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Studying TGF-β Signaling and TGF-β-induced Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer and Normal Cells
Published on: October 27, 2020
Cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate-elevating agents inhibit transforming growth factor-beta-induced
Meinhard Schiller1, Frank Verrecchia, Alain Mauviel
1INSERM U532, Institut de Recherche sur la Peau, Université Paris VII, Hôpital Saint-Louis, F-75010 Paris, France.
Abstract:
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) plays complex roles in carcinogenesis, as it may exert both tumor suppressor and pro-oncogenic activities depending on the stage of the tumor. SMAD proteins transduce signals from the TGF-beta receptors to regulate the transcription of specific target genes. Crosstalks with other signaling pathways may contribute to the specificity of TGF-beta effects. In this report, we have investigated the effects of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP), a key second messenger in the cellular response to various hormones, on SMAD-dependent signaling in human HaCaT keratinocytes. Using either an artificial SMAD3/4-dependent reporter construct or the natural TGF-beta target, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, we show that membrane-permeable dibutyryl cAMP, and other intracellular cAMP-elevating agents such as the phosphodiesterase inhibitor isobutyl-methylxanthine, the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin, or exogenous prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), interfere with TGF-beta-induced SMAD-specific gene transactivation. Inhibition of protein kinase A (PKA), the main downstream effector of cAMP, with H-89, suppressed cAMP-dependent repression of SMAD-driven gene expression. Inversely, coexpression of either an active PKA catalytic subunit or that of the cAMP response element (CRE)-binding protein (CREB) blocked SMAD-driven gene transactivation. cAMP-elevating agents did not inhibit nuclear translocation and DNA binding of SMAD3/4 complexes, but abolished the interactions of SMAD3 with the transcription coactivators CREB-binding protein (CBP) and p300 in a PKA-dependent manner. These results suggest that suppression of TGF-beta/SMAD signaling and resulting gene transactivation by cAMP-inducing agents occurs via PKA-dependent, CREB-mediated, disruption of SMAD-CBP/p300 complexes.
Insights
Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling inhibits transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) by disrupting SMAD protein interactions with coactivators. This pathway affects gene transactivation, impacting cellular responses in keratinocytes.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling has dual roles in cancer, acting as both a tumor suppressor and promoter.
- SMAD proteins are key mediators of TGF-beta receptor signals, regulating target gene transcription.
- Interactions with other signaling pathways modulate TGF-beta's cellular effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) on SMAD-dependent signaling in HaCaT keratinocytes.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which cAMP influences TGF-beta-induced gene transactivation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a SMAD3/4-dependent reporter construct and the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 gene.
- Employed cAMP-elevating agents (dibutyryl cAMP, isobutyl-methylxanthine, forskolin, prostaglandin E2) and protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor H-89.
- Assessed nuclear translocation, DNA binding of SMAD3/4, and interactions with coactivators CREB-binding protein (CBP) and p300.
Main Results:
- cAMP-elevating agents repressed TGF-beta-induced SMAD-specific gene transactivation.
- Inhibition of PKA blocked cAMP-mediated repression, while active PKA or CREB overexpression inhibited SMAD transactivation.
- cAMP did not affect SMAD nuclear translocation or DNA binding but disrupted SMAD3-CBP/p300 interactions in a PKA-dependent manner.
Conclusions:
- cAMP signaling suppresses TGF-beta/SMAD pathway activity in HaCaT keratinocytes.
- The suppression mechanism involves PKA-dependent disruption of SMAD3 interaction with coactivators CBP and p300, mediated by CREB.
- This crosstalk provides insight into the regulation of TGF-beta signaling by second messengers.
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