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Biomedical subjects

Gideon A Rodan

Publications and source records attributed to Gideon A Rodan.

36 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Control of osteoblast function and regulation of bone mass.

The skeleton is an efficient 'servo' (feedback-controlled/steady-state) system that continuously integrates signals and responses which sustain its functions of delivering calcium while maintaining strength. In many individuals, bone mass homeostasis starts failing in midlife, leading to bone loss, osteoporosis and debilitating fractures. Recent advances, spearheaded by genetic information, offer the opportunity to stop or reverse this downhill course.

Bone Development↗

The development and function of the skeleton and bone metastases.

Bone is a frequent site of metastases of the most common tumors, e.g., breast carcinoma and prostate carcinoma. The functions of the skeleton, calcium homeostasis and mechanical support, are carried out by the continuous destruction and rebuilding of small packets of this tissue called bone remodeling. Multinucleated, hemopoietically derived osteoclasts, which are related to macrophages, digest the bone, and mesenchymal-derived osteoblasts rebuild it. This process is kept in balance by finely regulated processes whereby osteoblast lineage cells respond to homeostatic signals and release factors that regulate osteoclast generation and activity. Cells that participate in inflammation and immunity also can stimulate osteoclast formation and lead to bone destruction. Tumor cells most likely subvert these physiologic processes to lodge in bone and cause metastases.

Bone Neoplasms↗

PYK2 autophosphorylation, but not kinase activity, is necessary for adhesion-induced association with c-Src, osteoclast spreading, and bone resorption.

Proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (PYK2) is the main adhesion-induced kinase in bone-resorbing osteoclasts. Previous studies have shown that ligation of alpha(v)beta(3) integrin in osteoclasts induces c-Src-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation and PYK2 activation, leading to cytoskeletal rearrangement, migration, and polarization of these cells. In this study, we examined the role of PYK2 kinase activity and its major autophosphorylation site in adhesion-dependent signaling and cytoskeletal organization during osteoclast spreading and migration. By infecting pre-fusion osteoclasts using recombinant adenovirus expressing PYK2 and its mutants, we demonstrated that mutation at the autophosphorylation site (Y402F) abolishes PYK2 association with c-Src and reduces significantly phosphorylation at tyrosines 579/580 and 881 resulting in inhibition of osteoclast spreading and bone resorption. Overexpression of the kinase-dead PYK2(K475A) mutant had no effect on cell spreading, interaction with c-Src, or the phosphorylation level of Tyr-402, Tyr-579/580, and Tyr-881 relative to PYK2(wt)-expressing cells. Taken together these findings suggest that Tyr-402 is the major docking site for c-Src and can be phosphorylated by another tyrosine kinase in osteoclasts but not in HEK293 cells. Interestingly, both PYK2(Y402F) and PYK2(K457A) translocate normally to podosomes and have no effect on macrophage colony-stimulating factor-induced osteoclast migration. Whereas PYK2(Y402F) dominant negatively blocks osteoclast spreading and bone resorption, PYK2(K457A) may function in part as an adaptor by initially recruiting c-Src to the adhesion complex, which appears to activate PYK2 by phosphorylating additional tyrosines in its regulatory and C-terminal domains. We thus concluded that phosphorylation at Tyr-402 in PYK2 is essential in the regulation of adhesion-dependent cytoskeletal organization in osteoclasts.

Animals↗

Mechanism of action of bisphosphonates.

In recent years, substantial progress has been made in understanding the mechanism for bisphosphonate suppression of bone turnover. Bisphosphonates can now be distinguished based on their molecular and cellular mechanisms of action. Simple bisphosphonates such as clodronate and etidronate inhibit bone resorption through induction of osteoclast apoptosis. Clodronate, and perhaps etidronate, triggers apoptosis by generating a toxic analog of adenosine triphosphate, which then targets the mitochondria, the energy center within the cell. For nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates, the direct intracellular target is the enzyme farnesyl diphosphate synthase in the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway. Its inhibition suppresses a process called protein geranylgeranylation, which is essential for the basic cellular processes required for osteoclastic bone resorption. Although nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates can induce osteoclast apoptosis, this is not necessary for their inhibition of bone resorption.

Bone Resorption↗

Bisphosphonate mechanism of action.

The nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (N-BPs), alendronate and risedronate, are the only pharmacologic agents shown to prevent spine and nonvertebral fractures associated with postmenopausal and glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. At the tissue level, this is achieved through osteoclast inhibition, which leads to reduced bone turnover, increased bone mass, and improved mineralization. The molecular targets of bisphosphonates (BPs) have recently been identified. This review will discuss the mechanism of action of BPs, focusing on alendronate and risedronate, which are the two agents most widely studied. They act on the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway enzyme, farnesyl diphosphate synthase. By inhibiting this enzyme in the osteoclast, they interfere with geranylgeranylation (attachment of the lipid to regulatory proteins), which causes osteoclast inactivation. This mechanism is responsible for N-BP suppression of osteoclastic bone resorption and reduction of bone turnover, which leads to fracture prevention.

Apoptosis↗

Pathogenesis of osteoporosis.

There are many pathways that might lead to decreased bone mass, skeletal fragility, and increased fracture risk in osteoporosis. Some of these have been clearly identified, such as estrogen deficiency. Others that were conceived on the basis of experimental findings and recent scientific discoveries such as abnormalities of cytokines, bone growth factors, and osteoblast transcription factors remain interesting but speculative. The recent revolution in genomics and proteomics opens new avenues for pursuing in great depth the pathways leading to osteoporosis. Animal models developed largely in rodents can suggest specific factors that can be further studied in primate models and in osteoporotic patients. Identification of specific pathogenetic mechanisms should lead to new approaches to the diagnosis and management of this disorder.

Animals↗

Regulatory mechanism of osteoclast activation.

Osteoclasts are multinucleated, terminally differentiated cells which play an essential role in bone resorption. Osteoclasts exhibit high expression of the alpha(v)beta3 integrin, which binds to a variety of extracellular matrix proteins, including vitronectin, osteopontin and bone sialoprotein. RGD (Aug-Gly-Asp)-containing peptides, RGD-mimetics and blocking antibodies to alpha(v)beta3 integrin were shown to inhibit bone resorption in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that this integrin plays an important role in regulating osteoclast function. A number of signalling molecules were found to be involved in the alpha(v)beta3 integrin-dependent signalling pathway, including c-Src, Pyk2 and p130Cas. Both Pyk2 and p130Cas localize to the sealing zone of actively resorbing osteoclasts, suggesting their role in linking the adhesion of osteoclasts to the bone matrix, to cytoskeletal organization, and to the polarization and activation of these cells for bone resorption. In this article, we review the regulatory mechanism of osteoclast activation.

Animals↗

Receptor tyrosine kinases inhibit bone morphogenetic protein-Smad responsive promoter activity and differentiation of murine MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cells.

Growth factors such as fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) that activate extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) through receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) stimulate proliferation but suppress differentiation of osteoblasts. To study the mechanism of this inhibitory action of these growth factors on osteoblastic differentiation, we evaluated Smad1 transactivity in MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cells by reporters of promoter activity of mouse Smad6, an early response gene to bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). FGF-2 and EGF inhibited alkaline phosphatase activity and Smad6 promoter activity stimulated by BMP-2. Overexpression of constitutively active MEK by adenovirus mimicked, but that of dominant negative Ras or treatment with a MEK1 inhibitor, PD098059, reversed, the inhibitory effects of these growth factors on both activities. These effects are mediated by BMP-responsive elements (BMPREs) on Smad6 promoter, because an artificial reporter driven by three tandem BMPREs gave similar results, and these effects were all abolished when the BMPREs were mutated. RTK-ERK activation inhibited the promoter activity even when BMP signal was mediated by a mutant Smad1, which lacks phosphorylation sites by ERKs, or by a Smad1 fused to Gal4 DNA binding domain, which constitutively localizes in the nucleus. These results show that the RTK-Ras-ERK pathway suppresses BMP signal by interfering with Smad1 transactivity. Because direct phosphorylation of Smad1 by ERKs is not required for the inhibition, other transcriptional factors that are phosphorylated by ERKs might be involved in the regulation of osteoblastic differentiation by ERKs.

3T3 Cells↗

Mapping of MST1 kinase sites of phosphorylation. Activation and autophosphorylation.

MST1 is a member of the Sterile-20 family of cytoskeletal, stress, and apoptotic kinases. MST1 is activated by phosphorylation at previously unidentified sites. This study examines the role of phosphorylation at several sites and effects on kinase activation. We define Thr(183) in subdomain VIII as a primary site of phosphoactivation. Thr(187) is also critical for kinase activity. Phosphorylation of MST1 in subdomain VIII was catalyzed by active MST1 via intermolecular autophosphorylation, enhanced by homodimerization. Active MST1 (wild-type or T183E), but not inactive Thr(183)/Thr(187) mutants, was also highly autophosphorylated at the newly identified Thr(177) and Thr(387) residues. Cells expressing active MST1 were mostly detached, whereas with inactive MST1, adhesion was normal. Active MKK4, JNK, caspase-3, and caspase-9 were detected in the detached cells. These cells also contained all autophosphorylated and essentially all caspase-cleaved MST1. Similar phenotypes were elicited by a caspase-insensitive D326N mutant, suggesting that kinase activity, but not cleavage of MST1, is required. Interestingly, an S327E mutant mimicking Ser(327) autophosphorylation was also caspase-insensitive, but only when expressed in caspase-3-deficient cells. Together, these data suggest a model whereby MST1 activation is induced by existing, active MST kinase, which phosphorylates Thr(183) and possibly Thr(187). Dimerization promotes greater phosphorylation. This leads to induction of the JNK signaling pathway, caspase activation, and apoptosis. Further activation of MST1 by caspase cleavage is best promoted by caspase-3, although this appears to be unnecessary for signaling and morphological responses.

3T3 Cells↗

Non-peptide alpha(v)beta(3) antagonists. Part 4: potent and orally bioavailable chain-shortened RGD mimetics.

Potent non-peptidic alpha(v)beta(3) antagonists have been prepared where deletion of an amide bond from an earlier series of linear RGD-mimetics provides a novel series of chain-shortened alpha(v)beta(3) antagonists with significantly improved oral pharmacokinetics. These chain-shortened alpha(v)beta(3) antagonists represent structurally novel integrin inhibitors.

Administration, Oral↗

IL-1 regulates cytoskeletal organization in osteoclasts via TNF receptor-associated factor 6/c-Src complex.

Targeted disruption of either c-Src or TNFR-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) in mice causes osteoclast dysfunction and an osteopetrotic phenotype, suggesting that both molecules play important roles in osteoclastic bone resorption. We previously demonstrated that IL-1 induces actin ring formation and osteoclast activation. In this study, we examined the relationship between IL-1/TRAF6-dependent and c-Src-mediated pathways in the activation of osteoclast-like cells (prefusion cells (pOCs); multinucleated cells) formed in the murine coculture system. In normal pOCs, IL-1 induces actin ring formation and tyrosine phosphorylation of p130(Cas), a known substrate of c-Src. However, in Src-deficient pOCs, p130(Cas) was not tyrosine phosphorylated following IL-1 treatment. In normal pOCs treated with IL-1, anti-TRAF6 Abs coprecipitate p130(Cas), protein tyrosine kinase 2, and c-Src. In Src-deficient pOCs, this molecular complex was not detected, suggesting that c-Src is required for formation of the TRAF6, p130(Cas), and protein tyrosine kinase 2 complex. Moreover, an immunocytochemical analysis revealed that in osteoclast-like multinucleated cells, IL-1 induced redistribution of TRAF6 to actin ring structures formed at the cell periphery, where TRAF6 also colocalized with c-Src. Taken together, these data suggest that IL-1 signals feed into the tyrosine kinase pathways through a TRAF6-Src molecular complex, which regulates the cytoskeletal reorganization essential for osteoclast activation.

Actins↗

Non-peptide alpha(v)beta(3) antagonists. Part 3: identification of potent RGD mimetics incorporating novel beta-amino acids as aspartic acid replacements.

Potent non-peptidic alpha(v)beta(3) antagonists have been prepared incorporating various beta-amino acids as aspartic acid mimetics. Modification of the beta-alanine 3-substituents alters the potency and physicochemical properties of these receptor antagonists and in some cases provides orally bioavailable alpha(v)beta(3) inhibitors.

Amino Acids↗

Nonpeptide alpha(v)beta(3) antagonists. Part 2: constrained glycyl amides derived from the RGD tripeptide.

Mimetics of the RGD tripeptide are described that are potent, selective antagonists of the integrin receptor, alpha(v)beta(3). The use of the 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro[1,8]naphthyridine group as a potency-enhancing N-terminus is demonstrated. Two 3-substituted-3-amino-propionic acids previously contained in alpha(IIb)beta(3) antagonists were utilized to enhance binding affinity and functional activity for the targeted receptor. Further affinity increases were then achieved through the use of cyclic glycyl amide bond constraints.

Amides↗

Bisphosphonate mechanism of action.

Nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (N-BPs) are potent inhibitors of bone resorption widely used in the treatment of osteoporosis and other bone degrading disorders. At the tissue level, N-BPs reduce bone turnover, increase bone mass and mineralization, measured clinically as a rise in bone mineral density, increase bone strength and reduce fracture risk. At the cellular level, N-BPs, localize preferentially at sites of bone resorption, where mineral is exposed, are taken up by ostoclasts and inhibit osteoclast activity. The bone formation that follows incroporates the N-BP in the matrix, where it becomes pharmacologically inactive until released at a future time during bone remodeling. At the molecular level, N-BPs inhibit an enzyme in the cholesterol synthesis pathway, farnesyl diphosphate synthase. As a result, there is a reduction in the lipid geranylgeranyl diphosphate, which prenylates GTPases required for cytoskeletal organization and vesicular traffic in the osteoclast, leading to osteoclast inactivation.

Alendronate↗

Bisphosphonates and primary hyperparathyroidism.

Bisphosphonates (BP) are pyrophosphate analogs that include very potent inhibitors of bone resorption. BPs act directly on the osteoclast, suppressing isoprenylation by inhibiting farnesyl diphosphate synthase in the cholesterol pathway, which causes osteoclast inactivation. BPs should therefore reduce the bone loss produced by any cause, including hyperparathyroidism and hypercalcemia of malignancy (MIH), caused by parathyroid hormone (PTH) and PTH-related protein (PTHrP), respectively. BPs at higher doses than used in osteoporosis are indeed the treatment of choice for malignancy-induced hypercalcemia. Limited, but convincing, data show that BPs at doses effective in osteoporosis also reverse bone loss associated with mild primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT).

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases↗

Development of selective androgen receptor modulators and their therapeutic applications.

Androgens control a broad range of physiological functions. The androgen receptor (AR), a steroid receptor that mediates the diverse biological actions of androgens, is a ligand inducible transcription factor. Abnormalities in the androgen signaling system result in many disturbances ranging from changes in gender determination and sexual development to psychiatric and emotional disorders. Androgen replacement therapy can improve many clinical conditions including hypogonadism and osteoporosis, but is limited by the lack of efficacious and safe therapeutic agents with easy delivery options. Recent progress in the area of gene regulation by steroid receptors and by selective receptor modulators provides an opportunity to examine if selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) could address some of the problems associated with current androgen therapy. Since the composition of the transcriptional initiation complex recruited by liganded AR determines the specificity of gene regulation, synthetic ligands aimed at initiating transcription of tissue and promoter specific genes offers hope for developing better androgen therapy. Establishment of assays that predict synthetic ligand activity is critical for SARM development. Advancement in high throughput compound screening and gene fingerprinting technologies, such as microarrays and proteomics, will facilitate and accelerate identification of effective SARMs.

Androgen Antagonists↗