Dominant-negative mutant of BIG2, an ARF-guanine nucleotide exchange factor,specifically affects membrane trafficking from the trans-Golgi network through inhibiting membrane association of AP-1 and GGA coat proteins

BIG2 is one of the guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) for the ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) family of small GTPases, which regulate membrane association of COPI and AP-1 coat protein complexes and GGA proteins. Brefeldin A (BFA), an ARF-GEF inhibitor, causes redistribution of the coat proteins from membranes to the cytoplasm and membrane tubulation of the Golgi complex and the trans-Golgi network (TGN). We have recently shown that BIG2 overexpression blocks BFA-induced redistribution of the AP-1 complex but not TGN membrane tubulation. In the present study, we constructed a dominant-negative BIG2 mutant and found that when expressed in cells it induced redistribution of AP-1 and GGA1 and membrane tubulation of the TGN. By contrast, the mutant did not induce COPI redistribution or Golgi membrane tubulation. These observations indicate that BIG2 is involved in trafficking from the TGN by regulating membrane association of AP-1 and GGA through activating ARF.     

Overexpression of an ADP-ribosylation factor-guanine nucleotide exchange factor, BIG2, uncouples brefeldin A-induced adaptor protein-1 coat dissociation and membrane tubulation.

BIG2 is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for the ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) family of small GTPases, which regulate membrane association of COPI and adaptor protein (AP)-1 coat protein complexes. A fungal metabolite, brefeldin A (BFA), inhibits ARF-GEFs and leads to redistribution of coat proteins from membranes to the cytoplasm and membrane tubulation of the Golgi complex and the trans-Golgi network (TGN). To investigate the function of BIG2, we examined the effects of BIG2-overexpression on the BFA-induced redistribution of ARF, coat proteins, and organelle markers. The BIG2 overexpression blocked BFA-induced redistribution from membranes of ARF1 and the AP-1 complex but not that of the COPI complex. These observations indicate that BIG2 is implicated in membrane association of AP-1, but not that of COPI, through activating ARF. Furthermore, not only BIG2 but also ARF1 and AP-1 were found as queues of spherical swellings along the BFA-induced membrane tubules emanating from the TGN. These observations indicate that BFA-induced AP-1 dissociation from TGN membranes and tubulation of TGN membranes are not coupled events and suggest that a BFA target other than ARF-GEFs exists in the cell.     

ARF1 and ARF4 regulate recycling endosomal morphology and retrograde transport from endosomes to the Golgi apparatus

Small GTPases of the ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) family, except for ARF6, mainly localize to the Golgi apparatus, where they trigger formation of coated carrier vesicles. We recently showed that class I ARFs (ARF1 and ARF3) localize to recycling endosomes, as well as to the Golgi, and are redundantly required for recycling of endocytosed transferrin. On the other hand, the roles of class II ARFs (ARF4 and ARF5) are not yet fully understood, and the complementary or overlapping functions of class I and class II ARFs have been poorly characterized. In this study, we find that simultaneous depletion of ARF1 and ARF4 induces extensive tubulation of recycling endosomes. Moreover, the depletion of ARF1 and ARF4 inhibits retrograde transport of TGN38 and mannose-6-phosphate receptor from early/recycling endosomes to the trans-Golgi network (TGN) but does not affect the endocytic/recycling pathway of transferrin receptor or inhibit retrograde transport of CD4-furin from late endosomes to the TGN. These observations indicate that the ARF1+ARF4 and ARF1+ARF3 pairs are both required for integrity of recycling endosomes but are involved in distinct transport pathways: the former pair regulates retrograde transport from endosomes to the TGN, whereas the latter is required for the transferrin recycling pathway from endosomes to the plasma membrane.     

Novel C-terminal motif within Sec7 domain of guanine nucleotide exchange factors regulates ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) binding and activation

ADP-ribosylation factors (ARFs) and their activating guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) play key roles in membrane traffic and signaling. All ARF GEFs share a ～200-residue Sec7 domain (Sec7d) that alone catalyzes the GDP to GTP exchange that activates ARF. We determined the crystal structure of human BIG2 Sec7d. A C-terminal loop immediately following helix J (loop>J) was predicted to form contacts with helix H and the switch I region of the cognate ARF, suggesting that loop>J may participate in the catalytic reaction. Indeed, we identified multiple alanine substitutions within loop>J of the full length and/or Sec7d of two large brefeldin A-sensitive GEFs (GBF1 and BIG2) and one small brefeldin A-resistant GEF (ARNO) that abrogated binding of ARF and a single alanine substitution that allowed ARF binding but inhibited GDP to GTP exchange. Loop>J sequences are highly conserved, suggesting that loop>J plays a crucial role in the catalytic activity of all ARF GEFs. Using GEF mutants unable to bind ARF, we showed that GEFs associate with membranes independently of ARF and catalyze ARF activation in vivo only when membrane-associated. Our structural, cell biological, and biochemical findings identify loop>J as a key regulatory motif essential for ARF binding and GDP to GTP exchange by GEFs and provide evidence for the requirement of membrane association during GEF activity.     

Specific Functions of BIG1 and BIG2 in Endomembrane Organization

Background

Transport of molecules from one subcellular compartment to another involves the recruitment of cytosolic coat protein complexes to a donor membrane to concentrate cargo, deform the membrane and ultimately to form an independent carrier. Small-GTP-binding proteins of the Arf family are central to many membrane trafficking events. Arfs are activated by guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) which results in their recruitment to membranes and subsequent engagement with Arf-effectors, many of which are coat proteins. Among the human BFA-sensitive large Arf-GEFs, the function of the two closely related BIG1 and BIG2 is still not clear, and recent studies have raised the question of functional redundancy between the two proteins.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Here we have used small-interfering RNA on human cells and a combination of fixed and live-cell imaging to investigate the differential functions of BIG1 and BIG2 in endomembrane organization and function. Importantly, in this direct comparative study, we show discrete functions for BIG1 and BIG2. Our results show that depletion of BIG2 but not of BIG1 induces a tubulation of the recycling endosomal compartment, consistent with a specific role for BIG2 here. In contrast, suppression of BIG1 induces the formation of Golgi mini-stacks still polarized and functional in terms of cargo export.

Conclusions

A key finding from our work is that suppression of BIG1 expression results in a fragmentation of the Golgi apparatus. Our data indicate that the human BFA-sensitive large Arf-GEFs have non-redundant functions in cell organization and membrane trafficking. BIG1 is required to maintain the normal morphology of the Golgi; BIG2 is important for endosomal compartment integrity and cannot replace the function of BIG1 in Golgi organization.     

A role of histone H3 lysine 4 methyltransferase components in endosomal trafficking

Histone lysine methyltransferase complexes are essential for chromatin organization and gene regulation. Whether any of this machinery functions in membrane traffic is unknown. In this study, we report that mammal Dpy-30 (mDpy-30), a subunit of several histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4) methyltransferase (H3K4MT) complexes, resides in the nucleus and at the trans-Golgi network (TGN). The TGN targeting of mDpy-30 is mediated by BIG1, a TGN-localized guanine nucleotide exchange factor for adenosine diphosphate ribosylation factor GTPases. Altering mDpy-30 levels changes the distribution of cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor (CIMPR) without affecting that of TGN46 or transferrin receptor. Our experiments also indicate that mDpy-30 functions in the endosome to TGN transport of CIMPR and that its knockdown results in the enrichment of internalized CIMPR and recycling endosomes near cell protrusions. Much like mDpy-30 depletion, the knockdown of Ash2L or RbBP5, two other H3K4MT subunits, leads to a similar redistribution of CIMPR. Collectively, these results suggest that mDpy-30 and probably H3K4MT play a role in the endosomal transport of specific cargo proteins.     

A Highlights from MBoC Selection: Coordination of Grp1 recruitment mechanisms by its phosphorylation

The action of guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) on the ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) family of small GTPases initiates intracellular transport pathways. This role requires ARF GEFs to be recruited from the cytosol to intracellular membrane compartments. An ARF GEF known as General receptor for 3-phosphoinositides 1 (Grp1) is recruited to the plasma membrane through its pleckstrin homology (PH) domain that recognizes phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP3). Here, we find that the phosphorylation of Grp1 induces its PH domain to recognize instead phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI4P). This phosphorylation also releases an autoinhibitory mechanism that results in the coil–coil (CC) domain of Grp1 engaging two peripheral membrane proteins of the recycling endosome. Because the combination of these actions results in Grp1 being recruited preferentially to the recycling endosome rather than to the plasma membrane, our findings reveal the complexity of recruitment mechanisms that need to be coordinated in localizing an ARF GEF to an intracellular compartment to initiate a transport pathway. Our elucidation is also remarkable for having revealed that phosphoinositide recognition by a PH domain can be switched through its phosphorylation.     

The brefeldin A-inhibited guanine nucleotide-exchange protein, BIG2, regulates the constitutive release of TNFR1 exosome-like vesicles

The type I, 55-kDa tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR1) is released from cells to the extracellular space where it can bind and modulate TNF bioactivity. Extracellular TNFR1 release occurs by two distinct pathways: the inducible proteolytic cleavage of TNFR1 ectodomains and the constitutive release of full-length TNFR1 in exosome-like vesicles. Regulation of both TNFR1 release pathways appears to involve the trafficking of cytoplasmic TNFR1 vesicles. Vesicular trafficking is controlled by ADP-ribosylation factors (ARFs), which are active in the GTP-bound state and inactive when bound to GDP. ARF activation is enhanced by guanine nucleotide-exchange factors that catalyze replacement of GDP by GTP. We investigated whether the brefeldin A (BFA)-inhibited guanine nucleotide-exchange proteins, BIG1 and/or BIG2, are required for TNFR1 release from human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Effects of specific RNA interference (RNAi) showed that BIG2, but not BIG1, regulated the release of TNFR1 exosome-like vesicles, whereas neither BIG2 nor BIG1 was required for the IL-1beta-induced proteolytic cleavage of TNFR1 ectodomains. BIG2 co-localized with TNFR1 in diffusely distributed cytoplasmic vesicles, and the association between BIG2 and TNFR1 was disrupted by BFA. Consistent with the preferential activation of class I ARFs by BIG2, ARF1 and ARF3 participated in the extracellular release of TNFR1 exosome-like vesicles in a nonredundant and additive fashion. We conclude that the association between BIG2 and TNFR1 selectively regulates the extracellular release of TNFR1 exosome-like vesicles from human vascular endothelial cells via an ARF1- and ARF3-dependent mechanism.     

Membrane association of the Arabidopsis ARF exchange factor GNOM involves interaction of conserved domains

The GNOM protein plays a fundamental role in Arabidopsis thaliana development by regulating endosome-to-plasma membrane trafficking required for polar localization of the auxin efflux carrier PIN1. GNOM is a family member of large ARF guanine nucleotide exchange factors (ARF-GEFs), which regulate vesicle formation by activating ARF GTPases on specific membranes in animals, plants, and fungi. However, apart from the catalytic exchange activity of the SEC7 domain, the functional significance of other conserved domains is virtually unknown. Here, we show that a distinct N-terminal domain of GNOM mediates dimerization and in addition interacts heterotypically with two other conserved domains in vivo. In contrast with N-terminal dimerization, the heterotypic interaction is essential for GNOM function, as mutations abolishing this interaction inactivate the GNOM protein and compromise its membrane association. Our results suggest a general model of large ARF-GEF function in which regulated changes in protein conformation control membrane association of the exchange factor and, thus, activation of ARFs.     

Localization of EFA6A,a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for ARF6, in spermatogenic cells of testes of adult mice

ADP ribosylation factors (ARFs) of small GTPase are molecular switches regulating various membrane dynamics. Among them, ARF6 has recently been highlighted because of its function to facilitate the interaction between the cytoskeleton and the plasma membrane. Each ARFs has its preferable or even specific guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) as its activators. According to our previous RT-PCR analysis, EFA6A, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for ARF6, was restrictedly expressed in the brain, retina and testis. Different from previous studies on neurons, EFA6A, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for ARF6, was first shown to be localized intensely in nuclei of spermatocytes of adult mouse testes in the present immunohistochemical study. This suggests a possible involvement of EFA6A-ARF6 signaling in the karyokinesis and cytokinesis.     

EFA6, a sec7 domain-containing exchange factor for ARF6, coordinates membrane recycling and actin cytoskeleton organization

We have identified a human cDNA encoding a novel protein, exchange factor for ARF6 (EFA6), which contains Sec7 and pleckstrin homology domains. EFA6 promotes efficient guanine nucleotide exchange on ARF6 and is distinct from the ARNO family of ARF1 exchange factors. The protein localizes to a dense matrix on the cytoplasmic face of plasma membrane invaginations, induced on its expression. We show that EFA6 regulates endosomal membrane recycling and promotes the redistribution of transferrin receptors to the cell surface. Furthermore, expression of EFA6 induces actin-based membrane ruffles that are inhibited by co-expression of dominant-inhibitory mutant forms of ARF6 or Rac1. Our results demonstrate that by catalyzing nucleotide exchange on ARF6 at the plasma membrane and by regulating Rac1 activation, EFA6 coordinates endocytosis with cytoskeletal rearrangements.     

Signaling by human herpesvirus 8 kaposin A through direct membrane recruitment of cytohesin-1

The induction of a transformed cellular phenotype by viruses requires the modulation of signaling pathways through viral proteins. We show here that the phenotypic changes induced by the kaposin A protein of human herpesvirus 8 are mediated through its direct interaction with cytohesin-1, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for ARF GTPases and regulator of integrin-mediated cell adhesion. Focus formation, stress fiber dissolution, and activation of the ERK-1/2 MAP kinase signal cascade were reverted by the cytohesin-1 E157K mutant, which is deficient in catalyzing guanine nucleotide exchange. Furthermore, liposome-embedded kaposin A specifically stimulates cytohesin-1 dependent GTP binding of myristoylated ARF1 in vitro. These results suggest a previously unknown involvement of ARF GTPases in the control of cellular functions by herpesviruses.     

ARF-GEF cytohesin-2/ARNO regulates R-Ras and α5-integrin recycling through an EHD1-positive compartment

When expressed in epithelial cells, cytohesin-2/ARNO, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for ARF small GTPases, causes a robust migration response. Recent evidence suggests that cytohesin-2/ARNO acts downstream of small the GTPase R-Ras to promote spreading and migration. We hypothesized that cytohesin-2/ARNO could transmit R-Ras signals by regulating the recycling of R-Ras through ARF activation. We found that Eps15-homology domain 1 (EHD1), a protein that associates with the endocytic recycling compartment (ERC), colocalizes with active R-Ras in transiently expressed HeLa cells. In addition, we show that EHD1-positive recycling endosomes are a novel compartment for cytohesin-2/ARNO. Knockdown or expression of GEF-inactive (E156K) cytohesin-2/ARNO causes R-Ras to accumulate on recycling endosomes containing EHD1 and inhibits cell spreading. E156K-ARNO also causes a reduction in focal adhesion size and number. Finally, we demonstrate that R-Ras/ARNO signaling is required for recycling of α5-integrin and R-Ras to the plasma membrane. These data establish a role for cytohesin-2/ARNO as a regulator of R-Ras and integrin recycling and suggest that ARF-regulated trafficking of R-Ras is required for R-Ras–dependent effects on spreading and adhesion formation.     

Ubiquitin binding by the CUE domain promotes endosomal localization of the Rab5 GEF Vps9

Vps9 and Muk1 are guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae that regulate membrane trafficking in the endolysosomal pathway by activating Rab5 GTPases. We show that Vps9 is the primary Rab5 GEF required for biogenesis of late endosomal multivesicular bodies (MVBs). However, only Vps9 (but not Muk1) is required for the formation of aberrant class E compartments that arise upon dysfunction of endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRTs). ESCRT dysfunction causes ubiquitinated transmembrane proteins to accumulate at endosomes, and we demonstrate that endosomal recruitment of Vps9 is promoted by its ubiquitin-binding CUE domain. Muk1 lacks ubiquitin-binding motifs, but its fusion to the Vps9 CUE domain allows Muk1 to rescue endosome morphology, cargo trafficking, and cellular stress-tolerance phenotypes that result from loss of Vps9 function. These results indicate that ubiquitin binding by the CUE domain promotes Vps9 function in endolysosomal membrane trafficking via promotion of localization.     

Redundant roles of BIG2 and BIG1, guanine-nucleotide exchange factors for ADP-ribosylation factors in membrane traffic between the trans-Golgi network and endosomes

BIG2 and BIG1 are closely related guanine-nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) for ADP-ribosylation factors (ARFs) and are involved in the regulation of membrane traffic through activating ARFs and recruiting coat protein complexes, such as the COPI complex and the AP-1 clathrin adaptor complex. Although both ARF-GEFs are associated mainly with the trans-Golgi network (TGN) and BIG2 is also associated with recycling endosomes, it is unclear whether BIG2 and BIG1 share some roles in membrane traffic. We here show that knockdown of both BIG2 and BIG1 by RNAi causes mislocalization of a subset of proteins associated with the TGN and recycling endosomes and blocks retrograde transport of furin from late endosomes to the TGN. Similar mislocalization and protein transport block, including furin, were observed in cells depleted of AP-1. Taken together with previous reports, these observations indicate that BIG2 and BIG1 play redundant roles in trafficking between the TGN and endosomes that involves the AP-1 complex.     

Effects of phospholipid and GTP on recombinant ADP-ribosylation factors (ARFs). Molecular basis for differences in requirements for activity of mammalian ARFs.

ADP-ribosylation factors (ARFs) are highly conserved approximately 20-kDa guanine nucleotide-binding proteins that were first identified based on their ability to stimulate the cholera toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of Gs alpha and thus activate adenylyl cyclase. Proteins with ARF activity have been characterized from different mammalian tissues and exhibited different requirements for activity, stability, and phospholipid. Based on molecular cloning and mRNA distribution, at least six mammalian ARFs, which fall into three classes, have been identified. To test whether individual ARFs might have different requirements for optimal activity, as judged by their ability to enhance cholera toxin ADP-ribosyltransferase activity, four ARFs from classes I, II, and III were produced as recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli and characterized. Recombinant bovine ARF 2 (rARF 2) and human ARF 3 (rARF 3) (class I), human ARF 5 (rARF 5, class II), and human ARF 6 (rARF 6, class III) differed in the effects of phospholipid and detergent on their ability to enhance cholera toxin activity; rARFs 2, 3, and 5 required dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and cholate, whereas rARF 6 did not require phospholipid/detergent for activity. Further characterization of two of the more divergent ARFs (ARFs 2 and 6) showed that both exhibited guanosine 5'-O-(3-thio)triphosphate binding which was enhanced by DMPC/cholate. In the transferase assay, rARF 2 required approximately 4 microM GTP for half-maximal stimulation of toxin activity, whereas rARF 6 required 0.05 microM GTP. rARF 6 exhibited a delay in activation of toxin not detected with rARF 2 that may be related to a requirement for guanine nucleotide exchange and/or GTP binding. These findings are consistent with the conclusion that the highly conserved members of the ARF family have different requirements for optimal activity.     

Regulation of ARNO nucleotide exchange by a PH domain electrostatic switch.

ARNO is a member of a family of guanine nucleotide exchange factors that activate small GTPases called ADP-ribosylation factors (ARFs) [1] [2] [3], which regulate vesicular trafficking and, in one case (ARF6), also regulate cortical actin structure [4]. ARNO is located at the plasma membrane, and in the presence of activated protein kinase C (PKC) can induce cortical actin rearrangements reminiscent of those produced by active ARF6 [5] [6] [7] [8]. High-affinity binding of ARNO to membranes, which is required for exchange activity, is mediated cooperatively by a pleckstrin homology (PH) domain and an adjacent carboxy-terminal polybasic domain [3] [9]. ARNO is phosphorylated in vivo by PKC on a single serine residue, S392, located within the carboxy-terminal polybasic domain. Mutation of S392 to alanine does not prevent ARNO-mediated actin rearrangements, suggesting that phosphorylation does not lead to ARNO activation [6]. Here, we report that phosphorylation negatively regulates ARNO exchange activity through a 'PH domain electrostatic switch'. Introduction of a negatively charged phosphate into the polybasic domain reduced interaction of ARNO with membranes both in vitro and in vivo, and inhibited exchange in vitro. This regulated membrane association is similar to the myristoyl electrostatic switch that controls membrane binding of the myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS) [10], but to our knowledge is the first demonstration of an electrostatic switch regulating the membrane interaction of a protein containing a PH domain. This mechanism allows regulation of ARNO lipid binding and exchange activity at two levels, phosphoinositide-dependent recruitment and PKC-dependent displacement from the membrane.     

Structure and function of Salmonella SifA indicate that its interactions with SKIP, SseJ, and RhoA family GTPases induce endosomal tubulation

The Salmonella typhimurium type III secretion effector protein SifA is essential for inducing tubulation of the Salmonella phagosome and binds the mammalian kinesin-binding protein SKIP. Coexpression of SifA with the effector SseJ induced tubulation of mammalian cell endosomes, similar to that induced by Salmonella infection. Interestingly, GTP-bound RhoA, RhoB, and RhoC also induced endosomal tubulation when coexpressed with SseJ, indicating that SifA likely mimics or activates a RhoA family GTPase. The structure of SifA in complex with the PH domain of SKIP revealed that SifA has two distinct domains; the amino terminus binds SKIP, and the carboxyl terminus has a fold similar to SopE, a Salmonella effector with Rho GTPase guanine nucleotide exchange factor activity (GEF). Similar to GEFs, SifA interacted with GDP-bound RhoA, and purified SseJ and RhoA formed a protein complex, suggesting that SifA, SKIP, SseJ, and RhoA family GTPases cooperatively promote host membrane tubulation.