Nonredundant function of secretory carrier membrane protein isoforms in dense core vesicle exocytosis

Five secretory carrier membrane proteins (SCAMP-1, -2, -3, -4, and -5) have been characterized in mammalian cells. Previously, SCAMP-1 and -2 have been implicated to function in exocytosis. RNA inhibitor-mediated deficiency of one or both of these SCAMPs interferes with dense core vesicle (DCV) exocytosis in neuroendocrine PC12 cells as detected by amperometry. Knockdowns of these SCAMPs each decreased the number and frequency of depolarization-induced exocytotic events. SCAMP-2 but not SCAMP-1 depletion also delayed the onset of exocytosis. Both knockdowns, however, altered fusion pore dynamics, increasing rapid pore closure and decreasing pore dilation. In contrast, knockdowns of SCAMP-3 and -5 only interfered with the frequency of fusion pore opening and did not affect the dynamics of newly opened pores. None of the knockdowns noticeably affected upstream events, including the distribution of DCVs near the plasma membrane and calcium signaling kinetics, although norepinephrine uptake/storage was moderately decreased by deficiency of SCAMP-1 and -5. Thus, SCAMP-1 and -2 are most closely linked to the final events of exocytosis. Other SCAMPs collaborate in regulating fusion sites, but the roles of individual isoforms appear at least partially distinct. neuroendocrine secretion; membrane fusion; amperometry     

Role of secretory carrier membrane protein SCAMP2 in granule exocytosis

In secretory carrier membrane proteins (SCAMPs), the most conserved structural segment is between transmembrane spans 2 and 3, facing the cytosol. A synthetic peptide, CWYRPIYKAFR (E peptide), from this segment of SCAMP2 potently inhibits exocytosis in permeabilized neuroendocrine (PC12) cells. E peptide blocked discharge of (35)S-labeled secretogranin with the same structural selectivity and potency as observed for hexosaminidase secretion in mast cells. SCAMPs 1 and 2 are concentrated primarily on intracellular membranes in PC12 cells. Both, however, are found on plasma membranes, but neither is present on large dense-core vesicles. Yet, large dense-core vesicles marked by secretogranin attach to plasma membranes at foci containing SCAMP2 along with syntaxin1 and complexin at putative cell-surface docking/fusion sites. Regulated overexpression of SCAMP2 with point mutations in its E peptide but not of normal SCAMP2 caused dose-dependent inhibition of depolarization-induced secretion. The SCAMP2 mutants also inhibited secretion stimulated by elevated calcium. Inhibition was largely overcome by adding lysophosphatidylcholine to the medium at concentrations that do not otherwise affect secretion. Although overexpression of normal or mutant SCAMP2 slightly inhibits endocytosis, this effect does not appear to be related to the specific effect of the mutant SCAMP on stimulated exocytosis. Thus, SCAMP2 not only colocalizes with fusion sites but also appears to have an essential function in granule exocytosis through actions mediated by its E peptide-containing domain.     

Characteristic interactions with phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate determine regulation of kir channels by diverse modulators

The activity of specific inwardly rectifying potassium (Kir) channels is regulated by any of a number of different modulators, such as protein kinase C, G(q) -coupled receptor stimulation, pH, intracellular Mg(2+) or the betagamma-subunits of G proteins. Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP(2)) is an essential factor for maintenance of the activity of all Kir channels. Here, we demonstrate that the strength of channel-PIP(2) interactions determines the sensitivity of Kir channels to regulation by the various modulators. Furthermore, our results suggest that differences among Kir channels in their specific regulation by a given modulator may reflect differences in their apparent affinity of interactions with PIP(2).     

Plasma membrane phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate levels decrease with time in culture

During the stationary phase of growth, after 7 to 12 d in culture, the levels of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdInsP(2)) decreased by 75% in plasma membranes of the red alga Galdieria sulphuraria. Concomitant with the decrease in PtdInsP(2) levels in plasma membranes, there was an increase in PtdInsP(2) in microsomes, suggesting that the levels of plasma membrane PtdInsP(2) are regulated differentially. The decline of PtdInsP(2) in plasma membranes was accompanied by a 70% decrease in the specific activity of PtdInsP kinase and by reduced levels of protein cross-reacting with antisera against a conserved PtdInsP kinase domain. Upon osmotic stimulation, the loss of PtdInsP(2)from the plasma membrane increased from 10% in 7-d-old cells to 60% in 12-d-old cells, although the levels of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP(3)) produced in whole cells were roughly equal at both times. When cells with low plasma membrane PtdInsP(2) levels were osmotically stimulated, a mild osmotic stress (12.5 mM KCl) activated PtdInsP kinase prior to InsP(3) production, whereas in cells with high plasma membrane PtdInsP(2), more severe stress (250 mM KCl) was required to induce an increase in PtdInsP kinase activity. The differential regulation of a plasma membrane signaling pool of PtdInsP(2) is discussed with regard to the implications for understanding the responsive state of cells.     

Syndecan-4 promotes the retention of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate in the plasma membrane

Although phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP₂) regulates syndecan-4 function, the potential influence of syndecan-4 on PIP₂ remains unknown. GFP containing PIP₂-binding-PH domain of phospholipase Cδ (GFP-PHδ) was used to monitor PIP₂. Syndecan-4 overexpression in COS-7 cells enhanced membrane translocation of GFP-PHδ, while the opposite was observed when syndecan-4 was knocked-down. PIP₂ levels were higher in total phospholipids extracted from rat embryo fibroblasts expressing syndecan-4. Syndecan-4-induced membrane targeting of GFP-PHδ was further enhanced by phosphoinositide-3-kinase inhibitor, but not by phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor. Besides, both ionomycin and epidermal growth factor caused dissociation of GFP-PHδ from plasma membrane, an effect that was significantly delayed by syndecan-4 over-expression. Collectively, these data suggest that syndecan-4 promotes plasma membrane retention of PIP₂ by negatively regulating PLC-dependent PIP₂ degradation.     

Diffusion coefficient of fluorescent phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate in the plasma membrane of cells

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP₂) controls a surprisingly large number of processes in cells. Thus, many investigators have suggested that there might be different pools of PIP₂ on the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane. If a significant fraction of PIP₂ is bound electrostatically to unstructured clusters of basic residues on membrane proteins, the PIP₂ diffusion constant, D, should be reduced. We microinjected micelles of Bodipy TMR-PIP₂ into cells, and we measured D on the inner leaflet of fibroblasts and epithelial cells by using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. The average ± SD value from all cell types was D = 0.8 ± 0.2 μm²/s (n = 218; 25°C). This is threefold lower than the D in blebs formed on Rat1 cells, D = 2.5 ± 0.8 μm²/s (n = 26). It is also significantly lower than the D in the outer leaflet or in giant unilamellar vesicles and the diffusion coefficient for other lipids on the inner leaflet of these cell membranes. The simplest interpretation is that approximately two thirds of the PIP₂ on inner leaflet of these plasma membranes is bound reversibly.     

Direct modulation of Kir channel gating by membrane phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate

Multiple ion channels have now been shown to be regulated by phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) at the cytoplasmic face of the membrane. However, direct evidence for a specific interaction between phosphoinositides and ion channels is critically lacking. We reconstituted pure KirBac1.1 and KcsA protein into liposomes of defined composition (3:1 phosphatidylethanolamine:phosphatidylglycerol) and examined channel activity using a 86Rb+ uptake assay. We demonstrate direct modulation by PIP2 of KirBac1.1 but not KcsA activity. In marked contrast to activation of eukaryotic Kir channels by PIP2, KirBac1.1 is inhibited by PIP2 incorporated in the membrane (K(1/2) = 0.3 mol %). The dependence of inhibition on the number of phosphate groups and requirement for a lipid tail matches that for activation of eukaryotic Kir channels, suggesting a fundamentally similar interaction mechanism. The data exclude the possibility of indirect modulation via cytoskeletal or other intermediary elements and establish a direct interaction of the channel with PIP2 in the membrane.     

Regulation of cardiac IKs potassium current by membrane phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate

Regulation of the slowly activating component of delayed rectifier K+ current (IKs) by membrane phospholipid phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns-(4,5)P2) was examined in guinea pig atrial myocytes using the whole-cell patch clamp method. IKs was elicited by depolarizing voltage steps given from a holding potential of -50 mV, and the effect of various test reagents on IKs was assessed by measuring the amplitude of tail current elicited upon return to the holding potential following a 2-s depolarization to +30 mV. Intracellular application of 50 microM wortmannin through a recording pipette evoked a progressive increase in IKs over a 10-15-min period to 208.5 +/- 14.6% (n = 9) of initial magnitude obtained shortly after rupture of the patch membrane. Intracellular application of anti-PtdIns(4,5)P2 monoclonal antibody also increased the amplitude of IKs to 198.4 +/- 19.9% (n = 5). In contrast, intracellular loading with exogenous PtdIns(4,5)P2 at 10 and 100 mum produced a marked decrease in the amplitude of IKs to 54.3 +/- 3.8% (n = 5) and 44.8 +/- 8.2% (n = 5), respectively. Intracellular application of neomycin (50 microM) or aluminum (50 microM) evoked an increase in the amplitude of IKs to 161.0 +/- 13.5% (n = 4) and 150.0 +/- 8.2% (n = 4), respectively. These results strongly suggest that IKs channel is inhibited by endogenous membrane PtdIns(4,5)P2 through the electrostatic interaction with the negatively charged head group on PtdIns(4,5)P2. Potentiation of IKs by P2Y receptor stimulation with 50 microM ATP was almost totally abolished when PtdIns(4,5)P2 was included in the pipette solution, suggesting that depletion of membrane PtdIns(4,5)P2 is involved in the potentiation of IKs by P2Y receptor stimulation. Thus, membrane PtdIns(4,5)P2 may act as an important physiological regulator of IKs in guinea pig atrial myocytes.     

Perturbation of a very late step of regulated exocytosis by a secretory carrier membrane protein (SCAMP2)-derived peptide

Secretory carrier membrane proteins (SCAMPs) are conserved four transmembrane-spanning proteins associated with recycling vesicular carriers. In mast cells, as in other cell types, SCAMPs 1 and 2 are present in secretory granule membranes and other intracellular membranes. We now demonstrate a population of these SCAMPs in plasma membranes. Although small, this population partially colocalizes with SNARE proteins SNAP-23 and syntaxin 4. A fraction of SCAMPs 1 and 2 also coimmunoprecipitates with SNAP-23. An oligopeptide, E peptide, within the cytoplasmic segment linking the second and third transmembrane spans, particularly of SCAMP2, potently inhibits exocytosis in streptolysin O-permeabilized mast cells. The E peptide is unique to SCAMPs and highly conserved among SCAMP isoforms, and minor changes in its sequence abrogate inhibition. It blocks fusion beyond the putative docking step where granules contact the cell surface and each other during compound exocytosis. Blockade is also beyond Ca(2+)/ATP-dependent relocation of SNAP-23, which regulates compound exocytosis, and beyond ATP-dependent priming of fusion. Kinetic ordering of exocytotic inhibitors has shown that E peptide acts later than other perturbants at a stage closely associated with membrane fusion. These findings identify a new reagent for analyzing the final stage of exocytosis and point to the likely action of SCAMP2 in this process.     

Examining synaptotagmin 1 function in dense core vesicle exocytosis under direct control of Ca2+

We tested the long-standing hypothesis that synaptotagmin 1 is the Ca2+ sensor for fast neurosecretion by analyzing the intracellular Ca2+ dependence of large dense-core vesicle exocytosis in a mouse strain carrying a mutated synaptotagmin C2A domain. The mutation (R233Q) causes a twofold increase in the KD of Ca2+-dependent phospholipid binding to the double C2A-C2B domain of synaptotagmin. Using photolysis of caged calcium and capacitance measurements we found that secretion from mutant cells had lower secretory rates, longer secretory delays, and a higher intracellular Ca2+-threshold for secretion due to a twofold increase in the apparent KD of the Ca2+ sensor for fast exocytosis. Single amperometric fusion events were unchanged. We conclude that Ca2+-dependent phospholipid binding to synaptotagmin 1 mirrors the intracellular Ca2+ dependence of exocytosis.     

Listeria monocytogenes ActA protein interacts with phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate in vitro

The N-terminal region of the Listeria monocytogenes ActA protein, in conjunction with host cell factors, is sufficient for actin polymerization at the bacterial surface. Previous data suggested that ActA could protect barbed ends from capping proteins. We tested this hypothesis by actin polymerization experiments in the presence of the ActA N-terminal fragment and capping protein. ActA does not protect barbed ends from capping protein. In contrast, this polypeptide prevents PIP(2) from inhibiting the capping activity of capping protein. Gel filtration and tryptophan fluorescence experiments showed that the purified ActA N-terminal fragment binds to PIP(2) and PIP, defining phosphoinositides as novels ligands for this functional domain of ActA. Phosphoinositide binding to the N-terminal region of ActA may induce conformational changes in ActA and/or facilitate binding of other cell components, important for ActA-induced actin polymerization.     

Erythroid membrane-bound protein kinase binds to a membrane component and is regulated by phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate

In the erythrocyte, a membrane-bound serine/threonine protein kinase (a casein kinase) has been shown to phosphorylate a number of membrane proteins, modulating their function. Here we report that the membrane-bound protein kinase binds to membranes by an association with a minor membrane component contained in preparations of glycophorin (possibly a minor glycophorin). The binding of the kinase to glycophorins does not significantly modify kinase activity. However, upon binding, the kinase activity is potently inhibited by phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, and the affinity of the kinase for the glycophorins is increased. Other phospholipids or polyanions such as inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate or 2,3-diphosphoglycerate do not affect protein kinase activity when the kinase is bound to membranes but do inhibit the solubilized membrane-bound kinase. In the erythrocyte, there is a cytosolic form of the casein kinase which is very similar, having the same molecular weight and substrate specificity as the membrane-bound casein kinase. The cytosolic casein kinase is inhibited by 2,3-diphosphoglycerate but much less so by glycophorin preparations containing phosphoinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. When the sequences of both casein kinases were compared by two-dimensional peptide mapping, it was found that the two kinases were very similar but not identical.     

A pleckstrin homology domain specific for phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-bisphosphate (PtdIns-4,5-P2) and fused to green fluorescent protein identifies plasma membrane PtdIns-4,5-P2 as being important in exocytosis

Kinetically distinct steps can be distinguished in the secretory response from neuroendocrine cells with slow ATP-dependent priming steps preceding the triggering of exocytosis by Ca(2+). One of these priming steps involves the maintenance of phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-bisphosphate (PtdIns-4,5-P(2)) through lipid kinases and is responsible for at least 70% of the ATP-dependent secretion observed in digitonin-permeabilized chromaffin cells. PtdIns-4,5-P(2) is usually thought to reside on the plasma membrane. However, because phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase is an integral chromaffin granule membrane protein, PtdIns-4,5-P(2) important in exocytosis may reside on the chromaffin granule membrane. In the present study we have investigated the localization of PtdIns-4,5-P(2) that is involved in exocytosis by transiently expressing in chromaffin cells a pleckstrin homology (PH) domain that specifically binds PtdIns-4, 5-P(2) and is fused to green fluorescent protein (GFP). The PH-GFP protein predominantly associated with the plasma membrane in chromaffin cells without any detectable association with chromaffin granules. Rhodamine-neomycin, which also binds to PtdIns-4,5-P(2), showed a similar subcellular localization. The transiently expressed PH-GFP inhibited exocytosis as measured by both biochemical and electrophysiological techniques. The results indicate that the inhibition was at a step after Ca(2+) entry and suggest that plasma membrane PtdIns-4,5-P(2) is important for exocytosis. Expression of PH-GFP also reduced calcium currents, raising the possibility that PtdIns-4,5-P(2) in some manner alters calcium channel function in chromaffin cells.     

Mechanism of protein kinase C activation by phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate.

The mechanism of protein kinase C (PKC) activation by phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2), phosphatidylinositol 4-monophosphate (PIP), and phosphatidylinositol (PI) was investigated by using Triton X-100 mixed micellar methods. The activation of PKC by PIP2, for which maximal activity was 60% of that elicited by sn-1,2-diacyglycerol (DAG), was similar to activation by DAG in several respects: (1) activation by PIP2 and DAG required phosphatidylserine (PS) as a phospholipid cofactor, (2) PIP2 and DAG reduced the concentration of Ca2+ and PS required for activation, (3) the concentration dependences of activation by PIP2 and DAG depended on the concentration of PS, and (4) PIP2 and DAG complemented one another to achieve maximal activation. On the other hand, PIP2 activation of PKC differed from activation by DAG in several respects. With increasing concentrations of PIP2, (1) the optimal concentration of PS required was constant at 12 mol%, (2) the maximal activity at 12 mol% PS increased, and (3) the cooperativity for PS decreased. PIP2 did not inhibit [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) binding of PKC at saturating levels of PS; however, at subsaturating levels of PS, PIP2 enhanced [3H]PDBu binding by acting as a phospholipid cofactor. PIP did not function as an activator but served as a phospholipid cofactor in the presence of PS. While PIP2, PIP, and PI did not support DAG-dependent PKC activation as phospholipid cofactors, their presence reduced the amount of PS required for maximal activation to as low as 2 mol% from 8 mol%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Interaction of protein kinase C isozymes with phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate.

Interaction of protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes with phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) was investigated by monitoring the changes in the intrinsic fluorescence of the enzyme, the kinase activity, and phorbol ester binding. Incubation of PKC I, II, and III with PIP2 resulted in different rates of quenching of PKC fluorescence and different degrees of inactivation of these enzymes. Other inositol-containing phospholipids such as phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate also caused differential rates of quenching of the intrinsic fluorescence of these enzymes. These latter two phospholipids were, however, less potent in the inactivation of PKCs than PIP2. The IC50 of PIP2 were 2, 4, and 11 microM for PKC I, II, and III, respectively. Inactivation of PKCs by PIP2 cannot be reversed by extensive dilution of PIP2 with Nonidet P-40 nor by digestion of PIP2 with phospholipase C. Interaction of PIP2 with the various PKC isozymes was greatly facilitated in the presence of Mg2+ or Ca2+ as evidenced by the accelerated quenching of the PKC fluorescence, however, these divalent metal ions protected PKC from the PIP2-induced inactivation. Binding of PIP2 to PKC in the absence of divalent metal ion also caused a reduction of [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate binding as a result of reducing the affinity of the enzyme for phorbol ester. Based on gel filtration chromatography, it was estimated that one molecule of PKC interacted with one PIP2 micelle with an aggregation number of 80-90. The PIP2-bound PKC could further interact with phosphatidylserine in the presence of Ca2+ to form a larger complex. Binding of PKC to both PIP2 and phosphatidylserine in the presence of Ca2+ was also evident by changes in the intrinsic fluorescence of PKC. As the interaction of PKC with PIP2, but not with phosphatidylserine, could be enhanced by millimolar concentrations of Mg2+, we propose that PIP2 may be a component of the membrane anchor for PKC under basal physiological conditions when [Ca2+]i is low and Mg2+ is plentiful. Under the in vitro assay conditions, PIP2 could stimulate PKC activity to a level approximately 10-20% of that by diacylglycerol. The stimulatory effect of PIP2 on PKC apparently is not due to binding to the same site recognized by diacylglycerol or phorbol ester, because PIP2 cannot effectively compete with phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate in the binding assay.     

Dynamics of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate in actin-rich structures

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P(2)) is known to regulate a wide range of molecular targets and cellular processes, from ion channels to actin polymerization [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]. Recent studies have used the phospholipase C-delta1 (PLC-delta1) pleckstrin-homology (PH) domain fused to green fluorescent protein (GFP) as a detector for PI(4,5)P(2) in vivo [7] [8] [9] [10]. Although these studies demonstrated that PI(4,5)P(2) is concentrated in the plasma membrane, its association with actin-containing structures was not reported. In the present study, fluorescence imaging of living NIH-3T3 fibroblasts expressing the PLC-delta1 PH domain linked to enhanced green fluorescent protein (PH-EGFP) reveals intense, non-uniform fluorescence in distinct structures at the cell periphery. Corresponding fluorescence and phase-contrast imaging over time shows that these fluorescent structures correlate with dynamic, phase-dense features identified as ruffles and with microvillus-like protrusions from the cell's dorsal surface. Imaging of fixed and permeabilized cells shows co-localization of PH-EGFP with F-actin in ruffles, but not with vinculin in focal adhesions. The selective concentration of the PH-EGFP fusion protein in highly dynamic regions of the plasma membrane that are rich in F-actin supports the hypothesis that localized synthesis and lateral segregation of PI(4,5)P(2) spatially restricts actin polymerization and thereby affects cell spreading and retraction.     

Secretory carrier membrane protein 2 regulates exocytic insertion of NKCC2 into the cell membrane

The renal-specific Na-K-2Cl co-transporter, NKCC2, plays a pivotal role in regulating body salt levels and blood pressure. NKCC2 mutations lead to type I Bartter syndrome, a life-threatening kidney disease. Regulation of NKCC2 trafficking behavior serves as a major mechanism in controlling NKCC2 activity across the plasma membrane. However, the identities of the protein partners involved in cell surface targeting of NKCC2 are largely unknown. To gain insight into these processes, we used a yeast two-hybrid system to screen a kidney cDNA library for proteins that interact with the NKCC2 C terminus. One binding partner we identified was SCAMP2 (secretory carrier membrane protein 2). Microscopic confocal imaging and co-immunoprecipitation assays confirmed NKCC2-SCAMP2 interaction in renal cells. SCAMP2 associated also with the structurally related co-transporter NCC, suggesting that the interaction with SCAMP2 is a common feature of sodium-dependent chloride co-transporters. Heterologous expression of SCAMP2 specifically decreased cell surface abundance as well as transport activity of NKCC2 across the plasma membrane. Co-immunolocalization experiments revealed that intracellularly retained NKCC2 co-localizes with SCAMP2 in recycling endosomes. The rate of NKCC2 endocytic retrieval, assessed by the sodium 2-mercaptoethane sulfonate cleavage assay, was not affected by SCAMP2. The surface-biotinylatable fraction of newly inserted NKCC2 in the plasma membrane was reduced by SCAMP2, demonstrating that SCAMP2-induced decrease in surface NKCC2 is due to decreased exocytotic trafficking. Finally, a single amino acid mutation, cysteine 201 to alanine, within the conserved cytoplasmic E peptide of SCAMP2, which is believed to regulate exocytosis, abolished SCAMP2-mediated down-regulation of the co-transporter. Taken together, these data are consistent with a model whereby SCAMP2 regulates NKCC2 transit through recycling endosomes and limits the cell surface targeting of the co-transporter by interfering with its exocytotic trafficking.     

Epidermal growth factor stimulates hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol4,5-bisphosphate, generation of diacylglycerol and exocytosis in mouse spermatozoa

Mouse spermatozoa stimulated with epidermal growth factor (EGF) or zona pellucida (ZP) experienced phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate hydrolysis, diacylglycerol (DAG) generation and acrosomal exocytosis. The agonists showed additive effects but the action of EGF is likely to be mediated by a distinct receptor because maximal stimulation achieved with EGF was enhanced further by ZP. Generation of DAG and exocytosis stimulated by EGF were inhibited by tyrphostin A48, indicating that tyrosine kinase activity mediates EGF action. On the other hand, pertussis toxin did not affect the EGF-induced formation of DAG or exocytosis, ruling out the involvement of sperm G_i-like proteins. These results indicate that EGF could be an important co-factor in the initiation of exocytosis in spermatozoa.     

Agonist-stimulated phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate metabolism in the nervous system

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate has recently gained prominence as the central component of a receptor transduction process which generates inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and diacylglycerol in stimulated cells. Both of these products of phospholipid metabolism have intracellular second messenger functions with diacylglycerol formation leading to activation of protein kinase C and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate stimulating Ca²⁺ release from intracellular stores in the endoplasmic reticulum. There is mounting evidence that the phospholipase C which hydrolyses phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate is coupled to activated receptors by a guanylnucleotide binding protein, analogous to Ns and Ni which couple stimulatory and inhibitory hormone receptors to adenylate cyclase. Most of the key elements of this signalling mechanism have been found in the nervous system and so too has an entirely novel and unexpected inositol phosphate ester, inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate, whose function is not yet known. Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate breakdown, detected as the accumulation of inositol phosphates in agonist-stimulated nervous tissue preparations, is a functional response that has been useful in assessing the relevance of receptors identified by radioligand binding assays, and which provides an essential link between receptor occupation and responses such as neurotransmitter release and modulation of neuronal excitability.     

Visualization of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate in the plasma membrane of suspension-cultured tobacco BY-2 cells and whole Arabidopsis seedlings

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P(2)] is an important signalling lipid in mammalian cells, where it functions as a second-messenger precursor in response to agonist-dependent activation of phospholipase C (PLC) but also operates as a signalling molecule on its own. Much of the recent knowledge about it has come from a new technique to visualize PtdIns(4,5)P(2)in vivo, by expressing a green or yellow fluorescent protein (GFP or YFP) fused to the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of human PLCdelta1 that specifically binds PtdIns(4,5)P(2). In this way, YFP-PH(PLCdelta1) has been shown to predominantly label the plasma membrane and to transiently translocate into the cytoplasm upon PLC activation in a variety of mammalian cell systems. In plants, biochemical studies have shown that PtdIns(4,5)P(2) is present in very small quantities, but knowledge of its localization and function is still very limited. In this study, we have used YFP-PH(PLCdelta1) to try monitoring PtdIns(4,5)P(2)/PLC signalling in stably-transformed tobacco Bright Yellow-2 (BY-2) cells and Arabidopsis seedlings. In both plant systems, no detrimental effects were observed, indicating that overexpression of the biosensor did not interfere with the function of PtdIns(4,5)P(2). Confocal imaging revealed that most of the YFP-PH(PLCdelta1) fluorescence was present in the cytoplasm, and not in the plasma membrane as in mammalian cells. Nonetheless, four conditions were found in which YFP-PH(PLCdelta1) was concentrated at the plasma membrane: (i) upon treatment with the PLC inhibitor U73122; (ii) in response to salt stress; (iii) as a gradient at the tip of growing root hairs; (iv) during the final stage of a BY-2 cell division. We conclude that PtdIns(4,5)P(2), as in animals, is present in the plasma membrane of plants, but that its concentration in most cells is too low to be detected by YFP-PH(PLCdelta1). Hence, the reporter remains unbound in the cytosol, making it unsuitable to monitor PLC signalling. Nonetheless, YFP-PH(PLCdelta1) is a valuable plant PtdIns(4,5)P(2) reporter, for it highlights specific cells and conditions where this lipid becomes abnormally concentrated in membranes, raising the question of what it is doing there. New roles for PtdIns(4,5)P(2) in plant cell signalling are discussed.