Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common aggressive brain cancer with a median survival of approximately 1 year. In a search for novel molecular targets that could be therapeutically developed, our kinome-focused microarray analysis identified the MAP (mitogen-activated protein) kinase-interacting kinase 1 (MNK1) as an attractive theranostic candidate. MNK1 overexpression was confirmed in both primary GBMs and glioma cell lines. Inhibition of MNK1 activity in GBM cells by the small molecule CGP57380 suppressed eIF4E phosphorylation, proliferation, and colony formation whereas concomitant treatment with CGP57380 and the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin accentuated growth inhibition and cell-cycle arrest. siRNA-mediated knockdown of MNK1 expression reduced proliferation of cells incubated with rapamycin. Conversely, overexpression of fulllength MNK1 reduced rapamycin-induced growth inhibition. Analysis of polysomal profiles revealed inhibition of translation in CGP57380 and rapamycin-treated cells. Microarray analysis of total and polysomal RNA from MNK1-depleted GBM cells identified mRNAs involved in regulation of TGF-b pathway. Translation of SMAD2 mRNA as well as TGF-b-induced cell motility and vimentin expression was regulated by MNK1 signaling. Tissue microarray analysis revealed a positive correlation between the immunohistochemical staining of MNK1 and SMAD2. Taken together, our findings offer insights into how MNK1 pathways control translation of cancerrelated mRNAs including SMAD2, a key component of the TGF-b signaling pathway. Furthermore, they suggest MNK1-controlled translational pathways in targeted strategies to more effectively treat GBM. Cancer Res; 71(6);
High levels of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) activity in malignant gliomas promote tumor progression, suggesting that targeting mTORC1 has potential as a therapeutic strategy. Remarkably, clinical trials in patients with glioma revealed that rapamycin analogs (rapalogs) have limited efficacy, indicating activation of resistance mechanisms. Targeted depletion of MAPK-interacting Ser/Thr kinase 1 (MNK1) sensitizes glioma cells to the mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin through an indistinct mechanism. Here, we analyzed how MNK1 and mTORC1 signaling pathways regulate the assembly of translation initiation complexes, using the cap analog m 7 GTP to enrich for initiation complexes in glioma cells followed by mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomics. Association of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) with eIF4E-binding protein 1 (4EBP1) was regulated by the mTORC1 pathway, whereas pharmacological blocking of MNK activity by CGP57380 or MNK1 knockdown, along with mTORC1 inhibition by RAD001, increased 4EBP1 binding to eIF4E. Furthermore, combined MNK1 and mTORC1 inhibition profoundly inhibited 4EBP1 phosphorylation at Ser65, protein synthesis and proliferation in glioma cells, and reduced tumor growth in an orthotopic glioblastoma (GBM) mouse model. Immunohistochemical analysis of GBM samples revealed increased 4EBP1 phosphorylation. Taken together, our data indicate that rapalog-activated MNK1 signaling promotes glioma growth through regulation of 4EBP1 and indicate a molecular cross-talk between the mTORC1 and MNK1 pathways that has potential to be exploited therapeutically.
The chimaeric gene encoding a C-terminally truncated form of the S-layer protein SbpA of Bacillus sphaericus CCM 2177 and the EGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein) was ligated into plasmid pET28a and cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. Just 1 h after induction of expression an intense EGFP fluorescence was detected in the cytoplasm of the host cells. Expression at 28 degrees C instead of 37 degrees C resulted in clearly increased fluorescence intensity, indicating that the folding process of the EGFP moiety was temperature sensitive. To maintain the EGFP fluorescence, isolation of the fusion protein from the host cells had to be performed in the presence of reducing agents. SDS/PAGE analysis, immunoblotting and N-terminal sequencing of the isolated and purified fusion protein confirmed the presence of both the S-layer protein and the EGFP moiety. The fusion protein had maintained the ability to self-assemble in suspension and to recrystallize on peptidoglycan-containing sacculi or on positively charged liposomes, as well as to fluoresce. Comparison of fluorescence excitation and emission spectra of recombinant EGFP and rSbpA(31-1068)/EGFP revealed identical maxima at 488 and 507 nm respectively. The uptake of liposomes coated with a fluorescent monomolecular protein lattice of rSbpA(31-1068)/EGFP into HeLa cells was studied by confocal laser-scanning microscopy. The major part of the liposomes was internalized within 2 h of incubation and entered the HeLa cells by endocytosis.
The platelet receptor CLEC-2 binds to the snake venom toxin rhodocytin and the tumor cell surface protein podoplanin. Binding of either of these ligands promotes phosphorylation of a single tyrosine residue in the YXXL motif in the intracellular domain of CLEC-2. Phosphorylation of this tyrosine initiates binding of spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) and triggers further downstream signaling events and ultimately potent platelet activation and aggregation. However, it is unclear how a single YXXL motif can interact efficiently with Syk, which usually recognizes two tandem YXXL repeats presented as an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM). Using bioluminescence resonance energy transfer, coimmunopreciptitation, recombinant protein expression and analytical gel filtration chromatography, surface plasmon resonance, Western blotting, multiangle light scattering (MALS), and analytical ultracentrifugation, we show that CLEC-2 exists as a non-disulfide-linked homodimer which could allow each Syk molecule to interact with two YXXL motifs, one from each CLEC-2 monomer.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.