PH Domain Leucine-rich Repeat Protein Phosphatase 1 Research Articles

PHLPP1 inhibits the growth and aerobic glycolysis activity of human ovarian granular cells through inactivating AKT pathway

BackgroundPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a disorder characterized by hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction, and polycystic ovarian morphologic features, and PCOS is associated with infertility. PH domain Leucine-rich repeat Protein Phosphatase 1 (PHLPP1) has been shown to regulate AKT. The aim of present study is to investigate the role of PHLPP1 in PCOS.MethodsThe expression levels of PHLPP1 in dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-treated human ovarian granular KGN cells were determined by qRT-PCR and Western blot. PHLPP1 was silenced or overexpressed using lentivirus. Cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8. Apoptosis and ROS generation were analyzed by flow cytometry. Glycolysis was analyzed by measuring extracellular acidification rate (ECAR).ResultsDHT treatment suppressed proliferation, promoted apoptosis, enhanced ROS, and inhibited glycolysis in KGN cells. PHLPP1 silencing alleviated the DHT-induced suppression of proliferation and glycolysis, and promotion of apoptosis and ROS in KGN cells. PHLPP1 regulated cell proliferation and glycolysis in human KGN cells via the AKT signaling pathway.ConclusionsOur results showed that PHLPP1 mediates the proliferation and aerobic glycolysis activity of human ovarian granular cells through regulating AKT signaling.

NAP1L5 facilitates pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma progression via TRIM29-mediated ubiquitination of PHLPP1

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is considered one of the most aggressive solid tumours in humans. Despite its high mortality rate, effective targeted therapeutic strategies remain limited due to incomplete understanding of the underlying biological mechanisms. The NAP1L gene family has been implicated in the development and progression of various human tumours. However, the specific function and role of NAP1L5 (nucleosome assembly protein-like 5) in PDAC have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the role of NAP1L5 in PDAC and explore the regulatory relationship between NAP1L5 and its potential downstream molecule PHLPP1 (PH domain Leucine-rich repeat Protein Phosphatase 1) in PDAC. Our study revealed that NAP1L5 is notably upregulated in PDAC. Moreover, both in vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated that knockdown of NAP1L5 suppressed the proliferation of PDAC cells. Mechanistically, NAP1L5 was found to promote PDAC progression by activating the AKT/mTOR signalling pathway in a PHLPP1-dependent manner. Specifically, NAP1L5 binds to PHLPP1 and facilitates the ubiquitination-mediated degradation of PHLPP1, ultimately resulting in reduced PHLPP1 expression. Notably, TRIM29, recruited by NAP1L5, was found to be involved in facilitating K48-linked ubiquitination of PHLPP1. Our findings indicate that NAP1L5 overexpression promotes the proliferation of PDAC cells by inhibiting PHLPP1 expression. These novel insights suggest that NAP1L5 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for PDAC.

SKP2 Contributes to AKT Activation by Ubiquitination Degradation of PHLPP1, Impedes Autophagy, and Facilitates the Survival of Thyroid Carcinoma.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common subtype of thyroid carcinoma. Despite a good prognosis, approximately a quarter of PTC patients are likely to relapse. Previous reports suggest an association between S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (SKP2) and the prognosis of thyroid cancer. SKP1 is related to apoptosis of PTC cells; however, its role in PTC remains largely elusive. This study aimed to understand the expression and molecular mechanism of SKP2 in PTC. SKP2 expression was upregulated in PTC tissues and closely associated with clinical diagnosis. In vitro and in vivo knockdown of SKP2 expression in PTC cells suppressed cell growth and proliferation and induced apoptosis. SKP2 depletion promoted cell autophagy under glucose deprivation. SKP2 interacted with PH domain leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatase-1 (PHLPP1), triggering its degradation by ubiquitination. Furthermore, SKP2 activates the AKT-related pathways via PHLPP1, which leads to the cytoplasmic translocation of SKP2, indicating a reciprocal regulation between SKP2 and AKT. In conclusion, the upregulation of SKP2 leads to PTC proliferation and survival, and the regulatory network among SKP2, PHLPP1, and AKT provides novel insight into the molecular basis of SKP2 in tumor progression.

Abstract P1077: Nicotine Compromises Metabolic Adaptation Of The Heart To Injury By Altering PHLPP Isoforms

Rationale: Cardiovascular (CV) disease remains the leading cause of death and disability in the US and worldwide and tobacco use is a major risk factor for increasing the incidence of disease. Consequently, there is a need for understanding the cardiovascular impact of systemic nicotine on cardiac physiology and heart failure progression following injury. We have demonstrated that removal of PH domain leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatase 1 (PHLPP1) increases Akt activity and protects the heart from oxidative damage, however downregulation of PHLPP2 causes damage. Preliminary data suggest that exposure to nicotine increases PHLPP1 and decreases PHLPP2 levels in the heart. Therefore, linking the direct pathogenic effects of nicotine on these cell-survival intracellular pathways such as those that utilize PHLPP1 activity needs to be rigorously examined for therapeutic efficacy and intervention. Hypothesis: We hypothesize that exposure to high levels of nicotine will compromise the heart and increase susceptibility to ischemic injury by altering PHLPP isoform expression. Methods: Using in vivo systems we investigated the effect of nicotine exposure on PHLPP expression and cardiomyocyte function and injury. Male and female wild-type WT (n=4) and PHLPP1 KO (n=4) mice were implanted with osmotic minipumps containing nicotine (5mg/kg/day) or saline for 7days and changes in protein and gene expression were examined. A second cohort of WT animals was exposed to nicotine (7 days) and subjected to 1 hour ischemia and 24 hours reperfusion (n=6). Results: Following 7 days of nicotine exposure, we found PHLPP1 protein expression was significantly increased (1.7 ± 0.25 fold) and PHLPP2 significantly decreased (0.8 ± 0.04 fold) in the hearts of WT mice. However, in PHLPP1 KO mice, nicotine exposure significant increased PHLPP2 levels in the heart (1.5 ± 0.044fold). Also, we found that exposure to nicotine suppressed genes important for mitochondrial biogenesis and decreased antioxidant protein expression in the hearts of WT mice while antioxidant signaling was significantly increased in KO hearts. Following 7 days of nicotine exposure WT mice have increased infarct injury (39% ± 3.2, n=6) following 24-hour reperfusion compared to saline treated WT (31% ± 0.55, n=4) with the same area at risk. Preliminary studies found that PHLPP1 KO significantly protected the heart from ischemic injury (26% ± 0.38, n=3), however the effect in the presence of nicotine is under investigation. Conclusions: Our data suggests that nicotine exposure has detrimental effects on the heart by altering PHLPP isoform expression which compromises oxidative signaling and increases injury. Further studies will investigate the mechanism of nicotine induced PHLPP isoform expression both in vitro and in vivo and determine whether targeting PHLPP1 could significantly impact cardiac outcome associated with nicotine use.

Hyperglycemia-Induced Overexpression of PH Domain Leucine-Rich Repeat Protein Phosphatase 1 (PHLPP1) Compromises the Cardioprotective Effect of Ischemic Postconditioning Via Modulation of the Akt/Mst1 Pathway Signaling.

Ischemic postconditioning (IPostC) alleviates myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury, but the protective effect is lost during diabetes. PH domain leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatase 1 (PHLPP1) is able to inactivate Akt. Our previous study found that PHLPP1 expression was upregulated in diabetic hearts. We presumed that the attenuation of myocardial injury by IPostC might be hindered by PHLPP1 overexpression in diabetic animals. Nondiabetic and diabetic mice were subjected to 45 min of ischemia followed by 2 h of reperfusion with or without IPostC. H9c2 cells were exposed to normal or high glucose and were subjected to 4 h of hypoxia followed by 4 h of reoxygenation with or without hypoxic postconditioning (HPostC). IPostC attenuated postischemic infarction, apoptosis, creatine kinase-MB, and oxidative stress, which were accompanied by increased p-Akt and decreased PHLPP1 expression and p-Mst1 in nondiabetic but not in diabetic mice. PHLPP1 knockdown or an Mst1 inhibitor reduced hypoxia/reoxygenation (HR)-induced cardiomyocyte damage in H9c2 cells exposed to normal glucose, but the effect was abolished by a PI3K/Akt inhibitor. HPostC attenuated HR-induced cardiomyocyte injury and oxidative stress accompanied by increased p-Akt as well as decreased PHLPP1 expression and p-Mst1 in H9c2 cells exposed to normal glucose but not high glucose. In addition, HPostC in combination with PHLPP1 knockdown or PHLPP1 knockdown alone reduced cell death and oxidative stress in H9c2 cells exposed to high glucose, which was hindered by PI3K/Akt inhibitor. IPostC prevented myocardial IR injury partly through PHLPP1/Akt/Mst1 signaling, and abnormalities in this pathway may be responsible for the loss of IPostC cardioprotection in diabetes.

PHLPP1 deficiency ameliorates cardiomyocyte death and cardiac dysfunction through inhibiting Mcl-1 degradation

Myocardial infarction (MI), ischemia-reperfusion injury or chemotherapy can trigger excessive loss of terminally differentiated cardiomyocytes, leading to the development of heart failure. Whereas apoptosis has been considered to be the major form of cell death in various myocardial damage, the means by which to reduce cardiomyocyte loss are limited, and the mechanism that underlies cardiomyocyte apoptosis need to be further investigated. PH domain leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatase1 (PHLPP1) belongs to a novel family of Ser/Thr protein phosphatases that functions as a tumor suppressor. Here, we identified PHLPP1 as an important pro-apoptosis factor of cardiomyocytes in response to pathogenic stresses. The conditional PHLPP1 deficiency in cardiomyocytes alleviated myocardial ischemic injury, improved cardiac function and inhibited myocardial fibrosis, in turn preventing adverse cardiac remodeling and heart failure after MI. The conditional PHLPP1 deficiency in cardiomyocytes also attenuated doxorubicin (Dox)-induced myocardial injury, suppressed the inflammation and fibrosis in cardiac tissues, and protected from cardiac dysfunction. Mechanically, PHLPP1 bound the anti-apoptosis protein myeloid cell leukemia sequence 1 (Mcl-1) in cardiomyocytes. Thr163 phosphorylation of Mcl-1 was reported to slow Mcl-1 protein turnover. We further found that PHLPP1 deficiency enhanced Thr163 phosphorylation of Mcl-1, inhibited Mcl-1 degradation and maintained Mcl-1 protein expression level in myocardium and cardiomyocytes upon MI or Dox treatment. PHLPP1 could directly dephosphorylate Thr163 of Mcl-1. Thus, PHLPP1 promotes cardiomyocyte death and cardiac dysfunction through binding and enhancing Mcl-1 degradation under ischemic or toxic injury conditions, which sheds new light on the development of potential therapies to control cardiomyocyte loss.

The PHLPP1 N-Terminal Extension Is a Mitotic Cdk1 Substrate and Controls an Interactome Switch.

PH domain leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatase 1 (PHLPP1) is a tumor suppressor that directly dephosphorylates a wide array of substrates, most notably the prosurvival kinase Akt. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms governing PHLPP1 itself. Here, we report that PHLPP1 is dynamically regulated in a cell cycle-dependent manner and deletion of PHLPP1 results in mitotic delays and increased rates of chromosomal segregation errors. We show that PHLPP1 is hyperphosphorylated during mitosis by Cdk1 in a functionally uncharacterized region known as the PHLPP1 N-terminal extension (NTE). A proximity-dependent biotin identification (BioID) interaction screen revealed that during mitosis, PHLPP1 dissociates from plasma membrane scaffolds, such as Scribble, by a mechanism that depends on its NTE and gains proximity to kinetochore and mitotic spindle proteins such as KNL1 and TPX2. Our data are consistent with a model in which phosphorylation of PHLPP1 during mitosis regulates binding to its mitotic partners and allows accurate progression through mitosis. The finding that PHLPP1 binds mitotic proteins in a cell cycle- and phosphorylation-dependent manner may have relevance to its tumor-suppressive function.

CDK1‐dependent Phosphorylation of the Tumor Suppressor Phosphatase, PHLPP1, Regulates the Mitotic PHLPP1 Interactome

PH domain Leucine Rich Repeat Protein Phosphatase 1 (PHLPP1) is a tumor suppressor originally discovered for its ability to directly dephosphorylate and inactivate the pro‐survival kinase Akt, a key transducer of growth factor signaling. A number of other PHLPP1 targets have been identified, but still little is known about the molecular mechanisms governing the function and regulation of PHLPP1 itself. Here we report that PHLPP1 is hyperphosphorylated during mitosis in a CDK1‐dependent manner, and that this hyperphosphorylation regulates its interaction with mitotic proteins. Specifically, we show that PHLPP1 undergoes an electrophoretic mobility shift in mitotic cells that is lost with lambda phosphatase treatment, and is prevented by CDK1 inhibition. This mobility shift can be recreated in vitro using recombinant CDK1‐Cyclin B. Mass spectrometry and biochemical analysis reveals that these phosphorylations modify the N‐terminus of PHLPP1, a functionally uncharacterized region. A proximity dependent biotin identification (BioID) interaction screen revealed that mitotic PHLPP1 interacts with components of the mitotic spindle apparatus and the kinetochore. Additionally, the data suggest that the N‐terminus is required for the dissociation of PHLPP1 from interphase scaffolds, such as Scribble, during mitosis. During mitotic exit, PHLPP1 protein levels decrease, suggesting that PHLPP1 is degraded during mitotic exit. This correlates with an increase in Akt Ser473 phosphorylation, a validated cellular target of PHLPP1. Our data are consistent with a model in which phosphorylation of PHLPP1 during mitosis regulates binding to its mitotic partners and allows proper passage through mitosis. Reversible protein phosphorylation, orchestrated by kinases and phosphatases, plays a role in controlling proper progression through mitosis, which is essential as errors in mitosis can result in aneuploidy, a hallmark of cancer. The finding that PHLPP1 binds mitotic proteins in a cell cycle and phosphorylation‐dependent manner may have relevance to its tumor suppressive function.Support or Funding InformationThis work was supported by NIH R35 GM122523, T32 GM007752, & The Frontiers of Innovation Scholars Program.

Inhibition of PHLPP1 ameliorates cardiac dysfunction via activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway in diabetic cardiomyopathy.

BackgroundPleckstrin homology (PH) domain leucine‐rich repeat protein phosphatase 1 (PHLPP1) is a kind of serine/threonine phosphatase, whose dysregulation is accompanied with numerous human diseases. However, its role in diabetic cardiomyopathy remains unclear. We explored the underlying function and mechanism of PHLPP1 in diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM).MethodIn vivo, Type 1 diabetic rats were induced by intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ). Lentivirus‐mediated short hairpin RNA (shRNA) was used to knock down the expression of PHLPP1. In vitro, primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes and H9C2 cells were incubated in 5.5 mmol/L glucose (normal glucose, NG) or 33.3 mmol/L glucose (high glucose, HG). PHLPP1 expression was inhibited by PHLPP1‐siRNA to probe into the function of PHLPP1 in high glucose‐induced apoptosis in H9c2 cells.ResultsDiabetic rats showed up‐regulated PHLPP1 expression, left ventricular dysfunction, increased myocardial apoptosis and fibrosis. PHLPP1 inhibition alleviated cardiac dysfunction. Additionally, PHLPP1 inhibition significantly reduced HG‐induced apoptosis and restored PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway activity in H9c2 cells. Furthermore, pretreatment with LY294002, an inhibitor of PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, abolished the anti‐apoptotic effect of PHLPP1 inhibition.ConclusionOur study indicated that PHLPP1 inhibition alleviated cardiac dysfunction via activating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway in DCM. Therefore, PHLPP1 may be a novel therapeutic target for human DCM.

PHLPP1 counter-regulates STAT1-mediated inflammatory signaling.

Inflammation is an essential aspect of innate immunity but also contributes to diverse human diseases. Although much is known about the kinases that control inflammatory signaling, less is known about the opposing phosphatases. Here we report that deletion of the gene encoding PH domain Leucine-rich repeat Protein Phosphatase 1 (PHLPP1) protects mice from lethal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge and live Escherichia coli infection. Investigation of PHLPP1 function in macrophages reveals that it controls the magnitude and duration of inflammatory signaling by dephosphorylating the transcription factor STAT1 on Ser727 to inhibit its activity, reduce its promoter residency, and reduce the expression of target genes involved in innate immunity and cytokine signaling. This previously undescribed function of PHLPP1 depends on a bipartite nuclear localization signal in its unique N-terminal extension. Our data support a model in which nuclear PHLPP1 dephosphorylates STAT1 to control the magnitude and duration of inflammatory signaling in macrophages.

CDK1‐dependent Phosphorylation of the Tumor Suppressor Phosphatase, PHLPP1, Regulates the Mitotic PHLPP1 Interactome

PH domain Leucine‐Rich Repeat Protein Phosphatase 1 (PHLPP1) is a tumor suppressor originally discovered for its ability to directly dephosphorylate and inactivate the pro‐survival kinase Akt, a key transducer of growth factor signaling. In the decade since this discovery, a number of other PHLPP1 targets have been elucidated, but still little is known about the molecular mechanisms governing the function and regulation of PHLPP1 itself. Here we report that PHLPP1 is hyperphosphorylated during mitosis in a CDK1‐dependent manner, and that this hyperphosphorylation regulates its interaction with mitotic proteins. Specifically, we show that PHLPP1 undergoes an electrophoretic mobility shift in mitotic cells that is lost with lambda phosphatase treatment, and is prevented by CDK1 inhibition. This mobility shift can be recreated in vitro using recombinant CDK1‐Cyclin B. Mass spectrometry and biochemical analysis reveals that these phosphorylations modify the N‐terminus of PHLPP1, a functionally uncharacterized region. A proximity dependent biotin identification (BioID) interaction screen revealed that mitotic PHLPP1 interacts with components of the mitotic spindle apparatus and the kinetochore. Additionally, the data suggest that the N‐terminus is required for the dissociation of PHLPP1 from interphase scaffolds, such as Scribble, during mitosis. Our data are consistent with a model that mitotic phosphorylation of PHLPP1 may play a key role in regulating binding to its mitotic partners. Reversible protein phosphorylation, orchestrated by kinases and phosphatases, regulates proper progression through mitosis, which is essential as errors in division can result in aneuploidy, a hallmark of cancer. The finding that PHLPP1 binds mitotic proteins in a cell cycle and phosphorylation‐dependent manner may have relevance to its tumor suppressive function.Support or Funding InformationUCSD Graduate Training Program in Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology NIH T32 GM007752 (to ATG), Frontiers of Innovation Scholars Program at UCSD (to ATG), NIH R35 GM122523 (to ACN)This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

The Protein Phosphatase PHLPP1 Suppresses Insulin Signaling and Inflammation in Mouse Model

The PH domain Leucine Rich Repeat Protein Phosphatase 1 (PHLPP1) directly dephosphorylates and inactivates Akt2, the Akt isozyme that is a key transducer of insulin signaling. Elevated levels of PHLPP1 protein have been associated with obesity and insulin resistance in humans, suggesting PHLPP1 may be a novel therapeutic target to combat insulin resistance in diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Here we examine how loss of PHLPP1 affects insulin signaling using the Phlpp1−/− mice. Insulin tolerance tests of mice on a normal chow diet reveal a modest but statistically‐significant increase in the insulin sensitivity of mice lacking PHLPP1 compared to littermate Phlpp1+/+ controls. Analyses of liver from these mice reveal elevated Akt signaling in the mice lacking PHLPP1, as assessed by increased phosphorylation of Akt itself and downstream substrates such as GSK‐3 and MDM2. In addition, consistent with previous studies, the steady state levels of EGF receptor are elevated. We also note that there was an approximately 15% increase in the steady state levels of PHLPP2. Consistent with in vivo results, deletion of PHLPP1 in HepG2 liver cells also increases insulin‐dependent signaling, assessed by increased phosphorylation of the insulin receptor and Akt. Thus, both in vivo and in vitro studies are consistent with PHLPP1 suppressing insulin signaling. In contrast to results from normal chow diet, Phlpp1−/− and Phlpp1+/+ mice subjected to a high fat diet had the same insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, biochemical analysis of liver from these mice revealed a striking decrease in phosphorylation of Akt and downstream substrates such as S6kinase, and a decrease in PKCα. PHLPP2 levels remained elevated. Additionally, we also found that in livers, high fat diet promotes an up‐regulation of pro‐inflammatory genes such as Il6 and Tnfa, which is significantly enhanced in PHLPP1 deficient mice. Our data are consistent with a model in which loss of PHLPP1 enhances both insulin sensitivity and inflammation. The pro‐inflammatory effects of high fat diet may be exacerbated in the Phlpp1−/− cells, masking an insulin sensitivity phenotype.Support or Funding InformationThis work was funded by NIH P01DK054441This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

GYY4137 protects against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury via activation of the PHLPP-1/Akt/Nrf2 signaling pathway in diabetic mice

BackgroundThis study explores the protective effects of a hydrogen sulfide donor, morpholin-4-ium 4-methoxyphenyl-morpholino-phosphinodithioate (GYY4137), in the hearts of diabetic mice that had been subjected to myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. Diabetes impairs the Akt pathway, in which the Akt protein is dephosphorylated and inactivated by PH domain leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatase-1 (PHLPP-1). However, the function of PHLPP-1 and molecular mechanism that underlies the cardiac protection exerted by GYY4137 remains unknown. MethodsDiabetic or nondiabetic mice were subjected to 45 min of coronary artery occlusion followed by 2 h of reperfusion. H9c2 cells were cultured with normal or high glucose and then subjected to 3 h of hypoxia followed by 6 h of reoxygenation. Pretreatment with GYY4137 was performed in a randomized manner before ischemia/reperfusion or hypoxia/reoxygenation. The infarct size, cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and oxidative stress were measured. Western blotting was conducted to elucidate the protective mechanism. ResultsDiabetic mice or H9c2 cells exposed to high glucose displayed a larger infarct size, more severe cardiomyocyte apoptosis, lower cell viability, and increased oxidative stress, which were associated with increased levels of PHLPP-1 and reduced levels of p-Akt and nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) protein expression. These changes were prevented/reversed by GYYG4137 pretreatment. At the cellular level, PHLPP-1 siRNA attenuated cellular injury, and this was associated with increased p-Akt and nuclear Nrf2 protein, whereas the decrement of Akt phosphorylation induced by LY294002 augmented cellular injury and decreased nuclear Nrf2. ConclusionsGYY4137 activates the PHLPP-1/Akt/Nrf2 pathway to protect against diabetic myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Abstract 4488: Tumor suppressor phosphatase PHLPP1 regulates transcription factor activity and gene expression in inflammation

Abstract Epigenetic mechanisms play a key role in cancer and are a major contributor in driving the aberrantly high levels of oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) in cancer. Understanding mechanisms leading to altered transcription of oncogenes and tumor suppressors has the potential to provide new therapeutic targets. Here we show that the PH domain leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatase 1 (PHLPP1), a tumor suppressor that directly dephosphorylates and inactivates Akt, has an additional function of regulating approximately 10% of the transcriptome. Specifically, we used non-biased high-throughput RNA-sequencing and chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing techniques to analyze genome-wide mRNA levels and acetylation patterns of genes in cells from wild-type and PHLPP1 knockout mice. De novo motif analysis of the promoter for the genes regulated by PHLPP1 identified enrichment in the recognition motifs for a number of transcription factors, including ones involved in inflammatory signaling. Biochemical analysis revealed that PHLPP1 regulates the phosphorylation and activation of these transcription factors, such that loss of PHLPP1 leads to enhanced inflammatory signaling. Our data support a model in which PHLPP1 dephosphorylates specific transcription factors to act as the brakes to inflammatory signaling, a hallmark of cancer. Citation Format: Ksenya Cohen Katsenelson, Joshua D. Stender, Christopher K. Glass, Alexandra C. Newton. Tumor suppressor phosphatase PHLPP1 regulates transcription factor activity and gene expression in inflammation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4488. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-4488

Mutual inhibition of insulin signaling and PHLPP-1 determines cardioprotective efficiency of Akt in aged heart.

Insulin protects cardiomyocytes from myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury through activating Akt. However, phosphatase PHLPP-1 (PH domain leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatase-1) dephosphorylates and inactivates Akt. The balanced competitive interaction of insulin and PHLPP-1 has not been directly examined. In this study, we have identified the effect of mutual inhibition of insulin signaling and PHLPP-1 on the cardioprotective efficiency of Akt in aged heart. Young (3 mon) and aged (20 mon) Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were subjected to MI/R in vivo. The PHLPP-1 level was higher in aged vs. young hearts at base. But, insulin treatment failed to decrease PHLPP-1 level during reperfusion in the aged hearts. Consequently, the cardioprotection of insulin-induced Akt activation was impaired in aged hearts, resulting in more susceptible to MI/R injury. In cultured rat ventricular myocytes, PHLPP-1 knockdown significantly enhanced insulin-induced Akt phosphorylation and reduced simulated hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced apoptosis. Contrary, PHLPP-1 overexpression terminated Akt phosphorylation and deteriorated myocytes apoptosis. Using in vivo aged animal models, we confirmed that cardiac PHLPP-1 knockdown or enhanced insulin sensitivity by exercise training dramatically increased insulin-induced Akt phosphorylation. Specifically, MI/R-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and infarct size were decreased and cardiac function was increased. More importantly, we found that insulin regulated the degradation of PHLPP-1 and insulin treatment could enhance the binding between PHLPP-1 and β-transducin repeat-containing protein (β-TrCP) to target for ubiquitin-dependent degradation. Altogether, we have identified a new mechanism by which insulin suppresses PHLPP-1 to enhance Akt activation. But, aged heart possesses lower insulin effectiveness and fails to decrease PHLPP-1 during MI/R, which subsequently limited Akt activity and cardioprotection. PHLPP-1 could be a promising therapeutic interventional target for elderly ischemic heart disease patients.

Expression and role of oncogenic miRNA-224 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

BackgroundAberrant expression of miR-224 is associated with tumor development and progression. This study investigated the role of miR-224 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) ex vivo and in vitro.MethodsA total of 103 esophageal intraepithelial neoplasia, ESCC tissue specimens, and their matched distant normal tissues were collected to test miR-224 expression using qRT-PCR analysis. Western blot was used to quantify the level of PH domain leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatase 1 (PHLPP1) and PHLPP2 in ESCC tissues. Cell viability, apoptosis, invasion, and colony formation assays were used to assess the altered phenotypes of esophageal cancer cell lines after miR-224 expression or inhibition. A luciferase reporter assay was used to confirm miR-224 binding to PHLPP1 and PHLPP2 mRNA.ResultsmiR-224 was significantly overexpressed in esophageal intraepithelial neoplasia and ESCC tissues, while the expression of PHLPP1 and PHLPP2 proteins, the target genes of miR-224, was downregulated in ESCC tissues. miR-224 expression was associated with advanced clinical TNM stage, pathologic grade, and the level of PHLPP1 and PHLPP2 proteins in ESCC tissues. Ectopic overexpression of miR-224 promoted proliferation, migration, and invasion, but suppressed apoptosis of ESCC cells. miR-224 was able to bind to the 3′ untranslated region (3′-UTR) of PHLPP1 and PHLPP2 mRNA to suppress their expression.ConclusionsThe current study demonstrated that miR-224 acts as an oncogenic miRNA in ESCC, possibly by targeting PHLPP1 and PHLPP2.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12885-015-1581-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

WD Repeat Protein WDR48 in Complex with Deubiquitinase USP12 Suppresses Akt-dependent Cell Survival Signaling by Stabilizing PH Domain Leucine-rich Repeat Protein Phosphatase 1 (PHLPP1)

PHLPP1 (PH domain leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatase 1) is a protein-serine/threonine phosphatase and a negative regulator of the PI3-kinase/Akt pathway. Although its function as a suppressor of tumor cell growth has been established, the mechanism of its regulation is not completely understood. In this study, by utilizing the tandem affinity purification approach we have identified WDR48 and USP12 as novel PHLPP1-associated proteins. The WDR48·USP12 complex deubiquitinates PHLPP1 and thereby enhances its protein stability. Similar to PHLPP1 function, WDR48 and USP12 negatively regulate Akt activation and thus promote cellular apoptosis. Functionally, we show that WDR48 and USP12 suppress proliferation of tumor cells. Importantly, we found a WDR48 somatic mutation (L580F) that is defective in stabilizing PHLPP1 in colorectal cancers, supporting a WDR48 role in tumor suppression. Together, our results reveal WDR48 and USP12 as novel PHLPP1 regulators and potential suppressors of tumor cell survival.

Response: ‘Antibody crossreactivity between the tumour suppressor PHLPP1 and the proto‐oncogene β‐catenin’

Lobert and co‐workers [1] reported a consequential flaw in the immunoreactivity of the antibodies A300‐660A and IHC‐00382 to PH domain leucine‐rich repeat protein phosphatase 1 (PHLPP1) manufactured by Bethyl Laboratories, Inc. (Montgomery, Texas, USA). The flaw is the crossreactivity of these preparations with β‐catenin. This response is to acknowledge the validity of the report of Lobert and co‐workers, to report that testing at Bethyl Laboratories has confirmed their findings and to report production of antibodies to the carboxyl‐terminus of PHLPP1 with less than 3% residual crossreactivity with β‐catenin when compared with crossreactivity of A300‐660A to β‐catenin. The antibodies A300‐660A and IHC‐00382 had a common means of production in which a peptide (LPDYYDTPL) representing the C‐terminus of PHLPP1 was conjugated to a carrier protein and used as an antigen for the production of hyperimmune sera in rabbits. Subsequently, antibodies to the peptide were purified by using the peptide conjugated to beads of agarose. The affinity‐purified antibodies were tested in immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation. Having found that the preparation of antibodies was useful for immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation, the preparation was offered as part of Bethyl's line of products as product number A300‐660A. Subsequent to testing for usefulness in immunohistochemical staining, a portion of A300‐660A was reformulated to produce product number …

Antibody crossreactivity between the tumour suppressor PHLPP1 and the proto‐oncogene β‐catenin

During recent years, the PH domain leucine‐rich repeat protein phosphatase 1 (PHLPP1) has received increasing attention as a tumour suppressor that functions by dephosphorylating and antagonizing the survival‐promoting protein kinases AKT, PKC and S6K1 [1]. Previous studies reported that PHLPP1 co‐localizes with the tumour suppressor Scribble at cell–cell contacts [2], its expression is lost in colorectal cancer tumours [3] and it correlates with expression of PTEN, a tumour suppressor phosphatase that functions as a negative regulator upstream from AKT [2,4]. We warn that the PHLPP1 antibodies used in these studies (Bethyl IHC‐00382 and A300‐660A) crossreact strongly with β‐catenin, a proto‐oncogene product known to localize to adherens junctions. When probing Caco‐2 whole cell lysates (WCLs) for PHLPP1 with commonly used commercial PHLPP1 antibodies (Bethyl IHC‐00382 and A300‐660A—different types of the same antibody), we observed an additional prominent immunoreactive band around 90 kDa (Fig 1C), which was still apparent on PHLPP1 immunoprecipitation using the same antibodies (Fig 1A). In contrast with full length PHLPP1, the 90 kDa band was not responsive to siRNA‐mediated knockdown of PHLPP1 (Fig 1A,C), arguing against a PHLPP1 variant and suggesting it reflected antibody crossreactivity. To characterize further this putative crossreactivity, we used stable isotope labelling in cell culture and …

Abstract 2226: Mechanisms for cross-talk between Notch1 and AKT signaling in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Abstract Pediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) has a variable prognosis, with many patients exhibiting high-risk features at diagnosis, including older age and high presenting white blood cell counts. Activating mutations involving the Notch1 heterodimerizeration and PEST domains occur in more than 50% of T-ALL cases. Increased Notch1 activity promotes survival and proliferation of leukemic cells, in part by transcriptionally repressing PTEN (via HES1). This provides compelling rationale for the use of gamma secretase inhibitors (GSIs) to block Notch1 activation and to restore PTEN levels, which antagonize AKT signaling. Further, PTEN mutations are implicated in GSI resistance. PTEN activity is also modulated by an assortment of posttranslational modifications and Notch1 may regulate PTEN at the posttranslational level. To investigate the impact of Notch1 on AKT signaling, independent of its transcriptional regulation of PTEN, we used PTEN-null Jurkat cells with constitutively active Notch1 and conditional ectopic PTEN expression under control of a tetracycline (tet)-inducible promoter. Induction of PTEN was accompanied by increased phosphorylation of AKTT308, increased insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) protein and transcripts, and increased Notch1. Increased AKTT308 phosphorylation was blocked with an IGF1R inhibitor (GSK1904259A) and was abolished in Jurkat cells expressing a tet-inducible G129R PTEN phosphatase-inactive mutant. This suggests that PTEN can activate AKT signaling by modulating IGF1R levels. In Jurkat cells, inhibition of Notch1, either through GSI treatment or shRNA knockdown (KD), resulted in increased phosphorylation of AKTT308. Although this result could involve Notch1-dependent decreased cMyc, reflecting indirect effects of cMyc on mTOR1 and negative feedback on AKT, this was not impacted by treatment with a cMyc inhibitor (10058-F4) or by ectopic overexpression of cMyc, suggesting that other effectors and mechanisms are involved. Microarray analysis was performed on wild-type and KD Jurkat cells. Using a 1.5-fold cutoff, 1208 differentially regulated genes were identified. These include PH domain leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatase-1 (PHLPP1) and prokineticin-2 (PROK2), both of which could significantly impact AKT phosphorylation in response to Notch1. By real-time RT-PCR, PHLPP1 was significantly decreased (∼4-fold), and PROK2 was significantly increased (∼6-fold) in Notch1 KD cells compared to wild-type cells. Studies are underway to characterize the potential roles of PHLPP1 and PROK2 in mediating the inhibitory effects of Notch1 on AKT activation in T-ALL. Better understanding of the cross-talk between Notch1 and AKT in T-ALL may identify rational therapeutic strategies for combining GSIs with inhibitors of AKT, mTOR, or IGF1R, and/or for designing therapies based on capacities for constitutive Notch1 signaling. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2226. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2226