Project description:JAK2 (Janus tyrosine kinase 2) is important for signalling through many cytokine receptors, and a gain-of-function JAK2 mutation in its pseudokinase domain, V617F, has been implicated in Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms. How this mutation hyperactivates JAK2 is poorly understood. In the present paper we report our findings that the V617F mutation has little effect on the Vmax of JAK2 kinase activity, but lowers the Km value for substrates. Therefore under physiological conditions where the concentration level of substrates is presumably below saturation, JAK2(V617F) exhibits hyperactivation compared with wild-type JAK2. This lower Km of JAK2(V617F) towards substrates requires the JAK2 FERM (4.1/ezrin/radixin/moesin) domain, as deletion of the FERM domain abolished this effect. We also show that, in contrast with its positive role in JAK2(V617F) hyperactivation, the FERM domain in wild-type JAK2 is inhibitory. Deletion or mutations of the FERM domain resulted in increased basal JAK2 kinase activity. The results of the present study provide the biochemical basis for how V617F hyperactivates JAK2, and identifies novel regulating roles of the JAK2 FERM domain to control kinase activity at different activation states.
Project description:The tyrosine kinase, Janus kinase-2 (Jak2), plays a pivotal role in signal transduction through a variety of cytokine receptors, including the receptor for erythropoietin (Epo). Although the physiological relevance of Jak2 has been definitively established, less is known about its regulation. In studies assessing the roles of sites of tyrosine phosphorylation, we identified Y(119) in the FERM (band 4.1, Ezrin, radixin and moesin) domain as a phosphorylation site. In these studies, we demonstrate that the phosphorylation of Y(119) in response to Epo downregulates Jak2 kinase activity. Using a phosphorylation mimic mutation (Y(119)E), downregulation is shown to involve dissociation of Jak2 from the receptor complex. Conversely, a Y(119)F mutant is more stably associated with the receptor complex. Thus, in cytokine responses, ligand binding induces activation of receptor associated Jak2, autophosphorylation of Y(119) in the FERM domain and the subsequent dissociation of the activated Jak2 from the receptor and degradation. This regulation occurs with the receptors for Epo, thrombopoietin and growth hormone but not with the receptor for interferon-gamma.
Project description:Cytokines and interferons initiate intracellular signaling via receptor dimerization and activation of Janus kinases (JAKs). How JAKs structurally respond to changes in receptor conformation induced by ligand binding is not known. Here, we present two crystal structures of the human JAK2 FERM and SH2 domains bound to Leptin receptor (LEPR) and Erythropoietin receptor (EPOR), which identify a novel dimeric conformation for JAK2. This 2:2 JAK2/receptor dimer, observed in both structures, identifies a previously uncharacterized receptor interaction essential to dimer formation that is mediated by a membrane-proximal peptide motif called the 'switch' region. Mutation of the receptor switch region disrupts STAT phosphorylation but does not affect JAK2 binding, indicating that receptor-mediated formation of the JAK2 FERM dimer is required for kinase activation. These data uncover the structural and molecular basis for how a cytokine-bound active receptor dimer brings together two JAK2 molecules to stimulate JAK2 kinase activity.
Project description:In the patient presenting with an elevated blood count who does not have an acquired clonal disorder causing a myeloproliferative neoplasm, hereditary erythrocytosis or hereditary thrombocytosis needs to be considered as a possible explanation. A young patient and/or those with a family history of myeloproliferative neoplasm should specifically raise this possibility. Among the causes of hereditary erythrocytosis are mutations in the genes in the oxygen sensing pathway and high-affinity hemoglobins. Hereditary thrombocytosis has been shown to be accounted for by mutations in THPO, MPL, and JAK2 genes. In those who have a possible hereditary erythrocytosis or thrombocytosis, the investigative pathway includes specific investigation to rule out the more common acquired clonal disorders, and, if indicated, other secondary causes, measurement of specific cytokines as indicated, and search for specific identified molecular lesions that have been shown to cause these hereditary disorders. There remain individuals who appear to have a hereditary disorder in whom a genetic lesion cannot currently be identified.
Project description:Jak-family tyrosine kinases mediate signaling from diverse cytokine receptors. Binding of Jaks to their cognate receptors is mediated by their N-terminal region, which contains FERM and SH2 domains. Here we describe the crystal structure of the FERM-SH2 region of Jak2 at 3.0Å resolution. The structure reveals that these domains and their flanking linker segments interact intimately to form an integrated structural module. The Jak2 FERM-SH2 structure closely resembles that recently described for Tyk2, another member of the Jak family. While the overall architecture and interdomain orientations are preserved between Jak2 and Tyk2, we identify residues in the putative receptor-binding groove that differ between the two and may contribute to the specificity of receptor recognition. Analysis of Jak mutations that are reported to disrupt receptor binding reveals that they lie in the hydrophobic core of the FERM domain, and are thus expected to compromise the structural integrity of the FERM-SH2 unit. Similarly, analysis of mutations in Jak3 that are associated with severe combined immunodeficiency suggests that they compromise Jak3 function by destabilizing the FERM-SH2 structure.
Project description:From the results of deletion analyses, the FERM domain of FAK has been proposed to inhibit enzymatic activity and repress FAK signaling. We have identified a sequence in the FERM domain that is important for FAK signaling in vivo. Point mutations in this sequence had little effect upon catalytic activity in vitro. However, the mutant exhibits reduced tyrosine phosphorylation and dramatically reduced Src family kinase binding. Further, the abilities of the mutant to transduce biochemical signals and to promote cell migration were severely impaired. The results implicate a FERM domain interaction in cell adhesion-dependent activation of FAK and downstream signaling. We also show that the purified FERM domain of FAK interacts with full-length FAK in vitro, and mutation of this sequence disrupts the interaction. These findings are discussed in the context of models of FAK regulation by its FERM domain.
Project description:JAK2 V617F mutation recently was identified as a pathogenic factor in typical chronic myeloproliferative diseases (CMPD). Some forms of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) show a significant overlap with CMPD (classified as MDS/MPD), but the diagnostic assignment may be challenging. We studied blood or bone marrow from 270 patients with MDS, MDS/MPD, and CMPD for the presence of JAK2 V617F mutation using polymerase chain reaction, sequencing, and melting curve analysis. The detection rate of JAK2 V617F mutants for polycythemia vera, chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis, and essential thrombocythemia (n = 103) was similar to the previously reported results. In typical forms of MDS (n = 89) JAK2 V617F mutation was very rare (n = 2). However, a higher prevalence of this mutation was found in patients with MDS/MPD-U (9 of 35). Within this group, most of the patients harboring JAK2 V617F mutation showed features consistent with the provisional MDS/MPD-U entity refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts and thrombocytosis (RARS-T). Among 9 RARS-T patients, 6 showed the presence of JAK2 V617F mutation, and in 1 patient without mutation, aberrant, positive phospho-STAT5 staining was seen that is typically present in association with JAK2 V617F mutation. In summary, we found that RARS-T reveals a high frequency of JAK2 V617F mutation and likely constitutes another JAK2 mutation-associated form of CMPD.
Project description:Hyperactive mutation V617F in the JAK2 regulatory pseudokinase domain (JH2) is prevalent in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms. Here, we identified novel small molecules that target JH2 of JAK2 V617F and characterized binding via biochemical and structural approaches. Screening of 107,600 small molecules resulted in identification of 55 binders to the ATP-binding pocket of recombinant JAK2 JH2 V617F protein at a low hit rate of 0.05%, which indicates unique structural characteristics of the JAK2 JH2 ATP-binding pocket. Selected hits and structural analogs were further assessed for binding to JH2 and JH1 (kinase) domains of JAK family members (JAK1-3, TYK2) and for effects on MPN model cell viability. Crystal structures were determined with JAK2 JH2 wild-type and V617F. The JH2-selective binders were identified in diaminotriazole, diaminotriazine, and phenylpyrazolo-pyrimidone chemical entities, but they showed low-affinity, and no inhibition of MPN cells was detected, while compounds binding to both JAK2 JH1 and JH2 domains inhibited MPN cell viability. X-ray crystal structures of protein-ligand complexes indicated generally similar binding modes between the ligands and V617F or wild-type JAK2. Ligands of JAK2 JH2 V617F are applicable as probes in JAK-STAT research, and SAR optimization combined with structural insights may yield higher-affinity inhibitors with biological activity.
Project description:Janus kinases (JAKs) regulate hematopoiesis via the cytokine-mediated JAK-STAT signaling pathway. JAKs contain tandem C-terminal pseudokinase (JH2) and tyrosine kinase (JH1) domains. The JAK2 pseudokinase domain adopts a protein kinase fold and, despite its pseudokinase designation, binds ATP with micromolar affinity. Recent evidence shows that displacing ATP from the JAK2 JH2 domain alters the hyperactivation state of the oncogenic JAK2 V617F protein while sparing the wild type JAK2 protein. In this study, small molecule binders of JAK2 JH2 were identified via an in vitro screen. Top hits were characterized using biophysical and structural approaches. Development of pseudokinase-selective compounds may offer novel pharmacological opportunities for treating cancers driven by JAK2 V617F and other oncogenic JAK mutants.
Project description:Purpose: Transcriptiome profiling of chronic kidney disease Methods: Transcriptome profiling was performed in human renal biopsy tissue and correlated with parameters of kidney function, including estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), degree of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis (%TIF), as well as CKD progression over a median follow-up period of 60 months. Results: Transcriptome analysis performed in two independent cohorts of patients with CKD (n=24 and n=17, respectively) identified a cluster of genes (n=93) significantly correlated (FDR P<0.05) with eGFR and %TIF, and associated with CKD progression, with enrichment for pathways associated with inflammation and immune-cell mediated infiltration. Expression of FRMD3, a previously reported candidate gene from human genetics studies in CKD, was negatively correlated with indices of CKD severity and progression. Knockdown of FRMD3 in human kidney epithelial cells enhanced fibrotic responses to the cytokine transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β1). Analysis of FRMD3 binding partners indicated enrichment of proteins implicated in mitochondrial function and remodeling of epithelial adherens junctions. Lentivirus-mediated knockdown of FRMD3 in renal tubule epithelial cells yielded a significant reduction (>35%) in NAD(P)H-dependent oxidoreductase activity, and a corresponding increase in caspase activity (50%). Conclusions: Using global transcriptome profiling we define a cluster of transcripts associated with severity of CKD and identify loss of FRMD3 expression as a potential molecular driver. Loss of FRMD3 expression may contribute to mitochondrial function and TIF.