Factor Signal Transducer And Activator Of Transcription 3 Research Articles

Cross-talk between interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and IL-6 signalling pathways: IL-1β selectively inhibits IL-6-activated signal transducer and activator of transcription factor 1 (STAT1) by a proteasome-dependent mechanism

Interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) suppresses the IL-6-dependent induction of type II acute-phase response genes, but the underlying mechanism for this suppression remains uncertain. Here we report that treatment of human hepatocullular carcinoma HepG2 cells with IL-1beta inhibited the IL-6-dependent binding of signal transducer and activator of transcription factor (STAT)1, but not that of STAT3, to the high-affinity serum-inducible element ('SIE'). Furthermore, IL-1beta selectively down-regulated the IL-6-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT1 without affecting the level of STAT1 or tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT3. Kinase assays in vitro indicated that the inhibition of STAT1 phosphorylation by IL-1beta was not due to an upstream blockade of Janus kinase (JAK1 or JAK2) activation. However, pretreatment with the proteasome inhibitor MG132 under conditions that prevented the IL-1beta-dependent activation of the nuclear factor NF-kappaB also blocked the inhibitory effect of IL-1beta on IL-6-activated STAT1. In related experiments, the protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor Na(3)VO(4) also antagonized the inhibitory effect of IL-1beta on the activation of STAT1 by IL-6. Taken together, these findings indicate that, by using a proteasome-dependent mechanism, IL-1beta concomitantly induces NF-kappaB activation and dephosphorylates IL-6-activated STAT1; the latter might partly account for the inhibition by IL-1beta of the IL-6-dependent induction of type II acute-phase genes.

IFN-gamma and IL-4 differently regulate inducible NO synthase gene expression through IRF-1 modulation.

NO is a labile radical involved in several immunological, antimicrobial and inflammatory processes. In macrophages, NO formation is catalyzed by the cytokine-inducible enzyme inducible NO synthase (iNOS). The importance of IFN regulatory factor (IRF)-1 and of the signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT)-1 for the induction of iNOS gene expression in response to IFN-gamma has been well defined. Here, we investigated the molecular events responsible for the inhibition of iNOS gene expression by IL-4 in the murine macrophage cell line RAW264.7. Unidirectional deletion analysis on iNOS promoter demonstrated that an IFN-stimulated responsive element (ISRE), contained in the -980 to -765 bp region of the iNOS promoter, may be involved in the IL-4-mediated inhibition of IFN-gamma-inducible iNOS transcription. Accordingly, the IFN-gamma-induced binding activity of IRF-1 to the ISRE sequence was reduced in cells pre-treated with IL-4, while the binding activity of STAT-1 to the STAT-binding element (SBE) within the same region of the iNOS promoter remained unaffected. Moreover, IL-4 even down-regulated IFN-gamma-inducible expression of IRF-1 mRNA. This could be related to a transcriptional mechanism by which IL-4 and IFN-gamma differentially influence the trans-acting activity of the STAT factors binding to SBE within the IRF-1 promoter. SBE is targeted by IFN-gamma-inducible STAT-1 and by IL-4-inducible STAT-6. Although STAT-6 has no trans-acting function on iNOS gene expression, it is able to inhibit the IFN-gamma-induced expression of IRF-1. Thus, IL-4 may down-regulate IFN-gamma-inducible iNOS transcription by activation of STAT-6 which in turn inhibits IRF-1 expression.

Constitutive activation of LIL-Stat in adult T-cell leukemia cells

The activation status of a recently identified STAT (signal transducers and activators of transcription) factor, LIL-Stat (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]/IL-1–inducible Stat) in adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) cells was investigated by electrophoretic mobility shift assays using nuclear extracts of leukemic cells from 7 patients with ATL and a GAS (gamma interferon activation site)-like element termed LILRE (LPS/IL-1–responsive element), which is found in the human prointerleukin 1β (IL1B) gene. Spontaneous DNA binding of LIL-Stat was observed in all ATL cells examined. However, in normal human peripheral lymphocytes, DNA binding of LIL-Stat was detected only after stimulation with IL-1. These results demonstrated that LIL-Stat is constitutively activated in ATL cells. Furthermore, our transient transfection studies using LILRE chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporters argue that LIL-Stat in ATL cells functions as a transcriptional activator through binding to the LILRE in theIL1B gene.

Cytoplasmic STAT proteins associate prior to activation

The commonly accepted model of STAT factor activation at the cytoplasmic part of the receptor assumes that signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) are recruited from a cytoplasmic pool of monomeric STAT proteins. Based on a previous observation that non-phosphorylated STAT3-Src homology 2 domains dimerize in vitro, we investigated whether the observed dimerization is of physiological relevance within the cellular context. We show that STAT1 and STAT3 are pre-associated in non-stimulated cells. Apparently, these complexes are not able to translocate into the nucleus. We provide evidence that the event of STAT activation is more complex than previously assumed.

Cytoplasmic STAT proteins associate prior to activation

The commonly accepted model of STAT factor activation at the cytoplasmic part of the receptor assumes that signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) are recruited from a cytoplasmic pool of monomeric STAT proteins. Based on a previous observation that non-phosphorylated STAT3-Src homology 2 domains dimerize in vitro, we investigated whether the observed dimerization is of physiological relevance within the cellular context. We show that STAT1 and STAT3 are pre-associated in non-stimulated cells. Apparently, these complexes are not able to translocate into the nucleus. We provide evidence that the event of STAT activation is more complex than previously assumed.

The role of Stat3 in apoptosis and mammary gland involution. Conditional deletion of Stat3.

STATs (signal transducer and activator of transcription) are a family of latent transcription factors which are activated in response to a variety of cytokines and growth factors. This family of signalling molecules have been implicated in growth, differentiation, survival and apoptosis. In this article, we will review work which highlights the role of individual STAT factors in mammary gland and demonstrate the value of genetically modified mice in defining the function of STAT3. Involution of the mouse mammary gland is characterised by extensive apoptosis of the epithelial cells and the activation of STAT3. STATs 3 and 5 have reciprocal patterns of activation throughout a mammary developmental cycle suggesting that STAT5 may be a survival factor and STAT3 a death factor for differentiated mammary epithelium. To clarify the role of STAT3 in mammary epithelial apoptosis, we have generated a conditional knockout using the lox/Cre recombination system. Mammary glands from crosses of transgenic mice expressing Cre recombinase under the control of the beta-lactoglobulin milk protein gene promoter with mice harbouring one floxed STAT3 allele and one null STAT3 allele, showed a decrease in epithelial apoptosis and a dramatic delay of the involution process upon forced weaning. This was accompanied by precocious activation of STAT1 and increases in p53 and p21 levels--these may act as a compensatory mechanism for initiating the eventual involution which occurs in STAT3 null mammary glands. This demonstrates for the first time the importance of STAT factors in signalling the initiation of physiological apoptosis in vivo and highlights the utility of the lox/Cre system for addressing the function of genes, which have an embryonic lethal phenotype, specifically in mammary gland.

The Mitogen-activated Protein (MAP) Kinase p38 and Its Upstream Activator MAP Kinase Kinase 6 Are Involved in the Activation of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription by Hyperosmolarity

Environmental stress (e.g. aniso-osmolarity and UV light), hypoxia/reoxygenation, and reactive oxygen species activate intracellular signaling cascades such as the "stress-responsive" mitogen-activated protein kinases and nuclear factor kappaB. We have recently shown that the Janus tyrosine kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (Jak/STAT) pathway is ligand-independently activated by hyperosmotic shock. In the present study, we show that besides STAT1 also the tyrosine phosphatase SHP2 became tyrosine-phosphorylated upon hyperosmolarity. SB 202190 and SB 203580 (specific inhibitors of p38) inhibited both STAT activation and tyrosine phosphorylation of SHP2 induced by hyperosmotic stress. Overexpression of wild-type p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and its upstream activator mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 6 (MKK6) resulted in an enhanced STAT1 tyrosine phosphorylation upon osmotic shock. Accordingly, overexpression of dominant negative mutants of p38 and MKK6 largely decreased hyperosmotic STAT1 activation and tyrosine phosphorylation of SHP2. Furthermore, we provide evidence that a genistein-sensitive tyrosine kinase different from Jak1 is involved in stress-activation of STAT1 and tyrosine phosphorylation of SHP2. These results strongly suggest that hyperosmotic shock activates STAT1 and SHP2 via p38 and its upstream activator MKK6.

Radiation Hybrid and Cytogenetic Mapping of SOCS1 and SOCS2 to Chromosomes 16p13 and 12q, Respectively

Suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins are involved in the negative regulation of cytokine-induced STAT (signal transducers and activators of transcription) factor signaling. We cloned genomic regions of SOCS1 and SOCS2 genes and mapped these genes to chromosome 16p12–p13.1 and chromosome 12q21.3–q23 regions, respectively, by cytogenetic and radiation hybrid mapping. In addition, we mapped SOCS2 by yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) pool screening to YAC contig WC 12.5 on chromosome 12 with an unambiguous hit to CHLC.ATA19H12 and WI-5940, which is 461.5 cR from the top of the map.

Recall antigen presentation by γ-interferon-activated microglia results in T cell activation and propagation of the immune response

The interaction between microglia and T cells is important in the development of central nervous system inflammation. This may result in full T cell activation, a partial state of activation, anergy or apoptosis of the `responding' T cell. Here, we demonstrate that neonatal rodent microglia not only fail to initiate a mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR), but suppress background T cell proliferation. Even after activation with γ-IFN or following phagocytosis, microglia remain unable to support a MLR. By contrast, γ-IFN-activated microglia are able to activate memory T cells in a recall assay resulting in cytokine (γ-IFN) release and modest T cell proliferation. Although the stimulation index is small, functional relevance is demonstrated. Supernatants from the recall assay stimulate γ-IFN-dependent activation of a STAT (signal transducer and activator of transcription) factor within resting microglia. This demonstrates that memory T cells not only receive sufficient stimulation from the γ-IFN-activated microglia to proliferate and produce cytokines, but that there is also a reciprocal stimulation of resting microglia. Importantly, this provides evidence that activated microglia have the potential to propagate immune responses in the central nervous system, but are unlikely to initiate a primary response.

Characterization and Binding Specificity of the Monomeric STAT3-SH2 Domain

Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) are important mediators of cytokine signal transduction. STAT factors are recruited to phosphotyrosine-containing motifs of activated receptor chains via their SH2 domains. The subsequent tyrosine phosphorylation of the STATs leads to their dissociation from the receptor, dimerization, and translocation to the nucleus. Here we describe the expression, purification, and refolding of the STAT3-SH2 domain. Proper folding of the isolated protein was proven by circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopy. The STAT3-SH2 domain undergoes a conformational change upon dimerization. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay we demonstrate that the monomeric domain binds to specific phosphotyrosine peptides. The specificity of binding to phosphotyrosine peptides was assayed with the tyrosine motif encompassing Tyr705 of STAT3 and with all tyrosine motifs present in the cytoplasmic tail of the signal transducer gp130.

Selective coupling of STAT factors to the mouse prolactin receptor.

Prolactin has been reported to induce distinct sets of signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) in a cell-type-specific fashion. In the mammary epithelium, although STAT1, STAT3, STAT5A, STAT5B and STAT6 are present in a latent form, only STAT5A and STAT5B are activated. This selective activation of STAT5 by prolactin was also observed in COS-7 cells cotransfected with the long form of the mouse prolactin receptor (PRL-R) and expression vectors for STAT1, STAT3, STAT5 and STAT6. Mutated PRL-Rs and chimeric erythropoietin/gp130 (EPO/gp130) receptors with a tyrosine-containing motif attached at the carboxy terminus were employed to determine the sites in the PRL-R required for the specific activation of STAT5. The experiments revealed the importance of two motifs containing Y477 and Y578 in the PRL-R. When linked to the EPO/gp130 receptor, these sequences were sufficient to specifically induce DNA binding of STAT5 and to activate transcription from the beta-casein gene promoter. By contrast, only weakly they induced DNA binding of STAT6 and STAT3 and did not induce STAT1. A synthetic nonapeptide with phosphorylated Y477 was able to disrupt STAT5 DNA binding in vitro. Our results define structural domains within the carboxy terminus of the PRL-R which recruit STAT5 for signalling and which are capable of distinguishing STAT5 from other STAT proteins. The activity of STAT5 forms with deletions of the carboxy terminus was induced more strongly than that of their full-length counterparts 2 min after activation of the PRL-R. This effect was not dependent on the presence of Y477 and Y578 in the PRL-R, indicating that facilitated activation of short STAT5 isoforms relies on mechanisms other than increased coupling to specific regions of the PRL-R.

Oncostatin M Stimulates c-Fos to Bind a Transcriptionally Responsive AP-1 Element within the Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 Promoter

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) can be regulated by gp130 cytokines such as IL-6 and oncostatin M (OSM). Polymerase chain reaction deletion analysis of the murine TIMP-1 proximal promoter in chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene constructs identified an AP-1 element (-59/-53) that allows maximal responsiveness to OSM in HepG2 cells. Fos and Jun nuclear factors bound constitutively to this site as identified by supershift analysis in electrophoretic mobility shift assays, and oncostatin M (but not IL-6) induced an additional "complex 2" that contained c-Fos and JunD. OSM stimulated a rapid and transient increase in c-Fos mRNA and nuclear protein that coincided with complex 2 formation. Phorbol 13-myristate 12-acetate could also induce c-Fos but could not regulate the TIMP-1 reporter gene constructs. Transfection studies also showed that 3'-deletion of sequences downstream of the transcriptional start site (+1/+47) markedly reduced OSM -fold induction. Nuclear factors bound to SP1 and Ets sequences were detected, but were not altered upon OSM stimulation. Although OSM and IL-6 induced STAT (signal transducers and activators of transcription) factors to bind a high affinity Sis-inducible element DNA probe, binding to homologous TIMP-1 promoter sequences was not detected. Thus, OSM (but not IL-6) stimulates c-Fos, which participates in maximal activation of TIMP-1 transcription, likely in cooperation with other factors such as SP1 or as yet unidentified mechanisms involving the +1 to +47 region of the promoter.

Cytokine Receptor-independent, Constitutively Active Variants of STAT5

STAT (signal transducers and activators of transcription) proteins are dual function proteins, which participate in cytokine-mediated signal transduction events at the cell surface and transcriptional regulation in the nucleus. We have exploited insights into the activation mechanism of STAT factors to derive constitutively active variants. Chimeric genes encoding fusion proteins of STAT5 and the kinase domain of JAK2 have been derived. The functional properties of the fusion proteins have been investigated in transiently transfected COS cells or in HeLa cells stably transfected with STAT5-JAK2 gene constructs regulated by a tetracycline-sensitive promoter. The STAT5-JAK2 proteins exhibit tyrosine kinase activity and are phosphorylated on tyrosine. The molecules are activated through an intramolecular or a cross-phosphorylation reaction and exhibit constitutive, STAT5-specific DNA binding activity. The transactivation potentials of three constitutively activated STAT5-JAK2 variants comprising different transactivation domains (TADs) derived from STAT5, STAT6, and VP16 were compared. The chimeric molecule containing the STAT5 TAD had no or only a very low, the molecule with the STAT6 TAD a medium, and the molecule with the VP16 TAD a very high transactivation potential. Transcription from STAT5-responsive gene promoter regions of the beta-casein, oncostatin M, and the cytokine-inducible Src homology 2 domain-containing protein genes was observed. These chimeric STAT molecules allow the study of the function of STAT5 independent of cytokine receptors and the activation of other signal transduction pathways.

Differential regulation of members of the family of signal transducers and activators of transcription during mammary gland development.

The JAK-STAT pathway is a direct signalling pathway from the cell surface to the nucleus which is utilised by the cytokine receptor superfamily [ 11. Upon ligand engagement, receptor chain(s) aggregate and this results in the activation of the catalytic activity of the associated Janus kinases (JAKs) by transphosphorylation. Subsequent phosphorylation of the receptor allows docking of specific members of the family of signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) factors which, upon phosphorylation on a single tyrosine residue, dimerise and translocate to the nucleus where the activated dimer binds to its recognition sequence. Seven members of the STAT family have been identified and of these, STAT5 is encoded by two closely related genes. We have previously shown that the promoter of the milk protein gene p-lactoglobulin (BLG) has three STAT factor binding sites within the proximal 400bp region and that these sites have different affinities for STAT5 [2]. We demonstrated, by site-directed mutagenesis of combinations of these motifs, that at least two functional sites are required for the transcriptional activation of BLG by STAT5 in transgenic mice and that mutation of a single site does not abolish the response to prolactin [3]. This suggests some synergism between the sites which may involve the formation of larger complexes or the interaction with additional factors such as nuclear factor 1 which has multiple binding sites in the BLG promoter [2]. We have also shown that STAT5 is a target for regulation by extracellular mamx [4] and that STAT factors are aberrantly activated in invasive breast cancers [5]. These results suggest that STATs may play a role in normal mammary gland development. STAT5 is expressed in most tissues and cell types. STATsl and 3, which are activated in response to a different subset of cytokines, are also widely expressed. In order to determine the specific requirement for individual STAT factors during mammary gland development, we investigated the expression and binding activity of STATs 1, 3, 5a and 5b throughout a complete cycle of mammary gland development. The developmental regulation of STAT5 binding activity during pregnancy, lactation and involution in the mouse mammary gland was investigated by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). The three STAT binding sites in the BLG promoter were used as probes. The sequence of these motifs is shown in Figure 1 and compared with the STAT5 consensus.

STAT-related transcription factors are constitutively activated in peripheral blood cells from acute leukemia patients

A signal transduction pathway activated by many cytokines has recently been elaborated. The JAK kinases and the signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) factors have been found to be essential components. In this report, we describe the presence of constitutively activated STAT factors in peripheral blood cells from patients with acute leukemia. We used oligonucleotide probes from the beta-casein and IRF-1 gene promoters and the ISRE probe to detect STAT proteins in nuclear extracts from acute leukemia cells in bandshift assays. Specific DNA protein complex formation was observed with the probes from the beta-casein and IRF-1 gene promoters, but not with the ISRE oligonucleotide probe, when cell extracts from acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) were investigated. We used nonradioactive oligonucleotides as competitors to show the specificity of the complex formation. Specific antibodies directed against the individual STAT proteins were used in supershift experiments. STAT5- and STAT1-related factors were detected in ALL and STAT1-, STAT3-, and STAT5-related proteins were present in nuclear cell extracts from AML. Since the cells were not treated with cytokines before the nuclear proteins were extracted, we conclude that these factors are constitutively activated in vivo. It is likely that the constitutive activation of STAT proteins is a part of the events of leukemogenesis.

STAT-Related Transcription Factors Are Constitutively Activated in Peripheral Blood Cells From Acute Leukemia Patients

A signal transduction pathway activated by many cytokines has recently been elaborated. The JAK kinases and the signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) factors have been found to be essential components. In this report, we describe the presence of constitutively activated STAT factors in peripheral blood cells from patients with acute leukemia. We used oligonucleotide probes from the beta-casein and IRF-1 gene promoters and the ISRE probe to detect STAT proteins in nuclear extracts from acute leukemia cells in bandshift assays. Specific DNA protein complex formation was observed with the probes from the beta-casein and IRF-1 gene promoters, but not with the ISRE oligonucleotide probe, when cell extracts from acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) were investigated. We used nonradioactive oligonucleotides as competitors to show the specificity of the complex formation. Specific antibodies directed against the individual STAT proteins were used in supershift experiments. STAT5- and STAT1-related factors were detected in ALL and STAT1-, STAT3-, and STAT5-related proteins were present in nuclear cell extracts from AML. Since the cells were not treated with cytokines before the nuclear proteins were extracted, we conclude that these factors are constitutively activated in vivo. It is likely that the constitutive activation of STAT proteins is a part of the events of leukemogenesis.

An antiestrogen: a phosphotyrosyl peptide that blocks dimerization of the human estrogen receptor.

We have previously identified tyrosine-537 as a constitutively phosphorylated site on the human estrogen receptor (hER). A 12-amino acid phosphotyrosyl peptide containing a selected sequence surrounding tyrosine-537 was used to investigate the function of phosphotyrosine-537. The phosphotyrosyl peptide completely blocked the binding of the hER to an estrogen response element (ERE) in a gel mobility shift assay. Neither the nonphosphorylated tyrosyl peptide nor an unrelated phosphotyrosyl peptide previously shown to inhibit the signal transducers and activators of transcription factor (STAT) blocked binding of the hER to the ERE. The hER phosphotyrosyl peptide was shown by molecular sizing chromatography to dissociate the hER dimer into monomers. The hER specifically bound the 32P-labeled phosphotyrosyl peptide, indicating that the inhibition of ERE binding was caused by the phosphotyrosyl peptide binding directly to the hER and blocking dimerization. These data suggest that the phosphorylation of tyrosine-537 is a necessary step for the formation of the hER dimer. In addition, we propose that the dimerization of the hER occurs by a previously unrecognized Src homology 2 domain (SH2)-like phosphotyrosyl coupling mechanism. Consequently, the phosphotyrosyl peptide represents a class of antagonists that inhibits estrogen action by a mechanism other than interacting with the receptor's hormone binding site.

A direct signaling pathway through tyrosine kinase activation of SH2 domain-containing transcription factors.

Studies on the mechanism of interferon-induced gene expression revealed a direct signaling pathway from cell surface receptors to transcription factors. In this pathway, signal transduction is mediated by a new class of transcription factor STAT (signal transducer and activator of transcription). We have shown that STAT factors contain Src homology region 2 and 3 domains and are phosporylated and activated in the cytoplasm by receptor associated tyrosine kinases. The activated transcription factors then translocate to the nucleus, joined by a nuclear DNA binding factor, to form an active transcriptional complex. Recent studies have shown that this direct signaling pathway is the key to control of gene expression induced by many cytokines and growth factors.