Phosphorylation Of Cellular Proteins Research Articles

Lithium treatment inhibits protein kinase C translocation in rat brain cortex.

Lithium, an effective psychotropic agent, affects membrane phospholipid metabolism, interferes with phosphoinositide signal transduction, and antagonizes the biological activity of calcium, all major factors of protein kinase C (PKC) activation. Consequently, lithium may interfere with cellular functions requiring PKC. Supporting this hypothesis, lithium was found to inhibit increased neurotransmitter release upon PKC activation and to prevent phorbol ester-mediated PKC translocation. The present study was undertaken to determine whether the frontal cortex of rats treated with lithium exhibits altered PKC activity and translocation in response to phorbol ester, K+, or serotonin (5-HT) receptor stimulation and to determine whether specific PKC isozymes are disproportionately affected. Rats were fed either a normal diet or one enriched with LiCl. In cerebrocortical slices or synaptosomes, cytosolic and membranous PKC activity and translocation in response to stimuli were determined after partial purification with anion exchange chromatography. In brain slices, lithium treatment inhibited phorbol 12-myristate, 13-acetate (PMA)-, 5-HT-, or K+-induced PKC translocation from cytosol to membrane without affecting basal membrane or cytosolic PKC activity. In synaptosomes, lithium also attenuated PMA- or K+-evoked translocation of PKC. Immunoblotting with isozyme-specific PKC antibodies revealed that chronic lithium treatment reduced basal cytosolic alphaPKC and deltaPKC but increased membrane-associated zetaPKC immunoreactivities. Stimulation with PMA, 5-HT or K+ elicited translocation of alpha, beta and gammaPKC isozymes and PMA induced translocation of delta and epsilonPKC isozymes. Stimulus-mediated translocation of PKC isozymes was attenuated in cortical tissue obtained from animals that received lithium for 6 weeks. In synaptosomes, PMA- or K+-induced PKC translocation was attenuated by in vitro lithium or chronic lithium treatment. Neither rubidium nor cesium affected PKC activities or PMA-induced translocation. Suppression of PMA-elicited translocation by lithium was partially antagonized by Ca2+. Lithium treatment reduces PKC translocation induced by either stimulation of a cell surface receptor or by direct enzyme stimulation with phorbol ester. This effect leads to reduced PKC-mediated phosphorylation of cellular proteins and may be responsible for the pharmacotherapeutic action of lithium.

A CD19-dependent signaling pathway regulates autoimmunity in Lyn-deficient mice.

CD19 and the Src family protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) are important regulators of intrinsic signaling thresholds in B cells. Regulation is achieved by cross-talk between Src family PTKs and CD19; Lyn is essential for CD19 phosphorylation, while CD19 establishes an Src family PTK activation loop that amplifies kinase activity. However, CD19-deficient (CD19(-/-)) B cells are hyporesponsive to transmembrane signals, while Lyn-deficient (Lyn(-/-)) B cells exhibit a hyper-responsive phenotype resulting in autoimmunity. To identify the outcome of interactions between CD19 and Src family PTKs in vivo, B cell function was examined in mice deficient for CD19 and Lyn (CD19/Lyn(-/-)). Remarkably, CD19 deficiency suppressed the hyper-responsive phenotype of Lyn(-/-) B cells and autoimmunity characterized by serum autoantibodies and immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis in Lyn(-/-) mice. Consistent with Lyn and CD19 each regulating conventional B cell development, B1 cell development was markedly reduced by Lyn deficiency, with further reductions in the absence of CD19 expression. Tyrosine phosphorylation of Fyn and other cellular proteins induced following B cell Ag receptor ligation was dramatically reduced in CD19/Lyn(-/-) B cells relative to Lyn(-/-) B cells, while Syk phosphorylation was normal. In addition, the enhanced intracellular Ca(2+) responses following B cell Ag receptor ligation that typify Lyn deficiency were delayed by the loss of CD19 expression. BCR-induced proliferation and humoral immune responses were also markedly inhibited by CD19/Lyn deficiency. These findings demonstrate that while the CD19/Lyn amplification loop is a major regulator of signal transduction thresholds in B lymphocytes, CD19 regulation of other Src family PTKs also influences B cell function and the development of autoimmunity.

Potential role of Gab1 and phospholipase C-gamma in osmotic shock-induced glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Osmotic shock induces GLUT4 translocation and glucose uptake through a mechanism independent of PI 3-kinase, but dependent on tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins. To identify the tyrosine phosphorylated proteins required for osmotic shock-stimulated glucose uptake, we examined tyrosine phosphorylation of candidate proteins, and found that the 60-80kDa species including paxillin and the 120-130kDa species including p130Cas, PYK2, FAK and Gab1 were tyrosine-phosphorylated in response to osmotic shock. Inhibition of actin polymerization by cytochalasin D significantly decreased the tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin, p130Cas, PYK2 and FAK but not Gab1, but had no effect on 2-deoxyglucose (DOG) uptake, suggesting a role for Gab1 in osmotic shock-induced glucose transport. Also, we found that osmotic shock increases the association of phospholipase C-gamma (PLC-gamma) with Gab1 and stimulates tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC-gamma itself. The PLC inhibitor, U73122, inhibited osmotic shock-induced 2-DOG uptake. These results suggest that tyrosine phosphorylation of Gab1 and subsequent recruitment and activation of PLC-gamma may play a role in osmotic shock-induced glucose transport.

Growth hormone restores glucocorticoid-induced T cell suppression.

SPECIFIC AIMSGrowth hormone (GH) has been extended to the improvement of metabolic imbalance in many diseases, including autoimmune disease treated with glucocorticoids (GCs), but it is unclear whether GH can be used safely in autoimmune disorders that are treated with GC. Here we focused on the effect of GH on peripheral T lymphocytes under GC excess.PRINCIPAL FINDINGSExpression of GHR mRNA and tyrosine phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT5b in human peripheral T lymphocytesWe investigated the expression of GHR mRNA in human peripheral T lymphocytes (HPTL) and peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMC). GHR mRNA was detected in both cell fractions by RT-PCR Southern blotting using a pair of primers set on exons 4 and 6 (Fig. 1A⤻ ). The expression of GHR mRNA was down-regulated by treatment with recombinant human GH (rhGH) (data not shown). To determine whether GH can stimulate tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins in HPTL, the cells were treated with rhGH. Recombinant hGH stimulated the tyrosine phosphoryla...

Molecular switch for LTP

Using an inducible and reversible genetic mouse model, a collaboration of researchers from the US, UK, France and Switzerland have shown certain memory behaviors to be dependent on phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of cellular proteins. Mice were engineered to express an inhibitor of the phosphatase calcineurin in response to the drug doxycycline. These mice exhibited enhanced PKC-dependent LTP and learning in spatial and nonspatial memory tasks only when doxycycline was administered. Furthermore, these synaptic potentiations and memory enhancements are fully reversed when doxycycline is withheld and expression of the calcineurin inhibitor is suppressed. The full paper is published in the March 9 issue of Cell. LO

Exposure of RBL-2H3 Mast Cells to Ag+ Induces Cell Degranulation and Mediator Release

There is a growing need to understand the impact of environmental sulfhydryl group-reactive heavy metals on the immune system. Here we show that Ag+ induces mast cell degranulation, as does the aggregation of the high affinity immunoglobulin E receptor (FcϵRI). Micromolar quantities of Ag+ specifically induced degranulation of mast cell model rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells without showing cytotoxicity. The Ag+-mediated degranulation could be observed as rapidly as 5 min after the addition of the ions. Ag+ also induced a rapid change in tyrosine phosphorylation of multiple cellular proteins including the focal adhesion kinase but not Syk kinase. The Syk-selective inhibitor piceatannol and the Src family-selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor PP1 dose-dependently inhibited FcϵRI-mediated degranulation, whereas neither compound inhibited the Ag+-mediated degranulation. Furthermore, likewise FcϵRI aggregation, Ag+ also induced leukotriene secretion. These results show that Ag+ activates RBL-2H3 mast cells through a tyrosine phosphorylation-linked mechanism, which is distinct from that involved in FcϵRI-mediated activation.

ARG tyrosine kinase activity is inhibited by STI571

AbstractThe tyrosine kinase inhibitor STI571 inhibits BCR/ABL and induces hematologic remission in most patients with chronic myeloid leukemia. In addition to BCR/ABL, STI571 also inhibits v-Abl, TEL/ABL, the native platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)β receptor, and c-KIT, but it does not inhibit SRC family kinases, c-FMS, FLT3, the epidermal growth factor receptor, or multiple other tyrosine kinases. ARG is a widely expressed tyrosine kinase that shares substantial sequence identity with c-ABL in the kinase domain and cooperates with ABL to regulate neurulation in the developing mouse embryo. As described here, ARG has recently been implicated in the pathogenesis of leukemia as a fusion partner of TEL. A TEL/ARG fusion was constructed to determine whether ARG can be inhibited by STI571. When expressed in the factor-dependent murine hematopoietic cell line Ba/F3, the TEL/ARG protein was heavily phosphorylated on tyrosine, increased tyrosine phosphorylation of multiple cellular proteins, and induced factor-independent proliferation. The effects of STI571 on Ba/F3 cells transformed with BCR/ABL, TEL/ABL, TEL/PDGFβR, or TEL/ARG were then compared. STI571 inhibited tyrosine phosphorylation and cell growth of Ba/F3 cells expressing BCR/ABL, TEL/ABL, TEL/PDGFβR, and TEL/ARG with an IC50 of approximately 0.5 μM in each case, but it had no effect on untransformed Ba/F3 cells growing in IL-3 or on Ba/F3 cells transformed by TEL/JAK2. Culture of TEL/ARG-transfected Ba/F3 cells with IL-3 completely prevented STI571-induced apoptosis in these cells, similar to what has been observed with BCR/ABL- or TEL/ABL-transformed cells. These results indicate that ARG is a target of the small molecule, tyrosine kinase inhibitor STI571.

Engagement of endogenous ganglioside GM1a induces tyrosine phosphorylation involved in neuron-like differentiation of PC12 cells.

Using the cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) that specifically binds to ganglioside GM1a on the plasma membrane, we investigated intracellular signaling mediated by endogenous GM1a involved in neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells. The treatment with CTB induced morphological alternations of PC12 cells, such as augmentation of the cell body, neurite extension, and branched spikes of tips of neurites. The neurite extension induced with CTB was strongly suppressed by the pretreatment of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in a dose-dependent manner. Western blotting analysis showed that CTB induced tyrosine phosphorylation of several cellular proteins with molecular masses around 120, 70, and 45-40 kDa in PC12 cells. Some of the proteins identified were extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERKs) (ERK1 and ERK2). The peak activation of ERKs lasted for 60-90 min and gradually decreased thereafter. Immunoprecipitation analysis demonstrated that the intracellular events induced with CTB are not related with the activation of Trk proteins, suggesting that signals evoked by ligation of endogenous GM1a are unique and distinct from those induced with exogenous GM1a. Although the presence of a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein, at a concentration of 10 microM diminished the neurite extension of PC12 cells induced with CTB, ERK activation was still observed. However, pretreatment with a MEK inhibitor, PD98059, abolished the activation of ERKs induced with CTB in a dose-dependent manner and only attenuated the morphological alternations of PC12 cells. Considered together, we concluded that tyrosine phosphorylation induced with CTB was responsible for neuron-like differentiation of PC12 cells and that the MEK-ERK cascade is part of the biological signals mediated by endogenous ganglioside GM1a on PC12 cells.

Development of a Robust Scintillation Proximity Assay for Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B Using the Catalytically Inactive (C215S) Mutant

Protein tyrosine phosphatases are a class of enzymes that function to modulate tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins and play an essential role in regulating cell function. PTP1B has been implicated in the negative regulation of the insulin signaling pathway by dephosphorylating the activated insulin receptor. Inhibiting this phosphatase and preventing the insulin-receptor downregulation has been suggested as a target for the treatment of Type II diabetes. A high-throughput screen for inhibitors of PTP1B was developed using a scintillation proximity assay (SPA) with GST– or FLAG–PTP1B (1-320) and a potent [ 3H]-tripeptide inhibitor. The problem of interference from extraneous oxidizing and alkylating agents which react with the cysteine active-site nucleophile was overcome by the use of the catalytically inactive C215S form of the native enzyme (GST–PTP1B C215S). The GST–PTP1B was linked to the protein A scintillation bead via GST antibody. The radiolabeled inhibitor when bound to the enzyme gave a radioactive signal that was competed away by the unknown competitive compounds. Further utility of PTP1B C215S was demonstrated by mixing in the same well both the catalytically inactive GST–PTP1B C215S and the catalytically active FLAG–CD45 with an inhibitor. Both a binding and kinetic assay was then performed in the same 96-well plate with the inhibition results determined for the PTP1B C215S (binding assay) and CD45 (activity assay). In this way inhibitors could be differentiated between the two phosphatases under identical assay conditions in one 96-well assay plate. The use of a mutant to reduce interference in a binding assay and compare with activity assays is also amenable for most cysteine active-site proteases.

Gastrin, CCK, signaling, and cancer.

Gastrin, produced by G cells in the gastric antrum, has been identified as the circulating hormone responsible for stimulation of acid secretion from the parietal cell. Gastrin also acts as a potent cell-growth factor that has been implicated in a variety of normal and abnormal biological processes including maintenance of the gastric mucosa, proliferation of enterochromaffin-like cells, and neoplastic transformation. Here, we review the models used to study the effects of gastrin on cell proliferation in vivo and in vitro with respect to mechanisms by which this hormone might influence normal and cancerous cell growth. Specifically, human and animal models of hypergastrinemia and hypogastrinemia have been described in vivo, and several cells that express cholecystokinin (CCK)B/gastrin receptors have been used for analysis of intracellular signaling pathways initiated by biologically active amidated gastrins. The binding of gastrin or CCK to their common cognate receptor triggers the activation of multiple signal transduction pathways that relay the mitogenic signal to the nucleus and promote cell proliferation. A rapid increase in the synthesis of lipid-derived second messengers with subsequent activation of protein phosphorylation cascades, including mitogen-activated protein kinase, is an important early response to these signaling peptides. Gastrin and CCK also induce rapid Rho-dependent actin remodeling and coordinate tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins including the non-receptor tyrosine kinases p125fak and Src and the adaptor proteins p130cas and paxillin. This article reviews recent advances in defining the role of gastrin and CCK in the control of cell proliferation in normal and cancer cells and in dissecting the signal transduction pathways that mediate the proliferative responses induced by these hormonal GI peptides in a variety of normal and cancer cell model systems.

Mechanism of Stimulation of Osteoclastic Bone Resorption through Gas6/Tyro 3, a Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Signaling, in Mouse Osteoclasts

The signaling through receptor tyrosine kinases expressed on mature osteoclasts has recently been suggested to be involved in osteoclastic bone resorption. This study investigated the mechanism and the possible physiological relevance of Gas6/Tyro 3, a receptor tyrosine kinase signaling pathway in osteoclasts in stimulating osteoclastic bone resorption using several mouse culture systems. Gas6, expressed ubiquitously in bone cells, did not affect the differentiation or the survival of osteoclasts, but stimulated osteoclast function to form resorbed pits on a dentine slice. The expression of its receptor, Tyro 3, was seen only in mature osteoclasts among bone cells. Gas6 up-regulated the phosphorylation of cellular proteins including p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), but not p38 or c-Jun N-terminal kinase MAPK, and increased the kinase activity of immunoprecipitated Tyro 3 in isolated osteoclasts. The ability of Gas6 to stimulate pit formation resorbed by osteoclasts was abrogated by PD98059, a specific inhibitor of p42/p44 MAPK. In addition, the Gas6 mRNA level in bone marrow was up-regulated by ovariectomy and was reduced by estrogen replacement. These results strongly suggest that Gas6 acts directly on mature osteoclasts through activation of Tyro 3 and p42/p44 MAPK, possibly contributing to the bone loss by estrogen deficiency.

Expression of the C-C chemokine receptor CCR3 in human airway epithelial cells.

Chemokine-induced eosinophil chemotaxis is mediated primarily through the C-C chemokine receptor, CCR3. We have now detected CCR3 immunoreactivity on epithelial cells in biopsies of patients with asthma and other respiratory diseases. CCR3 mRNA was detected by Northern blot analysis after TNF-alpha stimulation of the human primary bronchial epithelial cells as well as the epithelial cell line, BEAS-2B; IFN-gamma potentiated the TNF-alpha-induced expression. Western blots and flow cytometry confirmed the expression of CCR3 protein. This receptor is functional based on studies demonstrating eotaxin-induced intracellular Ca(2+) flux and tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins. The specificity of this functional response was confirmed by blocking these signaling events with anti-CCR3 mAb (7B11) or pertussis toxin. Furthermore, (125)I-eotaxin binding assay confirmed that CCR3 expressed on epithelial cells have the expected ligand specificity. These studies indicate that airway epithelial cells express CCR3 and suggest that CCR3 ligands may influence epithelial cell functions.

RANTES promotes growth and survival of human first-trimester forebrain astrocytes.

We have examined the role of alpha and beta chemokines in the promotion of the ontogenetic development of the brain. RANTES was expressed preferentially in human fetal astrocytes in an age-dependent manner. Astrocytes from 5-week-old brains showed high proliferation and reduced survival, whereas 10-week-old astrocytes exhibited opposite effects. These effects were suppressed by anti-RANTES or anti-RANTES receptor antibodies and were enhanced by recombinant RANTES. RANTES induced tyrosine phosphorylation of several cellular proteins and nuclear translocation of STAT-1 in astrocytes. Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) was required for RANTES effects because RANTES induced IFN-gamma and only 10-week-old astrocytes expressed the IFN-gamma receptor. Blocking of IFN-gamma with antibody reversed the effects of RANTES, indicating that cytokine/chemokine networks are critically involved in brain development.

Phospho-specific mitogen-activated protein kinase antibodies for ERK, JNK, and p38 activation

The phosphorylation of cellular proteins or enzymes may result in alteration of their conformation and/or their enzyme activity. This is best illustrated by a group of enzymes collectively known as mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, whose dual phosphorylation by upstream protein kinases results in their activation. These kinase cascades are found in all eukaryotic organisms and consist of a three-kinase module. The three modules contain the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 MAPK (p38) pathways. This chapter describes the phospho-specific mitogen-activated protein kinase antibodies for extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 activation. The availability of antibodies that recognize the active form of the various members of MAPKs (ERKs, JNKs, and p38) has made it possible to study the activation of these enzymes in response to a variety of stimuli in an accurate and time-dependent fashion. Similar to the anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies, the dual phospho-specific antibodies have proved to be valuable reagents in the pursuit of selective inhibitors of these enzymes. Studies of these enzymes with these novel antibodies also resulted in the discovery of novel MAPK kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitors such as U0126.

Serum-dependent perinuclear accumulation of Cdc42 in mammalian cells.

Cdc42 is a member of the Rho family of GTPase. Cdc42 has been implicated to be involved in the movement, multiplication and transformation of mammalian cells by controlling the rearrangement of actin cytoskeleton and gene expression. But the mechanism of Cdc42 function has not yet been discovered. In this report we present data showing a perinuclear accumulation of Cdc42 in response to fetal bovine serum (FBS). There was no change in the amount of Cdc42 in response to FBS in the cell. It was found that protein component(s) of serum plays a major role in the perinuclear accumulation of Cdc42. Epidermal growth factor has also been found to stimulate the perinuclear accumulation of Cdc42 while NGF has no effect. Kinase inhibitors, quercetin and NDGA were found to block signals for the perinuclear accumulation of Cdc42. This suggests that phosphorylation of cellular proteins is essential for transducing signals generated from the serum component(s) to induce the perinuclear accumulation of Cdc42. These results indicate that redistribution of Cdc42 might be an important step in alteration of gene expression for controlling various functions of the cell including cell division.

12-lipoxygenase metabolite 12(S)-HETE stimulates human pancreatic cancer cell proliferationvia protein tyrosine phosphorylation and ERK activation

We previously reported that inhibition of the 12-lipoxygenase pathway abolished proliferation and induced apoptosis in several pancreatic cancer cell lines. Furthermore, the 12-lipoxygenase product 12(S)-HETE stimulated pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and reversed 12-lipoxygenase inhibitor-induced growth inhibition. We investigated the underlying mechanism for 12(S)-HETE-induced pancreatic cancer cell proliferation, using 2 human pancreatic cancer cell lines, PANC-1 and HPAF. Cell proliferation was monitored by both thymidine incorporation and cell number. Western blotting was used to investigate the effect of 12(S)-HETE on cellular protein tyrosine phosphorylation as well as ERK, P38 MAPK and JNK/SAPK phosphorylation. 12(S)-HETE markedly stimulated proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. In parallel, 12(S)-HETE induced tyrosine phosphorylation of multiple cellular proteins, while inhibition of tyrosine kinase by genestein abolished 12(S)-HETE-induced proliferation, indicating that intracellular protein tyrosine kinase activation is involved in the mitogenic effects of 12(S)-HETE. Following treatment with 12(S)-HETE, both ERK and P38 MAPK, but not JNK/SAPK, were phosphorylated. The specific MEK inhibitors PD098059 and U0126, which in turn suppress ERK, abolished 12(S)-HETE-stimulated proliferation. In contrast, inhibition of P38 MAPK with SB203580 did not affect 12(S)-HETE-stimulated pancreatic cancer cell proliferation. Furthermore, 12(S)-HETE-stimulated ERK phosphorylation was inhibited by genestein, indicating that tyrosine phosphorylation is essential for ERK activation. These findings suggest that both ERK and cellular protein tyrosine kinase activation are involved in 12(S)-HETE-induced pancreatic cancer cell proliferation but P38 and JNK/SAPK are not involved in this mitogenic effect.

Cellular thiols and redox-regulated signal transduction

In contrast to the conventional notion that reactive oxygen is mostly a trigger for oxidative damage of biological structures, now we know that low physiologically relevant concentrations of ROS can regulate a variety of key molecular mechanisms that may be linked with important cell functions (Fig. 4). Redox-based regulation of gene expression has emerged as a fundamental regulatory mechanism in cell biology. Several proteins, with apparent redox-sensing activity, have been described. Electron flow through side-chain functional CH2-SH groups of conserved cysteinyl residues in these proteins account for the redox-sensing properties. Protein thiol groups with high thiol-disulfide oxidation potentials are likely to be redox-sensitive. The ubiquitous endogenous thiols thioredoxin and glutathione are of central importance in redox signaling. Signals are transduced from the cell surface to the nucleus through phosphorylation and dephosphorylation chain reactions of cellular proteins at tyrosine and serine/threonine. Protein phosphorylation, one of the most fundamental mediators of cell signaling, is redox-sensitive. DNA-binding proteins are involved in the regulation of cellular processes such as replication, recombination, viral integration and transcription. Several studies show that the interaction of certain transcription regulatory proteins with their respective cognate DNA sites is also redox-regulated. Changes in the concentration of Ca2+i control a wide variety of cellular functions, including transcription and gene expression; Ca(2+)-driven protein phosphorylation and proteolytic processing of proteins are two major intracellular events that are implicated in signal transduction from the cell surface to the nucleus. Intracellular calcium homeostasis is regulated by the redox state of cellular thiols, and it is evident that cell calcium may play a critical role in the activation of the redox-sensitive transcription factor NF-kappa B. Among the several thiol agents tested for their efficacy in modulating cellular redox status, N-acetyl-L-cysteine and alpha-lipoic acid hold most promise for human use. A strong therapeutic potential of strategies that would modulate the cellular thioredoxin system has been also evident.

Cell Density Regulates Tyrosine Phosphorylation and Localization of Focal Adhesion Kinase

We have investigated tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins at different cell densities. A tyrosine-phosphorylated protein of 120 kDa was detected when cells were plated sparsely. The phosphorylation level of the protein gradually declined as the cells were plated at higher densities or when the sparsely plated cells approached confluence. This density-dependent phosphorylation was also associated with cell attachment since it disappeared when the cells were detached from plates or when the cells were cultured in suspension. Immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation analyses with specific antibodies revealed that the 120-kDa protein corresponded to the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and the protein level of FAK was not altered at different cell densities. In vitro kinase assays demonstrated that the kinase activity of FAK decreased with increasing cell densities in parallel with its dephosphorylation. Cell density also affects localization of FAK associated with rearrangement of actin stress fibers. At low cell densities, FAK and actin stress fiber are distributed around the periphery of cells while they are dispersed over the ventral surface in high-density cells. Finally, the density-regulated tyrosine phosphorylation and localization of FAK appeared to be mediated by an insoluble factor produced by high-density cells.

EFFECTS OF 50 Hz MAGNETIC FIELD EXPOSURE ON PROTEIN TYROSINE PHOSPHORYLATION IN CULTURED CELLS

Protein phosphorylation is an extremely important and widely used mechanism of cellular regulation. Here, the effects of 50 Hz magnetic fields (MFs) on tyrosine phosphorylation were studied. A Chinese hamster lung (CHL) cell line was exposed to 50 Hz magnetic fields at two intensities (0.4 mT and 0.8 mT) for different exposure durations, and western blot analysis was used to measure the degree of tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins. Results showed that both 0.4 mT and 0.8 mT 50 Hz magnetic fields could affect the protein tyrosine phosphorylation in cultured cells. Both intensities could affect the tyrosine phosphorylation of 38 and 97.4 kDa proteins. In addition, 0.4 mT could affect tyrosine phosphorylation of 61.7, 105, and 112 kDa proteins, and 0.8 mT affected the tyrosine phosphorylation of 79 and 150 kDa proteins. Moreover, all the tyrosine phosphorylation changes of these proteins were time-dependent. The findings from this study demonstrated that under these experimental conditions, there ...

Immunoprecipitation and western blotting of phosphotyrosine-containing proteins.

Changes in the tyrosine phosphorylation state of a protein in response to external stimuli can have profound effects on cellular signal transduction. The addition of a phosphate group to a tyrosine residue can change a protein’ activation state or create a high affinity binding site for other proteins. Conversely, removal of a phosphate group can also change the catalytic activity of an enzyme. Tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins is a rare event that can be increased growth factor addition or cellular attachment to extracellular matrix. Therefore, it is important to be able to observe changes in tyrosine phosphorylation of particular proteins under the influence of different stimuli. Tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins is difficult to detect unless external stimuli are present; even then, many proteins are phosphorylated only in response to one stimulus. Therefore, it is necessary to concentrate the protein of interest in order to observe the phosphorylation state changes between stimulated and unstimulated cells. 32P-labeling of cellular proteins can be used; however, phosphoserine and phosphothreonine are also detected along with phosphotyrosine. Phosphoamino acid analysis can be helpful, but it is not quantitative because acid hydrolysis, which breaks down the proteins into individual amino acids, can remove the phosphate group from the tyrosine. Therefore, other methods of detecting changes in tyrosine phosphorylation states have been developed.