Structure of the PH domain and Btk motif from Bruton's tyrosine kinase: molecular explanations for X-linked agammaglobulinaemia.

Bruton''s tyrosine kinase (Btk) is an enzyme which is involved in maturation of B cells. It is a target for mutations causing X-linked agammaglobulinaemia (XLA) in man. We have determined the structure of the N-terminal part of Btk by X-ray crystallography at 1.6 A resolution. This part of the kinase contains a pleckstrin homology (PH) domain and a Btk motif. The structure of the PH domain is similar to those published previously: a seven-stranded bent beta-sheet with a C-terminal alpha-helix. Individual point mutations within the Btk PH domain which cause XLA can be classified as either structural or functional in the light of the three-dimensional structure and biochemical data. All functional mutations cluster into the positively charged end of the molecule around the predicted binding site for phosphatidylinositol lipids. It is likely that these mutations inactivate the Btk pathway in cell signalling by reducing its affinity for inositol phosphates, which causes a failure in translocation of the kinase to the cell membrane. A small number of signalling proteins contain a Btk motif that always follows a PH domain in the sequence. This small module has a novel fold which is held together by a zinc ion bound by three conserved cysteines and a histidine. The Btk motif packs against the second half of the beta-sheet of the PH domain, forming a close contact with it. Our structure opens up new ways to study the role of the PH domain and Btk motif in the cellular function of Btk and the molecular basis of its dysfunction in XLA patients.     

Demonstration of inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate receptor binding

Inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate (InsP4) is produced rapidly upon stimulation of the phosphoinositide system and may serve as a second messenger in hormone and neurotransmitter action. In this report we demonstrate specific binding sites for [3H]InsP4 in rat tissue membranes. In cerebellar membranes, [3H]InsP4 binding sites are displaced both by InsP4 and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) with similar potency (IC50 approximately equal to 300 nM) whereas several other inositol phosphates are much weaker. We have distinguished the InsP4 binding site from the InsP3 receptor binding site by differences in brain regional and tissue distribution, affinity for InsP4 and InsP3, and sensitivity to calcium.     

Formation and metabolism of inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate in liver

The inositol lipid pools of isolated rat hepatocytes were labeled with [3H]myo-inositol, stimulated maximally with vasopressin and the relative contents of [3H]inositol phosphates were measured by high performance liquid chromatography. Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate accumulated rapidly (peak 20 s), while inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate and a novel inositol phosphate (ascribed to inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate) accumulated at a slower rate over 2 min. Incubation of hepatocytes with 10 mM Li+ prior to vasopressin addition selectively augmented the levels of inositol monophosphate, inositol 1,4-bisphosphate, and inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate. A kinase was partially purified from liver and brain cortex which catalyzed an ATP-dependent phosphorylation of [3H]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate to inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate. Incubation of purified [3H]inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate with diluted liver homogenate produced initially inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate and subsequently inositol 1,3-bisphosphate, the formation of which could be inhibited by Li+. The data demonstrate that the most probable pathway for the formation of inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate is by 3-phosphorylation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate by a soluble mammalian kinase. Degradation of both compounds occurs first by a Li+-insensitive 5-phosphatase and subsequently by a Li+-sensitive 4-phosphatase. The prolonged accumulation of both inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate in vasopressin-stimulated hepatocytes suggest that they have separate second messenger roles, perhaps both relating to Ca2+-signalling events.     

Regulation of innate immunity by inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate

Many neutrophil functions are mediated by PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 that exerts its role by mediating protein translocation via binding to their PH-domains. Inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate (Ins(1,3,4,5)P4) binds the same PH domain, competes for its binding to PtdIns(3,4,5)P3, and thus negatively regulates PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 signaling. In neutrophils, chemoattractant stimulation triggers rapid elevation in Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 level. Depletion of Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 by deleting InsP3KB, the major enzyme producing Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 in neutrophils, augments PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 downstream signals, leading to enhanced sensitivity to chemoattractant stimulation, elevated superoxide production, and enhanced neutrophil recruitment to inflamed peritoneal cavity. InsP3KB gene is also expressed in hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. In InsP3KB null mice, the bone marrow granulocyte monocyte progenitor (GMP) population is expanded and the proliferation of GMP cells is accelerated. As results, neutrophil production in the bone marrow is enhanced and peripheral blood neutrophil count is elevated. Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 also plays a role in maintaining neutrophil survival. Depletion of Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 leads to accelerated neutrophil spontaneous death. Finally, InsP3KB and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 are essential components in bacterial killing by neutrophils. Despite of the augmented neutrophil recruitment, the clearance of bacteria in the InsP3KB knockout mice is significantly impaired. Collectively, these findings establish InsP3KB and its product Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 as essential modulators of neutrophil function and innate immunity.     

Design and synthesis of biotinylated inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate targeting Grp1 pleckstrin homology domain

A bifunctional molecule containing biotin and d-myo-inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate was synthesized. This molecule was designed on the basis of X-ray structure of the complex of d-myo-inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphates, Ins(1,3,4,5)P(4), and Grp1 PH (general receptor of phosphoinositides pleckstrin homology) domain for the application to the widely employed biotin-avidin techniques. The building block of inositol moiety was synthesized starting with myo-inositol and assembled with the biotin-linker moiety through a phosphate linkage. The equilibrium dissociation constant K(D) of biotinylated Ins(1,3,4,5)P(4) binding of original Grp1 PH domain was 0.14 μM in pull-down analysis, which was comparable to that of unmodified Ins(1,3,4,5)P(4). Furthermore, biotinylated Ins(1,3,4,5)P(4) had an ability to distinguish Grp1 PH domain from PLCδ(1) PH domain. Thus, biotinylated Ins(1,3,4,5)P(4) retained the binding affinity and selectivity of original Grp1 PH domain, and realized the intracellular Ins(1,3,4,5)P(4) despite a tethering at the 1-phosphate group of inositol.     

Distinct subcellular localisations of the putative inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate receptors GAP1 and GAP1 result from the GAP1 PH domain directing plasma membrane targeting

Inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate (IP₄), is a ubiquitous inositol phosphate that has been suggested to function as a second messenger. Recently, we purified and cloned a putative IP₄ receptor, termed GAP1^IP4BP[1], which is also a member of the GAP1 family of GTPase-activating proteins for the Ras family of GTPases. A homologue of GAP1^IP4BP, called GAP1^m, has been identified [2] and here we describe the cloning of a GAP1^m cDNA from a human circulating-blood cDNA library. We found that a deletion mutant of GAP1^m, in which the putative phospholipid-binding domains (C2A and C2B) have been removed, binds to IP₄ with a similar affinity and specificity to that of the corresponding GAP1^IP4BP mutant. Expression studies of the proteins in either COS-7 or HeLa cells showed that, whereas GAP1^IP4BP is located solely at the plasma membrane, GAP1^m seems to have a distinct perinuclear localisation. By mutational analysis, we have shown that the contrast in subcellular distribution of these two closely related proteins may be a function of their respective pleckstrin homology (PH) domains. This difference in localisation has fundamental significance for our understanding of the second messenger functions of IP₄.     

Properties of a soluble inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate 3-phosphatase from porcine brain.

Polyclonal antibodies to the major beta-naphthoflavone (BNF)-inducible form of cytochrome P-450 (P450IA) and to the major phenobarbitone (PB)-inducible form (P450IIB) have been used to quantify the contribution of these subfamilies to the total amount of cytochrome P-450 in rat livers and rat hepatocyte cultures treated with PB, BNF and metyrapone for 24 and 72 h. The P450IA and IIB subfamilies were not detectable (less than 5 pmol/mg of microsomal protein) in the livers of control rats, but administration of BNF resulted in the P450IA subfamily comprising more than 80% of the total hepatic cytochrome P-450. Administration of PB and metyrapone to rats did not elevate the level of this subfamily but elevated the levels of the P450IIB subfamily to 60% and 30% respectively of the total. Thus metyrapone is a ''PB-like'' inducer. However, in contrast with their effects in vivo, treatment with PB and metyrapone of rat hepatocytes did not elevate the proportion of the P450IIB subfamily relative to that in untreated cells but rather, like BNF, increased the P450IA subfamily. This would account for the ability of metyrapone to produce in hepatocyte culture, like BNF, a pronounced induction of ethoxyresorufin O-de-ethylase activity, but it does not account for why of all inducers studied only metyrapone can maintain the total cytochrome P-450 content of cultured hepatocytes, or the activity of ethylmorphine N-demethylase. This activity is generally considered to be associated with the P450IIB subfamily, but the lack of effect of metyrapone on this subfamily in hepatocyte culture must suggest that metyrapone is able to prevent the loss of the total amount of the cytochrome by increasing the expression of other cytochromes P-450.     

A single circularly permuted GFP sensor for inositol-1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate based on a split PH domain

A fluorescent sensor for the detection of inositol-1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate, Ins(1,3,4,5)P₄, was constructed from a split PH domain and a single circularly permuted GFP. A structure-based design was conducted to transduce a ligand-induced subtle structural perturbation of the split PH domain to an alteration in the population of the protonated and the deprotonated states of the GFP chromophore. Excitation of each distinct absorption band corresponding to the protonated or the deprotonated state of GFP resulted an increase and a decrease, respectively, in the intensity of emission spectra upon addition of Ins(1,3,4,5)P₄ to the split PH domain-based sensor. The Ins(1,3,4,5)P₄ sensor retained the ligand affinity and the selectivity of the parent PH domain, and realized the ratiometric fluorescence detection of Ins(1,3,4,5)P₄.     

Agonist-induced calcium signaling is impaired in fibroblasts overproducing inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate.

The proposed Ca(2+)-signaling actions of inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate (Ins(1,3,4,5)P4), formed by phosphorylation of the primary Ca(2+)-mobilizing messenger, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3), were analyzed in NIH 3T3 and CCL39 fibroblasts transfected with rat brain Ins(1,4,5)P3 3-kinase. In such kinase-transfected cells, the conversion of Ins(1,4,5)P3 to Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 during agonist stimulation was greatly increased, with a concomitant reduction in Ins(1,4,5)P3 levels and attenuation of both the cytoplasmic Ca2+ increase and the Ca2+ influx response. This reduction in Ca2+ signaling was observed during activation of receptors coupled to guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (thrombin and bradykinin), as well as with those possessing tyrosine kinase activity. Single-cell Ca2+ measurements in CCL39 cells revealed that the smaller averaged Ca2+ response of enzyme-transfected cells was due to a marked increase in the number of cells expressing small and slow Ca2+ increases, in contrast to the predominantly large and rapid Ca2+ responses of vector-transfected controls. There was no evidence that high Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 levels promote Ca2+ mobilization, Ca2+ entry, or Ca2+ sequestration. These data indicate that Ins(1,4,5)P3 is the major determinant of the agonist-induced Ca2+ signal in fibroblasts and that Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 does not appear to contribute significantly to this process. Instead, Ins(1,4,5)P3 3-kinase may serve as a negative regulator of the Ca(2+)-phosphoinositide signal transduction mechanism.     

High-affinity inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate receptor from cerebellum: solubilization, partial purification and characterization

Proteins which bind with high affinity Ins 1,3,4,5-P4 or Ins 1,4,5-P3 were solubilized from porcine cerebellar membranes. Both binding activities were separated by heparin-agarose chromatography. The Ins 1,3,4,5-P4 receptor was partially purified with an approximately 1000-fold enrichment as compared to the membrane preparation. In the receptor-enriched preparation the Ins 1,3,4,5-P413 binding protein had an affinity (Kd) for Ins 1,3,4,5-P4 of 4.6 nM. Ins 1,3,4,5,6-P5 displaced [3H]Ins 1,3,4,5-P4 binding with a comparable affinity. The Ins 1,3,4,5-P4 binding protein displayed high selectivity for Ins 1,3,4,5-P4 over other inositol-phosphates (IC50 for Ins 1,4,5,6-P4 150 nM, for Ins-P6 1 microM and for Ins 1,3,4-P3 5 microM). Most importantly, Ins 1,4,5-P3 did not displace [3H]Ins 1,3,4,5-P4 binding at concentrations up to 10 microM. Binding of Ins 1,3,4,5-P4 was maximal in the pH range between 4.5 and 6, was stable with Ca2+ concentration varied from 1 nM to 1 mM, and was suppressed by heparin (IC50 about 2 nM). The high affinity receptor for Ins 1,3,4,5-P4 reported here, which is distinct from the Ins 1,4,5-P3 receptor might allow to evaluate the possible functional role of Ins 1,3,4,5-P4 in the cellular signal transduction.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic analysis of myo-inositol phosphates including inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate

1H and 31P NMR spectra of a variety of phosphorylated myo-inositols have been analyzed using a Bruker WH-360 spectrometer. Proton and phosphorus chemical shifts and coupling constants are reported for myo-inositol 1-phosphate, myo-inositol 2-phosphate, myo-inositol 5-phosphate, myo-inositol 1,2-cyclic phosphate, myo-inositol 1,4-bisphosphate, myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, and myo-inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate. These data provide the basis for the chemical identification and characterization of biologically relevant inositol phosphates.     

Insights into the conformational flexibility of Bruton's tyrosine kinase from multiple ligand complex structures

Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) plays a key role in B cell receptor signaling and is considered a promising drug target for lymphoma and inflammatory diseases. We have determined the X-ray crystal structures of BTK kinase domain in complex with six inhibitors from distinct chemical classes. Five different BTK protein conformations are stabilized by the bound inhibitors, providing insights into the structural flexibility of the Gly-rich loop, helix C, the DFG sequence, and activation loop. The conformational changes occur independent of activation loop phosphorylation and do not correlate with the structurally unchanged WEI motif in the Src homology 2-kinase domain linker. Two novel activation loop conformations and an atypical DFG conformation are observed representing unique inactive states of BTK. Two regions within the activation loop are shown to structurally transform between 3(10)- and α-helices, one of which collapses into the adenosine-5'-triphosphate binding pocket. The first crystal structure of a Tec kinase family member in the pharmacologically important DFG-out conformation and bound to a type II kinase inhibitor is described. The different protein conformations observed provide insights into the structural flexibility of BTK, the molecular basis of its regulation, and the structure-based design of specific inhibitors.     

Thrombin and phorbol ester stimulate inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate 3-phosphomonoesterase in human platelets

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3), which mobilizes intracellular Ca2+, is metabolized either by dephosphorylation to inositol 1,4-bisphosphate(Ins-(1,4)P2) or by phosphorylation to inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate (Ins(1,3,4,5)P4). It has been shown in vitro that Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 is also dephosphorylated by a 5-phosphomonoesterase to inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate. However, we have found that exogenous Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 is dephosphorylated to predominantly Ins(1,4,5)P3 in saponin-permeabilized platelets in the presence of KCl (40-160 mM). This inositol polyphosphate 3-phosphomonoesterase activity is independent of Ca2+ (0.1-100 microM), and it was also observed when the ionic strength of the incubation medium was increased with Na+. The action of KCl appears to be due to activation of a 3-phosphomonoesterase as well as an inhibition of the 5-phosphomonoesterase, because the dephosphorylation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 to Ins(1,4)P2 was completely inhibited by KCl. The 3-phosphomonoesterase may be regulated by a protein kinase C, since both thrombin and phorbol dibutyrate increase 3-phosphomonoesterase activity and this is inhibited by staurosporine. The formation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 from Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 reported here provides an additional pathway for the formation of the Ca2+-mobilizing second messenger in stimulated cells.     

Inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate increases the duration of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-mediated Ca2+ transient

The effect of Ins 1,3,4,5-P4 on the intracellular Ca2+ mobilization produced by Ins 1,4,5-P3 has been examined in permeabilized hepatocytes. Ins 1,3,4,5-P4 did not affect the magnitude of the Ins 1,4,5-P3-mediated Ca2+ release but did inhibit re-accumulation of the released Ca2+ back into intracellular stores. This effect was not mimicked by Ins 1,3,4-P3. In hepatocytes, the re-uptake phase of the response results from Ins 1,4,5-P3 hydrolysis. Measurements using labeled substrates indicate that Ins 1,3,4,5-P4 inhibits the hydrolysis of Ins 1,4,5-P3 and vice versa. Since the removal of the 5-phosphate on Ins 1,4,5-P3 and Ins 1,3,4,5-P4 is a common step in the disposal of both compounds, it is suggested that one of the biological effects of Ins 1,3,4,5-P4 may be to slow hydrolysis of Ins 1,4,5-P3 and thereby prolong the duration of a Ca2+ transient.     

Formation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate from inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate and their pathways of degradation in RBL-2H3 cells

Previous studies with antigen-stimulated rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells indicated the formation of multiple isomers of each of the various categories of inositol phosphates. The identities of the different isomers have been elucidated by selective labeling of [3H]inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate with [32P]phosphate in the 3'-or 4',5'-positions and by following the metabolism of different radiolabeled inositol phosphates in extracts of RBL-2H3 cells. We report here that inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate, when incubated with the membrane fraction of extracts of RBL-2H3 cells, was converted to inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate. Further dephosphorylation of the inositol polyphosphates proceeded rapidly in whole extracts of cells, although the process was significantly retarded when ATP (2 mM) levels were maintained by an ATP-regenerating system. The degradation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate proceeded with the sequential formation of inositol 1,4-bisphosphate, the inositol 4-monophosphate (with smaller amounts of the 1-monophosphate), and finally inositol. Inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate, on the other hand, was converted to inositol 1,3-bisphosphate and inositol 3,4-bisphosphate and subsequently to inositol 4-monophosphate and inositol 1-monophosphate (stereoisomeric forms were undetermined). The possible implications of the apparent interconversion between inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate in regulating histamine secretion in the RBL-2H3 cells are discussed.     

Nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of Bruton's tyrosine kinase

Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk), a nonreceptor cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase belonging to the Tec family of kinases, has been shown to be critical for B cell proliferation, differentiation, and signaling. Loss-of-function mutations in the Btk gene lead to X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA), a primary immunodeficiency in humans, and the less severe condition xid in mice. Although Btk is mainly localized in the cytoplasm under steady state conditions, it translocates to the plasma membrane upon growth factor stimulation and cross-linking of the B cell receptor. Nevertheless, in ectopically as well as endogenously Btk-expressing cells, it can also translocate to the nucleus. Deletion of the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain (DeltaPH1) leads, however, to an even redistribution of Btk within the nucleus and cytoplasm in the majority of transfected cells. In contrast, an SH3-deleted (DeltaSH3) mutant of Btk has been found to be predominantly nuclear. We also demonstrate that the nuclear accumulation of DeltaPH1 is dependent on Src expression. This nucleocytoplasmic shuttling is sensitive to the exportin 1/CRM1-inactivating drug, leptomycin B, indicating that Btk utilizes functional nuclear export signals. In addition, while the DeltaPH1 mutant of Btk was found to be active and tyrosine-phosphorylated in vivo, DeltaSH3 displayed decreased autokinase activity and was not phosphorylated. Our findings indicate that the nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of Btk has implications regarding potential targets inside the nucleus, which may be critical in gene regulation during B cell development and differentiation.     

Kinetics of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate generation in dog-thyroid primary cultured cells stimulated by carbachol

The action of carbachol on the generation of inositol trisphosphate and tetrakisphosphate isomers was investigated in dog-thyroid primary cultured cells radiolabelled with [3H]inositol. The separation of the inositol phosphate isomers was performed by reverse-phase high pressure liquid chromatography. The structure of inositol phosphates co-eluting with inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] and inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate [Ins(1,3,4,5)P4] standards was determined by enzymatic degradation using a purified Ins(1,4,5)P3/Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 5-phosphatase. The data indicate that Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 was the only [3H]inositol phosphate which co-eluted with a [32P]Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 standard, whereas 80% of the [3H]InsP3 co-eluting with an Ins(1,4,5)P3 standard was actually this isomer. In the presence of Li+, carbachol led to rapid increases in [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P4. The level of Ins(1,4,5)P3 reached a peak at 200% of the control after 5-10 s of stimulation and fell to a plateau that remained slightly elevated for 2 min. The level of Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 reached its maximum at 20s. The level of inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate [Ins(1,3,4)P3] increased continuously for 2 min after the addition of carbachol. Inositol-phosphate generation was also investigated under different pharmacological conditions. Li+ largely increased the level of Ins(1,3,4)P3 but had no effect on Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4. Forskolin, which stimulates dog-thyroid adenylate cyclase and cyclic-AMP accumulation, had no effect on the generation of inositol phosphates. The absence of extracellular Ca2+ largely decreased the level of Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 as expected considering the Ca2(+)-calmodulin sensitivity of the Ins(1,4,5)P3 3-kinase. Staurosporine, an inhibitor of protein kinase C, increased the levels of Ins(1,4,5)P3, Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 and Ins(1,3,4)P3. This supports a negative feedback control of diacyglycerol on Ins(1,4,5)P3 generation.     

Structure of the binding site for inositol phosphates in a PH domain.

Phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate has been found to bind specifically to pleckstrin homology (PH) domains that are commonly present in signalling proteins but also found in cytoskeleton. We have studied the complexes of the beta-spectrin PH domain and soluble inositol phosphates using both circular dichroism and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. The specific binding site is located in the centre of a positively charged surface patch of the domain. The presence of 4,5-bisphosphate group on the inositol ring is critical for binding. In the crystal structure that has been determined at 2.0 A resolution, inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate is bound with salt bridges and hydrogen bonds through these phosphate groups whereas the 1-phosphate group is mostly solvent-exposed and the inositol ring has virtually no interactions with the protein. We propose a model in which PH domains are involved in reversible anchoring of proteins to membranes via their specific binding to phosphoinositides. They could also participate in a response to a second messenger such as inositol trisphosphate, organizing cross-roads in cellular signalling.     

Bruton's tyrosine kinase associates with the actin-based cytoskeleton in activated platelets

Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) plays a crucial role in the maturation and differentiation of B-lymphocytes and immunoglobulin synthesis. Recently Btk has been described to be present in significant amount in human platelets. To investigate the regulation of this kinase in the platelets we studied its subcellular redistribution in the resting and activated cells. In the resting platelets Btk was almost absent from the actin-based cytoskeleton. Upon challenge of the platelet thrombin receptor upto 30% of total Btk appeared in the cytoskeleton and the protein underwent phosphorylation on tyrosine. Translocation of Btk to the cytoskeleton but not aggregation was prevented by cytochalasin B, which inhibits actin polymerization. Wortmannin and genistein (inhibitors of phosphoinositide 3-kinase and protein tyrosine kinase, respectively) decreased while phenylarsine oxide (a tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor) increased the cytoskeletal content of Btk. The association of Btk with the cytoskeleton was regulated by integrin alpha(IIb)beta(3) and partly reversible. Taken together, these data suggest that Btk might be a component of a signaling complex containing specific cytoskeletal proteins in the activated platelets.     

The structural integrity of the endoplasmic reticulum, and its possible regulation by inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a dynamic organelle thought to consist of a single interconnected network of membranes. Using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) of HEK-293 cells dually transfected with soluble fluorescent proteins targeted to the ER (GFP) and mitochondria (DsRed), we have confirmed this continuity, which contrasts that of the mitochondria, which behave as a population of discrete organelles. The degree of ER integrity (interconnected versus fragmented) has been suggested to be regulated in some cells by inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate (Ins(1,3,4,5)P(4)). In HEK-293 and freshly isolated murine lacrimal acinar cells, we manipulated ER structure by disrupting cellular Ca(2+) homeostasis with the Ca(2+) ionophore ionomycin, and by permeabilisation of the plasma membrane, protocols known to cause ER fragmentation. However, we were subsequently unable to detect by FRAP any significant effect of Ins(1,3,4,5)P(4) on ER integrity.