李斯特菌诱导宿主细胞骨架重排与磷脂酶D

无论是免疫细胞对病原体的主动吞噬,还是病原体诱导非吞噬细胞的被动吞噬,均是不同细胞膜受体介导的细胞肌动蛋白骨架重排过程,受到单体G蛋白和肌动蛋白骨架相关蛋白的精密调控。细胞内重要信号蛋白,磷脂酰胆碱专一性磷脂酶D(PLD)的活性变化与细胞肌动蛋白骨架重排密切相关,其参与调节了由抗体受体(FcγR)及补体受体(CR3)介导的免疫细胞的主动吞噬,而细胞肌动蛋白骨架解聚蛋白cofilin被磷酸化后可与PLD结合并激活PLD,进而调节肌动蛋白骨架重排。另一方面,cofilin磷酸化状态严格调控李斯特菌感染细胞过程中的肌动蛋白骨架重排。因此,阐明PLD是否在李斯特菌感染细胞过程中被激活并参与调节肌动蛋白骨架重排,将有助于揭示PLD激活对感染发生的调控作用,对透彻理解细菌感染宿主细胞的分子机制具有重要意义。     

磷脂酶D与病原微生物感染

磷脂酶D(phospholipase D,PLD)普遍存在于细菌,真菌以及哺乳动物中.在病原微生物中,PLD作为毒力决定因子在减数分裂、孢子形成等过程中起作用;在哺乳动物细胞中,PLD主要在胞膜转运、调节有丝分裂和细胞肌动蛋白骨架等一些信号转导中起作用.在病原菌感染宿主细胞的过程中,病原体和宿主细胞的PLD都被激活并发生级联反应,病原菌PLD可调节自身肌动蛋白丝的聚合和重排,并引起宿主细胞局部肌动蛋白丝的集聚,诱导宿主细胞对其吞噬.深入探讨PLD激活对感染发生的调控作用对透彻理解病原菌感染宿主细胞的分子机制具有重要意义.     

过表达磷脂酶D3影响成肌细胞中Akt磷酸化水平

磷脂酶D(PLD)催化卵磷脂(Phosphatidylc holine,PC)水解产生胆碱(Choline)和磷脂酸(Phosphatidic acid,PA),其代谢产物参与调控细胞内许多生理和生化过程。在过表达磷脂酶D3(PLD3)的成肌细胞(C2C12细胞)中,研究了PLD3对胰岛素刺激后Akt通路激活的影响。研究结果表明,PLD3过表达细胞的Akt磷酸化水平比对照组低,并且不受胰岛素浓度变化的调控。虽然PLD3过表达细胞中Akt磷酸化水平随胰岛素刺激时间的延长而有所增加,但磷酸化总水平比对照组低。磷脂酶D抑制剂丁-1醇能够抑制对照组胰岛素刺激下Akt磷酸化,却不能抑制PLD3过表达细胞的Akt磷酸化,并且PLD3过表达细胞Akt磷酸化水平比对照组高6倍。用磷脂酸(PA)做刺激时,对照组的Akt磷酸化明显增加,而PLD3过表达细胞株的Akt磷酸化没有显著变化;用PA和胰岛素同时刺激时,PLD3过表达株和对照组的Akt磷酸化均比PA单独刺激时降低。这说明PLD3的过表达抑制成肌细胞内胰岛素信号的传导。     

以J-Lat 11.1为HIV-1潜伏感染模型再激活效果检测方法的初步探讨

目的:比较3种检测方法的优缺点,探索全面评价人免疫缺陷病毒1型(HIV-1)潜伏感染再激活剂的检测方法。方法:以HIV-1潜伏细胞株J-Lat 11.1为潜伏感染模型、豆蔻酰佛波醇乙酯(PMA)为潜伏再激活剂,用流式细胞术检测绿色荧光蛋白(GFP)阳性细胞所占比例,酶标仪检测GFP表达强度,活细胞成像系统检测GFP的动态表达情况。结果:流式细胞术检测显示PMA再激活出GFP阳性细胞的比例随作用浓度的增加(0~10 nmol/L)而增加,但当PMA浓度高于10 nmol/L后变化不再明显;酶标仪检测显示PMA处理后24 h内,GFP荧光强度逐渐增高,之后可在高水平保持至48 h;活细胞成像系统则可以动态反映PMA处理后的再激活过程。结论:可采用流式细胞术检测GFP阳性细胞比例对HIV-1潜伏感染再激活剂进行初步筛选,再结合酶标仪或活细胞成像系统动态监测GFP的表达情况,综合评价再激活剂的作用强度和起效时间。     

单增李斯特菌溶血素O的PEST序列激活ERK1/2磷酸化的作用

[目的]本研究旨在构建单核细胞增多性李斯特菌(Listeria monocytogenes,简称单增李斯特菌)溶血素O(Listeriolysin O,LLO)的关键结构域PEST序列(包含S44、S48和T51关键磷酸化位点)突变体,并针对其生物学功能展开研究。[方法]以李斯特菌参考菌株EGD-e为模板扩增编码LLO的hly基因,克隆至pET30a(+)原核表达载体,在此基础上利用氨基酸突变技术获得表达PEST突变体(LLO△PEST、LLOS44A、LLOS48A和LLOT51A)的重组质粒,转入E.coli Rosetta感受态细胞中,诱导表达重组蛋白经镍离子亲和层析纯化后进行SDS-PAGE分析。利用红细胞裂解试验检测重组蛋白的溶血活性,并通过Western blotting检测重组突变蛋白刺激Caco-2细胞后对MAPK关键信号分子ERK1/2磷酸化水平变化的影响。[结果]结果显示,本研究成功获得重组LLO及其突变体蛋白LLO△PEST、LLOS44A、LLOS48A和LLOT51A。在pH5.5和7.4条件下,LLO△PEST、LLOS44A、LLOS48A和LLOT51A均具有和LLO相当的溶血活性,说明PEST序列缺失或突变并不影响LLO的膜裂解活性。研究进一步发现,重组LLO及其突变蛋白刺激Caco-2细胞后均能激活ERK1/2的磷酸化。[结论]研究表明LLO的关键结构域PEST序列对于维持该蛋白的膜裂解能力及穿孔活性并非必需,且该结构域的缺失不影响李斯特菌在感染宿主时依赖LLO介导ERK1/2磷酸化的生物学过程。本研究将为进一步探索细菌感染过程中PEST序列对于LLO发挥生物学功能的潜在作用及分子机制奠定基础。     

单增李斯特菌感染致妊娠失败的研究进展

单增李斯特菌(Listeria monocytogenes, LM)是一种在自然界广泛存在的食源性人兽共患病原菌,妊娠动物和孕妇感染后会导致妊娠失败。研究显示,LM感染后随着血液循环到达胎盘,在其毒力因子(内化素A、李斯特菌溶血素O、肌动蛋白聚合蛋白、InlP蛋白等)的作用下,首先靶定绒毛膜外滋养层细胞,再穿过合体滋养层细胞或绒毛细胞滋养层细胞到绒毛基质,再通过胎儿毛细血管感染胎儿;在此过程中,LM诱导的胎盘细胞凋亡、母胎界面细胞因子表达水平的改变和胎盘细胞炎性体的激活导致了妊娠失败。该文对上述问题就国内外最新研究进展进行综述和探讨。     

单增李斯特菌感染过程中炎性体激活的研究进展

单增李斯特菌(Listeria monocytogenes,LM)感染可导致人和动物李斯特菌病的发生,当机体受到单增李斯特菌感染后,胞质中的模式识别受体如NOD样受体和DNA/RNA感受器通过识别细菌的病原相关分子模式和毒力因子形成炎性体进行免疫防御。研究证实,细胞内的NLRP3、AIM2、NLRC4、RIG-I、NOD1/NOD2炎性体可分别感知单增李斯特菌的溶血素O、细菌DNA、鞭毛蛋白、菌体RNA及细菌肽聚糖碎片后被激活,促进促炎性因子白细胞介素(Interleukin,IL)-1β和IL-18的表达、成熟和分泌,诱导组织炎症和细胞的免疫应答,同时导致细胞快速死亡。本文对上述问题就国内外最新研究进展进行综述和探讨。     

磷脂酸含量测定法评价烟曲霉孢子对肺上皮细胞磷脂酶D活性的影响

目的 优化检测烟曲霉刺激A549细胞后磷脂酸（phosphotidic acid,PA）含量变化的方法,间接反应细胞内磷脂酶D（Phospholipase D,PLD）活性变化.方法 建立烟曲霉ATCC13073刺激肺上皮细胞模型;采用甲醇氯仿法提取胞内脂质;用改良的磷脂酸含量测定法测定PA标准品和细胞内PA水平变化规律.结果 PA标准品在5～ 250 μmol/L呈线性关系;经膨胀孢子刺激后,肺上皮细胞内PA含量显著升高,休眠孢子在这一过程中对肺上皮细胞内PA含量无明显作用.结论 改良的PA测量法能快速、稳定而有效地测定细胞内的PLD活性.烟曲霉膨胀孢子能显著激活肺上皮细胞内的PLD活性.     

丁酸钠至少部分通过NF-Y依赖的TXNIP表达诱导人肺癌细胞A549死亡北大核心CSCD

组蛋白去乙酰化酶(HDACs)抑制剂丁酸钠调节细胞分化、增殖和抑制肿瘤发生。硫氧还蛋白相互作用蛋白(thioredoxin-interacting protein,TXNIP)通过负性调控硫氧还蛋白的活性,调控细胞内的氧化还原平衡,抑制细胞生长。本研究证明,丁酸钠可通过激活依赖于转录因子NF-Y的TXNIP表达,诱导人非小细胞肺癌细胞A549死亡。MTT法显示,5 mmol/L丁酸钠处理A549细胞72 h可显著诱导其死亡;流式细胞分析发现,其中大部分细胞以凋亡形式死亡。表达芯片分析表明,在丁酸钠处理的A549细胞中,TXNIP的mRNA水平显著提高30~50倍;实时定量PCR、免疫细胞化学和蛋白质印迹结果进一步证明,丁酸钠可显著上调TXNIP表达。荧光素酶报告基因分析证明,与对照细胞比较,丁酸钠刺激的细胞内报告酶活性可提高约10倍,提示丁酸钠可激活TXNIP启动子的转录活性。TXNIP启动子删除突变分析显示,删除NF-Y结合的DNA序列显著降低丁酸钠对TXNIP启动子的激活能力,表明NF-Y转录因子参与丁酸钠介导的TXNIP基因转录激活。为分析TXNIP在A549细胞中的定位和部分功能,在A549细胞中过表达GFP-TXNIP融合蛋白及其截短突变体融合蛋白;结果显示,野生型和保留N端1-281aa的截短突变体定位在细胞核,而删除N端1-200aa时,其定位在细胞核和细胞质,提示N端1-200aa可调节该蛋白质的定位。然而,丁酸钠刺激未发现表达的GFP-TXNIP在细胞内定位改变。以上结果表明,丁酸钠可通过激活转录因子NF-YC依赖的TXNIP激活,诱导A549细胞死亡,但不能改变TXNIP蛋白在细胞内的定位。上述结果还提示,TXNIP的N端1-200aa可能在调节TXNIP的细胞定位中发挥作用。是否丁酸钠刺激TXNIP表达导致的细胞死亡系通过改变细胞氧化压力,以及TXNIP在细胞中定位的详尽调节机制尚待进一步研究证明。     

InlB-mediated Listeria monocytogenes internalization requires a balanced phospholipase D activity maintained through phospho-cofilin

Internalization of Listeria monocytogenes into non-phagocytic cells is tightly controlled by host cell actin dynamics and cell membrane alterations. However, knowledge about the impact of phosphatidylcholine cleavage driven by host cell phospholipase D (PLD) on Listeria internalization into epithelial cells is limited. Here, we report that L. monocytogenes activates PLD in Vero cells during the internalization. With immunostaining it was shown that both PLD1 and PLD2 surrounded partially or completely the phagocytic cup of most L. monocytogenes. Either up- or down-regulation of PLD expression (activity) diminished Listeria internalization. Both PLD1 and PLD2 in Vero cells were required for efficient Listeria internalization, and could substitute for each other in the regulation of Listeria internalization. Further, exogenous InlB activated host cell PLD1 and PLD2 via the Met receptor, and restored host PLD activation by InlB-deficient L. monocytogenes. InlB-induced PLD activation and Listeria internalization were tightly controlled by phospho-cycling of cofilin. PLD1, but not PLD2, was involved in cofilin-mediated PLD activation and Listeria internalization. These data indicate that cofilin-dependent PLD activation induced by InlB may represent a novel regulation mechanism for efficient Listeria internalization into epithelial cells.     

Regulation of phospholipase D2 activity by protein kinase C alpha

It has been well documented that protein kinase C (PKC) plays an important role in regulation of phospholipase D (PLD) activity. Although PKC regulation of PLD1 activity has been studied extensively, the role of PKC in PLD2 regulation remains to be established. In the present study it was demonstrated that phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) induced PLD2 activation in COS-7 cells. PLD2 was also phosphorylated on both serine and threonine residues after PMA treatment. PKC inhibitors Ro-31-8220 and bisindolylmaleimide I inhibited both PMA-induced PLD2 phosphorylation and activation. However, G? 6976, a PKC inhibitor relatively specific for conventional PKC isoforms, almost completely abolished PLD2 phosphorylation by PMA but only slightly inhibited PLD2 activation. Furthermore, time course studies showed that phosphorylation of PLD2 lagged behind its activation by PMA. Concentration curves for PMA action on PLD2 phosphorylation and activation also showed that PLD2 was activated by PMA at concentrations at which PMA didn't induce phosphorylation. A kinase-deficient mutant of PKCalpha stimulated PLD2 activity to an even higher level than wild type PKCalpha. Co-expression of wild type PKCalpha, but not PKCdelta, greatly enhanced both basal and PMA-induced PLD2 phosphorylation. A PKCdelta-specific inhibitor, rottlerin, failed to inhibit PMA-induced PLD2 phosphorylation and activation. Co-immunoprecipitation studies indicated an association between PLD2 and PKCalpha under basal conditions that was further enhanced by PMA. Time course studies of the effects of PKCalpha on PLD2 showed that as the phosphorylation of PLD2 increased, its activity declined. In summary, the data demonstrated that PLD2 is activated and phosphorylated by PMA and PKCalpha in COS-7 cells. However, the phosphorylation is not required for PKCalpha to activate PLD2. It is suggested that interaction rather than phosphorylation underscores the activation of PLD2 by PKC in vivo and that phosphorylation may contribute to the inactivation of the enzyme.     

Participation of phospholipase D and alpha/beta-protein kinase C in growth factor-induced signalling in C3H10T1/2 fibroblasts

We have studied phospholipase D (PLD) activation in relation to protein kinase C (PKC) and the involvement of PLD in extracellularly regulated kinase 1 (MAPK) (ERK1) activation and c-fos mRNA expression in C3H/10T1/2 (Cl8) fibroblasts. In these cells, the PLD activity was significantly increased by porcine platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB), phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), and epidermal growth factor (EGF). PLD activation by PDGF-BB and PMA, but not EGF, was inhibited in Cl8 cells expressing the HAbetaC2-1 peptide (Cl8 HAbetaC2-1 cells), with a sequence (betaC2-1) shown to bind receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1) and inhibit c-PKC-mediated cell functions [Science 268 (1995) 247]. A role of alpha-PKC in PLD activation is further underscored by co-immunoprecipitation of alpha-PKC with PLD1 and PLD2 in non-stimulated as well as PMA- and PDGF-BB-stimulated Cl8 cells. However, only PKC in PLD1 precipitates was activated by these agonists, while the PKC in the PLD2 precipitates was constitutively activated. The c-fos mRNA levels in Cl8 cells increased more than 30-fold in response to either PDGF-BB, EGF, or PMA. Approximately 60% inhibition of this increase in c-fos mRNA levels was observed in Cl8 HAbetaC2-1 cells. Formation of phosphatidylbutanol (PtdBut) at the expense of phosphatidic acid (PtdH) in the presence of n-butanol inhibited ERK1 activation and c-fos mRNA expression in PDGF-BB-treated Cl8 cells. ERK activation by PMA was unaffected by n-butanol in Cl8 cells but almost abolished by n-butanol in Cl8 HAbetaC2-1 cells, showing that ERK activation by PMA is heavily dependent on PKC and PLD1. In contrast, ERK activation by EGF in both cell types was not sensitive to n-butanol. These results indicate (1) a role of a functional interaction between the RACK1 scaffolding protein and a alphaPKC-PLD complex for achieving full PLD activity in PDGF-BB- and PMA-stimulated Cl8 cells; (2) PLD-mediated PtdH formation is needed for optimal ERK1 activation by PDGF-BB and maximal increase in c-fos mRNA expression. These findings place PLD as an important component in PDGF-BB- and PMA-stimulated intracellular signalling leading to gene activation in Cl8 cells, while EGF does not require PLD.     

Phosphorylation-dependent regulation of phospholipase D2 by protein kinase C delta in rat Pheochromocytoma PC12 cells.

Many studies have shown that protein kinase C (PKC) is an important physiological regulator of phospholipase D (PLD). However, the role of PKC in agonist-induced PLD activation has been mainly investigated with a focus on the PLD1, which is one of the two PLD isoenzymes (PLD1 and PLD2) cloned to date. Since the expression of PLD2 significantly enhanced phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)- or bradykinin-induced PLD activity in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells, we investigated the regulatory mechanism of PLD2 in PC12 cells. Two different PKC inhibitors, GF109203X and Ro-31-8220, completely blocked PMA-induced PLD2 activation. In addition, specific inhibition of PKC delta by rottlerin prevented PLD2 activation in PMA-stimulated PC12 cells. Concomitant with PLD2 activation, PLD2 became phosphorylated upon PMA or bradykinin treatment of PC12 cells. Moreover, rottlerin blocked PMA- or bradykinin-induced PLD2 phosphorylation in PC12 cells. Expression of a kinase-deficient mutant of PKC delta using adenovirus-mediated gene transfer inhibited the phosphorylation and activation of PLD2 induced by PMA in PC12 cells, suggesting the phosphorylation-dependent regulation of PLD2 mediated by PKC delta kinase activity in PC12 cells. PKC delta co-immunoprecipitated with PLD2 from PC12 cell extracts, and associated with PLD2 in vitro in a PMA-dependent manner. Phospho-PLD2 immunoprecipitated from PMA-treated PC12 cells and PLD2 phosphorylated in vitro by PKC delta were resolved by two-dimensional phosphopeptide mapping and compared. At least seven phosphopeptides co-migrated, indicating the direct phosphorylation of PLD2 by PKC delta inside the cells. Immunocytochemical studies of PC12 cells revealed that after treatment with PMA, PKC delta was translocated from the cytosol to the plasma membrane where PLD2 is mainly localized. These results suggest that PKC delta-dependent direct phosphorylation plays an important role in the regulation of PLD2 activity in PC12 cells.     

Hippocalcin increases phospholipase D2 expression through extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation and lysophosphatidic acid potentiates the hippocalcin-induced phospholipase D2 expression

We have previously isolated a 22 kDa protein from a rat brain which was found to be involved in activating phospholipsae D (PLD), and identified the protein as hippocalcin through sequence analysis. Nevertheless, the function of hippocalcin for PLD activation still remains to be resolved. Here, we proposed that hippocalcin was involved in extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-mediated PLD2 expression. To elucidate a role of hippocalcin, we made hippocalcin transfected NIH3T3 cells and showed that the expression of PLD2 and basal PLD activity were increased in hippocalcin transfected cells. We performed PLD assay with dominant negative PLD2 (DN-PLD2) and hippocalcin co-transfected cells. DN-PLD2 suppressed increase of basal PLD activity in hippocalcin transfected cells, suggesting that increased basal PLD activity is due to PLD2 over-expression. Hippocalcin is a Ca2+-binding protein, which is expressed mainly in the hippocampus. Since it is known that lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) increases intracellular Ca2+, we investigated the possible role of hippocalcin in the LPA-induced elevation of intracellular Ca2+. When the intracellular Ca2+ level was increased by LPA, hippocalcin was translocated to the membrane after LPA treatment in hippocalcin transfected cells. In addition, treatment with LPA in hippocalcin transfected cells markedly potentiated PLD2 expression and showed morphological changes of cell shape suggesting that increased PLD2 expression acts as one of the major factors to cause change of cell shape by making altered membrane lipid composition. Hippocalcin-induced PLD2 expression potentiated by LPA in hippocalcin transfected cells was inhibited by a PI-PLC inhibitor, U73122 and a chelator of intracellular Ca2+, BAPTA-AM suggesting that activation of hippocalcin caused by increased intracellular Ca2+ is important to induce over-expression of PLD2. However, downregulation of PKC and treatment of a chelator of extracellular Ca2+, EGTA had little or no effect on the inhibition of hippocalcin-induced PLD2 expression potentiated by LPA in the hippocalcin transfected cells. Interestingly, when we over-express hippocalcin, ERK was activated, and treatment with LPA in hippocalcin transfected cells significantly potentiated ERK activation. Specific inhibition of ERK dramatically abolished hippocalcin-induced PLD2 expression. Taken together, these results suggest for the first time that hippocalcin can induce PLD2 expression and LPA potentiates hippocalcin-induced PLD2 expression, which is mediated by ERK activation.     

Invasion assay of Listeria monocytogenes using Vero and Caco-2 cells

The invasion ability of Listeria monocytogenes into cultured cells has been used to evaluate its pathogenicity. In this study, invasive ability was investigated using Vero and Caco-2 cell lines. The form of invasion showed no morphological differences between both cell lines inoculated with L. monocytogenes L89-H2 or L96-23C1 strains when double fluorescence stained with rhodamine and FITC or with Giemsa staining. Recovery count and recovery rate of L. monocytogenes from Vero cells was related to the number of inoculated bacteria (2 x 10(5) to 2 x 10(7)/ml) in a bell-shape pattern, though the relationship was unclear in Caco-2 cells. Recovery rate of L. monocytogenes was higher in Vero cells than Caco-2 cells at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) 10, though the rates in both cells showed different stable stages over a considerably wide range of MOI. The recovery rate of all five L. monocytogenes strains from listeriosis patients was 15% at MOI 10 from infected Vero cells, while meat-derived strains showed variable rates regardless of the serovar. These results suggest that the Vero cell line is suitable for an invasion assay and that a recovery rate of 15% may be the critical limit for the expression of pathogenicity in the host.     

Regulation of human PLD1 and PLD2 by calcium and protein kinase C

Numerous studies show that PLD is activated in cells by calcium and by protein kinase C (PKC). We found that human PLD1 and PLD2 expressed in Sf9 cells can be activated by calcium-mobilizing agonists and by co-expression with PKCalpha. The calcium-mobilizing agonists A23187 and CryIC toxin triggered large increases in phosphatidylethanol (PtdEth) production in Sf9 cells over-expressing PLD1 and PLD2, but not in vector controls. PLD activation by these agonists was largely dependent on extracellular calcium. Membrane assays demonstrated significant PLD1 and PLD2 activity in the absence of divalent cations, which could be enhanced by low levels of calcium either in the presence or absence of magnesium. PLD1 but not PLD2 activity was slightly enhanced by magnesium. Treatment of Sf9 cells expressing PLD1 and PLD2 with PMA resulted in little PtdEth production. However, a significant and comparable formation of PtdEth occurred when PLD1 or PLD2 were co-expressed with PKCalpha, but not PKCdelta, and was further augmented by PMA. In contrast to PLD1, co-expressing PLD2 with PKCalpha or PKCdelta further enhanced A23187-induced PtdEth production. Immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated that PLD1 and PLD2 associated with the PKC isoforms in Sf9 cells. Furthermore, in membrane reconstitution assays, both PLD1 and PLD2 could be stimulated by calmodulin and PKCalpha-enriched cytosol. The results indicate that PLD2 as well as PLD1 is subject to agonist-induced activation in intact cells and can be regulated by calcium and PKC.     

Phosphorylation and activation of phospholipase D1 by protein kinase C in vivo: determination of multiple phosphorylation sites.

Protein kinase C (PKC) is an important regulator of phospholipase D1 (PLD1). Currently there is some controversy about a phosphorylation-dependent or -independent mechanism of the activation of PLD1 by PKC. To solve this problem, we examined whether PLD1 is phosphorylated by PKC in vivo. For the first time, we have now identified multiple basal phophopeptides and multiple phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) induced phosphopeptides of endogenous PLD1 in 3Y1 cells as well as of transiently expressed PLD1 in COS-7 cells. Down regulation or inhibition of PKC greatly attenuated the PMA-induced phosphorylation as well as the activation of PLD1. In the presence of PMA, purified PLD1 from rat brain was also found to be phosphorylated by PKCalpha in vitro at multiple sites generating seven distinct tryptic phosphopeptides. Four phosphopeptides generated in vivo and in vitro correlated well with each other, suggesting direct phosphorylation of PLD1 by PKCalpha in the cells. Serine 2, threonine 147, and serine 561 were identified as phosphorylation sites, and by mutation of these residues to alanine these residues were proven to be specific phosphorylation sites in vivo. Interestingly, threonine 147 is located in the PX domain and serine 561 is in the negative regulatory "loop" region of PLD1. Mutation of serine 2, threonine 147, or serine 561 significantly reduced PMA-induced PLD1 activity. These results strongly suggest that phosphorylation plays a pivotal role in PLD1 regulation in vivo.     

Role of phospholipase D1 in neurite outgrowth of neural stem cells

Employing neural stem cells from the brain cortex of E12 rat embryos, we investigated the possible role of phospholipase D (PLD) in the synaptogenesis and neurite formation of neural cells during differentiation. Expression level of PLD1 increased during neuronal differentiation of the neural stem cells, resulting in increased PLD activity. Expression level of synapsin I, a marker of synaptogenesis, also increased as the differentiation of neural stem cells progressed. To figure out the effect of PLD on synapsin I expression, we treated the neural stem cells with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) to stimulate PLD activity. Increased PLD activity induced by PMA treatment resulted in elevated synapsin I expression and neurite outgrowth during neuronal differentiation. To further confirm the role of PLD in neurite outgrowth, we transfected the dominant-negative form of rat PLD1 cDNA (DN-rPLD1) into neural stem cells to downregulate PLD activity. Overexpression of DN-rPLD1 showed the complete inhibition of neurite outgrowth of neural stem cells under differentiation condition. While transfection of DN-rPLD1 did not affect the synapsin I expression, overexpression of rPLD1 resulted in increased synapsin I expression of the neural cells. These results suggest that PLD1 plays a critical role in neurite outgrowth during differentiation of the neural stem cells. In conclusion, this is the first evidence to show that PLD1 acts as an important regulator of neurite outgrowth in neural stem cell by promoting neuronal differentiation via increase of synapsin I expression.