The precise mechanisms by which the activation of IFN receptors (IFNRs) ultimately controls mRNA translation of specific target genes to induce IFN-dependent biological responses remain ill-defined. We provide evidence that IFNα induces phosphorylation of programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) protein on Ser67. This IFNα-dependent phosphorylation is mediated by either the p70 S6 kinase (S6K) or the p90 ribosomal protein S6K (RSK) in a cell type-specific manner. IFN-dependent phosphorylation of PDCD4 results in down regulation of PDCD4 protein levels, as the phosphorylated form of PDCD4 interacts with the ubiquitin ligase βTRCP and undergoes degradation. This process facilitates IFN-induced eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A (eIF4A) activity and binding to translation initiation factor eIF4G to promote mRNA translation. Our data establish that PDCD4 degradation ultimately facilitates expression of several ISG protein products that play important roles in the generation of IFN-responses, including ISG15, p21(WAF1/CIP1), and SLFN5. Moreover, engagement of the RSK/PDCD4 pathway by the Type I IFNR is required for the suppressive effects of IFNα on normal CD34+ hematopoietic precursors and antileukemic effects in vitro. Altogether, these findings provide evidence for a unique function of PDCD4 in the Type I IFN system and indicate a key regulatory role for this protein in mRNA translation of ISGs and control of IFN responses.

IFNs transduce signals by binding to cell surface receptors and activating cellular pathways and regulatory networks that control transcription of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) and mRNA translation, leading to generation of protein products that mediate biological responses. Previous studies have shown that type I IFN receptor-engaged pathways downstream of AKT and mammalian target of rapamycin complex (mTORC) 1 play important roles in mRNA translation of ISGs and the generation of IFN responses, but the roles of mTORC2 complexes in IFN signaling are unknown. We provide evidence that mTORC2 complexes control IFN-induced phosphorylation of AKT on serine 473 and their function is ultimately required for IFN-dependent gene transcription via interferon-stimulated response elements. We also demonstrate that such complexes exhibit regulatory effects on other IFN-dependent mammalian target of rapamycin-mediated signaling events, likely via engagement of the AKT/mTORC1 axis, including IFN-induced phosphorylation of S6 kinase and its effector rpS6, as well as phosphorylation of the translational repressor 4E-binding protein 1. We also show that induction of ISG protein expression and the generation of antiviral responses are defective in Rictor and mLST8-KO cells. Together, our data provide evidence for unique functions of mTORC2 complexes in the induction of type I IFN responses and suggest a critical role for mTORC2-mediated signals in IFN signaling.

Introduction: The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling cascade is a key regulatory pathway controlling initiation of mRNA translation in mammalian cells. The mTOR inhibitor rapamycin and its derivatives have shown potent antineoplastic activities in many preclinical models and clinical trials. First-generation mTOR inhibitors are now FDA-approved for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma. Areas covered: This article reviews the components of the mTOR pathway and their normal functions, highlighting the most common alterations in the pathway, seen in various human malignancies. It also discusses elements and effectors of this signaling cascade and reviews the therapeutic relevance of pharmacological inhibitors of the pathway in several malignancies, including lymphomas, leukemias, sarcomas, renal cell carcinoma, and breast cancer. Expert opinion: mTOR targeting is a highly promising therapeutic approach. First-generation mTOR inhibitors have already shown substantial activity in the treatment of certain tumors, while the emergence of second-generation catalytic mTOR inhibitors provides a better approach to target the pathway in malignant cells and has raised the potential for better clinical outcomes in the future.

Three major laminin and collagen-binding integrins in skin (α6β4, α3β1 and α2β1) are involved in keratinocyte adhesion to the dermis and dissemination of skin cells during wound healing and/or tumorigenesis. Knockdown of α6 integrin in keratinocytes not only results in motility defects but also leads to decreased surface expression of the α2, α3, and β4 integrin subunits. Whereas α2 integrin mRNA levels are decreased in α6 integrin knockdown cells, α3 and β4 integrin mRNAs levels are unaffected. Expression of either α6 or α3 integrin in α6 integrin knockdown cells restores α2 integrin mRNA levels. Moreover, re-expression of α6 integrin increases β4 integrin protein at the cell surface which results in an increase in α3 integrin expression via activation of initiation factor 4E binding protein 1. Our data indicate that the α6β4 integrin is a master regulator of transcription and translation of other integrin subunits and underscores its pivotal role in wound healing and cancer.

HoxA10 is a member of a highly conserved family of homeodomain transcription factors that are involved in definitive hematopoiesis and implicated in the pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). During normal hematopoiesis, HoxA10 facilitates myeloid progenitor expansion and impedes myeloid differentiation. To better understand the molecular mechanisms that control these events, we have been identifying and characterizing HoxA10 target genes. In the current studies, we identified the gene encoding Fibroblast growth factor 2 (Fgf2 or basic fibroblast growth factor) as a target gene that is relevant to the biological effects of HoxA10. We identified two cis elements in the proximal FGF2 promoter that are activated by HoxA10 in myeloid progenitor cells and differentiating phagocytes. We determined that Fgf2 expression and secretion is regulated in a HoxA10-dependent manner in these cells. We found that increased Fgf2 production by HoxA10-overexpressing myeloid progenitor cells induced a phosphoinositol-3-kinase-dependent increase in βcatenin protein. This resulted in autocrine stimulation of proliferation in HoxA10-overexpressing cells, and hypersensitivity to other cytokines that share this pathway. Therefore, these studies identified expression of Fgf2 as a mechanism by which HoxA10 controls the size of the myeloid progenitor population. These studies also suggested that aberrant production of Fgf2 may contribute to leukemogenesis in the subset of AML with dysregulated Hox-expression. Therapeutic targeting of Fgf2-stimulated signaling pathways might be a rational approach to this poor prognosis subset of AML.

Abstract Statins are HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, which block the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate and have potent cholesterol lowering properties. Beyond their importance in generation of lipid lowering effects, the regulatory effects of statins on the mevalonate pathway have significant impact on multiple other cellular functions. There is now extensive evidence that statins have anti-inflammatory and anti-neoplastic properties, but the precise mechanisms by which such responses are generated are not well understood. In the present study we demonstrate that statins engage a member of the PKC family of proteins, PKCδ, in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cells. Our studies show that atorvastatin and fluvastatin induce proteolytic activation of PKCδ in the APL NB4 cell line which expresses the t(15;17) translocation. Such engagement of PKCδ results in induction of its kinase domain and downstream regulation of pathways important for statin-dependent leukemia cell differentiation. Our studies show that the function of PKCδ is essential for statin- induced leukemic cell differentiation, as demonstrated by studies involving selective targeting of PKCδ using siRNAs. We also demonstrate that the potent enhancing effects of statins on ATRA-induced gene expression for CCL3 and CCL4 requires the function of PKCδ, suggesting a mechanism by which statins may promote ATRA-induced antileukemic responses. Altogether, our data establish a novel function for PKCδ as a mediator of statin-induced differentiation of APL cells and antileukemic effects.

The abnormal BCR-ABL oncoprotein is a constitutively active tyrosine kinase driving aberrant proliferation of transformed hematopoietic cells. BCR-ABL regulates activation of many mitogenic and pro-survival pathways, including the PI 3'K/AKT/mTOR pathway that controls various effectors and regulates initiation of mRNA translation in mammalian cells. Although tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) that target the ABL kinase domain have remarkable clinical activity and have dramatically changed the natural history of Ph+ leukemias, resistance to these agents also develops via a wide range of mechanisms. Efforts to target the PI3'K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway using kinase inhibitors have been the focus of extensive ongoing investigations by several research groups. Here we review the effects of activation of the AMPK kinase, which regulates downstream targeting and inhibition of mTOR. The potential for future clinical-translational applications of AMPK activators such as AICAR, metformin and resveratrol for the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and Ph+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are discussed.