PP2A-dependent TFEB activation is blocked by PIKfyve-induced mTORC1 activity

Transcriptional factor EB (TFEB) is a master regulator of genes required for autophagy and lysosomal function. The nuclear localization of TFEB is blocked by the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1)-dependent phosphorylation of TFEB at multiple sites including Ser-211. Here we show that inhibition of PIKfyve, which produces phosphatidylinositol 3,5-bisphosphate on endosomes and lysosomes, causes a loss of Ser-211 phosphorylation and concomitant nuclear localization of TFEB. We found that while mTORC1 activity toward S6K1, as well as other major mTORC1 substrates, is not impaired, PIKfyve inhibition specifically impedes the interaction of TFEB with mTORC1. This suggests that mTORC1 activity on TFEB is selectively inhibited due to loss of mTORC1 access to TFEB. In addition, we found that TFEB activation during inhibition of PIKfyve relies on the ability of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) but not calcineurin/PPP3, to dephosphorylate TFEB Ser-211. Thus, when PIKfyve is inhibited, PP2A is dominant over mTORC1 for control of TFEB phosphorylation at Ser-S211. Together these findings suggest that mTORC1 and PP2A have opposing roles on TFEB via phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of Ser-211, respectively, and further, that PIKfyve inhibits TFEB activity by facilitating mTORC1-dependent phosphorylation of TFEB.

Cancerous Inhibitor of Protein Phosphatase 2A (CIP2A): Could It Be a Promising Biomarker and Therapeutic Target in Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is an incurable neurodegenerative disease characterized by aggregation of pathological alpha-synuclein (α-syn) and loss of dopaminergic neuron in the substantia nigra. Inhibition of phosphorylation of the α-syn has been shown to mediate alleviation of PD-related pathology. Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), an important serine/threonine phosphatase, plays an essential role in catalyzing dephosphorylation of the α-syn. Here, we identified and validated cancerous inhibitor of PP2A (CIP2A), as a potential diagnostic biomarker for PD. Our data showed that plasma CIP2A concentrations in PD patients were significantly lower compared to age- and sex-matched controls, 1.721 (1.435–2.428) ng/ml vs 3.051(2.36–5.475) ng/ml, p < 0.0001. The area under the curve of the plasma CIP2A in distinguishing PD from the age- and sex-matched controls was 0.776. In addition, we evaluated the role of CIP2A in PD-related pathogenesis in PD cellular and MPTP-induced mouse model. The results demonstrated that CIP2A is upregulated in PD cellular and MPTP-induced mouse models. Besides, suppression of the CIP2A expression alleviates rotenone induced aggregation of the α-syn as well as phosphorylation of the α-syn in SH-SY5Y cells, which is associated with increased PP2A activity. Taken together, our data demonstrated that CIP2A plays an essential role in the mechanisms related to PD development and might be a novel PD biomarker.

PP2A and Its Inhibitors in Helper T-Cell Differentiation and Autoimmunity

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a highly complex heterotrimeric Ser/Thr phosphatase that regulates many cellular processes. The role of PP2A as a tumor suppressor has been extensively studied and reviewed. However, emerging evidence suggests PP2A constrains inflammatory responses and is important in autoimmune and neuroinflammatory diseases. Here, we reviewed the existing literature on the role of PP2A in T-cell differentiation and autoimmunity. We have also discussed the modulation of PP2A activity by endogenous inhibitors and its small-molecule activators as potential therapeutic approaches against autoimmunity.

BTBD10 is a Prognostic Biomarker Correlated With Immune Infiltration in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background: BTBD10 serves as an activator of Akt family members through decreasing the protein phosphatase 2A-mediated dephosphorylation. The present study attempted to investigate the prognostic value of BTBD10 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), specially, its relationship with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs).Methods: BTBD10 expression was evaluated in HCC using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Xijing Hospital database, and verified in HCC cell lines. Cox analyses were performed to analyze independent prognostic risk factors for HCC. The optimal cut-off value of BTBD10 was calculated, by which all patients were divided into two groups to compare the overall survival (OS). The signaling pathways were predicted, by which BTBD10 may affect the progression of HCC. To investigate the impact of BTBD10 on HCC immunotherapy, correlations between BTBD10 and TILs, immune checkpoints, m6A methylation-related genes and ferroptosis-related genes were assessed. The distribution of half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of diverse targeted drugs was observed based on the differential expression of BTBD10.Results: BTBD10 expression was higher in HCC tissues and cell lines than that of normal liver tissues and cells. The patients with high expression of BTBD10 showed a worse OS, as compared to that of BTBD10 low-expressing group. Cox analyses indicated that BTBD10 was an independent prognostic risk factor for HCC. Several molecular pathways of immune responses were activated in HCC patients with high-expressing of BTBD10. Furthermore, BTBD10 expression was demonstrated to be positively correlated with tumor-infiltrating B cells, T cells, macrophages, neutrophils and dendritic cells. Meanwhile, the expression of BTBD10 was synchronized with that of several m6A methylation-related genes, ferroptosis-related genes and immune checkpoints. The IC50 scores of Sorafenib, Navitoclax, Veliparib, Luminespib, and Imatinib were found to be lower in BTBD10 high-expressing HCC group.Conclusion: BTBD10 negatively regulates tumor immunity in HCC and exhibits adverse effect on the prognosis of HCC, which could be a potential target for immunotherapy.

Protein phosphatase 2A inactivation induces microsatellite instability, neoantigen production and immune response

Microsatellite-instable (MSI), a predictive biomarker for immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) response, is caused by mismatch repair deficiency (MMRd) that occurs through genetic or epigenetic silencing of MMR genes. Here, we report a mechanism of MMRd and demonstrate that protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) deletion or inactivation converts cold microsatellite-stable (MSS) into MSI tumours through two orthogonal pathways: (i) by increasing retinoblastoma protein phosphorylation that leads to E2F and DNMT3A/3B expression with subsequent DNA methylation, and (ii) by increasing histone deacetylase (HDAC)2 phosphorylation that subsequently decreases H3K9ac levels and histone acetylation, which induces epigenetic silencing of MLH1. In mouse models of MSS and MSI colorectal cancers, triple-negative breast cancer and pancreatic cancer, PP2A inhibition triggers neoantigen production, cytotoxic T cell infiltration and ICB sensitization. Human cancer cell lines and tissue array effectively confirm these signaling pathways. These data indicate the dual involvement of PP2A inactivation in silencing MLH1 and inducing MSI.

Renal AT 2 Receptors Mediate Natriuresis via Protein Phosphatase PP2A

Background: How signals from activated angiotensin type-2 receptors (AT 2 R) mediate inhibition of sodium ion (Na+) reabsorption in renal proximal tubule cells (RPTCs) is currently unknown. Protein phosphatases including protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) have been implicated in AT2R signaling in tissues other than kidney. We investigated whether inhibition of protein phosphatase PP2A reduced AT 2 R-mediated natriuresis and evaluated changes in PP2A activity and localization after renal AT 2 R activation in normal 4- and 10-week-old control Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) and 4-week-old pre-hypertensive and 10-week-old hypertensive spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Methods and Results: In WKY, direct renal interstitial (RI) administration of selective AT 2 R non-peptide agonist Compound-21 (C-21) increased RI cyclic GMP (cGMP) levels, urine Na + excretion (U Na V), and simultaneously increased PP2A activity ≅ 2-fold in homogenates of renal cortical tubules. The cGMP and natriuretic responses were abolished by concurrent RI administration of protein phosphatase inhibitor calyculin A (CAL). In RPTCs in response to C-21, PP2A subunits A, B55α and C, but not B56γ, were recruited to apical plasma membranes together with AT 2 Rs. CAL treatment abolished C-21-induced translocation of both AT 2 R and PP2A regulatory subunit B55α to apical plasma membranes. Immunoprecipitation of AT 2 R solubilized from renal cortical homogenates demonstrated physical association of AT 2 R with PP2A A, B55α, and C but not B56γ subunits. In contrast, in SHR, administration of C-21 did not alter UNaV or PP2A activity and failed to translocate AT 2 Rs and PP2A subunits to apical plasma membranes. Conclusions: In RPTCs of WKY, PP2A is activated and PP2A subunits AB55αC are recruited to C-21-activated AT 2 Rs during induction of natriuresis. This response is defective in pre-hypertensive and hypertensive SHR, presenting a potential novel therapeutic target for treating renal Na+ retention and hypertension.