Effects of lipid kinase expression and cellular stimuli on phosphatidylinositol 5-phosphate levels in mammalian cell lines

Phosphatidylinositol 5-phosphate (PtdIns5P) is a relatively recently discovered inositol lipid whose metabolism and functions are not yet clearly understood. We have transfected cells with a number of enzymes that are potentially implicated in the synthesis or metabolism of PtdIns5P, or subjected cells to a variety of stimuli, and then measured cellular PtdIns5P levels by a specific mass assay. Stable or transient overexpression of Type IIalpha PtdInsP kinase, or transient overexpression of Type Ialpha or IIbeta PtdInsP kinases caused no significant change in cellular PtdIns5P levels. Similarly, subjecting cells to oxidative stress or EGF stimulation had no significant effect on PtdIns5P, but stimulation of HeLa cells with a phosphoinositide-specific PLC-coupled agonist, histamine, caused a 40% decrease within 1 min. Our data question the degree to which inositide kinases regulate PtdIns5P levels in cells, and we discuss the possibility that a significant part of both the synthesis and removal of this lipid may be regulated by phosphatases and possibly phospholipases.     

Fab1p Is Essential for PtdIns(3)P 5-Kinase Activity and the Maintenance of Vacuolar Size and Membrane Homeostasis

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae FAB1 gene encodes a 257-kD protein that contains a cysteine-rich RING-FYVE domain at its NH₂-terminus and a kinase domain at its COOH terminus. Based on its sequence, Fab1p was initially proposed to function as a phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PtdIns(4)P) 5-kinase (Yamamoto et al., 1995). Additional sequence analysis of the Fab1p kinase domain, reveals that Fab1p defines a subfamily of putative PtdInsP kinases that is distinct from the kinases that synthesize PtdIns(4,5)P₂. Consistent with this, we find that unlike wild-type cells, fab1Δ, fab1^tsf, and fab1 kinase domain point mutants lack detectable levels of PtdIns(3,5)P₂, a phosphoinositide recently identified both in yeast and mammalian cells. PtdIns(4,5)P₂ synthesis, on the other hand, is only moderately affected even in fab1Δ mutants. The presence of PtdIns(3)P in fab1 mutants, combined with previous data, indicate that PtdIns(3,5)P₂ synthesis is a two step process, requiring the production of PtdIns(3)P by the Vps34p PtdIns 3-kinase and the subsequent Fab1p- dependent phosphorylation of PtdIns(3)P yielding PtdIns(3,5)P₂. Although Vps34p-mediated synthesis of PtdIns(3)P is required for the proper sorting of hydrolases from the Golgi to the vacuole, the production of PtdIns(3,5)P₂ by Fab1p does not directly affect Golgi to vacuole trafficking, suggesting that PtdIns(3,5)P₂ has a distinct function. The major phenotypes resulting from Fab1p kinase inactivation include temperature-sensitive growth, vacuolar acidification defects, and dramatic increases in vacuolar size. Based on our studies, we hypothesize that whereas Vps34p is essential for anterograde trafficking of membrane and protein cargoes to the vacuole, Fab1p may play an important compensatory role in the recycling/turnover of membranes deposited at the vacuole. Interestingly, deletion of VAC7 also results in an enlarged vacuole morphology and has no detectable PtdIns(3,5)P₂, suggesting that Vac7p functions as an upstream regulator, perhaps in a complex with Fab1p. We propose that Fab1p and Vac7p are components of a signal transduction pathway which functions to regulate the efflux or turnover of vacuolar membranes through the regulated production of PtdIns(3,5)P₂.     

Phosphorylation of signaling phospholipids in Coffea arabica cells

Membrane preparations of Coffea arabica suspension cells were incubated in the presence of 〚³²P〛γ-ATP. After lipid extraction and separation by thin layer chromatography, the following phosphorylated lipids were detected: phosphatidylinositol 4,5 bis-phosphate (PtdIns4,5P₂), lyso-phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (LPtdIns4P), phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PtdIns4P), diacylglycerol pyrophosphate (DGPP), lyso-phosphatidic acid (LPA) and phosphatidic acid (PA). This suggests the presence of phosphatidylinositol (EC 2.7.1.67), phosphatidylinositol 4 phosphate (EC 2.7.1.68), diacylglycerol (EC 2.7.1.107) and monoacylglycerol (EC 2.1.1.94) kinases. The activities of these lipid kinases changed during the culture period of the C. arabica cells reaching peak at day 7 of culture; however, enzymatic activities were very low before and after day 7. The behavior of these lipid kinases in the presence of their respective substrates and exogenous substrates such as ATP was characterized. The apparent K_m values for ATP of all the lipid kinase activities were lower than 30 μM. All kinase activities assayed were totally dependent on the presence of Mg²⁺ and were unable to use Mn²⁺ or Ca²⁺ which produced a strong inhibition of all the lipid kinase activities. By using polyclonal antibodies against PtdIns 4-kinase and PtdInsP 5-kinase, we were able to identify at least two putative isoforms for the PtdIns 4-kinase and one for the PtdInsP 5-kinase. In both cases, the correlation of the amount of these proteins with their respective kinase activities depended on the culture cycle. The present work describes for the first time the characterization of the lipid kinases of C. arabica suspension cells, and the correlation of these activities with the culture cycle.     

Arabidopsis PCaP2 modulates the phosphatidylinositol 4,5‐bisphosphate signal on the plasma membrane and attenuates root hair elongation

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5‐bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P₂] serves as a subcellular signal on the plasma membrane, mediating various cell‐polarized phenomena including polar cell growth. Here, we investigated the involvement of Arabidopsis thaliana PCaP2, a plant‐unique plasma membrane protein with phosphoinositide‐binding activity, in PtdIns(4,5)P₂ signaling for root hair tip growth. The long‐root‐hair phenotype of the pcap2 knockdown mutant was found to stem from its higher average root hair elongation rate compared with the wild type and to counteract the low average rate caused by a defect in the PtdIns(4,5)P₂‐producing enzyme gene PIP5K3. On the plasma membrane of elongating root hairs, the PCaP2 promoter‐driven PCaP2–green fluorescent protein (GFP), which complemented the pcap2 mutant phenotype, overlapped with the PtdIns(4,5)P₂ marker 2xCHERRY‐2xPH^PLC in the subapical region, but not at the apex, suggesting that PCaP2 attenuates root hair elongation via PtdIns(4,5)P₂ signaling on the subapical plasma membrane. Consistent with this, a GFP fusion with the PCaP2 phosphoinositide‐binding domain PCaP2^N23, root hair‐specific overexpression of which caused a low average root hair elongation rate, localized more intense to the subapical plasma membrane than to the apical plasma membrane similar to PCaP2–GFP. Inducibly overexpressed PCaP2–GFP, but not its derivative lacking the PCaP2^N23 domain, replaced 2xCHERRY‐2xPH^PLC on the plasma membrane in root meristematic epidermal cells, and suppressed FM4‐64 internalization in elongating root hairs. Moreover, inducibly overexpressed PCaP2 arrested an endocytic process of PIN2–GFP recycling. Based on these results, we conclude that PCaP2 functions as a negative modulator of PtdIns(4,5)P₂ signaling on the subapical plasma membrane probably through competitive binding to PtdIns(4,5)P₂ and attenuates root hair elongation.     

ArPIKfyve Regulates Sac3 Protein Abundance and Turnover: DISRUPTION OF THE MECHANISM BY Sac3I41T MUTATION CAUSING CHARCOT-MARIE-TOOTH 4J DISORDER*

The mammalian phosphatidylinositol (3,5)-bisphosphate (PtdIns(3,5)P₂) phosphatase Sac3 and ArPIKfyve, the associated regulator of the PtdIns3P-5 kinase PIKfyve, form a stable binary complex that associates with PIKfyve in a ternary complex to increase PtdIns(3,5)P₂ production. Whether the ArPIKfyve-Sac3 subcomplex functions outside the PIKfyve context is unknown. Here we show that stable or transient expression of ArPIKfyve^WT in mammalian cells elevates steady-state protein levels and the PtdIns(3,5)P₂-hydrolyzing activity of Sac3, whereas knockdown of ArPIKfyve has the opposite effect. These manipulations do not alter the Sac3 mRNA levels, suggesting that ArPIKfyve might control Sac3 protein degradation. Inhibition of protein synthesis in COS cells by cycloheximide reveals remarkably rapid turnover of expressed Sac3^WT (t_½ = 18.8 min), resulting from a proteasome-dependent clearance as evidenced by the extended Sac3^WT half-life upon inhibiting proteasome activity. Coexpression of ArPIKfyve^WT, but not the N- or C-terminal halves, prolongs the Sac3^WT half-life consistent with enhanced Sac3 protein stability through association with full-length ArPIKfyve. We further demonstrate that mutant Sac3, harboring the pathogenic Ile-to-Thr substitution at position 41 found in patients with CMT4J disorder, is similar to Sac3^WT with regard to PtdIns(3,5)P₂-hydrolyzing activity, association with ArPIKfyve, or rapid proteasome-dependent clearance. Remarkably, however, neither is the steady-state Sac3^I41T elevated nor is the Sac3^I41T half-life extended by coexpressed ArPIKfyve^WT, indicating that unlike with Sac3^WT, ArPIKfyve fails to prevent Sac3^I41T rapid loss. Together, our data indentify a novel regulatory mechanism whereby ArPIKfyve enhances Sac3 abundance by attenuating Sac3 proteasome-dependent degradation and suggest that a failure of this mechanism could be the primary molecular defect in the pathogenesis of CMT4J.     

Purification and characterization of phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase from human erythrocyte membranes.

Two species of PtdIns 4-kinase with molecular masses of 50 kDa and 45 kDa were detected in human erythrocyte membranes using SDS/PAGE. These enzymes were purified to near homogeneity and found to display very similar enzymatic characteristics. The purification scheme consisted of solubilization from erythrocyte membranes in the presence of Triton X-100, followed by Cibacron-blue-Sephadex, phosphocellulose and Mono Q anion-exchange chromatography. The final step in the purification protocol was preparative SDS/PAGE, followed by electroelution and renaturation of the enzyme. This procedure afforded an about 4000-fold purification of the enzyme from erythrocyte membranes. Characterization of the [32P]PtdInsP products formed by the purified PtdIns kinases indicated that these enzymes specifically phosphorylated the D-4 position of the inositol ring. The Km values of both PtdIns 4-kinase species for PtdIns and ATP were found to be 0.2 mM and 0.1 mM, respectively. The enzymes are both activated by Mg2+, and inhibited by Ca2+ and by adenosine. The potential importance of these effectors for the regulation of PtdIns phosphorylation in cells is discussed.     

Changing phosphoinositides “on the fly”: how trafficking vesicles avoid an identity crisis

Joining an antagonistic phosphoinositide (PtdInsP) kinase and phosphatase into a single protein complex may regulate rapid and local PtdInsP changes. This may be important for processes such as membrane fission that require a specific PtdInsP and that are innately local and rapid. Such a complex could couple vesicle formation, with erasing of the identity of the donor organelle from the vesicle prior to its fusion with target organelles, thus preventing organelle identity intermixing. Coordinating signals are postulated to switch the relative activities of the kinase and phosphatase in a spatio‐temporal manner that matches membrane fission events. The discovery of two such complexes supports this hypothesis. One regulates the interconversion of phosphatidylinositol and PtdIns(3)P by joining the Vps34 PtdIns 3‐kinase and the myotubularin 3‐phosphatases. The other regulates the interconversion between PtdIns(3)P and PtdIns(3,5)P₂ through the Fab1/PIKfyve kinase and the Fig4/mFig4 phosphatase. These lipids are essential components of the endosomal identity code.     

The substrate specificity of phosphoinositide phospholipase C in rat heart sarcolemma

In rat cardiac sarcolemmal membranes a phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PLC) was found to be present. The enzyme hydrolysed exogenous [³H-]phosphatidylinositol 4,5-biphosphate ([³H-]PtdIns(4,5)P ₂) in an optimized assay mixture containing 15 leg SL protein, 100 mM NaCl, 1 mM free Ca²⁺,14 mM Na-cholate and 20 AM [³H-]PtdIns (4,5)P ₂ (400–500 dpm/gm-l) in 30 mM HEPES-Tris buffer (pH 7.0). The average specific activity was 9.14±0.55 nmol-mg^–1·2.5 min^–1. The addition of Mg²⁺ to the assay mixture did not change PLC activity but increased the relative amounts of dephosphorylated inositol products. In the absence of Na⁺ and at a low Ca²⁺ concentration (0.3 M), Mg²⁺ also enhanced the intraSL levels of PtdIns4P and PtdIns, and, moreover, inhibited PLC activity (IC₅₀0.07 mM). PtdIns4P seemd to be a good substrate for the rat SL PLC (23.07 ± 1.57 nmol·mg^–1·2.5 min^–1) whereas PtdIns was hydrolysed at a very low rate (0.36 ± 0.08 nmol·mg^–1·2.5 min^–1). Unlike PtdIns(4,5)P ₂, PLC-dependent PtdIns4P and PtdIns hydrolysis was not inhibited by Ca²⁺ concentrations over 1 mM. The possibility of distinct isozymes being responsible for the different hydrolytic activities is discussed. (Mol Cell Biochem116: 27–31, 1992).Abbreviations DAG sn-1,2-diacylglycerol - EGTA ethyleneglycol-O,O-bis(aminoethyl)-N,N,N,N,-tetraacetic acid - Ins(1,4,5)P ₃ inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate - InsP inositol monophosphate (unidentified isomer) - InsP ₂ inositol bisphosphate (unidentified isomer) - InsP ₃ inositol trisphosphate (unidentified isomer) - InsP _x any inositol phosphate - PLC phospholipase C - PtdIns phosphatidylinositol - PtdIns(4,5)P ₂ phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate - PtdIns4P phosphatidylinositol 4-monophosphate - SL sarcolemma     

Sanguinarine suppresses IgE induced inflammatory responses through inhibition of type II PtdIns 4-kinase(s)

The effects of sanguinarine on IgE mediated early signaling mechanisms leading to inflammatory mediators release were investigated. Pretreatment of RBL 2H3 cells with sanguinarine inhibited IgE induced activation of type II PtdIns 4-kinase activity. Concomitant with type II PtdIns 4-kinase inhibition, sanguinarine also inhibited IgE induced degranulation and β hexosaminidase release in RBL 2H3 cells. In vitro assays showed sanguinarine inhibited type II PtdIns 4-kinase activity in a dose dependent fashion with no effect on PtdIns 3-kinase activity. Fluorescence spectroscopic studies suggested that sanguinarine binds to type II PtdIns 4-kinases α and β isoforms with a K_d of 2.4 and 1.8 μM, respectively. Kinetic studies showed that sanguinarine competes with PtdIns binding site of type II PtdIns 4-kinase β. These results suggest that the anti-inflammatory effects of sanguinarine on PtdIns 3-kinase signaling pathway are more likely an indirect effect and emphasize the importance of the cross talk between type II PtdIns 4-kinases and PtdIns 3-kinases.     

Na+/H+ exchange is increased in sickle cell anemia and young normal red cells

Summary Red cell volume regulation is important in sickle cell anemia because the rate and extent of HbS polymerization are strongly dependent on initial hemoglobin concentration. We have demonstrated that volume-sensitive K:Cl cotransport is highly active in SS whole blood and is capable of increasing MCHC. We now report that Na⁺/H⁺ exchange (Na/H EXC), which is capable of decreasing the MCHC of erythrocytes with pH_i<7.2, is also very active in the blood of patients homozygous for HbS. The activity of Na/H EXC (maximum rate) was determined by measuring net Na⁺ influx (mmol/liter cell·hr=FU) driven by an outward H⁺ gradient in oxygenated, acidloaded (pH_i 6.0), DIDS-treated SS cells. The Na/H EXC activity was 33±3 FU (mean±se) (n=19) in AA whites, 37±8 FU (n=8) in AA blacks, and 85±15 FU (n=14) in SS patients (P<0.005). Separation of SS cells into four density-defined fractions by density gradient revealed mean values of Na/H EXC four to five times higher in reticulocytes (SS1), discocytes (SS2) and dense discocytes (SS3), than in the fraction containing irreversibly sickled cells and dense discocytes (SS4). In contrast to K:Cl cotransport, which dramatically decreases after reticulocyte maturation, Na/H EXC persists well after reticulocyte maturation. In density-defined, normal AA red cells, Na/H EXC decreased monotonically as cell density increased. In SS and AA red cells, the magnitude of stimulation of Na/H EXC by cell shrinkage varied from individual to individual. We conclude that Na/H EXC is highly expressed in SS and AA young red cells and decays slowly after reticulocyte maturation.     

Evidence for a positive role of PtdIns5P in T-cell signal transduction pathways

Phosphatidylinositol 5-phosphate (PtdIns5P) is emerging as a potential lipid messenger involved in several cell types, from plants to mammals. Expression of IpgD, a PtdIns(4, 5)P₂ 4-phosphatase induces Src kinase and Akt, but not ERK activation and enhances interleukin II promoter activity in T-cells. Expression of a new PtdIns5P interacting domain blocks IpgD-induced T-cell activation and selective signaling molecules downstream of TCR triggering. Altogether, these data suggest that PtdIns5P may play a sensor function in setting the threshold of T-cell activation and contributing to maintain T-cell homeostasis.     

Production of phosphatidylinositol 5‐phosphate via PIKfyve and MTMR3 regulates cell migration

Although phosphatidylinositol 5‐phosphate (PtdIns5P) is present in many cell types and its biogenesis is increased by diverse stimuli, its precise cellular function remains elusive. Here we show that PtdIns5P levels increase when cells are stimulated to move and we find PtdIns5P to promote cell migration in tissue culture and in a Drosophila in vivo model. First, class III phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase, which produces PtdIns3P, was shown to be involved in migration of fibroblasts. In a cell migration screen for proteins containing PtdIns3P‐binding motifs, we identified the phosphoinositide 5‐kinase PIKfyve and the phosphoinositide 3‐phosphatase MTMR3, which together constitute a phosphoinositide loop that produces PtdIns5P via PtdIns(3,5)P₂. The ability of PtdIns5P to stimulate cell migration was demonstrated directly with exogenous PtdIns5P and a PtdIns5P‐producing bacterial enzyme. Thus, the identified phosphoinositide loop defines a new role for PtdIns5P in cell migration.     

Synthesis of polyphosphoinositides in transverse tubule and sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes of frog skeletal muscle.

Synthesis of polyphosphoinositides has been studied in transverse (T-) tubule and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membrane fractions of frog skeletal muscle, following 32P-labeling with [gamma-32P]ATP. Purified SR and T-tubule fractions respectively synthesize 9.4 +/- 0.8 and 71.9 +/- 9.8 pmol PtdInsP/mg per min, indicating nearly 8-fold higher activity of PtdIns kinase in the T-tubules than in the SR. The activity of this enzyme in both membrane systems is maximum at pH 7 and pCa 6. PtdInsP2 is synthesized from the endogenous PtdInsP, only in T-tubule membranes by the action of PtdInsP kinase. This lipid is the most intensely 32P-labeled phosphoinositide (181.7 +/- 9.2 pmol/mg per min) in these membranes. PtdIns kinase in the T-tubule and SR membranes, and PtdInsP kinase in the former are modulated by the free [Mg2+]. Loss of radiolabel from transiently maximal 32P-incorporation in polyphosphoinositides in T-tubule membranes, concomitant with a decrease in the ATP concentration in the incubation buffer, shows the occurrence of phosphoinositidases in these membranes. Under the conditions used, no such activities were evident in SR membranes. Compound 48/80, a mixture of condensation products of N-methyl-p-methoxyphenethylamine with formaldehyde, known to block phosphoinositidase C and phospholipase A2, causes a dose-dependent increase in the 32P-label of PtdInsP, in T-tubule membranes. The synthesis of lyso PtdInsP2, a deacylated form of PtdInsP2 which occurs in nearly equal quantities in both T-tubule and SR membranes, may result from a mechanism independent of phospholipase A2.     

Modulation of phagosome phosphoinositide dynamics by a Legionella phosphoinositide 3‐kinase

The phagosome harboring the bacterial pathogen Legionella pneumophila is known to be enriched with phosphatidylinositol 4‐phosphate (PtdIns4P), which is important for anchoring a subset of its virulence factors and potentially for signaling events implicated in the biogenesis of the Legionella‐containing vacuole (LCV) that supports intracellular bacterial growth. Here we demonstrate that the effector MavQ is a phosphoinositide 3‐kinase that specifically catalyzes the conversion of phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) into PtdIns3P. The product of MavQ is subsequently phosphorylated by the effector LepB to yield PtdIns(3,4)P2, whose 3‐phosphate is then removed by another effector SidF to generate PtdIns4P. We also show that MavQ is associated with the LCV and the ∆mavQ mutant displays phenotypes in the anchoring of a PtdIns4P‐binding effector similar to those of ∆lepB or ∆sidF mutants. Our results establish a mechanism of de novo PtdIns4P biosynthesis by L. pneumophila via a catalysis axis comprised of MavQ, LepB, and SidF on the surface of its phagosome.     

β-Arrestin Promotes Wnt-induced Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-related Protein 6 (Lrp6) Phosphorylation via Increased Membrane Recruitment of Amer1 Protein

β-Arrestin is a scaffold protein that regulates signal transduction by seven transmembrane-spanning receptors. Among other functions it is also critically required for Wnt/β-catenin signal transduction. In the present study we provide for the first time a mechanistic basis for the β-arrestin function in Wnt/β-catenin signaling. We demonstrate that β-arrestin is required for efficient Wnt3a-induced Lrp6 phosphorylation, a key event in downstream signaling. β-Arrestin regulates Lrp6 phosphorylation via a novel interaction with phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P₂)-binding protein Amer1/WTX/Fam123b. Amer1 has been shown very recently to bridge Wnt-induced and Dishevelled-associated PtdIns(4,5)P₂ production to the phosphorylation of Lrp6. Using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching we show here that β-arrestin is required for the Wnt3a-induced Amer1 membrane dynamics and downstream signaling. Finally, we show that β-arrestin interacts with PtdIns kinases PI4KIIα and PIP5KIβ. Importantly, cells lacking β-arrestin showed higher steady-state levels of the relevant PtdInsP and were unable to increase levels of these PtdInsP in response to Wnt3a. In summary, our data show that β-arrestins regulate Wnt3a-induced Lrp6 phosphorylation by the regulation of the membrane dynamics of Amer1. We propose that β-arrestins via their scaffolding function facilitate Amer1 interaction with PtdIns(4,5)P₂, which is produced locally upon Wnt3a stimulation by β-arrestin- and Dishevelled-associated kinases.     

SENSITIVITY OF DAUDI CELLS TO TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR ALPHA: EARLY CHANGES IN POLYPHOSPHOINOSITIDE METABOLISM

The effects of recombinant Tumor Necrosis Factor α (r-TNF α) on polyphosphoinositide metabolism were examined in a Burkitt Lymphoma cell line (Daudi cells). After 1h of in vitro treatment with r-TNF α, the incorporation of³²Pi into phosphatidylinositol 4,5-phosphate (PtdInsP₂), phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PtdInsP) and phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) was reduced compared with controls, confirming previous findings observed in other cell lines of a specific PtdIns breakdown following r-TNF α treatment. The novelty of this study is therefore the demonstration of early changes in polyphosphoinositide metabolism during the antiproliferative response elicited by this cytokine in Daudi cells.     

Metabolism and roles of phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate in pollen development and pollen tube growth in Arabidopsis

Phosphoinositides play important roles in eukaryotic cells, although they constitute a minor fraction of total cellular lipids. Specific kinases and phosphatases function on the regulation of phosphoinositide levels. Phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PtdIns3P), a molecule of phosphoinositides regulates multiple aspects of plant growth and development. In this article, we introduce and discuss the kinases and phosphatases involved in PtdIns3P metabolism and their roles in pollen development and pollen tube growth in Arabidopsis.     

Tensin2 reduces intracellular phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate levels at the plasma membrane

Tensins are proposed cytoskeleton-regulating proteins. However, Tensin2 additionally inhibits Akt signalling and cell survival. Structural modelling of the Tensin2 phosphatase (PTPase) domain revealed an active site-like pocket receptive towards phosphoinositides. Tensin2-expressing HEK293 cells displayed negligible levels of plasma membrane phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PtdIns(3,4,5)P₃) under confocal microscopy. However, mock-transfected cells, and Tensin2 cells harbouring a putative phosphatase-inactivating mutation, exhibited significant PtdIns(3,4,5)P₃ levels, which decreased upon phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibition with LY294002. In contrast, wtTensin3, mock and mutant cells were identical in membrane PtdIns(3,4,5)P₃ and Akt phosphorylation. In vitro lipid PTPase activity was however undetectable in isolated recombinant PTPase domains of both Tensins, indicating a possible loss of structural stability when expressed in isolation. In summary, we provide evidence that Tensin2, in addition to regulating cytoskeletal dynamics, influences phosphoinositide-Akt signalling through its PTPase domain.     

Spin-label studies of membrane-associated denatured hemoglobin in normal and sickle cells

A maleimide spin label (N-(1-oxyl-2,2,5,5-tetramethylpyrrolidinyl)-maleimide) was reacted with oxyhemoglobin-free cell stromata of normal and sickle cells. The EPR spectrum of spin-labeled red cell membranes showed that the spin labels are attached to at least two different binding sites. There was a major signal, A, which characterized a strongly immobilized environment and a minor signal, B, which characterized a weakly immobilized environment. Quantitative EPR measurements using equal amounts of Hb AA and Hb SS red blood cells demonstrated that Hb SS red cell membranes had an approximately four times higher EPR signal intensity than Hb AA red cell membranes ((7.98 ± 1.14) · 10⁵ and (2.2 ± 1.2) · 10⁵ spin labels/cell, respectively). Moreover, the ratio of signal intensities A and B are different in these cells. Comparative spectrophotometric studies of membrane-associated denatured hemoglobins of Hb AA and Hb SS red cell membranes suggested that the EPR signal A is derived from spin labels attached to membrane-associated denatured hemoglobin, while signal B is mainly from spin labels attached to membrane-associated denatured hemoglobin, while signal B is mainly from spin labels attached to membranes. The combination of EPR spectrum of Hb AA membranes pretreated with N-ethyl-maleimide and that of spin-labeled precipitated hemoglobin further strengthened this conclusion.