Phosphorylation Of P47 Research Articles

Involvement of the Antiplatelet Activity of Magnesium Sulfate in Suppression of Protein Kinase C and the Na+/H+ Exchanger

Magnesium sulfate is widely used to prevent seizures in pregnant women with hypertension. The aim of this study was to examine the inhibitory mechanisms of magnesium sulfate in platelet aggregation in vitro. In this study, magnesium sulfate concentration-dependently (0.6–3.0 mM) inhibited platelet aggregation in human platelets stimulated by agonists. Magnesium sulfate (1.5 and 3.0 mM) also concentration-dependently inhibited phosphoinositide breakdown and intracellular Ca⁺² mobilization in human platelets stimulated by thrombin. Rapid phosphorylation of a platelet protein of M_r 47,000 (P47), a marker of protein kinase C activation, was triggered by phorbol-12-13-dibutyrate (PDBu, 50 nM). This phosphorylation was markedly inhibited by magnesium sulfate (3.0 mM). Magnesium sulfate (1.5 and 3.0 mM) further inhibited PDBu-stimulated platelet aggregation in human platelets. The thrombin-evoked increase in pHi was markedly inhibited in the presence of magnesium sulfate (3.0 mM). In conclusion, these results indicate that the antiplatelet activity of magnesium sulfate may be involved in the following two pathways: (1) Magnesium sulfate may inhibit the activation of protein kinase C, followed by inhibition of phosphoinositide breakdown and intracellular Ca⁺² mobilization, thereby leading to inhibition of the phosphorylation of P47. (2) On the other hand, magnesium sulfate inhibits the Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger, leading to reduced intracellular Ca⁺² mobilization, and ultimately to inhibition of platelet aggregation and the ATP-release reaction.

Involvement of the antiplatelet activity of magnesium sulfate in suppression of protein kinase C and the Na+/H+ exchanger.

Magnesium sulfate is widely used to prevent seizures in pregnant women with hypertension. The aim of this study was to examine the inhibitory mechanisms of magnesium sulfate in platelet aggregation in vitro. In this study, magnesium sulfate concentration-dependently (0.6-3.0 mM) inhibited platelet aggregation in human platelets stimulated by agonists. Magnesium sulfate (1.5 and 3.0 mM) also concentration-dependently inhibited phosphoinositide breakdown and intracellular Ca+2 mobilization in human platelets stimulated by thrombin. Rapid phosphorylation of a platelet protein of M(r) 47,000 (P47), a marker of protein kinase C activation, was triggered by phorbol-12-13-dibutyrate (PDBu, 50 nM). This phosphorylation was markedly inhibited by magnesium sulfate (3.0 mM). Magnesium sulfate (1.5 and 3.0 mM) further inhibited PDBu-stimulated platelet aggregation in human platelets. The thrombin-evoked increase in pHi was markedly inhibited in the presence of magnesium sulfate (3.0 mM). In conclusion, these results indicate that the antiplatelet activity of magnesium sulfate may be involved in the following two pathways: (1) Magnesium sulfate may inhibit the activation of protein kinase C, followed by inhibition of phosphoinositide breakdown and intracellular Ca+2 mobilization, thereby leading to inhibition of the phosphorylation of P47. (2) On the other hand, magnesium sulfate inhibits the Na+/H+ exchanger, leading to reduced intracellular Ca+2 mobilization, and ultimately to inhibition of platelet aggregation and the ATP-release reaction.

The localization and phosphorylation of p47 are important for Golgi disassembly-assembly during the cell cycle.

In mammalian cells, the Golgi apparatus is disassembled at the onset of mitosis and reassembled at the end of mitosis. This disassembly–reassembly is generally believed to be essential for the equal partitioning of Golgi into two daughter cells. For Golgi disassembly, membrane fusion, which is mediated by NSF and p97, needs to be blocked. For the NSF pathway, the tethering of p115-GM130 is disrupted by the mitotic phosphorylation of GM130, resulting in the inhibition of NSF-mediated fusion. In contrast, the p97/p47 pathway does not require p115-GM130 tethering, and its mitotic inhibitory mechanism has been unclear. Now, we have found that p47, which mainly localizes to the nucleus during interphase, is phosphorylated on Serine-140 by Cdc2 at mitosis. The phosphorylated p47 does not bind to Golgi membranes. An in vitro assay shows that this phosphorylation is required for Golgi disassembly. Microinjection of p47(S140A), which is unable to be phosphorylated, allows the cell to keep Golgi stacks during mitosis and has no effect on the equal partitioning of Golgi into two daughter cells, suggesting that Golgi fragmentation-dispersion may not be obligatory for equal partitioning even in mammalian cells.

Golgi united are also divided

![Graphic][1] Blocking p47 phosphorylation (below) prevents Golgi (green) disassembly.Golgi bodies do not need to disassemble to divide, according to results from Uchiyama et al. on [page 1067][2]. In mammalian cells, the Golgi apparatus disassembles into vesicles and short tubules

Akt phosphorylates p47phox and mediates respiratory burst activity in human neutrophils.

Respiratory burst activity and phosphorylation of an NADPH oxidase component, p47(phox), during neutrophil stimulation are mediated by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K) activation. Products of PI-3K activate several kinases, including the serine/threonine kinase Akt. The present study examined the ability of Akt to regulate neutrophil respiratory burst activity and to interact with and phosphorylate p47(phox). Inhibition of Akt activity in human neutrophils by an inhibitory peptide significantly attenuated fMLP-stimulated, but not PMA-stimulated, superoxide release. Akt inhibitory peptide also inhibited hydrogen peroxide generation stimulated by bacterial phagocytosis. A direct interaction between p47(phox) and Akt was shown by the ability of GST-p47(phox) to precipitate recombinant Akt and to precipitate Akt from neutrophil lysates. Active recombinant Akt phosphorylated recombinant p47(phox) in vitro, as shown by (32)P incorporation, by a mobility shift change detected by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and by immunoblotting with phospho-Akt substrate Ab. Mutation analysis indicated that 2 aa residues, Ser(304) and Ser(328), were phosphorylated by Akt. Inhibition of Akt activity also inhibited fMLP-stimulated neutrophil chemotaxis. We propose that Akt mediates PI-3K-dependent p47(phox) phosphorylation, which contributes to respiratory burst activity in human neutrophils.

Modulation of p47PHOX activity by site-specific phosphorylation: Akt-dependent activation of the NADPH oxidase.

The leukocyte NADPH oxidase catalyzes the reduction of oxygen to O(2)(-) at the expense of NADPH. Extensive phosphorylation of the oxidase subunit p47(PHOX) occurs during the activation of the enzyme in intact cells. p47(PHOX) carrying certain serine-to-alanine mutations fails to support NADPH oxidase activity in intact cells, suggesting that the phosphorylation of specific serines on p47(PHOX) is required for the activation of the oxidase. Earlier studies with both intact cells and a kinase-dependent, cell-free system have suggested that protein kinase C can phosphorylate those serines of p47(PHOX) whose phosphorylation is necessary for its activity. Work with inhibitors suggested that a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-dependent pathway also can activate the oxidase. Phosphorylation of p47(PHOX) by Akt (protein kinase B), whose activation depends on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, could be the final step in such a pathway. We now find that Akt activates the oxidase in vitro by phosphorylating serines S304 and S328 of p47(PHOX). These results suggest that Akt could participate in the activation of the leukocyte NADPH oxidase.

Phosphorylation of p47phox directs phox homology domain from SH3 domain toward phosphoinositides, leading to phagocyte NADPH oxidase activation.

Protein-phosphoinositide interaction participates in targeting proteins to membranes where they function correctly and is often modulated by phosphorylation of lipids. Here we show that protein phosphorylation of p47(phox), a cytoplasmic activator of the microbicidal phagocyte oxidase (phox), elicits interaction of p47(phox) with phosphoinositides. Although the isolated phox homology (PX) domain of p47(phox) can interact directly with phosphoinositides, the lipid-binding activity of this protein is normally suppressed by intramolecular interaction of the PX domain with the C-terminal Src homology 3 (SH3) domain, and hence the wild-type full-length p47(phox) is incapable of binding to the lipids. The W263R substitution in this SH3 domain, abrogating the interaction with the PX domain, leads to a binding of p47(phox) to phosphoinositides. The findings indicate that disruption of the intramolecular interaction renders the PX domain accessible to the lipids. This conformational change is likely induced by phosphorylation of p47(phox), because protein kinase C treatment of the wild-type p47(phox) but not of a mutant protein with the S303304328A substitution culminates in an interaction with phosphoinositides. Furthermore, although the wild-type p47(phox) translocates upon cell stimulation to membranes to activate the oxidase, neither the kinase-insensitive p47(phox) nor lipid-binding-defective proteins, one lacking the PX domain and the other carrying the R90K substitution in this domain, migrates. Thus the protein phosphorylation-driven conformational change of p47(phox) enables its PX domain to bind to phosphoinositides, the interaction of which plays a crucial role in recruitment of p47(phox) from the cytoplasm to membranes and subsequent activation of the phagocyte oxidase.

Mechanism of Endothelial Cell NADPH Oxidase Activation by Angiotensin II: ROLE OF THE p47phox SUBUNIT

Endothelial cells express a constitutively active phagocyte-type NADPH oxidase whose activity is augmented by agonists such as angiotensin II. We recently reported (Li, J.-M., and Shah, A. M. (2002) J. Biol. Chem. 277, 19952-19960) that in contrast to neutrophils a substantial proportion of the NADPH oxidase in unstimulated endothelial cells exists as preassembled intracellular complexes. Here, we investigate the mechanism of angiotensin II-induced endothelial NADPH oxidase activation. Angiotensin II (100 nmol/liter)-induced reactive oxygen species production (as measured by dichlorohydrofluorescein fluorescence or lucigenin chemiluminescence) was completely absent in coronary microvascular endothelial cells isolated from p47(phox) knockout mice. Transfection of p47(phox) cDNA into p47(phox-/-) cells restored the angiotensin II response, whereas transfection of antisense p47(phox) cDNA into wild-type cells depleted p47(phox) and inhibited the angiotensin II response. In unstimulated human microvascular endothelial cells, there was significant p47(phox)-p22(phox) complex formation but minimal detectable p47(phox) phosphorylation. Angiotensin II induced rapid serine phosphorylation of p47(phox) (within 1 min, peaking at approximately 15 min), a 1.9 +/- 0.1-fold increase in p47(phox)-p22(phox) complex formation and a 1.6 +/- 0.2-fold increase in NADPH-dependent O(2)-* production (p < 0.05). p47(phox) was redistributed to "nuclear" and membrane-enriched cell fractions. These data indicate that angiotensin II-stimulated endothelial NADPH oxidase activity is regulated through serine phosphorylation of p47(phox) and its enhanced binding to p22(phox).

Effect of clopidogrel administration to healthy volunteers on platelet phosphorylation events triggered by ADP.

The action of clopidogrel on platelet receptors was analysed using platelets obtained from 11 healthy volunteers given 75 mg of clopidogrel daily for 8 d. Samples of blood were taken before treatment and after 8 d of medication. Determination of 2-methylthioadenosine diphosphate trisodium (2MesADP)-induced platelet aggregation, serine/threonine and tyrosine phosphorylations were performed in the absence or presence of the P2Y1-receptor-specific antagonist: adenosine 3'-phosphate 5'-phosphate (A3P5P) or the strong inhibitor of GPIIb/IIIa activation: SR121566. 1). Serine and threonine phosphorylations of the myosin light chain (P20) and pleckstrin (P47) do not behave similarly, although they are both recognized as the result of phospholipase C pathway stimulation triggered by the P2Y1 receptor. P47 is strongly affected by the A3P5P, and this appears to be highly dependent on P2Y12. However, P20 phosphorylation occurs in the presence of A3P5P, suggesting that the P2Y12 receptor signal contributes to P20 phosphorylation mediated by a calcium-independent pathway. The results suggest that P2Y1 and P2Y12 receptors interact to modulate the phosphorylation of P20 and P47. 2). The inside-out signalling dependent on both P2Y12 and P2Y1 is necessary for GPIIb/IIIa activation. 3). Clopidogrel and SR121566 inhibited the increase in tyrosine phosphorylation induced by 2MesADP and concomitantly inhibited platelet aggregation, indicating that most of the phosphorylations are GPIIb/IIIa dependent. However, neither clopidogrel nor SR121566 inhibited the first wave of 80 kDa substrate (cortactin) which is involved in the reorganization of the cytoskeleton necessary for shape change and which appeared to be essentially P2Y1 dependent.

Inhibitory mechanisms of kinetin, a plant growth-promoting hormone, in platelet aggregation

Kinetin has been shown to have anti-aging effects on several different systems including plants and human cells. The aim of this study was to examine the detailed inhibitory mechanisms of kinetin in platelet aggregation. In this study, kinetin concentration-dependently (50-150 μM) inhibited platelet aggregation in human platelets stimulated by agonists. Kinetin (70 and 150 μM) also concentration-dependently inhibited intracellular Ca2+ mobilization and phosphoinositide breakdown in platelets stimulated by collagen (1 μg/ml). Kinetin (70 and 150 μM) significantly inhibited thromboxane A2 formation stimulated by collagen (1 μg/ml) and arachidonic acid (60 μM) in human platelets. In addition, kinetin (70 and 150 μM) significantly increased the formation of cyclic AMP. Intracellular pH values were measured spectrofluorometrically using the fluorescent probe BCECF-AM in platelets. The thrombin-evoked increase in pHi was markedly inhibited in the presence of kinetin (70 and 150 μM). Rapid phosphorylation of a platelet protein of molecular weight (Mr) 47 000 (P47), a marker of protein kinase C activation, was triggered by collagen (1 μg/ml). This phosphorylation was inhibited by kinetin (70 and 150 μM). In conclusion, these results indicate that the anti-platelet activity of kinetin may be involved in the following pathways: kinetin's effects may initially be due to inhibition of the activation of phospholipase C and the Na+/H+ exchanger. This leads to lower intracellular Ca2+ mobilization, followed by inhibition of TxA2 formation and then increased cyclic AMP formation, followed by a further inhibition of the Na+/H+ exchanger, ultimately resulting in markedly decreased intracellular Ca2+ mobilization and phosphorylation of P47. These results suggest that kinetin has an effective anti-platelet effect and that it may be a potential therapeutic agent for arterial thrombosis.

Mechanisms involved in the antiplatelet activity of magnesium in human platelets.

In this study, magnesium sulphate dose-dependently (0.6-3.0 mmol/l) inhibited platelet aggregation in human platelets stimulated by agonists. Furthermore, magnesium sulphate (3.0 mmol/l) markedly interfered with the binding of fluorescein isothiocanate-triflavin to the glycoprotein (GP)IIb/IIIa complex in platelets stimulated by collagen. Magnesium sulphate (1.5 and 3.0 mmol/l) also inhibited phosphoinositide breakdown and intracellular Ca+2 mobilization in human platelets stimulated by collagen. Magnesium sulphate (3.0 mmol/l) significantly inhibited thromboxane A2 formation stimulated by collagen in platelets. Moreover, magnesium sulphate (1.5 and 3.0 mmol/l) obviously increased the fluorescence of platelet membranes tagged with diphenylhexatriene. In addition, magnesium sulphate (1.5 and 3.0 mmol/l) increased the formation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP) in platelets. Phosphorylation of a protein of Mr 47 000 (P47) was markedly inhibited by magnesium sulphate (1.5 mmol/l). In conclusion, the antiplatelet activity of magnesium sulphate may involve the following two pathways. (1) Magnesium sulphate may initially induce membrane fluidity changes with resulting interference of fibrinogen binding to the GPIIb/IIIa complex, followed by inhibition of phosphoinositide breakdown and thromboxane A2 formation, thereby leading to inhibition of both intracellular Ca2+ mobilization and phosphorylation of P47. (2) Magnesium sulphate might also trigger the formation of cyclic AM, ultimately resulting in inhibition of the phosphorylation of P47 and intracellular Ca+2 mobilization.

Cytosolic Phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) Regulation of Human Monocyte NADPH Oxidase Activity: cPLA2 AFFECTS TRANSLOCATION BUT NOT PHOSPHORYLATION OF p67 phox AND p47 phox

The NADPH oxidase of human monocytes is activated upon exposure to opsonized zymosan and a variety of other stimuli to catalyze the formation of superoxide anion. Assembly of the NADPH oxidase complex is believed to be a highly regulated process, and molecular mechanisms responsible for this regulation have yet to be fully elucidated. We have previously reported that cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)) expression and activity are essential for superoxide anion production in activated human monocytes. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms involved in cPLA(2) regulation of NADPH oxidase activation by evaluating the effects of cPLA(2) on translocation and phosphorylation of p67(phox) and p47(phox). We report that translocation and phosphorylation of p67(phox), as well as p47(phox), occur upon activation of human monocytes and that decreased cPLA(2) protein expression, mediated by antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotides (AS-ODN) specific for cPLA(2) mRNA, blocked the stimulation-induced translocation of p47(phox) and p67(phox) from the cytosol to the membrane fraction. Inhibition of translocation of both p47(phox) and p67(phox) by cPLA(2) AS-ODN was above 85%. Arachidonic acid (AA), a product of cPLA(2) enzymatic activity, completely restored translocation of both of these oxidase components in the AS-ODN-treated, cPLA(2)-deficient human monocytes. These results represent the first report that cPLA(2) activity or AA is required for p67(phox) and p47(phox) translocation in human monocytes. Although cPLA(2) was required for translocation of p47(phox) and p67(phox), it did not influence phosphorylation of these components. These results suggest that one mechanism of cPLA(2) regulation of NADPH oxidase activity is to control the arachidonate-sensitive assembly of the complete oxidase complex through modulating the translocation of both p47(phox) and p67(phox). These studies provide insight into the mechanisms by which activation signals are transduced to allow the induction of superoxide anion production in human monocytes.

PKCzeta regulates TNF-alpha-induced activation of NADPH oxidase in endothelial cells.

Although oxidant generation by NADPH oxidase is known to play an important role in signaling in endothelial cells, the basis of activation of NADPH oxidase is incompletely understood. The atypical isoform of protein kinase C, PKCzeta, has been implicated in the mechanism of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced oxidant generation in endothelial cells; thus, in the present study, we have addressed the role of PKCzeta in regulating NADPH oxidase function. We showed by immunoblotting and confocal microscopy the presence of the major cytosolic NADPH oxidase subunits, p47(phox) and membrane-bound gp91(phox) in human pulmonary artery endothelial (HPAE) cells. TNF-alpha failed to activate oxidant generation in lung vascular endothelial cells derived from p47(phox-/-) and gp91(phox-/-) mice, indicating the requirement of NADPH oxidase in mediating the oxidant generation in endothelial cells. Stimulation of HPAE cells with TNF-alpha resulted in the phosphorylation of p47(phox) and its association with gp91(phox). Inhibition of PKCzeta by multiple pharmacological and genetic approaches prevented the TNF-alpha-induced phosphorylation of p47(phox), and its translocation to the membrane. PKCzeta was shown to colocalize with p47(phox), and inhibition of PKCzeta activation prevented the interaction of p47(phox) with gp91(phox) induced by TNF-alpha. Furthermore, inhibition of association of p47(phox) with gp91(phox) prevented the oxidant generation in endothelial cells. These data demonstrate a novel function of PKCzeta in signaling oxidant generation in endothelial cells by the activation of NADPH oxidase, which may be important in mediating endothelial activation responses.

Effects of Anaplasma phagocytophila on NADPH oxidase components in human neutrophils and HL-60 cells.

The human granulocytic ehrlichiosis agent, Anaplasma phagocytophila, resides and multiplies exclusively in cytoplasmic vacuoles of granulocytes. A. phagocytophila rapidly inhibits the superoxide anion (O(2)(-)) generation by human neutrophils in response to various stimuli. To determine the inhibitory mechanism, the influence of A. phagocytophila on protein levels and localization of components of the NADPH oxidase were examined. A. phagocytophila decreased levels of p22(phox), but not gp91(phox), p47(phox), p67(phox), or P40(phox) reactive with each component-specific antibody in human peripheral blood neutrophils and HL-60 cells. Double immunofluorescence labeling revealed that p47(phox), p67(phox), Rac2, and p22(phox) did not colocalize with A. phagocytophila inclusions in neutrophils or HL-60 cells, and p22(phox) levels were also reduced. A. phagocytophila did not prevent either membrane translocation of cytoplasmic p47(phox) and p67(phox) or phosphorylation of p47(phox) upon stimulation by phorbol myristate acetate. The inhibitory signals for O(2)(-) generation was independent of several signals required for A. phagocytophila internalization. These results suggest that rapid alteration in p22(phox) induced by binding of A. phagocytophila to neutrophils is involved in the inhibition of O(2)(-) generation. Absence of colocalization of NADPH oxidase components with the inclusion further protects A. phagocytophila from oxidative damage.

Phosphorylation of the leucocyte NADPH oxidase subunit p47(phox) by casein kinase 2: conformation-dependent phosphorylation and modulation of oxidase activity.

The leucocyte NADPH oxidase of neutrophils is a membrane-bound enzyme that catalyses the reduction of oxygen to O(-)(2) at the expense of NADPH. The enzyme is dormant in resting neutrophils but becomes active when the cells are exposed to the appropriate stimuli. During oxidase activation, the highly basic cytosolic oxidase component p47(phox) becomes phosphorylated on several serines and migrates to the plasma membrane. Protein kinase CK2 is an essential serine/threonine kinase present in all eukaryotic organisms. The leucocyte NADPH oxidase subunit p47(phox) has several putative CK2 phosphorylation sites. In the present study, we report that CK2 is able to catalyse the phosphorylation of p47(phox) in vitro. Phosphoamino acid analysis of phosphorylated p47(phox) by CK2 indicated that the phosphorylation occurs on serine residues. CNBr mapping and phosphorylation of peptides containing the putative site of CK2 indicated that the main phosphorylated residues are Ser-208 and Ser-283 in the Src homology 3 (SH3) domains, and Ser-348 in the C-terminal domain of p47(phox). Dependence of phosphorylation on the conformation of p47(phox) is supported by the finding that p47(phox) undergoes better phosphorylation by CK2 in the presence of arachidonic acid, a known activator of NADPH oxidase which induces conformational changes in p47(phox). In addition, 5,6-dichloro-1-beta-o-ribofuranosyl benzimidazole, a CK2 inhibitor, potentiates formyl-Met-Leu-Phe-induced NADPH oxidase activity in DMSO-differentiated HL-60 cells. Taken together, we propose that CK2 is the p47(phox) kinase, and that phosphorylation of p47(phox) by CK2 regulates the deactivation of NADPH oxidase.

Alteration in phosphorylation of P20 is associated with insulin resistance.

We have recently identified a small phosphoprotein, P20, as a common intracellular target for insulin and several of its antagonists, including amylin, epinephrine, and calcitonin gene-related peptide. These hormones elicit phosphorylation of P20 at its different sites, producing three phosphorylated isoforms: S1 with an isoelectric point (pI) value of 6.0, S2 with a pI value of 5.9, and S3 with a pI value of 5.6 (FEBS Letters 457:149-152 and 462:25-30, 1999). In the current study, we showed that P20 is one of the most abundant phosphoproteins in rat extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle. Insulin and amylin antagonize each other's actions in the phosphorylation of this protein in rat EDL muscle. Insulin inhibits amylin-evoked phosphorylation of S2 and S3, whereas amylin decreases insulin-induced phosphorylation of S1. In rats made insulin resistant by dexamethasone treatment, levels of the phosphoisoforms S2 and S3, which were barely detectable in healthy rats in the absence of hormone stimulation, were significantly increased. Moreover, the ability of insulin to inhibit amylin-evoked phosphorylation of these two isoforms was greatly attenuated. These results suggested that alterations in the phosphorylation of P20 might be associated with insulin resistance and that P20 could serve as a useful marker to dissect the cellular mechanisms of this disease.

Nonstructural 3 Protein of Hepatitis C Virus Triggers an Oxidative Burst in Human Monocytes via Activation of NADPH Oxidase

It has been shown that oxidative stress occurs in chronic hepatitis C. Release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from sequestered phagocytes and activated resident macrophages represents the predominant component of oxidative stress in the liver. However, little is known about the ability of the monocyte to produce ROS in response to protein of hepatitis C virus. In this study, we investigated the ROS production in human monocytes stimulated by several viral proteins of hepatitis C virus. Human monocytes from healthy blood donors were incubated with recombinant viral protein: Core, NS3, NS4, and NS5. ROS production was measured by chemiluminescence. Only NS3 triggered ROS production in human monocytes. Generated ROS were mainly the anion superoxide. NS3 also induced a rapid and transient increase in intracellular calcium concentration measured by a video digital microscopy technique. By using different metabolic inhibitors, we showed that ROS production requires calcium influx, tyrosine kinases, and the stress-activated protein kinase, p38. The study of p47(PHOX) phosphorylation and translocation showed that NADPH oxidase was activated and involved in ROS production induced by NS3. In a second experiment, NS3 inhibited the oxidative burst induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. These results indicate that NS3 activates NADPH oxidase and modulates ROS production, which may be involved in the natural history of hepatitis C infection.

Small angle neutron scattering and gel filtration analyses of neutrophil NADPH oxidase cytosolic factors highlight the role of the C-terminal end of p47phox in the association with p40phox.

The NADPH oxidase of phagocytic cells is regulated by the cytosolic factors p47(phox), p67(phox), and p40(phox) as well as by the Rac1-Rho-GDI heterodimer. The regulation is a consequence of protein-protein interactions involving a variety of protein domains that are well characterized in signal transduction. We have studied the behavior of the NADPH oxidase cytosolic factors in solution using small angle neutron scattering and gel filtration. p47(phox), two truncated forms of p47(phox), namely, p47(phox) without its C-terminal end (residues 1-358) and p47(phox) without its N-terminal end (residues 147-390), and p40(phox) were found to be monomeric in solution. The dimeric form of p67(phox) previously observed by gel filtration experiments was confirmed. Our small angle neutron scattering experiments show that p40(phox) binds to the full-length p47(phox) in solution in the absence of phosphorylation. We demonstrated that the C-terminal end of p47(phox) is essential in this interaction. From the comparison of the presence or absence of interaction with various truncated forms of the proteins, we confirmed that the SH3 domain of p40(phox) interacts with the C-terminal proline rich region of p47(phox). The radii of gyration observed for p47(phox) and the truncated forms of p47(phox) (without the C-terminal end or without the N-terminal end) show that all these molecules are elongated and that the N-terminal end of p47(phox) is globular. These results suggest that the role of amphiphiles such as SDS or arachidonic acid or of p47(phox) phosphorylation in the elicitation of NADPH oxidase activation could be to disrupt the p40(phox)-p47(phox) complex rather than to break an intramolecular interaction in p47(phox).

The mitogen-activated protein kinase extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 pathway is involved in formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine-induced p47phox phosphorylation in human neutrophils.

Phosphorylation of p47 phagocyte oxidase, (p47(phox)), one of the NADPH oxidase components, is essential for the activation of this enzyme and for superoxide production. p47(phox) is phosphorylated on multiple serine residues, but the kinases involved in this process in vivo remain to be characterized. We examined the role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in p47(phox) phosphorylation. Inhibition of ERK1/2 activation by PD98059, a specific inhibitor of ERK kinase 1/2, inhibited the fMLP-induced phosphorylation of p47(phox). However, PD98059 weakly affected PMA-induced p47(phox) phosphorylation, even though ERK1/2 activation was abrogated. This effect was confirmed using U0126, a second ERK kinase inhibitor. Unlike PD98059 and U0126, the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor SB203580 did not inhibit the phosphorylation of p47(phox) induced either by fMLP or by PMA. Two-dimensional phosphopeptide mapping analysis showed that, in fMLP-induced p47(phox) phosphorylation, PD98059 affected the phosphorylation of all the major phosphopeptides, suggesting that ERK1/2 may regulate p47(phox) phosphorylation either directly or indirectly via other kinases. In PMA-induced p47(phox) phosphorylation, GF109203X, a protein kinase C inhibitor, strongly inhibits p47(phox) phosphorylation. However, in fMLP-induced p47(phox) phosphorylation, PD98059 and GF109203X partially inhibited the phosphorylation of p47(phox) when tested alone, and exerted additive inhibitory effects on p47(phox) phosphorylation when tested together. These results show for the first time that the ERK1/2 pathway participates in the phosphorylation of p47(phox). Furthermore, they strongly suggest that p47(phox) is targeted by several kinase cascades in intact neutrophils activated by fMLP and is therefore a converging point for ERK1/2 and protein kinase C.

Arachidonic Acid and Phosphorylation Synergistically Induce a Conformational Change of p47 phox to Activate the Phagocyte NADPH Oxidase

The superoxide-producing phagocyte NADPH oxidase can be activated by arachidonic acid (AA) or by phosphorylation of p47(phox) under cell-free conditions. The molecular mechanism underlying the activation, however, has remained largely unknown. Here we demonstrate that AA, at high concentrations (50-100 micrometer), induces direct interaction between the oxidase factors p47(phox) and p22(phox) in parallel with superoxide production. The interaction, being required for the oxidase activation, is mediated via the Src homology 3 (SH3) domains of p47(phox) (p47-(SH3)(2)), which are intramolecularly masked in a resting state. We also show that AA disrupts complexation of p47-(SH3)(2) with its intramolecular target fragment (amino acids 286-340) without affecting association of p47-(SH3)(2) with p22(phox), indicating that the disruption plays a crucial role in the induced interaction with p22(phox). Phosphorylation of p47(phox) by protein kinase C partially replaces the effects of AA; treatment of the SH3 target fragment with PKC in vitro results in a completely impaired interaction with p47-(SH3)(2), and the same treatment of the full-length p47(phox) leads to both interaction with p22(phox) and oxidase activation without AA, but to a lesser extent. Furthermore, phosphorylated p47(phox) effectively binds to p22(phox) and activates the oxidase in the presence of AA at low concentrations (1-5 micrometer), where an unphosphorylated protein only slightly supports superoxide production. Thus AA, at high concentrations, fully induces the interaction of p47(phox) with p22(phox) by itself, whereas, at low concentrations, AA synergizes with phosphorylation of p47(phox) to facilitate the interaction, thereby activating the NADPH oxidase.