title: The Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes virus G protein-coupled receptor up-regulates vascular endothelial growth factor expression and secretion through mitogen-activated protein kinase and p38 pathways acting on hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha.
abstract: The elucidation of the molecular mechanisms governing the transition from a nonangiogenic to an angiogenic phenotype is central for understanding and controlling malignancies. Viral oncogenes represent powerful tools for disclosing transforming mechanisms, and they may also afford the possibility of investigating the relationship between transforming pathways and angiogenesis. In this regard, we have recently observed that a constitutively active G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) encoded by the Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes virus (KSHV)/human herpes virus 8 is oncogenic and stimulates angiogenesis by increasing the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is a key angiogenic stimulator and a critical mitogen for the development of Kaposi's sarcoma. Here we show that the KSHV GPCR enhances the expression of VEGF by stimulating the activity of the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha, which activates transcription from a hypoxia response element within the 5'-flanking region of the VEGF promoter. Stimulation of HIF-1alpha by the KSHV GPCR involves the phosphorylation of its regulatory/inhibitory domain by the p38 and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways, thereby enhancing its transcriptional activity. Moreover, specific inhibitors of the p38 (SKF86002) and MAPK (PD98059) pathways are able to inhibit the activation of the transactivating activity of HIF-1alpha induced by the KSHV GPCR, as well as the VEGF expression and secretion in cells overexpressing this receptor. These findings suggest that the KSHV GPCR oncogene subverts convergent physiological pathways leading to angiogenesis and provide the first insight into a mechanism whereby growth factors and oncogenes acting upstream from MAPK, as well as inflammatory cytokines and cellular stresses that activate p38, can interact with the hypoxia-dependent machinery of angiogenesis. These results may also help to identify novel targets for the development of antiangiogenic therapies aimed at the treatment of Kaposi's sarcoma and other neoplastic diseases.
authors.affiliation: Oral and Pharyngeal Cancer Branch, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-4330, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sodhi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Montaner
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zohar
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bais
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Mesri
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Gutkind
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells; D000818:Animals; D019556:COS Cells; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D004790:Enzyme Induction; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D051793:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1; D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D048669:MAP Kinase Kinase 6; D048728:MAP Kinase Kinase Kinase 1; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine / Q000502:physiology*; D020218:Response Elements; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000098:blood supply; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D015533:Transcriptional Activation / Q000502:physiology; D015854:Up-Regulation; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D005419:Flavonoids; C115448:G protein-coupled receptor, Human herpesvirus 8; C497443:Hif1a protein, mouse; D051793:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1; D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit; D007093:Imidazoles; D008222:Lymphokines; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine; D013844:Thiazoles; D014157:Transcription Factors; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D014764:Viral Proteins; C052026:6-(4-fluorophenyl)-2,3-dihydro-5-(4-pyridinyl)imidazo(2,1-b)thiazole; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D048728:MAP Kinase Kinase Kinase 1; C482576:MAP3K1 protein, human; C482578:Map3k1 protein, mouse; D048669:MAP Kinase Kinase 6; C482566:MAP2K6 protein, human; C482567:Map2k6 protein, mouse; D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases; C093973:2-(2-amino-3-methoxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one