Protein kinase A phosphorylation of human phosphodiesterase 3B promotes 14-3-3 protein binding and inhibits phosphatase-catalyzed inactivation

Recent studies confirm that intracellular cAMP concentrations are nonuniform and that localized subcellular cAMP hydrolysis by cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) is important in maintaining these cAMP compartments. Human phosphodiesterase 3B (HSPDE3B), a member of the PDE3 family of PDEs, represents the dominant particulate cAMP-PDE activity in many cell types, including adipocytes and cells of hematopoietic lineage. Although several previous reports have shown that phosphorylation of HSPDE3B by either protein kinase A (PKA) or protein kinase B (PKB) activates this enzyme, the mechanisms that allow cells to distinguish these two activated forms of HSPDE3B are unknown. Here we report that PKA phosphorylates HSPDE3B at several distinct sites (Ser-73, Ser-296, and Ser-318), and we show that phosphorylation of HSPDE3B at Ser-318 activates this PDE and stimulates its interaction with 14-3-3 proteins. In contrast, although PKB-catalyzed phosphorylation of HSPDE3B activates this enzyme, it does not promote 14-3-3 protein binding. Interestingly, we report that the PKA-phosphorylated, 14-3-3 protein-bound, form of HSPDE3B is protected from phosphatase-dependent dephosphorylation and inactivation. In contrast, PKA-phosphorylated HSPDE3B that is not bound to 14-3-3 proteins is readily dephosphorylated and inactivated. Our data are presented in the context that a selective interaction between PKA-activated HSPDE3B and 14-3-3 proteins represents a mechanism by which cells can protect this enzyme from deactivation. Moreover, we propose that this mechanism may allow cells to distinguish between PKA- and PKB-activated HSPDE3B.     

Sequence specific protein binding to and activation of the TGF-beta 3 promoter through a repeated TCCC motif.

We have previously characterized the TGF-beta 3 promoter and shown that the activity of this promoter is highly variable in different cell types. Although the promoter contains a proximal cAMP responsive element, which is critical to basal and forskolin-induced promoter activity, this element is not responsible for the variable, cell-specific regulation of the promoter. In this paper, we identify a 25 base pair sequence in the proximal region of the TGF-beta 3 promoter that binds a novel DNA-binding protein. This region includes the sequence T-CCCTCCCTCCC, (3 x TCCC), and mutation of these T-CCC repeats inhibits protein binding. Further, we show that in the cell line A375, which we have previously shown expresses high levels of TGF-beta 3 mRNA, this region is responsible for mediating high level TGF-beta 3 promoter activity. Immediately 3' to the 3 x TCCC sequence is a consensus AP-2 binding site, however, we show that this region does not bind AP-2, and AP-2 does not transactivate the TGF-beta 3 promoter. Therefore, we provide strong evidence that high level expression of TGF-beta 3 in A375 cells results from transactivation of the TGF-beta 3 promoter by a protein that binds to a repeated TCCC motif in the promoter and suggest that this DNA-binding protein likely also regulates aspects of developmental and tissue-specific expression of this cytokine.     

Demonstration in human plasma of a form of C3 that has the conformation of "C3b-like C3".

Disruption of the thioester in native C3 yields a C3 molecule that functionally resembles C3b. It has been proposed that this C3 molecule (iC3) plays a key role in initiation of the alternative pathway of the C system. However, its presence in plasma has never been demonstrated. We investigated the presence of iC3 in plasma, using mAb that recognize iC3 as well as C3 activation products but not native C3. One of these mAb, anti-C3-5, which binds iC3 via its C3a moiety, was used together with polyclonal 125I-anti-C3c to develop a RIA for iC3. Plasma incubated with methylamine yielded a strong response in this RIA, whereas neither fresh plasma nor serum in which the C system had been activated by incubation with aggregated IgG, did show this strong response. The specificity of this RIA was further demonstrated by additional experiments including experiments with purified preparations of the various forms of C3. Mean level of iC3 in freshly obtained plasma samples from 10 normal donors was 27 nmol/liter, which is 0.49% of total C3. Analysis by SDS-PAGE of C3 species that had been immunoprecipitated by mAb antiC3-5, revealed that some iC3 consisted of C3 molecules with an intact alpha-chain whereas another part consisted of iC3 molecules with an alpha-chain that had been cleaved by factor I. Thus, this study shows that fresh human plasma contains a C3 species with the conformation of "C3b-like C3" (iC3).     

Post-translational modification of 14-3-3 isoforms and regulation of cellular function

14-3-3 is now well established as a family of dimeric proteins that can modulate interaction between proteins involved in a wide range of functions. In many cases, these proteins show a distinct preference for a particular isoform(s) of 14-3-3 and in many cases a specific repertoire of dimer formation influences the particular proteins that 14-3-3 interact. Well over 200 proteins have been shown to interact with 14-3-3. The purpose of this review is to give an overview of the recently identified post-translational modifications of 14-3-3 isoforms and how this regulates function, interaction, specificity of dimerisation between isoforms and cellular location of target proteins. The association between 14-3-3 and its targets usually involves phosphorylation of the interacting protein which has been the subject of many reviews and discussion of this is included in other reviews in this series. However, it is now realised that in some cases the phosphorylation and a number of other, novel covalent modifications of 14-3-3 isoforms may modulate interaction and dimerisation of 14-3-3. Since this aspect is now emerging to be of major importance in the mechanism of regulation by 14-3-3 isoforms and has not been the focus of previous reviews, this will be detailed here.     

The heparin binding domain of vitronectin is the region that is required to enhance insulin-like growth factor-I signaling

We have shown that vitronectin (Vn) binding to a cysteine loop sequence within the extracellular domain of the beta3-subunit (amino acids 177-184) of alphaVbeta3 is required for the positive effects of Vn on IGF-I signaling. When Vn binding to this sequence is blocked, IGF-I signaling in smooth muscle cells is impaired. Because this binding site is distinct from the site on beta3 to which the Arg-Gly-Asp sequence of extracellular matrix ligands bind (amino acids 107-171), we hypothesized that the region of Vn that binds to the cysteine loop on beta3 is distinct from the region that contains the Arg-Gly-Asp sequence. The results presented in this study demonstrate that this heparin binding domain (HBD) is the region of Vn that binds to the cysteine loop region of beta3 and that this region is sufficient to mediate the positive effects of Vn on IGF-I signaling. We provide evidence that binding of the HBD of Vn to alphaVbeta3 has direct effects on the activation state of beta3 as measured by beta3 phosphorylation. The increase in beta3 phosphorylation associated with exposure of cells to this HBD is associated with enhanced phosphorylation of the adaptor protein Src homology 2 domain-containing transforming protein C and enhanced activation MAPK, a downstream mediator of IGF-I signaling. We conclude that the interaction of the HBD of Vn binding to the cysteine loop sequence of beta3 is necessary and sufficient for the positive effects of Vn on IGF-I-mediated effects in smooth muscle cells.     

Isochores,GC3 and mutation biases in the human genome

In this work we re-examined the hypothesis that the variation in GC content in the human genome is due to different regional mutational biases. For this purpose we inferred the mutational pattern by using mutation databases that are available for many genes associated with human genetic diseases. The assumption of this approach is that such mutations reflect the actual frequency distribution of mutations as they arise in the population. Four classes of genes, classified according to their GC₃ level, were included in this study: GC₃-poor genes (GC₃<45%), genes with intermediate GC₃ content (45%3<60%), GC₃-rich genes (60%3<75%) and very GC₃-rich genes (GC₃>75%). Our results show that most genes are under AT mutational biases, with very little variation compared to the expectations of neutral GC level. It is noteworthy that the mutational patterns in the GC₃-rich genes do not appear to account for their GC₃-richness. Instead, GC₃-rich and very GC₃-rich genes exhibit patterns of mutations that yield expectations of neutral GC₃ content that are much lower than their actual GC₃.     

A phosphodiesterase 3B-based signaling complex integrates exchange protein activated by cAMP 1 and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signals in human arterial endothelial cells

Enzymes of the phosphodiesterase 3 (PDE3) and PDE4 families each regulate the activities of both protein kinases A (PKAs) and exchange proteins activated by cAMP (EPACs) in cells of the cardiovascular system. At present, the mechanisms that allow selected PDEs to individually regulate the activities of these two effectors are ill understood. The objective of this study was to determine how a specific PDE3 variant, namely PDE3B, interacts with and regulates EPAC1-based signaling in human arterial endothelial cells (HAECs). Using several biochemical approaches, we show that PDE3B and EPAC1 bind directly through protein-protein interactions. By knocking down PDE3B expression or by antagonizing EPAC1 binding with PDE3B, we show that PDE3B regulates cAMP binding by its tethered EPAC1. Interestingly, we also show that PDE3B binds directly to p84, a PI3Kγ regulatory subunit, and that this interaction allows PI3Kγ recruitment to the PDE3B-EPAC1 complex. Of potential cardiovascular importance, we demonstrate that PDE3B-tethered EPAC1 regulates HAEC PI3Kγ activity and that this allows dynamic cAMP-dependent regulation of HAEC adhesion, spreading, and tubule formation. We identify and molecularly characterize a PDE3B-based "signalosome" that integrates cAMP- and PI3Kγ-encoded signals and show how this signal integration regulates HAEC functions of importance in angiogenesis.     

Regulation of membrane biogenesis in autophagy via PI3P dynamics

In autophagy, cytoplasmic substrates are targeted for degradation in the lysosome via membrane structures called autophagosomes. The formation of the autophagosome is the primary regulatory point for autophagy activity, and PI3P plays a central role in this process. In this review, we will discuss the role of PI3P in autophagosome formation from three different perspectives: PI3-kinase, PI3-binding proteins, and PI3-phosphatase. Recent developments in this field suggest that the local PI3P concentration is dynamically regulated during autophagy, and that this molecule is critical to the proper control of autophagy.     

Methylation of histone H3 mediates the association of the NuA3 histone acetyltransferase with chromatin

The SAS3-dependent NuA3 histone acetyltransferase complex was originally identified on the basis of its ability to acetylate histone H3 in vitro. Whether NuA3 is capable of acetylating histones in vivo, or how the complex is targeted to the nucleosomes that it modifies, was unknown. To address this question, we asked whether NuA3 is associated with chromatin in vivo and how this association is regulated. With a chromatin pulldown assay, we found that NuA3 interacts with the histone H3 amino-terminal tail, and loss of the H3 tail recapitulates phenotypes associated with loss of SAS3. Moreover, mutation of histone H3 lysine 14, the preferred site of acetylation by NuA3 in vitro, phenocopies a unique sas3Delta phenotype, suggesting that modification of this residue is important for NuA3 function. The interaction of NuA3 with chromatin is dependent on the Set1p and Set2p histone methyltransferases, as well as their substrates, histone H3 lysines 4 and 36, respectively. These results confirm that NuA3 is functioning as a histone acetyltransferase in vivo and that histone H3 methylation provides a mark for the recruitment of NuA3 to nucleosomes.     

Rab3B regulates ZO-1 targeting and actin organization in PC12 neuroendocrine cells

Rab3B is a monomeric GTPase that modulates norepinephrine secretion when expressed in PC12 neuroendocrine cells. In the present study we determined whether rab3B also regulates the organization of intercellular junctions, since this GTPase localizes to regions of cell contact in multiple cell types. The stable expression of rab3B, but not the closely related rab3A, led to two morphological phenotypes in PC12 cells: (i) reorganization of F-actin into long filopodia and (ii) redistribution of the junction-associated protein ZO-1. ZO-1 localization was not appreciably affected by the expression of a GTP binding mutant of rab3B (N135I) that stimulates norepinephrine secretion by PC12 cells. The apparent diversity of these rab3B phenotypes implies that this GTPase is capable of influencing cell signaling pathways that in turn modulate the cytoskeleton and junction organization. In support of this hypothesis we observed that rab3B expression also altered the profile of proteins that interact with the signaling molecule, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase). The effect of rab3B on protein interactions with PI3-kinase was reversed by inhibitors of this kinase. Furthermore, PI3-kinase inhibitors virtually abolished ZO-1 localization at the surfaces of cells that express rab3B, but not rab3A, whereas these inhibitors had no effect on rab3B-dependent norepinephrine secretion. Our results indicate that rab3B can influence junctional protein targeting and secretion by distinct mechanisms.     

Overexpression of Fer increases the association of tyrosine-phosphorylated IRS-1 with P85 phosphatidylinositol kinase via SH2 domain of Fer in transfected cells

We have reported that the protein-tyrosine kinase Fer is associated with signaling complexes containing insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3 kinase) in insulin-stimulated 3T3-L1 adipocytes [J. Biol. Chem. 275 (50) (2000) 38995]. We examined the subcellular localization of this complex in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and performed transfection study to know how this complex is formed. Interestingly we have detected that this complex is formed in LDM of insulin-stimulated 3T3-L1 adipocytes, which may be important for specific biological insulin effect. Based on transfection study, we have demonstrated that overexpression of both Fer and IRS-1 can induce Fer/IRS-1/P85 complexes without insulin stimulation and SH2 domain of Fer is essential for this complex. We have also demonstrated that Fer was an efficient substrate for insulin receptor kinase. Taken together, these data suggested that Fer may play a critically important role to form Fer/IRS-1/P85 complex in LDM of insulin-stimulated adipocytes and elicit biological effect through PI-3 kinase activity in LDM.     

Cell surface expression of 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 receptors is controlled by an endoplasmic reticulum retention signal

Two subunits of the 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 (5-HT3) have been identified (5-HT3A and 5-HT3B) that assemble into homomeric (5-HT3A) and heteromeric (5-HT3A+5-HT3B) complexes. Unassembled 5-HT3B subunits are efficiently retained within the cell. In this study, we address the mechanism controlling the release of 5-HT3B from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). An analysis of chimeric 5-HT3A receptor(R).5-HT3BR constructs suggests the presence of elements downstream of the first transmembrane domain of 5-HT3B subunits that inhibit cell surface expression. To investigate this possibility, truncated 5-HT3B subunits were constructed and assessed for their ability to access the cell surface in COS-7 and ts201 cells. Using this approach, we have identified the presence of an ER retention signal located within the first cytoplasmic loop between transmembrane domains I and II of 5-HT3B. Transplantation of this signal (CRAR) into the homologous region of 5-HT3A results in the ER retention of this subunit until rescued by co-assembly with wild-type 5-HT3A. The mutation of this ER retention signal in 5-HT3B (5-HT3BSGER) does not lead to cell surface expression, suggesting the presence of other signals or mechanisms to control the surface expression of 5-HT3BRs. The generation of truncated 5-HT3BSGER constructs confirmed that the CRAR signal does play an important role in the ER retention of 5-HT3B.     

Fructosamine-3-kinase-related-protein phosphorylates glucitolamines on the C-4 hydroxyl: novel substrate specificity of an enigmatic enzyme

Fructosamine-3-kinase (FN3K) phosphorylates fructosamines to fructosamine-3-phosphates. Recent data from FN3K-knockout mouse indicate that this phosphorylation results in deglycation of proteins modified by non-enzymatic glycation process. A homolog of FN3K, the FN3K-related-protein (FN3KRP) displays 65% amino acid sequence identity with FN3K and is highly conserved in evolution. However, FN3KRP does not phosphorylate substrates of FN3K such as fructoselysine and its physiological function remains unknown. We observed that human erythrocytes that contain both enzymes phosphorylate N-methylglucamine (meglumine) to two products. One of these is meglumine-3-phosphate (Meg3P), an activity consistent with the known substrate specificity of FN3K. Here, we identify the second product as meglumine-4-phosphate (Meg4P) and show that it is produced specifically by FN3KRP. While it is unlikely that meglumine is the physiological target of FN3KRP, this novel specificity, along with FN3KRPs known phosphorylation of some ketosamines on the C-3 hydroxyl may prove useful in identifying the physiological substrates of this kinase.     

Insulin-induced GLUT4 translocation involves protein kinase C-lambda-mediated functional coupling between Rab4 and the motor protein kinesin

Insulin stimulates glucose transport by promoting translocation of GLUT4 proteins from the perinuclear compartment to the cell surface. It has been previously suggested that the microtubule-associated motor protein kinesin, which transports cargo toward the plus end of microtubules, plays a role in translocating GLUT4 vesicles to the cell surface. In this study, we investigated the role of Rab4, a small GTPase-binding protein, and the motor protein KIF3 (kinesin II in mice) in insulin-induced GLUT4 exocytosis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Photoaffinity labeling of Rab4 with [gamma-(32)P]GTP-azidoanilide showed that insulin stimulated Rab4 GTP loading and that this insulin effect was inhibited by pretreatment with the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) inhibitor LY294002 or expression of dominant-negative protein kinase C-lambda (PKC-lambda). Consistent with previous reports, expression of dominant-negative Rab4 (N121I) decreased insulin-induced GLUT4 translocation by 45%. Microinjection of an anti-KIF3 antibody into 3T3-L1 adipocytes decreased insulin-induced GLUT4 exocytosis by 65% but had no effect on endocytosis. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments showed that Rab4, but not Rab5, physically associated with KIF3, and this was confirmed by showing in vitro association using glutathione S-transferase-Rab4. A microtubule capture assay demonstrated that insulin stimulation increased the activity for the binding of KIF3 to microtubules and that this activation was inhibited by pretreatment with the PI3-kinase inhibitor LY294002 or expression of dominant-negative PKC-lambda. Taken together, these data indicate that (i) insulin signaling stimulates Rab4 activity, the association of Rab4 with kinesin, and the interaction of KIF3 with microtubules and (ii) this process is mediated by insulin-induced PI3-kinase-dependent PKC-lambda activation and participates in GLUT4 exocytosis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.     

Recruitment of the class II phosphoinositide 3-kinase C2beta to the epidermal growth factor receptor: role of Grb2

Previously we demonstrated that the class II phosphoinositide 3-kinase C2beta (PI3K-C2beta) is rapidly recruited to a phosphotyrosine signaling complex containing the activated receptor for epidermal growth factor (EGF). Although this association was shown to be dependent upon specific phosphotyrosine residues present on the EGF receptor, the underlying mechanism remained unclear. In this study the interaction between PI3K-C2beta and the EGF receptor is competitively attenuated by synthetic peptides derived from each of three proline-rich motifs present within the N-terminal region of the PI3K. Further, a series of N-terminal PI3K-C2beta fragments, truncated prior to each proline-rich region, bound the receptor with decreased efficiency. A single proline-rich region was unable to mediate receptor association. Finally, an equivalent N-terminal fragment of PI3K-C2alpha that lacks similar proline-rich motifs was unable to affinity purify the activated EGF receptor from cell lysates. Since these findings revealed that the interaction between the EGF receptor and PI3K-C2beta is indirect, we sought to identify an adaptor molecule that could mediate their association. In addition to the EGF receptor, PI3K-C2beta(2-298) also isolated both Shc and Grb2 from A431 cell lysates. Recombinant Grb2 directly bound PI3K-C2beta in vitro, and this effect was reproduced using either SH3 domain expressed as a glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion. Interaction with Grb2 dramatically increased the catalytic activity of this PI3K. The relevance of this association was confirmed when PI3K-C2beta was isolated by coimmunoprecipitation with anti-Grb2 antibody from numerous cell lines. Using immobilized, phosphorylated EGF receptor, recombinant PI3K-C2beta was only purified in the presence of Grb2. We conclude that proline-rich motifs within the N terminus of PI3K-C2beta mediate the association of this enzyme with activated EGF receptor and that this interaction involves the Grb2 adaptor.