hashem dbouk | UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas (original) (raw)

Papers by hashem dbouk

Circulation, Nov 26, 2013

American Journal of Physiology - Renal Physiology, 2016

The With no Lysine [K] (WNK) family of enzymes are central in the regulation of blood pressure. W... more The With no Lysine [K] (WNK) family of enzymes are central in the regulation of blood pressure. WNKs have been implicated in hereditary hypertension disorders, mainly through control of the activity and levels of ion cotransporters and channels. Actions of WNKs in the kidney have been heavily investigated, and recent studies have provided insight into not only the regulation of these enzymes but also how mutations in WNKs and their interacting partners contribute to hypertensive disorders. Defining the roles of WNKs in the cardiovascular system will provide clues about additional mechanisms by which WNKs can regulate blood pressure. This review summarizes recent developments in the regulation of the WNK signaling cascade and its role in regulation of blood pressure.

Pnas, 2010

Class I PI3-kinases signal downstream of receptor tyrosine kinases and G protein-coupled receptor... more Class I PI3-kinases signal downstream of receptor tyrosine kinases and G protein-coupled receptors and have been implicated in tumorigenesis. Although the oncogenic potential of the PI3-kinase subunit p110α requires its mutational activation, other p110 isoforms can induce transformation when overexpressed in the wild-type state. In wild-type p110α, N345 in the C2 domain forms hydrogen bonds with D560 and N564 in the inter-SH2 (iSH2) domain of p85, and mutations of p110α or p85 that disrupt this interface lead to increased basal activity and transformation. Sequence analysis reveals that N345 in p110α aligns with K342 in p110β. This difference makes wild-type p110β analogous to a previously described oncogenic mutant, p110α-N345K. We now show that p110β is inhibited by p85 to a lesser extent than p110α and is not differentially inhibited by wild-type p85 versus p85 mutants that disrupt the C2-iSH2 domain interface. Similar results were seen in soft agar and focus-formation assays, where p110β was similar to p110α-N345K in transforming potential. Inhibition of p110β by p85 was enhanced by a K342N mutation in p110β, which led to decreased activity in vitro, decreased basal Akt and ribosomal protein S6 kinase (S6K1) activation, and decreased transformation in NIH 3T3 cells. Moreover, unlike wild-type p110β, p110β-K342N was differentially regulated by wild-type and mutant p85, suggesting that the inhibitory C2-iSH2 interface is functional in this mutant. This study shows that the enhanced transforming potential of p110β is the result of its decreased inhibition by p85, due to the disruption of an inhibitory C2-iSH2 domain interface.

Le Journal médical libanais. The Lebanese medical journal

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is the earliest known autoinflammatory disease, characterized ... more Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is the earliest known autoinflammatory disease, characterized by symptoms such as arthritis, peritonitis, pleuritis, erysipelas-like erythema, and most importantly amyloidosis. This disease is very common in populations of the Mediterranean area, and due to its high carrier frequency and occurrence rate in these populations, it has been the focus of much research work. Such research has allowed greater insights into the genetics of FMF, leading to the discovery of the responsible gene in 1997 and the determination of mutations and their effect on the phenotype of patients, as well as the interactions and roles of the pyrin protein, which seems to have various roles in regulation of innate immunity, inflammation, and apoptosis. Colchicine has been used as preventive treatment since 1972, and recent studies have allowed the determination of its mode of action.

Postdoc Journal, 2015

Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) are central regulators of cellular responses to extracellular ... more Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) are central regulators of cellular responses to extracellular stimuli, and are involved in growth, proliferation, migration, and metabolism. The Class I PI3Ks are activated by Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs) or G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs), and their signaling is commonly deregulated in disease conditions. Among the class I PI3Ks, the p110β isoform is unique in being activated by both RTKs and GPCRs, and its ability to bind Rho-GTPases and Rab5. Recent studies have characterized these p110β interacting partners, defining the binding mechanisms and regulation, and thus provide insight into the function of this kinase in physiology and disease. This review summarizes the developments in p110β research, focusing on the interacting partners and their role in p110β-mediated signaling.

Methods in Molecular Biology, 2015

Isoform-specific signaling by Class IA PI 3-kinases depends in part on the interactions between d... more Isoform-specific signaling by Class IA PI 3-kinases depends in part on the interactions between distinct catalytic subunits and upstream regulatory proteins. From among the class IA catalytic subunits (p110α, p110β, and p110δ), p110β has unique properties. Unlike the other family members, p110β directly binds to Gβγ subunits, downstream from activated G-protein coupled receptors, and to activated Rab5. Furthermore, the Ras-binding domain (RBD) of p110β binds to Rac and Cdc42 but not to Ras. Defining mutations that specifically disrupt these regulatory interactions is critical for defining their role in p110β signaling. This chapter describes the approach that was used to identify the Rab5 binding site in p110β, and discusses methods for the analysis of p110β-Rab5 interactions.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2014

PLoS ONE, 2013

The PI3-kinase pathway is commonly activated in tumors, most often by loss of PTEN lipid phosphat... more The PI3-kinase pathway is commonly activated in tumors, most often by loss of PTEN lipid phosphatase activity or the amplification or mutation of p110a. Oncogenic mutants have commonly been found in p110a, but rarely in any of the other catalytic subunits of class I PI3-kinases. We here characterize a p110b helical domain mutation, E633K, first identified in a Her2-positive breast cancer. The mutation increases basal p110b activity, but does not affect activation of p85/p110b dimers by phosphopeptides or Gbc. Expression of the mutant causes increases in Akt and S6K1 activation, transformation, chemotaxis, proliferation and survival in low serum. E633 is conserved among class I PI3 Ks, and its mutation in p110b is also activating. Interestingly, the E633K mutant occurs near a region that interacts with membranes in activated PI 3-kinases, and its mutation abrogates the requirement for an intact Ras-binding domain in p110b-mediated transformation. We propose that the E633K mutant activates p110b by enhancing its basal association with membranes. This study presents the first analysis of an activating oncogenic mutation of p110b.

Trends in Pharmacological Sciences, 2013

Phosphoinositide (PI) 3-kinases are essential regulators of cellular proliferation, survival, met... more Phosphoinositide (PI) 3-kinases are essential regulators of cellular proliferation, survival, metabolism, and motility that are frequently dysregulated in human disease. The design of inhibitors to target the PI 3-kinase/mTOR pathway is a major area of investigation by both academic laboratories and the pharmaceutical industry. This review focuses on the Class IA PI 3-kinase p110β, which plays a unique role in thrombogenesis and in the growth of tumors with deletion or loss-of-function mutation of the Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog (PTEN) lipid phosphatase. Several p110β-selective inhibitors that target the ATP-binding site in the kinase domain have been identified. However, recent discoveries regarding the regulatory mechanisms that control p110β activity suggest alternative strategies by which to disrupt signaling by this PI 3-kinase isoform. This review summarizes the current status of p110β-specific inhibitors and discusses how these new insights into p110 regulation might be used to devise novel pharmacological inhibitors.

Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2014

Autophagy is an important catabolic cellular process that eliminates damaged and unnecessary cyto... more Autophagy is an important catabolic cellular process that eliminates damaged and unnecessary cytoplasmic proteins and organelles. Basal autophagy occurs during normal physiological conditions, but the activity of this process can be significantly altered in human diseases. Thus, defining the regulatory inputs and signals that control autophagy is essential. Nutrients are key modulators of autophagy. While autophagy is generally accepted to be regulated in a cell autonomous fashion, recent studies suggest nutrients can modulate autophagy in a systemic manner by inducing the secretion of hormones and neurotransmitters that regulate G proteincoupled receptors (GPCRs). Emerging studies show that GPCRs also regulate autophagy by directly detecting extracellular nutrients. We review the role of GPCRs in autophagy regulation, highlighting their potential as therapeutic drug targets.

Molecular Cell, 2013

Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved membrane trafficking process. Induction of autophagy in ... more Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved membrane trafficking process. Induction of autophagy in response to nutrient limitation or cellular stress occurs by similar mechanisms in organisms from yeast to mammals. Unlike yeast, metazoan cells rely more on growth factor signaling for a wide variety of cellular activities including nutrient uptake. How growth factor availability regulates autophagy is poorly understood. Here we show that, upon growth factor limitation, the p110b catalytic subunit of the class IA phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) dissociates from growth factor receptor complexes and increases its interaction with the small GTPase Rab5. This p110b-Rab5 association maintains Rab5 in its guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-bound state and enhances the Rab5-Vps34 interaction that promotes autophagy. p110b mutants that fail to interact with Rab5 are defective in autophagy promotion. Hence, in mammalian cells, p110b acts as a molecular sensor for growth factor availability and induces autophagy by activating a Rab5-mediated signaling cascade.

Experimental Cell Research, 2013

Connexins (Cx), gap junction (GJ) proteins, are regarded as tumor suppressors, and Cx43 expressio... more Connexins (Cx), gap junction (GJ) proteins, are regarded as tumor suppressors, and Cx43 expression is often down regulated in breast tumors. We assessed the effect of Cx43 over-expression in 2D and 3D cultures of two breast adenocarcinoma cell lines: MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. While Cx43 over-expression decreased proliferation of 2D and 3D cultures of MCF-7 by 56% and 80% respectively, MDA-MB-231 growth was not altered in 2D cultures, but exhibited 35% reduction in 3D cultures. C-terminus truncated Cx43 did not alter proliferation. Untransfected MCF-7 cells formed spherical aggregates in 3D cultures, and MDA-MB-231 cells formed stellar aggregates. However, MCF-7 cells over-expressing Cx43 formed smaller sized clusters and Cx43 expressing MDA-MB-231 cells lost their stellar morphology. Extravasation ability of both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells was reduced by 60% and 30% respectively. On the other hand, silencing Cx43 in MCF10A cells, nonneoplastic human mammary cell line, increased proliferation in both 2D and 3D cultures, and disrupted acinar morphology. Although Cx43 over-expression did not affect total levels of β-catenin, α-catenin and ZO-2, it decreased nuclear levels of β-catenin in 2D and 3D cultures of MCF-7 cells, and in 3D cultures of MDA-MB-231 cells. Cx43 associated at the membrane with α-catenin, β-catenin and ZO-2 in 2D and 3D cultures of MCF-7 cells, and only in 3D conditions in MDA-MB-231 cells. This study suggests that Cx43 exerts tumor suppressive effects in a context-dependent manner where GJ assembly with α-catenin, β-catenin and ZO-2 may be implicated in reducing growth rate, invasiveness, and, malignant phenotype of 2D and 3D cultures of MCF-7 cells, and 3D cultures of MDA-MB-231 cells, by sequestering β-catenin away from nucleus.

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1997

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2013

Cell Commun …, Jan 1, 2009

Connexins constitute a large family of trans-membrane proteins that allow intercellular communica... more Connexins constitute a large family of trans-membrane proteins that allow intercellular communication and the transfer of ions and small signaling molecules between cells. Recent studies have revealed complex translational and post-translational mechanisms that regulate connexin synthesis, maturation, membrane transport and degradation that in turn modulate gap junction intercellular communication. With the growing myriad of connexin interacting proteins, including cytoskeletal elements, junctional proteins, and enzymes, gap junctions are now perceived, not only as channels between neighboring cells, but as signaling complexes that regulate cell function and transformation. Connexins have also been shown to form functional hemichannels and have roles altogether independent of channel functions, where they exert their effects on proliferation and other aspects of life and death of the cell through mostly-undefined mechanisms. This review provides an updated overview of current knowledge of connexins and their interacting proteins, and it describes connexin modulation in disease and tumorigenesis.