Akt down-regulates ERK1/2 nuclear localization and angiotensin II-induced cell proliferation through PEA-15

Mol Biol Cell. 2006 Sep;17(9):3940-51. doi: 10.1091/mbc.e06-06-0501. Epub 2006 Jul 5.

Abstract

Angiotensin II (AngII) type 1 receptors (AT1) regulate cell growth through the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathways. ERK1/2 and Akt/protein kinase B, downstream of PI3K, are independently activated but both required for mediating AngII-induced proliferation when expressed at endogenous levels. We investigate the effect of an increase in the expression of wild-type Akt1 by using Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-AT1 cells. Unexpectedly, Akt overexpression inhibits the AT1-mediated proliferation. This effect could be generated by a cross-talk between the PI3K and ERK1/2 pathways. A functional partner is the phosphoprotein enriched in astrocytes of 15 kDa (PEA-15), an Akt substrate known to bind ERK1/2 and to regulate their nuclear translocation. We report that Akt binds to PEA-15 and that Akt activation leads to PEA-15 stabilization, independently of PEA-15 interaction with ERK1/2. Akt cross-talk with PEA-15 does not affect ERK1/2 activation but decreases their nuclear activity as a result of the blockade of ERK1/2 nuclear accumulation. In response to AngII, PEA-15 overexpression displays the same functional consequences on ERK1/2 signaling as Akt overactivation. Thus, Akt overactivation prevents the nuclear translocation of ERK1/2 and the AngII-induced proliferation through interaction with and stabilization of endogenous PEA-15.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiotensin II / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • CHO Cells
  • Cell Nucleus / drug effects
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism*
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cricetinae
  • Down-Regulation* / drug effects
  • Down-Regulation* / genetics
  • Half-Life
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / metabolism*
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / metabolism*
  • Phosphoproteins / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding / drug effects
  • Protein Transport / drug effects
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Transcription, Genetic / drug effects
  • ets-Domain Protein Elk-1 / metabolism

Substances

  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • PEA15 protein, human
  • Phosphoproteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos
  • ets-Domain Protein Elk-1
  • Angiotensin II
  • AKT1 protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3