Shinri Tamura

Selective suppression of stress-activated protein kinase pathway by protein phosphatase 2C in mammalian cells

Protein phosphatase 2Cα (PP2Cα) or PP2Cβ‐1 expressed in COS7 cells suppressed anisomycin‐ and NaCl‐enhanced phosphorylations of p38 co‐expressed in the cells. PP2Cα or PP2Cβ‐1 expression also suppressed both basal and stress‐enhanced phosphorylations of MKK3b and MKK6b, which are upstream protein kinases of p38, and of MKK4, which is one of the major upstream protein kinases of JNK. Basal activity of MKK7, another upstream protein kinase of JNK, was also suppressed by PP2Cα or PP2Cβ‐1 expression. However, basal as well as serum‐activated phosphorylation of MKK1a, an upstream protein kinase of ERKs, was not affected by PP2Cβ or PP2Cβ‐1. A catalytically inactive mutant of PP2Cβ‐1 further enhanced the NaCl‐stimulated phosphorylations of MMK3b, MKK4 and MKK6b, suggesting that this mutant PP2Cβ‐1 works as a dominant negative form. These results suggest that PP2C selectively inhibits the SAPK pathways through suppression of MKK3b, MKK4, MKK6b and MKK7 activities in mammalian cells.

Enrichment and efficient screening of ES cells containing a targeted mutation: the use of DT‐A gene with the polyadenylation signal as a negative selection maker

Gene targeting in embryonic stem (ES) cells via homologous recombination can occur at very low frequency. In order to enrich homologous recombinants before screening, a negative selection marker, such as thymidine kinase (TK) and diphtheria toxin A fragment (DT‐A), has been commonly used. In this study, we developed a negative selection marker using DT‐A gene with polyadenylation signal and it was designated DT‐ApA. To determine the difference in targeting efficiency of the negative selections, we constructed three different targeting vectors for each negative selection (first, TK at the 3′ end, second, TK at both the 5′ and 3′ ends <2 X TK>, and third, DT‐ApA at the 5′ end of the homologous sequences). Gene targeting experiments using these constructs clearly showed that negative selection using DT‐ApA was more efficient than that using TK for homologous recombination and that negative selection using DT‐ApA was as efficient as that using 2 X TK. Considering the fact that the use of DT‐ApA is more convenient for construction of targeting vectors than that of 2 X TK, DT‐ApA is an efficient negative selection marker.In addition, we examined long and accurate PCR (LA‐PCR) for screening gene targeted clones. The use of LA‐PCR with genomic DNAs from ES cell clones facilitated simple detection of homologous recombinants, suggesting that the screening with LA‐PCR is compatible with the use of longer homologous sequences of both arms in vector design. Our results indicate that the use of DT‐ApA for negative selection together with the application of LA‐PCR for screening ensures efficient and time‐saving screening for homologous recombinants.

PP2C family members play key roles in regulation of cell survival and apoptosis

Although unlimited proliferation of cancer cells is supported by multiple signaling pathways involved in the regulation of proliferation, survival, and apoptosis, the molecular mechanisms coordinating these different pathways to promote the proliferation and survival of cancer cells have remained unclear. SAPK and integrin‐ILK signaling pathways play key roles in the promotion of apoptosis and cell proliferation/survival, respectively. Studies of TNFα‐ and H2O2‐induced apoptosis revealed that ASK1, a component of the SAPK system, mediates the TNFα and H2O2 signaling of apoptosis. ASK1 is activated by autophosphorylation of a specific threonine residue (T845) following TNFα stimulation. Our recent studies indicate that PP2Cɛ, a member of the PP2C family, associates with and inactivates ASK1 by dephosphorylating T845. In contrast, PP2Cδ/ILKAP, a second PP2C family member, activates ASK1 by enhancing cellular phosphorylation of T845. PP2Cδ/ILKAP also forms a complex with ILK1 to inhibit the GSK3β‐mediated integrin‐ILK1 signaling in vivo, inhibiting cell cycle progression. These observations raise the possibility that PP2Cδ/ILKAP acts to control the cross‐talk between integrin‐induced and TNFα‐induced signaling pathways, inhibiting the former and stimulating the latter, thereby inhibiting proliferation and survival and promoting the apoptosis of cancer cells. (Cancer Sci 2006; 97: 563–567)

Glycogen synthase phosphatase of rat liver. Its separation from phosphorylase phosphatase on DE-52 columns

Abstract Glycogen synthase D was prepared from rat liver by chromatographing the glycogen pellet on DE-52 columns. It was free of glycogen and phosphorylase and converted readily into synthase I upon incubation with glycogen synthase phosphatase. With this synthase D as substrate, the identity of rat liver glycogen synthase phosphatase was studied by means of DE-52 column chromatography. Under the conditions developed, synthase phosphatase emerged from the columns as a sharp, single peak, and phosphorylase phosphatase came off later. The two phosphatases were also different from each other in stability, synthase phosphatase being less stable than phosphorylase phosphatase.

Protein Phosphatase 2C∈ Is an Endoplasmic Reticulum Integral Membrane Protein That Dephosphorylates the Ceramide Transport Protein CERT to Enhance Its Association with Organelle Membranes

Protein phosphatase 2Cϵ (PP2Cϵ), a mammalian PP2C family member, is expressed in various tissues and is implicated in the negative regulation of stress-activated protein kinase pathways. We show that PP2Cϵ is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) transmembrane protein with a transmembrane domain at the amino terminus and the catalytic domain facing the cytoplasm. Yeast two-hybrid screening of a human brain library using PP2Cϵ as bait resulted in the isolation of a cDNA that encoded vesicle-associated membrane protein-associated protein A (VAPA). VAPA is an ER resident integral membrane protein involved in recruiting lipid-binding proteins such as the ceramide transport protein CERT to the ER membrane. Expression of PP2Cϵ resulted in dephosphorylation of CERT in a VAPA expression-dependent manner, which was accompanied by redistribution of CERT from the cytoplasm to the Golgi apparatus. The expression of PP2Cϵ also enhanced the association between CERT and VAPA. In addition, knockdown of PP2Cϵ expression by short interference RNA attenuated the interaction between CERT and VAPA and the sphingomyelin synthesis. These results suggest that CERT is a physiological substrate of PP2Cϵ and that dephosphorylation of CERT by PP2Cϵ may play an important role in the regulation of ceramide trafficking from the ER to the Golgi apparatus.

Development of autoimmune diabetes in glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GAD65) knockout NOD mice

Aims/hypothesisType 1 diabetes mellitus, a T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease, results from the selective destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells. Autoantibodies against beta-cell components are used clinically as sensitive markers of this disease; however, their physiological role has not been clear. To investigate the role of glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GAD65) in the development of the Type 1 diabetes of non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice, we analysed and characterised NOD mice with targeted disruption of the GAD65 gene.MethodsGAD65-deficient mice were previously established. After backcrossing the knockout mutation onto the NOD genetic background for up to eight generations, female littermates of the three resulting genotypes were produced by intercrossing: GAD65 +/+ (n=23), GAD65 +/− (n=62), and GAD65 −/− (n=31).ResultsThe cumulative incidence of autoimmune diabetes showed no significant difference among the three groups in longitudinal studies using the Kaplan-Meier method. Islet morphology showed that the progression of islet infiltration did not differ significantly between the three groups.Conclusion/interpretationThe cumulative incidence of autoimmune diabetes was not influenced by the GAD65 deficiency. These data suggest that GAD65 is not a major regulatory target of beta-cell autoimmunity in NOD mice.

Protein Phosphatase 2C Inactivates F-actin Binding of Human Platelet Moesin

During activation of platelets by thrombin phosphorylation of Thr558 in the C-terminal domain of the membrane-F-actin linking protein moesin increases transiently, and this correlates with protrusion of filopodial structures. Calyculin A enhances phosphorylation of moesin by inhibition of phosphatases. To measure this moesin-specific activity, a nonradioactive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method was developed with the synthetic peptideCys-Lys555-Tyr-Lys-Thr(P)-Leu-Arg560coupled to bovine serum albumin as the substrate and moesin phosphorylation state-specific polyclonal antibodies for the detection and quantitation of dephosphorylation. Calyculin A-sensitive and -insensitive protein-threonine phosphatase activities were detected in platelet lysates and separated by DEAE-cellulose chromatography. The calyculin A-sensitive enzyme was identified as a type 1 protein phosphatase. The calyculin A-insensitive enzyme activity was purified to homogeneity by phenyl- Sepharose, protamine-, and phosphonic acid peptide-agarose chromatography and characterized biochemically and immunologically as a 53-kDa protein(s) and a type 2C protein phosphatase (PP2C). Phosphorylation of Thr558 is necessary for F-actin binding of moesin in vitro. The purified enzyme, as well as bacterially made PP2Cα and PP2Cβ, efficiently dephosphorylate(s) highly purified platelet phospho-moesin. This reverses the activating effect of phosphorylation, and moesin no longer co-sediments with actin filaments. In vivo, regulation of these phosphatase activities are likely to influence dynamic interactions between the actin cytoskeleton and membrane constituents linked to moesin.

Protein Phosphatase-2Cα as a Positive Regulator of Insulin Sensitivity through Direct Activation of Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

During differentiation, expression of protein phosphatase-2Cα (PP2Cα) is increased in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. To elucidate the role of PP2Cα in insulin signaling, we overexpressed wild-type (WT) PP2Cα by adenovirus-mediated gene transfer in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Overexpression of PP2Cα-WT enhanced the insulin sensitivity of glucose uptake without any changes in the early steps of insulin signaling. Infection with adenovirus 5 expressing PP2Cα-WT increased phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) activities in the immunoprecipitate using antibody against the p85 or p110 subunit under both basal and insulin-stimulated conditions, followed by activation of downstream steps in the PI3K pathway, such as phosphorylation of Akt, glycogen synthase kinase-3, and atypical protein kinase C. In contrast, overexpression of the phosphatase-defective mutant PP2Cα(R174G) did not produce such effects. Furthermore, overexpression of PP2Cα-WT (but not PP2Cα(R174G)) decreased the 32P-labeled phosphorylation state as well as the gel mobility shift of the p85 subunit, suggesting that dephosphorylation of the p85 subunit by PP2Cα activation might stimulate PI3K catalytic activity. Moreover, knockdown of PP2Cα by transfection of small interfering RNA led to a significant decrease in Akt phosphorylation. In addition, microinjection of anti-PP2Cα antibody or PP2Cα small interfering RNA led to decreased insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation. In conclusion, PP2Cα is a new positive regulator of insulin sensitivity that acts through a direct activation of PI3K in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Characterization of multiple forms of histone phosphatase in rat liver.

By using chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, aminohexyl-Sepharose 4B and Sephadex G-200, rat liver extract was shown to contain at least three fractions, IA, IB and II, of histone phosphatase. Fractions IA and II are probably the same enzymes as the previously described glycogen synthase phosphatase and phosphorylase phosphatase, respectively, but IB exhibits noticeable activities only with phosphohistone as substrate. Approximate molecular weights of 69 000, 300 000 and 160 000 were determined by gel filtration on Sephadex G-200 for IA, IB and II, respectively.

Negative regulation of protein phosphatase 2Cβ by ISG15 conjugation

ISG15, an interferon‐upregulated ubiquitin‐like protein, is covalently conjugated to various cellular proteins (ISGylation). In this study, we found that protein phosphatase 2Cβ (PP2Cβ), which functions in the nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB) pathway via dephosphorylation of TGF‐β‐activated kinase, was ISGylated, and analysis by NF‐κB luciferase reporter assay revealed that PP2Cβ activity was suppressed by co‐expression of ISG15, UBE1L, and UbcH8. We determined the ISGylation sites of PP2Cβ and constructed its ISGylation‐resistant mutant. In contrast to the wild type, this mutant suppressed the NF‐κB pathway even in the presence of ISG15, UBE1L, and UbcH8. Thus, we propose that ISGylation negatively regulates PP2Cβ activity.