RSK Inhibitor Research Articles

CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein beta activation of MMP-1 gene expression in SW1353 Cells: Independent roles of extracellular signal-regulated and p90/ribosomal S6 kinases

CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein beta (CEBPB) is a pluripotent transcription factor that controls inflammation, proliferation, and differentiation. We recently reported a role for CEBPB during matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) gene expression, but the mechanisms involved are poorly understood. To address this we interrogated CEBPB-dependent MMP-1 and MMP-13 gene activation in the SW1353 chondrosarcoma cell line, a well-established model of MMP gene regulation in mesenchymal cells. IL-1B treatment increased CEBPB expression in SW1353 cells over a 24-h period and knockdown of CEBPB with shRNA abrogated IL-1B-dependent MMP-1 and MMP-13 gene activation. Exogenous expression of the CEBPB isoforms LAP1 or LAP2 was sufficient to induce MMP-1 mRNA levels comparable to IL-1B-induced expression, while the truncated LIP isoform repressed IL-1B-induced MMP-1. Although exogenous CEBPB expression induced MMP-13 mRNA, the response was less robust than was observed for MMP-1. CEBPB is activated by the extracellular-regulated kinases (ERK) and RSK kinases in response to oncogenes and growth factors. We found that the MEK inhibitor U0126 and the RSK inhibitor BI-D1870 both reduced IL-1B-dependent MMP-1 gene expression in SW1353 cells. Although ERK is known to phosphorylate CEBPB on threonine 235, this residue was not required for CEBPB-dependent activation of MMP-1. In contrast, the RSK target serine 321 was required for LAP1 and LAP2-dependent activation of MMP-1. These findings establish CEBPB as a critical intermediate for IL-1B-dependent MMP gene activation and assign specific roles for the ERK and RSK kinases in this pathway.

P90RSK2 is essential for FLT3-ITD– but dispensable for BCR-ABL–induced myeloid leukemia

Abstractp90 ribosomal S6 kinase 2 (p90RSK2) is important in diverse cellular processes including gene expression, cell proliferation, and survival. We found that p90RSK2 is commonly activated in diverse leukemia cell lines expressing different leukemogenic tyrosine kinases, including BCR-ABL and FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3–internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD). Interestingly, in a murine BM transplantation (BMT) model, genetic deficiency of RSK2 did not affect the pathogenesis or disease progression of BCR-ABL–induced myeloproliferative neoplasm (PN). In contrast, FLT3-ITD induced a T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in BMT mice receiving RSK2 knockout (KO) BM cells, phenotypically distinct from the myeloproliferative neoplasm induced by FLT3-ITD using wild-type BM cells. In consonance with these results, inhibition of RSK2 by an RSK inhibitor, fmk, did not effectively induce apoptosis in BCR-ABL–expressing murine Ba/F3 cells, human K562 cells or primary tissue samples from CML patients, whereas fmk treatment induced significant apoptotic cell death not only in FLT3-ITD–positive Ba/F3 cells, human Molm14 and Mv(4;11) leukemia cells, but also in primary tissue samples from AML patients. These results suggest that RSK2 is dispensable for BCR-ABL–induced myeloid leukemia, but may be required for pathogenesis and lineage determination in FLT3-ITD–induced hematopoietic transformation. RSK2 may thus represent an alternative therapeutic target in the treatment of FLT3-ITD–positive leukemia.

Abstract 1066: ERK/RSK and JNK signaling cooperatively mediate oncogenic Ras-induced death receptor 5 expression through enhancing CHOP, Elk1 and c-Jun-dependent transcription

Abstract Oncogenic mutation of Ras frequently occurs in many types of cancers and plays a critical role in cell transformation and oncogenesis. Interestingly, the oncogenic Ras has been documented to induce the expression of death receptor 5 (DR5), a pro-apoptotic death domain-containing cell surface receptor for TRAIL, through currently undefined mechanisms. The current study attempted to address the mechanisms by which the oncogenic Ras induces DR5 expression. Enforced expression of the oncogenic H-Ras or K-Ras (e.g., RasV12) increased DR5 promoter activity and DR5 expression. This was also accompanied by activation of both ERK/RSK and JNK signaling pathways as evidenced by increased levels of p-ERK, p-RSK, p-JNK and p-c-Jun as well as their downstream proteins, CHOP, Elk1 and c-Jun. Gene silencing-mediated inhibition of either ERK, RSK or JNK activation blocked RasV12-induced DR5 expression. Moreover, knockdown of CHOP, Elk1 or c-Jun abrogated RasV12-induced DR5 expression as well. These data collectively indicate that both ERK/RSK and JNK signaling pathways are required for RasV12-induced DR5 expression. Triple gene (CHOP, Elk1 and c-Jun) co-expressed resulted in the highest DR5 promoter transactivation and protein expression in comparison to single or double gene expression. Consistently, oligonucleotide pull-down assay could detect Elk1, CHOP and c-Jun proteins bound to the DR5 promoter in cells co-transfected with CHOP, Elk1 and c-Jun genes or transfected with Ras-V12 gene, indicating that these proteins together bind to the DR5 promoter region. Thus we suggest that these three proteins cooperatively participate in RasV12-induced DR5 expression by enhancing its transcription. Importantly, we found that RasV12-transformed human ovarian cells were more sensitive than their non-transformed counterparts to undergo TRAIL-induced apoptosis. In summary, this study demonstrated that oncogenic Ras induces DR5 expression through activation of both ERK/RSK and JNK signaling pathways and subsequent CHOP, Elk1 and c-Jun-mediated gene transactivation. Cancers with Ras mutation may be suitable for TRAIL-based cancer therapy. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1066. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-1066

Regulatory Effects of Ribosomal S6 Kinase 1 (RSK1) in IFNλ Signaling

Although the mechanisms of generation of signals that control transcriptional activation of Type III IFN (IFNλ)-regulated genes have been identified, very little is known about the mechanisms by which the IFNλ receptor generates signals for mRNA translation of IFNλ-activated genes. We provide evidence that IFNλ activates the p90 ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (RSK1) and its downstream effector, initiation factor eIF4B. Prior to its engagement by the IFNλ receptor, the non-active form of RSK1 is present in a complex with the translational repressor 4E-BP1 in IFNλ-sensitive cells. IFNλ-inducible phosphorylation/activation of RSK1 results in its dissociation from 4E-BP1 at the same time that 4E-BP1 dissociates from eIF4E to allow formation of eIF4F and initiation of cap-dependent translation. Our studies demonstrate that such IFNλ-dependent engagement of RSK1 is essential for up-regulation of p21(WAF1/CIP1) expression, suggesting a mechanism for generation of growth-inhibitory responses. Altogether, our data provide evidence for a critical role for the activated RSK1 in IFNλ signaling.

P90RSK2 Is Essential for FLT3-ITD-, but Dispensable for BCR-ABL-Induced Myeloid Leukemia

AbstractAbstract 1716p90 ribosomal S6 kinase 2 (p90RSK2) is a serine/threonine kinase that plays an active role in diverse cellular processes, including gene expression, cell proliferation, and survival. We previously demonstrated that RSK2 signaling plays a key role in the pathogenesis and disease progression of leukemogenic FGFR3 associated hematopoietic malignancies, including FGFR3-expressing t(4;14) multiple myeloma and TEL-FGFR3-expressing t(4;12)(p16;p13) peripheral T cell lymphoma. In this study, we found that p90RSK2 is commonly activated in diverse leukemia cell lines expressing different leukemogenic tyrosine kinases, including K562 (BCR-ABL), Molm14 and Mv4;11 (FLT3-ITD), HEL (JAK2 V617F), and EOL-1(FIP1L1-PDGFR alpha). We next examined the role of RSK2 in myeloid transformation induced by BCR-ABL and FLT3-ITD due to their high frequency of occurrence in CML and AML, respectively. Interestingly, although RSK2 is activated by BCR-ABL in both stably transduced Ba/F3 cells and K562 human leukemia cells, we found that genetic deficiency of RSK2 does not affect the pathogenesis or disease progression of myeloproliferative disease induced by BCR-ABL in a murine bone marrow transplant (BMT) model using wild type or RSK2-/- donor bone marrow cells. This finding suggests that RSK2 is dispensable for BCR-ABL induced myeloproliferative disease. Moreover, targeting RSK2 by treatment with potent and highly specific RSK inhibitor fmk did not effectively induce apoptosis in K562 human leukemia cells expressing BCR-ABL, or in primary leukemia cells from BCR-ABL positive CML patients. In contrast, we found that targeting RSK2 may represent an effective therapy to treat patients with FLT3-ITD positive AML. Treatment with fmk induced significant apoptotic cell death in Molm14 and Mv4;11 human leukemia cells expressing FLT3-ITD, as well as in primary leukemia cells from FLT3-ITD positive AML patients. In consonance with these results, FLT3-ITD induced T-cell lymphoma in a BMT assay using RSK2-/- donor bone marrow cells, phenotypically distinct from the myeloproliferative disease induced by FLT3-ITD using wild type donor bone marrow cells. These results suggest that RSK2 is required for FLT3-ITD induced hematopoietic transformation, likely playing a role in pathogenesis and lineage determination. Together these findings suggest that the role of RSK2 in hematopoietic transformation may depend on different upstream oncogenic signals mediated by different leukemogenic tyrosine kinases. Our data also demonstrate that RSK2 may represent an alternative therapeutic target in the treatment of FLT3-ITD positive leukemia. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

RSK Inhibition Rescues Defective Erythropoiesis Caused by Blockade of Mitochondrial Aconitase

AbstractAbstract 1008Production of red blood cells in the adult bone marrow consists of well-defined developmental stages regulated in part by erythropoietin (EPO) signaling and in part by iron signaling via aconitase enzymes. We previously showed that direct inhibition of aconitase activity induced ERK hyperphosphorylation during iron-replete erythropoiesis. In those studies, in vivo inhibition of aconitase by fluoroacetate (FA) infusion normalized red cell counts in JAK2V617F-Tg mice, with no effects on non-erythroid lineages (Talbot et al., ASH 2009 #75). The current studies have examined how aconitase inhibition may affect the subcellular distribution of ERK1/2 and the transmission of signals to pathways downstream of ERK1/2. In human erythroid progenitors analyzed by subcellular fractionation followed by immunoblot, pharmacological inhibition of aconitase by FA led to the redistribution of a subset of ERK1/2 into a non-extractable chromatin/cytoskeleton compartment. Interestingly, mitochondrial aconitase, but not mitochondrial SOD2, showed a pattern of subcellular redistribution with FA treatment similar to that of ERK1/2, raising the possibility of recruitment into a common complex. Specific interaction of ERKs 1 and 2 with mitochondrial aconitase was confirmed in cotransfection-coimmunoprecipitation experiments. To address the consequences of aconitase inhibition on the dynamic signaling to ERK1/2 and downstream effectors, erythroid progenitors cultured ± FA underwent cytokine starvation followed by restimulation with EPO alone, stem cell factor (SCF) alone, or EPO plus SCF. Kinetic analysis of the activation of ERK1/2 and its substrate p90 RSK, by immunoblotting with phospho-specific antibodies, showed distinct effects of aconitase inhibition depending on the cytokine stimuli provided. In stimulation with EPO or Stem Cell Factor (SCF) alone, FA had no effect on ERK1/2 activation but decreased phospho-RSK levels. By contrast, in cells stimulated with EPO plus SCF, FA caused diminished phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and enhanced phosphorylation of RSK. Thus, aconitase modulation of p90 RSK phosphorylation appeared to depend on the cytokine stimuli provided. To determine how alterations in RSK activation could contribute to FA inhibition of erythropoiesis, erythroid cultures with EPO plus SCF ± FA underwent treatment with the specific RSK inhibitor SL0101. In the absence of FA, treatment of erythroid progenitors with SL0101 weakly inhibited differentiation but had no effect on proliferation. By contrast, in FA treated cells, SL0101 significantly enhanced both differentiation and proliferation. These data identify RSK, downstream of ERK1/2, as the primary target of aconitase regulation and suggest that inappropriate activation of RSK contributes to the erythroid blockade associated with aconitase inhibition. To determine the contributions of cytosolic aconitase to erythroid regulation, IRP1−/− mice (lacking cytosolic aconitase) were subjected to hemolytic challenge with PHZ or to FA infusion. Under both regimens, IRP1−/− mice responded in a manner indistinguishable from that of wild type (WT) littermate mice. These data indicate that cytosolic aconitase is not required for steady-state or stress-induced erythropoiesis and point to mitochondrial aconitase as the main regulator of erythropoiesis in vivo. In summary, ERK1/2 and mitochondrial aconitase displayed patterns of subcellular co-distribution and physical interaction suggestive of direct cross-talk. Aconitase inhibition altered ERK1/2 mediated RSK phosphorylation during cytokine stimulation in a stimulus-dependent manner, and a specific RSK inhibitor reversed the effects of aconitase inhibition on erythroid differentiation and proliferation. We postulate that in erythroid cells mitochondrial aconitase may function as a novel scaffold regulating ERK communication with RSK. This alternative function of mitochondrial aconitase might be regulated itself by cytokine signaling, iron availability, or small molecules binding its active site. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

A genome-wide RNAi screen identifies multiple RSK-dependent regulators of cell migration

To define the functional pathways regulating epithelial cell migration, we performed a genome-wide RNAi screen using 55,000 pooled lentiviral shRNAs targeting ∼11,000 genes, selecting for transduced cells with increased motility. A stringent validation protocol generated a set of 31 genes representing diverse pathways whose knockdown dramatically enhances cellular migration. Some of these pathways share features of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and together they implicate key regulators of transcription, cellular signaling, and metabolism, as well as novel modulators of cellular trafficking, such as DLG5. In delineating downstream pathways mediating these migration phenotypes, we observed universal activation of ERKs and a profound dependence on their RSK effectors. Pharmacological inhibition of RSK dramatically suppresses epithelial cell migration induced by knockdown of all 31 genes, suggesting that convergence of diverse migratory pathways on this kinase may provide a therapeutic opportunity in disorders of cell migration, including cancer metastasis.

Regulation of Intracellular pH by p90Rsk-dependent Activation of an Na+/H+ Exchanger in Starfish Oocytes

Starfish oocytes arrest at metaphase of the first meiotic division (MI arrest) in the ovary and resume meiosis after spawning into seawater. MI arrest is maintained by lower intracellular pH (pH(i)) and release from arrest by cellular alkalization. To elucidate pH(i) regulation in oocytes, we cloned the starfish (Asterina pectinifera) Na(+)/H(+) exchanger 3 (ApNHE3) expressed in the plasma membrane of oocytes. The cytoplasmic domain of ApNHE3 contains p90 ribosomal S6 kinase (p90Rsk) phosphorylation sites, and injection of a constitutively active p90Rsk and the upstream regulator Mos to immature oocytes, stimulated an increase in pH(i). This increase was blocked by 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)-amiloride, a NHE inhibitor, and SL0101, a specific Rsk inhibitor. The MAPK kinase (MEK) inhibitor U0126 blocked the Mos-induced, but not the p90Rsk-induced, pH(i) increase, suggesting that the Mos-MEK-MAPK-p90Rsk pathway promotes ApNHE3 activation. In a cell-free extract, the Mos-MEK-MAPK-p90Rsk pathway phosphorylates ApNHE3 at Ser-590, -606, and -673. When p90Rsk-dependent ApNHE3 phosphorylation was blocked by a dominant-negative C-terminal fragment, or neutralizing antibody, the p90Rsk-induced pH(i) increase was suppressed in immature oocytes. However, ApNHE3 is up-regulated via the upstream phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway before MAPK activation and the active state is maintained until spawning, suggesting that the p90Rsk-dependent ApNHE3 phosphorylation is unlikely to be the primary regulatory mechanism involved in MI arrest exit. After meiosis is completed, unfertilized eggs maintain their elevated pH(i) ( approximately 7.4) until the onset of apoptosis. We suggest that the p90Rsk/ApNHE3-dependent elevation of pH(i) increases fertilization success by delaying apoptosis initiation.

258 Anticancer activity of a novel kaempferol glucoside, Tac, is mediated by a mechanism involving RSK inhibition

258 Anticancer activity of a novel kaempferol glucoside, Tac, is mediated by a mechanism involving RSK inhibition

Targeting Na+/H+ exchanger regulation for cardiac protection: a RSKy approach?

Extensive pre-clinical work indicates that inhibition of the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger (NHE) affords significant protection to myocardium subjected to ischaemia and reperfusion. By contrast, clinical studies with the NHE inhibitors cariporide, eniporide and zoniporide, in patients with evolving myocardial infarction and those at risk of myocardial infarction, have provided largely disappointing data. Nevertheless, some of these studies have confirmed that, in certain settings, NHE inhibition does indeed protect human myocardium. Furthermore, pre-clinical work suggests that NHE inhibition may provide therapeutic benefit in heart failure also. As an alternative to direct and global NHE inhibition, which may trigger non-cardiac adverse effects, the molecular mechanisms that stimulate cardiac NHE activity in disease may be targeted to attenuate such activity selectively in jeopardized tissue. Many factors associated with cardiac pathology activate RSK, an established NHE kinase, and several selective RSK inhibitors have been described recently. The role of RSK as a potential therapeutic target for indirectly suppressing cardiac NHE activity warrants further investigation.

P90RSK2 as a Therapeutic Target in Treatment of FGFR3-Expressing t(4;14) Multiple Myeloma.

p90 Ribosomal S6 Kinase 2 (p90RSK2) is a substrate of ERK and plays an active role in anti-apoptosis signaling and cell cycle regulation. Our proteomics studies revealed that p90RSK2 is not only activated but also tyrosine-phosphorylated in hematopoietic cells expressing constitutively activated leukemogenic FGFR3 mutants. FGFR3 is a receptor-tyrosine kinase that responds to fibroblast growth factor (FGF). Recent studies have suggested that FGFR3 may play a significant role in the pathogenesis and disease progression of some hematopoietic malignancies including t(4;14)(p16.3;q32.3) multiple myeloma, which is associated with dysregulation of FGFR3. We found that the MEK1 inhibitor U0126 effectively inhibited RSK2 activation induced by FGFR3, suggesting that FGFR3 activates RSK2 through the MEK/ERK pathway. Interestingly, FGFR3-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation at Y529 was required for phosphorylation and activation of the Ser/Thr kinase RSK2 by ERK. By using a specific phospho-RSK2 (Y529) antibody, we identified FGFR3 as the direct tyrosine kinase that phosphorylates RSK2 at Y529 in an in vitro kinase assay, which only contains purified recombinant active FGFR3 and RSK2 proteins. Substitution of Y529 in RSK2 attenuates inactive ERK binding to RSK2, which is prior to and required for ERK-dependent phosphorylation and activation of RSK2. In addition, reconstitution of RSK2 phosphorylation at Y529 consequently enhanced inactive ERK binding by a GST pull down, suggesting that phosphorylation at Y529 by FGFR3 facilitates ERK binding to RSK2, which is a sequential event and precedes inactive ERK binding. These observations support a novel two-step model that FGFR3 activates RSK2 by both assisting inactive ERK binding via tyrosine phosphorylation of RSK2 at Y529 and activating the MEK/ERK pathway. Moreover, we observed that RSK2 is specifically phosphorylated at Y529 and activated in FGFR3 expressing various human t(4;14) positive MM cell lines. Targeted down-regulation of RSK2 by siRNA induced significant apoptosis in FGFR3-expressing human myeloma cell lines including OPM1 and KMS11. In addition, a specific RSK inhibitor fmk induced significant apoptosis in t(4;14) positive human myeloma cells including KMS11, OPM1, LP1 and KMS18, but not in control t(4;14) negative myeloma cell lines including ANBL6 and U266. Similar results were obtained by using another RSK specific and potent inhibitor BI-D1870. Furthermore, we observed that fmk induced significant apoptosis in primary CD138-positive, FGFR3-expressing myeloma cells from a t(4;14) positive multiple myeloma patient, but not in the control CD138-negative cells from the same patient, nor primary samples from a t(4;14)-negative patient as a control. Together, these data not only support our model that RSK2 is a critical signaling effector of FGFR3 in hematopoietic transformation, but also provide “proof of principle” for the therapeutic potential of RSK2 inhibitors such as fmk in treatment of t(4;14) positive, FGFR3-expressing multiple myeloma with minimal non-specific cytotoxicity.

Regulation of multisite phosphorylation and 14-3-3 binding of AS160 in response to IGF-1, EGF, PMA and AICAR

AS160 (Akt substrate of 160 kDa) mediates insulin-stimulated GLUT4 (glucose transporter 4) translocation, but is widely expressed in insulin-insensitive tissues lacking GLUT4. Having isolated AS160 by 14-3-3-affinity chromatography, we found that binding of AS160 to 14-3-3 isoforms in HEK (human embryonic kidney)-293 cells was induced by IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1), EGF (epidermal growth factor), PMA and, to a lesser extent, AICAR (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-b-D-ribofuranoside). AS160-14-3-3 interactions were stabilized by chemical cross-linking and abolished by dephosphorylation. Eight residues on AS160 (Ser318, Ser341, Thr568, Ser570, Ser588, Thr642, Ser666 and Ser751) were differentially phosphorylated in response to IGF-1, EGF, PMA and AICAR. The binding of 14-3-3 proteins to HA-AS160 (where HA is haemagglutinin) was markedly decreased by mutation of Thr642 and abolished in a Thr642Ala/Ser341Ala double mutant. The AGC (protein kinase A/protein kinase G/protein kinase C-family) kinases RSK1 (p90 ribosomal S6 kinase 1), SGK1 (serum- and glucocorticoid-induced protein kinase 1) and PKB (protein kinase B) displayed distinct signatures of AS160 phosphorylation in vitro: all three kinases phosphorylated Ser318, Ser588 and Thr642; RSK1 also phosphorylated Ser341, Ser751 and to a lesser extent Thr568; and SGK1 phosphorylated Thr568 and Ser751. AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) preferentially phosphorylated Ser588, with less phosphorylation of other sites. In cells, the IGF-1-stimulated phosphorylations, and certain EGF-stimulated phosphorylations, were inhibited by PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase) inhibitors, whereas the RSK inhibitor BI-D1870 inhibited the PMA-induced phosphorylations. The expression of LKB1 in HeLa cells and the use of AICAR in HEK-293 cells promoted phosphorylation of Ser588, but only weak Ser341 and Thr642 phosphorylations and binding to 14-3-3s. Paradoxically however, phenformin activated AMPK without promoting AS160 phosphorylation. The IGF-1-induced phosphorylation of the novel phosphorylated Ser666-Pro site was suppressed by AICAR, and by combined mutation of a TOS (mTOR signalling)-like sequence (FEMDI) and rapamycin. Thus, although AS160 is a common target of insulin, IGF-1, EGF, PMA and AICAR, these stimuli induce distinctive patterns of phosphorylation and 14-3-3 binding, mediated by at least four protein kinases.

FGFR3 Activates RSK2 to Mediate Hematopoietic Transformation through Tyrosine Phosphorylation of RSK2 and Activation of the MEK/ERK Pathway

To better understand the signaling properties of oncogenic FGFR3, we performed phospho-proteomics studies to identify potential downstream signaling effectors that are tyrosine phosphorylated in hematopoietic cells expressing constitutively activated leukemogenic FGFR3 mutants. We found that FGFR3 directly tyrosine phosphorylates the serine/threonine kinase p90RSK2 at Y529, which consequently regulates RSK2 activation by facilitating inactive ERK binding to RSK2 that is required for ERK-dependent phosphorylation and activation of RSK2. Moreover, inhibition of RSK2 by siRNA or a specific RSK inhibitor fmk effectively induced apoptosis in FGFR3-expressing human t(4;14)-positive myeloma cells. Our findings suggest that FGFR3 mediates hematopoietic transformation by activating RSK2 in a two-step fashion, promoting both the ERK-RSK2 interaction and subsequent phosphorylation of RSK2 by ERK.

Effects of a novel RSK inhibitor on α1-adrenergic regulation of myocardial NHE1

Effects of a novel RSK inhibitor on α1-adrenergic regulation of myocardial NHE1

P90 RSK-1 associates with and inhibits neuronal nitric oxide synthase.

Evidence is presented that RSK1 (ribosomal S6 kinase 1), a downstream target of MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase), directly phosphorylates nNOS (neuronal nitric oxide synthase) on Ser847 in response to mitogens. The phosphorylation thus increases greatly following EGF (epidermal growth factor) treatment of rat pituitary tumour GH3 cells and is reduced by exposure to the MEK (MAPK/extracellular-signal-regulated kinase kinase) inhibitor PD98059. Furthermore, it is significantly enhanced by expression of wild-type RSK1 and antagonized by kinase-inactive RSK1 or specific reduction of endogenous RSK1. EGF treatment of HEK-293 (human embryonic kidney) cells, expressing RSK1 and nNOS, led to inhibition of NOS enzyme activity, associated with an increase in phosphorylation of nNOS at Ser847, as is also the case in an in vitro assay. In addition, these phenomena were significantly blocked by treatment with the RSK inhibitor Ro31-8220. Cells expressing mutant nNOS (S847A) proved resistant to phosphorylation and decrease of NOS activity. Within minutes of adding EGF to transfected cells, RSK1 associated with nNOS and subsequently dissociated following more prolonged agonist stimulation. EGF-induced formation of the nNOS-RSK1 complex was significantly decreased by PD98059 treatment. Treatment with EGF further revealed phosphorylation of nNOS on Ser847 in rat hippocampal neurons and cerebellar granule cells. This EGF-induced phosphorylation was partially blocked by PD98059 and Ro31-8220. Together, these data provide substantial evidence that RSK1 associates with and phosphorylates nNOS on Ser847 following mitogen stimulation and suggest a novel role for RSK1 in the regulation of nitric oxide function in brain.

FGFR3 Activates RSK2 To Mediate Hematopoietic Transformation through Both Tyrosine Phosphorylation of RSK2 and Activation of the MEK/ERK Pathway.

Reccurent chromosomal translocation t(4;14)(p16.3;q32.3) that frequently occurs in patients with multiple myeloma is associated with ectopic overexpression of fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3), which sometimes contains the activation mutations such as K650E (TDII). To better understand the signaling properties of oncogenic FGFR3, we performed a mass spectrometry-based phospho-proteomics study to identify potential downstream signaling effectors that are tyrosine-phosphorylated due to expression of FGFR3. RSK2 (p90 ribosomal S6 kinase 2) was found to be specifically tyrosine-phosphorylated at Y488 and Y529 in hematopoietic Ba/F3 cells transformed by TEL-FGFR3 fusion, which is associated with t(4;12)(p16;p13) peripheral T-cell lymphoma. In addition, RSK2 was highly tyrosine-phosphorylated in t(4;14)-positive human myeloma cell lines expressing constitutively activated FGFR3 mutants. We found that expression of leukemogenic FGFR3 variants resulted in activation of RSK2 through the MEK/ERK pathway. The current model suggests that inactive ERK binds to the C-terminus of RSK2 in quiescent cells, prior to ERK-dependent phosphorylation and activation of RSK2 when ERK is activated. Interestingly, we found that FGFR3-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation at Y529 regulates the ERK-dependent activation of the serine/threonine kinase RSK2. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that substitution of Y529 significantly decreased inactive ERK binding to RSK2. This disrupted ERK-RSK2 association consequently attenuated phosphorylation and activation of RSK2 by ERK activated by FGFR3, in both in vitro kinase assays and an RSK2-specific CREB mediated transcription assay. Moreover, inhibition of RSK2 by specific siRNA or an RSK inhibitor fmk effectively induced apoptosis in FGFR3 transformed murine Ba/F3 and t(4;14) human myeloma cells, suggesting RSK2 is a critical signaling effector in FGFR3-induced hematopoietic transformation. Together, these data support a novel two-step model that leukemogenic FGFR3 activates RSK2 to mediate transformation signals by promoting both the ERK-RSK2 interaction and subsequent phosphorylation of RSK2 by ERK. Thus, RSK2 may represent an alternative therapeutic target in the treatment of diverse human malignancies associated with dysregulated FGFR3.

ERK1/2 regulates ANG II-dependent cell proliferation via cytoplasmic activation of RSK2 and nuclear activation of elk1

In a concurrently submitted article, we show that ANG II-induced ERK1/2 activation is mediated by both c-Src/Yes/Fyn and heterotrimeric G protein/PKCzeta-dependent signaling. Furthermore, we show that heterotrimeric G protein/PKCzeta-activated ERK1/2 is destined for the nucleus while ERK1/2 activated by c-Src/Yes/Fyn-dependent signaling remains in the cytoplasm. Interestingly, both mechanisms of activation are required for maximum ANG II-induced cell proliferation. In this study, we sought to determine the mechanisms by which ERK1/2 facilitate cell proliferation via these distinct nuclear and cytoplasmic events, using cells that were lacking either c-Src/Yes/Fyn or heterotrimeric G protein/PKCzeta-dependent ERK1/2 activation. A loss of c-Src/Yes/Fyn blocked ANG II-dependent RSK2 activation, RSK2 nuclear translocation, serum-response factor (SRF) phosphorylation, a portion of c-fos transcriptional activity and c-Fos phosphorylation. Blocking ANG II-induced heterotrimeric G protein/PKCzeta activity resulted in a loss of ERK1/2 nuclear translocation, elk1 phosphorylation, and the remaining portion of c-fos transcriptional activity not dependent on c-Src/Yes/Fyn. Inhibition of RSK with the potent and selective inhibitor, SL0101, attenuated ANG II-induced cell proliferation, and, in combination with a PKCzeta pseudosubstrate, completely attenuated cell proliferation. Thus we conclude that ERK1/2 mediate ANG II-dependent cell proliferation via distinct cytoplasmic and nuclear signaling events, which are in turn governed by c-Src/Yes/Fyn and heterotrimeric G protein/PKCzeta-dependent signaling, respectively.

Cellular actions of PKC inhibitors: Is there a role for rsk inhibition?

Cellular actions of PKC inhibitors: Is there a role for rsk inhibition?

The role of neuregulins and neuronal activity in synaptogenesis

To better understand the signaling properties of oncogenic FGFR3, we performed phospho-proteomics studies to identify potential downstream signaling effectors that are tyrosine phosphorylated in hematopoietic cells expressing constitutively activated leukemogenic FGFR3 mutants. We found that FGFR3 directly tyrosine phosphorylates the serine/threonine kinase p90RSK2 at Y529, which consequently regulates RSK2 activation by facilitating inactive ERK binding to RSK2 that is required for ERK-dependent phosphorylation and activation of RSK2. Moreover, inhibition of RSK2 by siRNA or a specific RSK inhibitor fmk effectively induced apoptosis in FGFR3-expressing human t(4;14)-positive myeloma cells. Our findings suggest that FGFR3 mediates hematopoietic transformation by activating RSK2 in a two-step fashion, promoting both the ERK-RSK2 interaction and subsequent phosphorylation of RSK2 by ERK.