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The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt pathway suppresses Bax translocation to mitochondria.

Bax, a proapoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family, localizes largely in the cytoplasm but redistributes to mitochondria in response to apoptotic stimuli, where it induces cytochrome c release. In this study, we show that the phosphatidylinositol 3-OH kinase (PI3K)-Akt pathway plays an important role in the regulation of Bax subcellular localization. We found that LY294002, a PI3K inhibitor, blocked the effects of serum to prevent Bax translocation to mitochondria and that expression of an active form of PI3K suppressed staurosporine-induced Bax translocation, suggesting that PI3K activity is essential for retaining Bax in the cytoplasm. In contrast, both U0126, a MEK inhibitor, and active MEK had little effect on Bax localization. In respect to downstream effectors of PI3K, we found that expression of active Akt, but not serum and glucocorticoid-induced protein kinase (SGK), suppressed staurosporine-induced translocation of Bax, whereas dominant negative Akt moderately promoted Bax translocation. Expression of Akt did not alter the levels of Bax, Bcl-2, Bcl-X(L), or phosphorylated JNK under the conditions used, suggesting that there were alternative mechanisms for Akt in the suppression of Bax translocation. Collectively, these results suggest that the PI3K-Akt pathway inhibits Bax translocation from cytoplasm to mitochondria and have revealed a novel mechanism by which the PI3K-Akt pathway promotes survival.

Animals↗

A heterotrimeric GTPase-regulated isoform of PI3K and the regulation of its potential effectors.

We have purified two forms of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) that are activated by heterotrimeric G-protein beta gamma-subunits. These novel isoforms of PI3K are structurally distinct to those forms of PI3K which have already been cloned. They are both heterodimers made up of a p120 and a p101 and a p117 and a p101 protein. The p101 species in both heterodimers are identical and show no substantial homology with any other proteins or DNA sequences. The p117 and p120 are highly related. The p101 and p120 species have been cloned from a pig neutrophil mRNA library. The p120 has similarities with other known PI3K catalytic subunits. They may be responsible for conferring cells with the capacity to produce phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate in response to activation of G-protein-coupled receptors. Activation of both the monomeric G-protein rac and PI3K(s) have been implicated in receptor-stimulated membrane-ruffling. We have observed that agonist-stimulated guanine nucleotide exchange on rac can be inhibited by a variety of PI3K inhibitors. This suggests PI3K may lie upstream of rac in receptor-driven pathways regulating cell movement.

Enzyme Activation↗

Bivalent role of the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) during influenza virus infection and host cell defence.

Infections with influenza A viruses result in the activation of a variety of intracellular signalling pathways. Recent findings suggest that in response to double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), which is commonly used as a mimic for accumulating viral RNA, the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) is activated and mediates activation of the transcription factor interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF-3). Thus, we investigated the function of PI3K during influenza virus infection. The pathway was activated upon infection and consistent with earlier findings using dsRNA, inhibition of PI3K itself or block of signalling by the PI3K product, the second messenger phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP3), results in misphosphorylation and impaired dimerization of IRF-3 as well as reduced IRF-3-dependent promoter activity. This would imply an antiviral function of the kinase in influenza virus-infected cells. However, upon inhibition of PI3K, titers of progeny virus were reduced rather than enhanced. This was coincident with a strong decrease of viral protein accumulation that was not due to a block of protein synthesis or inhibition of the viral polymerase complex. Immunofluorescence studies revealed that PI3K rather appears to regulate a very early step during viral entry. Thus PI3K is a perfect example of a seemingly antiviral signalling component that is misused by the virus to support effective replication.

Animals↗

Activated c-Met signals through PI3K with dramatic effects on cytoskeletal functions in small cell lung cancer.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive illness with early metastases. There are several receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) overexpressed in SCLC, including c-Met. c-Met contains an external semaphorin-like domain, a cytoplasmic juxtamembrane domain, tyrosine kinase domain and multiple tyrosines that bind to adapter molecules. We have previously reported that c-Met is abundantly expressed in the NCI-H69 SCLC cell line and now have determined the downstream effects of stimulating c-Met via its ligand hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Utilizing unique phospho-specific antibodies generated against various tyrosines of c-Met, we show that Y1003 (binding site for c-Cbl and a negative regulatory site), Y1313 (binding site for PI3K), Y1230/Y1234/Y1235 (autophosphorylation site), Y1349 (binding site for Grb2), Y1365 (important in cell morphogenesis) are phosphorylated in response to HGF (40 ng/ml, 7.5 min) in H69 cells. Since multiple biological and biochemical effects are transduced through the PI3K pathway, we determine the role of PI3K in the c-Met/HGF stimulation pathway. We initially determined that by inhibiting PI3K with LY294002 (50 microM over 72 hours), there was at least a 55% decrease in viability of H69 cells. Since H69 SCLC cells form clusters in cell culture, we determined the effects of HGF and LY294002 on cell motility of the clusters by time-lapse video microscopy. In response to HGF, SCLC moved much faster and formed more clusters, and this was inhibited by LY294002. Finally, we determined the downstream signal transduction of HGF stimulation of c-Met with and without inhibition of c-Met (with geldanamycin, an anisamycin antibiotic that inhibits c-Met in SCLC) or PI3K (with LY294002). We show that association of c-Met with PI3K and GAB2 is diminished by inhibiting c-Met. In summary, activation of the c-Met pathway targets the PI3K pathway in SCLC and this may be an important therapeutic target.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

PI3K induced actin filament remodeling through Akt and p70S6K1: implication of essential role in cell migration.

This study was designed to identify the molecular mechanisms of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-induced actin filament remodeling and cell migration. Expression of active forms of PI3K, v-P3k or Myr-P3k, was sufficient to induce actin filament remodeling to lead to an increase in cell migration, as well as the activation of Akt in chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) cells. Either the inhibition of PI3K activity using a PI3K-specific inhibitor, LY-294002, or the disruption of Akt activity restored the integrity of actin filaments in CEF cells and inhibited PI3K-induced cell migration. We also found that expression of an activated form of Akt (Myr-Akt) was sufficient to remodel actin filaments to lead to an increase in cell migration, which was unable to be inhibited by the presence of LY-294002. Furthermore, we found that p70S6K1 kinase was a downstream molecule that can mediate the effects of both PI3K and Akt on actin filaments and cell migration. Overexpression of an active form of p70S6K1 was sufficient to induce actin filament remodeling and cell migration in CEF cells, which requires Rac activity. These results demonstrate that activation of PI3K activity alone is sufficient to remodel actin filaments to increase cell migration through the activation of Akt and p70S6K1 in CEF cells.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

Effects of nonselective cation channels and PI3K on endothelin-1-induced PYK2 tyrosine phosphorylation in C6 glioma cells.

We recently demonstrated that endothelin-1 (ET-1) activates two types of Ca2+-permeable nonselective cation channels (designated NSCC-1 and NSCC-2) in C6 glioma cells. In the present study, we investigated the effects of NSCCs on the ET-1-induced proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (PYK2) phosphorylation in C6 glioma cells. In addition, we examined the effects of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) on the ET-1-induced NSCCs activation and PYK2 phosphorylation. The PI3K inhibitors wortmannin and LY-294002 inhibited ET-1-induced Ca2+ influx through NSCC-2 but not NSCC-1. On the other hand, addition of these inhibitors after stimulation with ET-1 failed to suppress Ca2+ influx through NSCC-2. PYK2 phosphorylation was abolished by blocking Ca2+ influx through NSCCs. The PI3K inhibitors blocked the NSCC-2-dependent part of ET-1-induced PYK2 phosphorylation. These results indicate that 1) NSCC-2 is stimulated by ET-1 via a PI3K-dependent cascade, whereas NSCC-1 is stimulated via a PI3K-independent cascade; 2) PI3K seems to be required for the activation of the Ca2+ entry, but not for its maintenance; 3) Ca2+ influx through NSCC-1 and NSCC-2 plays an essential role in ET-1-induced PYK2 phosphorylation; and 4) PI3K is involved in the ET-1-induced PYK2 phosphorylation that depends on the Ca2+ influx through NSCC-2.

Androstadienes↗

Leptin and insulin stimulation of signalling pathways in arcuate nucleus neurones: PI3K dependent actin reorganization and KATP channel activation.

BACKGROUND: Leptin and insulin are long-term regulators of body weight. They act in hypothalamic centres to modulate the function of specific neuronal subtypes, by altering transcriptional control of releasable peptides and by modifying neuronal electrical activity. A key cellular signalling intermediate, implicated in control of food intake by these hormones, is the enzyme phosphoinositide 3-kinase. In this study we have explored further the linkage between this enzyme and other cellular mediators of leptin and insulin action on rat arcuate nucleus neurones and the mouse hypothalamic cell line, GT1-7. RESULTS: Leptin and insulin increased the levels of various phosphorylated signalling intermediates, associated with the JAK2-STAT3, MAPK and PI3K cascades in the arcuate nucleus. Inhibitors of PI3K were shown to reduce the hormone driven phosphorylation through the PI3K and MAPK pathways. Using isolated arcuate neurones, leptin and insulin were demonstrated to increase the activity of KATP channels in a PI3K dependent manner, and to increase levels of PtdIns(3,4,5)P3. KATP activation by these hormones in arcuate neurones was also sensitive to the presence of the actin filament stabilising toxin, jasplakinolide. Using confocal imaging of fluorescently labelled actin and direct analysis of G- and F-actin concentration in GT1-7 cells, leptin was demonstrated directly to induce a re-organization of cellular actin, by increasing levels of globular actin at the expense of filamentous actin in a PI3-kinase dependent manner. Leptin stimulated PI3-kinase activity in GT1-7 cells and an increase in PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 could be detected, which was prevented by PI3K inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS: Leptin and insulin mediated phosphorylation of cellular signalling intermediates and of KATP channel activation in arcuate neurones is sensitive to PI3K inhibition, thus strengthening further the likely importance of this enzyme in leptin and insulin mediated energy homeostasis control. The sensitivity of leptin and insulin stimulation of KATP channel opening in arcuate neurones to jasplakinolide indicates that cytoskeletal remodelling may be an important contributor to the cellular signalling mechanisms of these hormones in hypothalamic neurones. This hypothesis is reinforced by the finding that leptin induces actin filament depolymerization, in a PI3K dependent manner in a mouse hypothalamic cell line.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

Relaxin stimulates multiple signaling pathways: activation of cAMP, PI3K, and PKCzeta in THP-1 cells.

Relaxin has been shown previously to stimulate cyclic AMP production and the activation of MAPK. We reported that phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) activity is required for biphasic stimulation of cAMP by relaxin and that relaxin treatment increased PI3K activity in THP-1 cells. A downstream target of PI3K is protein kinase C zeta (PKCzeta). Relaxin stimulated translocation of PKCzeta to the plasma membrane in THP-1, MCF-7, pregnant human myometrial (PHM1-31), and mouse mesangial (MMC) cells. PKCzeta translocation is PI3K dependent and independent of cAMP production. Pharmacological and antisense approaches, utilized to inhibit or knock down PKCzeta, resulted in a 40% inhibition of relaxin-stimulated cAMP production. The stimulation of PKCzeta by relaxin therefore is downstream of PI3K leading to increased cAMP production. To determine the role of PI3K/PKCzeta stimulation by relaxin on downstream-mediated events, we examined the increase in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene expression by relaxin. Treatment of THP-1 or MMC cells with the PI3K inhibitor, LY294002, abolished the relaxin-mediated stimulation of VEGF transcript levels. In summary, relaxin has pleiotropic signaling effects in THP-1 cells activating ERK1/2, cAMP, PI3K, and PKCzeta. We have described a novel bifurcated pathway by which relaxin stimulates Gs alpha and PI3K/PKCzeta leading to increased cAMP production and increased VEGF gene expression. Some, but not all, of these pathways are detected in other cell lines which may cause the unique diversity of downstream responses from this interesting hormone.

Animals↗

Cbl, IRS-1, and IRS-2 mediate effects of rosiglitazone on PI3K, PKC-lambda, and glucose transport in 3T3/L1 adipocytes.

The thiazolidenedione, rosiglitazone, increases basal and/or insulin-stimulated glucose transport in various cell types by diverse but uncertain mechanisms that may involve insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1-dependent PI3K. Presently, in 3T3/L1 adipocytes, rosiglitazone induced sizable increases in basal glucose transport that were: dependent on PI3K, 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK-1), and PKC-lambda; accompanied by increases in tyrosine phosphorylation of Cbl and Cbl-dependent increases in PI3K and PKC-lambda activity; but not accompanied by increases in IRS-1/2-dependent PI3K or protein kinase B activity. Additionally, rosiglitazone increased IRS-1 and IRS-2 levels, thereby enhancing insulin effects on IRS-1- and IRS-2-dependent PI3K and downstream signaling factors PKC-lambda and protein kinase B. Our findings suggest that Cbl participates in mediating effects of rosiglitazone on PI3K, PDK-1, and PKC-lambda and the glucose transport system and that this Cbl-dependent pathway complements the IRS-1 and IRS-2 pathways for activating PI3K, PDK-1, and PKC-lambda during combined actions of rosiglitazone and insulin in 3T3/L1 cells.

3T3 Cells↗

CD40 ligation induces macrophage IL-10 and TNF-alpha production: differential use of the PI3K and p42/44 MAPK-pathways.

Interleukin 10 (IL-10) is an anti-inflammatory cytokine produced in the rheumatoid arthritis (RA) joint by macrophages/monocytes and infiltrating peripheral blood derived lymphocytes. Recent data suggest a role for physical cell-to-cell interactions in the production of IL-10. In this report, we have investigated the signalling mechanisms involved in IL-10 production by peripheral blood-derived macrophages upon interaction with fixed CD40L transfectants. IL-10 and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) are produced by macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF)-primed monocytes/macrophages in response to CD40 ligation. The utilization of the inhibitors, wortmannin and LY294002, demonstrated a role for phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) whereas rapamycin demonstrated p70 S6-kinase (p70S6K) involvement in the production of IL-10 by these monocytes. The production of TNF-alpha was enhanced by wortmannin and LY294002, suggesting negative regulation by PI3K; however, it was dependent on p70S6K suggesting a PI3K-independent mechanism of p70S6K activation. One alternative pathway that activates p70S6K independently of PI3K and also differentiates between IL-10 and TNF-alpha is the p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), which regulates TNF-alpha production in a PI3K-independent manner. These observations suggest that CD40 ligation induces macrophage IL-10 and TNF-alpha production, the mechanism of which is p70S6K-dependent yet bifurcates at the level of PI3K and p42/44 MAPK.

Androstadienes↗

The role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) in CO2 stimulation of the Na+/HCO3- cotransporter (NBC).

The basolateral Na+/HCO3- cotransporter (NBC) is the major pathway for bicarbonate reabsorption in the renal proximal tubule cells. The cotransporter activity is enhanced by 10% CO2. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) has been shown to regulate the function and trafficking of cellular proteins by promoting their translocation to the plasma membrane. Therefore, we sought to examine the role of PI3K in CO2-mediated stimulation of NBC activity in OK cells. Our studies showed that wortmannin, a well-characterized PI3K inhibitor, had no effect on baseline NBC activity but prevented the stimulatory effect of 10% CO2. This effect was concentration-dependent and time-dependent. Another inhibitor of PI3K, LY294002, also prevented the CO2-mediated increase in NBC activity. CO2 stimulation of the cotransporter was paralleled by an increase in PI3K enzyme activity and this effect was blocked by wortmannin. Biotinylation studies also showed that 10% CO2 increased the immunoreactive NBC in the basolateral membranes and this was prevented by wortmannin. We previously showed that 10% CO2 stimulation of NBC activity involves the Src family kinase pathway. In the current studies, CO2 stimulation significantly increased Src phosphorylation and this effect was abrogated by wortmannin. In summary, CO2 stimulation of NBC is mediated at least in part by increased immunoreactive NBC protein in the basolateral membrane, a process which requires the interaction of PI3K with Src family kinase.

Acidosis, Respiratory↗

PI3K is required for insulin-stimulated but not EGF-stimulated ERK1/2 activation.

The Ras/Raf/extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) signaling pathway is known to cross-talk with other signaling pathways, including phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway. However, the role of PI3K in ERK-1/2 activation induced by tyrosine kinase receptors was not fully understood. Here, we report that two structurally distinct PI3K inhibitors, wortmannin and LY294002, inhibited insulin-induced activation of ERK1/2 but had no effect on EGF-induced activation of ERK1/2 in hepatocellular carcinoma BEL-7402 and SMMC-7721 cells, breast cancer MCF-7 cells, and prostate cancer LNCaP cells. Although protein kinase C could act as a mediator between PI3K and ERK1/2, protein kinase C inhibitor chelerythrine chloride did not inhibit insulin-induced ERK1/2 activation. Both insulin- and EGF-induced ERK1/2 activation are strictly dependent on Ras activation, however, wortmannin only inhibited insulin-induced, but not EGF-induced Ras activation. These results indicate that PI3K plays different roles in the activation of Ras/ERK1/2 signaling by insulin and EGF, and that insulin-stimulated, but not EGF-stimulated, ERK1/2 and Akt signalings diverge at PI3K.

Alkaloids↗

Sam68 is a docking protein linking GAP and PI3K in insulin receptor signaling.

The 68 kDa Src substrate associated during mitosis (Sam68) is an RNA binding protein with Src homology (SH) 2 and 3 domain binding sites. We have recently found that Sam68 is a substrate of the insulin receptor (IR) and that Tyr-phosphorylated Sam68 associates with the SH2 domains of p85 PI3K. In the present work, using HTC-IR cells, we have found that insulin stimulation promotes the relocalization of Sam68 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, and we have further studied the role of Sam68 in insulin receptor signaling complexes, by co-precipitating experiments. Thus, Sam68 is co-precipitated with p85 PI3K, IRS-1 and IR. The association of Sam68 with these complexes is mediated by the SH2 domains of PI3K. Moreover, we have found that Sam68 is a p120GAP associated protein after Tyr-phosphorylation by the IR. This association is mediated by the SH2 domains of GAP (preferentially the C-terminal SH2). Thus, Sam68 is linking p120GAP to PI3K signaling pathway. In fact, PI3K activity was increased in both anti-Sam68 and anti-GAP immmunoprecipitates upon insulin stimulation. We propose that the recruitment of the docking protein Sam68 to the PI3K pathway may serve to allow the association of other signaling molecules, i.e. p120GAP. In this way, these signaling complexes may modulate other signaling cascades of IR, such as p21Ras pathway.

Animals↗

Direct binding of p85 to sst2 somatostatin receptor reveals a novel mechanism for inhibiting PI3K pathway.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) regulates many cellular functions including growth and survival, and its excessive activation is a hallmark of cancer. Somatostatin, acting through its G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) sst2, has potent proapoptotic and anti-invasive activities on normal and cancer cells. Here, we report a novel mechanism for inhibiting PI3K activity. Somatostatin, acting through sst2, inhibits PI3K activity by disrupting a pre-existing complex comprising the sst2 receptor and the p85 PI3K regulatory subunit. Surface plasmon resonance and molecular modeling identified the phosphorylated-Y71 residue of a p85-binding pYXXM motif in the first sst2 intracellular loop, and p85 COOH-terminal SH2 as direct interacting domains. Somatostatin-mediated dissociation of this complex as well as p85 tyrosine dephosphorylation correlates with sst2 tyrosine dephosphorylation on the Y71 residue. Mutating sst2-Y71 disabled sst2 to interact with p85 and somatostatin to inhibit PI3K, consequently abrogating sst2's ability to suppress cell survival and tumor growth. These results provide the first demonstration of a physical interaction between a GPCR and p85, revealing a novel mechanism for negative regulation by ligand-activated GPCR of PI3K-dependent survival pathways, which may be an important molecular target for antineoplastic therapy.

Animals↗

Activation of PI3K is indispensable for interleukin 7-mediated viability, proliferation, glucose use, and growth of T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells.

Interleukin (IL)-7 is essential for normal T cell development. Previously, we have shown that IL-7 increases viability and proliferation of T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cells by up-regulating Bcl-2 and down-regulating the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27kip1. Here, we examined the signaling pathways via which IL-7 mediates these effects. We investigated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK)-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt (protein kinase B) pathways, which have active roles in T cell expansion and have been implicated in tumorigenesis. IL-7 induced activation of the MEK-Erk pathway in T-ALL cells; however, inhibition of the MEK-Erk pathway by the use of the cell-permeable inhibitor PD98059, did not affect IL-7-mediated viability or cell cycle progression of leukemic cells. IL-7 induced PI3K-dependent phosphorylation of Akt and its downstream targets GSK-3, FOXO1, and FOXO3a. PI3K activation was mandatory for IL-7-mediated Bcl-2 up-regulation, p27kip1 down-regulation, Rb hyperphosphorylation, and consequent viability and cell cycle progression of T-ALL cells. PI3K signaling was also required for cell size increase, up-regulation of CD71, expression of the glucose transporter Glut1, uptake of glucose, and maintenance of mitochondrial integrity. Our results implicate PI3K as a major effector of IL-7-induced viability, metabolic activation, growth and proliferation of T-ALL cells, and suggest that PI3K and its downstream effectors may represent molecular targets for therapeutic intervention in T-ALL.

Antigens, CD↗

Differential dependence of eosinophil chemotactic responses on phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K).

BACKGROUND: Control of eosinophil migration to sites of inflammatory responses is a potentially therapeutic intervention in diseases such as bronchial asthma. Chemoattractants, their receptors and the associated signalling pathways may, therefore, be important targets for novel therapeutics. While several potentially important chemoattractants have been identified, the signalling pathways mediating their actions are incompletely understood. AIMS OF THE STUDY: The role of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) in responses of human eosinophils to two important eosinophil chemoattractants -- platelet-activating factor (PAF) and eotaxin (CCL11) -- was studied to determine whether this enzyme activity might be crucial for eosinophil migration. METHODS: Eosinophils were isolated from atopic donor blood by immunomagnetic selection. Chemotaxis was assayed in a 96-well blind-chamber cell fluorescence assay. Respiratory burst and leukotriene C(4) secretion were also assayed. RESULTS: Two PI3K inhibitors, wortmannin and LY294002, caused concentration-dependent inhibition of PAF-induced eosinophil chemotaxis (IC(50) = 0.54 nM and 0.15 microM, respectively) but exhibited at least 100-fold lower potency against eotaxin-induced responses (IC(50) = 48 nM and >100 microM, respectively), indicating that these responses were not dependent upon PI3K. Wortmannin and LY294002 also inhibited PAF induced respiratory burst but not PAF-induced LTC(4) secretion. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that PI3K-dependence varies with stimulus and response, and that eotaxin-induced eosinophil migration is not controlled by PI3K. This may indicate a limit to the potential of PI3K inhibitors to suppress tissue eosinophilia in diseases such as asthma.

Androstadienes↗

PI3K inhibitors reverse the suppressive actions of insulin on CYP2E1 expression by activating stress-response pathways in primary rat hepatocytes.

Insulin-associated signaling pathways are critical in the regulation of hepatic physiology. Recent inhibitor-based studies have implicated a mechanistic role for phosphatidylinositol 3' kinase (PI3K) in the insulin-mediated suppression of CYP2E1 mRNA levels in hepatocytes. We investigated the dose dependence for this response and for the effects of insulin and extracellular matrix on PI3K signaling and CYP2E1 mRNA expression levels using a highly defined rat primary hepatocyte culture system. The PI3K inhibitors wortmannin and LY294002 stimulated stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation in a rapid and concentration-dependent manner that paralleled the inhibition of protein kinase B (PKB) phosphorylation. Although PI3K inhibitors reversed the suppressive effects of insulin on CYP2E1 expression, these effects only occurred at concentrations well in excess of those required to achieve complete inhibition of PKB phosphorylation. These same concentrations produced cytotoxic responses as evidenced by perturbed cellular morphology and elevated release of lactate dehydrogenase. Wortmannin-mediated activation of the SAPK/JNK and p38 MAPK pathways also resulted in the mobilization of activator protein-1 complex to the nuclear compartment. We conclude that the suppression of CYP2E1 mRNA expression by insulin is not directly associated with PI3K-dependent pathway activation, but rather is linked to a cytotoxic response stemming from acute challenge with PI3K inhibitors.

Androstadienes↗

Hyperglycemia alters PI3k and Akt signaling and leads to endothelial cell proliferative dysfunction.

Diabetes mellitus is a major risk factor for the development of vascular complications. We hypothesized that hyperglycemia decreases endothelial cell (EC) proliferation and survival via phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3k) and Akt signaling pathways. We cultured human umbilical vein ECs (HUVEC) in 5, 20, or 40 mM d-glucose. Cells grown in 5, 20, and 40 mM mannitol served as a control for osmotic effects. We measured EC proliferation for up to 15 days. We assessed apoptosis by annexin V and propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry, analyzed cell lysates obtained on culture day 8 for total and phosphorylated PI3k and Akt by Western blot analysis, and measured Akt kinase activity using a GSK fusion protein. HUVEC proliferation was also tested in the presence of pharmacological inhibitors of PI3k-Akt (wortmannin and LY294002) and after transfection with a constitutively active Akt mutant. ECs in media containing 5 mM d-glucose (control) exhibited log-phase growth on days 7-10. d-Glucose at 20 and 40 mM significantly decreased proliferation versus control (P < 0.05 for both), whereas mannitol did not impair EC proliferation. Apoptosis increased significantly in HUVEC exposed to 40 mM d-glucose. d-Glucose at 40 mM significantly decreased tyrosine-phosphorylated PI3k, threonine 308-phosphorylated-Akt, and Akt activity relative to control 5 mM d-glucose. Pharmacological inhibition of PI3k-Akt resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in EC proliferation. Transfection with a constitutively active Akt mutant protected ECs by enhancing proliferation when grown in 20 and 40 mM d-glucose. We conclude that d-glucose regulates Akt signaling through threonine phosphorylation of Akt and that hyperglycemia-impaired PI3k-Akt signaling may promote EC proliferative dysfunction in diabetes.

Cell Division↗