Biomedical subjects

Michael D Schaller

Publications and source records attributed to Michael D Schaller.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Identification of a filamin docking site on PTP-PEST.

PTP-PEST is a cytoplasmic protein-tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) implicated in the regulation of biological processes such as cell motility, cytokinesis, focal adhesion disassembly, and lymphocyte activation. Using a proteomics approach, filamin-A was identified as a novel interacting protein that bound to GST-PTP-PEST. This interaction was confirmed in vitro and in cells by coimmunoprecipitation. The site of filamin interaction on PTP-PEST was mapped to the fourth proline-rich region (Pro4). PTP-PEST has previously been implicated in the regulation of cytokinesis. In further support of this finding, expression of PTP-PEST in HeLa cells resulted in the formation of multinucleated cells. A PTP-PEST mutant lacking Pro4 and unable to bind filamin-A failed to induce the multinucleated phenotype. Further, depletion of filamin-A in HeLa cells was found to reduce the PTP-PEST-dependent multinucleation phenotype. Hence, we conclude that the interaction of PTP-PEST with filamin-A may function in the control of cytokinesis in mammalian cells.

Binding Sites↗

PubMed2006

Glycogen synthase kinase 3- and extracellular signal-regulated kinase-dependent phosphorylation of paxillin regulates cytoskeletal rearrangement.

Paxillin is a 68-kDa focal adhesion-associated protein that plays an important role in controlling cell spreading and migration. Phosphorylation of paxillin regulates its biological activity and thus has warranted investigation. Serine 126 and serine 130 were previously identified as two major extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-dependent phosphorylation sites in Raf-transformed fibroblasts. Here serine 126 is identified as a phosphorylation site induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation of RAW264.7 cells. A number of other stimuli, including adhesion and colony-stimulating factor, induce serine 126 phosphorylation in RAW264.7 cells, and nerve growth factor (NGF) treatment induces serine 126 phosphorylation in PC12 cells. The kinase responsible for phosphorylation of this site is identified as glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3). Interestingly, this GSK-3-dependent phosphorylation is regulated via an ERK-dependent priming mechanism, i.e., phosphorylation of serine 130. Phosphorylation of S126/S130 was required to promote spreading in paxillin null cells, and LPS-induced spreading of RAW264.7 cells was inhibited by expression of the paxillin S126A/S130A mutant. Furthermore, this mutant also retarded NGF-induced PC12 cell neurite outgrowth. Hence, phosphorylation of paxillin on serines 126 and 130, which is mediated by an ERK/GSK-3 dual-kinase mechanism, plays an important role in cytoskeletal rearrangement.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Focal adhesion kinase silencing augments docetaxel-mediated apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells.

OBJECTIVE: Docetaxel causes cell death through induction of apoptosis; however, cell death characteristics for docetaxel have not yet been fully elucidated. We examined the role of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) cleavage in docetaxel-mediated apoptosis. METHODS: FAK degradation after treatment with docetaxel was determined in both taxane-sensitive (HeyA8 and SKOV3) and taxane-resistant (HeyA8-MDR and SKOV3-TR) ovarian cancer cell lines by Western blot analysis. Cell growth was determined with 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. FAK-targeting small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to decrease FAK expression. Apoptosis and caspase activity were determined using commercially available kits. RESULTS: SKOV3 and HeyA8 cell lines were both sensitive to docetaxel (IC50 levels, 1-6.2 nmol/L), whereas the SKOV3-TR and HeyA8-MDR cells were resistant (IC50>or=250 nmol/L for both). Docetaxel induced high rates of apoptosis in SKOV3 and HeyA8 cells (84% and 66% apoptosis, respectively) but minimal apoptosis (5-8%) in SKOV3-TR and HeyA8-MDR cells. Similarly, FAK was cleaved in SKOV3 and HeyA8 cells in response to docetaxel treatment but unchanged in the resistant cells. Caspase-3 and caspase-8 activity also increased significantly in docetaxel-treated SKOV3 and HeyA8 cells but not in the taxane-resistant cells. DEVD-fmk (caspase-3 blocker) was able to block both FAK cleavage and apoptosis mediated by docetaxel in SKOV3 and HeyA8 cells. FAK siRNA transfection resulted in 70% to 90% decrease in FAK levels in all cell lines within 72 hours. FAK silencing augmented docetaxel-mediated growth inhibition (5- to 8-fold increase) and apoptosis in both of the taxane-sensitive and taxane-resistant cell lines. CONCLUSIONS: Docetaxel induces FAK cleavage, mediated through activation of caspase-3, in taxane-sensitive ovarian cancer cells but not in taxane-resistant cells. The absence of FAK degradation may contribute to cell survival in taxane-resistant cells. FAK silencing promotes the in vitro efficacy of docetaxel in both taxane-sensitive and taxane-resistant cell lines and may serve as a novel therapeutic approach.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗

PubMed2005

Crystal structure of the FERM domain of focal adhesion kinase.

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase that localizes to focal adhesions in adherent cells. Through phosphorylation of proteins assembled at the cytoplasmic tails of integrins, FAK promotes signaling events that modulate cellular growth, survival, and migration. The amino-terminal region of FAK contains a region of sequence homology with band 4.1 and ezrin/radixin/moesin (ERM) proteins termed a FERM domain. FERM domains are found in a variety of signaling and cytoskeletal proteins and are thought to mediate intermolecular interactions with partner proteins and phospholipids at the plasma membrane and intramolecular regulatory interactions. Here we report two crystal structures of an NH2-terminal fragment of avian FAK containing the FERM domain and a portion of the regulatory linker that connects the FERM and kinase domains. The tertiary folds of the three subdomains (F1, F2, and F3) are similar to those of known FERM structures despite low sequence conservation. Differences in the sequence and relative orientation of the F3 subdomain alters the nature of the interdomain interface, and the phosphoinositide binding site found in ERM family FERM domains is not present in FAK. A putative protein interaction site on the F3 lobe is masked by the proximal region of the linker. Additionally, in one structure the adjacent Src SH3 and SH2 binding sites in the linker associate with the surfaces of the F3 and F1 lobes, respectively. These structural features suggest the possibility that protein interactions of the FAK FERM domain can be regulated by binding of Src kinases to the linker segment.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2005

Phosphorylation of coronin 1B by protein kinase C regulates interaction with Arp2/3 and cell motility.

Coronins are a conserved family of WD repeat-containing, actin-binding proteins that regulate cell motility in a variety of model organisms. Our results show that Coronin 1B is a ubiquitously expressed member of the mammalian Coronin gene family that co-localizes with the Arp2/3 complex at the leading edge of fibroblasts, and co-immunoprecipitates with this complex. Pharmacological experiments show that the interaction between Coronin 1B and the Arp2/3 complex is regulated by protein kinase C (PKC) phosphorylation. Coronin 1B is phosphorylated by PKC both in vitro and in vivo. Using tryptic peptide mapping and mutagenesis, we have identified serine 2 (Ser-2) on Coronin 1B as the major residue phosphorylated by PKC in vivo. Rat2 fibroblasts expressing the Coronin 1B S2A mutant show enhanced ruffling in response to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and increased speed in single cell tracking assays. Cells expressing the Coronin 1B S2D mutant have attenuated PMA-induced ruffling and slower cell speed. Expression of the S2A mutant partially protects cells from the inhibitory effects of PMA on cell speed, whereas expression of the S2D mutant renders cells hypersensitive to its effects. These data demonstrate that Coronin 1B regulates leading edge dynamics and cell motility in fibroblasts, and that its ability to control motility and interactions with the Arp2/3 complex are regulated by PKC phosphorylation at Ser-2. Furthermore, Coronin 1B phosphorylation is responsible for a significant fraction of the effects of PMA on fibroblast motility.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed2005

Phosphorylation of GRK1 and GRK7 by cAMP-dependent protein kinase attenuates their enzymatic activities.

Phosphorylation of G protein-coupled receptors is a critical step in the rapid termination of G protein signaling. In rod cells of the vertebrate retina, phosphorylation of rhodopsin is mediated by GRK1. In cone cells, either GRK1, GRK7, or both, depending on the species, are speculated to initiate signal termination by phosphorylating the cone opsins. To compare the biochemical properties of GRK1 and GRK7, we measured the K(m) and V(max) of these kinases for ATP and rhodopsin, a model substrate. The results demonstrated that these kinases share similar kinetic properties. We also determined that cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) phosphorylates GRK1 at Ser(21) and GRK7 at Ser(23) and Ser(36) in vitro. These sites are also phosphorylated when FLAG-tagged GRK1 and GRK7 are expressed in HEK-293 cells treated with forskolin to stimulate the endogenous production of cAMP and activation of PKA. Rod outer segments isolated from bovine retina phosphorylated the FLAG-tagged GRKs in the presence of dibutyryl-cAMP, suggesting that GRK1 and GRK7 are physiologically relevant substrates. Although both GRKs also contain putative phosphorylation sites for PKC and Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, neither kinase phosphorylated GRK1 or GRK7. Phosphorylation of GRK1 and GRK7 by PKA reduces the ability of GRK1 and GRK7 to phosphorylate rhodopsin in vitro. Since exposure to light causes a decrease in cAMP levels in rod cells, we propose that phosphorylation of GRK1 and GRK7 by PKA occurs in the dark, when cAMP levels in photoreceptor cells are elevated, and represents a novel mechanism for regulating the activities of these kinases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2005

In situ photoactivation of a caged phosphotyrosine peptide derived from focal adhesion kinase temporarily halts lamellar extension of single migrating tumor cells.

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, mediates integrin-based cell signaling by transferring signals regulating cell migration, adhesion, and survival from the extracellular matrix to the cytoplasm. Following autophosphorylation at tyrosine 397, FAK binds the Src homology 2 domains of Src and phosphoinositide 3-kinase, among several other possible binding partners. To further investigate the role of phosphorylated FAK in cell migration in situ, peptides comprising residues 391-406 of human FAK with caged phosphotyrosine 397 were synthesized. Although the caged phosphopeptides were stable to phosphatase activity, the free phosphopeptides showed a half-life of approximately 10-15 min in cell lysates. Migrating NBT-II cells (a rat bladder tumor cell line) were microinjected with the caged FAK peptide and locally photoactivated using a focused laser beam. The photoactivation of caged FAK peptide in 8-microm diameter spots over the cell body led to the temporary arrest of the leading edge migration within approximately 1 min of irradiation. In contrast, cell body migration was not inhibited. Microinjection of a non-caged phosphorylated tyrosine 397 FAK peptide into migrating NBT-II cells also led to lamellar arrest; however, this approach lacks the temporal control afforded by the caged phosphopeptides. Photoactivation of related phosphotyrosine peptides with altered sequences did not result in transient lamellar arrest. We hypothesize that the phosphorylated FAK peptide competes with the endogenous FAK for binding to FAK effectors including, but not limited to, Src and phosphoinositide 3-kinase, causing spatiotemporal misregulation and subsequent lamellar arrest.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Measurement of protein tyrosine phosphorylation in cell adhesion.

This chapter describes biochemical, immunochemical, and microscopic approaches to measure protein tyrosine phosphorylation after cell adhesion. We have outlined detailed procedures to biochemically examine the phosphotyrosine content of cellular proteins by Western blotting, which in some cases can be performed using phospho-specific antibodies. Furthermore, we have described in detail the examination of subcellular localization of phosphotyrosine-containing proteins in focal adhesions using immunofluorescence. Finally, a quantitative fluorescence microscopic technique using an SH2-containing phosphotyrosine reporter to monitor tyrosine phosphorylation in focal adhesions in live cells is described.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed2004

The interplay between Src and integrins in normal and tumor biology.

Src family nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinases transduce signals that control normal cellular processes such as cell proliferation, adhesion and motility. Normally, cellular Src is held in an inactive state, but in several cancer types, abnormal events lead to elevated kinase activity of the protein and cause pleiotropic cellular responses inducing transformation and metastasis. A prerequisite of the ability of a cancer cell to undergo metastasis into distant tissues is to penetrate surrounding extracellular matrices. These processes are facilitated by the integrin family of cell adhesion molecules. As is the case with Src, altered integrin activity or substrate affinity can contribute to the neoplastic phenotype. Therefore, understanding the interplay between Src and integrin function has been of intense interest over the past few years. This review focuses on the role of Src and integrin signaling in normal cells and how this is deregulated in human cancer. We will identify the key players in the integrin-mediated signaling pathways involved in cell motility and apoptosis, such as FAK, paxillin and p130(CAS), and discuss how Src signaling affects the formation of focal adhesions and the extracellular matrix.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

MAP kinases and cell migration.

Recent studies have demonstrated that mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), including Jun N-terminus kinase (JNK), p38 and Erk, play crucial roles in cell migration. JNK, for example, regulates cell migration by phosphorylating paxillin, DCX, Jun and microtubule-associated proteins. Studies of p38 show that this MAPK modulates migration by phosphorylating MAPK-activated protein kinase 2/3 (MAPKAP 2/3), which appears to be important for directionality of migration. Erk governs cell movement by phosphorylating myosin light chain kinase (MLCK), calpain or FAK. Thus, the different kinases in the MAPK family all seem able to regulate cell migration but by distinct mechanisms.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

FAK and paxillin: regulators of N-cadherin adhesion and inhibitors of cell migration?

FAK and paxillin are important components in integrin-regulated signaling. New evidence suggests that these two proteins function in crosstalk between cell-matrix and cell-cell adhesions. Further, new insight suggests that under some conditions these proteins inhibit cell migration, in contrast to their established roles in several cell systems as positive regulators of cell adhesion and migration.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Phosphorylation of paxillin by p38MAPK is involved in the neurite extension of PC-12 cells.

Cell adhesions play an important role in neurite extension. Paxillin, a focal adhesion adaptor protein involved in focal adhesion dynamics, has been demonstrated to be required for neurite outgrowth. However, the molecular mechanism by which paxillin regulates neurite outgrowth is unknown. Here, we show that paxillin is phosphorylated by p38MAPK in vitro and in nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced PC-12 cells. Ser 85 (Ser 83 for endogenous paxillin) is identified as one of major phosphorylation sites by phosphopeptide mapping and mass spectrometry. Moreover, expression of the Ser 85 --> Ala mutant of paxillin (paxS85A) significantly inhibits NGF-induced neurite extension of PC-12 cells, whereas expression of wild-type (wt) paxillin does not influence neurite outgrowth. Further experiments indicate that cells expressing paxS85A exhibit small, clustered focal adhesions which are not normally seen in cells expressing wt paxillin. Although wt paxillin and paxS85A have the same ability to bind vinculin and focal adhesion kinase, wt paxillin more efficiently associates with Pyk2 than paxS85A. Thus, phosphorylation of paxillin is involved in NGF-induced neurite extension of PC-12 cells, probably through regulating focal adhesion organization.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

The focal adhesion targeting domain of focal adhesion kinase contains a hinge region that modulates tyrosine 926 phosphorylation.

The focal adhesion targeting (FAT) domain of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is critical for recruitment of FAK to focal adhesions and contains tyrosine 926, which, when phosphorylated, binds the SH2 domain of Grb2. Structural studies have shown that the FAT domain is a four-helix bundle that exists as a monomer and a dimer due to domain swapping of helix 1. Here, we report the NMR solution structure of the avian FAT domain, which is similar in overall structure to the X-ray crystal structures of monomeric forms of the FAT domain, except that loop 1 is longer and less structured in solution. Residues in this region undergo temperature-dependent exchange broadening and sample aberrant phi and psi angles, which suggests that this region samples multiple conformations. We have also identified a mutant that dimerizes approximately 8 fold more than WT FAT domain and exhibits increased phosphorylation of tyrosine 926 both in vitro and in vivo.

Dimerization↗

PubMed2004

New insights into FAK signaling and localization based on detection of a FAT domain folding intermediate.

Mounting evidence suggests that the focal adhesion targeting (FAT) domain, an antiparallel four-helix bundle, exists in alternative conformations that may modulate phosphorylation, ligand binding, and the subcellular localization of focal adhesion kinase (FAK). In order to characterize the conformational dynamics of the FAT domain, we have developed a novel method for reconstructing the folding pathway of the FAT domain by using discrete molecular dynamics (DMD) simulations, with free energy constraints derived from NMR hydrogen exchange data. The DMD simulations detect a folding intermediate, in which a cooperative unfolding event causes helix 1 to lose helical character while separating from the helix bundle. The conformational dynamic features of helix 1 in the intermediate state of the FAT domain are likely to facilitate Y926 phosphorylation, yet interfere with paxillin binding. The presence of this intermediate state in vivo may promote FAK signaling via the ERK/MAPK pathway and by release of FAK from focal adhesions.

Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases↗

PubMed2004

Biological significance of focal adhesion kinase in ovarian cancer: role in migration and invasion.

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase that is activated by integrin clustering. There are limited data regarding the functional role of FAK in ovarian cancer migration and invasion. In the current study, FAK expression was evaluated in ovarian cell lines (nontransformed and cancer), 12 benign ovarian samples, and in 79 invasive epithelial ovarian cancers. All three ovarian cancer cell lines overexpressed FAK compared to the nontransformed cells. The dominant-negative construct called FAK-related nonkinase (FRNK) was introduced into two ovarian cancer cell lines (SKOV3 and 222). FRNK promoted FAK dephosphorylation without changing total FAK levels in these cell lines. Furthermore, FRNK decreased the in vitro invasive ability of ovarian cancer cells by 56 to 85% and decreased migration by 52 to 68%. FRNK-transfected cells also displayed poor cell spreading. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the surface epithelium from all benign ovarian samples had weak FAK expression. In contrast, 68% of invasive ovarian cancers overexpressed FAK. FAK overexpression was significantly associated with high tumor stage, high tumor grade, positive lymph nodes and presence of distant metastasis (all P values <0.05). FAK overexpression was also associated with shorter overall survival (P = 0.008). Multivariate analysis revealed that FAK overexpression and residual disease >1 cm were independent predictors of poor survival. These data indicate that FAK is overexpressed in most invasive ovarian cancers and plays a functionally significant role in ovarian cancer migration and invasion. Thus, FAK may be an important therapeutic target in ovarian carcinoma.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

FERM domain interaction promotes FAK signaling.

From the results of deletion analyses, the FERM domain of FAK has been proposed to inhibit enzymatic activity and repress FAK signaling. We have identified a sequence in the FERM domain that is important for FAK signaling in vivo. Point mutations in this sequence had little effect upon catalytic activity in vitro. However, the mutant exhibits reduced tyrosine phosphorylation and dramatically reduced Src family kinase binding. Further, the abilities of the mutant to transduce biochemical signals and to promote cell migration were severely impaired. The results implicate a FERM domain interaction in cell adhesion-dependent activation of FAK and downstream signaling. We also show that the purified FERM domain of FAK interacts with full-length FAK in vitro, and mutation of this sequence disrupts the interaction. These findings are discussed in the context of models of FAK regulation by its FERM domain.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

A role for JNK-paxillin signaling in cell migration.

Recently, we and others demonstrated that JNK is essential for cell migration in a number of cell types. We also showed that JNK phosphorylates serine 178 on paxillin, a focal adhesion adaptor, both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, phosphorylation of Ser 178 on paxillin is essential for cell migration and involved in modulating cell adhesions. A model is proposed to depict the role of JNK-paxillin signaling in cell migration.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Tyrosine phosphorylation of type Igamma phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinase by Src regulates an integrin-talin switch.

Engagement of integrin receptors with the extracellular matrix induces the formation of focal adhesions (FAs). Dynamic regulation of FAs is necessary for cells to polarize and migrate. Key interactions between FA scaffolding and signaling proteins are dependent on tyrosine phosphorylation. However, the precise role of tyrosine phosphorylation in FA development and maturation is poorly defined. Here, we show that phosphorylation of type Igamma phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinase (PIPKIgamma661) on tyrosine 644 (Y644) is critical for its interaction with talin, and consequently, localization to FAs. PIPKIgamma661 is specifically phosphorylated on Y644 by Src. Phosphorylation is regulated by focal adhesion kinase, which enhances the association between PIPKIgamma661 and Src. The phosphorylation of Y644 results in an approximately 15-fold increase in binding affinity to the talin head domain and blocks beta-integrin binding to talin. This defines a novel phosphotyrosine-binding site on the talin F3 domain and a "molecular switch" for talin binding between PIPKIgamma661 and beta-integrin that may regulate dynamic FA turnover.

Amino Acid Sequence↗