MEK and ERK activation in ras-disabled RBL-2H3 mast cells and novel roles for geranylgeranylated and farnesylated proteins in Fc epsilonRI-mediated signaling.

Cross-linking the high affinity IgE receptor Fc epsilonRI of basophils and mast cells activates receptor-associated protein-tyrosine kinases and stimulates a signaling cascade leading to secretion, ruffling, spreading, and cytokine production. Previous evidence that the pan-prenylation inhibitor lovastatin blocks Ag-stimulated Ca2+ influx, secretion, and membrane/cytoskeletal responses implicated isoprenylated proteins in the Fc epsilonRI-coupled signaling cascade but could not distinguish between contributions of C15 (farnesylated) and C20 (geranylgeranylated) species. Here we establish concentrations of lovastatin and the farnesyl-specific inhibitor BZA-5B that inhibit the farnesylation and Ag-induced activation of Ras species in RBL-2H3 cells (H-Ras, K-RasA, and K-RasB). These inhibitors have little effect on tyrosine kinase activation, which initiates Fc epsilonRI signaling. Although Ras is disabled, only lovastatin substantially blocks Raf-1 activation, and neither inhibitor affects mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase/extracellular signal regulated kinase kinase (MEK) or ERK1/ERK2 activation. Thus, the pathway to Fc epsilonRI-mediated MEK/ERK and ERK activation can apparently bypass Ras and Raf-1. Predictably, only lovastatin inhibits Ag-induced ruffling, spreading, and secretion, previously linked to geranylgeranylated Rho and Rab family members. Additionally, only lovastatin inhibits phospholipase Cgamma-mediated inositol (1,4,5) trisphosphate production, sustained Ca2+ influx, and Ca2+-dependent IL-4 production, suggesting novel roles for geranylgeranylated (lovastatin-sensitive, BZA-5B-insensitive) proteins in Fc epsilonRI signal propagation. Remarkably, BZA-5B concentrations too low to inactivate Ras reduce the lag time to Ag-induced Ca2+ stores release and enhance secretion. These results link a non-Ras farnesylated protein(s) to the negative regulation of Ca2+ release from intracellular stores and secretion. We identified no clear role for Ras in Fc epsilonRI-coupled signaling but suggest its involvement in mast cell growth regulation based on the inhibition of cell proliferation by both BZA-5B and lovastatin.

Graham TE ，Pfeiffer JR ，Lee RJ ，Kusewitt DF ，Martinez AM ，Foutz T ，Wilson BS ，Oliver JM ... -  《JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY》

Stem cell factor augments Fc epsilon RI-mediated TNF-alpha production and stimulates MAP kinases via a different pathway in MC/9 mast cells.

Mast cells express the receptor tyrosine kinase kit/stem cell factor receptor (SCFR) which is encoded by the proto-oncogene c-kit. Ligation of SCFR induces its dimerization and activation of its intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity leading to activation of Raf-1, phospholipases, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and extracellular signal-regulated kinases. However, little is known about the downstream signals initiated by SCFR ligation except for activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases. The murine mast cell line, MC/9, synthesizes and secretes TNF-alpha following the aggregation of high affinity Fc receptors for IgE (Fc epsilonRI). Ligation of SCFR or Fc epsilonRI on MC/9 cells resulted in the activation of all three MAP kinase family members, extracellular signal-regulated kinases, c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38. Stem cell factor (SCF)-induced activation of JNK and p38 was insensitive to wortmannin, cyclosporin A, and FK506 whereas activation of these kinases through Fc epsilonRI was sensitive to these drugs. Coligation of SCFR augmented Fc epsilonRI-mediated activation of MAP kinases, especially JNK activation, and SCF augmented Fc epsilonRI-mediated TNF-alpha production in MC/9 cells, although SCF alone did not induce TNF-alpha production. This augmentation by SCF was regulated at the level of transcription, at least in part, since the promoter activity of TNF-alpha was enhanced following addition of SCF. These results demonstrate that SCF can augment Fc epsilonRI-mediated JNK activation and cytokine gene transcription but via pathways that are regulated differently than the ones activated through Fc epsilonRI.

Ishizuka T ，Kawasome H ，Terada N ，Takeda K ，Gerwins P ，Keller GM ，Johnson GL ，Gelfand EW ... -  《JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY》

Rit, a non-lipid-modified Ras-related protein, transforms NIH3T3 cells without activating the ERK, JNK, p38 MAPK or PI3K/Akt pathways.

Rusyn EV ，Reynolds ER ，Shao H ，Grana TM ，Chan TO ，Andres DA ，Cox AD ... -  《ONCOGENE》

Src family-selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor, PP1, inhibits both Fc epsilonRI- and Thy-1-mediated activation of rat basophilic leukemia cells.

Amoui M ，Dráber P ，Dráberová L 《EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY》

Stimulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase activity by different secretory stimuli in rat basophilic leukemia cells.

Offermanns S ，Jones SV ，Bombien E ，Schultz G ... -  《JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY》