EGF-induced ERK phosphorylation independent of PKC isozymes in human corneal epithelial cells.

To investigate the role of protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes in epithelial growth factor (EGF)-induced activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and cell proliferation in cultured human corneal epithelial cells. Simian virus (SV)40 stably transfected human corneal epithelial (THCE) cells were cultured in keratinocyte growth medium. PKC isozymes and phosphorylation of ERK in THCE cells were assessed by Western blot analysis. Translocation of the PKC isozyme was determined by subcellular fractionation followed by Western blot analysis. Cell proliferation was measured by incorporation of [(3)H]-thymidine into DNA. Six PKC isozymes-PKC-alpha, -betaI, -betaII, -delta, - epsilon, and - micro -were found in THCE cells. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) caused PKC-alpha, -betaI, and - epsilon, initially present in the cytoplasm, to be translocated to the membrane and nuclear subcellular fractions and PKC-delta to be depleted from the cytoskeleton. The PKC inhibitor GF109203X inhibited PMA-induced, but not basal or EGF-induced, phosphorylation of ERK, whereas the EGF receptor inhibitor tyrphostin AG1478 blocked basal and EGF-, but not PMA-, induced phosphorylation of ERK. Depletion of PMA-sensitive PKC isozymes including PKC-alpha, -betaI, -betaII, -delta, and - epsilon, inhibited PMA-, but not EGF-, induced phosphorylation of ERK. Depletion of these PKC isozymes blocked PMA-, but not EGF-, induced cell proliferation. Although activation of PKC by PMA results in activation of ERK, EGF-induced phosphorylation of ERK and/or cell proliferation is independent of the conventional and novel isozymes PKC-alpha, -betaI, -betaII, -delta, and - epsilon in human corneal epithelial cells.

Xu KP ，Dartt DA ，Yu FS 《INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE》

Mitogenic signalling by B2 bradykinin receptor in epithelial breast cells.

The kinin peptides are released during inflammation and are amongst the most potent known mediators of vasodilatation, pain, and oedema. A role in the modulation or induction of healthy breast tissue growth has been postulated for tissue kallikrein present in human milk. Moreover, tissue kallikrein was found in malignant human breast tissue and bradykinin (BK) stimulates the proliferation of immortalised breast cancer cells. Aim of the present article was to investigate whether BK also exerts mitogenic activity in normal breast epithelial cells and partially characterise the signalling machinery involved. Results show that BK increased up to 2-fold the 24 h proliferation of breast epithelial cells in primary culture, and that the BK B2 receptor (not B1) inhibitor alone fully blocked the BK response. Intracellular effects of B2 stimulation were the following: (a) the increase of free intracellular Ca(2+) concentration by a mechanism dependent upon the phospholipase C (PLC) activity; (b) the cytosol-to-membrane translocation of conventional (PKC)-alpha and -beta isozymes, novel PKC-delta, -epsilon, and -eta isozymes; (c) the phosphorylation of the extracellular-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2); and (d) the stimulation of the expression of c-Fos protein. EGF, a well known stimulator of cell proliferation, regulated the proliferative response in human epithelial breast cells to the same extent of BK. The effects of BK on proliferation, ERK1/2 phosphorylation, and c-Fos expression were abolished by GF109203X, which inhibits PKC-delta isozyme. Conversely, Gö6976, an inhibitor of PKC-alpha and -beta isozymes, and the 18-h treatment of cells with PMA, that led to the complete down-regulation of PKC-alpha, -beta, -epsilon, and -eta, but not of PKC-delta, did not have any effect, thereby indicating that the PKC-delta mediates the mitogenic signalling of BK. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), tyrosine kinase of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and mitogen activated protein kinase kinases (MEK) inhibitors were also tested. The results suggest that EGFR, PI3K, and ERK are required for the proliferative effects of BK. In addition, the BK induced cytosol-to-membrane translocation of PKC-delta was blocked by PI3K inhibition, suggesting that PI3K is upstream to PKC-delta. In conclusion, BK has mitogenic actions in cultured human epithelial breast cells; the activation of PKC-delta through B2 receptor acts in concert with ERK and PI3K pathways to induce cell proliferation.

Greco S ，Muscella A ，Elia MG ，Romano S ，Storelli C ，Marsigliante S ... -  《JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY》

EGF-mediated phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases in osteoblastic cells.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) induces a rapid increase in the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) in the human osteosarcoma osteoblastic cell line G292 and in primary cultures of rat osteoblastic cells. This phosphorylation is transient and time-dependent. Maximal stimulation is attained within 1 min in G292 and within 5 min in rat osteoblastic cells. Enzymatic activity in G292 cells is also induced rapidly after EGF stimulation. Western blot analysis revealed that enhancement of the phosphorylation of ERKs in the EGF-stimulated cells is not due to an increase in ERK protein, since EGF-treatment does not lead to an increase in the absolute amount of ERKs present even after 2 days of stimulation. The pattern of expression of the ERKs observed in the two cell types differs in the apparent molecular weights observed. The most slowly migrating immunoreactive protein (approximately 45 kDa) in normal rat osteoblastic cells is ERK1, identified by an ERK1-selective antiserum. The same antiserum reacts only weakly with one of the ERK proteins (44 kDa) blotted from the human osteosarcoma cell line G292. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) is also capable of inducing ERK phosphorylation, albeit to a lasser degree. The combination of PMA and EGF does not produce a greater response than EGF alone. The role of protein kinase C (PKC) in the EGF-stimulated ERK signaling pathway was further examined by inhibition of PKC with the staurosporine analog, CGP41251, and by down-regulation of PKC via chronic treatment with PMA. Chronic PMA treatment results in a partial inhibition of the EGF-mediated phosphorylation. CGP41251 completely abolishes the increased ERK activity produced by PMA, but the effect of EGF in this regard is potentiated. We conclude that PKC and EGF act through parallel pathways to stimulate ERK phosphorylation and activity. The inhibitor studies, in addition, indicate that activation of PKC may moderate the actions of the EGF pathway via a tonic inhibitory feedback.

Zhang W ，Dziak RM ，Aletta JM 《JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY》

Upregulation of phospholipase Cgamma1 activity during EGF-induced proliferation of corneal epithelial cells: effect of phosphoinositide-3 kinase.

Previously, the authors showed that epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulates phospholipase Cgamma1 (PLCgamma1) and phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) activities in confluent rabbit corneal epithelial cells (RCECs). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether PLCgamma1 activity is upregulated during EGF-induced proliferation of RCECs and to determine whether there is any cross-talk between PLCgamma1 and PI3K in these cells. Simian virus (SV)-40-immortalized RCECs were cultured in the presence and absence of EGF and other agents. At prescribed time intervals, the cultures were terminated and the cells counted. PLCgamma1 activity in intact cells was assessed by measuring the production of [(3)H]IP(3) in [(3)H]myoinositol-labeled cells. The in vitro enzyme activity was assayed using immunoprecipitated PLCgamma1 and [(3)H]PI(4,5)P(2) as substrate. [(3)H]IP(3), the product of PLCgamma1, was analyzed by anion-exchange chromatography. The changes in protein content and level of phosphorylation of PLCgamma1 were determined by Western immunoblot analysis, with the appropriate antibodies. Addition of EGF (50 ng/ml) caused a time-dependent increase in proliferation of RCECS. The effect of EGF peaked at approximately 36 hours. Under the same experimental conditions, EGF stimulated PLCgamma1 activity with a time course similar to that of cell proliferation. Data from Western immunoblot analysis revealed that the EGF-stimulated PLCgamma1 activity was due to increased synthesis of the enzyme. Furthermore, during cell proliferation, tyrosine phosphorylation of PLCgamma1 increased in a time-dependent manner that corresponded closely with the expression of PLCgamma1. EGF exerted its effects both on cell proliferation and PLCgamma1 activation in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment of the cells with U-73122, a PLC inhibitor, or myr-GLYRKAMRLRY, a myristoylated PLCgamma1 inhibitor peptide, caused attenuation of both the EGF-stimulated cell proliferation and PLCgamma1 activity. Treatment of the cells with the PI3K inhibitors, wortmannin or LY294002, caused inhibition of both EGF-stimulated cell proliferation and PLCgamma1 activation. Addition of PI(3,4,5)P(3) to the in vitro PLCgamma1 assay mixture stimulated the enzyme activity in a dose-dependent manner. The data suggest a positive correlation between EGF-stimulated PLCgamma1 activation and cell proliferation in RCECS. The EGF-stimulated PLCgamma1 activity was mirrored by increased synthesis and tyrosine phosphorylation of the enzyme. The data also show that PLCgamma1 activation and cell proliferation were inhibited by PI3K inhibitors, suggesting a role for PI3K in EGF-stimulated proliferation of corneal epithelial cells.

Islam M ，Akhtar RA 《INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE》

The protein kinase C inhibitor Go6976 [12-(2-cyanoethyl)-6,7,12,13-tetrahydro-13-methyl-5-oxo-5H-indolo(2,3-a)pyrrolo(3,4-c)-carbazole] potentiates agonist-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase activation through tyrosine phosphorylation of the epiderm

Protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms are important transducers of signals from G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to diverse cellular targets, including extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2). Clone 9 rat hepatocytes (C9 cells) express receptors for angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), and epidermal growth factor (EGF), and their stimulation causes transient ERK1/2 phosphorylation through transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R). Inhibition of PKC by Go6983 [2-[1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-5-methoxyindol-3-yl]-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)maleimide], or PKC depletion by prolonged phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) treatment, attenuated ERK1/2 activation by Ang II and PMA, but not by LPA and EGF. In contrast, another PKC inhibitor, Go6976 [12-(2-cyanoethyl)-6,7,12,13-tetrahydro-13-methyl-5-oxo-5H-indolo(2,3-a)pyrrolo(3,4-c)-carbazole], enhanced basal and agonist-stimulated phosphorylation of ERK1/2, which was not caused by alteration in receptor binding and internalization, stimulation of inositol phosphate production, or activation of Pyk2 and Src tyrosine kinases. However, Go6976 enhanced agonist-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the EGF receptor, possibly through inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP), because the PTP inhibitor sodium orthovanadate mimicked the effects of Go6976. Selective blockade of EGF-R kinase by AG1478 [4-(3-chloroanilino)6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline] abolished the ERK1/2 activation induced by Go6976. Similar experiments were conducted in human embryonic kidney 293 cells, which express receptors for LPA and EGF but exhibit no significant cross-communication between them. Although Go6976 caused a significant increase in EGF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the EGF-R and subsequent ERK1/2 activation, it had no such effects on LPA-induced responses. In Chinese hamster ovary cells, which express receptors for LPA but not for EGF, Go6976 also had no significant effect on LPA-induced ERK1/2 activation. These data indicate that Go6976 potentiates agonist-induced ERK1/2 activation through stimulation of tyrosine phosphorylation of the EGF-R.

Shah BH ，Olivares-Reyes JA ，Catt KJ 《MOLECULAR PHARMACOLOGY》