Polarized sorting and trafficking in epithelial cells

The polarized distribution of proteins and lipids at the surface membrane of epithelial cells results in the formation of an apical and a basolateral domain, which are separated by tight junctions. The generation and maintenance of epithelial polarity require elaborate mechanisms that guarantee correct sorting and vectorial delivery of cargo molecules. This dynamic process involves the interaction of sorting signals with sorting machineries and the formation of transport carriers. Here we review the recent advances in the field of polarized sorting in epithelial cells. We especially highlight the role of lipid rafts in apical sorting.     

Efficient electroporation of DNA and protein into confluent and differentiated epithelial cells in culture

Electroporation-mediated delivery of molecules is a procedure widely used for transfecting complementary DNA in bacteria, mammalian and plant cells. This technique has proven very efficient for the introduction of macromolecules into cells in suspension culture and even into cells in their native tissue environment, e.g. retina and embryonic tissues. However, in spite of several attempts to date, there are no well-established procedures to electroporate polarized epithelial cells adhering to a tissue culture substrate (glass, plastic or filter). We report here the development of a simple procedure that uses available commercial equipment and works efficiently and reproducibly for a variety of epithelial cell lines in culture.     

The fat controller: roles of palmitoylation in intracellular protein trafficking and targeting to membrane microdomains (Review)

The attachment of palmitic acid to the amino acid cysteine via thioester linkage (S-palmitoylation) is a common post-translational modification of eukaryotic proteins. In this review, we discuss the role of palmitoylation as a versatile protein sorting signal, regulating protein trafficking between distinct intracellular compartments and the micro-localization of proteins within membranes.     

Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) protein moves along microtubules and concentrates at their growing ends in epithelial cells

Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumor suppressor protein has been shown to be localized near the distal ends of microtubules (MTs) at the edges of migrating cells. We expressed green fluorescent protein (GFP)-fusion proteins with full-length and deletion mutants of Xenopus APC in Xenopus epithelial cells, and observed their dynamic behavior in live cells. During cell spreading and wound healing, GFP-tagged full-length APC was concentrated as granules at the tip regions of cellular extensions. At higher magnification, APC appeared to move along MTs and concentrate as granules at the growing plus ends. When MTs began to shorten, the APC granules dropped off from the MT ends. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed that fuzzy structures surrounding MTs were the ultrastructural counterparts for these GFP signals. The COOH-terminal region of APC was targeted to the growing MT ends without forming granular aggregates, and abruptly disappeared when MTs began to shorten. The APC lacking the COOH-terminal region formed granular aggregates that moved along MTs toward their plus ends in an ATP-dependent manner. These findings indicated that APC is a unique MT-associated protein that moves along selected MTs and concentrates at their growing plus ends through their multiple functional domains.     

Selective delivery of secretory cargo in Golgi-derived carriers of nonepithelial cells

In epithelial cells, soluble cargo proteins destined for basolateral or apical secretion are packaged into distinct trans-Golgi network-derived transport carriers. Similar carriers, termed basolateral- and apical-like, have been observed in nonepithelial cells using ectopically expressed membrane marker proteins. Whether these cells are capable of selectively packaging secretory proteins into distinct carriers is still an open question. Here, we have addressed this issue by analyzing the packaging and transport of secretory human chromogranin B fusion proteins using a green fluorescent protein-based high-resolution, dual-color imaging technique. We were able to show that these secretory markers were selectively packaged at the Golgi into tubular/vesicular-like transport carriers containing basolateral membrane markers, resulting in extensive cotransport. In contrast, deletion mutants of the human chromogranin B fusion proteins lacking an N-terminal loop structure were efficiently transported in both basolateral- and apical-like carriers, the latter displaying a spherical morphology. Similarly, in polarized epithelial cells, the human chromogranin B fusion protein was secreted basolaterally and the loop-deleted analogue into both the basolateral and apical medium. These findings suggest that nonepithelial cells, like their epithelial counterparts, possess a sorting machinery capable of selective packaging of secretory cargo into distinct types of carriers.     

MAL2, a novel raft protein of the MAL family,is an essential component of the machinery for transcytosis in hepatoma HepG2 cells

Transcytosis is used alone (e.g., hepatoma HepG2 cells) or in combination with a direct pathway from the Golgi (e.g., epithelial MDCK cells) as an indirect route for targeting proteins to the apical surface. The raft-associated MAL protein is an essential element of the machinery for the direct route in MDCK cells. Herein, we present the functional characterization of MAL2, a member of the MAL protein family, in polarized HepG2 cells. MAL2 resided selectively in rafts and is predominantly distributed in a compartment localized beneath the subapical F-actin cytoskeleton. MAL2 greatly colocalized in subapical endosome structures with transcytosing molecules en route to the apical surface. Depletion of endogenous MAL2 drastically blocked transcytotic transport of exogenous polymeric immunoglobulin receptor and endogenous glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein CD59 to the apical membrane. MAL2 depletion did not affect the internalization of these molecules but produced their accumulation in perinuclear endosome elements that were accessible to transferrin. Normal transcytosis persisted in cells that expressed exogenous MAL2 designed to resist the depletion treatment. MAL2 is therefore essential for transcytosis in HepG2 cells.     

Nanoscale orientation and lateral organization of chimeric metal-binding green fluorescent protein on lipid membrane determined by epifluorescence and atomic force microscopy

Epifluorescence microscopy as well as atomic force microscopy was successfully applied to explore the orientation and lateral organization of a group of chimeric green fluorescent proteins (GFPs) on lipid membrane. Incorporation of the chimeric GFP carrying Cd-binding region (His6CdBP4GFP) to the fluid phase of DPPC monolayer resulted in a strong fluorescence intensity at the air-water interface. Meanwhile, non-specific adsorption of the GFP having hexahistidine (His6GFP) led to the perturbation of the protein structure in which very low fluorescence was observed. Specific binding of both of the chimeric GFPs to immobilized zinc ions underneath the metal-chelating lipid membrane was revealed. This specific binding could be reversibly controlled by addition of metal ions or metal chelator. Binding of the chimeric GFPs to the metal-chelating lipid membrane was proven to be the end-on orientation while the side-on adsorption was contrarily noted in the absence of metal ions. Increase of lateral mobility owing to the fluidization effect on the chelating lipid membrane subsequently facilitated crystal formation. All these findings have opened up a potential approach for a specific orientation of immobilization of protein at the membrane interface. This could have accounted for a better opportunity of sensor development.     

CD39 reveals novel insights into the role of transmembrane domains in protein processing, apical targeting and activity

Cargo proteins of the biosynthetic secretory pathway are folded in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and proceed to the trans Golgi network for sorting and targeting to the apical or basolateral sides of the membrane, where they exert their function. These processes depend on diverse protein domains. Here, we used CD39 (NTPdase1), a modulator of thrombosis and inflammation, which contains an extracellular and two transmembrane domains (TMDs), as a model protein to address comprehensively the role of native TMDs in folding, polarized transport and biological activity. In MDCK cells, CD39 exits Golgi dynamin-dependently and is targeted to the apical side of the membrane. Although the N-terminal TMD possesses an apical targeting signal, the N- and C-terminal TMDs are not required for apical targeting of CD39. Folding and transport to the plasma membrane relies only on the C-terminal TMD, while the N-terminal one is redundant. Nevertheless, both N- and C-terminal anchoring as well as genuine TMDs are critical for optimal enzymatic activity and activation by cholesterol. We conclude therefore that TMDs are not just mechanical linkers between proteins and membranes but are also able to control folding and sorting, as well as biological activity via sensing components of lipid bilayers.     

The ESCRT‐III protein CeVPS‐32 is enriched in domains distinct from CeVPS‐27 and CeVPS‐23 at the endosomal membrane of epithelial cells

Background information. Within the endocytic pathway, the ESCRT (endosomal sorting complex required for transport) machinery is essential for the biogenesis of MVBs (multivesicular bodies). In yeast, ESCRTs are recruited at the endosomal membrane and are involved in cargo sorting into intralumenal vesicles of the MVBs. Results. In the present study, we characterize the ESCRT‐III protein CeVPS‐32 (Caenorhabditis elegans vacuolar protein sorting 32) and its interactions with CeVPS‐27, CeVPS‐23 and CeVPS‐4. In contrast with other CevpsE (class E vps) genes, depletion of Cevps‐32 is embryonic lethal with severe defects in the remodelling of epithelial cell shape during organogenesis. Furthermore, Cevps‐32 animals display an accumulation of enlarged early endosomes in epithelial cells and an accumulation of autophagosomes. The CeVPS‐32 protein is enriched in epithelial tissues and in residual bodies during spermatid maturation. We show that CeVPS‐32 and CeVPS‐27/Hrs (hepatocyte‐growth‐factor‐regulated tyrosine kinase substrate) are enriched in distinct subdomains at the endosomal membrane. CeVPS‐27‐positive subdomains are also enriched for the ESCRT‐I protein CeVPS‐23/TSG101 (tumour susceptibility gene 101). The formation of CeVPS‐27 subdomains is not affected by the depletion of CeVPS‐23, CeVPS‐32 or the ATPase CeVPS‐4. Conclusion. Our results suggest that the formation of membrane subdomains is essential for the maturation of endosomes.     

Intracellular localization of the 90 kDA heat shock protein (HSP90alpha) determined by expression of a EGFP-HSP90alpha-fusion protein in unstressed and heat stressed 3T3 cells

Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is an abundant protein and essential for all eukaryotic cells. The expression of Hsp90 is further enhanced after exposure to stress factors, e.g. a heat shock. Many proteins interacting with Hsp90 as well as the various functions for Hsp90 have been described. In this study, an Hsp90alpha fusion protein along with the enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) was expressed under the control of the human cytomegalovirus immediate early promoter. EGFP-Hsp90alpha was mainly localized in the cytoplasm, with only minor amounts inside the nuclei. No EGFP-Hsp90alpha could be detected inside the nucleoli. Following exposure to elevated temperatures, higher amounts of EGFP-Hsp90alpha are inside the nucleus, but not within the nucleoli. As the most remarkable finding under these conditions, an association of EGFP-Hsp90alpha with the nuclear membrane became visible.     

Visualization and molecular analysis of nuclear import of protein kinase CK2 subunits in living cells

We have generated fusion proteins between the subunits of CK2 and GFP and characterized their behaviour in living cells. The expressed fusion proteins were functional and interacted with endogenous CK2. Imaging of NIH3T3 cells expressing low level of GFP-CK2 or GFP-CK2 showed that both proteins were mostly nuclear in interphase. Both CK2 subunits contain nuclear localization domains that target them independently to the nucleus. Once in the nucleus, both subunits diffused rapidly in the nucleoplasm. In mitotic cells, CK2 subunits were dispersed throughout the cytoplasm and were not associated to chromatin. Our data are compatible with the idea that each subunit can translocate individually to the nucleus to interact with each other or with important cellular partners. Understanding the molecular mechanisms which regulate the dynamic localization of CK2 subunits will be of central importance.     

A cell‐based Dkk1 binding assay reveals roles for extracellular domains of LRP5 in Dkk1 interaction and highlights differences between wild‐type and the high bone mass mutant LRP5(G171V)

Dkk1 is a secreted antagonist of the LRP5‐mediated Wnt signaling pathway that plays a pivotal role in bone biology. Because there are no well‐documented LRP5‐based assays of Dkk1 binding, we developed a cell‐based assay of Dkk1/LRP5 binding using radioactive ¹²⁵I‐Dkk1. In contrast to LRP6, transfection of LRP5 alone into 293A cells resulted in a low level of specific binding that was unsuitable for routine assay. However, co‐transfection of LRP5 with the chaperone protein MesD (which itself does not bind Dkk1) or Kremen‐2 (a known Dkk1 receptor), or both, resulted in a marked enhancement of specific binding that was sufficient for evaluation of Dkk1 antagonists. LRP5 fragments comprising the third and fourth β‐propellers plus the ligand binding domain, or the first β‐propeller, each inhibited Dkk1 binding, with mean IC₅₀s of 10 and 196 nM, respectively. The extracellular domain of Kremen‐2 (“soluble Kremen”) was a weaker antagonist (mean IC₅₀ 806 nM). We also found that cells transfected with a high bone mass mutation LRP5(G171V) had a subtly reduced level of Dkk1 binding, compared to wild type LRP5‐transfected cells, and no enhancement of binding by MesD. We conclude that (1) LRP5‐transfected cells do not offer a suitable cell‐based Dkk1 binding assay, unless co‐transfected with either MesD, Kremen‐2, or both; (2) soluble fragments of LRP5 containing either the third and fourth β‐propellers plus the ligand binding domain, or the first β‐propeller, antagonize Dkk1 binding; and (3) a high bone mass mutant LRP5(G171V), has subtly reduced Dkk1 binding, and, in contrast to LRP5, no enhancement of binding with MesD. J. Cell. Biochem. 108: 1066–1075, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Mechanisms of myelin basic protein and proteolipid protein targeting in oligodendrocytes (Review)

Summary

The segregation of proteins to specific cellular membranes is recognized as a common phenomenon. In oligodendrocytes of the central nervous system, localization of certain proteins to select regions of the plasma membrane gives rise to the myelin membrane. Whilst the fundamental structure and composition of myelin is well understood, less is known of the mechanisms by which the constituent proteins are specifically recruited to those regions of plasma membrane that are forming myelin. The two principal proteins of myelin, the myelin basic protein and proteolipid protein, differ greatly in character and sites of synthesis. The message for myelin basic protein is selectively translocated to the ends of the cell processes, where it is translated on free ribosomes and is incorporated directly into the membrane. Proteolipid protein synthesized at the rough endoplasmic reticulum, processed through the Golgi apparatus, and presumably transported via vesicles to the myelin membrane. This review examines the mechanisms by which these two proteins are targeted to the myelin membrane.