The PPLA motif of glycogen synthase kinase 3beta is required for interaction with Fe65

Glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK 3 beta) is a serine/ threonine kinase that phosphorylates substrates such as beta-catenin and is involved in a variety of biological processes, including embryonic development, metabolism, tumorigenesis, and cell death. Here, we present evidence that human GSK 3beta is associated with Fe65, which has the characteristics of an adaptor protein, possessing a WW domain, and two phosphotyrosine interaction domains, PID1 and PID2. The GSK 3beta catalytic domain also contains a putative WW domain binding motif ((371)PPLA(374)), and we observed, using a pull down approach and co-immuno-precipitation, that it interacts physically with Fe65 via this motif. In addition, we detected co-localization of GSK 3beta and Fe65 by confocal microscopy, and this co-localization was disrupted by mutation of the putative WW domain binding motif of GSK 3beta.Finally, in transient transfection assays interaction of GSK 3 beta (wt) with Fe65 induced substantial cell apoptosis, whereas interaction with the GSK 3beta AALA mutant ((371)AALA(374)) did not, and we noted that phosphorylation of the Tyr 216 residue of the GSK 3beta AALA mutant was significantly reduced compared to that of GSK 3beta wild type. Thus, our observations indicate that GSK 3beta binds to Fe65 through its (371)PPLA(374) motif and that this interaction regulates apoptosis and phosphorylation of Tyr 216 of GSK 3beta.     

Interaction of the adenovirus type 5 E4 Orf3 protein with promyelocytic leukemia protein isoform II is required for ND10 disruption

Nuclear domain 10 (ND10s), or promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) nuclear bodies, are spherical nuclear structures that require PML proteins for their formation. Many viruses target these structures during infection. The E4 Orf3 protein of adenovirus 5 (Ad5) rearranges ND10s, causing PML to colocalize with Orf3 in nuclear tracks or fibers. There are six different PML isoforms (I to VI) present at ND10s, all sharing a common N terminus but with structural differences at their C termini. In this study, PML II was the only one of these six isoforms that was found to interact directly and specifically with Ad5 E4 Orf3 in vitro and in vivo; these results define a new Orf3 activity. Three of a series of 18 mutant Orf3 proteins were unable to interact with PML II; these were also unable to cause ND10 rearrangement. Moreover, in PML-null cells that contained neoformed ND10s comprising a single PML isoform, only ND10s formed of PML II were rearranged by Orf3. These data show that the interaction between Orf3 and PML II is necessary for ND10 rearrangement to occur. Finally, Orf3 was shown to self-associate in vitro. This activity was absent in mutant Orf3 proteins that were unable to form tracks and to bind PML II. Thus, Orf3 oligomerization may mediate the formation of nuclear tracks in vivo and may also be important for PML II binding.     

The CD3 gamma leucine-based receptor-sorting motif is required for efficient ligand-mediated TCR down-regulation

TCR down-regulation plays an important role in modulating T cell responses both during T cell development and in mature T cells. At least two distinct pathways exist for down-regulation of the TCR. One pathway is activated following TCR ligation and is dependent on tyrosine phosphorylation. The other pathway is dependent on protein kinase C (PKC)-mediated activation of the CD3 gamma di-leucine-based receptor-sorting motif. Previous studies have failed to demonstrate a connection between ligand- and PKC-induced TCR down-regulation. Thus, although an apparent paradox, the dogma has been that ligand- and PKC-induced TCR down-regulations are not interrelated. By analyses of a newly developed CD3 gamma-negative T cell variant, freshly isolated and PHA-activated PBMC, and a mouse T cell line, we challenged this dogma and demonstrate in this work that PKC activation and the CD3 gamma di-leucine-based motif are indeed required for efficient ligand-induced TCR down-regulation.     

Masking of the CD3 gamma di-leucine-based motif by zeta is required for efficient T-cell receptor expression

The T-cell receptor (TCR) is a multimeric receptor composed of the Ti alpha beta heterodimer and the noncovalently associated CD3 gamma delta epsilon and zeta(2) chains. All of the TCR chains are required for efficient cell surface expression of the TCR. Previous studies on chimeric molecules containing the di-leucine-based endocytosis motif of the TCR subunit CD3 gamma have indicated that the zeta chain can mask this motif. In this study, we show that successive truncations of the cytoplasmic tail of zeta led to reduced surface expression levels of completely assembled TCR complexes. The reduced TCR expression levels were caused by an increase in the TCR endocytic rate constant in combination with an unaffected exocytic rate constant. Furthermore, the TCR degradation rate constant was increased in cells with truncated zeta. Introduction of a CD3 gamma chain with a disrupted di-leucine-based endocytosis motif partially restored TCR expression in cells with truncated zeta chains, indicating that the zeta chain masks the endocytosis motif in CD3 gamma and thereby stabilizes TCR cell surface expression.     

Calmodulin bound to the first IQ motif is responsible for calcium-dependent regulation of myosin 5a

Myosin 5a is as yet the best-characterized unconventional myosin motor involved in transport of organelles along actin filaments. It is well-established that myosin 5a is regulated by its tail in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. The fact that the actin-activated ATPase activity of myosin 5a is stimulated by micromolar concentrations of Ca(2+) and that calmodulin (CaM) binds to IQ motifs of the myosin 5a heavy chain indicates that Ca(2+) regulates myosin 5a function via bound CaM. However, it is not known which IQ motif and bound CaM are responsible for the Ca(2+)-dependent regulation and how the head-tail interaction is affected by Ca(2+). Here, we found that the CaM in the first IQ motif (IQ1) is responsible for Ca(2+) regulation of myosin 5a. In addition, we demonstrate that the C-lobe fragment of CaM in IQ1 is necessary for mediating Ca(2+) regulation of myosin 5a, suggesting that the C-lobe fragment of CaM in IQ1 participates in the interaction between the head and the tail. We propose that Ca(2+) induces a conformational change of the C-lobe of CaM in IQ1 and prevents interaction between the head and the tail, thus activating motor function.     

Interaction between calcium-free calmodulin and IQ motif of neurogranin studied by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

The interaction of Ca(2+)-free calmodulin (apoCaM) with the IQ motif corresponding to the calmodulin-binding domain of neurogranin has been studied by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods. The NMR spectra of uncomplexed apoCaM and apoCaM in complex with the IQ motif recorded at 750 MHz were studied and the backbone assignments of the protein in both forms were obtained by triple-resonance multidimensional NMR experiments. Chemical shift perturbations were used to map the binding surfaces. Only a single set of resonances was observed throughout the titration, indicating that the binding interaction is under fast exchange. Analysis of chemical shift changes indicates that (a) the main interaction and conformational changes occur in the C-terminal domain of calmodulin and (b) linker-1 (residues 40-44) between EF-1 and EF-2, linker-3 (residues 112-117) between EF-3 and EF-4, and the end of the alpha-helix H (residues 145-148) may be involved in the binding process. The dissociation constant (K(d)), estimated by fitting the chemical shift changes against the IQ peptide concentration, ranged from about 1.2 x 10(-5) to 8.8 x 10(-5) M. This result demonstrates that the interaction falls into the weak binding regime.     

PCDH10 is required for the tumorigenicity of glioblastoma cells

Protocadherin10 (PCDH10)/OL-protocadherin is a cadherin-related transmembrane protein that has multiple roles in the brain, including facilitating specific cell–cell connections, cell migration and axon guidance. It has recently been reported that PCDH10 functions as a tumor suppressor and that its overexpression inhibits proliferation or invasion of multiple tumor cells. However, the function of PCDH10 in glioblastoma cells has not been elucidated. In contrast to previous reports on other tumors, we show here that suppression of the expression of PCDH10 by RNA interference (RNAi) induces the growth arrest and apoptosis of glioblastoma cells in vitro. Furthermore, we demonstrate that knockdown of PCDH10 inhibits the growth of glioblastoma cells xenografted into immunocompromised mice. These results suggest that PCDH10 is required for the proliferation and tumorigenicity of glioblastoma cells. We speculate that PCDH10 may be a promising target for the therapy of glioblastoma.     

Interaction with both ZNRF3 and LGR4 is required for the signalling activity of R‐spondin

R‐spondin proteins sensitize cells to Wnt signalling and act as potent stem cell growth factors. Various membrane proteins have been proposed as potential receptors of R‐spondin, including LGR4/5, membrane E3 ubiquitin ligases ZNRF3/RNF43 and several others proteins. Here, we show that R‐spondin interacts with ZNRF3/RNF43 and LGR4 through distinct motifs. Both LGR4 and ZNRF3 binding motifs are required for R‐spondin‐induced LGR4/ZNRF3 interaction, membrane clearance of ZNRF3 and activation of Wnt signalling. Importantly, Wnt‐inhibitory activity of ZNRF3, but not of a ZNRF3 mutant with reduced affinity to R‐spondin, can be strongly suppressed by R‐spondin, suggesting that R‐spondin primarily functions by binding and inhibiting ZNRF3. Together, our results support a dual receptor model of R‐spondin action, where LGR4/5 serve as the engagement receptor whereas ZNRF3/RNF43 function as the effector receptor.     

DWWA, a novel protein containing two WW domains and an IQ motif, is required for scission of the residual cytoplasmic bridge during cytokinesis in Dictyostelium

We have identified a novel gene, dwwA, which is required for cytokinesis of Dictyostelium cells on solid surfaces. Its product, Dd WW domain containing protein A (DWWA), contains several motifs, including two WW domains, an IQ motif, a C2 domain, and a proline-rich region. On substrates, cells lacking dwwA were multinucleated and larger and flatter than wild-type cells due to their frequent inability to sever the cytoplasmic bridge connecting daughter cells after mitosis. When cultured in suspension, however, dwwA-null cells seemed to carry out cytokinesis normally via a process not driven by the shearing force arising from agitation of the culture. GFP-DWWA localized to the cell cortex and nucleus; analysis of the distributions of various truncation mutants revealed that the N-terminal half of the protein, which contains the C2 domain, is required for the cortical localization of DWWA. The IQ motif of DWWA binds calmodulin in vitro. Given that the scission process is also defective in calmodulin knockdown cells cultured on substrates (Liu et al., 1992), we propose that DWWA's multiple binding domains enable it to function as an adaptor protein, facilitating the scission process through the regulation of Ca(2+)/calmodulin-mediated remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton and/or modulation of membrane dynamics.     

The Arp2/3 complex is required for lamellipodia extension and directional fibroblast cell migration

The Arp2/3 complex nucleates the formation of the dendritic actin network at the leading edge of motile cells, but it is still unclear if the Arp2/3 complex plays a critical role in lamellipodia protrusion and cell motility. Here, we differentiated motile fibroblast cells from isogenic mouse embryonic stem cells with or without disruption of the ARPC3 gene, which encodes the p21 subunit of the Arp2/3 complex. ARPC3(-/-) fibroblasts were unable to extend lamellipodia but generated dynamic leading edges composed primarily of filopodia-like protrusions, with formin proteins (mDia1 and mDia2) concentrated near their tips. The speed of cell migration, as well as the rates of leading edge protrusion and retraction, were comparable between genotypes; however, ARPC3(-/-) cells exhibited a strong defect in persistent directional migration. This deficiency correlated with a lack of coordination of the protrusive activities at the leading edge of ARPC3(-/-) fibroblasts. These results provide insights into the Arp2/3 complex's critical role in lamellipodia extension and directional fibroblast migration.     

A conserved NXIP motif is required for cell adhesion properties of the syndecan-4 ectodomain

Syndecans are cell surface proteoglycans involved in cell adhesion and motility. Syndecan-4 is an important component of focal adhesions and is involved in cytoskeletal reorganization. Previous work has shown that the syndecan-4 ectodomain can support cell attachment. Here, three vertebrate syndecan-4 ectodomains were compared, including that of the zebrafish, and we have demonstrated that the cell binding activity of the syndecan-4 ectodomain is conserved. Cell adhesion to the syndecan-4 ectodomain appears to be a characteristic of mesenchymal cells. Comparison of syndecan-4 ectodomain sequences led to the identification of three conserved regions of sequence, of which the NXIP motif is important for cell binding activity. We have shown that cell adhesion to the syndecan-4 ectodomain involves beta1 integrins in several cell types.     

A conserved motif at the C terminus of sororin is required for sister chromatid cohesion

Sororin is a positive regulator of sister chromatid cohesion that interacts with the cohesin complex. Sororin is required for the increased stability of the cohesin complex on chromatin following DNA replication and sister chromatid cohesion during G(2). The mechanism by which sororin ensures cohesion is currently unknown. Because the primary sequence of sororin does not contain any previously characterized structural or functional motifs, we have undertaken a structure-function analysis of the sororin protein. Using a series of mutant derivatives of sororin, we show that the ability of sororin to bind to chromatin is separable from both its role in sister chromatid cohesion and its interaction with the cohesin complex. We also show that derivatives of sororin with deletions or mutations in the conserved C terminus fail to rescue the loss-of-cohesion phenotype caused by sororin RNAi and that these mutations also abrogate the association of sororin with the cohesin complex. Our data suggest that the interaction of the highly conserved motif at the C terminus of sororin with the cohesin complex is critical to its ability to mediate sister chromatid cohesion.