The type I inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor interacts with protein 4.1N to mediate neurite formation through intracellular Ca waves

Ca(2+) waves are an important mechanism for encoding Ca(2+) signaling information, but the molecular basis for wave formation and how this regulates neuronal function is not entirely understood. Using nerve growth factor-differentiated PC12 cells as a model system, we investigated the interaction between the type I inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R1) and the cytoskeletal linker, protein 4.1N, to examine the relationship between Ca(2+) wave formation and neurite development. This was examined using RNAi and overexpressed dominant negative binding regions of each protein. Confocal microscopy was used to monitor neurite formation and Ca(2+) waves. Knockdown of IP3R1 or 4.1N attenuated neurite formation, as did binding regions of IP3R1 and 4.1N, which colocalized with endogenous 4.1N and IP3R1, respectively. Upon stimulation with the IP3-producing agonist carbachol, both RNAi and dominant negative molecules shifted signaling events from waves to homogeneous patterns of Ca(2+) release. These findings provide evidence that IP3R1 localization, via protein 4.1N, is necessary for Ca(2+) wave formation, which in turn mediates neurite formation.     

The spatial distribution of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor isoforms shapes Ca2+ waves

Cytosolic Ca(2+) is a versatile second messenger that can regulate multiple cellular processes simultaneously. This is accomplished in part through Ca(2+) waves and other spatial patterns of Ca(2+) signals. To investigate the mechanism responsible for the formation of Ca(2+) waves, we examined the role of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (InsP3R) isoforms in Ca(2+) wave formation. Ca(2+) signals were examined in hepatocytes, which express the type I and II InsP3R in a polarized fashion, and in AR4-2J cells, a nonpolarized cell line that expresses type I and II InsP3R in a ratio similar to what is found in hepatocytes but homogeneously throughout the cell. Expression of type I or II InsP3R was selectively suppressed by isoform-specific DNA antisense in an adenoviral delivery system, which was delivered to AR4-2J cells in culture and to hepatocytes in vivo. Loss of either isoform inhibited Ca(2+) signals to a similar extent in AR4-2J cells. In contrast, loss of the basolateral type I InsP3R decreased the sensitivity of hepatocytes to vasopressin but had little effect on the initiation or spread of Ca(2+) waves across hepatocytes. Loss of the apical type II isoform caused an even greater decrease in the sensitivity of hepatocytes to vasopressin and resulted in Ca(2+) waves that were much slower and delayed in onset. These findings provide evidence that the apical concentration of type II InsP3Rs is essential for the formation of Ca(2+) waves in hepatocytes. The subcellular distribution of InsP3R isoforms may critically determine the repertoire of spatial patterns of Ca(2+) signals.     

Subcellular distribution of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors: functional relevance and molecular determinants

The inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) is an intracellular Ca2+ channel that is for the largest part expressed in the endoplasmic reticulum. Its precise subcellular localization is an important factor for the correct initiation and propagation of Ca2+ signals. The relative position of the IP3Rs, and thus of the IP3-sensitive Ca2+ stores, to mitochondria, nucleus or plasma membrane determines in many cases the physiological consequences of IP3-induced Ca2+ release. Most cell types express more than one IP3R isoform and their subcellular distribution is cell-type dependent. Moreover, it was recently demonstrated that depending on the physiological status of the cell redistribution of IP3Rs and/or of IP3-sensitive Ca2+ stores could occur. This indicates that the cell must be able to regulate not only IP3R expression but also its distribution. The various proteins potentially determining IP3R localization and redistribution will therefore be discussed.     

Expression of a truncated form of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type III in the cytosol of DT40 triple inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor-knockout cells

In non-excitable cells, the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) is an intracellular Ca2+ channel playing a major role in Ca2+ signaling. Three isoforms of IP3R have been identified and most cell types express different proportions of each isoform. The DT40 B lymphocyte cell line lacking all three IP3R isoforms (DT40IP3R-KO cells) represents an excellent model to re-express any recombinant IP3R and analyze its specific properties. In the study presented here, we confirmed that DT40IP3R-KO cells do not express any IP3-sensitive Ca2+ release channel. However, with an immunoblot approach and a [3H]IP3 binding approach we demonstrated the presence of a C-terminally truncated form of IP3R type III in the cytosolic fraction of DT40IP3R-KO cells. We further showed that this truncated IP3R retained the ability to couple to the Ca2+ entry channel TRPC6. Therefore, a word of caution is offered about the interpretation of results obtained in using DT40IP3R-KO cells to study the cellular mechanisms of Ca2+ entry.     

Protein kinase C decreases the apparent affinity of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type 3 in RINm5F cells

In non-excitable cells, the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) is an intracellular Ca2+ channel which plays a major role in Ca2+ signalling. Three isoforms of IP3R have been identified (IP3R-1, IP3R-2 and IP3R-3) and most cell types express different proportions of each isoform. The differences between the pharmacological and functional properties of the various isoforms of IP3R are poorly known. RINm5F cells who express almost exclusively (approximately 90%) the IP3R-3, represent an interesting model to study this particular isoform. Here, we investigated a regulatory mechanism by which protein kinase C (PKC) may influence IP3R-3-mediated Ca2+ release. With an immunoprecipitation approach we confirmed that RINm5F cells express almost exclusively the IP3R-3 isoform. With an in vitro phosphorylation approach, we showed that the immunopurified IP3R-3 was efficiently phosphorylated by exogenous PKC. With a direct in cellulo approach and an indirect in cellulo back-phosphorylation approach we showed that phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) causes the phosphorylation of IP3R-3 in intact RINm5F cells. In saponin-permeabilized RINm5F cells, 3-induced Ca2+ release was reduced after a pre-treatment with PMA. PMA also reduced the Ca2+ response of intact RINm5F cells stimulated with carbachol and EGF, two agonists that use different receptor types to activate phospholipase C. These results suggest the existence of a negative feedback mechanism involving two components of the Ca2+ signalling cascade, whereby activated PKC dampens IP3R-3 activity.     

Amplification of Ca2+ signaling by diacylglycerol-mediated inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate production

Stimulation of various cell surface receptors leads to the production of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol (DAG) through phospholipase C (PLC) activation, and the IP3 and DAG in turn trigger Ca2+ release through IP3 receptors and protein kinase C activation, respectively. The amount of IP(3) produced is particularly critical to determining the spatio-temporally coordinated Ca(2+)-signaling patterns. In this paper, we report a novel signal cross-talk between DAG and the IP3-mediated Ca(2+)-signaling pathway. We found that a DAG derivative, 1-oleoyl-2-acyl-sn-glycerol (OAG), induces Ca2+ oscillation in various types of cells independently of protein kinase C activity and extracellular Ca2+. The OAG-induced Ca2+ oscillation was completely abolished by depletion of Ca2+ stores or inhibition of PLC and IP3 receptors, indicating that OAG stimulates IP3 production through PLC activation and thereby induces IP3-induced Ca2+ release. Furthermore, intracellular accumulation of endogenous DAG by a DAG-lipase inhibitor greatly increased the number of cells responding to agonist stimulation at low doses. These results suggest a novel physiological function of DAG, i.e. amplification of Ca2+ signaling by enhancing IP3 production via its positive feedback effect on PLC activity.     

Lateral diffusion of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type 1 is regulated by actin filaments and 4.1N in neuronal dendrites

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type1 (IP3R1) plays an important role in neuronal functions; however, the lateral diffusion of IP3R1 on the endoplasmic reticulum membrane and its regulation in the living neurons remain unknown. We expressed green fluorescent protein-tagged IP3R1 in cultured rat hippocampal neurons and observed the lateral diffusion by the fluorescence recovery after photobleaching technique. IP3R1 showed lateral diffusion with an effective diffusion constant of approximately 0.3 microm2/s. Depletion of actin filaments increased the diffusion constant of IP3R1, suggesting that the diffusion of IP3R1 is regulated negatively through actin filaments. We also found that protein 4.1N, which binds to IP3R1 and contains an actin-spectrin-binding region, was responsible for this actin regulation of the IP3R1 diffusion constant. Overexpression of dominant-negative 4.1N and blockade of 4.1N binding to IP3R1 increased the IP3R1 diffusion constant. The diffusion of IP3R type 3 (IP3R3), one of the isoforms of IP3Rs lacking the binding ability to 4.1N, was not dependent on actin filaments but became dependent on actin filaments after the addition of a 4.1N-binding sequence. These data suggest that 4.1N serves as a linker protein between IP3R1 and actin filaments. This actin filament-dependent regulation of IP3R1 diffusion may be important for the spatiotemporal regulation of intracellular Ca2+ signaling.     

Visualization of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type III with green fluorescent protein in living cells

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) is an intracellular Ca2+ channel that releases Ca2+ into the cytosol and its subcellular distribution is believed to have significant effects on Ca2+ signalling. We constructed a plasmid vector containing full-length rat type 3 IP3R linked to GFP (GFP-IP3R) for expression in mammalian cells. Western blot analyses revealed that the expressed fusion protein contained both GFP and full-length type 3 IP3R. Fluorescence confocal microscopy showed that the fluorescence of GFP-IP3R3 was distributed to reticular network structures, even after cell permeabilization with saponin. We further visualized intracellular membranes with DiOC6, a vital fluorescent marker for intracellular membranes, and provide evidence that the distribution of GFP-IP3R3 overlaps with the distribution of the endoplasmic reticulum. Our results indicate that GFP-IP3R3 can be used to visualize IP3R in living cells, and pave the way for subsequent mutational and functional studies.     

Differential inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor signaling in a neuronal cell line

Differential intracellular distribution of the three pharmacologically and biophysically distinct types of IP3Rs can lead to different subcellular Ca2+ transients each coupled to discrete intracellular functions. Here, we report the functional localization of differentially distributed IP3 receptor types in the commonly-used hippocampal cell line HT22. The distinct subcellular localization and Ca2+ signaling properties of these receptors determine the potential role of specific IP3 receptor types in cellular function. By utilizing immunochemistry, we conclude that HT22 cells express all three IP3 receptors with types 1 and 3 being expressed predominantly in the endoplasmic reticulum and perinuclear regions and type 2 being expressed predominantly in the nuclear envelope. Optical imaging studies using the Ca2+-sensitive indicator dye fluo-3 show that nuclear IP3 responses have greater amplitude and faster kinetics than cytosolic IP3 responses corresponding to the biophysical characteristics of the differentially distributed receptor types. These results support the hypothesis that differentially distributed IP3R isotypes mediate distinct cellular functions through differential, organelle-specific Ca2+ signaling.     

Mitochondria suppress local feedback activation of inositol 1,4, 5-trisphosphate receptors by Ca2+.

The concerted action of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) and Ca2+ on the IP3 receptor Ca2+ release channel (IP3R) is a fundamental step in the generation of cytosolic Ca2+ oscillations and waves, which underlie Ca2+ signaling in many cells. Mitochondria appear in close association with regions of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) enriched in IP3R and are particularly responsive to IP3-induced increases of cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]c). To determine whether feedback regulation of the IP3R by released Ca2+ is modulated by mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake, the interactions between ER and mitochondrial Ca2+ pools were examined by fluorescence imaging of compartmentalized Ca2+ indicators in permeabilized hepatocytes. IP3 decreased luminal ER Ca2+ ([Ca2+]ER), and this was paralleled by an increase in mitochondrial matrix Ca2+ ([Ca2+]m) and activation of Ca2+-sensitive mitochondrial metabolism. Remarkably, the decrease in [Ca2+]ER evoked by submaximal IP3 was enhanced when mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake was blocked with ruthenium red or uncoupler. Moreover, subcellular regions that were relatively deficient in mitochondria demonstrated greater sensitivity to IP3 than regions of the cell with a high density of mitochondria. These data demonstrate that Ca2+ uptake by the mitochondria suppresses the local positive feedback effects of Ca2+ on the IP3R, giving rise to subcellular heterogeneity in IP3 sensitivity and IP3R excitability. Thus, mitochondria can play an important role in setting the threshold for activation and establishing the subcellular pattern of IP3-dependent [Ca2+]c signaling.     

Isoforms of protein 4.1 are differentially distributed in heart muscle cells: relation of 4.1R and 4.1G to components of the Ca2+ homeostasis system

The 4.1 proteins are cytoskeletal adaptor proteins that are linked to the control of mechanical stability of certain membranes and to the cellular accumulation and cell surface display of diverse transmembrane proteins. One of the four mammalian 4.1 proteins, 4.1R (80 kDa/120 kDa isoforms), has recently been shown to be required for the normal operation of several ion transporters in the heart (Stagg MA et al. Circ Res, 2008; 103: 855-863). The other three (4.1G, 4.1N and 4.1B) are largely uncharacterised in the heart. Here, we use specific antibodies to characterise their expression, distribution and novel activities in the left ventricle. We detected 4.1R, 4.1G and 4.1N by immunofluorescence and immunoblotting, but not 4.1B. Only one splice variant of 4.1N and 4.1G was seen whereas there are several forms of 4.1R. 4.1N, like 4.1R, was present in intercalated discs, but unlike 4.1R, it was not localised at the lateral plasma membrane. Both 4.1R and 4.1N were in internal structures that, at the level of resolution of the light microscope, were close to the Z-disc (possibly T-tubules). 4.1G was also in intracellular structures, some of which were coincident with sarcoplasmic reticulum. 4.1G existed in an immunoprecipitable complex with spectrin and SERCA2. 80 kDa 4.1R was present in subcellular fractions enriched in intercalated discs, in a complex resistant to solubilization under non-denaturing conditions. At the intercalated disc 4.1R does not colocalise with the adherens junction protein, β-catenin, but does overlap with the other plasma membrane signalling proteins, the Na/K-ATPase and the Na/Ca exchanger NCX1. We conclude that isoforms of 4.1 proteins are differentially compartmentalised in the heart, and that they form specific complexes with proteins central to cardiomyocyte Ca(2+) metabolism.     

G protein-dependent Ca2+ signaling complexes in polarized cells

Polarized cells signal in a polarized manner. This is exemplified in the patterns of [Ca2+]i waves and [Ca2+]i oscillations evoked by stimulation of G protein-coupled receptors in these cells. Organization of Ca(2+)-signaling complexes in cellular microdomains, with the aid of scaffolding proteins, is likely to have a major role in shaping G protein-coupled [Ca2+]i signal pathways. In epithelial cells, these domains coincide with sites of [Ca2+]i-wave initiation and local [Ca2+]i oscillations. Cellular microdomains enriched with Ca(2+)-signaling proteins have been found in several cell types. Microdomains organize communication between Ca(2+)-signaling proteins in the plasma membrane and internal Ca2+ stores in the endoplasmic reticulum through the interaction between the IP3 receptors in the endoplasmic reticulum and Ca(2+)-influx channels in the plasma membrane. Ca2+ signaling appears to be controlled within the receptor complex by the regulators of G protein-signaling (RGS) proteins. Three domains in RGS4 and related RGS proteins contribute important regulatory features. The RGS domain accelerates GTP hydrolysis on the G alpha subunit to uncouple receptor stimulation from IP3 production; the C-terminus may mediate interaction with accessory proteins in the complex; and the N-terminus acts in a receptor-selective manner to confer regulatory specificity. Hence, RGS proteins have both catalytic and scaffolding function in Ca2+ signaling. Organization of Ca(2+)-signaling proteins into complexes within microdomains is likely to play a prominent role in the localized control of [Ca2+]i and in [Ca2+]i oscillations.     

Control of calcium signal propagation to the mitochondria by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-binding proteins

Cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]c) signals triggered by many agonists are established through the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) messenger pathway. This pathway is believed to use Ca2+-dependent local interactions among IP3 receptors (IP3R) and other Ca2+ channels leading to coordinated Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum throughout the cell and coupling Ca2+ entry and mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake to Ca2+ release. To evaluate the role of IP3 in the local control mechanisms that support the propagation of [Ca2+]c waves, store-operated Ca2+ entry, and mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake, we used two IP3-binding proteins (IP3BP): 1) the PH domain of the phospholipase C-like protein, p130 (p130PH); and 2) the ligand-binding domain of the human type-I IP3R (IP3R224-605). As expected, p130PH-GFP and GFP-IP3R224-605 behave as effective mobile cytosolic IP3 buffers. In COS-7 cells, the expression of IP3BPs had no effect on store-operated Ca2+ entry. However, the IP3-linked [Ca2+]c signal appeared as a regenerative wave and IP3BPs slowed down the wave propagation. Most importantly, IP3BPs largely inhibited the mitochondrial [Ca2+] signal and decreased the relationship between the [Ca2+]c and mitochondrial [Ca2+] signals, indicating disconnection of the mitochondria from the [Ca2+]c signal. These data suggest that IP3 elevations are important to regulate the local interactions among IP3Rs during propagation of [Ca2+]c waves and that the IP3-dependent synchronization of Ca2+ release events is crucial for the coupling between Ca2+ release and mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake.     

The activation state of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor regulates the velocity of intracellular Ca2+ waves in bovine aortic endothelial cells

Ca(2+) is a highly versatile second messenger that plays a key role in the regulation of many cell processes. This versatility resides in the fact that different signals can be encoded spatio-temporally by varying the frequency and amplitude of the Ca(2+) response. A typical example of an organized Ca(2+) signal is a Ca(2+) wave initiated in a given area of a cell that propagates throughout the entire cell or within a specific subcellular region. In non-excitable cells, the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP(3) R) is responsible for the release of Ca(2+) from the endoplasmic reticulum. IP(3) R activity can be directly modulated in many ways, including by interacting molecules, proteins, and kinases such as PKA, PKC, and mTOR. In the present study, we used a videomicroscopic approach to measure the velocity of Ca(2+) waves in bovine aortic endothelial cells under various conditions that affect IP(3) R function. The velocity of the Ca(2+) waves increased with the intensity of the stimulus while extracellular Ca(2+) had no significant impact on wave velocity. Forskolin increased the velocity of IP(3) R-dependent Ca(2+) waves whereas PMA and rapamycin decreased the velocity. We used scatter plots and Pearson's correlation test to visualize and quantify the relationship between the Ca(2+) peak amplitude and the velocity of Ca(2+) waves. The velocity of IP(3) R-dependent Ca(2+) waves poorly correlated with the amplitude of the Ca(2+) response elicited by agonists in all the conditions evaluated, indicating that the velocity depended on the activation state of IP(3) R, which can be modulated in many ways.     

Expression patterns of sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor isoforms in vascular endothelial cells.

Expression patterns of sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic-reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) isoforms were studied in endothelial cells at the mRNA level by ratio RT-PCR technique and subsequent restriction-enzyme analysis. Three types of cells have been used in the present study: rat adrenal medulla microvascular endothelial cells (RAMEC), rat aortic endothelial cells (RAEC), and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Our data show the presence of multiple SERCA and IP3R isoforms in each type of endothelial cells. Freshly isolated HUVEC were an exception in this respect since they contained only SERCA3 without SERCA2b messengers. The expression patterns changed upon cell proliferation: SERCA3 and IP3R-1 messengers decreased, while IP3R-3 increased with culturing. Upon cell differentiation, induced by culturing the cells on Matrigel, the expression pattern of the IP3R changed even further in all endothelial cell types: IP3R-1 was reduced in all three cell kinds, while IP3R-3 raised significantly in RAEC and RAMEC. In HUVEC the expression of SERCA returned, upon differentiation, to the levels observed in the freshly isolated cells. Thus, the plasticity of expression of various SERCA and IP3R isoforms shows that possibly different Ca2+ pools may play distinct roles in cell proliferation and differentiation.     

Characterization of the interaction between protein 4.1R and ZO-2. A possible link between the tight junction and the actin cytoskeleton

Multiple isoforms of the red cell protein 4.1R are expressed in nonerythroid cells, including novel 135-kDa isoforms. Using a yeast two-hybrid system, immunocolocalization, immunoprecipitation, and in vitro binding studies, we found that two 4.1R isoforms of 135 and 150 kDa specifically interact with the protein ZO-2 (zonula occludens-2). 4.1R is colocalized with ZO-2 and occludin at Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell tight junctions. Both isoforms of 4.1R coprecipitated with proteins that organize tight junctions such as ZO-2, ZO-1, and occludin. Western blot analysis also revealed the presence of actin and alpha-spectrin in these immunoprecipitates. Association of 4.1R isoforms with these tight junction and cytoskeletal proteins was found to be specific for the tight junction and was not seen in nonconfluent MDCK cells. The amino acid residues that sustain the interaction between 4.1R and ZO-2 reside within the amino acids encoded by exons 19-21 of 4.1R and residues 1054-1118 of ZO-2. Exogenously expressed 4.1R containing the spectrin/actin- and ZO-2-binding domains was recruited to tight junctions in confluent MDCK cells. Taken together, our results suggest that 4.1R might play an important role in organization and function of the tight junction by establishing a link between the tight junction and the actin cytoskeleton.     

Encoding of Ca2+ signals by differential expression of IP3 receptor subtypes

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) plays a key role in Ca2+ signalling, which exhibits a variety of spatio-temporal patterns that control important cell functions. Multiple subtypes of IP3 receptors (IP3R-1, -2 and -3) are expressed in a tissue- and development-specific manner and form heterotetrameric channels through which stored Ca2+ is released, but the physiological significance of the differential expression of IP3R subtypes is not known. We have studied the Ca2+-signalling mechanism in genetically engineered B cells that express either a single or a combination of IP3R subtypes, and show that Ca2+-signalling patterns depend on the IP3R subtypes, which differ significantly in their response to agonists, i.e. IP3, Ca2+ and ATP. IP3R-2 is the most sensitive to IP3 and is required for the long lasting, regular Ca2+ oscillations that occur upon activation of B-cell receptors. IP3R-1 is highly sensitive to ATP and mediates less regular Ca2+ oscillations. IP3R-3 is the least sensitive to IP3 and Ca2+, and tends to generate monophasic Ca2+ transients. Furthermore, we show for the first time functional interactions between coexpressed subtypes. Our results demonstrate that differential expression of IP3R subtypes helps to encode IP3-mediated Ca2+ signalling.     

Protein 4.1R core domain structure and insights into regulation of cytoskeletal organization

The crystal structure of the core domain (N-terminal 30 kDa domain) of cytoskeletal protein 4.1R has been determined and shows a cloverleaf-like architecture. Each lobe of the cloverleaf contains a specific binding site for either band 3, glycophorin C/D or p55. At a central region of the molecule near where the three lobes are joined are two separate calmodulin (CaM) binding regions. One of these is composed primarily of an alpha-helix and is Ca 2+ insensitive; the other takes the form of an extended structure and its binding with CaM is dramatically enhanced by the presence of Ca 2+, resulting in the weakening of protein 4.1R binding to its target proteins. This novel architecture, in which the three lobes bind with three membrane associated proteins, and the location of calmodulin binding sites provide insight into how the protein 4.1R core domain interacts with membrane proteins and dynamically regulates cell shape in response to changes in intracellular Ca2+ levels.     

Calcium regulation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors

Ca2+ exerts both a stimulatory and inhibitory effect on type-I IP3R channel activity. However, the structural determinants of Ca2+ sensing in IP3Rs are not fully understood. Previous studies by others have identified eight domains of the type-I IP3R that bind 45Ca2+ when expressed as GST-fusion proteins. We have mutated six highly conserved acidic residues within the second of these domains (aa378-450) in the full-length IP3R and measured the Ca2+ regulation of IP3-mediated Ca2+ release in COS-7 cells. 45Ca2+ flux assays measured with a maximal [IP3] (1 microM) indicate that one of the mutants retained a Ca2+ sensitivity that was not significantly different from control (E411Q), three of the mutants show an enhanced Ca2+ inhibition (D426N, E428Q and E439Q) and two of the mutants were relatively insensitive to Ca2+ inhibition (D442N and D444N). IP3 dose-response relationships indicated that the sensitivity to Ca2+ inhibition and affinity for IP3 were correlated for three of the constructs. Other mutants with enhanced IP3 sensitivity (e.g. R441Q and a type-II/I IP3R chimera) were also less sensitive to Ca2+ inhibition. We conclude that the acidic residues within the aa378-450 segment are unlikely to represent a single functional Ca2+ binding domain and do not contribute to Ca2+ activation of the receptor. The different effects of the mutations may be related to their location within two clusters of acidic residues identified in the crystal structure of the ligand-binding domain [I. Bosanac, J.R. Alattia, T.K. Mal, et al., Structure of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor binding core in complex with its ligand, Nature 420 (2002) 696-700]. The data support the view that all IP3R isoforms may display a range of Ca2+ sensitivities that are determined by multiple sites within the protein and markedly influenced by the affinity of the receptor for IP3.     

IP3 receptor/Ca2+ channel: from discovery to new signaling concepts

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3)) is a second messenger that induces the release of Ca(2+) from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The IP(3) receptor (IP(3)R) was discovered as a developmentally regulated glyco-phosphoprotein, P400, that was missing in strains of mutant mice. IP(3)R can allosterically and dynamically change its form in a reversible manner. The crystal structures of the IP(3)-binding core and N-terminal suppressor sequence of IP(3)R have been identified. An IP(3) indicator (known as IP(3)R-based IP(3) sensor) was developed from the IP(3)-binding core. The IP(3)-binding core's affinity to IP(3) is very similar among the three isoforms of IP(3)R; instead, the N-terminal IP(3) binding suppressor region is responsible for isoform-specific IP(3)-binding affinity tuning. Various pathways for the trafficking of IP(3)R have been identified; for example, the ER forms a meshwork upon which IP(3)R moves by lateral diffusion, and vesicular ER subcompartments containing IP(3)R move rapidly along microtubles using a kinesin motor. Furthermore, IP(3)R mRNA within mRNA granules also moves along microtubules. IP(3)Rs are involved in exocrine secretion. ERp44 works as a redox sensor in the ER and regulates IP(3)R1 activity. IP(3) has been found to release Ca(2+), but it also releases IRBIT (IP(3)R-binding protein released with IP(3)). IRBIT is a pseudo-ligand for IP(3) that regulates the frequency and amplitude of Ca(2+) oscillations through IP(3)R. IRBIT binds to pancreas-type Na, bicarbonate co-transporter 1, which is important for acid-base balance. The presence of many kinds of binding partners, like homer, protein 4.1N, huntingtin-associated protein-1A, protein phosphatases (PPI and PP2A), RACK1, ankyrin, chromogranin, carbonic anhydrase-related protein, IRBIT, Na,K-ATPase, and ERp44, suggest that IP(3)Rs form a macro signal complex and function as a center for signaling cascades. The structure of IP(3)R1, as revealed by cryoelectron microscopy, fits closely with these molecules.