Tyrosine Phosphorylation of Runx1 In Megakaryocytes by Src Family Kinases

Abstract 742

Runx1 and its cofactor, CBF-beta, are the most frequent targets of chromosomal translocations in human leukemias. Point mutations in Runx-1 also occur in some cases of myelodysplastic syndrome and undifferentiated leukemia. During normal hematopoiesis, Runx1 is required for the ontogeny of all definitive hematopoietic stem cells and for the proper maturation of megakaryocytes (Mks) and lymphocytes. Despite these critical roles, the regulation of Runx1 activity via cell signaling pathways remains incompletely understood. Here, we report that Runx-1 is tyrosine phosphorylated in Mks. This occurs on multiple residues and is mediated by src-family tyrosine kinases (SFKs). Loss of Runx1 tyrosine phosphorylation correlates with phorbol ester induced differentiation of L8057 megakaryoblastic cells, suggesting a negative regulatory function. Consistent with this model, retroviral expression of a tyrosine non-phosphorylatable mutant Runx1 molecule increases primary murine fetal liver Mk maturation and Runx1 target gene expression to a greater extent than wild type Runx1. Moreover, treatment of wild type primary Mks with SFK inhibitors markedly enhances Mk maturation, as previously reported (Lannutti BJ, et al 2005 Blood;105:3875-3878). Treatment of L8057 cells with the pan-tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor Na₃VO₄, significantly increases Runx1 tyrosine phosphorylation levels, suggesting that tyrosine phosphorylation of Runx1 is dynamically regulated under steady-state conditions. Using a proteomic approach, we found that Runx1 physically interacts with the non-receptor tyrosine phosphatase SHP-2 (Ptpn11). We validated this interaction and showed that it occurs via direct interactions involving the Runx1 runt domain. ShRNA mediated knock down of SHP-2 in L8057 cells increases Runx1 tyrosine phosphorylation levels. Conditional knockout of SHP-2 in Mks using SHP-2^fl/fl, PF4-Cre mice leads to reduced peripheral blood platelet counts and delayed platelet recovery following transient anti-GPIb antibody induced immune thrombocytopenia. Lastly, we show that treatment of TPA-induced L8057 cells with Na₃VO₄ markedly diminishes binding between Runx1 and the key Mk transcription factor GATA-1. Taken together, our data suggest that tyrosine phosphorylation of Runx1 via SFKs inhibits Runx1 function. Dephosphorylation, at least in part via SHP-2, relieves this inhibition and promotes Mk maturation. These effects are likely mediated through altered protein-protein interactions.