The Oncogenic Signaling Disruptor, NDRG1: Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Activity

NDRG1 is an oncogenic signaling disruptor that plays a key role in multiple cancers, including aggressive pancreatic tumors. Recent studies have indicated a role for NDRG1 in the inhibition of multiple tyrosine kinases, including EGFR, c-Met, HER2 and HER3, etc. The mechanism of activity of NDRG1 remains unclear, but to impart some of its functions, NDRG1 binds directly to key effector molecules that play roles in tumor suppression, e.g., MIG6. More recent studies indicate that NDRG1s-inducing drugs, such as novel di-2-pyridylketone thiosemicarbazones, not only inhibit tumor growth and metastasis but also fibrous desmoplasia, which leads to chemotherapeutic resistance. The Casitas B-lineage lymphoma (c-Cbl) protein may be regulated by NDRG1, and is a crucial E3 ligase that regulates various protein tyrosine and receptor tyrosine kinases, primarily via ubiquitination. The c-Cbl protein can act as a tumor suppressor by promoting the degradation of receptor tyrosine kinases. In contrast, c-Cbl can also promote tumor development by acting as a docking protein to mediate the oncogenic c-Met/Crk/JNK and PI3K/AKT pathways. This review hypothesizes that NDRG1 could inhibit the oncogenic function of c-Cbl, which may be another mechanism of its tumor-suppressive effects.

Cbl upregulates cysH for hydrogen sulfide production in Aeromonas veronii

Endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is generated in many metabolism pathways, and has been recognized as a second messenger against antibiotics and reactive oxygen species (ROS). In Aeromonas veronii, Small Protein B (SmpB) plays an important role in resisting stress. The absence of smpB could trigger sulfate assimilation pathway to adapt the nutrient deficiency, of which was mediated by up-regulation of cbl and cys genes and followed with enhancing H2S production. To figure out the mutual regulations of cbl and cys genes, a series of experiments were performed. Compared with the wild type, cysH was down-regulated significantly in cbl deletion by qRT-PCR. The fluorescence analysis further manifested that Cbl had a positive regulatory effect on the promoter of cysJIH. Bacterial one-hybrid analysis and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) verified that Cbl bound with the promoter of cysJIH. Collectively, the tolerance to adversity could be maintained by the production of H2S when SmpB was malfunctioned, of which the activity of cysJIH promoter was positively regulated by upstream Cbl protein. The outcomes also suggested the enormous potentials of Aeromonas veronii in environmental adaptability.

Eimeria acervulina Microneme Protein 3 Inhibits Apoptosis of the Chicken Duodenal Epithelial Cell by Targeting the Casitas B-Lineage Lymphoma Protein

Eimeria acervulina (E. acervulina) causes coccidiosis in poultry which persists as economic pain worldwide. Most damage to the intestinal mucosa results from apoptosis of the infected intestinal epithelial cells. The Microneme protein 3 (MIC3) protein is a key virulence factor in some parasites involved in host cell apoptosis inhibition. Here, we studied whether and how MIC3 affects the apoptosis in E. acervulina infected chicken duodenal epithelial cells. Through flow cytometry (FCM), we found that the presence of merozoites and the overexpression of MIC3 significantly decreased apoptosis and the activity of caspase-3 in chicken duodenal epithelial cells at 4, 6, and 8 h post merozoite infection (P < 0.01). Silencing the Casitas B-lineage lymphoma (CBL) protein, a host receptor for MIC3 with shRNA was shown to promote apoptosis in the chicken duodenal epithelial cells. The early apoptotic rate of host cells in the lentiviral-MIC3 group was significantly lower than that in the lentiviral-MIC3 + shRNA CBL group at 4 h after MIC3 expression (P < 0.01), and it was moderately decreased in the lentiviral-MIC3 + shRNA CBL group compared with that in the shRNA CBL group. Our data indicated that MIC3 inhibited early apoptosis of E. acervulina infected chicken duodenal epithelial cells by targeting host receptor-CBL protein. These findings unveiled one of the mechanisms of how intracellular parasites affect the apoptosis of infected host cells, which provided a deeper understanding of their pathogenesis.

Overexpression Of Leukemia Associated CblY371H Mutation In Transgenic Mice Causes Dosage Dependent Embryonic Lethality

Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia (JMML) is a devastating childhood cancer which is rapidly fatal with infiltration of myeloid cells into multiple organs (Hess, Zutter, Castleberry, & Emanuel, 1996). Based on the observation that uniparental disomy was found in the chromosomal region 11q in JMML patient samples, about 15% of patient samples were found to contain a mutation in c-Cbl (Loh et al., 2009). Moreover, mutant Cbl was also found to be a tumor suppressor gene where a germline mutation results in the predisposition for developing JMML (Niemeyer et al., 2010). The c-Cbl gene encodes a multifunctional adaptor protein which contains an N-terminal tyrosine-kinase binding (TKB) domain, a RING finger motif which contain E3 ligase activity, and a C-terminal ubiquitin-associated domain. Previous mutations in myeloid malignancies have been described where mutations occur in the RING finger domain or the linker domain (Caligiuri et al., 2007; Dunbar et al., 2008). Interestingly, a hotspot for mutations at residue 371 exists in JMML patients where 1/3 of the detected mutations are a tyrosine to histidine substitution, Y371H (Loh et al., 2009). This residue belongs in the linker region of the CBL protein, and it was previously observed that Y371 mediates the binding of c-Cbl to the p85 subunit of PI3 kinase (Blaydes et al., 2001). In vitro, CblY371H mutation does indeed destroy its ligase function resulting in prolonged signaling through the Ras pathway only when the endogenous c-Cbl gene was silenced (Niemeyer et al., 2010). However, how mutant Cbl gives rise to JMML and how it acts in concert with other genes in the pathogenesis of JMML requires further study. To address these questions, we tested the oncogenicity of the CblY371H mutation in transgenic mice. Of the 6 founder transgenic mice, we chose L5 line for further analysis because it had the highest level of expression. As expected, overexpression of CblY371H by itself in wild type mice had no phenotype since inactivation of wild type Cbl allele is seen in patients. We, then, generated transgenic mice which were heterozygous for both the BAC transgene and the cbl null mutation (CblY371H; Cbl+/-) and then bred them to Cbl heterozygous knockout mice (Cbl+/-). Because homozygous knockout mice have reduced fertility, we preferentially utilized heterozygous mice for the breeding (El Chami et al., 2005). Interestingly, out of the first 118 progeny genotyped where 1/8 of the pups is expected to be the desired genotype (CblY371H;Cbl-/-), no pups were of the desired genotype suggesting embryonic lethality. Because mice which lack both c-cbl and cbl-b are embryonic lethal, we reasoned that high expression that is achieved from the L5 line was causing a dominant negative affect on cbl-b function resulting in an embryonic lethal phenotype. We then tested if a lower level of the transgene expression would result in viable pups. We used the K5 line which was the second highest expressing transgenic line. We were now able to generate the desired genotype (CblY371H; Cbl-/-) although at less than expected numbers. Thus far, we have generated 4 mice which have the correct genotype which are being monitored for disease. We also monitored the heterozygous mice that carried the transgene (CblY371H; Cbl+/-) which were also asymptomatic without any obvious phenotype. Further studies are being done to characterize the hematopoietic phenotype in these mice by isolating fetal liver cells followed by transplantation into lethally irradiated mice and will be discussed.Fig 1 Generation and Initial Characterization of CblY371H Transgenic Mice A.Flow cytometry of splenocytes from the various transgenic lines. Panel A demonstrating tdTomato fluorescence from each of the transgenic lines generated. Note that there are expression differences among the 6 lines with line L5 expressing the highest amount of fluorescence and line L6 with no fluorescence. B.Western Blot of spleen extracts from transgenic mice Panel B confirms human Cbl protein expression from transgenic mice. L5 and L6 lines express the most protein followed by K5 and D7 as predicted based on Tdtomato expression in panel A except L6 C.Genotyping of mice for cbl ko and cbl transgene As seen in the figure, Cbl PCR and Cbl KO PCR is done separately with #130 showing that it carries the transgene for Cbl as well as being homozygous for Cbl KO allele.Fig 1. Generation and Initial Characterization of CblY371H Transgenic Mice A. Flow cytometry of splenocytes from the various transgenic lines. Panel A demonstrating tdTomato fluorescence from each of the transgenic lines generated. Note that there are expression differences among the 6 lines with line L5 expressing the highest amount of fluorescence and line L6 with no fluorescence. B. Western Blot of spleen extracts from transgenic mice Panel B confirms human Cbl protein expression from transgenic mice. L5 and L6 lines express the most protein followed by K5 and D7 as predicted based on Tdtomato expression in panel A except L6 C. Genotyping of mice for cbl ko and cbl transgene As seen in the figure, Cbl PCR and Cbl KO PCR is done separately with #130 showing that it carries the transgene for Cbl as well as being homozygous for Cbl KO allele. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Tyrosine phosphorylated c-Cbl regulates platelet functional responses mediated by outside-in signaling

c-Cbl protein functions as an E3 ligase and scaffolding protein, where 3 residues, Y700, Y731, and Y774, upon phosphorylation, have been shown to initiate several signaling cascades. In this study, we investigated the role of these phospho-tyrosine residues in the platelet functional responses after integrin engagement. We observed that c-Cbl Y700, Y731 and Y774 undergo phosphorylation upon platelet adhesion to immobilized fibrinogen, which was inhibited in the presence of PP2, a pan-src family kinase (SFK) inhibitor, suggesting that c-Cbl is phosphorylated downstream of SFKs. However, OXSI-2, a Syk inhibitor, significantly reduced c-Cbl phosphorylation at residues Y774 and Y700, without affecting Y731 phosphorylation. Interestingly, PP2 inhibited both platelet-spreading on fibrinogen as well as clot retraction, whereas OXSI-2 blocked only platelet-spreading, suggesting a differential role of these tyrosine residues. The physiologic role of c-Cbl and Y731 was studied using platelets from c-Cbl KO and c-CblYF/YF knock-in mice. c-Cbl KO and c-CblYF/YF platelets had a significantly reduced spreading over immobilized fibrinogen. Furthermore, clot retraction with c-Cbl KO and c-CblYF/YF platelets was drastically delayed. These results indicate that c-Cbl and particularly its phosphorylated residue Y731 plays an important role in platelet outside-in signaling contributing to platelet-spreading and clot retraction.

Arsenic Sulfide Binds c-CBL to Promote BCR-ABL Ubiquitination and Degradation In Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia.

Abstract 1200 Using immunoprecipitation (IP)-2D-nano-HPLC-MALDI-MS-MS, we identified c-CBL in association with BCR-ABL in a multi-protein complex in K562 cells. In vitro ubiquitination and mutagenesis analyses show that c-CBL serves as a specific E3 ligase for ubiquitination of BCR-ABL at K1517. Arsenic sulfide (As4S4) treatment results in increased c-CBL protein level, which promotes ubiquitination and subsequent degradation of BCR-ABL and apoptosis of K562 cells. Elevated c-CBL is necessary and sufficient to recapitulate the effect of As4S4. Interestingly, arsenic directly binds the RING finger domain of c-CBL, inhibiting its self-ubiquitination and degradation, thus leading to accumulation of c-CBL. However, this interaction between As4S4 and c-CBL does not interfere with its E3 ligase activity towards BCR-ABL. Increased c-CBL protein and BCR-ABL degradation are also observed in vivo after As4S4 administration in BCR-ABL leukemia mice. These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of arsenic and its potential therapeutic applications in CML. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Lyn regulates BCR-ABL and Gab2 tyrosine phosphorylation and c-Cbl protein stability in imatinib-resistant chronic myelogenous leukemia cells

Lyn kinase functions as a regulator of imatinib sensitivity in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) cells through an unknown mechanism. In patients who fail imatinib therapy but have no detectable BCR-ABL kinase mutation, we detected persistently activated Lyn kinase. In imatinib-resistant CML cells and patients, Lyn activation is BCR-ABL independent, it is complexed with the Gab2 and c-Cbl adapter/scaffold proteins, and it mediates persistent Gab2 and BCR-ABL tyrosine phosphorylation in the presence or absence of imatinib. Lyn silencing or inhibition is necessary to suppress Gab2 and BCR-ABL phosphorylation and to recover imatinib activity. Lyn also negatively regulates c-Cbl stability, whereas c-Cbl tyrosine phosphorylation is mediated by BCR-ABL. These results suggest that Lyn exists as a component of the BCR-ABL signaling complex and, in cells with high Lyn expression or activation, BCR-ABL kinase inhibition alone (imatinib) is not sufficient to fully disengage BCR-ABL–mediated signaling and suggests that BCR-ABL and Lyn kinase inhibition are needed to prevent or treat this form of imatinib resistance.

Lyn Kinase Alters Gab2 Phosphorylation and c-Cbl Protein Levels To Regulate Imatinib Sensitivity and Survival of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Cells.

The tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib mesylate (Gleevec) is effective in controlling BCR-ABL expressing leukemias but resistance occurs in some early phase patients while it is more common in advanced disease. Resistance has been generally associated with mutations in the BCR-ABL kinase that effect drug affinity. However patients are also increasingly reported to fail imatinib therapy while retaining wild-type BCR-ABL expression. Our previous studies suggested a role for Lyn, a Src-related kinase, in imatinib resistance. K562 cells selected for imatinib resistance (K562R) overexpress Lyn kinase and its targeted silencing overcomes imatinib resistance and engages apoptosis. Overexpression of Lyn in K562 cells reduces imatinib sensitivity (3-fold) and patients that fail imatinib therapy in the absence of BCR-ABL mutations express a highly activated Lyn kinase that is not suppressed by imatinib. Silencing Lyn expression in patient specimens induces changes in cell survival that are proportional to the level of Lyn protein reduction. To understand the role of Lyn kinase in imatinib resistance and apoptosis we examined proteins associated with this kinase in imatinib resistant cell lines, leukemic cells overexpressing Lyn and specimens derived from imatinib resistant patients. Lyn overexpression blocked complete suppression of BCR-ABL tyrosine phosphorylation by imatinib and affected BCR-ABL signaling adaptors. Although BCR-ABL forms a stable complex with the leukemogenic-critical adaptor protein Gab2 in imatinib sensitive cells, Lyn overexpression resulted in the formation of Lyn:Gab2 complexed in resistant cells. BCR-ABL kinase inhibition failed to reduce tyrosine phosphorylation of Gab2 in these cells while Lyn silencing or kinase inhibition (with dasatinib) completely suppressed Gab2 tyrosine phosphorylation and correlated with the induction of apoptosis. Lyn silencing in K562R cells also lead to a reciprocal increase in the tyrosine phosphorylation and association with a protein of ~120kDa, identified as the E3 ligase, c-Cbl. Lyn overexpression in K562 cells reduced their imatinib sensitivity and reduced c-Cbl protein levels. Kinase inhibitor and co-transfection studies demonstrated that tyrosine phosphorylation of c-Cbl at a critical signaling site (Y774) is primarily controlled by BCR-ABL and deletion or mutation of the c-Cbl RING domain altered its BCR-ABL phosphorylation. These results suggest that c-Cbl complexes are regulated at both the protein and phosphorylation level by Lyn and BCR-ABL kinase activities, respectively. Overexpression and/or activation of Lyn may disrupt the balance and regulation of critical regulators of leukemogenic signaling (Gab2) or protein trafficking and stability (c-Cbl), resulting in increased cell survival and reduced responsiveness to BCR-ABL kinase inhibition. We conclude that Lyn alters the level and function of critical signaling adaptor proteins in CML cells.

Two Transsulfurylation Pathways in Klebsiella pneumoniae

ABSTRACT In most bacteria, inorganic sulfur is assimilated into cysteine, which provides sulfur for methionine biosynthesis via transsulfurylation. Here, cysteine is transferred to the terminal carbon of homoserine via its sulfhydryl group to form cystathionine, which is cleaved to yield homocysteine. In the enteric bacteria Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica, these reactions are catalyzed by irreversible cystathionine-γ-synthase and cystathionine-β-lyase enzymes. Alternatively, yeast and some bacteria assimilate sulfur into homocysteine, which serves as a sulfhydryl group donor in the synthesis of cysteine by reverse transsulfurylation with a cystathionine-β-synthase and cystathionine-γ-lyase. Herein we report that the related enteric bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae encodes genes for both transsulfurylation pathways; genetic and biochemical analyses show that they are coordinately regulated to prevent futile cycling. Klebsiella uses reverse transsulfurylation to recycle methionine to cysteine during periods of sulfate starvation. This methionine-to-cysteine (mtc) transsulfurylation pathway is activated by cysteine starvation via the CysB protein, by adenosyl-phosphosulfate starvation via the Cbl protein, and by methionine excess via the MetJ protein. While mtc mutants cannot use methionine as a sulfur source on solid medium, they will utilize methionine in liquid medium via a sulfide intermediate, suggesting that an additional nontranssulfurylation methionine-to-cysteine recycling pathway(s) operates under these conditions.