Donate Help Contact The AHA Sign In Home
American Heart Association
Circulation Research
Search: search_blue_button Advanced Search
Circulation Research. 2006;98:1113-1114
doi: 10.1161/01.RES.0000223518.87215.58
This Article
Right arrow Extract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Request Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Chiariello, M.
Right arrow Articles by Esposito, G.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Chiariello, M.
Right arrow Articles by Esposito, G.
Related Collections
Right arrowRelated Article
(Circulation Research. 2006;98:1113.)
© 2006 American Heart Association, Inc.


Editorials

Closing the Cycle

Skp2 Modulates Cyclic Nucleotides Antiproliferative Effects

Massimo Chiariello, Giovanni Esposito

From the Division of Cardiology, Federico II University, Naples, Italy.

Correspondence to Massimo Chiariello, MD, Division of Cardiology, Federico II University, Via Pansini, 5-Ed. 2, 80131 Naples, Italy. E-mail massimo.chiariello{at}unina.it



See related article, pages 1141–1150


Key Words: cAMP • Skp2 • cell cycle • smooth muscle cell • restenosis


*    Introduction
up arrowTop
*Introduction
down arrowCyclic Nucleotides Modulates...
down arrowPerspectives
down arrowReferences
 
Smooth muscle cell (SMC) accumulation in the arterial intima is a key event in restenosis after angioplasty and bypass surgery and in the development of atherosclerotic lesions.1 Restenosis, which is defined as "the arterial healing response after injury incurred during transluminal coronary revascularization," has been the principal drawback of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) since their introduction. The accumulation of arterial SMCs is caused by a combination of proliferation and directed migration of arterial SMCs from the media into the intima. Both these activities can be induced by cytokines and growth factors produced within the arterial wall and circulating cells in response to the vascular injury. A commonly accepted model of the response to arterial injury suggests that growth factors are released after injury, thereby changing the composition of the extracellular matrix and triggering a proliferation and migration program. SMCs undergo a phenotypic modulation from a contractile to a synthetic phenotype (dedifferentiation), proliferate into the media, migrate from the media into the intima, and subsequently form the neointima.

SMC transition from G1 to Gs cell phase induces neointima formation and modulates the atherosclerotic growth. The cell cycle is regulated by the interaction of multiple proteins, including cyclins, cyclin-dependent kinases, and phosphatases. Molecular complexes containing CDKs, cyclins, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and several other proteins regulate the major cell cycle transition points at the G1/S and G2/M boundaries. In addition to p21 and PCNA, the CDK2/cyclin A kinase complex includes a 19-kDa protein (p19, or SKP1) and a 45-kDa protein (p45, or SKP2).2,3

SKP2 contains a binding motif of {approx}40 residues, termed the F box associated with leucine-rich regions (LRRs). Essential for S-phase entry, Skp2, component of the SCFskp2 ubiquitin ligase, is responsible for polyubiquitylation of cell-cycle regulators.4–9 Its major physiological target is cdk inhibitor p27kip1.6,10 SKP2 specifically recognizes phosphorylated p27 predominantly in S phase rather than in G1 phase, decreasing its levels and forcing cells into S phase (see Figure).


Figure 1
View larger version (22K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Schematic diagram illustrating the effects of cyclic nucleotides on Skp2 stability and SMCs proliferation. Skp-2 indicates S phase–associated kinase protein-2; PKA, protein kinase A; CDK, cyclin-dependent kinases; FAK, focal adhesion kinase; Ub, ubiquitin;

Several in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that the activation of cAMP-PKA signaling leads to inhibition of SMC proliferation.11–13 Furthermore, it has been shown that the antiproliferative effects mediated by increase in cAMP and cGMP levels are mediated by the upregulation of p27kip1 levels and inhibition of CDK2.14–16 In addition, recent data show that phosphodiesterase 1A inhibition attenuates SMC proliferation through elevation of cGMP levels, p27kip1 upregulation, and cyclin D1 downregulation.16 To date it is poorly understood how cyclic nucleotides regulate intracellular cyclins trafficking and particularly p27kip1 levels.


*    Cyclic Nucleotides Modulates Skp2 Levels and SMC Proliferation
up arrowTop
up arrowIntroduction
*Cyclic Nucleotides Modulates...
down arrowPerspectives
down arrowReferences
 
In this issue of Circulation Research, Wu et al show that S-phase kinase-associated protein-2 (Skp2) levels are upregulated in proliferating vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in vitro and after balloon injury of the rat carotid artery in vivo.17 Skp2 siRNA results in increased levels of p27Kip1 and reduced proliferation. cAMP is shown to suppress Skp2 levels by inhibiting transcription and by decreasing protein stability. The authors show that Skp2 overexpression overcame cAMP-induced cell cycle arrest and upregulation of p27Kip1 showing that Skp2 is an important factor in VSMC proliferation and its inhibition of cyclic nucleotides in vitro and in vivo.17

A novel aspect of this work is that for the first time it has been shown that activating signaling downstream to cyclic nucleotides regulates Skp2 expression via inhibition of FAK. Interestingly, exogenous expression of a constitutively active mutant of FAK was able to rescue Skp2 expression and markers of G1-S phase progression after forskolin treatment, showing the role of FAK as mediator of cyclic nucleotides of SMCs proliferation (see Figure).

FAK activation is required to integrate integrin signals with those from receptor tyrosine kinases and G protein–coupled receptors through downstream activation of Rac1.18 FAK activation by the mechanical stress of the arterial wall triggers a molecular cascade involving the mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs)19,20 leading to cell proliferation. Several biological processes occurring in the arterial wall from angiogenesis to inflammation involve the focal adhesion molecules.21,22 FAK is also involved in controlling cell motility, an important step in neointima formation.23 Alternative signal pathways can modulate the molecular complexes of the adhesion system regulating a variety of cellular processes. Further investigation of the mechanisms that underlie Skp2 controlling from the PKA–FAK axis is needed. A crucial step that also needs to be investigated is p27kip1 breakdown control. Indeed, recent studies suggest that alternative molecular pathways can be involved in p27kip1 degradation.


*    Perspectives
up arrowTop
up arrowIntroduction
up arrowCyclic Nucleotides Modulates...
*Perspectives
down arrowReferences
 
The ability to modulate SMC proliferation in vivo has given the possibility to generate new therapeutic tools for cardiovascular disorders. Drug eluting stents are changing the outcome of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions for the treatment of atherosclerotic lesions. The present study improves in a significant manner our understanding of cAMP signaling, a key pathway in the regulation of cardiovascular homeostasis. This work suggests new critical steps in the regulation of SMC proliferation. Further studies are needed to address the therapeutic potential of manipulating these pathways for vasculoproliferative disorders.


*    Acknowledgments
 
Work in the authors’ laboratory is supported by grants from Ministero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca (MIUR Programmi di Ricerca Scientifica di Rilevante Interesse Nazionale), Italy.


*    Footnotes
 
The opinions expressed in this editorial are not necessarily those of the editors or of the American Heart Association.


*    References
up arrowTop
up arrowIntroduction
up arrowCyclic Nucleotides Modulates...
up arrowPerspectives
*References
 

  1. Ross R. The pathogenesis of atherosclerosis: a perspective for the 1990s. Nature. 1993; 362: 801–809.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  2. Demetrick DJ, Zhang H, Beach DH. Chromosomal mapping of the genes for the human CDK2/cyclin A-associated proteins p19 (SKP1A and SKP1B) and p45 (SKP2). Cytogenet Cell Genet. 1996; 73: 104–107.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  3. Zhang H, Kobayashi R, Galaktionov K, Beach D. p19Skp1 and p45Skp2 are essential elements of the cyclin A-CDK2 S phase kinase. Cell. 1995; 82: 915–925.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  4. Bai C, Sen P, Hofmann K, Ma L, Goebl M, Harper JW, Elledge SJ. SKP1 connects cell cycle regulators to the ubiquitin proteolysis machinery through a novel motif, the F-box. Cell. 1996; 86: 263–274.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  5. Bashir T, Dorrello NV, Amador V, Guardavaccaro D, Pagano M. Control of the SCF(Skp2-Cks1) ubiquitin ligase by the APC/C(Cdh1) ubiquitin ligase. Nature. 2004; 428: 190–193.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  6. Carrano AC, Eytan E, Hershko A, Pagano M. SKP2 is required for ubiquitin-mediated degradation of the CDK inhibitor p27. Nat Cell Biol. 1999; 1: 193–199.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  7. Cenciarelli C, Chiaur DS, Guardavaccaro D, Parks W, Vidal M, Pagano M. Identification of a family of human F-box proteins. Curr Biol. 1999; 9: 1177–1179.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  8. Schulman BA, Carrano AC, Jeffrey PD, Bowen Z, Kinnucan ER, Finnin MS, Elledge SJ, Harper JW, Pagano M, Pavletich NP. Insights into SCF ubiquitin ligases from the structure of the Skp1-Skp2 complex. Nature. 2000; 408: 381–386.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  9. Wei W, Ayad NG, Wan Y, Zhang GJ, Kirschner MW, Kaelin WG Jr. Degradation of the SCF component Skp2 in cell-cycle phase G1 by the anaphase-promoting complex. Nature. 2004; 428: 194–198.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  10. Sutterluty H, Chatelain E, Marti A, Wirbelauer C, Senften M, Muller U, Krek W. p45SKP2 promotes p27Kip1 degradation and induces S phase in quiescent cells. Nat Cell Biol. 1999; 1: 207–214.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  11. Indolfi C, Avvedimento EV, Di Lorenzo E, Esposito G, Rapacciuolo A, Giuliano P, Grieco D, Cavuto L, Stingone AM, Ciullo I, Condorelli G, Chiariello M. Activation of cAMP-PKA signaling in vivo inhibits smooth muscle cell proliferation induced by vascular injury. Nat Med. 1997; 3: 775–779.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  12. Indolfi C, Chiariello M, Avvedimento EV. Selective gene therapy for proliferative disorders: sense and antisense. Nat Med. 1996; 2: 634–635.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  13. Pastan IH, Johnson GS, Anderson WB. Role of cyclic nucleotides in growth control. Annu Rev Biochem. 1975; 44: 491–522.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  14. Fukumoto S, Koyama H, Hosoi M, Yamakawa K, Tanaka S, Morii H, Nishizawa Y. Distinct role of cAMP and cGMP in the cell cycle control of vascular smooth muscle cells: cGMP delays cell cycle transition through suppression of cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 activation. Circ Res. 1999; 85: 985–991.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  15. Ii M, Hoshiga M, Fukui R, Negoro N, Nakakoji T, Nishiguchi F, Kohbayashi E, Ishihara T, Hanafusa T. Beraprost sodium regulates cell cycle in vascular smooth muscle cells through cAMP signaling by preventing down-regulation of p27(Kip1). Cardiovasc Res. 2001; 52: 500–508.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  16. Nagel DJ, Aizawa T, Jeon KI, Liu W, Mohan A, Wei H, Miano JM, Florio VA, Gao P, Korshunov VA, Berk BC, Yan C. Role of nuclear Ca2+/calmodulin-stimulated phosphodiesterase 1A in vascular smooth muscle cell growth and survival. Circ Res. 2006; 98: 777–784.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  17. Wu Y-J, Bond M, Sala-Newby GB, Newby AC. Altered S-phase kinase-associated protein-2 levels are a major mediator of cyclic-nucleotide-induced inhibition of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. Circ Res. 2006; 98: 1141–1150.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  18. Romer LH, Birukov KG, Garcia JG. Focal adhesions: paradigm for a signaling nexus. Circ Res. 2006; 98: 606–616.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  19. Esposito G, Prasad SV, Rapacciuolo A, Mao L, Koch WJ, Rockman HA. Cardiac overexpression of a G(q) inhibitor blocks induction of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase activity in in vivo pressure overload. Circulation. 2001; 103: 1453–1458.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  20. Shyy JY, Chien S. Role of integrins in endothelial mechanosensing of shear stress. Circ Res. 2002; 91: 769–775.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  21. Peng X, Ueda H, Zhou H, Stokol T, Shen TL, Alcaraz A, Nagy T, Vassalli JD, Guan JL. Overexpression of focal adhesion kinase in vascular endothelial cells promotes angiogenesis in transgenic mice. Cardiovasc Res. 2004; 64: 421–430.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  22. Taylor JM, Mack CP, Nolan K, Regan CP, Owens GK, Parsons JT. Selective expression of an endogenous inhibitor of FAK regulates proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells. Mol Cell Biol. 2001; 21: 1565–1572.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  23. Lee H, Park DS, Wang XB, Scherer PE, Schwartz PE, Lisanti MP. Src-induced phosphorylation of caveolin-2 on tyrosine 19. Phospho-caveolin-2 (Tyr(P)19) is localized near focal adhesions, remains associated with lipid rafts/caveolae, but no longer forms a high molecular mass hetero-oligomer with caveolin-1. J Biol Chem. 2002; 277: 34556–34567.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

Related Article:

Altered S-Phase Kinase-Associated Protein-2 Levels Are a Major Mediator of Cyclic Nucleotide–Induced Inhibition of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation
Yih-Jer Wu, Mark Bond, Graciela B. Sala-Newby, and Andrew C. Newby
Circ. Res. 2006 98: 1141-1150. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]




This Article
Right arrow Extract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Request Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Chiariello, M.
Right arrow Articles by Esposito, G.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Chiariello, M.
Right arrow Articles by Esposito, G.
Related Collections
Right arrowRelated Article