Filamin-A binds to the carboxyl-terminal tail of the calcium-sensing receptor, an interaction that participates in CaR-mediated activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase

The G protein-coupled, extracellular calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) regulates parathyroid hormone secretion and parathyroid cellular proliferation as well as the functions of diverse other cell types. The CaR resides in caveolae-plasma membrane microdomains containing receptors and associated signaling molecules that are thought to serve as cellular "message centers." An additional mechanism for coordinating cellular signaling is the presence of scaffold proteins that bind and organize components of signal transduction cascades. With the use of the yeast two-hybrid system, we identified filamin-A (an actin-cross-linking, putative scaffold protein that binds mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) components activated by the CaR) as an intracellular binding partner of the CaR's carboxyl (COOH)-terminal tail. A direct interaction of the two proteins was confirmed by an in vitro binding assay. Moreover, confocal microscopy combined with two color immunofluorescence showed co-localization of the CaR and filamin-A within parathyroid cells as well as HEK-293 cells stably transfected with the CaR. Deletion mapping localized the sites of interaction between the two proteins to a stretch of 60 amino acid residues within the distal portion of the CaR's COOH-terminal tail and domains 14 and 15 in filamin-A, respectively. Finally, introducing the portion of filamin-A interacting with the CaR into CaR-transfected HEK-293 cells using protein transduction with a His-tagged, Tat-filamin-A fusion protein nearly abolished CaR-mediated activation of ERK1/2 MAPK but had no effect on ERK1/2 activity stimulated by ADP. Therefore, the binding of the CaR's COOH-terminal tail to filamin-A may contribute to its localization in caveolae, link it to the actin-based cytoskeleton, and participate in CaR-mediated activation of MAPK.     

Similarity in cyst wall protein (CWP) trafficking between encysting Giardia duodenalis trophozoites and CWP-expressing human embryonic kidney-293 cells

Cyst wall proteins 1 and 2 (CWP1 and CWP2) are major constituents of the giardial cyst wall and are expressed with similar kinetics by encysting trophozoites. In the present study, we were interested to determine if the expression of giardial CWPs as heterologous proteins in a higher eukaryotic cell would result in their trafficking across the secretory pathway, as is the case in encysting trophozoites. Recombinant (r)CWP1 and rPro-CWP2 were detected in the lysate and culture media of transfected HEK-293 cells. We then conducted intracellular localization experiments using confocal microscopy and found that the proteins were trafficked in membrane enclosed vesicles across the secretory pathway and released to the culture medium by transfected HEK-293 cells. We then dissected the rCWP1 and rPro-CWP2 molecules to identify the portion(s) responsible for their secretion and found that the putative N-terminal signal peptide was sufficient for directing the secretion of rCWP1, while both the putative N-terminal signal peptide and the 13kDa C-terminal regions were necessary for the secretion of rPro-CWP2 by transfected HEK-293 cells. Taken together, these results demonstrate the degree of conservation of signal peptide recognition between lower and higher eukaryotes.     

The C1 and C2 domains target human type 6 adenylyl cyclase to lipid rafts and caveolae

Previous data has shown that adenylyl cyclase type 6 (AC6) is expressed principally in lipid rafts or caveolae of cardiac myocytes and other cell types while certain other isoforms of AC are excluded from these microdomains. The mechanism by which AC6 is localized to lipid rafts or caveolae is unknown. In this study, we show AC6 is localized in lipid rafts of COS-7 cells (expressing caveolin-1) and in HEK-293 cells or cardiac fibroblasts isolated from caveolin-1 knock-out mice (both of which lack prototypical caveolins). To determine the region of AC6 that confers raft localization, we independently expressed each of the major intracellular domains, the N-terminus, C1 and C2 domains, and examined their localization with various approaches. The N-terminus did not associate with lipid rafts or caveolae of either COS-7 or HEK-293 cells nor did it immunoprecipitate with caveolin-1 when expressed in COS-7 cells. By contrast, the C1 and C2 domains each associated with lipid rafts to varying degrees and were present in caveolin-1 immunoprecipitates. There were no differences in the pattern of localization of either the C1 or C2 domains between COS-7 and HEK-293 cells. Further dissection of the C1 domain into four individual proteins indicated that the N-terminal half of this domain is responsible for its raft localization. To probe for a role of a putative palmitoylation motif in the C-terminal portion of the C2 domain, we expressed various truncated forms of AC6 lacking most or all of the C-terminal 41 amino acids. These truncated AC6 proteins were not altered in terms of their localization in lipid rafts or their catalytic activity, implying that this C-terminal region is not required for lipid raft targeting of AC6. We conclude that while the C1 domain may be most important, both the C1 and C2 domains of AC6 play a role in targeting AC6 to lipid rafts.     

Localization of the Sodium-Taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide in membrane rafts and modulation of its activity by cholesterol in vitro

BACKGROUND: The relevance of discrete localization of hepatobiliary transporters in specific membrane microdomains is not well known. AIM: To determine whether the Na+/taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (Ntcp), the main hepatic sinusoidal bile salt transporter, is localized in specific membrane microdomains. METHODS: Presence of Ntcp in membrane rafts obtained from mouse liver was studied by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence. HEK-293 cells stably transfected with rat Ntcp were used for in vitro studies. Expression, localization and function of Ntcp in these cells were assessed by immunoblotting, immunofluorescence and biotinylation studies and Na+ -dependent taurocholate uptake assays, respectively. The effect of cholesterol depletion/repletion assays on Ntcp function was also investigated. RESULTS: Ntcp localized primarily to membrane rafts in in vivo studies and localized partially in membrane rafts in transfected HEK-293 cells. In these cells, membrane cholesterol depletion resulted in a shift of Ntcp localization into non-membrane rafts, which correlated with a 2.5-fold increase in taurocholate transport. Cholesterol repletion shifted back part of Ntcp into membrane rafts, and normalized taurocholate transport to values similar to control cells. CONCLUSION: Ntcp localizes in membrane rafts and its localization and function are regulated by membrane cholesterol content. This may serve as a novel regulatory mechanism of bile salt transport in liver.     

Tight junction targeting and intracellular trafficking of occludin in polarized epithelial cells

Occludin, a transmembrane (TM)-spanning protein, is an integral component of the tight junctional (TJ) complexes that regulate epithelial integrity and paracellular barrier function. However, the molecular determinants that dictate occludin targeting and delivery to the TJs remain unclear. Here, using live cell imaging of yellow fluorescent protein-labeled occludin fragments, we resolved the intracellular trafficking of occludin-fusion proteins in polarized Madin-Darby canine kidney and Caco-2 cells to delineate the regions within the occludin polypeptide that are important for occludin targeting to the TJs. Live cell confocal imaging showed that complete or partial truncation of the COOH-terminal tail of the occludin polypeptide did not prevent occludin targeting to the TJs in epithelial cell lines. Progressive truncations into the COOH-terminal tail decreased the efficiency of occludin expression; after the removal of the regions proximal to the fourth transmembrane domain (TM4), the efficiency of expression increased. However, further deletions into the TM4 abolished TJ targeting, which resulted in constructs that were retained intracellularly within the endoplasmic reticulum. The full-length occludin polypeptide trafficked to the cell surface within a heterogenous population of intracellular vesicles that delivered occludin to the plasma membrane in a microtubule- and temperature-dependent manner. In contrast, the steady-state localization of occludin at the cell surface was dependent on intact microfilaments but not microtubules.     

The adaptor protein 14-3-3 binds to the calcium-sensing receptor and attenuates receptor-mediated Rho kinase signalling

A yeast two-hybrid screen performed to identify binding partners of the CaR (calcium-sensing receptor) intracellular tail identified the adaptor protein 14-3-3θ as a novel binding partner that bound to the proximal membrane region important for CaR expression and signalling. The 14-3-3θ protein directly interacted with the CaR tail in pull-down studies and FLAG-tagged CaR co-immunoprecipitated with EGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein)-tagged 14-3-3θ when co-expressed in HEK (human embryonic kidney)-293 or COS-1 cells. The interaction between the CaR and 14-3-3θ did not require a putative binding site in the membrane-proximal region of the CaR tail and was independent of PKC (protein kinase C) phosphorylation. Confocal microscopy demonstrated co-localization of the CaR and EGFP-14-3-3θ in the ER (endoplasmic reticulum) of HEK-293 cells that stably expressed the CaR (HEK-293/CaR cells), but 14-3-3θ overexpression had no effect on membrane expression of the CaR. Overexpression of 14-3-3θ in HEK-293/CaR cells attenuated CaR-mediated Rho signalling, but had no effect on ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase) 1/2 signalling. Another isoform identified from the library, 14-3-3ζ, exhibited similar behaviour to that of 14-3-3θ with respect to CaR tail binding, cellular co-localization and impact on receptor-mediated signalling. However, unlike 14-3-3θ, this isoform, when overexpressed, significantly reduced CaR plasma membrane expression. Results indicate that 14-3-3 proteins mediate CaR-dependent Rho signalling and may modulate the plasma membrane expression of the CaR.     

Localization of the Sodium-Taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide in membrane rafts and modulation of its activity by cholesterol in vitro

Background

The relevance of discrete localization of hepatobiliary transporters in specific membrane microdomains is not well known.

Aim

To determine whether the Na⁺/taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (Ntcp), the main hepatic sinusoidal bile salt transporter, is localized in specific membrane microdomains.

Methods

Presence of Ntcp in membrane rafts obtained from mouse liver was studied by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence. HEK-293 cells stably transfected with rat Ntcp were used for in vitro studies. Expression, localization and function of Ntcp in these cells were assessed by immunoblotting, immunofluorescence and biotinylation studies and Na⁺-dependent taurocholate uptake assays, respectively. The effect of cholesterol depletion/repletion assays on Ntcp function was also investigated.

Results

Ntcp localized primarily to membrane rafts in in vivo studies and localized partially in membrane rafts in transfected HEK-293 cells. In these cells, membrane cholesterol depletion resulted in a shift of Ntcp localization into non-membrane rafts, which correlated with a 2.5-fold increase in taurocholate transport. Cholesterol repletion shifted back part of Ntcp into membrane rafts, and normalized taurocholate transport to values similar to control cells.

Conclusion

Ntcp localizes in membrane rafts and its localization and function are regulated by membrane cholesterol content. This may serve as a novel regulatory mechanism of bile salt transport in liver.     

Expression of polycystin-1 C-terminal fragment enhances the ATP-induced Ca2+ release in human kidney cells

Polycystin-1 (PC1) is a membrane protein expressed in tubular epithelia of developing kidneys and in other ductal structures. Recent studies indicate this protein to be putatively important in regulating intracellular Ca(2+) levels in various cell types, but little evidence exists for kidney epithelial cells. Here we examined the role of the PC1 cytoplasmic tail on the activity of store operated Ca(2+) channels in human kidney epithelial HEK-293 cell line. Cells were transiently transfected with chimeric proteins containing 1-226 or 26-226 aa of the PC1 cytoplasmic tail fused to the transmembrane domain of the human Trk-A receptor: TrkPC1 wild-type and control Trk truncated peptides were expressed at comparable levels and localized at the plasma membrane. Ca(2+) measurements were performed in cells co-transfected with PC1 chimeras and the cytoplasmic Ca(2+)-sensitive photoprotein aequorin, upon activation of the phosphoinositide pathway by ATP, that, via purinoceptors, is coupled to the release of Ca(2+) from intracellular stores. The expression of TrkPC1 peptide, but not of its truncated form, enhanced the ATP-evoked cytosolic Ca(2+) concentrations. When Ca(2+) assays were performed in HeLa cells characterized by Ca(2+) stores greater than those of HEK-293 cells, the histamine-evoked cytosolic Ca(2+) increase was enhanced by TrkPC1 expression, even in absence of external Ca(2+). These observations indicate that the C-terminal tail of PC1 in kidney and other epithelial cells upregulates a Ca(2+) channel activity also involved in the release of intracellular stores.     

SLC26A9 is expressed in gastric surface epithelial cells, mediates Cl-/HCO3- exchange, and is inhibited by NH4+

HCO3- secretion by gastric mucous cells is essential for protection against acidic injury and peptic ulcer. Herein we report the identification of an apical HCO3- transporter in gastric surface epithelial cells. Northern hybridization and RT-PCR demonstrate the expression of this transporter, also known as SLC26A9, in mouse and rat stomach and trachea (but not kidney). In situ hybridization in mouse stomach showed abundant expression of SLC26A9 in surface epithelial cells with apical localization on immunofluorescence labeling. Functional studies in HEK-293 cells demonstrated that SLC26A9 mediates Cl-/HCO3- exchange and is also capable of Cl--independent HCO3- extrusion. Unlike other anion exchangers or transport proteins reported to date, SLC26A9 activity is inhibited by ammonium (NH4+). The inhibitory effect of NH4+ on gastric HCO3- secretion was also indicated by reduced gastric juxtamucosal pH (pHjm) in rat stomach in vivo. This report is the first to describe the inhibition of HCO3- transport in vitro and the reduction of pHjm in stomach in vivo by NH4+. Given its critical localization on the apical membrane of surface epithelial cells, its ability to transport HCO3-, and its inhibition by NH4+, we propose that SLC26A9 mediates HCO3- secretion in surface epithelial cells and is essential for protection against acidic injury in the stomach. Disease states that are associated with increased ammonia (NH3)/NH4+ generation (e.g., Helicobacter pylori) may impair gastric HCO3- secretion and therefore predispose patients to peptic ulcer by inhibiting SLC26A9.     

Multiple Kv1.5 targeting to membrane surface microdomains

Surface expression of voltage-dependent K(+) channels (Kv) has a pivotal role in leukocyte physiology. Although little is known about the physiological role of lipid rafts, these microdomains concentrate signaling molecules and their ion channel substrates. Kv1.3 associates with Kv1.5 to form functional channels in macrophages. Different isoform stoichiometries lead to distinct heteromeric channels which may be further modulated by targeting the complex to different membrane surface microdomains. Kv1.3 targets to lipid rafts, whereas Kv1.5 localization is under debate. With this in mind, we wanted to study whether heterotetrameric Kv1.5-containing channels target to lipid rafts. While in transfected HEK-293 cells, homo- and heterotetrameric channels targeted to rafts, Kv1.5 did not target to rafts in macrophages. Therefore, Kv1.3/Kv1.5 hybrid channels are mostly concentrated in non-raft microdomains. However, LPS-induced activation, which increases the Kv1.3/Kv1.5 ratio and caveolin, targeted Kv1.5 back to lipid rafts. Moreover, Kv1.5 did not localize to low-buoyancy fractions in L6E9 skeletal myoblasts, which also coexpress both channels, heart membranes or cardiomyocyes. Coexpression of a Cav3(DGV)-mutant confined Kv1.5 to Cav3(DGV)-vesicles of HEK cells. Contrarily, coexpression of Kvbeta2.1 impaired the Kv1.5 targeting to raft microdomains in HEK cells. Our results indicate that Kv1.5 partnership interactions are underlying mechanisms governing channel targeting to lipid rafts.     

Specificity of olfactory receptor interactions with other G protein-coupled receptors

Studies on olfactory receptor (OR) pharmacology have been hindered by the poor plasma membrane localization of most ORs in heterologous cells. We previously reported that association with the beta(2)-adrenergic receptor (beta(2)-AR) facilitates functional expression of the OR M71 at the plasma membrane of HEK-293 cells. In the present study, we examined the specificity of M71 interactions with other G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). M71 was co-expressed in HEK-293 cells with 42 distinct GPCRs, and the vast majority of these receptors had no significant effect on M71 surface expression. However, co-expression with three subtypes of purinergic receptor (P2Y(1)R, P2Y(2)R, and A(2A)R) resulted in markedly enhanced plasma membrane localization of M71. Agonist stimulation of M71 co-expressed with P2Y(1)R and P2Y(2)R activated the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway via coupling of M71 to Galpha(o). We also examined the ability of beta(2)-AR, P2Y(1)R, P2Y(2)R, and A(2A)Rto interact with and regulate ORs beyond M71. We found that co-expression of beta(2)-AR or the purinergic receptors enhanced the surface expression for an M71 subfamily member but not for several other ORs from different subfamilies. In addition, through chimeric receptor studies, we determined that the second transmembrane domain of beta(2)-AR is necessary for beta(2)-AR facilitation of M71 plasma membrane localization. These studies shed light on the specificity of OR interactions with other GPCRs and the mechanisms governing olfactory receptor trafficking.     

Modulation of Ca2+ entry and plasma membrane potential by human TRPM4b

TRPM4b is a Ca(2+)-activated, voltage-dependent monovalent cation channel that has been shown to act as a negative regulator of Ca(2+) entry and to be involved in the generation of oscillations of Ca(2+) influx in Jurkat T-lymphocytes. Transient overexpression of TRPM4b as an enhanced green fluorescence fusion protein in human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells resulted in its localization in the plasma membrane, as demonstrated by confocal fluorescence microscopy. The functionality and plasma membrane localization of overexpressed TRPM4b was confirmed by induction of Ca(2+)-dependent inward and outward currents in whole cell patch clamp recordings. HEK-293 cells stably overexpressing TRPM4b showed higher ionomycin-activated Ca(2+) influx than wild-type cells. In addition, analysis of the membrane potential using the potentiometric dye bis-(1,3-dibutylbarbituric acid)-trimethine oxonol and by current clamp experiments in the perforated patch configuration revealed a faster initial depolarization after activation of Ca(2+) entry with ionomycin. Furthermore, TRPM4b expression facilitated repolarization and thereby enhanced sustained Ca(2+) influx. In conclusion, in cells with a small negative membrane potential, such as HEK-293 cells, TRPM4b acts as a positive regulator of Ca(2+) entry.     

Amphetamine regulation of dopamine transport. Combined measurements of transporter currents and transporter imaging support the endocytosis of an active carrier

Dopaminergic neurotransmission is fine-tuned by the rate of removal of dopamine (DA) from the extracellular space via the Na(+)/Cl(-)-dependent DA transporter (DAT). DAT is a target of psychostimulants such as amphetamine (AMPH) and cocaine. Previously, we reported that AMPH redistributes the human DAT away from the cell surface. This process was associated with a reduction in transport capacity. This loss of transport capacity may result either from a modification of the function of DAT that is independent of its cell surface redistribution and/or from a reduction in the number of active transporters at the plasma membrane that results from DAT trafficking. To discriminate between these possibilities, we stably transfected HEK-293 cells with a yellow fluorescent protein (YFP)-tagged human DAT (hDAT cells). In hDAT cells, acute exposure to AMPH induced a time-dependent loss of hDAT activity. By coupling confocal imaging with patch-clamp whole-cell recordings, we have demonstrated for the first time that the loss of AMPH-induced hDAT activity temporally parallels the accumulation of intracellular hDAT. In addition, presteady-state current analysis revealed a cocaine-sensitive, voltage-dependent capacitance current that correlated with the level of transporter membrane expression and in turn served to monitor the AMPH-induced trafficking of hDAT. We found that the decrease in hDAT cell surface expression induced by AMPH was not paralleled by changes in the ability of the single transporter to carry charges. Quasi-stationary noise analysis of the AMPH-induced hDAT currents revealed that the unitary transporter current remained unaltered during the loss of hDAT membrane expression. Taken together, these data strongly suggest that the AMPH-induced reduction of hDAT transport capacity results from the removal of active hDAT from the plasma membrane.     

PKA Regulates Vacuolar H+-ATPase Localization and Activity via Direct Phosphorylation of the A Subunit in Kidney Cells

The vacuolar H⁺-ATPase (V-ATPase) is a major contributor to luminal acidification in epithelia of Wolffian duct origin. In both kidney-intercalated cells and epididymal clear cells, cAMP induces V-ATPase apical membrane accumulation, which is linked to proton secretion. We have shown previously that the A subunit in the cytoplasmic V₁ sector of the V-ATPase is phosphorylated by protein kinase A (PKA). Here we have identified by mass spectrometry and mutagenesis that Ser-175 is the major PKA phosphorylation site in the A subunit. Overexpression in HEK-293T cells of either a wild-type (WT) or phosphomimic Ser-175 to Asp (S175D) A subunit mutant caused increased acidification of HCO₃⁻-containing culture medium compared with cells expressing vector alone or a PKA phosphorylation-deficient Ser-175 to Ala (S175A) mutant. Moreover, localization of the S175A A subunit mutant expressed in HEK-293T cells was more diffusely cytosolic than that of WT or S175D A subunit. Acute V-ATPase-mediated, bafilomycin-sensitive H⁺ secretion was up-regulated by a specific PKA activator in HEK-293T cells expressing WT A subunit in HCO₃⁻-free buffer. In cells expressing the S175D mutant, V-ATPase activity at the membrane was constitutively up-regulated and unresponsive to PKA activators, whereas cells expressing the S175A mutant had decreased V-ATPase activity that was unresponsive to PKA activation. Finally, Ser-175 was necessary for PKA-stimulated apical accumulation of the V-ATPase in a polarized rabbit cell line of collecting duct A-type intercalated cell characteristics (Clone C). In summary, these results indicate a novel mechanism for the regulation of V-ATPase localization and activity in kidney cells via direct PKA-dependent phosphorylation of the A subunit at Ser-175.     

Conserved amino acid residues in the COOH-terminal tail are indispensable for the correct folding and localization and enzyme activity of neutral ceramidase

Several lines of evidence suggest that neutral ceramidase is involved in the regulation of ceramide-mediated signaling. Recently, the enzymes from mouse and rat were found to be localized at plasma membranes as a type II integral membrane protein, occasionally being detached from the cells after proteolytic processing of the NH(2)-terminal anchoring region (Tani, M., Iida, H., and Ito, M. (2003) J. Biol. Chem. 278, 10523-10530). We report here that conserved hydrophobic amino acid residues in the COOH-terminal tail are indispensable for the correct folding and localization, and enzyme activity of neutral ceramidase. Truncation of four, but not three, amino acid residues from the COOH terminus of rat neutral ceramidase resulted in a complete loss of enzyme activity as well as cell surface expression in HEK293 cells. Point mutation analysis revealed that Ile(758), the 4(th) amino acid residue from the COOH terminus, and Phe(756) are essential for the enzyme to function. The truncated and mutated enzymes were found to be retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and rapidly degraded without transportation to the Golgi apparatus. Treatment of the cells expressing the aberrant COOH-terminal enzyme with MG-132, a specific inhibitor for the proteasome, increased the accumulation of the enzyme in the ER, indicating that the misfolded enzyme was degraded by the proteasome. It was also found that the COOH-terminal tail was indispensable for the enzyme activity and correct folding of the prokaryote ceramidase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, indicating that the importance of the COOH-terminal tail of the enzyme has been preserved through evolution.     

Constitutive endocytic cycle of the CB1 cannabinoid receptor

The CB1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1R) displays a significant level of ligand-independent (i.e. constitutive) activity, either when heterologously expressed in nonneuronal cells or in neurons where CB1Rs are endogenous. The present study investigates the consequences of constitutive activity on the intracellular trafficking of CB1R. When transfected in HEK-293 cells, CB1R is present at the plasma membrane, but a substantial proportion ( approximately 85%) of receptors is localized in intracellular vesicles. Detailed analysis of CB1-EGFP expressed in HEK-293 cells shows that the intracellular CB1R population is mostly of endocytic origin and that treatment with inverse agonist AM281 traps CB1R at the plasma membrane through a monensin-sensitive recycling pathway. Co-transfection with dominant positive or dominant negative mutants of the small GTPases Rab5 and Rab4, but not Rab11, profoundly modifies the steady-state and ligand-induced intracellular distribution of CB1R, indicating that constitutive endocytosis is Rab5-dependent, whereas constitutive recycling is mediated by Rab4. In conclusion, our results indicate that, due to its natural constitutive activity, CB1R permanently and constitutively cycles between plasma membrane and endosomes, leading to a predominantly intracellular localization at steady state.     

Mutual regulation between metabotropic glutamate type 1alpha receptor and caveolin proteins: from traffick to constitutive activity

In this paper, a molecular and functional interaction between metabotropic glutamate receptor type 1alpha (mGlu1alpha receptor) and caveolin-1 or caveolin-2beta is described. An overlapping pattern of staining for mGlu1alpha receptor with caveolin-1 and caveolin-2 by confocal laser microscopy in transiently transfected HEK-293 cells is observed. The presence of mGlu1alpha receptor in caveolin-enriched membrane fractions was demonstrated by flotation gradient analysis in the absence of detergents and the interaction between mGlu1alpha receptor with caveolin-1 and with caveolin-2beta was demonstrated by coimmunoprecipitation experiments. In HEK-293 cells, caveolin-2beta accumulates surrounding lipid droplets when single expressed but coexpression with mGlu1alpha receptor changed dramatically the subcellular localization of caveolin-2beta, directing it from lipid droplets to the cell surface. At the membrane level, the interaction between caveolin-1 and mGlu1alpha receptor could abrogate the constitutive activity exhibited by mGlu1alpha receptor. Overall, these results show that mGlu1alpha receptor interacts with caveolins and that this interaction is physiologically relevant for receptor function. Interestingly, we provide evidence that caveolin-1 is not just acting as a scaffolding protein for the mGlu1alpha receptor but that also regulates mGlu1alpha receptor constitutive activity.     

Proteolytic cleavage and nuclear translocation of fibrocystin is regulated by intracellular Ca2+ and activation of protein kinase C

Fibrocystin, a type I membrane protein of unknown function, is the protein affected in the autosomal recessive form of polycystic kidney disease. Here we show that fibrocystin undergoes regulated proteolysis. Several proteolytic cleavages occur within the predicted ectodomain, whereas at least one cleavage occurs within the cytoplasmic portion. The latter generates a C-terminal intracellular fragment that harbors the nuclear localization signal KRKVSRLAVTGERTATPAPKIPRIT and translocates to the nucleus. Proteolytic cleavage of fibrocystin occurs constitutively in long term cultures of polarized inner medullary collecting duct cells (mIMCD-3). Activation of protein kinase C and release of intracellular Ca2+ are required for proteolysis under these conditions. In short term cultures of human embryonic kidney 293 cells (HEK-293), proteolytic cleavage of fibrocystin can be elicited by stimulation of intracellular Ca2+ release or activation of protein kinase C. These results identify a novel Ca2+-dependent pathway that signals from fibrocystin located in the cell membrane to the nucleus.     

Amino acids in the cytoplasmic C terminus of the parathyroid Ca2+-sensing receptor mediate efficient cell-surface expression and phospholipase C activation

The C-terminal tail of the calcium receptor (CaR) regulates the affinity of the receptor for ligand, desensitization, and membrane localization. To determine the role of specific amino acids in the bovine parathyroid CaR in mediating signal transduction and cell-surface expression, we transfected truncated and mutated CaR cDNAs into HEK-293 cells. The ability of high extracellular [Ca(2+)] ([Ca(2+)](o)) to increase total inositol phosphate (InsP) production, an index of phospholipase C (PLC) activation, was determined. Receptor expression was assessed by immunoblotting and immunocytochemistry. In cells transiently or stably expressing receptors with the C-terminal tail truncated after residue 895 (CaR-(1-895)) or 929 (CaR-(1-929)), raising [Ca(2+)](o) increased InsPs to levels comparable with those of cells expressing wild-type CaRs. There were no PLC responses to high [Ca(2+)](o) (up to 30 mm) in cells expressing CaRs with C-terminal tails of only 3 residues (CaR-(1-866)), even though these receptors were expressed in the membrane. We scanned the residues between Ser(866) and Val(895) using tandem-Ala and single-site mutagenesis. Two point mutants (His(880) --> Ala and Phe(882) --> Ala CaR) showed 50-70% reductions in high [Ca(2+)](o)-induced InsP production. The levels of expression and glycosylation of these mutants were comparable with wild-type CaRs, but both receptors were profoundly retained in intracellular organelles and co-localized with the endoplasmic reticulum marker BiP. This suggested that the signaling defects of these receptors were likely because of defective trafficking of receptors to the cell surface. Modeling of the C-terminal domain of the CaR indicated that His(880) and Phe(882) are situated in a putative alpha-helical structure of 15 amino acids between residues 877 and 891 in the C-terminal tail. Our studies support the idea that specific amino acids, and possibly a unique secondary structure in the C-terminal tail, are required for the efficient targeting of the CaR to the cell surface required for PLC activation.     

Mitochondrial ascorbic acid transport is mediated by a low-affinity form of the sodium-coupled ascorbic acid transporter-2

Despite the fundamental importance of the redox metabolism of mitochondria under normal and pathological conditions, our knowledge regarding the transport of vitamin C across mitochondrial membranes remains far from complete. We report here that human HEK-293 cells express a mitochondrial low-affinity ascorbic acid transporter that molecularly corresponds to SVCT2, a member of the sodium-coupled ascorbic acid transporter family 2. The transporter SVCT1 is absent from HEK-293 cells. Confocal colocalization experiments with anti-SVCT2 and anti-organelle protein markers revealed that most of the SVCT2 immunoreactivity was associated with mitochondria, with minor colocalization at the endoplasmic reticulum and very low immunoreactivity at the plasma membrane. Immunoblotting of proteins extracted from highly purified mitochondrial fractions confirmed that SVCT2 protein was associated with mitochondria, and transport analysis revealed a sigmoidal ascorbic acid concentration curve with an apparent ascorbic acid transport K_m of 0.6 mM. Use of SVCT2 siRNA for silencing SVCT2 expression produced a major decrease in mitochondrial SVCT2 immunoreactivity, and immunoblotting revealed decreased SVCT2 protein expression by approximately 75%. Most importantly, the decreased protein expression was accompanied by a concomitant decrease in the mitochondrial ascorbic acid transport rate. Further studies using HEK-293 cells overexpressing SVCT2 at the plasma membrane revealed that the altered kinetic properties of mitochondrial SVCT2 are due to the ionic intracellular microenvironment (low in sodium and high in potassium), with potassium acting as a concentration-dependent inhibitor of SVCT2. We discarded the participation of two glucose transporters previously described as mitochondrial dehydroascorbic acid transporters; GLUT1 is absent from mitochondria and GLUT10 is not expressed in HEK-293 cells. Overall, our data indicate that intracellular SVCT2 is localized in mitochondria, is sensitive to an intracellular microenvironment low in sodium and high in potassium, and functions as a low-affinity ascorbic acid transporter. We propose that the mitochondrial localization of SVCT2 is a property shared across cells, tissues, and species.