Toshio Kuroki

Showa University, Shinagawa-ku, Japan

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Publications (49)190.52 Total impact

  • Article: Protein kinase C delta and eta differently regulate the expression of loricrin and Jun family proteins in human keratinocytes.
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    ABSTRACT: Barrier function of the epidermis is maintained by precise expression of keratinocyte-specific structural proteins to form the cornified cell envelope (CE). Loricrin, a major component of the CE, is expressed at the late stage of keratinocyte differentiation. In this study, we reveal the isoform-specific function of protein kinase C (PKC) in the regulation of loricrin expression. Both PKCdelta and PKCeta have been recognized as differentiation-promoting isoforms. However, loricrin expression was inversely controlled by PKCdelta and PKCeta in cultured keratinocytes and 3D skin culture; i.e. loricrin expression was decreased by PKCdelta and increased by PKCeta. To clarify the mechanisms that PKCdelta and PKCeta oppositely regulate the loricrin expression, we examined the expression of activator protein-1 (AP-1) family proteins, which modulate the transcription of loricrin and are downstream molecules of PKC. PKCdelta decreased c-Jun expression, whereas PKCeta increased JunD, which are positive regulators of loricrin transcription. These findings suggest that inverse effects of PKCdelta and PKCeta on loricrin expression attributes to the expression of c-Jun and JunD.
    Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 02/2010; 394(1):106-11. · 2.48 Impact Factor
  • Chapter: Drug Accumulation and Efflux Do not Contribute to Acquired Gefitinib Resistance
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    ABSTRACT: Gefitinib is one of tyrosine kinase inhibitors and often has dramatic effect on non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) expressed mutant EGFR. However, most of the patients who respond to gefitinib eventually experience tumor recurrence. To clarify the mechanism of this acquired resistance, we examined cellular accumulation and efflux of gefitinib using gefitinib sensitive and resistant NSCLC cells. We used four NSCLC cell lines; PC-9: hypersensitive to gefitinib, expressed a 15 bp deletion mutant EGFR, PC-9/ZD2001 and PC-9/ZD1kl: acquired-resistant to gefitinib, PC-9/ZD2001R: a revertant reacquired sensitivity to gefitinib. To measure the cellular accumulation, cells were exposed to 1 µM of [14C]gefitinib for 3 to 30 min at 37 °C For the measuring of drug efflux, cells were exposed gefitinib for 30 min, and then cells were washed and further incubated in drug free medium. After the incubation, cells were lysed and the radioactivities were counted. There was no significant difference of gefitinib accumulation in those cell lines (range 642–731 µmol/g protein at 30 min). The efficiencies of gefitinib-efflux were almost the same in those cell lines (about 80% of gefitinb was discharged at 15 min). According these findings, we demonstrated that acquired resistance to gefitinib did not depend on cellular accumulation or efflux of this drug.
    12/2008: pages 127-131;
  • Chapter: Difference of EGFR-Binding Proteins between Wild Type and Mutant EGFR
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    ABSTRACT: Non-small cell lung cancer cells expressed mutant EGFR are more sensitive to gefitinib (Iressa) than that expressed wild type EGFR. To elucidate the mechanism of the hypersensitivity to gefitinib in the mutant EGFR, we explored the difference of EGFR-binding proteins between wild type and a 15 bp deletion mutant EGFR using respective stable transfectant cells. EGFR-binding proteins in respective transfectant cells were collected by co-precipitation with polyclonal anti-.EGFR and the co-precipitate proteins were separated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE). Both co-precipitate proteins showed a similar 2D-PAGE pattern, however, several proteins differed between both transfectant cells. Among these proteins, one protein, detected to high concentration in mutant EGFR tranfectant cells, was identified as heat shock protein 70 (HSP 70) by peptide mass finger printing. Much binding of HSP 70 to mutant EGFR was also confirmed by Western blotting. There was no significant difference of HSP 70 protein expression between both transfectant cells. These results suggest that the difference of HSP70 binding to EGFR may modify the EGFR-downstream signaling and influence the sensitivity to gefitinib.
    12/2008: pages 132-138;
  • Article: UV irradiation increases ROS production via PKCdelta signaling in primary murine fibroblasts.
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    ABSTRACT: Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation is a major environmental factor responsible for a high incidence of premature skin aging, referred to as photoaging, as well as skin cancer and melanoma. UVA irradiation represents 90% of the solar UV light reaching the earth's surface, and yet the mechanisms by which it exerts its biological effects are not clear. UVA penetrates into the skin tissue, reaching the basal layers of the active dividing cells and, therefore, the contribution of UVA to skin damage may be significant. The majority of UVA energy is absorbed by unidentified photosensitizers in the cells which are postulated to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). It has been believed that both chronological aging and photoaging share the same molecular features and, as such, it is very common to utilize UV irradiation for induction of skin aging. To determine the involvement of protein kinase isoforms in chronological aging and photoaging, we utilized in vitro aging model systems of primary murine fibroblasts and primary fibroblasts isolated from PKC null mice. We show for the first time distinct involvement of PKC isoforms PKCdelta and PKCalpha in photoaging versus cellular senescence. While chronological aging is accompanied by overexpression and activation of PKCalpha, UV irradiation and ROS production are associated with photoaging accompanied by PKCdelta downregulation and nuclear translocation.
    Journal of Cellular Biochemistry 09/2008; 105(1):194-207. · 2.87 Impact Factor
  • Source
    Article: The role of protein kinase C delta activation and STAT3 Ser727 phosphorylation in insulin-induced keratinocyte proliferation.
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    ABSTRACT: Activation of the STAT family of transcription factors is regulated by cytokines and growth factors. STAT tyrosine and serine phosphorylation are linked to the transcriptional activation and function of STAT. We have previously described a unique pathway inducing keratinocyte proliferation, which is mediated by insulin stimulation and depends on protein kinase C delta (PKCdelta). In this study, we assessed STAT3 activation downstream of this pathway and characterized the role of PKCdelta activation in STAT3 tyrosine and serine phosphorylation and keratinocyte proliferation. Following insulin stimulation, STAT3 interacted with PKCdelta but not with any other PKC isoform expressed in skin. Activated forms of PKCdelta and STAT3 were essential for insulin-induced PKCdelta-STAT3 activation in keratinocyte proliferation. Abrogation of PKCdelta activity inhibited insulin-induced STAT3 phosphorylation, PKCdelta-STAT3 association and nuclear translocation. In addition, overexpression of STAT3 tyrosine mutant eliminated insulin-induced PKCdelta activation and keratinocyte proliferation. Finally, overexpression of a STAT3 serine mutant abrogated insulin-induced STAT3 serine phosphorylation and STAT3-induced keratinocyte proliferation, whereas STAT3 tyrosine phosphorylation was induced and nuclear localization remained intact. This study indicates that PKCdelta activation is a primary regulator of STAT3 serine phosphorylation and that PKCdelta is essential in directing insulin-induced signaling in keratinocyte proliferation.
    Journal of Cell Science 03/2006; 119(Pt 3):470-81. · 6.11 Impact Factor
  • Article: Enhancement of sensitivity to tumor necrosis factor alpha in non-small cell lung cancer cells with acquired resistance to gefitinib.
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    ABSTRACT: Tumor cells that have acquired resistance to gefitinib through continuous drug administration may complicate future treatment. To investigate the mechanisms of acquired resistance, we established PC-9/ZD2001, a non-small-cell lung cancer cell line resistant to gefitinib, by continuous exposure of the parental cell line PC-9 to gefitinib. After 6 months of culture in gefitinib-free conditions, PC-9/ZD2001 cells reacquired sensitivity to gefitinib and were established as a revertant cell line, PC-9/ZD2001R. PC-9/ZD2001 cells showed collateral sensitivity to several anticancer drugs (vinorelbine, paclitaxel, camptothecin, and 5-fluorouracil) and to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). Compared with PC-9 cells, PC-9/ZD2001 cells were 67-fold more sensitive to TNF-alpha and PC-9/ZD2001R cells were 1.3-fold more sensitive. Therefore, collateral sensitivity to TNF-alpha was correlated with gefitinib resistance. PC-9/ZD2001 cells expressed a lower level of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) than did PC-9 cells; this down-regulation was partially reversed in PC-9/ZD2001R cells. TNF-alpha-induced autophosphorylation of EGFR (cross-talk signaling) was detected in all three cell lines. However, TNF-alpha-induced Akt phosphorylation and IkappaB degradation were observed much less often in PC-9/ZD2001 cells than in PC-9 cells or PC-9/ZD2001R cells. Expression of the inhibitor of apoptosis proteins c-IAP1 and c-IAP2 was induced by TNF-alpha in PC-9 and PC-9/ZD2001R cells but not in PC-9/ZD2001 cells. This weak effect of EGFR on Akt pathway might contribute to the TNF-alpha sensitivity of PC-9/ZD2001 cells. These results suggest that therapy with TNF-alpha would be effective in some cases of non-small-cell lung cancer that have acquired resistance to gefitinib.
    Clinical Cancer Research 01/2006; 11(24 Pt 1):8872-9. · 7.74 Impact Factor
  • Article: Growth and Differentiation Properties of Normal and Transformed Human Keratinocytes in Organotypic Culture
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    ABSTRACT: The growth and differentiation of human normal keratinocytes and their transformed counterparts were examined in organotypic cultures in which the keratinocytes were grown at the air-liquid interface on top of contracted collagen gel containing fibroblasts. We developed a modified culture procedure including the use of a mixed medium for keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Normal keratinocytes formed a three-dimensional structure of epithelium that closely resembled the epidermis in vivo, consisting of basal, spinous, granular and cornified layers. Cells synthesizing DNA were located in the lowest basal layer facing the collagen gel. Expressions of proteins involved in epidermal differentiation were examined by immunohistochemical staining and compared with those in skin in vivo. In the organotypic culture, transglutaminase, involucrin and filaggrin were expressed, as in the epidermis in vitro, most prominently in the granular layer. Type IV collagen, a component of basement membrane, was expressed at the interface between the keratinocyte sheet and the contracted collagen gel. Keratinocytes transformed by simian virus 40 or human papilloma virus (HPV) exhibited a highly disorganized pattern of squamous differentiation. In particular, HPV-transformed cells invaded the collagen gel. Organotypic culture is unique in that regulatory mechanisms of growth and differentiation of keratinocytes can be investigated under conditions mimicking those in vivo.
    Cancer Science 08/2005; 85(3):238 - 244. · 3.33 Impact Factor
  • Article: PKC-delta-dependent activation of oxidative stress in adipocytes of obese and insulin-resistant mice: role for NADPH oxidase.
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    ABSTRACT: Oxidative stress is thought to be one of the causative factors contributing to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Previously, we showed that reactive oxygen species (ROS) production is significantly increased in adipocytes from high-fat diet-induced obese and insulin-resistant mice (HF). ROS production was also associated with the increased activity of PKC-delta. In the present studies, we hypothesized that PKC-delta contributes to ROS generation and determined their intracellular source. NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI) reduced ROS levels by 50% in HF adipocytes, and inhibitors of NO synthase (L-NAME, 1 mM), xanthine oxidase (allopurinol, 100 microM), AGE formation (aminoguanidine, 10 microM), or the mitochondrial uncoupler (FCCP, 10 microM) had no effect. Rottlerin, a selective PKC-delta inhibitor, suppressed ROS levels by approximately 50%. However, neither GO-6976 nor LY-333531, effective inhibitors toward conventional PKC or PKC-beta, respectively, significantly altered ROS levels in HF adipocytes. Subsequently, adenoviral-mediated expression of wild-type PKC-delta or its dominant negative mutant (DN-PKC-delta) in HF adipocytes resulted in either a twofold increase in ROS levels or their suppression by 20%, respectively. In addition, both ROS levels and PKC-delta activity were sharply reduced by glucose depletion. Taken together, these results suggest that PKC-delta is responsible for elevated intracellular ROS production in HF adipocytes, and this is mediated by high glucose and NADPH oxidase.
    AJP Endocrinology and Metabolism 03/2005; 288(2):E405-11. · 4.75 Impact Factor
  • Article: Protein kinase Calpha is implicated in cholecystokinin-induced activation of 70-kd S6 kinase in AR42J cells.
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    ABSTRACT: We showed previously that cholecystokinin (CCK)-induced 70-kd S6 kinase activation is partly mediated by protein kinase C (PKC) in pancreatic acinar AR42J cells. Here, we examined which isoform of PKC is involved in this process. AR42J cells were infected with adenovirus vectors carrying the kinase-deficient alpha, delta, and epsilon isoforms of PKC, the dominant-negative form of the 85-kd regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase, and the dominant-negative form of Sos. CCK-induced p70 S6 kinase activation was determined in AR42J cells infected with these adenovirus vectors. CCK-induced p70 S6 kinase activity was significantly reduced in cells overexpressing the dominant-negative p85 subunit of PI 3-kinase but not in cells overexpressing dominant-negative Sos or beta-galactosidase. CCK-induced p70 S6 kinase activity was inhibited in parallel with the expression levels of kinase-deficient PKCalpha, whereas it was unaffected by the expression of kinase-deficient PKCdelta or PKCepsilon. PKCalpha is implicated in CCK-induced activation of p70 S6 kinase in AR42J cells.
    Pancreas 02/2005; 30(1):50-3. · 2.39 Impact Factor
  • Article: The testicular fatty acid binding protein PERF15 regulates the fate of germ cells in PERF15 transgenic mice.
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    ABSTRACT: The quality control of sperm is critical for efficient reproduction. In germ cells, cell death involves different processes to those in somatic cells, and in many cases, the trigger to induce cell death in deficient germ cells is still unclear. It is known that the fatty acid composition of sperm is related to fertility. Composition of the fatty acid of germ cells changes dynamically during spermatogenesis, and fatty acid binding protein (FABP) may be involved in these changes. In this study, we developed transgenic mice with a testicular germ-cell-specific FABP (PERF15) transgene, whose expression was controlled by the Cre-LoxP site-specific recombination system. We also developed transgenic mice with the Cre gene under the control of the spermatocyte specific Pgk2 promoter. In double transgenic mice, following Cre-mediated recombination of the PERF15 containing transgene, PERF15 was strongly overexpressed. Its overexpression induced multinucleate symplasts to form, indicating programmed germ cell death occurred at the elongated spermatid stage. As a result, sperm harboring the transgene were significantly decreased, but the surviving sperm demonstrated higher fertility than natural sperm. Therefore, we conclude that PERF15 associate with the direction of germ cell fates and preserve the quality of sperm.
    Embryologia 02/2005; 47(1):15-24. · 2.21 Impact Factor
  • Article: Transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of the PKC delta gene by etoposide in L1210 murine leukemia cells: implication of PKC delta autoregulation.
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    ABSTRACT: Protein kinase C delta (PKC delta) plays an important role in the regulation of apoptosis in response to diverse anticancer agents. PKC delta is cleaved irreversibly to a catalytically active fragment in response to apoptotic stimuli; however, little information is available about the regulation of PKC delta gene expression. In this study, we found that the amount of steady-state PKC delta mRNA and protein was increased by etoposide in mouse L1210 leukemia cells. The transcriptional rate of the PKC delta gene and the stability of PKC delta mRNA were increased by treatment with etoposide, resulting in the accumulation of PKC delta protein. Rottlerin inhibited etoposide-induced PKC delta gene expression significantly, while Go6976, LY294002 and PD98059 had no effect. Further, both stable and adenovirus-mediated expression of a dominant negative PKC delta(KR) abrogated etoposide-induced PKC delta expression. Etoposide-stimulated PKC delta transcription but not PKC delta mRNA stability was blocked completely by pretreatment with rottlerin. Our data reveal a novel mechanism whereby PKC delta gene is regulated at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional level in the L1210 leukemia cell line.
    Journal of Molecular Biology 08/2004; 340(4):681-93. · 4.00 Impact Factor
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    Article: PKCalpha mediates TGFbeta-induced growth inhibition of human keratinocytes via phosphorylation of S100C/A11.
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    ABSTRACT: Growth regulation of epithelial cells is of major concern because most human cancers arise from them. We demonstrated previously a novel signal pathway involving S100C/A11 for high Ca2+-induced growth inhibition of normal human keratinocytes (Sakaguchi, M., M. Miyazaki, M. Takaishi, Y. Sakaguchi, E. Makino, N. Kataoka, H. Yamada, M. Namba, and N.H. Huh. 2003. J. Cell Biol. 163:825-835). This paper addresses a question whether transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) shares the pathway with high Ca2+. On exposure of the cells to TGFbeta1, S100C/A11 was phosphorylated, bound to nucleolin, and transferred to the nucleus, resulting in induction of p21WAF1/CIP1 and p15INK4B through activation of Sp1. Protein kinase C alpha (PKCalpha) was shown to phosphorylate 10Thr of S100C/A11, which is a critical event for the signal transduction. The TGFbeta1-induced growth inhibition was almost completely mitigated when PKCalpha activity was blocked or when S100C/A11 was functionally sequestered. These results indicate that, in addition to the well-characterized Smad-mediated pathway, the PKCalpha-S100C/A11-mediated pathway is involved in and essential for the growth inhibition of normal human keratinocytes cells by TGFbeta1.
    The Journal of Cell Biology 04/2004; 164(7):979-84. · 10.26 Impact Factor
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    Article: PKCα mediates TGFβ-induced growth inhibition of human keratinocytes via phosphorylation of S100C/A11
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    ABSTRACT: Growth regulation of epithelial cells is of major concern because most human cancers arise from them. We demonstrated previously a novel signal pathway involving S100C/A11 for high Ca2+-induced growth inhibition of normal human keratinocytes (Sakaguchi, M., M. Miyazaki, M. Takaishi, Y. Sakaguchi, E. Makino, N. Kataoka, H. Yamada, M. Namba, and N.H. Huh. 2003. J. Cell Biol. 163:825–835). This paper addresses a question whether transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) shares the pathway with high Ca2+. On exposure of the cells to TGFβ1, S100C/A11 was phosphorylated, bound to nucleolin, and transferred to the nucleus, resulting in induction of p21WAF1/CIP1 and p15INK4B through activation of Sp1. Protein kinase C α (PKCα) was shown to phosphorylate 10Thr of S100C/A11, which is a critical event for the signal transduction. The TGFβ1-induced growth inhibition was almost completely mitigated when PKCα activity was blocked or when S100C/A11 was functionally sequestered. These results indicate that, in addition to the well-characterized Smad-mediated pathway, the PKCα–S100C/A11-mediated pathway is involved in and essential for the growth inhibition of normal human keratinocytes cells by TGFβ1.
    The Journal of Cell Biology 03/2004; 164(7):979-984. · 10.26 Impact Factor
  • Article: Differential regulation of alpha6beta4 integrin by PKC isoforms in murine skin keratinocytes.
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    ABSTRACT: In mammalian epidermis, alpha6beta4 integrin is expressed exclusively on the basal layer localized to the hemidesmosomes, where it interacts extracellularly with the laminin-5 ligand. During differentiation, loss of alpha6beta4 is associated with keratinocyte detachment from the basement membrane and upward migration. The protein kinase C (PKC) family of isoforms participates in regulation of integrin function and is linked to skin differentiation. Exposure of primary murine keratinocytes to PKC activators specifically downregulates alpha6beta4 expression. Utilizing recombinant adenoviruses, we selectively overexpressed skin PKC isoforms in primary keratinocytes. PKCdelta and PKCzeta induced downregulation of alpha6beta4 protein expression, leading to reduced keratinocyte attachment to laminin-5 and enhanced gradual detachment from the underlying matrix. In contrast, PKCalpha upregulated alpha6beta4 protein expression, leading to increased keratinocyte attachment to laminin-5 and to the underlying matrix. Altogether, these results suggest distinct roles for specific PKC isoforms in alpha6beta4 functional regulation during the early stages of skin differentiation.
    Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 02/2004; 314(1):17-23. · 2.48 Impact Factor
  • Article: PKCdelta inhibits PKCalpha-mediated activation of phospholipase D1 in a manner independent of its protein kinase activity.
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    ABSTRACT: The regulation of phospholipase D1 (PLD1) by protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms was analyzed in human melanoma cell lines. 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced PLD1 activation was suppressed by the introduction of PKCdelta as well as its kinase-negative mutant in MeWo cells, which contain PKCalpha but lack PKCbeta. PLD activity was not affected by PKCdelta in G361 cells, which have PKCbeta but are deficient in PKCalpha. In MeWo cells introduced by PKCalpha and PLD1, the association of these proteins was observed, which was enhanced by the TPA treatment. In cells overexpressing PKCdelta in addition to PKCalpha and PLD1, TPA treatment increased the association of PKCdelta and PLD1, while it attenuated the association of PKCalpha and PLD1. These results indicate that PKCdelta inhibits TPA-induced PLD1 activation mediated by PKCalpha through the association with PLD1.
    FEBS Letters 12/2003; 554(1-2):179-83. · 3.54 Impact Factor
  • Article: Protein kinase C alpha associates with phospholipase D1 and enhances basal phospholipase D activity in a protein phosphorylation-independent manner in human melanoma cells.
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    ABSTRACT: It is well known that phospholipase D plays a crucial part in the signal transduction of many types of cells, and is activated by protein kinase C alpha when cells are stimulated. To elucidate the role of phospholipase D in melanoma, the expression of phospholipase D1 and protein kinase C alpha in primary and metastatic lesions of acral lentiginous melanoma and superficial spreading melanoma was investigated using immunohistologic techniques. In addition, the mechanism of regulation of phospholipase D1 by protein kinase C alpha was examined in a human melanoma cell line HM3KO using an adenovirus-mediated gene transfer technique. Both phospholipase D1 and protein kinase C alpha were strongly expressed in primary and metastatic lesions of superficial spreading melanoma. Conversely, in acral lentiginous melanoma lesions, the expression of these two proteins increased dramatically with tumor progression; the expression of both phospholipase D1 and protein kinase C alpha was almost negative in the radial growth phase of primary acral lentiginous melanoma lesions, and increased synchronously in a progression-related manner in advanced acral lentiginous melanoma lesions, including vertical growth phase and metastatic lesions. Immunoprecipitation study showed that phospholipase D1 and protein kinase C alpha are associated physiologically in resting melanoma cells. Further immunoprecipitation study using HM3KO cells after adenovirus-mediated simultaneous overexpression of phospholipase D1 and protein kinase C alpha, or phospholipase D1 and the kinase-negative mutant of protein kinase C alpha revealed that both protein kinase C alpha and the kinase-negative mutant of protein kinase C alpha are associated with phospholipase D1 in melanoma cells in the absence of an external signal. Overexpression of protein kinase C alpha or the kinase-negative mutant of protein kinase C alpha in melanoma cells by the adenovirus vectors resulted in the enhancement of basal phospholipase D activity in a viral concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, enhanced basal phospholipase D activity increased the in vitro invasive potential of HM3KO cells. These results suggest that upregulation of phospholipase D1 and protein kinase C alpha plays a part in the progression of acral lentiginous melanoma from the radial growth phase to the vertical growth phase. The present results also suggest that protein kinase C alpha associates with phospholipase D1 and enhances basal phospholipase D activity in a protein phosphorylation-independent manner in melanoma cells, which contributes to the cell's high invasive potential.
    Journal of Investigative Dermatology 08/2003; 121(1):69-76. · 6.31 Impact Factor
  • Article: Disruption of protein kinase Ceta results in impairment of wound healing and enhancement of tumor formation in mouse skin carcinogenesis.
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    ABSTRACT: We have generated a mouse strain lacking protein kinase C (PKC) eta to evaluate its significance in epithelial organization and tumor formation. The PKCeta-deficient mice exhibited increased susceptibility to tumor formation in two-stage skin carcinogenesis by single application of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) for tumor initiation and repeated applications of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) for tumor promotion. The tumor formation was not enhanced by DMBA or TPA treatment alone, suggesting that PKCeta suppresses tumor promotion. Epidermal hyperplasia induced by topical TPA treatment was prolonged in the mutant mice. The enhanced tumor formation may be closely associated with the prolonged hyperplasia induced by topical TPA treatment. In the mutant mice, after inflicting injury by punch biopsy, wound healing on the dorsal skin, particularly reepithelialization, was significantly delayed and impaired in structure. Impairment of epithelial regeneration in wound healing indicates a possibility that PKCeta plays a role in maintenance of epithelial architecture. Homeostasis in epithelial tissues mediated by PKCeta is important for tumor formation in vivo. We propose that PKCeta is involved in tumor formation modulated by regulation of proliferation and remodeling of epithelial cells in vivo.
    Cancer Research 06/2003; 63(10):2404-8. · 7.86 Impact Factor
  • Article: The eta isoform of protein kinase C inhibits UV-induced activation of caspase-3 in normal human keratinocytes.
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    ABSTRACT: Protein kinase C (PKC) fulfills a central role in the decision of cell fate in keratinocytes. Both PKC delta and PKC eta induce growth inhibition and differentiation of normal human keratinocytes (NHK). Here we show that PKC delta and PKC eta play opposite roles in UVB-induced apoptosis in NHK. PKC delta enhanced UVB-induced caspase-3 activity, while overexpression of PKC eta reduced it. In keeping with these observations, the dominant negative mutant of PKC delta significantly inhibited the activation of caspase-3, whereas dominant negative PKC eta increased it in a dose (MOI)-dependent manner. Unlike PKC delta, cleavage and translocation to mitochondria of PKC eta were not observed, resulting in no detection of cytochorome c release. Furthermore, UV-induced activation of p38 MAP kinase, which suppressed the caspase-3 activity in NHK, was blocked by dominant negative PKC eta. These findings suggest that PKC eta negatively regulates UV-induced apoptosis through its localization, resistance to cleavage, and the p38 MAPK pathway.
    Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 04/2003; 303(1):350-6. · 2.48 Impact Factor
  • Article: Cytoskeletal reorganization induced by insulin: involvement of Grb2/Ash, Ras and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signalling.
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    ABSTRACT: Cytoskeletal reorganization is important for a wide variety of insulin-mediated biological actions, including cell growth, migration and metabolism, but the intracellular signalling pathways leading to insulin-induced cytoskeletal reorganization have largely been unknown. We therefore investigated the involvement of Grb2/Ash-Ras and phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase in the insulin-induced morphological changes in fibroblasts over-expressing human insulin receptors (HIRcB cells). Insulin, as well as 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and 8-bromo-cAMP, induced a unique morphological change associated with actin cytoskeletal reorganization characterized by the disruption of actin stress fibres and thicker actin bundle formation. Microinjection of an anti-Grb2/Ash antibody, but not control IgG, inhibited the insulin-induced actin reorganization, whereas the TPA- and 8-bromo-cAMP-induced morphological changes were not inhibited by microinjection of the anti-Grb2/Ash antibody. In addition, microinjection of dominant negative ras p21 protein, but not the heat-treated protein, inhibited insulin-induced cytoskeletal reorganization. Microinjection of activated p21ras protein resulted in very similar cytoskeletal reorganization with actin bundle formation in the cytoplasm. The PI3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin inhibited insulin-induced cytoskeletal reorganization, but not the TPA- nor 8-bromo-cAMP-induced reorganization. Interestingly, wortmannin also inhibited the activated p21ras-induced morphological change. We concluded that Grb2/Ash-Ras activation and probably Ras-associated PI3-kinase activation are involved in the insulin-induced morphological change.
    Genes to Cells 02/2003; 8(1):29-40. · 2.68 Impact Factor
  • Article: Cytoskeletal reorganization induced by insulin: involvement of Grb2/Ash, Ras and phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase signalling
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    ABSTRACT: Background:  Cytoskeletal reorganization is important for a wide variety of insulin-mediated biological actions, including cell growth, migration and metabolism, but the intracellular signalling pathways leading to insulin-induced cytoskeletal reorganization have largely been unknown. We therefore investigated the involvement of Grb2/Ash-Ras and phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase in the insulin-induced morphological changes in fibroblasts over-expressing human insulin receptors (HIRcB cells).Results:  I nsulin, as well as 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and 8-bromo-cAMP, induced a unique morphological change associated with actin cytoskeletal reorganization characterized by the disruption of actin stress fibres and thicker actin bundle formation. Microinjection of an anti-Grb2/Ash antibody, but not control IgG, inhibited the insulin-induced actin reorganization, whereas the TPA- and 8-bromo-cAMP-induced morphological changes were not inhibited by microinjection of the anti-Grb2/Ash antibody. In addition, microinjection of dominant negative ras p21 protein, but not the heat-treated protein, inhibited insulin-induced cytoskeletal reorganization. Microinjection of activated p21ras protein resulted in very similar cytoskeletal reorganization with actin bundle formation in the cytoplasm. The PI3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin inhibited insulin-induced cytoskeletal reorganization, but not the TPA- nor 8-bromo-cAMP-induced reorganization. Interestingly, wortmannin also inhibited the activated p21ras-induced morphological change.Conclusions:  We concluded that Grb2/Ash-Ras activation and probably Ras-associated PI3-kinase activation are involved in the insulin-induced morphological change.
    Genes to Cells 01/2003; 8(1):29 - 40. · 2.68 Impact Factor

Institutions

  • 1998–2010
    • Showa University
      • • Institute of Molecular Oncology
      • • Department of Internal Medicine
      Shinagawa-ku, Japan
  • 2008
    • Hebrew University of Jerusalem
      Jerusalem, Jerusalem District, Israel
  • 2004–2008
    • Gifu University
      Gifu-shi, Gifu-ken, Japan
  • 2004–2006
    • Bar Ilan University
      • Faculty of Life Sciences
      Ramat Gan, Tel Aviv, Israel
  • 1996–2005
    • The University of Tokyo
      • Institute of Medical Science
      Tokyo, Tokyo-to, Japan
  • 2002
    • Vanderbilt University
      • Department of Biochemistry
      Nashville, MI, USA
    • Meharry Medical College
      Nashville, TN, USA