(provide by applicant): This proposal concerns the MAP Kinase Erk 2, a critical regulator of multiple cell behaviors, including motility, apoptosis, and proliferation. We will produce novel fluorescent biosensors to study the activation of Erk in individual, living cells. This will be accomplished by developing new, generally applicable methodologies that can report the dynamics of many different protein behaviors in vivo. Erk activation is controlled both spatially and kinetically, but it has not been possible to understand this level of regulation using biochemical techniques applied to cell populations or fixed cells. The much greater spatial and temporal resolution of the new biosensors will enable us to understand how localized, transient activation of Erk generates rapid changes in cell morphology, and how spatio-temporal control is used to activate Erk differently to produce either motility or apoptosis. We will study the roles of upstream molecules in regulating this previously inaccessible mechanism of Erk regulation, focusing on phosphorylation of the focal adhesion protein vinculin, sumoylation of the upstream kinase MEK, and regulation of EGF receptor trafficking. The fundamental processes controlled by Erk, including motility, apoptosis, and proliferation, are critical to normal homeostasis and relevant to many diseases and immune function.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01AG015430-05
Application #
6434796
Study Section
Cell Development and Function Integrated Review Group (CDF)
Program Officer
Sierra, Felipe
Project Start
1997-09-01
Project End
2005-08-31
Budget Start
2001-09-30
Budget End
2002-08-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$336,898
Indirect Cost
Name
Scripps Research Institute
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
La Jolla
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92037
Subauste, M Cecilia; Nalbant, Perihan; Adamson, Eileen D et al. (2005) Vinculin controls PTEN protein level by maintaining the interaction of the adherens junction protein beta-catenin with the scaffolding protein MAGI-2. J Biol Chem 280:5676-81
Subauste, M Cecilia; Pertz, Olivier; Adamson, Eileen D et al. (2004) Vinculin modulation of paxillin-FAK interactions regulates ERK to control survival and motility. J Cell Biol 165:371-81
Han, Wen-Ge; Liu, Tiqing; Himo, Fahmi et al. (2003) A theoretical study of the UV/visible absorption and emission solvatochromic properties of solvent-sensitive dyes. Chemphyschem 4:1084-94
Toutchkine, Alexei; Kraynov, Vadim; Hahn, Klaus (2003) Solvent-sensitive dyes to report protein conformational changes in living cells. J Am Chem Soc 125:4132-45
Hahn, Klaus; Toutchkine, Alexei (2002) Live-cell fluorescent biosensors for activated signaling proteins. Curr Opin Cell Biol 14:167-72
Kiosses, W B; Hahn, K M; Giannelli, G et al. (2001) Characterization of morphological and cytoskeletal changes in MCF10A breast epithelial cells plated on laminin-5: comparison with breast cancer cell line MCF7. Cell Commun Adhes 8:29-44
Schurmann, A; Mooney, A F; Sanders, L C et al. (2000) p21-activated kinase 1 phosphorylates the death agonist bad and protects cells from apoptosis. Mol Cell Biol 20:453-61
Subauste, M C; Von Herrath, M; Benard, V et al. (2000) Rho family proteins modulate rapid apoptosis induced by cytotoxic T lymphocytes and Fas. J Biol Chem 275:9725-33
Kraynov, V S; Chamberlain, C; Bokoch, G M et al. (2000) Localized Rac activation dynamics visualized in living cells. Science 290:333-7
Zenke, F T; King, C C; Bohl, B P et al. (1999) Identification of a central phosphorylation site in p21-activated kinase regulating autoinhibition and kinase activity. J Biol Chem 274:32565-73

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