phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase (PI(3)K) and Src, is required for Neu/ErbB2-dependent lamellipodia formation and for motility of breast carcinoma cells. Stimulation of these molecules, however, failed to induce efficient cell migration in the absence of Neu/ErbB2 phosphorylation at Tyr 1201 or Tyr 1227. We describe a novel molecule, Memo (mediator of ErbB2-driven cell motility), that interacts with a phospho-Tyr 1227-containing peptide, most probably through the Shc adaptor protein. After Neu/ErbB2 activation, Memo-defective cells form actin fibres and grow lamellipodia, but fail to extend microtubules towards the cell cortex. Our data suggest that Memo controls cell migration by relaying extracellular chemotactic signals to the microtubule cytoskeleton.

Comparative analysis of two controlled proliferation strategies regarding product quality, influence on tetracycline-regulated gene expression, and productivity.

Overexpression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27 and exposure to low temperature (30 degrees C) represent two strategies to establish controlled proliferation processes for production of therapeutic proteins using Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Here we analyze the effect of growth inhibition on the quality of the human model glycoprotein SEAP (secreted alkaline phosphatase) for both strategies in monoclonal CHO-derived cell lines. Separation of purified SEAP samples using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis showed that production by proliferation-controlled CHO cultures did not alter the overall integrity of the product. Further, oligosaccharide profiles were compared using HPEC-PAD analysis. No differences were detectable between SEAP profiles obtained from p27 growth-arrested and proliferating cultures. However, production at 30 degrees C led to a significant increase in the degree of sialylation, an effect that is generally considered beneficial for the in vivo efficacy of protein therapeutics. In the production context presented here, SEAP expression is controlled by the tetracycline- (tet) repressible gene regulation system. Here we show low temperature-induced upregulation of the tetracycline-dependent transactivator (tTA). This induction has been shown by Northern blot analysis to occur at the mRNA level and is independent of the promoters driving the transactivator. We also describe a novel bottleneck in productivity at low temperature found in p27 growth-arrested CHO cells cultivated at 30 degrees C.

PI3Kgamma adaptor subunits define coupling to degranulation and cell motility by distinct PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 pools in mast cells

Specific adaptor subunits, p84 or p101, of phosphoinositide 3-kinase γ dictate different cellular responses. Adaptors Define the Response Members of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) family phosphorylate phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate to generate phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate [PtdIns(3,4,5)P3], which recruits specific proteins, such as the serine-threonine kinase Akt, to the plasma membrane. These proteins activate signaling pathways that lead to such processes as migration and proliferation; aberrant PI3K signaling is associated with cancer and inflammation. The class 1B PI3K member PI3Kγ mediates signals from G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) as a consequence of its activation by Gβγ subunits (see the Perspective by Balla). PI3Kγ consists of a heterodimer of the p110γ catalytic domain and either a p84 or a p101 adaptor subunit. Noting that mast cells from mice deficient in p110γ also lacked p84, the predominant adaptor protein in mast cells, Bohnacker et al. reconstituted these cells with p110γ and either of the adaptor subunits and assessed the relative abilities of the different heterodimers to mediate responses to the GPCR ligand adenosine. Although both heterodimers mediated activation of Akt and cell migration, only p84-containing PI3Kγ mediated degranulation. Differences in the identity of the adaptor subunit also led to differences in the localization of PtdIns(3,4,5)P3. These results suggest that therapeutic targeting of specific PI3Kγ adaptor subunits, and perhaps those of other class I PI3Ks, might provide a means for selectively modulating PI3K-dependent responses. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase γ (PI3Kγ) plays a major role in chronic inflammation and allergy. It is a heterodimer of a catalytic p110γ subunit and an adaptor protein, either p101 or the p101 homolog p84 (p87PIKAP). It is unclear whether both PI3Kγ complexes specifically modulate responses such as chemotaxis and degranulation. In mast cells, the p84:p110γ complex synergizes with immunoglobulin E (IgE)– and antigen-clustered FcɛRI receptor signaling and is required to achieve maximal degranulation. During this process, PI3Kγ is activated by ligands of heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide–binding protein (G protein)–coupled receptors (GPCRs), in particular adenosine receptors, through autocrine and paracrine pathways. Here, we show that p110γ needs p84 to relay signals from GPCRs to formation of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate [PtdIns(3,4,5)P3], phosphorylation of Akt, migration of cells, and synergistic adenosine-enforced degranulation. Furthermore, the absence of adaptor subunits could not be compensated for by increased p110γ abundance. Differentiated, p110γ null cells also lost adaptor proteins. Complementation of p110γ null mast cells with p101 and p110γ restored the activation of Akt and cell migration, but failed to support degranulation. Lack of degranulation was attributed to a change in the spatiotemporal localization of PI3Kγ-derived PtdIns(3,4,5)P3; although both p84:p110γ and p101:p110γ complexes initially deposited PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 at the plasma membrane, p101:p110γ–derived PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 was rapidly endocytosed to motile, microtubule-associated vesicles. In addition, p84:p110γ, but not p101:p110γ signaling was sensitive to disruption of lipid rafts. Our results demonstrate a nonredundant function for the p101 and p84 PI3Kγ adaptor proteins and show that distinct pools of PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 at the plasma membrane can elicit specific cell responses.

Inactivation of a Gα(s)-PKA tumour suppressor pathway in skin stem cells initiates basal-cell carcinogenesis.

Genomic alterations in GNAS, the gene coding for the Gαs heterotrimeric G protein, are associated with a large number of human diseases. Here, we explored the role of Gαs on stem cell fate decisions by using the mouse epidermis as a model system. Conditional epidermal deletion of Gnas or repression of PKA signalling caused a remarkable expansion of the stem cell compartment, resulting in rapid basal-cell carcinoma formation. In contrast, inducible expression of active Gαs in the epidermis caused hair follicle stem cell exhaustion and hair loss. Mechanistically, we found that Gαs–PKA disruption promotes the cell autonomous Sonic Hedgehog pathway stimulation and Hippo signalling inhibition, resulting in the non-canonical activation of GLI and YAP1. Our study highlights an important tumour suppressive function of Gαs–PKA, limiting the proliferation of epithelial stem cells and maintaining proper hair follicle homeostasis. These findings could have broad implications in multiple pathophysiological conditions, including cancer.

Essential Role of the p110β Subunit of Phosphoinositide 3-OH Kinase in Male Fertility

In the absence of p110β function, spermatogenesis is dramatically disturbed because of a progressive reduction of differentiating spermatogones. Genetically modified mice and pharmacological inhibition of p110β confirmed this enzyme as the main PI3K isoform activated downstream of c-Kit.

PI3Kγ within a nonhematopoietic cell type negatively regulates diet-induced thermogenesis and promotes obesity and insulin resistance

Obesity is associated with a chronic low-grade inflammation, and specific antiinflammatory interventions may be beneficial for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and other obesity-related diseases. The lipid kinase PI3Kγ is a central proinflammatory signal transducer that plays a major role in leukocyte chemotaxis, mast cell degranulation, and endothelial cell activation. It was also reported that PI3Kγ activity within hematopoietic cells plays an important role in obesity-induced inflammation and insulin resistance. Here, we show that protection from insulin resistance, metabolic inflammation, and fatty liver in mice lacking functional PI3Kγ is largely consequent to their leaner phenotype. We also show that this phenotype is largely based on decreased fat gain, despite normal caloric intake, consequent to increased energy expenditure. Furthermore, our data show that PI3Kγ action on diet-induced obesity depends on PI3Kγ activity within a nonhematopoietic compartment, where it promotes energetic efficiency for fat mass gain. We also show that metabolic modulation by PI3Kγ depends on its lipid kinase activity and might involve kinase-independent signaling. Thus, PI3Kγ is an unexpected but promising drug target for the treatment of obesity and its complications.

Transient targeting of phosphoinositide 3-kinase acts as a roadblock in mast cells' route to allergy.

BACKGROUND Tissue mast cell numbers are dynamically regulated by recruitment of progenitors from the vasculature. It is unclear whether progenitors are recruited during allergic sensitization and whether recruitment promotes allergic responses. OBJECTIVE We sought to (1) determine the effect of mast cell recruitment on acute allergic responses and (2) to define the role of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) isoforms in sequential steps to allergic responses. METHODS Gene-targeted mice for PI3Kγ or PI3Kδ or mice treated with isoform-specific PI3K inhibitors (a novel PI3Kγ-specific inhibitor [NVS-PI3-4] and the PI3Kδ inhibitor IC87114) were used to monitor IgE-mediated mast cell recruitment, migration, adhesion by means of intravital microscopy, degranulation, TNF-α release, and subsequent endothelial cell activation in vivo or in bone marrow-derived mast cells. RESULTS Functional PI3Kγ, but not PI3Kδ, was crucial for mast cell accumulation in IgE-challenged skin, TNF-α release from IgE/antigen-stimulated mast cells, and mast cell/endothelial interactions and chemotaxis. PI3Kγ-deficient bone marrow-derived mast cells did not adhere to the endothelium in TNF-α-treated cremaster muscle, whereas PI3Kδ was not required. Depletion of TNF-α blocked IgE-induced mast cell recruitment, which links tissue mast cell-derived cytokine release to endothelial activation and mast cell recruitment. Interference with mast cell recruitment protected against anaphylaxis and was superior to blockage of tissue mast cell degranulation. CONCLUSIONS Interference with mast cell recruitment to exacerbated tissues provides a novel strategy to alleviate allergic reactions and surpassed attenuation of tissue mast cell degranulation. This results in prolonged drug action and allows for reduction of drug doses required to block anaphylaxis, an important feature for drugs targeting inflammatory disease in general.

Targeting PI3K in neuroblastoma

PurposeThis work employs pharmacological targeting of phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K) in selected neuroblastoma (NB) tumors with the inhibitor AS605240, which has been shown to express low toxicity and relative specificity for the PI3K species γ.MethodsThe expression pattern of PI3K isoforms in 7 NB cell lines and 14 tumor patient samples was determined by Western blotting and immunocytochemistry. The effect of AS605240 on the growth of four selected tumor cell lines was assessed. Two cell lines exhibiting (SK-N-LO) or lacking (SK-N-AS) PI3Kγ expression were chosen for further in vitro analysis, which involved propidium iodide (PI)-based cell cycle staining, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL-staining) of apoptotic cells and analysis of PI3K/Akt-related signaling pathways via Western blotting and translocation experiments. The action of AS605240 in vivo was addressed by xenograft experiments in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice, thereby comparing SK-N-LO and SK-N-AS derived tumors. Apoptosis induced in SK-N-LO tumors was shown by immunohistochemical TUNEL-staining.ResultsSignificant expression of PI3Kγ in neuroblastoma patient biopsies and tumor cell lines was detected. AS605240 induced apoptosis in NB cell lines proportional to this expression and suppressed growth of PI3Kγ positive, but not negative, tumors in a xenograft mouse model. No adverse effects of the inhibitor treatment were observed.ConclusionsOur observations hint to an oncogenic function of PI3Kγ in distinct neuroblastoma entities and reveal PI3K targeting by AS605240 as a promising molecular therapy of these tumors.