A completely foreign receptor can mediate an interferon-gamma-like response

in EMBO Journal (2001), 20(19), 5431-42

A tripartite receptor comprising the external region of the erythropoietin (Epo) receptor, the transmembrane and JAK-binding domains of the gp130 subunit of the interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor, and a seven ... [more ▼]

A tripartite receptor comprising the external region of the erythropoietin (Epo) receptor, the transmembrane and JAK-binding domains of the gp130 subunit of the interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor, and a seven amino acid STAT1 recruitment motif (Y440) from the interferon (IFN)-gamma receptor, efficiently mediates an IFN-gamma-like response. An analogous completely foreign chimeric receptor in which the Y440 motif is replaced with the Y905 motif from gp130 also mediates an IFN-gamma-like response, but less efficiently. The IFNGR1 signal-transducing subunit of the IFN-gamma receptor is tyrosine phosphorylated through the chimeric receptors and the endogenous IL-6 and OSM receptors. Cross phosphorylation of IFNGR1 is not, however, required for the IFN-gamma-like response through the chimeric receptors, nor does it mediate an IFN-gamma-like response to IL-6 or OSM. The data argue strongly for modular JAK/STAT signalling and against any rigid structural organization for the "pathways" involved. They emphasize the likely high degree of overlap between the signals generated from disparate JAK-receptor complexes and show that relatively minor changes in such complexes can profoundly affect the response. [less ▲]

Mitogen-activated protein kinases control p27/Kip1 expression and growth of human melanoma cells

in Biochemical Journal (2001), 357(Pt 1), 297-303

The mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK)1 and ERK2, involved in regulating cell growth and differentiation, are constitutively active in A375 and ... [more ▼]

The mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK)1 and ERK2, involved in regulating cell growth and differentiation, are constitutively active in A375 and WM239 human melanoma cells. Using PD098059, an inhibitor of MAPK kinase (MEK), we investigated the role of persistently activated ERK1/2 in cell growth. The inhibition of MAPK activity induced a dose-dependent growth arrest in G(0)/G(1) phase. Correspondingly, we observed the up-regulation of the cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitor p27/Kip1 and hypophosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein. Further studies showed that PD098059 treatment significantly decreased Cdk2 kinase activity, most probably owing to an augmented level of p27/Kip1 associated with cyclin E-Cdk2 complexes. The accumulation of p27/Kip1 protein in A375 cells was attributed to its increased stability. Our findings suggest that constitutively active ERK1/2 kinases contribute to the growth of melanoma cells by negative regulation of the p27/Kip1 inhibitor. [less ▲]

Structural requirements of the interleukin-6 signal transducer gp130 for its interaction with Janus kinase 1: the receptor is crucial for kinase activation

in Biochemical Journal (2001), 361(Pt 1), 105-11

We analysed the interaction of gp130, the common signal-transducing receptor chain of interleukin (IL)-6 type cytokines, with Jak1, the Janus family kinase which is crucial for signal transduction of this ... [more ▼]

We analysed the interaction of gp130, the common signal-transducing receptor chain of interleukin (IL)-6 type cytokines, with Jak1, the Janus family kinase which is crucial for signal transduction of this group of cytokines. With a truncated chimaeric IL-5Rbeta-gp130 receptor expressed in COS-7 cells, we show that the membrane-proximal 69 amino acids are sufficient to mediate Jak1 binding and activation. Deletion of box2 drastically reduced binding of endogenous, but not of overexpressed, Jak1. Several point mutations in the membrane-proximal region of gp130 (W652A, P671/P672A, F676A, Y683F, where W, A, P, F and Y are tryptophan, alanine, proline, phenylalanine and tyrosine) did not affect Jak1 association. However, stimulation of chimaeric receptors with the mutations P671/P672A and F676A in the interbox1/box2 region resulted in a reduced activation of STAT (signal transducer and activator of transcription) transcription factors. Most importantly, signalling by the receptor with the box1 mutation W652A was totally abrogated. Although this mutation did not affect Jak1 association, stimulation-dependent phosphorylation of Jak1 was prevented. The W652 mutation acts dominantly, since no signalling occured even when only a single cytoplasmic chain of a gp130 dimer contained the mutation. Our data demonstrate that the mere proximity of Jaks in an activated receptor complex is not sufficient to mediate their activation. Rather, it seems that parts of the receptor, including the box1 region, are involved in positioning Jaks correctly so that ligand-induced receptor dimerization and reorientation can lead to their mutual activation and subsequently to downstream signalling events. [less ▲]

Interleukin-6-resistant melanoma cells exhibit reduced activation of STAT3 and lack of inhibition of cyclin E-associated kinase activity

in Journal of Investigative Dermatology (2001), 117(1), 132-40

Development of cytokine resistance is an important feature of melanoma cells during tumor progression. To study the mechanisms of interleukin-6 resistance, we examined an interleukin-6 sensitive (WM35 ... [more ▼]

Development of cytokine resistance is an important feature of melanoma cells during tumor progression. To study the mechanisms of interleukin-6 resistance, we examined an interleukin-6 sensitive (WM35) and an interleukin-6 unresponsive cell line (WM9). Interleukin-6 treatment resulted in rapid inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase 2/cyclin E activity and accumulation of the hypophosphorylated retinoblastoma protein in WM35 but not in WM9 cells. In contrast to previous reports, no differences in the expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase 2 inhibitor p21Cip1/WAF1 upon interleukin-6 treatment were found in both cell lines. Interleukin-6-induced inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 was also not due to changes in protein expression of cyclin-dependent kinase 2, cyclin E, p27Kip1 and cdc25A, a phosphatase positively regulating cyclin-dependent kinase 2 activity. As it is established that interleukin-6 resistance of WM9 cells is not caused by differential interleukin-6 receptor expression, we studied whether this is due to defective interleukin-6 signaling in which activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 is a critical step. WM9 cells showed reduced tyrosine phosphorylation, DNA binding, and delayed nuclear translocation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 as compared with WM35 cells. The kinase upstream of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, Janus kinase 1, was constitutively tyrosine-phosphorylated in WM9 cells and did not respond to interleukin-6 with increased phosphorylation. As compared with WM35 cells, interleukin-6 treatment of WM9 cells was not paralleled by reduced activity of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase-1, which suppresses activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3. Our data suggest that resistance of advanced melanoma cells to interleukin-6 is associated with reduced inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase 2, which appears to be a consequence of a complex alteration in interleukin-6 signal transduction. [less ▲]

A single amino acid substitution (Trp(666)-->Ala) in the interbox1/2 region of the interleukin-6 signal transducer gp130 abrogates binding of JAK1, and dominantly impairs signal transduction

in Biochemical Journal (2001), 349(Pt 1), 261-6

gp130 is the common signal-transducing receptor chain of interleukin (IL)-6-type cytokines. Here we describe, for the first time, a single amino acid substitution (Trp(666)-->Ala) in the membrane-proximal ... [more ▼]

gp130 is the common signal-transducing receptor chain of interleukin (IL)-6-type cytokines. Here we describe, for the first time, a single amino acid substitution (Trp(666)-->Ala) in the membrane-proximal interbox1/2 region that abrogates activation of STAT (signal transducer and activator of transcription) transcription factors and the proliferative response of pro-B-cell transfectants. Moreover, association of the Janus kinase JAK1 is prevented. No signalling of heterodimeric IL-5 receptor (IL-5R)/gp130 chimaeras occurs in COS-7 cells, even when only a single cytoplasmic chain of a gp130 dimer contains the Trp(666)Ala mutation, indicating that it acts dominantly. [less ▲]

Termination of IL-6-induced STAT activation is independent of receptor internalization but requires de novo protein synthesis

in FEBS Letters (2000), 470(1), 15-9

The interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor complex comprises the IL-6 receptor (IL-6R, gp80) and the signal transducer gp130. Binding of IL-6 to its receptor results in dimerization of gp130, activation of the Jak ... [more ▼]

The interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor complex comprises the IL-6 receptor (IL-6R, gp80) and the signal transducer gp130. Binding of IL-6 to its receptor results in dimerization of gp130, activation of the Jak/STAT pathway, and in a down-regulation of IL-6 binding sites by endocytosis. The STAT activation after stimulation is transient, being maximal after 15-30 min and disappearing after 60-90 min. The mechanism which leads to the termination of the signal is still unknown.In this paper we have studied whether the down-modulation of the STAT signal requires the endocytosis of the receptor complex. Our results suggest that the desensitization of the IL-6 signal is not due to internalization of the receptor complex but requires de novo protein synthesis. [less ▲]

Differential inhibition of IL-6-type cytokine-induced STAT activation by PMA

in FEBS Letters (2000), 478(1-2), 100-4

Prior activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases by phorbol 13-myristate 12-acetate (PMA) results in an inhibition of interleukin (IL)-6-induced activation of the Janus kinase/signal transducer and ... [more ▼]

Prior activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases by phorbol 13-myristate 12-acetate (PMA) results in an inhibition of interleukin (IL)-6-induced activation of the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway which is most likely mediated by the induction of suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 and requires the specific SHP2 binding site Y759 of the IL-6 signal transducer gp130. In this study, we demonstrate that PMA inhibits STAT activation by IL-6 and the related cytokine leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) but not by oncostatin M (OSM). Since the LIF receptor also contains an SHP2 recruitment site whereas the OSM receptor lacks such a module, we propose that two SHP2 binding modules within a homo- or heterodimeric receptor are necessary to mediate the PMA inhibitory effect. [less ▲]

Contributions of leukemia inhibitory factor receptor and oncostatin M receptor to signal transduction in heterodimeric complexes with glycoprotein 130

in Journal of Immunology (2000), 163(12), 6651-8

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), cardiotrophin-1, ciliary neurotrophic factor, and oncostatin M (OSM) lead to heterodimerization of LIF receptor (LIFR) or the OSM-specific receptor (OSMR) with ... [more ▼]

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), cardiotrophin-1, ciliary neurotrophic factor, and oncostatin M (OSM) lead to heterodimerization of LIF receptor (LIFR) or the OSM-specific receptor (OSMR) with glycoprotein (gp) 130, the common receptor subunit for IL-6-type cytokines. Thereby intracellular signaling via Janus kinases (Jaks) and STAT transcription factors is initiated. We investigated the contributions of LIFR and OSMR to signal transduction in the context of heterodimers with gp130. Chimeric receptors based on the extracellular parts of the IL-5R alpha- and beta-chains were generated, allowing the induced heterodimerization of two different cytoplasmic tails. Our studies demonstrate that upon heterodimerization with the gp130 cytoplasmic region, the cytoplasmic parts of both LIFR and OSMR were critical for activation of an acute phase protein promoter in HepG2 hepatoma cells. The membrane-proximal region of LIFR or OSMR was crucial for the ability of such receptor complexes to induce DNA binding of STAT1 and STAT3 in COS-7 cells. Membrane-distal regions of LIFR and OSMR contributed to STAT activation even in the absence of gp130 STAT recruitment sites. We further show that the Janus kinases Jak1 and Jak2 constitutively associated with receptor constructs containing the cytoplasmic part of LIFR, OSMR, or gp130, respectively. Homodimers of the LIFR or OSMR cytoplasmic regions did not elicit responses in COS-7 cells but did in HepG2 cells and in MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells. Thus, in spite of extensive functional similarities, differential signaling abilities of gp130, LIFR, and OSMR may become evident in a cell-type-specific manner. [less ▲]

Interleukin-6 and oncostatin M-induced growth inhibition of human A375 melanoma cells is STAT-dependent and involves upregulation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27/Kip1

in Oncogene (1999), 18(25), 3742-53

Interleukin-6 (IL-6)-type cytokines lead to growth arrest of human A375 melanoma cells. The present study demonstrates that this effect depends on the activation of STAT transcription factors. We observed ... [more ▼]

Interleukin-6 (IL-6)-type cytokines lead to growth arrest of human A375 melanoma cells. The present study demonstrates that this effect depends on the activation of STAT transcription factors. We observed a correlation between the extent of growth inhibition exerted by IL-6, IL-6 plus soluble IL-6 receptor or oncostatin M (OSM) and the intensities of STAT3 and STAT1 signals. A truncated chimeric receptor retaining only the membrane-proximal region of gp130, the common signal transducer of IL-6-type cytokines, did neither activate STATs nor mediate growth arrest of stable transfectants. These functions were restored by the addition of short STAT recruitment modules comprising critical tyrosine residues from gp130 (Y767, Y814). A receptor carrying tyrosine module Y759 of gp130 effectively mediated activation of the phosphatase SHP-2 but did not alter cell growth. Overexpression of dominant negative forms of STAT3 but not STAT1 abrogated the inhibitory effect of OSM and IL-6 in A375 cells. In addition, we have identified the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27/Kipl as a novel target to be regulated by IL-6-type cytokines. Stimulation-dependent upregulation of p27 mRNA occurred STAT3-dependently. Also p27 protein accumulated which coincided with the disappearance of hyperphosphorylated retinoblastoma protein in three human melanoma cell lines sensitive to IL-6-type cytokines. [less ▲]

Interleukin-6-type cytokine signalling through the gp130/Jak/STAT pathway

in Biochemical Journal (1998), 334 (Pt 2)

The family of cytokines signalling through the common receptor subunit gp130 comprises interleukin (IL)-6, IL-11, leukaemia inhibitory factor, oncostatin M, ciliary neurotrophic factor and cardiotrophin-1 ... [more ▼]

The family of cytokines signalling through the common receptor subunit gp130 comprises interleukin (IL)-6, IL-11, leukaemia inhibitory factor, oncostatin M, ciliary neurotrophic factor and cardiotrophin-1. These so-called IL-6-type cytokines play an important role in the regulation of complex cellular processes such as gene activation, proliferation and differentiation. The current knowledge on the signal-transduction mechanisms of these cytokines from the plasma membrane to the nucleus is reviewed. In particular, we focus on the assembly of receptor complexes after ligand binding, the activation of receptor-associated kinases of the Janus family, and the recruitment and phosphorylation of transcription factors of the STAT family, which dimerize, translocate to the nucleus, and bind to enhancer elements of respective target genes leading to transcriptional activation. The important players in the signalling pathway, namely the cytokines and the receptor components, the Janus kinases Jak1, Jak2 and Tyk2, the signal transducers and activators of transcription STAT1 and STAT3 and the tyrosine phosphatase SHP2 [SH2 (Src homology 2) domain-containing tyrosine phosphatase] are introduced and their structural/functional properties are discussed. Furthermore, we review various mechanisms involved in the termination of the IL-6-type cytokine signalling, namely the action of tyrosine phosphatases, proteasome, Jak kinase inhibitors SOCS (suppressor of cytokine signalling), protein inhibitors of activated STATs (PIAS), and internalization of the cytokine receptors via gp130. Although all IL-6-type cytokines signal through the gp130/Jak/STAT pathway, the comparison of their physiological properties shows that they elicit not only similar, but also distinct, biological responses. This is reflected in the different phenotypes of IL-6-type-cytokine knock-out animals. [less ▲]