scholarly journals Transforming Growth Factor β-Independent Shuttling of Smad4 between the Cytoplasm and Nucleus

2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (23) ◽  
pp. 9041-9054 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christophe E. Pierreux ◽  
Francisco J. Nicolás ◽  
Caroline S. Hill

ABSTRACT Smad4 plays a pivotal role in all transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling pathways. Here we describe six widely expressed alternatively spliced variants of human Smad4 with deletions of different exons in the linker, the region of Smad4 that separates the two well-conserved MH1 and MH2 domains. All these Smad4 variants form complexes with activated Smad2 and Smad3 and are incorporated into DNA-binding complexes with the transcription factor Fast-1, regardless of the amount of linker they contain. However, sequences encoded by exons 5 to 7 in the linker are essential for transcriptional activation. Most importantly, our observation that different Smad4 isoforms have different subcellular localizations has led us to the identification of a functional CRM1-dependent nuclear export signal in the Smad4 linker and a constitutively active nuclear localization signal in the N-terminal MH1 domain. In the absence of TGF-β signaling, we conclude that Smad4 is rapidly and continuously shuttling between the nucleus and the cytoplasm, the distribution of Smad4 between the nucleus and the cytoplasm being dictated by the relative strengths of the nuclear import and export signals. We demonstrate that inhibition of CRM1-mediated nuclear export by treatment of cells with leptomycin B results in endogenous Smad4 accumulating very rapidly in the nucleus. Endogenous Smad2 and Smad3 are completely unaffected by leptomycin B treatment, indicating that the nucleocytoplasmic shuttling is specific for Smad4. We propose that, upon TGF-β signaling, complex formation between Smad4 and activated Smad2 or -3 leads to nuclear accumulation of Smad4 through inhibition of its nuclear export. We demonstrate that after prolonged TGF-β signaling Smad2 becomes dephosphorylated and Smad2 and Smad4 accumulate back in the cytoplasm.

1999 ◽  
Vol 354 (1389) ◽  
pp. 1601-1609 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. T. Hay ◽  
L. Vuillard ◽  
J. M. P. Desterro ◽  
M. S. Rodriguez

In unstimulated cells the transcription factor NF–κB is held in the cytoplasm in an inactive state by IκB inhibitor proteins. Ultimately activation of NF–κB is achieved by ubiquitination and proteasome–mediated degradation of IκBα and we have therefore investigated factors which control this proteolysis. Signal–induced degradation of IκBα exposes the nuclear localization signal of NF–κB, thus allowing it to translocate into the nucleus and activate transcription from responsive genes. An autoregulatory loop is established when NF–κB induces expression of the IκBα gene and newly synthesized IκBα accumulates in the nucleus where it negatively regulates NF–κB–dependent transcription. As part of this post–induction repression, the nuclear export signal on IκBα mediates transport of NF–κB–IκBα complexes from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. As nuclear export of IκBα is blocked by leptomycin B this drug was used to examine the effect of cellular location on susceptibility of IκBα to signal–induced degradation. In the presence of leptomycin B, IκBα is accumulated in the nucleus and in this compartment is resistant to signal–induced degradation. Thus signal–induced degradation of IκBα is mainly, if not exclusively a cytoplasmic process. An efficient nuclear export of IκBα is therefore essential for maintaining a low level of IκBα in the nucleus and allowing NF–κB to be transcriptionally active upon cell stimulation. We have detected a modified form of IκBα, conjugated to the small ubiquitin–like protein SUMO–1, which is resistant to signal–induced degradation. SUMO–1 modified IκBα remains associated with NF–κB and thus overexpression of SUMO–1 inhibits the signal–induced activation of NF–κB–dependent transcription. Reconstitution of the conjugation reaction with highly purified proteins demonstrated that in the presence of a novel E1 SUMO–1 activating enzyme, Ubch9 directly conjugated SUMO–1 to IκBα on residues K21 and K22, which are also used for ubiquitin modification. Thus, while ubiquitination targets proteins for rapid degradation, SUMO–1 modification acts antagonistically to generate proteins resistant to degradation.


2005 ◽  
Vol 25 (22) ◽  
pp. 9845-9858 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernhard Schmierer ◽  
Caroline S. Hill

ABSTRACT Upon transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) stimulation, Smads accumulate in the nucleus, where they regulate gene expression. Using fluorescence perturbation experiments on Smad2 and Smad4 fused to either enhanced green fluorescent protein or photoactivatable green fluorescent protein, we have studied the kinetics of Smad nucleocytoplasmic shuttling in a quantitative manner in vivo. We have obtained rate constants for import and export of Smad2 and show that the cytoplasmic localization of Smad2 in uninduced cells reflects its nuclear export being more rapid than import. We find that TGF-β-induced nuclear accumulation of Smad2 is caused by a pronounced drop in the export rate of Smad2 from the nucleus, which is associated with a strong decrease in nuclear mobility of Smad2 and Smad4. TGF-β-induced nuclear accumulation involves neither a release from cytoplasmic retention nor an increase in Smad2 import rate. Hence, TGF-β-dependent nuclear accumulation of Smad2 is caused exclusively by selective nuclear trapping of phosphorylated, complexed Smad2. The proposed mechanism reconciles signal-dependent nuclear accumulation of Smad2 with its continuous nucleocytoplasmic cycling properties.


mBio ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Subhadip Choudhuri ◽  
Nisha Jain Garg

ABSTRACT Chagas disease (CD), caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is a degenerative heart condition. In the present study, we investigated the role of poly [ADP-ribose] polymerase 1/activator protein 1 (PARP1/AP-1) in upregulation of profibrotic macrophages (Mϕ) and subsequent development of cardiac fibrosis in CD. We used in vitro and in vivo models of T. cruzi infection and chemical and genetic inhibition of Parp1 to examine the molecular mechanisms by which Mϕ might augment profibrotic events in CD. Cultured (RAW 264.7 and THP-1) Mϕ infected with T. cruzi and primary cardiac and splenic Mϕ of chronically infected mice exhibited a significant increase in the expression, activity, and release of metalloproteinases (MMP2, MMP9, and MMP12) and the cytokine transforming growth factor β (TGF-β). Mϕ release of MMPs and TGF-β signaled the cardiac fibroblast to myofibroblast differentiation, as evidenced by a shift from S100A4 to alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression. Incubation of infected Mϕ with MMP2 and MMP9 inhibitors resulted in 60 to 74% decline in TGF-β release, and MMP9 and PARP1 inhibitors resulted in 57 to 70% decline in Mϕ TGF-β-driven cardiac fibroblast differentiation. Likewise, histological studies showed a 12- to 16-fold increase in myocardial expression of CD68 (Mϕ marker) and its colocalization with MMP9/TGF-β, galectin-3, and vimentin in wild-type mice with CD. In comparison, chronically infected Parp1−/− mice exhibited a >50% decline in myocardial levels of Mϕ and associated fibrosis markers. Further study showed that PARP1 synergized with c-Fos and JunB AP-1 family members for transcriptional activation of profibrotic response after T. cruzi infection. We conclude that PARP1 inhibition offers a potential therapy for controlling the T. cruzi-driven fibroblast differentiation in CD through modulation of the Mϕ signaling of the AP-1–MMP9–TGF-β pathway. IMPORTANCE Cardiomyopathy is the most important clinical manifestation of T. cruzi-driven CD. Recent studies have suggested the detrimental role of the matrix metalloproteinases MMP2 and MMP9 in extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation during cardiac remodeling in T. cruzi infection. Peripheral TGF-β levels are increased in clinically symptomatic CD patients over those in clinically asymptomatic seropositive individuals. We provide the first evidence that during T. cruzi infection, Mϕ release of MMP2 and MMP9 plays an active role in activation of TGF-β signaling of ECM remodeling and cardiac fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation. We also determined that PARP1 signals c-Fos- and JunB-mediated AP-1 transcriptional activation of profibrotic gene expression and demonstrated the significance of PARP1 inhibition in controlling chronic fibrosis in Chagas disease. Our study provides a promising therapeutic approach for controlling T. cruzi-driven fibroblast differentiation in CD by PARP1 inhibitors through modulation of the Mϕ signaling of the AP-1–MMP9–TGF-β pathway.


2001 ◽  
Vol 276 (50) ◽  
pp. 46707-46713 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil A. Bhowmick ◽  
Roy Zent ◽  
Mayshan Ghiassi ◽  
Maureen McDonnell ◽  
Harold L. Moses

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) can induce epithelial to mesenchymal transdifferentiation (EMT) in mammary epithelial cells. TGF-β-meditated EMT involves the stimulation of a number of signaling pathways by the sequential binding of the type II and type I serine/threonine kinase receptors, respectively. Integrins comprise a family of heterodimeric extracellular matrix receptors that mediate cell adhesion and intracellular signaling, hence making them crucial for EMT progression. In light of substantial evidence indicating TGF-β regulation of various β1integrins and their extracellular matrix ligands, we examined the cross-talk between the TGF-β and integrin signal transduction pathways. Using an inducible system for the expression of a cytoplasmically truncated dominant negative TGF-β type II receptor, we blocked TGF-β-mediated growth inhibition, transcriptional activation, and EMT progression. Dominant negative TGF-β type II receptor expression inhibited TGF-β signaling to the SMAD and AKT pathways, but did not block TGF-β-mediated p38MAPK activation. Interestingly, blocking integrin β1function inhibited TGF-β-mediated p38MAPK activation and EMT progression. Limiting p38MAPK activity through the expression of a dominant negative-p38MAPK also blocked TGF-β-mediated EMT. In summary, TGF-β-mediated p38MAPK activation is dependent on functional integrin β1, and p38MAPK activity is required but is not sufficient to induce EMT.


2005 ◽  
Vol 25 (16) ◽  
pp. 7144-7157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manching Ku ◽  
Sergei Y. Sokol ◽  
Jack Wu ◽  
Maria Isabel Tussie-Luna ◽  
Ananda L. Roy ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Goosecoid (Gsc) is a homeodomain-containing transcription factor present in a wide variety of vertebrate species and known to regulate formation and patterning of embryos. Here we show that in embryonic carcinoma P19 cells, the transcription factor TFII-I forms a complex with Smad2 upon transforming growth factor β (TGFβ)/activin stimulation, is recruited to the distal element (DE) of the Gsc promoter, and activates Gsc transcription. Downregulation of endogenous TFII-I by small inhibitory RNA in P19 cells abolishes the TGFβ-mediated induction of Gsc. Similarly, Xenopus embryos with endogenous TFII-I expression downregulated by injection of TFII-I-specific antisense oligonucleotides exhibit decreased Gsc expression. Unlike TFII-I, the related factor BEN (binding factor for early enhancer) is constitutively recruited to the distal element in the absence of TGFβ/activin signaling and is replaced by the TFII-I/Smad2 complex upon TGFβ/activin stimulation. Overexpression of BEN in P19 cells represses the TGFβ-mediated transcriptional activation of Gsc. These results suggest a model in which TFII-I family proteins have opposing effects in the regulation of the Gsc gene in response to a TGFβ/activin signal.


Cell ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 405-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pellegrino Rossi ◽  
Gerard Karsenty ◽  
Anita B. Roberts ◽  
Nanette S. Roche ◽  
Michael B. Sporn ◽  
...  

2007 ◽  
Vol 404 (2) ◽  
pp. 235-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine A. Biondi ◽  
Debipriya Das ◽  
Michael Howell ◽  
Ayesha Islam ◽  
Elizabeth K. Bikoff ◽  
...  

Smad4 in partnership with R-Smads (receptor-regulated Smads) activates TGF-β (transforming growth factor-β)-dependent signalling pathways essential for early mouse development. Smad4 null embryos die shortly after implantation due to severe defects in cell proliferation and visceral endoderm differentiation. In the basal state, Smad4 undergoes continuous shuttling between the cytoplasm and the nucleus due to the combined activities of an N-terminal NLS (nuclear localization signal) and an NES (nuclear export signal) located in its linker region. Cell culture experiments suggest that Smad4 nucleocytoplasmic shuttling plays an important role in TGF-β signalling. In the present study we have investigated the role of Smad4 shuttling in vivo using gene targeting to engineer two independent mutations designed to eliminate Smad4 nuclear export. As predicted this results in increased levels of Smad4 in the nucleus of homozygous ES cells (embryonic stem cells) and primary keratinocytes, in the presence or absence of ligand. Neither mutation affects Smad4 expression levels nor its ability to mediate transcriptional activation in homozygous cell lines. Remarkably mouse mutants lacking the Smad4 NES develop normally. Smad4 NES mutants carrying one copy of a Smad4 null allele also fail to display developmental defects. The present study clearly demonstrates that Smad4 nucleocytoplasmic shuttling is not required for embryonic development or tissue homoeostasis in normal, healthy adult mice.


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