Cell growth and proliferation are two diverse processes yet always linked. Akt1, a serine/threonine kinase, is a multi-functional protein implicated in regulation of cell growth, survival and proliferation. Though it has a role in G1/S progression, the manner by which Akt1 controls cell cycle and blends cell growth with proliferation is not well explored. In this study, we characterize the Akt1 interactome as the cell cycle progresses from G0 to G1/S and G2 phase. For this, Akt1-overexpressing HEK293 cells were subjected to AP-MS. To distinguish between individual cell cycle stages, cells were cultured in the light, medium and heavy labelled SILAC media. We obtained 213 interacting partners of Akt1 from these studies. GO classification revealed that a significant number of proteins fall into functional classes related to cell growth or cell cycle processes. Of these, 32 proteins showed varying association with Akt1 in different cell cycle stages. Further analyses uncovered a subset of proteins showing counteracting effects so as to tune stage-specific progression through the cycle. Thus, our study provides some novel perspectives on Akt1-mediated regulation of the cell cycle and offers the framework for a detailed resolution of the downstream cellular mechanisms that are mediated by this kinase.

Dengue virus (DENV) infection causes dengue fever in humans, which can lead to thrombocytopenia showing a marked reduction in platelet counts, and dengue hemorrhagic fever. The virus may cause thrombocytopenia either by destroying the platelets or by interfering with their generation via the process of megakaryopoiesis. MEG-01 is the human megakaryoblastic leukemia cell line that can be differentiated in vitro by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) treatment to produce platelet-like-particles (PLPs). We have studied DENV infection of MEG-01 cells to understand its effect on megakaryopoiesis and the generation of PLPs. We observed that DENV could infect only naive MEG-01 cells, and differentiated cells were refractory to virus infection/replication. However, DENV-infected MEG-01 cells, when induced for differentiation with PMA, supported an enhanced viral replication. Following the virus infection, the MEG-01 cells showed a marked reduction in the surface expression of platelet markers (CD41, CD42a, and CD61), a decreased polyploidy, and significantly reduced PLP counts. DENV infection caused an enhanced Notch signaling in MEG-01 cells where the virus envelope protein was shown to interact with TAL-1, a host protein important for megakaryopoiesis. These observations provide new insight into the role of DENV in modulating the megakaryopoiesis and platelet production process.

Akt1 is a multi-functional protein, implicated in multiple human solid tumors. Pertaining to its key role in cell survival, Akt1 is under focus for development of targeted therapies. Functional diversity of Akt1 is a result of its interactions with other proteins; which changes with changing context. This investigation was designed to capture the dynamics of Akt1 Interactome as a function of its active state. Delineating dynamic changes in association of Akt1 with its interactors could help us comprehend how it changes as a function of inhibition of its active form. Similar information on changes in Akt1 interactome as of now is not well explored. Akt1 expressing HEK293 cells were cultured in light and heavy labeled SILAC media. Normal lysine and arginine were incorporated as light labels while for heavy labeling the isotopes were 8 and 10 Da heavier. Light labeled cells represented the indigenous state of Akt1 interactome while heavy labeled cells represented Akt1 interactome in presence of its allosteric inhibitor, MK-2206. Equal number of cells from both conditions were pooled, lysed and subjected to Affinity Purification coupled to Mass Spectroscopy (AP-MS). Additionally, SILAC labeling aided in quantitative estimation of changing association of a number of proteins which were common to the two experimental conditions, with Akt1. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD005976.

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Growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2) is an adaptor protein involved in the signal transduction pathways. This dataset enlists proteins which interact with Grb2 in the presence and absence of a mitogenic stimulus. Grb2 expressing HEK293 cells were cultured in light and heavy labeled SILAC media. Normal lysine and arginine were incorporated as light labels while 8 and 10 Da heavier labels of respective isotopes were used for heavy labeling. While light labeled cells were used to enrich basal Grb2 interactome, the heavy labeled cells were stimulated in presence of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to investigate the altered Grb2 interactome dynamics. Equal number of EGF stimulated and non-stimulated cells was pooled, lysed and subjected to affinity purification coupled to mass spectrometry (AP-MS). The variety of Grb2 protein partners changed as a consequence of EGF stimulation. Additionally, SILAC labeling helped in quantitative estimation of altered association of a few interactors with the bait protein. Data are available via PRIDE repository with the dataset identifier PXD012957 (https://www.ebi.ac.uk/pride/archive/projects/PXD012957).

The Rb protein is a tumor suppressor protein that regulates the key G1S checkpoint consequently blocking the progression of cell cycle into S-phase. Despite its pertinent role in cell cycle regulation, comprehensive information on its interacting partners across cell cycle progression is lacking. Here, we aim to submit a comprehensive set of Rb interactors as the cell progresses from G0 through G1 and S into G2 phase in HEK 293 cell line. Affinity purification of HA-tagged Rb protein along with its interactors was analyzed by mass spectrometry (AP-MS). SILAC labeling enabled differentiation of Rb interactors in different cell cycle stages as well as their quantification - G0 cells were labeled with light labels of lysine and arginine (K0R0), cells in G1S transition were labeled with heavy labels (K8R10) while the G2 cells were labeled with medium labels (K6R6). LC-MS/MS analysis resulted in 6 wiff files which were submitted to protein pilot software for peptide identification and quantification. Here we submit the dataset which clearly captures the changing interacting partners of the Rb protein as the cell cycle progressed from G0 through G1S checkpoint into G2 phase. Data is publicly available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD007708.

ObjectiveSignal transduction not only initiates entry into the cell cycle, but also reprograms the cell’s metabolism. To control abnormalities in cell proliferation, both the aspects should be taken care of, thus pleiotropic signaling molecules are considered as crucial modulators. Considering this, we investigated the role of AKT1 in central carbon metabolism. The role of AKT1 has already been established in the process of cell cycle, but its contribution to the central carbon metabolism is sparsely studied.ResultsTo address this, we combined the metabolomics and proteomics approaches. In accordance to our hypothesis, we found that the AKT1 kinase activity is regulating the levels of acetyl CoA through pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. Further, the decreased levels of acetyl CoA and dependency of acetyl CoA acetyl transferase protein on AKT1 kinase activity was also found to perturb the synthesis rate of palmitic acid which is a representative of fatty acid. This was analyzed in the present study using lipid labeling method through mass spectrometry.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-018-3364-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Akt1 is a multi-functional protein implicated in key cellular processes including regulation of proliferation, survival, metabolism and protein synthesis. Its functional diversity results through interactions with other proteins which change with changing context. This study was designed to capture proteins, which interact with Akt1 as the cell cycle progresses from G0 to G1S and then G2 phase. Such an insight might help us understand the role of Akt1 in cell cycle, which as of now is not well explored. Akt1 expressing HEK 293 cells were cultured in light, medium and heavy labeled SILAC media. Normal lysine and arginine were incorporated as light labels; 6 Da (Dalton) heavier isotopes of the same amino acids were used as medium labels; while for heavy labeling the isotopes were 8 and 10 Da heavier. Light labeled cells were arrested in G0 phase while medium and heavy labeled cells were arrested in G2 and G1S phases, respectively. Equal number of cells from each phase was pooled, lysed and subjected to Affinity Purification coupled to Mass Spectroscopy (AP-MS). The obtained Akt1 protein partners were observed to change as the cell cycle progressed from G0 to G1S and then to G2 phase. Additionally, SILAC labeling aided in quantitative estimation of changing association of a number of proteins which were common to two or more phases, with Akt1. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD005557.