A rapid increase in the tyrosine phosphorylation of the nonreceptor tyrosine kinase FAK 1 (1, 2), which localizes to focal adhesion plaques (3), has been identified as a prominent early event in cells stimulated by diverse signaling molecules that regulate cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis (4, 5 (14,27). Phosphorylation at Tyr-925 within the focal adhesion targeting (FAT) domain creates a binding site for the Src homology 2 domain of the adapter protein Grb2-SOS (Ras exchange factor) complex and provides a possible mechanism of activation of the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway (36). The FAT domain binds paxillin and talin, which are responsible for targeting FAK to the focal adhesions and for promoting downstream signaling (36 -38). The importance of FAK-mediated signal transduction is underscored by experiments showing that this tyrosine kinase is implicated in embryonic development (39) and in the control of cell migration (27, 40 -42), proliferation (40, 43), and apoptosis (44, 45). It is increasingly recognized that overexpression of FAK is linked to the invasive properties of cancer cells (46,47).In addition to being phosphorylated at multiple tyrosines in response to external stimuli, FAK is also phosphorylated at serine residues (48, 49). Recently, Ser-722 and Ser-910, in the COOH-terminal, noncatalytic region of FAK (termed FAK-related nonkinase (FRNK)), have been identified as prominent phosphorylation sites (49). Despite the importance of FAK in signal transduction, virtually nothing is known about the regulation of these phosphorylation events. In particular, none of the previous studies demonstrated that the phosphorylation of any of these serine residues of FAK can be regulated in re-

A rapid increase in the tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) has been extensively documented in cells stimulated by multiple signaling molecules, but very little is known about the regulation of FAK phosphorylation at serine residues. Stimulation of Swiss 3T3 cells with platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) promoted a striking increase in the phosphorylation of FAK at Ser-910, as revealed by site-specific antibodies that recognized the phosphorylated state of this residue. FAK phosphorylation at Ser-910 could be distinguished from that at Tyr-397 in terms of dose-response relationships and kinetics. Furthermore, the selective phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) inhibitors wortmannin and LY 294002 abrogated FAK phosphorylation at Tyr-397 but did not interfere with PDGF-induced FAK phosphorylation at Ser-910. Conversely, treatment with U0126, a potent inhibitor of MEK-mediated ERK activation, prevented FAK phosphorylation at Ser-910 induced by PDGF but did not interfere with PDGF-induced FAK phosphorylation at Tyr-397. These results were extended using growth factors that either stimulate, fibroblast growth factor (FGF), or do not stimulate (insulin) the ERK pathway activation in Swiss 3T3 cells. FGF but not insulin promoted a striking ERK-dependent phosphorylation of FAK at Ser-910. Our results indicate that FAK phosphorylation at Tyr-397 and FAK phosphorylation at Ser-910 are induced in response to PDGF stimulation through different signaling pathways, namely PI 3-kinase and ERK, respectively.

Fire blight (FB), caused by Erwinia amylovora, is one of the most important pome fruit pathogens worldwide. To control this devastating disease, various chemical and biological treatments are commonly applied in Switzerland, but they fail to keep the infection at an acceptable level in years of heavy disease pressure. The Swiss authorities therefore currently allow the controlled use of the antibiotic streptomycin against FB in years that are predicted to have heavy infection periods, but only one treatment per season is permitted. Another strategy for controlling Erwinia is to breed resistant/tolerant apple cultivars. One way of accelerating the breeding process is to obtain resistant cultivars by inserting one or several major resistance genes, using genetic engineering. To date, no study summarizing the impact of different FB control measures on the environment and on human health has been performed. This study consequently aims to compare different disease-control measures (biological control, chemical control, control by antibiotics and by resistant/tolerant apple cultivars obtained through conventional or molecular breeding) applied against E. amylovora, considering different protection goals (protection of human health, environment, agricultural diversity and economic interest), with special emphasis on biosafety aspects. Information on each FB control measure in relation to the specified protection goal was assessed by literature searches and by interviews with experts. Based on our results it can be concluded that the FB control measures currently applied in Switzerland are safe for consumers, workers and the environment. However, there are several gaps in our knowledge of the human health and environmental impacts analyzed: data are missing (1) on long term studies on the efficacy of most of the analyzed FB control measures; (2) on the safety of operators handling streptomycin; (3) on residue analyses of Equisetum plant extract, the copper and aluminum compounds used in apple production; and (4) on the effect of biological and chemical control measures on non-target fauna and flora. These gaps urgently need to be addressed in the near future.

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