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Biomedical subjects

R P de Groot

Publications and source records attributed to R P de Groot.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Cloning and characterization of the human interleukin-3 (IL-3)/IL-5/ granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor betac gene: regulation by Ets family members.

High-affinity receptors for interleukin-3 (IL-3), IL-5, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) are composed of two distinct subunits, a ligand-specific chain and a common beta chain (betac). Whereas the mouse has two homologous beta subunits (betac and betaIL-3), in humans, only a single beta chain is identified. We describe here the isolation and characterization of the gene encoding the human IL-3/IL-5/GM-CSF receptor beta subunit. The gene spans about 25 kb and is divided into 14 exons, a structure very similar to that of the murine betac/betaIL-3 genes. Surprisingly, we also found the remnants of a second betac chain gene directly downstream of betac. We identified a functional promoter that is active in the myeloid cell lines U937 and HL-60, but not in HeLa cells. The proximal promoter region, located from -103 to +33 bp, contains two GGAA consensus binding sites for members of the Ets family. Single mutation of those sites reduces promoter activity by 70% to 90%. The 5' element specifically binds PU.1, whereas the 3' element binds a yet-unidentified protein. These findings, together with the observation that cotransfection of PU.1 and other Ets family members enhances betac promoter activity in fibroblasts, reinforce the notion that GGAA elements play an important role in myeloid-specific gene regulation.

Animals

An AP-1 site in the promoter of the human IL-5R alpha gene is necessary for promoter activity in eosinophilic HL60 cells.

Interleukin-5 (IL-5) plays a crucial role in the proliferation, differentiation and activation of eosinophils. The IL-5 receptor is composed of an IL-5-specific alpha subunit, which is expressed by eosinophils and basophils, and a beta c-subunit shared with the receptors for IL-3 and GM-CSF. We identified an AP-1 element which is important for IL-5R alpha promoter activity in eosinophilic HL60 cells. The AP-1 site and the previously identified EOS1 site cooperate, since single mutation of either of the sites decreased promoter activity. We show that the AP-1 site of the IL-5R alpha promoter binds multiple proteins, including cJun, CREB, and CREM.

Base Sequence

The role of transcription factor PU.1 in the activity of the intronic enhancer of the eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (RNS2) gene.

Eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) found in the granules of human eosinophils is a cationic ribonuclease toxin. Expression of the EDN gene (RNS2) in eosinophils is dependent on proximal promoter sequences in combination with an enhancer located in the first intron. We further define here the active region of the intron using transfections in differentiated eosinophilic HL60 cells. We show that a region containing a tandem PU.I binding site is important for intronic enhancer activity. This region binds multiple forms of transcription factor PU.I as judged by gel-shift analysis and DNA affinity precipitation. Importantly, introducing point mutations in the PU.I site drastically reduces the intronic enhancer activity, showing the importance of PU.I for expression of EDN in cells of the eosinophilic lineage.

Binding Sites

Differential activation of functionally distinct STAT5 proteins by IL-5 and GM-CSF during eosinophil and neutrophil differentiation from human CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells.

Interleukin-5 (IL-5) and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) are important cytokines for the proliferation, differentiation, and activation of myeloid lineages. The JAK/STAT pathway is one of the signaling pathways implicated in mediating biological responses induced by these cytokines. Previous studies have demonstrated that these cytokines predominantly activate an 80 kDa STAT5 isoform in mature granulocytes. To better understand the role of STAT proteins during growth and differentiation of granulocytes, we evaluated differentiation of human CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells ex vivo toward eosinophils and neutrophils. Bandshift experiments showed that in an early stage of both differentiation pathways (14 days), the 94 kDa STAT5B protein was activated by both IL-5 (eosinophil lineage) and GM-CSF (neutrophil lineage). However, during maturation of both lineages (days 21 and 28), increased expression of a functionally distinct 80 kDa STAT5 isoform was observed, resulting in heterodimer DNA-binding complexes containing both the 94 and 80 kDa STAT5 proteins. The finding that functionally distinct isoforms of STAT5 are activated during the early and late differentiation stages of granulocytes suggests that they might be involved in regulating different biological functions in these cells.

Antigens, CD34

Regulation of proliferation, differentiation and survival by the IL-3/IL-5/GM-CSF receptor family.

The receptors for the I1-3/IL-5/GM-CSF cytokine family are composed of a heterodimeric complex of a cytokine-specific alpha chain and a common beta chain (betac). Binding of IL-3/IL-5/GM-CSF to their respective receptors rapidly induces activation of multiple intracellular signalling pathways, including the Ras-Raf-ERK, the JAK/STAT, the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase PKB, and the JNK/SAPK and p38 signalling pathways. This review focuses on recent advancements in understanding how these different signalling pathways are activated by IL-3/IL-5/GM-CSF receptors, and how the individual pathways contribute to the pleiotropic effects of IL-3/IL-5/GM-CSF on their target cells, including proliferation, differentiation, survival, and effector functions.

Animals

Multiple tyrosine residues in the intracellular domain of the common beta subunit of the interleukin 5 receptor are involved in activation of STAT5.

In contrast to the general model of cytokine-induced JAK/STAT signaling, tyrosine phosphorylation of the IL-5R beta chain seems to be dispensable for STAT activation in cells overexpressing exogenous STAT proteins. In this study we expressed IL-5 receptor mutants in 293 cells and studied IL-5-induced endogenous STAT-dependent transcription. Our results indicate that: (a) tyrosine phosphorylation of the IL-5R beta chain is required for endogenous STAT5 activation, (b) multiple tyrosine residues are phosphorylated upon IL-5 stimulation, including Tyr577, Tyr612, Tyr695, and Tyr750, and (c) Tyr612, Tyr695, and Tyr750 are all capable of inducing activation of STAT5, demonstrating a high level of functional redundancy within the IL-5R beta chain.

3T3 Cells

Activation of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate response element- and dyad symmetry element-dependent transcription by interleukin-5 is mediated by Jun N-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase kinases.

Interleukin-5 (IL-5) is one of the major regulators of eosinophilic granulocytes in vivo. IL-5 exerts its pleiotropic effects by binding to the IL-5 receptor, which is composed of an IL-5-specific alpha chain and a common betac chain shared with the receptors for IL-3 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Previous studies have shown that binding of IL-5 to its receptor triggers the activation of multiple signaling cascades, including the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase, the phosphatidyl -3'-kinase, and the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription pathways. Here we describe that IL-5 activates the serine/threonine protein kinase Jun N-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase (JNK/SAPK) pathway. We show that IL-5 activates TPA response element (TRE)-dependent transcription in transfection experiments. TRE activation by IL-5 is mediated by a region of the betac (577-581) that is also responsible for activation of JNK/SAPK and for activation of dyad symmetry element (DSE)-dependent transcription. Dominant-negative SAPK or ERK kinase-1 was used to demonstrate that JNK/SAPK activation is necessary for induction of DSE- and TRE-dependent transcription by IL-5, whereas extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 was not essential for TRE- and DSE-dependent transcription. By contrast, IL-5-induced activation of the tyrosine kinase Janus kinase 2 seems to be a prerequisite for TRE- and DSE-dependent transcription. Taken together, we show for the first time that IL-5 activates kinases of the JNK/SAPK family, and that this activation is linked to IL-5-induced TRE- and DSE-dependent transcription.

Animals

Cloning and characterization of Fc alpha Rb, a novel Fc alpha receptor (CD89) isoform expressed in eosinophils and neutrophils.

The Fc receptor for IgA (Fc alpha R, CD89) is a transmembrane glycoprotein found on monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, and eosinophils. Here we describe the characterization of a novel isoform of the Fc alpha R cloned from a human eosinophil cDNA library. This clone, Fc alpha Rb, lacks the exon encoding the transmembrane/intracellular region of wild type Fc alpha R, which is replaced by 23 new amino acids. Expression of Fc alpha Rb mRNA could be detected in eosinophils and neutrophils. IIA1.6 murine pro-B cells transfected with Fc alpha Rb cDNA secrete high levels of the protein, but also a substantial amount of Fc alpha Rb is expressed at the cell membrane. Membrane-bound Fc alpha Rb binds IgA-coated beads equally well as wild type Fc alpha R. Surface expression is not affected by phosphatidyl inositol phospholipase C, indicating that glycosyl phosphatidyl inositol-linkage of Fc alpha Rb is not likely. In IIA1.6 cells expressing Fc alpha Rb and FcR gamma, which is necessary for signal transduction by wild type Fc alpha R, no tyrosine phosphorylation or Ca(2+)-mobilization could be observed after receptor cross-linking. These results indicate that Fc alpha Rb is likely to have a different function than wild-type Fc alpha R receptor.

Amino Acid Sequence

STAT3beta, a splice variant of transcription factor STAT3, is a dominant negative regulator of transcription.

The 89-kDa STAT3 protein is a latent transcription factor which is activated in response to cytokines (interleukin (IL)-5 and -6) and growth factors (epidermal growth factor). Binding of IL-5 to its specific receptor activates JAK2 which leads to the tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT3 proteins. Here we report the cloning of a cDNA encoding a variant of the transcription factor STAT3 (named STAT3beta) which was isolated by screening an eosinophil cDNA library. Compared to wild-type STAT3, STAT3beta lacks an internal domain of 50 base pairs located near the C terminus. This splice product is a naturally occurring isoform of STAT3 and encodes a 80-kDa protein. We found by reconstitution of the human IL-5R in COS cells that like STAT3, STAT3beta is phosphorylated on tyrosine and binds to the pIRE from the ICAM-1 promoter after IL-5 stimulation. However, STAT3beta fails to activate a pIRE containing promoter in transient transfection assays. Instead, co-expression of STAT3beta inhibits the transactivation potential of STAT3. These results suggests that STAT3beta functions as a negative regulator of transcription.

Amino Acid Sequence

Altered AP-1/ATF complexes in adenovirus-E1-transformed cells due to EIA-dependent induction of ATF3.

The adenovirus (Ad) E1A proteins alter the expression level and activity of AP-1/ATF transcription factors. Previously we have shown that in AdE1-transformed cells cJun is hyperphosphorylated in its N-terminal transactivation domain, which parallels enhanced transactivation function. To find out whether the interaction between cJun and other cellular proteins is altered, we have searched for proteins which would physically associate with cJun. In this report we show that in AdE1-transformed cells cJun specifically associates with two proteins of 21 and 23 kD. These proteins are not expressed at detectable levels in the parental cells or in cells transformed by oncogenes other than AdE1. The cJun-associated proteins represent different forms of the bZIP transcription factor ATF3, the human homolog of rat LRF1. The expression of ATF3 is induced in AdE1-transformed cells and is a direct effect of the expression of E1A. Through induction of ATF3 expression and the subsequent formation of cJun/ATF3 heterodimers, E1A alters the repertoire of AP-1/ATF factors and may thereby redirect the corresponding gene-expression program. Since the induction of ATF3 is a function of sequences within the transforming 12S-ElA protein, cJun/ATF3 complexes might be involved in establishing cellular transformation by AdE1A.

Activating Transcription Factor 3

Induction of the mitogen-activated p70 S6 kinase by adenovirus E1A.

Adenovirus E1A proteins can transform primary cells in culture in conjunction with other oncogenes, such as E1B or activated ras. The modulation of various cell cycle regulators by E1A is thought to be involved in this transformation process. In this paper we show that E1A enhances the expression of the mitogen-inducible p70 S6 kinase (p70s6k), a kinase which is essential for G1 progression. p70s6k mRNA and protein levels are enhanced 3-4-fold in various E1A-expressing cell lines. Similarly, the activity of p70s6k is enhanced in E1A-expressing cells in a manner partially independent of enhanced expression of p70s6k. The induction of p70s6k correlates with the presence of conserved region 1 (CR1) of E1A and with morphological transformation by E1A. These results suggest that induction of p70s6k by E1A might be involved in transformation by E1A.

Adenovirus E1A Proteins

Differentiation of P19 EC cells leads to differential modulation of cyclin-dependent kinase activities and to changes in the cell cycle profile.

The retinoblastoma gene product (pRb) is essential for normal embryonic development. Phosphorylation of pRb by cyclin dependent kinases (cdk's) is believed to be crucial for the regulation of its function. In this report we have studied the regulation of pRb and cdk's during in vitro differentiation of P19 embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells, as a model for early developmental processes. During EC cell differentiation, the synthesis of pRb is strongly induced. In addition, the phosphorylation state of induced pRb is modulated, yielding mainly underphosphorylated pRb. Concomitantly, the pRb kinases cdk2 and cdk4 are differentially regulated: cdk2 kinase activity is impaired, whereas cdk4 kinase activity is stimulated, due to an induction of cyclins D1 and D2. Furthermore, the DNA binding activity of E2F transcription factors is strongly impaired during differentiation and the number of cells in G1 is increased. Thus, P19 EC cell differentiation is accompanied by changes in cdk-activities, pRb regulation and E2F DNA-binding, resulting in the generation of cell types with an altered cell cycle profile.

Adenovirus E1A Proteins

Adenovirus E1A antagonizes both negative and positive growth signals elicited by transforming growth factor beta 1.

Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF beta 1) is a cytokine capable of inhibiting or stimulating cell growth, depending on the nature of the target cell. Inhibition of cell growth by TGF beta 1 is thought to be mediated by TGF beta 1-induced changes in the expression and activity of cell cycle regulatory proteins like cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) 2 and cdk4. Here we show that adenovirus E1A blocks growth inhibition by TGF beta 1. The activity of cdk2 was strongly inhibited by TGF beta 1 in control cells but not in E1A-expressing cells. Similarly, an early event in TGF beta 1 signaling, junB induction, was significantly reduced in E1A-expressing cells. E1A also interferes with growth stimulation of NRK cells by TGF beta 1, both in monolayer and in soft agar. In these cells, E1A also interferes with junB induction by TGF beta 1. Moreover, E1A abrogates TGF beta 1-induced production of an autocrine-acting platelet-derived growth factor-like activity. These results show that E1A can interfere with TGF beta 1-induced growth-inhibiting as well as growth-promoting signals.

3T3 Cells

Positive regulation of the cAMP-responsive activator CREM by the p70 S6 kinase: an alternative route to mitogen-induced gene expression.

Activation of the adenylyl cyclase signaling pathway elicits the induction of genes via activators binding to cAMP-responsive elements (CREs). Nuclear factor CRE modulator (CREM) is activated by PKA-mediated phosphorylation on a serine at position 117. We show that Ser-117 is also phosphorylated by the mitogen-activated p70 S6 kinase (p70S6K) in vitro. Activation of cellular p70S6K by serum factors enhances Ser-117 phosphorylation and CREM transactivation. Coexpression of p70S6K significantly increases transactivation by a GAL4-CREM fusion. The macrolide rapamycin, a potent and specific inhibitor of p70S6K in vivo, completely blocks CREM activation induced by serum and by p70S6K. Thus, CREM constitutes a target for mitogenic signaling through p70S6K and may acts as a nuclear effector in which transduction pathways may converge and cross-talk.

Amino Acid Sequence

DNA bending by transcription factors CREM and CREB.

DNA bending is postulated to be a major determinant of gene expression and has been shown to be specifically induced by some regulatory proteins with DNA-binding properties. Here we show that nuclear factors which naturally bind to CREs (cAMP-responsive elements) are able to induce bending in the sequences flanking this recognition site. In our assays we used a permutated binding site/gel retardation assay and bacterially generated nuclear factors. We have been studying the cAMP-responsive-element modulator (CREM) gene, which encodes both repressors (CREM alpha, beta and gamma) and an activator (CREM tau) of cAMP-responsive transcription by alternative splicing. In addition, two alternative DNA-binding domains can be encoded in different CREM isoforms. No differences in induction of DNA bending by the CREM proteins with the two DNA binding domains were detected. The activator CREB induced DNA bending in a fashion similar to CREM. Importantly, we show that phosphorylation of CREM or CREB alters their mobilities in a regular gel shift assay as well as enhances the angle of DNA bending induced by these proteins.

Base Sequence

Multiple and cooperative phosphorylation events regulate the CREM activator function.

Phosphorylation is one of the major mechanisms by which the activity of transcription factors can be regulated. We have investigated the role of phosphorylation in the regulation of the transcription factor CREM. We show that the CREM tau activator is phosphorylated on multiple serine and threonine residues in vivo. Stimulation of various signal transduction pathways by forskolin, TPA or Ca2+ ionophore leads to enhanced phosphorylation of serine 117, concomitant with an increase in the transactivation potential of CREM tau. We have identified multiple kinases that can also phosphorylate S117 in vitro. Moreover, we show that casein kinase I and II cooperatively phosphorylate CREM tau on multiple residues, eliciting enhanced DNA binding. Cooperative phosphorylation is also observed with other kinases. These results show that the activity of CREM tau is regulated by multiple phosphorylation events, suggesting that CREM could be considered as a nuclear effector where signalling pathways may converge and/or cross-talk.

3T3 Cells

Inhibition of EGF-induced signal transduction by microgravity is independent of EGF receptor redistribution in the plasma membrane of human A431 cells.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced c-fos and c-jun expression is strongly suppressed in microgravity. We investigate here whether this is due to inhibition of processes occurring during the initiation of EGF-induced signal transduction. For this purpose, EGF-induced receptor clustering is used as a marker. The lateral distribution of EGF receptors is directly visualized at an ultrastructural level by the label-fracture method. Quantification of the receptor distributions shows that EGF-induced receptor redistribution is similar under normal and microgravity conditions. This suggests that microgravity influences EGF-induced signal transduction downstream of EGF binding and EGF receptor redistribution, but upstream of early gene expression in human A431 cells.

Cell Membrane