Suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)-1 protein modulates signaling by IFN-γ by binding to the autophosphorylation site of JAK2 and by targeting bound JAK2 to the proteosome for degradation. We have developed a small tyrosine kinase inhibitor peptide (Tkip) that is a SOCS-1 mimetic. Tkip is compared in this study with the kinase inhibitory region (KIR) of SOCS-1 for JAK2 recognition, inhibition of kinase activity, and regulation of IFN-γ-induced biological activity. Tkip and a peptide corresponding to the KIR of SOCS-1, (53)DTHFRTFRSHSDYRRI(68) (SOCS1-KIR), both bound similarly to the autophosphorylation site of JAK2, JAK2(1001–1013). The peptides also bound to JAK2 peptide phosphorylated at Tyr1007, pJAK2(1001–1013). Dose-response competitions suggest that Tkip and SOCS1-KIR similarly recognize the autophosphorylation site of JAK2, but probably not precisely the same way. Although Tkip inhibited JAK2 autophosphorylation as well as IFN-γ-induced STAT1-α phosphorylation, SOCS1-KIR, like SOCS-1, did not inhibit JAK2 autophosphorylation but inhibited STAT1-α activation. Both Tkip and SOCS1-KIR inhibited IFN-γ activation of Raw 264.7 murine macrophages and inhibited Ag-specific splenocyte proliferation. The fact that SOCS1-KIR binds to pJAK2(1001–1013) suggests that the JAK2 peptide could function as an antagonist of SOCS-1. Thus, pJAK2(1001–1013) enhanced suboptimal IFN-γ activity, blocked SOCS-1-induced inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation in IL-6-treated cells, enhanced IFN-γ activation site promoter activity, and enhanced Ag-specific proliferation. Furthermore, SOCS-1 competed with SOCS1-KIR for pJAK2(1001–1013). Thus, the KIR region of SOCS-1 binds directly to the autophosphorylation site of JAK2 and a peptide corresponding to this site can function as an antagonist of SOCS-1.

Engagement of the T cell receptor for antigen (TCR) induces formation of signaling complexes mediated through the transmembrane adaptor protein, the linker for activation of T cells (LAT). LAT plays an important role in T cell development, activation, and homeostasis. A knock-in mutation at Tyr136, which is the phospholipase C (PLC)-γ1–binding site in LAT, leads to a severe autoimmune disease in mice. In this study, we show that CD4+CD25+ T reg cells that expressed Foxp3 transcription factor were nearly absent in both thymus and peripheral lymphoid organs of LATY136F mice. This defect was not a result of the autoimmune environment as LATY136F T reg cells also failed to develop in healthy LAT−/− mice that received mixed wild-type and LATY136F bone marrow cells. Moreover, adoptive transfer of normal CD4+CD25+ T reg cells protected neonatal LATY136F mice from developing this disease. These T reg cells effectively controlled expansion of CD4+ T cells in LATY136F mice likely via granzymes and/or TGF-β–mediated suppression. Furthermore, ectopic expression of Foxp3 conferred a suppressive function in LATY136F T cells. Our data indicate that the LAT–PLC-γ1 interaction plays a critical role in Foxp3 expression and the development of CD4+CD25+ T reg cells

Positive and negative regulation of cytokines such as IFN-γ are key to normal homeostatic function. Negative regulation of IFN-γ in cells occurs via proteins called suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS)1 and -3. SOCS-1 inhibits IFN-γ function by binding to the autophosphorylation site of the tyrosine kinase Janus kinase (JAK)2. We have developed a short 12-mer peptide, WLVFFVIFYFFR, that binds to the autophosphorylation site of JAK2, resulting in inhibition of its autophosphorylation as well as its phosphorylation of IFN-γ receptor subunit IFNGR-1. The JAK2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor peptide (Tkip) did not bind to or inhibit tyrosine autophosphorylation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor or phosphorylation of a substrate peptide by the protooncogene tyrosine kinase c-src. Tkip also inhibited epidermal growth factor receptor autophosphorylation, consistent with the fact that epidermal growth factor receptor is regulated by SOCS-1 and SOCS-3, similar to JAK2. Although Tkip binds to unphosphorylated JAK2 autophosphorylation site peptide, it binds significantly better to tyrosine-1007 phosphorylated JAK2 autophosphorylation site peptide. SOCS-1 only recognizes the JAK2 site in its phosphorylated state. Thus, Tkip recognizes the JAK2 autophosphorylation site similar to SOCS-1, but not precisely the same way. Consistent with inhibition of JAK2, Tkip inhibited the ability of IFN-γ to induce an antiviral state as well as up-regulate MHC class I molecules on cells at a concentration of ∼10 μM. This is similar to the Kd of SOCS-3 for the erythropoietin receptor. These data represent a proof-of-concept demonstration of a peptide mimetic of SOCS-1 that regulates JAK2 tyrosine kinase function.

Prostate cancer is the second highest cause of cancerrelated deaths of men in the US. Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) proteins are a small family of latent cytoplasmic transcription factors that act downstream of Janus kinase (JAK) activation and mediate intracellular signaling from a wide variety of cytokines, growth factors, and hormones. Aberrant activation of STAT3 has been implicated in the progression of many human carcinomas, including prostate cancer. Previously, we have characterized a novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor peptide, Tkip, that is a mimetic of suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS-1). Similar to SOCS-1, Tkip binds to the autophosphorylation site of JAK2 and inhibits phosphorylation of STAT1a. In this study, we determined the inhibitory effects of Tkip on the human prostate cancer cell lines DU145 and LNCaP. Tkip inhibited cellular proliferation of both DU145 and LNCaP cells, with a slightly greater antiproliferative effect on DU145 cells. Cell cycle analysis using flow cytometry showed Tkip blockage of progression into the S phase of the cell cycle. Tkip also inhibited constitutive (DU145) and IL-6-induced (LNCaP) activation of STAT3, consistent with the fact that STAT3 activation is mediated by JAK2. Tkip also slightly reduced the levels of cyclin D1, an important regulator of cell cycle progression into S phase, in DU145 and LNCaP cancer cell lines. These data describe a potentially important therapeutic that targets both constitutive and IL-6-induced STAT3 activation in human prostate cancer cell lines.