Oncogene database

3925

STMN1

stathmin 1;STMN1;stathmin 1

leukemia-associated phosphoprotein p18|metablastin|oncoprotein 18|phosphoprotein 19|phosphoprotein p19|prosolin|stathmin|stathmin 1/oncoprotein 18|transmembrane protein C1orf215

1p36.11

protein-coding

oncoprotein 18/stathmin (Op18) is a recently identified phosphorylation-responsive regulator of the microtubule (MT) system. It was originally proposed that Op18 specifically regulates dynamic properties of MTs by associating with tubulin, but it has subsequently been proposed that Op18 acts simply by sequestering of tubulin heterodimers. We have dissected the mechanistic action of Op18 by generation of two distinct classes of mutants. One class has interruptions of the heptad repeats of a potential coiled-coil region of Op18, and the other involves substitution at ALL four phosphorylation sites with negatively charged Glu residues. Both types of mutation result in Op18 proteins with a limited decrease in tubulin complex formation. However, the MT-destabilizing activities of the coiled-coil mutants are more severely reduced in transfected leukemia cells than those of the Glu-substituted Op18 derivative, providing evidence for tubulin-directed regulatory activities distinct from tubulin complex formation. Analysis of Op18-mediated regulation of tubulin GTPase activity and taxol-promoted tubulin polymerization showed that while wild-type and Glu-substituted Op18 derivatives are active, the coiled-coil mutants are essentially inactive. This suggests that Op18-tubulin contact involves structural motifs that deliver a signal of regulatory importance to the MT system.

oncoprotein 18/stathmin (Op18) has been identified recently as a protein which destabilizes microtubules. To characterize the function of Op18 in living cells, we used microinjection of anti-Op18 antibodies or antisense oligonucleotides to block either Op18 activity or expression in interphase newt lung cells. Anti-tubulin staining of cells microinjected with anti-Op18 and fixed 1-2 hours after injection showed an increase in total microtubule polymer. In contrast, microinjection of either non-immune IgG or anti-Op18 preincubated with bacterially-expressed Op18 had little effect on microtubule polymer level. Cells treated with Op18 antisense oligonucleotides for 4 days had (greater than or equal to)50% reduced levels of Op18 with no change in the soluble tubulin level. Measurement of MT polymer level in untreated, antisense or nonsense oligonucleotide treated cells demonstrated that reduced Op18 levels resulted in a 2.5-fold increase in microtubule polymer. Next, the assembly dynamics of individual microtubules at the peripheral regions of living cells were examined using video-enhanced contrast DIC microscopy. Microinjection of antibodies against oncoprotein 18 resulted in a 2.2-fold reduction in catastrophe frequency and a slight reduction in plus end elongation velocity compared to uninjected cells or cells microinjected with non-immune IgG. Preincubation of anti-Op18 antibody with recombinant Op18 greatly diminished the effects of the antibody. Similarly, treatment of cells with antisense oligonucleotides reduced catastrophes 2.5- to 3-fold compared to nonsense oligonucleotide treated or untreated cells. The other parameters of dynamic instability were unchanged after reducing Op18 with antisense oligonucleotides. These studies are consistent with Op18 functioning to regulate microtubule catastrophes during interphase in vivo.

tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-induced cell death in the fibrosarcoma cell line L929 occurs independently of caspase activation and cytochrome c release. However, it is dependent on mitochondria and is characterized by increased production of reactive oxygen intermediates that are essential to the death process. To identify signaling molecules involved in this TNF-induced, reactive oxygen intermediate-dependent cell death pathway, we performed a comparative study by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of phosphoproteins from a mitochondria-enriched fraction derived from TNF-treated and control cells. TNF induced rapid and persistent phosphorylation of the phosphorylation-responsive regulator of the microtubule (MT) dynamics, oncoprotein 18 (Op18). By using induced overexpression of wild type Op18 and phosphorylation site-deficient mutants S25A/S38A and S16A/S63A in L929 cells, we show that TNF-induced phosphorylation on each of the four Ser residues of Op18 promotes cell death and that Ser(16) and Ser(63) are the primary sites. This hyperphosphorylation of Op18 is known to completely turn off its MT-destabilizing activity. As a result, TNF treatment of L929 cells induced elongated and extremely tangled microtubules. These TNF-induced changes to the MT network were also observed in cells overexpressing wild type Op18 and, to a lesser extent, in cells overexpressing the S25A/S38A mutant. No changes in the MT network were observed upon TNF treatment of cells overexpressing the S16A/S63A mutant, and these cells were desensitized to TNF-induced cell death. These findings indicate that TNF-induced MT stabilization is mediated by hyperphosphorylation of Op18 and that this promotes cell death. The data suggest that Op18 and the MT network play a functional role in transduction of the cell death signal to the mitochondria.

oncoprotein 18/stathmin (Op18) is a conserved cytosolic phosphoprotein that regulates microtubule dynamics. The microtubule destabilizing activity is regulated by phosphorylation, mediated by both growth factor stimulated- and cell-cycle regulating kinases. The protein is highly expressed in a variety of human malignancies. In human breast carcinoma, Op18 has previously been shown to be up-regulated in a subset of the tumours, however, no correlation with clinicopathologic characteristics has been reported so far. In the present study we have examined Op18 protein expression by quantitative Western blot analysis in a panel of 151 semi-consecutive breast carcinoma samples. Op18 levels were negatively correlated with oestrogen receptor (OR) expression and positively correlated with a high fraction of aneuploid cells, proliferation measured by proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression, tumour size and histopathologic grade. Taken together, and in contrast to what has been previously reported, the present study shows that high Op18 expression correlates with general predictive factors and is not restricted to a specific sub-group of breast carcinoma.

The past several years have seen major advances in our understanding of the mechanisms of microtubule destabilization by oncoprotein18/stathmin (Op18/stathmin) and related proteins. New structural information has clearly shown how members of the Op18/stathmin protein family bind tubulin dimers and suggests models for how these proteins stimulate catastrophe, the transition from microtubule growth to shortening. Regulation of Op18/stathmin by phosphorylation continues to capture much attention. Studies suggest that phosphorylation occurs in a localized fashion, resulting in decreased microtubule destabilizing activity near chromatin or microtubule polymer. A spatial gradient of inactive Op18/stathmin associated with chromatin or microtubules could contribute significantly to mitotic spindle assembly.

Megakaryocytes undergo an unusual cell cycle during differentiation that results in polyploidy through largely unknown mechanism(s). It has been shown that serine phosphorylation of oncoprotein 18 (Op18) is required for cell cycle progression specifically at the G2/M transition. Moreover, mutant forms of Op18 that are defective in one or more of the four serine residues induce G2/M arrest and subsequent polyploidization. Op18 phosphorylation is rapidly induced with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) treatment in a wide range of human cells. In this study, we investigated the role of Op18 in PMA induced polyploidization during megakaryocyte differentiation of the human erythroleukemia cell line. Crucial to the molecular analysis of megakaryocyte differentiation, is the ability to fractionate cell populations with different ploidy levels. We have utilized cell elutriation as a fractionation strategy to analyze Op18 expression in synchronized cell subpopulations in different phases of the cell cycle or with progressive megakaryocyte polyploidization. In the absence of PMA, increased phosphorylation of Op18 was observed in HEL cells during cell cycle progression, as for other proliferating cells. However, in contrast to Jurkat leukemia cells chosen as control, HEL cells exhibited a lack of Op18 phosphorylation in response to PMA, which was accompanied by polyploidization and differentiation along the megakaryocytic lineage. To further determine the role of Op18 in polyploidization, HEL cells were transfected with different Op18 expression constructs. Differences in cell survival and polyploidization were observed between high and low Op18 expressors. An increased Op18 level reduced cell survival during the early stage of PMA induced megakaryocyte differentiation, but enhanced polyploidization efficiency. Our findings suggest that maintenance of a high level of unphosphorylated Op18 is required for efficient polyploidization during the differentiation program of megakaryocytes.

We examined the expression of oncoprotein 18 (Op18) in 93 lung adenocarcinomas and 10 uninvolved lung samples using quantitative two-dimensional PAGE analysis with confirmation by mass spectrometry and two-dimensional Western blot analysis. mRNA expression was examined using oligonucleotide microarrays, and the cellular localization of the Op18 protein was examined using immunohistochemical analysis of tissue microarrays. Three phosphorylated forms and one unphosphorylated form of the Op18 protein were identified and found to be overexpressed in lung adenocarcinomas as compared with normal lung. The percentage of phosphorylated to total Op18 protein isoforms increased from 3.2% in normal lung to 7.9% in lung tumors. Both the phosphorylated and unphosphorylated Op18 proteins were significantly increased in poorly differentiated tumors as compared with moderately or well differentiated lung adenocarcinomas (p<0.03), suggesting that up-regulated expression of Op18 reflects a poor differentiation status and higher cell proliferation rates. This was further verified in A549 and SKLU1 lung adenocarcinoma cell lines by examining Op18 levels and phosphorylation status following treatment that altered either cell proliferation or differentiation. The increased expression of Op18 protein was significantly correlated with its mRNA level indicating that increased transcription likely underlies elevated expression of Op18. The overexpression of Op18 proteins in poorly differentiated lung adenocarcinomas and the elevated expression of the phosphorylated forms of Op18 may offer a new target for drug- or gene-directed therapy and may have potential utility as a tumor marker.

The oncoprotein 18 (Op18) gene encodes a proliferation-related cytosolic phosphoprotein, which is induced in normal lymphocytes following mitogenic stimulation. Studies of the Op18 gene are of particular interest because of the proposed role of Op18 protein in signal transduction and because of its occurrence in markedly increased amounts in acute leukemia cells. We have recently reported the cloning and sequencing of two cDNA clones for Op18 (1 and 1.5 kilobases). Both clones code for the same 149-amino acid polypeptide; however, they differ in their 3 -region as a result of alternative polyadenylation. We report here the sequencing of the Op18 gene and describe its expression in leukemia. The Op18 gene, which is 6.3 kilobases in length, is comprised of five exons and four introns and exhibits features that are common to other genes involved in cellular growth and proliferation. The increase in Op18 polypeptide in leukemia is associated with increased RNA transcription without gene amplification or rearrangement. Treatment of K562 leukemia cell line with hemin that induces terminal differentiation resulted in decreased expression of Op18. Our findings suggest that the high amount of Op18 protein in acute leukemia results from increased expression of a structurally unaltered gene.

Stathmin, a microtubule regulatory protein, is overexpressed in many cancers and required for survival of several cancer lines. In a study of breast cancer cell lines(1) proposed that stathmin is required for survival of cells lacking p53, but this hypothesis was not tested directly. Here we tested their hypothesis by examining cell survival in cells depleted of stathmin, p53 or both proteins. Comparing HCT116 colon cancer cell lines differing in TP53 genotype, stathmin depletion resulted in significant death only in cells lacking p53. As a second experimental system, we compared the effects of stathmin depletion from HeLa cells, which normally lack detectable levels of p53 due to expression of the HPV E6 protein. Stathmin depletion caused a large percentage of HeLa cells to die. Restoring p53, by depletion of HPV E6, rescued HeLa cells from stathmin-depletion induced death. Cleaved PARP was detected in HCT116(p53-/-) cells depleted of stathmin and cell death in stathmin-depleted HeLa cells was blocked by the caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK, consistent with apoptotic death. The stathmin-dependent survival of cells lacking p53 was not confined to cancerous cells because both proteins were required for survival of normal human fibroblasts. In HCT116 and HeLa cells, depletion of both stathmin and p53 leads to a cell cycle delay through G(2). Our results demonstrate that stathmin is required for cell survival in cells lacking p53, suggesting that stathmin depletion could be used therapeutically to induce apoptosis in tumors without functional p53.

The JNKs (c-Jun N-terminal kinases) are stress-activated serine/threonine kinases that can regulate both cell death and cell proliferation. We have developed a cell system to control JNK re-expression at physiological levels in JNK1/2-null MEFs (murine embryonic fibroblasts). JNK re-expression restored basal and stress-activated phosphorylation of the c-Jun transcription factor and attenuated cellular proliferation with increased cells in G1/S-phase of the cell cycle. To explore JNK actions to regulate cell proliferation, we evaluated a role for the cytosolic protein, STMN (stathmin)/Op18 (oncoprotein 18). STMN, up-regulated in a range of cancer types, plays a crucial role in the control of cell division through its regulation of microtubule dynamics of the mitotic spindle. In JNK1/2-null or c-Jun-null MEFs or cells treated with c-Jun siRNA (small interfering RNA), STMN levels were significantly increased. Furthermore, a requirement for JNK/cJun signalling was demonstrated by expression of wild-type c-Jun, but not a phosphorylation-defective c-Jun mutant, being sufficient to down-regulate STMN. Critically, shRNA (small hairpin RNA)-directed STMN down-regulation in JNK1/2-null MEFs attenuated proliferation. Thus JNK/c-Jun regulation of STMN levels provides a novel pathway in regulation of cell proliferation with important implications for understanding the actions of JNK as a physiological regulator of the cell cycle and tumour suppressor protein.

Bifunctional small hairpin RNAs (bi-shRNAs) are functional miRNA/siRNA composites that are optimized for posttranscriptional gene silencing through concurrent mRNA cleavage-dependent and -independent mechanisms (Rao et al., 2010 ). We have generated a novel bi-shRNA using the miR30 scaffold that is highly effective for knockdown of human stathmin (STMN1) mRNA. STMN1 overexpression well documented in human solid cancers correlates with their poor prognosis. Transfection with the bi-shSTMN1-encoding expression plasmid (pbi-shSTMN1) markedly reduced CCL-247 human colorectal cancer and SK-Mel-28 melanoma cell growth in vitro (Rao et al., 2010 ). We now examine in vivo the antitumor efficacy of this RNA interference-based approach with human tumor xenografted athymic mice. A single intratumoral (IT) injection of pbi-shSTMN1 (8 mug) reduced CCL-247 tumor xenograft growth by 44% at 7 days when delivered as a 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethyl-ammoniopropane:cholesterol liposomal complex. Extended growth reductions (57% at day 15; p < 0.05) were achieved with three daily treatments of the same construct. STMN1 protein reduction was confirmed by immunoblot analysis. IT treatments with pbi-shSTMN1 similarly inhibited the growth of tumorgrafts derived from low-passage primary melanoma (>/=70% reduction for 2 weeks) and abrogated osteosarcoma tumorgraft growth, with the mature bi-shRNA effector molecule detectable for up to 16 days after last injection. Antitumor efficacy was evident for up to 25 days posttreatment in the melanoma tumorgraft model. The maximum tolerated dose by IT injection of >92 mug (Human equivalent dose [HED] of >0.3 mg/kg) in CCL-247 tumor xenograft-bearing athymic mice was approximately 10-fold higher than the extrapolated IC(50) of 9 mug (HED of 0.03 mg/kg). Healthy, immunocompetent rats were used as biorelevant models for systemic safety assessments. The observed maximum tolerated dose of <100 mug for intravenously injected pbi-shSTMN1 (mouse equivalent of <26.5 mug; HED of <0.09 mg/kg) confirmed systemic safety of the therapeutic dose, hence supporting early-phase assessments of clinical safety and preliminary efficacy.

Recent studies have reported the association between the expression of oncoprotein 18 (op18) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, any underlying mechanistic connection between op18 expression and hepatocarcinogenesis is poorly understood. In the present study, Flag-pcDNA3.1 vector and Flag-pcDNA3.1-op18 plasmid were stably transfected in SMMC7721 cells, respectively. Stable SMMC7721 control and op18 overexpression SMMC7721 cell lines were constructed and identified by western blot analysis. Using a cell counting kit-8 (CCK8), it was shown that cell proliferation was significantly increased in the op18 overexpression SMMC7721 cell group (0.60+/-0.05), compared with the control group (0.29+/-0.03) at an absorbance of 450 nm (P<0.01). Flow cytometry was used to analyze cell apoptosis by FITC-Annexin V and propidium iodide (PI) apoptosis assay kit. The results demonstrated that the percentage of apoptotic cells was inhibited to 5.80+/-0.33% in the op18 overexpression group, compared with 11.79+/-1.09% in the control group. Using FACS, single cell analysis data showed that op18 overexpression induced cell cycle arrest by inhibiting progression from G2 to M phase. The results suggest that op18 expression is closely associated with SMMC7721 cell proliferation and apoptosis, which appears to be a potential predictor of prognosis in HCC.

oncoprotein 18 (Op18) is an intracellular phosphoprotein that has been shown to be overexpression in a number of human malignancies. In the present report we have studied the pattern of Op18 expression on normal, hyperplastic, and malignant prostatic tissue as well as in rat prostatic tumor lines. One of the objectives of the present work was to establish whether the level of Op18 expression can be used as a prognostic marker in human prostatic adenocarcinoma. To that end, sections from normal, hyperplastic, and malignant human prostatic tissue were examined by immunohistochemistry for expression of Op18. In the normal and hyperplastic prostate, Op18 expression was observed in basal glandular epithelial cells, whereas the columnar luminal epithelial cells were not stained by the anti Op18 antibodies. In highly differentiated prostatic cancers occasional epithelial cells were stained, while in poorly differentiated tumors most of the epithelial cells contained Op18 immunoreactivity. The staining pattern was similar in the primary prostatic tumor and in the regional lymph node metastases. Most importantly, a limited survey of prostatic cancer patient samples (n = 40) showed a significant correlation between the fraction of Op18 immunoreactive cells and survival. Studies of a rat prostatic tumor model, showed that only a few cells were stained in the highly differentiated Dunning R3327PAP tumor, while most cells were stained in the anaplastic AT1 rat prostatic tumor. Interestingly, castration of rats resulted in an increased Op18 immunoreactivity, within 14 days, in the highly differentiated rat R3327PAP prostatic tumor. In conclusion, the level of Op18 expression seems to be related to cellular differentiation, histological grade, and survival in prostatic cancers. These findings show that Op18 immunoreactivity may be useful as a prognostic marker in prostatic cancer. In addition it may help in the differentiation between highly differentiated prostatic tumors and non-malignant conditions.

expression of oncoprotein 18 (Op18), an intracellular phosphoprotein up-regulated in many malignant cell types, was evaluated in a series of normal lymphoid tissue and malignant lymphomas. In normal tonsils and reactive lymph nodes, the majority of Op18-positive cells were present in the germinal centres, whereas cells in the mantle zone were essentially negative and the interfollicular areas showed occasional positive cells. Double staining for PCNA and Op18 revealed that Op18 expression only to some extent was correlated with cell proliferation, as determined by PCNA expression. Non-Hodgkin s lymphomas exhibited a variable Op18 expression, and in Hodgkin s disease, Reed-Sternberg and Hodgkin cells frequently expressed Op18 with a strong staining intensity. Using Op18-PCNA double staining in malignant lymphomas, Op18 expression could also be partially dissociated from cell proliferation. By using confocal microscopy, the intracellular localization of Op18 was studied, demonstrating diffuse reactivity in the cytoplasm in interphase cells and during mitosis, whereas nuclei and condensed chromosomes were negative. In conclusion, Op18 was expressed at variable levels in most, perhaps all, proliferating lymphocytes in benign lymphoid tissue as well as in malignant lymphomas. However, the Op18 protein was also detected in a significant fraction of apparently non-cycling normal and neoplastic lymphocytes.

oncoprotein 18 (Op18) is a conserved cytosolic protein that is a target for both cell cycle and cell surface receptor-regulated phosphorylation events. The four residues Ser16, Ser25, Ser38, and Ser63 are ALL subject to cell cycle-regulated phosphorylation. Ser25 and Ser38 are targets for cyclin dependent kinases (CDKs), while Ser16 and Ser63 are phosphorylated by an unidentified protein kinase. We have recently shown that induced expression of a CDK target site-deficient mutant, Op18-S25A,S38A, blocks human cell lines during G2/M transition. In the present report we show that mitosis is associated with complete phosphorylation of the two Op18 CDK target sites Ser25 and Ser38 and that Ser16 and Ser63 are also phosphorylated to a high stoichiometry. To evaluate the function of multisite phosphorylation of Op18, we expressed and analyzed the cell cycle phenotype of different kinase target site-deficient mutants. The data showed that induced expression of the S16A,S63A, S25A,S38A, and S16A,S25A,S38A,S63A mutants ALL resulted in an indistinguishable phenotype, i.e. immediate G2/M block and subsequent endoreduplication, a given fraction of G2 versus M-phase blocked cells, and a characteristic nuclear morphology of M-blocked cells. This result was unexpected; however, a likely explanation was provided by analysis of Op18 phosphoisomers, which revealed that mutations of the CDK sites interfere with phosphorylation of Ser16 and Ser63. The simplest interpretation of our results is that phosphorylation of Ser16 and Ser63 is essential during G2/M transition and that the phenotype of the S25A,S38A mutant is mediated by the observed block of Ser16/Ser63 phosphorylation.

oncoprotein 18 (Op18) is a cytosolic protein that was initially identified due to its up-regulated expression in acute leukemia and its complex pattern of phosphorylation in response to diverse extracellular signals. We have previously identified in vivo phosphorylation sites and some of the protein kinase systems involved. Two distinct proline-directed kinase families phosphorylate Ser25 and Ser38 of Op18 with overlapping but distinct site preference. These two kinase families, mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases and cyclin-dependent cdc2 kinases, are involved in receptor-regulated and cell-cycle-regulated phosphorylation events, respectively. During analysis of Op18 phosphorylation in the Jurkat T-cell line, we also found that Ser16 of Op18 is phosphorylated in response to a Ca2+ signal generated by T-cell receptor stimulation or the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin. As suggested by a previous study, T-cell-receptor-induced phosphorylation events may be mediated by the Ca2+/CaM-dependent protein kinase type Gr (CaM kinase-Gr). The present study shows that activation of this protein kinase correlates with phosphorylation of Ser16 of Op18, and in vitro experiments reveal efficient and selective phosphorylation of this residue. The CaM kinase-Gr is only expressed in certain lymphoid cell lines, and the present study shows that ionomycin-induced phosphorylation of Op18 Ser16 is restricted to cells expressing this protein kinase. Finally, CaM kinase-Gr-dependent in vitro phosphorylation of a crude cellular extract reveals a striking preference of this protein kinase for Op18 compared to other cellular substrates. In conclusion, the results suggest that Ser16 of Op18 is a major cytosolic target for activated CaM kinase-Gr.

oncoprotein 18 (Op18) is a cytosolic protein that is expressed in ALL proliferating cells. This phosphoprotein is up-regulated in a variety of human neoplasm, and phosphorylation of its two Cdc2 kinase target sites, Ser-25 and Ser-38, fluctuates dramatically during the cell cycle. We have investigated the potential role of the Cdc2 kinase-mediated phosphorylation of these two sites by expressing a "Cdc2 kinase target site-deficient" mutant of Op18 (Op18-S25,38A), and analyzed the phenotype on the level of cell cycle regulation. The result shows that induced expression of Op18-S25,38A results in rapid accumulation of cells in the G2 phase of the cell cycle. The block in G2 seems transient, since prolonged incubation was found to result in a large fraction of the transfected cells entering S phase in the absence of mitosis, i.e. endoreduplication. In addition, a fraction (30%) of the transfected cells was blocked in mitosis. Whereas the morphology of the G2 arrested cells appeared normal, expression of Op18-S25,38A caused a serious defect during mitotic chromosome segregation. Analyses of the mechanism behind the phenotype of Op18-S25,38A suggest an essential role for Op18 during cell division and that the mutant interferes with the function of the endogenous gene product.

oncoprotein 18 (Op18) has been independently identified due to its increased phosphorylation in response to external signals and its up-regulated expression in acute leukemia. We have identified two serine residues of Op18 that are phosphorylated after triggering by the T cell antigen receptor. One of these residues, Ser25, was shown to be a likely substrate for the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, while the other residue, Ser16, was shown to be phosphorylated in response to increased intracellular calcium. Our previous site-mapping studies of Op18 also revealed that basal phosphorylation of Op18 is mainly located on Ser38, which was found to be the primary in vitro phosphorylation site of p13suc1-precipitated cdc2 kinase activities. These findings raised the possibility that Op18 may be a substrate for both receptor-regulated calcium-induced protein kinases and the MAP kinase family, as well as being a substrate for the cell-cycle-regulated cdc2 kinase family. In the present report we have performed site-mapping studies of cell-cycle-regulated fluctuations of Op18 phosphorylation. The results reveal that S-phase progression of a synchronised leukemic T cell line is associated with increased phosphorylation of both the Ser25 and Ser38 residues. Moreover, during mitosis, a burst of phosphorylation was observed and at this stage of the cell cycle a major fraction of Op18 was phosphorylated at multiple sites. Phosphorylation of Op18 during mitosis was located primarily on Ser38 and to lesser extent on Ser25, Ser16 and at an unidentified C-terminal residue. In vitro phosphorylation experiments, employing two distinct members of the cdc2 kinase family, were consistent with involvement of both p34-cdc2 and p33-cdk2 in cell-cycle-regulated phosphorylation of Ser25 and Ser38 of Op18. Most importantly, the ratio of Ser25/Ser38 phosphorylation observed in vitro, using either p34-cdc2 or p33-cdk2, was found to be the same as the ratio observed in intact cells during ALL phases of the cell cycle. These findings suggest that Op18 may be a physiological substrate for several members of the cdc2 kinase family during both the S-phase and the mitotic phase of the cell cycle.

A multitude of external signals induce extensive phosphorylation of oncoprotein 18 (Op18), which suggests a putative role for this protein in signal transduction. We have recently identified two distinct proline-directed kinase families that phosphorylates Op18 with overlapping but distinct site preference. These two kinase families, mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases and cyclin-dependent cdc2 kinases, are involved in receptor- and cell cycle-regulated phosphorylation events, respectively. In the present study, site-specific phosphorylation of Op18 in response to stimulation of the antigen receptor-associated CD3 complex was analyzed in the Jurkat T cell-line. The results show that CD3-induced phosphorylation of Ser-25 of Op18, which is the primary MAP kinase phosphorylation site, can be induced by an apparently protein kinase C (PKC)-independent signal transduction pathway. We also demonstrate that Ser-16 of Op18 is specifically phosphorylated in response to the Ca2+ signal generated by CD3 stimulation or by the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin. Ser-16 phosphorylation occurs independently of both PKC and MAP kinase activation. Using site-specific Op18 mutants and tryptic phosphopeptide mapping, we show that phosphorylation of Ser-16 of Op18 together with Ser-25, or Ser-25 and Ser-38, generates two Op18 phosphoisomers showing a dramatic electrophoretic retardation. In conclusion, site-mapping studies of Op18 reveal that CD3 stimulation results in an apparently PKC-independent activation of both the MAP kinase and a Ca(2+)-regulated kinase pathway, which results in phosphorylation of distinct sites of Op18. The data also pinpoints the specific phosphorylation events that result in electrophoretic retardation of Op18.

oncoprotein 18 (Op18) is an 18-19-kDa cytoplasmic phosphoprotein, of unknown function, that is frequently up-regulated in transformed cells. Stimulation of various cell-surface receptors results in extensive phosphorylation of Op18 and this protein has, therefore, previously been implicated in intracellular signaling. In the present study, by expression of specific Op18 cDNA mutant constructs and phosphopeptide mapping, we have identified in vivo phosphorylation sites. In conjunction with in vitro phosphorylation experiments, using purified wild-type and mutant Op18 proteins in combination with a series of kinases, these results have identified two distinct proline-directed kinase families that phosphorylate Op18 with overlapping but distinct site preference. These two kinase families, mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinases and cyclin dependent cdc2 kinases, are involved in receptor and cell cycle-regulated phosphorylation events, respectively. Therefore, Op18 may reside at a junction where receptor and cell cycle-regulated kinase families interact with the same substrate. The present study shows that the MAP kinase has a 20-fold preference for Ser25 as opposed to Ser38 of Op18, while cdc2 kinases have a 5-fold preference for the Ser38 residue. Only a minor fraction of the 4.5 x 10(6) Op18 molecules/cell in a leukemic T-cell line are normally in their Ser25 phosphorylated form. However, antigen receptor stimulation of this cell line is shown to result in a rapid conversion of 35-45% of ALL Op18 molecules to the Ser25 phosphorylated form. These results suggest that Ser25 of Op18 may be a major cytoplasmic target for the MAP kinase in cells with high expression of Op18.

oncoprotein 18 (Op18) is an 18 kDa intracellular phosphoprotein that appears to be up-regulated in certain neoplastic cells. In the present report we have analysed the expression of Op18 in samples of human hematopoietic disorders, mainly leukemias and lymphomas. For this purpose we have developed reagents allowing quantitative Western-blot analysis, and quantification of Op18 on the single cell level by flow cytometric analysis. The data demonstrates that a significant fraction of ALL lymphoma and leukemia cases express Op18 at levels that are several-fold higher than the Op18 levels ever found in benign proliferating tissue, such as bone marrows in remission and reactive lymph nodes. Thus, the results establish on the single cell level that Op18 is frequently expressed at abnormal levels in lymphoid and myeloid malignancies. Flow cytometric analysis revealed a striking qualitative and quantitative heterogeneity in Op18 expression between patients with lymphoma or leukemia. Moreover, our analysis demonstrates that the abnormal cellular levels of Op18 expression frequently found in high grade lymphoma and acute leukemia samples do not correlate with an increased fraction of cells in S phase. Finally, we also present an example of dramatic changes in Op18 expression pattern in bone marrow cells during the progression of a chemo-resistant acute leukemia.

Activation of protein kinase C results in phosphorylation of a 19-kDa protein termed 19K. Isolation and sequence analysis of a cDNA encoding the 19K protein revealed that this protein has been studied in other systems under different names. The name oncoprotein 18 (Op18) has been proposed on the basis of a postulated up-regulation in neoplastic cells. In the present report we adopt the designation Op18 for the 19K protein, and quantify this phosphoprotein in a series of leukemia/lymphoma cell lines, a panel of non-transformed cells and some terminally differentiated cell types. For this purpose we have developed reagents allowing quantitative Western-blot analysis, and quantification of Op18 on the single cell level by flow cytometric analysis. The data demonstrates a pronounced up-regulation of the Op18 protein in most leukemia/lymphoma cell lines. The HPB-ALL cell line provided the most extreme case and expressed 7 x 10(6) Op18 molecules/cell, which compares with 0.65 x 10(6) Op18 molecules/cell in non-transformed lymphoblastoid cells. The expression of Op18 appears to be restricted to cell types with proliferative potential, but it is clear from our results that up-regulation of Op18 is uncoupled from cellular proliferation. Moreover, by employing an Epstein-Barr virus based shuttle vector, we expressed Op18 cDNA in lymphoblastoid cells. This resulted in a three to fourfold up-regulation of Op18 that did not have any detectable consequences for cell-surface phenotype or cell size. However, increased expression of Op18 resulted in a partial inhibition of cell proliferation. Taken altogether, the results suggest that up-regulation Op18 levels in leukemia/lymphoma cells are strongly associated with, but not a direct cause of tumour progression.

The effects of a pan-CD45 mAb (CD45.2) on TCR-mediated signaling pathways were investigated in Jurkat T cells. The simultaneous addition of CD45 mAb with an activating OKT3 mAb had little effect on TCR-stimulated signals. However, when Jurkat cells were exposed to the CD45 mAb for 10 to 20 min before the addition of OKT3, a partial uncoupling of the TCR from intracellular signals was observed. The maximal increase in intracellular calcium was inhibited 47 +/- 10% (n = 11, range 33-67%), whereas no inhibition of inositol trisphosphate production was detected. The transient TCR-mediated activation of the Ca2+/calmodulin-activated kinase IV/Gr was also inhibited by the CD45 mAb, and this was reflected in a 50 to 60% inhibition in the TCR-stimulated generation of the p21 and p23 phosphoisomers of oncoprotein 18, a Ca2+/calmodulin-activated kinase IV/Gr substrate recently implicated in cell cycle regulatory events. oncoprotein 18 is also a substrate for mitogen- activated protein kinase, but no inhibition by the CD45 mAb of TCR-triggered mitogen-activated protein kinase activation was observed. The CD45 mAb was therefore selective in causing the uncoupling of the TCR from calcium signals and calcium-regulated events without promoting a general inhibition of ALL TCR-mediated signals. Confocal microscopy revealed that binding of the CD45 mAb caused patching of CD45 molecules at the cell surface and, unexpectedly, a marked redistribution of intracellular CD45. However, no change was observed in the total level of CD45 expressed at the cell surface. Aggregation of CD45 at the cell surface may result in its sequestration from its tyrosine kinase substrates, with a consequent selective uncoupling of the TCR from intracellular signaling pathways.

oncoprotein 18 (Op18, also termed p19, p18, prosolin or stathmin) is a cytosolic protein of previously unknown function. Phosphorylation of Op18 is cell cycle regulated by cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), and expression of a CDK target site-deficient mutant results in a phenotype indicative of a role for Op18 during mitosis. This phenotype is compatible with the idea that Op18 is a phosphorylation-responsive regulator of microtubule (MT) dynamics. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed MTs in cells induced to express either wild-type or mutated Op18. The results showed that wild-type Op18 and a CDK target site mutant both efficiently elicited rapid depolymerization of MTs. This result contrasts with clear-cut differences in their cell cycle phenotypes. Morphological analysis of MTs explained this apparent discrepancy: while interphase MTs were depolymerized in cells expressing either Op18 derivative, apparently normal mitotic spindles were formed only in cells overexpressing wild-type Op18. This result correlates with our finding that only mutated Op18 causes a block during mitosis. Hence, we conclude that Op18 decreases MT stability and that this activity of Op18 is subject to cell cycle regulation by CDKs.

oncoprotein 18 (Op18; also termed p19, 19K, p18, prosolin, and stathmin) is a regulator of microtubule (MT) dynamics and is phosphorylated by multiple kinase systems on four Ser residues. In addition to cell cycle-regulated phosphorylation, external signals induce phosphorylation of Op18 on Ser-25 by the mitogen-activated protein kinase and on Ser-16 by the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase IV/Gr (CaMK IV/Gr). Here we show that induced expression of a constitutively active mutant of CaMK IV/Gr results in phosphorylation of Op18 on Ser-16. In parallel, we also observed partial degradation of Op18 and a rapid increase of total cellular MTs. These results suggest a link between CaMK IV/Gr, Op18, and MT dynamics. To explore such a putative link, we optimized a genetic system that allowed conditional coexpression of a series of CaMK IV/Gr and Op18 derivatives. The result shows that CaMK IV/Gr can suppress the MT-regulating activity of Op18 by phosphorylation on Ser-16. In line with these results, by employing a chemical cross-linking protocol, it was shown that phosphorylation of Ser-16 is involved in weakening of the interactions between Op18 and tubulin. Taken together, these data suggest that the mechanism of CaMK IV/Gr-mediated suppression of Op18 activity involves both partial degradation of Op18 and direct modulation of the MT-destabilizing activity of this protein. These results show that Op18 phosphorylation by CaMK IV/Gr may couple alterations of MT dynamics in response to external signals that involve Ca2+.

oncoprotein 18 (Op18; also termed p19, 19K, metablastin, stathmin, and prosolin) is a conserved protein that regulates microtubule (MT) dynamics. Op18 is multisite phosphorylated on four Ser residues during mitosis; two of these Ser residues, Ser-25 and Ser-38, are targets for cyclin-dependent protein kinases (CDKs), and the other two Ser residues, Ser-16 and Ser-63, are targets for an unidentified protein kinase. mutations of the two CDK sites have recently been shown to result in a mitotic block caused by destabilization of MTs. To understand the role of Op18 in regulation of MT dynamics during mitosis, in this study we dissected the functions of ALL four phosphorylation sites of Op18 by combining genetic, morphological, and biochemical analyses. The data show that ALL four phosphorylation sites are involved in switching off Op18 activity during mitosis, an event that appears to be essential for formation of the spindle during metaphase. However, the mechanisms by which specific sites down-regulate Op18 activity differ. Hence, dual phosphorylation on the CDK sites Ser-25 and Ser-38 appears to be required for phosphorylation of Ser-16 and Ser-63; however, by themselves, the CDK sites are of only minor importance in direct regulation of Op18 activity. Subsequent phosphorylation of either Ser-16, Ser-63, or both efficiently switches off Op18 activity.

oncoprotein 18 (Op18, also termed p19, 19K, metablastin, stathmin, and prosolin) is a recently identified regulator of microtubule (MT) dynamics. Op18 is a target for both cell cycle and cell surface receptor-coupled kinase systems, and phosphorylation of Op18 on specific combinations of sites has been shown to switch off its MT-destabilizing activity. Here we show that induced expression of the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) results in a dramatic increase in cellular MT polymer content concomitant with phosphorylation and partial degradation of Op18. That PKA may regulate the MT system by downregulation of Op18 activity was evaluated by a genetic system allowing conditional co-expression of PKA and a series of kinase target site-deficient mutants of Op18. The results show that phosphorylation of Op18 on two specific sites, Ser-16 and Ser-63, is necessary and sufficient for PKA to switch off Op18 activity in intact cells. The regulatory importance of dual phosphorylation on Ser-16 and Ser-63 of Op18 was reproduced by in vitro assays. These results suggest a simple model where PKA phosphorylation downregulates the MT-destabilizing activity of Op18, which in turn promotes increased tubulin polymerization. Hence, the present study shows that Op18 has the potential to regulate the MT system in response to external signals such as cAMP-linked agonists.

Differential gene expression plays a critical role in many biological processes. To facilitate the screening of the entire mRNA species for cloning differentially expressed genes, we have made an effort to merge two polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods, differential display (DD) and arbitrarily primed RNA fingerprinting (APR-FP), with some modifications. Using this modified method to screen the mRNAs of the brain tissues of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD)-deficient mice, we found several differentially expressed mRNA species. One mRNA species that was further analyzed by Northern hybridization and sequencing, and was confirmed to be induced only in the brain of MnSOD-deficient mice, encoded stathmin/op18. The MnSOD deficiency causes oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Thus, the induction of stathmin/op18, a gene linked with microtubule catastrophe (disassembly) and often upregulated in neoplastic tissues and proliferating cells, may provide some understanding of the pathological changes in the brain of MnSOD-deficient mice.

oncoprotein 18/stathmin (Op18) has been identified recently as a protein that destabilizes microtubules, but the mechanism of destabilization is currently controversial. Based on in vitro microtubule assembly assays, evidence has been presented supporting conflicting destabilization models of either tubulin sequestration or promotion of microtubule catastrophes. We found that Op18 can destabilize microtubules by both of these mechanisms and that these activities can be dissociated by changing pH. At pH 6.8, Op18 slowed microtubule elongation and increased catastrophes at both plus and minus ends, consistent with a tubulin-sequestering activity. In contrast, at pH 7.5, Op18 promoted microtubule catastrophes, particularly at plus ends, with little effect on elongation rates at either microtubule end. Dissociation of tubulin-sequestering and catastrophe-promoting activities of Op18 was further demonstrated by analysis of truncated Op18 derivatives. Lack of a C-terminal region of Op18 (aa 100-147) resulted in a truncated protein that lost sequestering activity at pH 6.8 but retained catastrophe-promoting activity. In contrast, lack of an N-terminal region of Op18 (aa 5-25) resulted in a truncated protein that still sequestered tubulin at pH 6.8 but was unable to promote catastrophes at pH 7.5. At pH 6. 8, both the full length and the N-terminal-truncated Op18 bound tubulin, whereas truncation at the C-terminus resulted in a pronounced decrease in tubulin binding. Based on these results, and a previous study documenting a pH-dependent change in binding affinity between Op18 and tubulin, it is likely that tubulin sequestering observed at lower pH resulted from the relatively tight interaction between Op18 and tubulin and that this tight binding requires the C-terminus of Op18; however, under conditions in which Op18 binds weakly to tubulin (pH 7.5), Op18 stimulated catastrophes without altering tubulin subunit association or dissociation rates, and Op18 did not depolymerize microtubules capped with guanylyl (alpha, beta)-methylene diphosphonate-tubulin subunits. We hypothesize that weak binding between Op18 and tubulin results in free Op18, which is available to interact with microtubule ends and thereby promote catastrophes by a mechanism that likely involves GTP hydrolysis.