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O Colamonici

Publications and source records attributed to O Colamonici.

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The WD motif-containing protein receptor for activated protein kinase C (RACK1) is required for recruitment and activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 through the type I interferon receptor.

An obligatory step in the activation of Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription (STATs) by cytokines is their docking to specific receptors via phosphotyrosines. However, this model does not address whether STATs pre-associate with their corresponding receptor or exist free in the cytoplasm before receptor activation. In this report, we demonstrate that pre-association of STAT1 with the receptor is required for type I interferon (IFN) signaling. Interestingly, the interaction between the human type I IFN receptor and STAT1 is not direct but mediated by the adapter protein receptor for activated protein kinase C (RACK1). Disruption of the IFNalpha receptor-RACK1 interaction abolishes not only IFNalpha-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT1 but also activation of STAT2, indicating that RACK1 plays a central role in early signaling through the Jak-STAT pathway. These findings demonstrate the involvement of RACK1 in STAT1 activation and raise the possibility that other STATs may pre-associate with cytokine receptors through similar adapter-STAT-mediated interactions.

DNA-Binding Proteins↗

Receptor for activated C-kinase (RACK-1), a WD motif-containing protein, specifically associates with the human type I IFN receptor.

The cytoplasmic domain of the human type I IFN receptor chain 2 (IFNAR2c or IFN-alphaRbetaL) was used as bait in a yeast two-hybrid system to identify novel proteins interacting with this region of the receptor. We report here a specific interaction between the cytoplasmic domain of IFN-alphaRbetaL and a previously identified protein, RACK-1 (receptor for activated C kinase). Using GST fusion proteins encoding different regions of the cytoplasmic domain of IFN-alphaRbetaL, the minimum site for RACK-1 binding was mapped to aa 300-346. RACK-1 binding to IFN-alphaRbetaL did not require the first 91 aa of RACK-1, which includes two WD domains, WD1 and WD2. The interaction between RACK-1 and IFN-alphaRbetaL, but not the human IFN receptor chain 1 (IFNAR1 or IFN-alphaRalpha), was also detected in human Daudi cells by coimmunoprecipitation. RACK-1 was shown to be constitutively associated with IFN-alphaRbetaL, and this association was not effected by stimulation of Daudi cells with type I IFNs (IFN-beta1b). RACK-1 itself did not become tyrosine phosphorylated upon stimulation of Daudi cells with IFN-beta1b. However, stimulation of cells with either IFN-beta1b or PMA did result in an increase in detectable immunofluorescence and intracellular redistribution of RACK-1.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Role of the intracellular domain of the human type I interferon receptor 2 chain (IFNAR2c) in interferon signaling. Expression of IFNAR2c truncation mutants in U5A cells.

A human cell line (U5A) lacking the type I interferon (IFN) receptor chain 2 (IFNAR2c) was used to determine the role of the IFNAR2c cytoplasmic domain in regulating IFN-dependent STAT activation, interferon-stimulated gene factor 3 (ISGF3) and c-sis-inducible factor (SIF) complex formation, gene expression, and antiproliferative effects. A panel of U5A cells expressing truncation mutants of IFNAR2c on their cell surface were generated for study. Janus kinase (JAK) activation was detected in all mutant cell lines; however, STAT1 and STAT2 activation was observed only in U5A cells expressing full-length IFNAR2c and IFNAR2c truncated at residue 462 (R2.462). IFNAR2c mutants truncated at residues 417 (R2. 417) and 346 (R2.346) or IFNAR2c mutant lacking tyrosine residues in its cytoplasmic domain (R2.Y-F) render the receptor inactive. A similar pattern was observed for IFN-inducible STAT activation, STAT complex formation, and STAT-DNA binding. Consistent with these data, IFN-inducible gene expression was ablated in U5A, R2.Y-F, R2.417, and R2.346 cell lines. The implications are that tyrosine phosphorylation and the 462-417 region of IFNAR2c are independently obligatory for receptor activation. In addition, the distal 53 amino acids of the intracellular domain of IFNAR2c are not required for IFN-receptor mediated STAT activation, ISFG3 or SIF complex formation, induction of gene expression, and inhibition of thymidine incorporation. These data demonstrate for the first time that both tyrosine phosphorylation and a specific domain of IFNAR2c are required in human cells for IFN-dependent coupling of JAK activation to STAT phosphorylation, gene induction, and antiproliferative effects. In addition, human and murine cells appear to require different regions of the cytoplasmic domain of IFNAR2c for regulation of IFN responses.

Animals↗

Direct binding to and tyrosine phosphorylation of the alpha subunit of the type I interferon receptor by p135tyk2 tyrosine kinase.

Binding of type I interferons (IFNs) to their receptors induces rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of multiple proteins, including the alpha and beta subunits of the receptor, the polypeptides that form the transcriptional activator ISGF3 alpha (Stat113, Stat84, and Stat91), and the p135tyk2 and Jak-1 tyrosine kinases. In this report, we demonstrate that the alpha subunit of the type I IFN receptor (IFN-R) corresponds to the product of a previously cloned receptor subunit cDNA and, further, that the p135tyk2 tyrosine kinase directly binds and tyrosine phosphorylates this receptor subunit. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion proteins encoding the different regions of the cytoplasmic domain of the alpha subunit can bind the p135tyk2 contained in human cell lysates. The association between the alpha subunit and Tyk2 was demonstrated by immunoblotting with anti-Tyk2 and antiphosphotyrosine antibodies and by using an in vitro kinase assay. Analogous experiments were then performed with recombinant baculoviruses encoding constitutively active Jak family tyrosine kinases. In this case, p135tyk2, but not Jak-1 or Jak-2 protein, binds to the GST-IFN-R proteins, suggesting that the interaction between these two proteins is both direct and specific. We also demonstrate that Tyk2, from extracts of either IFN alpha-treated human cells or insect cells infected with the recombinant baculoviruses, can catalyze in vitro phosphorylation of GST-IFN-R protein in a specific manner. Deletion mutants of the GST-IFN-R protein were used to localize both the binding and tyrosine phosphorylation site(s) to a 46-amino-acid juxtamembrane region of the alpha subunit, which shows sequence homology to functionally similar regions of other cytokine receptor proteins. These data support the hypothesis that the Tyk2 protein functions as part of a receptor complex to initiate intracellular signaling in response to type I IFNs.

DNA-Binding Proteins↗

Antibiotic magainins exert cytolytic activity against transformed cell lines through channel formation.

Magainins are an ionophoric class of vertebrate peptides with antibiotic activity against various microorganisms. Here we show that magainin 2 and synthetic analogues can rapidly and irreversibly lyse hematopoietic tumor and solid tumor target cells with a relative cytotoxic potency that parallels their antibacterial efficacy and at concentrations that are relatively nontoxic to well-differentiated cells. The cytotoxicity is prevented by cell depolarization. Magainins represent a natural cytolytic agent in vertebrates and may provide another therapeutic strategy for certain tumors.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Induction of megakaryocytic differentiation and modulation of protein kinase gene expression by site-selective cAMP analogs in K-562 human leukemic cells.

Two classes (site 1- and site 2-selective) of cAMP analogs, which either alone or in combination demonstrate a preference for binding to type II rather than type I cAMP-dependent protein kinase isozyme, potently inhibit growth in a spectrum of human cancer cell lines in culture. Treatment of K-562 human leukemic cells for 3 days with 30 and 10 microM 8-chloroadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-Cl-cAMP) (site 1-selective) resulted in 60% and 20% growth inhibition, respectively (with over 90% viability). N6-Benzyl-cAMP (site 2-selective) (30 microM) treatment resulted in 20% growth inhibition by day 3. When 8-Cl-cAMP (10 microM) and N6-benzyl-cAMP (30 microM) were both added, growth was almost completely arrested. The growth inhibition was accompanied by megakaryocytic differentiation in K-562 cells. The untreated control cells expressed little or no detectable levels of glycoprotein IIb-IIIa surface antigen complex. 8-Cl-cAMP (30 microM) treatment for 3 days substantially increased the antigen expression, while N6-benzyl-cAMP caused little or no change in the antigen expression. When cells were treated with 8-Cl-cAMP in combination with N6-benzyl-cAMP, antigen expression was synergistically enhanced, and cells demonstrated megakaryocyte morphology. By Northern blotting, we examined the mRNA levels of the type I and type II protein kinase regulatory subunits (RI alpha and RII beta), the catalytic subunit, and c-myc during 8-Cl-cAMP treatment. The steady-state level of RII beta cAMP receptor mRNA sharply increased within 1 hr of treatment and remained elevated for 3 days, while that of the RI alpha receptor markedly decreased to below control level within 6 hr and remained low during treatment. However, 8-Cl-cAMP did not affect the mRNA level of the catalytic subunit. 8-Cl-cAMP treatment also brought about a rapid decrease in c-myc mRNA. Thus, differential regulation of cAMP receptor genes is an early event in cAMP-induced differentiation and growth control of K-562 leukemia cells.

Antigens, Surface↗

Stable T3- and T3+ subclones derived from the mosaic human T cell leukemia cell line, CEM.

An unexplained feature of the human T lymphoblastic leukemia cell line, CEM, is a heterogeneous expression of surface membrane T3-TCR complex. CEM cells constitutively maintain two distinct populations whereby a minority of cells (5 to 16%) express T3 but the remainder do not. From the parental cell line, we have derived stable subclones in which all cells express surface T3 and companion subclones that lack surface T3. Inasmuch as surface T3 expression is contingent on assembly and coexpression of the multichain T3 protein complex with the TCR, we compared the surface T3+ and T3- subclones for their rearrangement and expression of genes of the T3-TCR complex. Restricted DNA of both subclone types showed the identical monoclonal pattern of TCR gene rearrangement seen in the mosaic parental CEM line. Northern blot analysis revealed mRNA transcripts of TCR beta subunit and T3 delta in both the surface T3+ and T3- subclones. However, surface T3+ subclones transcribed abundant full length (1.5-kb) TCR alpha mRNA in contrast to the surface T3- subclones in which TCR alpha transcripts were undetectable. Lack of TCR alpha gene transcription was not attributable to either unrearranged or aberrantly rearranged TCR alpha genes because exposure of surface T3- cells to phorbol ester induced a rapid (15-min) and progressive accumulation of full length (1.5-kb) TCR alpha mRNA. This was followed by surface membrane T3 expression in 24 to 72 h. We conclude that the unusual phenotypic mosaicism of CEM cells is attributable to a reversible lack of transcription of the TCR alpha gene.

Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte↗

Site-selective cAMP analogs at micromolar concentrations induce growth arrest and differentiation of acute promyelocytic, chronic myelocytic, and acute lymphocytic human leukemia cell lines.

Cyclic AMP (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase may play a role in the functional and morphological differentiation of leukemic cells. In this study, we showed that the cAMP analogs, potent activators of protein kinase recently shown to be selective for either site 1 or site 2 cAMP binding sites of protein kinase, demonstrate potent growth inhibition of acute promyelocytic, chronic myelocytic, and acute lymphocytic leukemic cell lines with no sign of toxicity. The growth inhibition accompanied monocytic differentiation in HL-60 cells and a loss of nuclear terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase activity in Molt-4 leukemic cells. The growth inhibition also paralleled a decrease in c-myc protein and RI cAMP receptor protein. Thus, cAMP analogs selective for either site 1 or site 2 of the protein kinase appear to restore a coupling of proliferation and maturation in leukemic cells.

Cell Differentiation↗

Phorbol ester-induced surface transferrin receptor modulation. No correlation with decreased cell proliferation.

Both phorbol ester or diacylglycerol (DAG) reduce cell surface transferrin receptor (TFR) number in CEM cells (a human T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia line) and HL-60 cells (a human promyelocytic leukemia cell line). This effect occurs with a t1/2 of approx. 30 min and is mimicked by addition of phospholipase C to cell cultures. Although cell surface TFR number is reduced to 25-30% of the control level 5 h after phorbol ester administration, apparent cell proliferation (as measured by [3H]thymidine incorporation) remains unaffected. Although independent of extracellular calcium (EGTA is slightly enhancing), the phenomenon is completely blocked by 30-min pretreatment with the calcium channel blocker diltiazem. Dilitazem pretreatment, while preventing receptor redistribution, does not completely block the phorbol ester-induced increase in TFR phosphorylation thought to be associated with receptor redistribution. Thus, calcium channel blockade effectively dissociates the effects of tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (TPA) on TFR internalization and phosphorylation. Our results also demonstrate that phorbol ester-induced effects on the TFR can be mimicked by the endogenous stimulator of protein kinase C, DAG, whether added directly to cultures or produced by the cells in response to exogenous phospholipase C. Furthermore, the phenomenon of TFR redistribution here described is not associated with a decreased proliferative capacity.

Cell Division↗