Biomedical subjects

B A Witthuhn

Publications and source records attributed to B A Witthuhn.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Upregulation of bone morphogenetic protein GDF-3/Vgr-2 expression in adipose tissue of FABP4/aP2 null mice.

High-fat-fed C57Bl/6J FABP4/aP2 null mice develop obesity but not the related hyperglycemia or hyperinsulinemia characteristic of type II diabetes. FABP4/aP2 protein's function to bind fatty acids in the adipocytes may promote total body energy homeostasis by linking energy depots to the ability to express signaling molecules similar to leptin. To test this hypothesis, proteomic analysis of serum proteins from high-fat-fed wild-type and FABP4/aP2 null mice revealed that the GDF-3/Vgr-2 protein, a bone morphogenetic protein, was upregulated in C57Bl/6J FABP4/aP2 null mice. The increase in serum GDF-3/Vgr-2 protein was correlated with a 27-fold increase in adipose GDF-3/Vgr-2 mRNA. In contrast, leptin expression was unaltered between FABP4/aP2 null and wild-type animals. The expression of GDF-3/Vgr-2 mRNA was not substantially different in adipose tissue of db/db and tb/tb mice compared to wild-type controls. The expression of GDF-3/Vgr-2 mRNA was dependent upon the age and diet of the animals, declining as a function of age in high-fat-fed wild-type animals while increasing in the FABP4/aP2 null strain. These results identify GDF-3/Vgr-2 as an age- and fat-regulated, adipose-derived cytokine suggesting a linkage between adipocyte fatty acid metabolism and the expression of the bone morphogenetic family of differentiation regulators.

Adipocytes↗

PubMed1999

Differential substrate recognition capabilities of Janus family protein tyrosine kinases within the interleukin 2 receptor (IL2R) system: Jak3 as a potential molecular target for treatment of leukemias with a hyperactive Jak-Stat signaling machinery.

Substrate recognition by Janus family protein tyrosine kinases was examined utilizing recombinant baculovirus produced components of the interleukin 2 receptor (IL2R) system i.e. Jak1, Transducers and Activators of Transcription (STAT). Wild type Jak3 was able to tyrosine phosphorylate a kinase-dead Jak1 (Jak1E908). In contrast wild type Jak1 was unable to tyrosine phosphorylate kinase dead Jak3 (Jak3E851). This unilateral transphosphorylation between Jak3 and Jak1 prompts the hypothesis that in the IL2R system the activation of Jak3 precedes Jak1 activation. Both the IL2Rbeta and IL2Rgammac subunits underwent tyrosine phosphorylation when co-expressed with wild-type Jak3. By comparison only IL2Rbeta was recognized and tyrosine phosphorylated by wild-type Jak1. These results are consistent with the notion that Jakl is pre-associated with IL2Rbeta and Jak3 is pre-associated with IL2Rgammac. STAT1, STAT3, and STAT5 underwent tyrosine phosphorylation when co-expressed with Jakl and therefore are substrates for the respective Jak kinases. In contrast, Jak3 co-expression resulted in tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT3 and STAT5 but not STAT1. Notably a polypeptide representing the kinase domain of Jak3 (Jak3-JH1) gained the ability to tyrosine phosphorylate STAT1, suggesting that the changes in substrate recognition may be influenced by domains outside the kinase domain. These findings provide evidence that Jak1 and Jak3 differentially recognize specific substrates, thereby having the ability to contribute specific signals, and the substrate specificity may be influenced by multiple domains of these tyrosine kinases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1997

A JAK1/JAK2 chimera can sustain alpha and gamma interferon responses.

Cell lines that are mutated in interferon (IFN) responses have been critical in establishing an essential role for the JAK family of nonreceptor tyrosine kinases in interferon signalling. Mutant gamma1A cells have previously been shown to be complemented by overexpression of JAK2. Here, it is shown that these cells carry a defect in, and can also be complemented by, the beta-subunit of the IFN-gamma receptor, consistent with the hypothesis that the mutation in these cells affects JAK2-receptor association. In contrast, mutant gamma2A cells lack detectable JAK2 mRNA and protein. By using gamma2A cells, the role of various domains and conserved tyrosine residues of JAK2 in IFN-gamma signalling was examined. Individual mutation of six conserved tyrosine residues, mutation of a potential phosphatase binding site, or mutation of the arginine residue in the proposed SH2-like domain had no apparent effect on signalling in response to IFN-gamma. Results with deletion mutants, however, indicated that association of JAK2 with the IFN-gammaR2 subunit requires the amino-terminal region but not the pseudokinase domain. Consistent with this, in chimeras with JAK1, the JAK2 amino-terminal region was required for receptor association and STAT1 activation. Conversely, a JAK1-JAK2 chimera with the amino-terminal domains of JAK1 linked to the pseudokinase and kinase domains of JAK2 is capable of reconstituting JAK-STAT signalling in response to IFN-alpha and -gamma in mutant U4C cells lacking JAK1. The specificity of the JAKs may therefore lie mainly in their structural interaction with different receptor and signalling proteins rather than in the substrate specificity of their kinase domains.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1997

Activation of Jak2 catalytic activity requires phosphorylation of Y1007 in the kinase activation loop.

The Janus protein tyrosine kinases (Jaks) play critical roles in transducing growth and differentiation signals emanating from ligand-activated cytokine receptor complexes. The activation of the Jaks is hypothesized to occur as a consequence of auto- or transphosphorylation on tyrosine residues associated with ligand-induced aggregation of the receptor chains and the associated Jaks. In many kinases, regulation of catalytic activity by phosphorylation occurs on residues within the activation loop of the kinase domain. Within the Jak2 kinase domain, there is a region that has considerable sequence homology to the regulatory region of the insulin receptor and contains two tyrosines, Y1007 and Y1008, that are potential regulatory sites. In the studies presented here, we demonstrate that among a variety of sites, Y1007 and Y1008 are sites of trans- or autophosphorylation in vivo and in in vitro kinase reactions. Mutation of Y1007, or both Y1007 and Y1008, to phenylalanine essentially eliminated kinase activity, whereas mutation of Y1008 to phenylalanine had no detectable effect on kinase activity. The mutants were also examined for the ability to reconstitute erythropoietin signaling in gamma2 cells, which lack Jak2. Consistent with the kinase activity, mutation of Y1007 to phenylalanine eliminated the ability to restore signaling. Moreover, phosphorylation of a kinase-inactive mutant (K882E) was not detected, indicating that Jak2 activation during receptor aggregation is dependent on Jak2 and not another receptor-associated kinase. The results demonstrate the critical role of phosphorylation of Y1007 in Jak2 regulation and function.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1996

Kinase-negative mutants of JAK1 can sustain interferon-gamma-inducible gene expression but not an antiviral state.

The receptor-associated protein tyrosine kinases JAK1 and JAK2 are both required for the interferon (IFN)-gamma response. The effects of expressing kinase-negative JAK mutant proteins on signal transduction in response to IFN-gamma in wild-type cells and in mutant cells lacking either JAK1 or JAK2 have been analysed. In cells lacking endogenous JAK1 the expression of a transfected kinase-negative JAK1 can sustain substantial IFN-gamma-inducible gene expression, consistent with a structural as well as an enzymic role for JAK1. Kinase-negative JAK2, expressed in cells lacking endogenous JAK2, cannot sustain IFN-gamma-inducible gene expression, despite low level activation of STAT1 DNA binding activity. When expressed in wild-type cells, kinase-negative JAK2 acts as a dominant-negative inhibitor of the IFN-gamma response. Further analysis of the JAK/STAT pathway suggests a model for the IFN-gamma response in which the initial phosphorylation of JAK1 and JAK2 is mediated by JAK2, whereas phosphorylation of the IFN-gamma receptor is normally carried out by JAK1. The efficient phosphorylation of STAT 1 in the receptor-JAK complex may again depend on JAK2. Interestingly, a JAK1-dependent signal, in addition to STAT1 activation, appears to be required for the expression of the antiviral state.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Isolation and characterization of the rat beta-subunit gene of the high affinity receptor for immunoglobulin E.

The high affinity receptor for IgE, which mediates allergic reactions, is found exclusively on mast cells, basophils and epidermal Langerhans cells. It is composed of an alpha, beta and two gamma-polypeptide chains, inserted as a complex into the plasma membrane. The alpha and beta-subunits are produced only by these cell types. This work describes the isolation and characterization of the gene which encodes the rat beta-subunit. The single copy gene spans a 9 kbp region of DNA and is composed of seven exons and six introns. Transcriptional initiation begins from a single site, which is preceded by a very unique, putative transcriptional consensus sequence, the GATA box. Analysis of the 5'-region, upstream of exon 1, also reveals a unique sequence bias and a collection of repeating elements, suggesting several other potential transcriptional cis-control elements. The origins of the two, previously reported, different beta-subunit transcripts result from the same start site of this gene, but use an alternative RNA processing mechanism involving exon 3.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Defective lymphoid development in mice lacking Jak3.

The Janus tyrosine kinases (Jaks) play a central role in signaling through cytokine receptors. Although Jak1, Jak2, and Tyk2 are widely expressed, Jak3 is predominantly expressed in hematopoietic cells and is known to associate only with the common gamma (gamma c) chain of the interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, and IL-15 receptors. Homozygous mutant mice in which the Jak3 gene had been disrupted were generated by gene targeting. Jak3-deficient mice had profound reductions in thymocytes and severe B cell and T cell lymphopenia similar to severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID), and the residual T cells and B cells were functionally deficient. Thus, Jak3 plays a critical role in gamma c signaling and lymphoid development.

Aging↗

PubMed1995

A kinase-deficient splice variant of the human JAK3 is expressed in hematopoietic and epithelial cancer cells.

Signal transduction of cytokine receptors is mediated by the JAK family of tyrosine kinases. Recently, the kinase partners for the interleukin (IL)-2 receptor have been identified as JAK1 and JAK3. In this study, we report the identification of splice variants that may modulate JAK3 signaling. Three splice variants were isolated from different mRNA sources: breast (B), spleen (S), and activated monocytes (M). Sequence analysis revealed that the splice variants contain identical NH2-terminal regions but diverge at the COOH termini. Analyses of expression of the JAK3 splice isoforms by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction on a panel of cell lines show splice preferences in different cell lines: the S-form is more commonly seen in hematopoietic lines, whereas the B- and M-forms are detected in cells both of hematopoietic and epithelial origins. Antibodies raised against peptides to the B-form splice variant confirmed that the 125-kDa JAK3B protein product is found abundantly in hematopoietic as well as epithelial cells, including primary breast cancers. The lack of subdomain XI in the tyrosine kinase core of the B-form JAK3 protein suggests that it is a defective kinase. This is supported by the lack of detected autokinase activity of the B-form JAK3. Intriguingly, both the S and B splice isoforms of JAK3 appear to co-immunoprecipitate with the IL-2 receptor from HUT-78 cell lysates. This and the presence of multiple COOH-terminal splice variants coexpressed in the same cells suggest that the JAK3 splice isoforms are functional in JAK3 signaling and may enrich the complexity of the intracellular responses functional in IL-2 or cytokine signaling.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1995

Interleukin-9 induces tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 via JAK tyrosine kinases.

Interleukin (IL)-9 stimulates the proliferation of a variety of hematopoietic lineages through its interaction with a receptor of the cytokine receptor superfamily. In the studies presented here, we have begun to characterize the downstream signaling pathways activated by IL-9. In addition to the activation of JAK1 and JAK3 tyrosine kinases, IL-9, unlike most hematopoietic cytokines but similar to IL-4, induces the tyrosine phosphorylation of a 170-kDa protein that is related to the insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1). We further demonstrate for the first time that IRS-1 is not only associated with JAK1 but also tyrosine phosphorylated and functionally involved in IL-9 signaling in TS1 lymphocytes transfected with the murine IRS-1 cDNA. Cotransfection studies and in vitro experiments directly demonstrate that JAK1, JAK2, or JAK3 is capable of tyrosine phosphorylating IRS-1, suggesting a functional role for these kinases in vivo. Lastly, we demonstrate that IL-9 induces the tyrosine phosphorylation of Stat3 and in this regard differs from IL-4, which triggers tyrosine phosphorylation of Stat6. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that IL-9 and IL-4 utilize common and unique signaling pathways via inducing the similar and distinct tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Phosphorylation and activation of the DNA binding activity of purified Stat1 by the Janus protein-tyrosine kinases and the epidermal growth factor receptor.

The activation of Janus protein-tyrosine kinases (Jaks) and the subsequent phosphorylation and activation of latent signal transducers and activators of transcription (Stats) are common elements in signal transduction through the cytokine receptor superfamily. To assess the role and specificity of Jaks in Stat activation, we have utilized baculovirus expression systems to produce Stat1 and the Jaks. Co-expression of Stat1 with Tyk2, Jak1, or Jak2 resulted in the specific tyrosine phosphorylation of Stat1 at Tyr701, the residue phosphorylated in mammalian cells stimulated with interferon gamma. Alternatively, Stat1, purified to apparent homogeneity from insect cell extracts, was phosphorylated at Tyr701 in Jak immune complex kinase reactions. Phosphorylation of purified Stat1 was necessary and sufficient for the acquisition of DNA binding activity. The specificity in both systems was indicated by the inability of a Jak2 catalytically inactive mutant (Jak2-Glu882) or the Tec protein-tyrosine kinase to phosphorylate Stat1. However, immune complex-purified epidermal growth factor receptor was capable of phosphorylating purified Stat1 at Tyr701 and activating its DNA binding activity in in vitro reactions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1995

The action of interleukin-2 receptor subunits defines a new type of signaling mechanism for hematopoietin receptors in hepatic cells and fibroblasts.

The gene regulatory functions of the human IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) were reconstituted in transiently transfected hepatoma cells. The combination of IL-2R beta and -gamma mediated a strong stimulation via the cytokine response element of the alpha 1-acid glycoprotein gene and the hematopoietin receptor response element, but none via the IL-6 response element or the sis-inducible element. IL-2R alpha enhanced 10-fold the sensitivity of the IL-2R beta.gamma complex to respond to IL-2 or IL-15, but did not modify the specificity or the magnitude of maximal gene regulation. A homodimerizing chimeric receptor G-CSFR-IL-2R beta could mimic the IL-2R action. The IL-2R-mediated gene regulation was similar to that seen with receptors for IL-4 and IL-7, but differed from that for IL-6 type cytokines, thrombopoietin, erythropoietin, and growth hormone. The activation of STAT proteins by the IL-2R was assessed in transfected L-cells and COS-1 cells. Although IL-2R subunits were highly expressed in these cells, no STAT protein activation was detectable. Transient overexpression of JAK3 was unable to change the signaling specificity of the hematopoietin receptors in rat hepatoma, L-, and COS cells, but established a prominent activation of the IL-6 response elements by the IL-2R and IL-4R in HepG2 cells. The data support the model that the IL-2R and related hematopoietin receptors produce at least two separate signals which control gene expression.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Signaling through the hematopoietic cytokine receptors.

Hematopoiesis is regulated through the interaction of a variety of growth factors with specific receptors of the cytokine receptor superfamily. Although lacking catalytic domains, all the receptors couple ligand binding to the rapid induction of protein tyrosine phosphorylation. This is mediated through a novel family of protein tyrosine kinases termed the Janus kinases (Jaks) which associate with the receptors and are activated following ligand binding. Depending upon the cytokine/receptor system, one or more of the four known Jaks (Jak1, Jak2, Jak3, Tyk2) is/are involved. The activated Jaks phosphorylate both themselves and the receptor subunits, creating docking sites for SH2-containing proteins including SHC, which couples receptor engagement to activation of the ras pathway, and HCP, a protein tyrosine phosphatase which negatively affects the response. In addition, the Jaks phosphorylate one or more of a family of signal transducers and activators of transcription (Stats). Phosphorylation of Stats induces their nuclear translocation and DNA-binding activity. Activation of Stats is independent of activation of the ras pathway and represents a novel signaling pathway correlated with mitogenesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1994

Induction of tyrosine phosphorylation of Vav and expression of Pim-1 correlates with Jak2-mediated growth signaling from the erythropoietin receptor.

The receptor for erythropoietin (Epo) belongs to the cytokine receptor family and lacks a tyrosine kinase domain. However, it has been hypothesized that a tyrosine kinase, Jak2, associates with the membrane proximal cytoplasmic region of Epo receptor (EpoR) and mediates the growth signaling from the receptor through tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular substrates. To explore the growth signaling pathways from the EpoR, we analyzed substrates of tyrosine phosphorylation induced by Epo stimulation in cells expressing various mutant EpoRs. The vav proto-oncogene product was found to be tyrosine phosphorylated after Epo stimulation in cells expressing the wild-type EpoR or a truncated receptor, H mutant, that retains the growth signaling function. In these cells, Epo also induced the expression of a serine/threonine kinase, Pim-1. However, Epo stimulation did not have any effect on Vav or Pim-1 in cells expressing a mutant EpoR, PM4 mutant, inactivated by a point mutation, Trp282 to Arg, in the membrane proximal region, which abrogates the interaction with Jak2. On the other hand, both tyrosine phosphorylation of Vav and expression of Pim-1 were observed constitutively in cells expressing a mutant EpoR that is constitutively activated by a point mutation, Arg 129 to Cys, in the extracellular domain. Jak2 was also constitutively tyrosine phosphorylated and activated in cells expressing this mutant, which confirms the crucial role of Jak2 in growth signaling from the EpoR. Taken together, these observations suggest that the tyrosine phosphorylation of Vav and the expression of Pim-1 may play important roles in growth signaling from the EpoR.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1994

Activation of JAK kinases and STAT proteins by interleukin-2 and interferon alpha, but not the T cell antigen receptor, in human T lymphocytes.

The activation of Janus protein tyrosine kinases (JAKs) and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins by interleukin (IL)-2, the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) and interferon (IFN) alpha was explored in human peripheral blood-derived T cells and the leukemic T cell line Kit225. An IL-2-induced increase in JAK1 and JAK3, but not JAK2 or Tyk2, tyrosine phosphorylation was observed. In contrast, no induction of tyrosine phosphorylation of JAKs was detected upon stimulation of the TCR. IFN alpha induced the tyrosine phosphorylation of JAK1 and Tyk2, but not JAK2 or JAK3. IFN alpha activated STAT1, STAT2 and STAT3 in T cells, but no detectable activation of these STATs was induced by IL-2. However, IL-2 regulates the DNA binding and tyrosine phosphorylation of two STAT-like protein complexes which do not include STAT1, STAT2 or STAT3. STAT4 is not activated by IL-2. The activation of STAT5 cannot be excluded, so the IL-2-activated complexes most probably include at least one novel STAT. No STAT activity was detected in TCR-stimulated lymphocytes, indicating that the JAK/STAT pathway defined in this study constitutes an IL-2R-mediated signaling event which is not shared by the TCR. Finally, in other cell types the correlation between JAK1 activation and the induction of STAT1 has suggested that JAK1 may activate STAT1. The observation that IL-2 and IFN alpha activate JAK1 to a comparable degree, but only IFN alpha activates STAT1, indicates that JAK1 activation is not the only determining factor for STAT1 activation. Moreover, the data show that JAK1 stimulation is also not sufficient for STAT3 activation.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1994

Interaction of IL-2R beta and gamma c chains with Jak1 and Jak3: implications for XSCID and XCID.

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) signaling requires the dimerization of the IL-2 receptor beta.(IL-2R beta) and common gamma (gamma c) chains. Mutations of gamma c can result in X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (XSCID). IL-2, IL-4, IL-7 (whose receptors are known to contain gamma c), and IL-9 (whose receptor is shown here to contain gamma c) induced the tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of the Janus family tyrosine kinases Jak1 and Jak3. Jak1 and Jak3 associated with IL-2R beta and gamma c, respectively; IL-2 induced Jak3-IL-2R beta and increased Jak3-gamma c associations. Truncations of gamma c, and a gamma c, point mutation causing moderate X-linked combined immunodeficiency (XCID), decreased gamma c-Jak3 association. Thus, gamma c mutations in at least some XSCID and XCID patients prevent normal Jak3 activation, suggesting that mutations of Jak3 may result in an XSCID-like phenotype.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Functional activation of Jak1 and Jak3 by selective association with IL-2 receptor subunits.

The interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) consists of three subunits: the IL-2R alpha, IL-2R beta, and IL-2R gamma chains, the last of which is also used in the receptors for IL-4, IL-7, and IL-9. Stimulation with IL-2 induces the tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of the Janus kinases Jak1 and Jak3. Jak1 and Jak3 were found to be selectively associated with the "serine-rich" region of IL-2R beta and the carboxyl-terminal region of IL-2R gamma, respectively. Both regions were necessary for IL-2 signaling. Furthermore, Jak3-negative fibroblasts expressing reconstituted IL-2R became responsive to IL-2 after the additional expression of Jak3 complementary DNA. Thus, activation of Jak1 and Jak3 may be a key event in IL-2 signaling.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Erythropoietin induces association of the JAK2 protein tyrosine kinase with the erythropoietin receptor in vivo.

Protein tyrosine phosphorylation has been hypothesized to play a key role in the growth signaling induced by erythropoietin (Epo), although the Epo receptor (EpoR), a member of the cytokine receptor superfamily, lacks a tyrosine kinase domain. Recently, the JAK2 tyrosine kinase was shown to be activated on Epo stimulation and to bind to the cytoplasmic domain of EpoR in vitro. To further explore the mechanisms of activation of JAK2 in EpoR-mediated signal transduction, we assessed the conditions for association of JAK2 with EpoR in vivo. Epo stimulation rapidly induced association of JAK2 with the EpoR in an interleukin 3 (IL-3)-dependent cell line transfected with the wild-type EpoR. On Epo stimulation JAK2 also associated with a truncated mutant EpoR (H-mutant), which is mitogenetically active but not tyrosine phosphorylated, indicating that association does not require receptor phosphorylation and occurs in the membrane proximal region. However, association was not detected with mutant receptors inactivated by an internal deletion or a point mutation, Trp282 to Arg, in a membrane-proximal cytoplasmic region (PB or PM4 mutant, respectively). Immune complex kinase assays of anti-EpoR immunoprecipitates also revealed that activated JAK2 associates with the EpoR in Epo-stimulated cells. By this approach, association also occurred with the mitogenically active H mutant but not with the mitogenically inactive PB or PM4 mutants. In the immune complex kinases assays, EpoR, JAK2, and a 150-kD protein were phosphorylated on tyrosine. Taken together, the results further support the hypothesis that, on Epo stimulation, JAK2 associates with the membrane-proximal cytoplasmic region of the EpoR to be activated and induces tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular substrates, including the EpoR, to transduce a growth signal.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Involvement of the Jak-3 Janus kinase in signalling by interleukins 2 and 4 in lymphoid and myeloid cells.

Many cytokines function through interaction with receptors of the cytokine receptor superfamily. Although lacking catalytic domains, cytokine receptors couple ligand binding to induction of protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Recent studies have shown that one or more of the Janus kinase family members (Jaks) associate with cytokine receptors and are tyrosine phosphorylated and activated following ligand binding. Here we describe a new Jak family kinase, Jak-3, and demonstrate that Jak-3, and to a lesser extent Jak-1, are tyrosine phosphorylated and Jak-3 is activated in the responses to interleukin-2 and interleukin-4 in T cells and myeloid cells. Jak-3 activation requires the serine-rich, membrane-proximal domain of the interleukin-2 receptor beta-chain, but does not require the acidic domain that is required for association and activation of Src family kinases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗