A new human NHERF1 mutation decreases renal phosphate transporter NPT2a expression by a PTH-independent mechanism

Background

The sodium-hydrogen exchanger regulatory factor 1 (NHERF1) binds to the main renal phosphate transporter NPT2a and to the parathyroid hormone (PTH) receptor. We have recently identified mutations in NHERF1 that decrease renal phosphate reabsorption by increasing PTH-induced cAMP production in the renal proximal tubule.

Methods

We compared relevant parameters of phosphate homeostasis in a patient with a previously undescribed mutation in NHERF1 and in control subjects. We expressed the mutant NHERF1 protein in Xenopus Oocytes and in cultured cells to study its effects on phosphate transport and PTH-induced cAMP production.

Results

We identified in a patient with inappropriate renal phosphate reabsorption a previously unidentified mutation (E68A) located in the PDZ1 domain of NHERF1.We report the consequences of this mutation on NHERF1 function. E68A mutation did not modify cAMP production in the patient. PTH-induced cAMP synthesis and PKC activity were not altered by E68A mutation in renal cells in culture. In contrast to wild-type NHERF1, expression of the E68A mutant in Xenopus oocytes and in human cells failed to increase phosphate transport. Pull down experiments showed that E68A mutant did not interact with NPT2a, which robustly interacted with wild type NHERF1 and previously identified mutants. Biotinylation studies revealed that E68A mutant was unable to increase cell surface expression of NPT2a.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that the PDZ1 domain is critical for NHERF1- NPT2a interaction in humans and for the control of NPT2a expression at the plasma membrane. Thus we have identified a new mechanism of renal phosphate loss and shown that different mutations in NHERF1 can alter renal phosphate reabsorption via distinct mechanisms.     

Canonical and Noncanonical Sites Determine NPT2A Binding Selectivity to NHERF1 PDZ1

Na⁺/H⁺ Exchanger Regulatory Factor-1 (NHERF1) is a scaffolding protein containing 2 PDZ domains that coordinates the assembly and trafficking of transmembrane receptors and ion channels. Most target proteins harboring a C-terminus recognition motif bind more-or-less equivalently to the either PDZ domain, which contain identical core-binding motifs. However some substrates such as the type II sodium-dependent phosphate co-transporter (NPT2A), uniquely bind only one PDZ domain. We sought to define the structural determinants responsible for the specificity of interaction between NHERF1 PDZ domains and NPT2A. By performing all-atom/explicit-solvent molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in combination with biological mutagenesis, fluorescent polarization (FP) binding assays, and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), we found that in addition to canonical interactions of residues at 0 and -2 positions, Arg at the -1 position of NPT2A plays a critical role in association with Glu43 and His27 of PDZ1 that are absent in PDZ2. Experimentally introduced mutation in PDZ1 (Glu43Asp and His27Asn) decreased binding to NPT2A. Conversely, introduction of Asp183Glu and Asn167His mutations in PDZ2 promoted the formation of favorable interactions yielding micromolar K _Ds. The results describe novel determinants within both the PDZ domain and outside the canonical PDZ-recognition motif that are responsible for discrimination of NPT2A between two PDZ domains. The results challenge general paradigms for PDZ recognition and suggest new targets for drug development.     

The Na(+)/H(+) exchanger regulatory factor 2 mediates phosphorylation of serum- and glucocorticoid-induced protein kinase 1 by 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1

The Na(+)/H(+) exchanger regulatory factor 2 (NHERF2/TKA-1/E3KARP) contains two PSD-95/Dlg/ZO-1 (PDZ) domains which interact with the PDZ docking motif (X-(S/T)-X-(V/L)) of proteins to mediate the assembly of transmembrane and cytosolic proteins into functional signal transduction complexes. One of the PDZ domains of NHERF2 interacts specifically with the DSLL, DSFL, and DTRL motifs present at the carboxy-termini of the 2-adrenergic receptor, the platelet-derived growth factor receptor, and the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, respectively. Serum- and glucocorticoid-induced protein kinase 1 (SGK1) also carries a putative PDZ-binding motif (D-S-F-L) at its carboxy tail, implicated in the specific interaction with NHERF2. There is a 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1) interacting fragment (PIF) in the tail of NHERF2. Using pull-down assays and co-transfection experiments, we demonstrated that the DSFL tail of SGK1 interacts with the first PDZ domain of NHERF2 and the PIF of NHERF2 binds to the PIF-binding pocket of PDK1 to form an SGK1-NHERF2-PDK1 complex. Formation of the protein complex promoted the phosphorylation and activation of SGK1 by PDK1. Thus, it was suggested that NHERF2 mediates the activation and phosphorylation of SGK1 by PDK1 through its first PDZ domain and PIF motif, as a novel SGK1 activation mechanism.     

Role of NHERF1, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, and cAMP in the regulation of aquaporin 9

Water and solute transport across the plasma membrane of cells is a crucial biological function that is mediated mainly by aquaporins and aquaglyceroporins. The regulation of these membrane proteins is still incompletely understood. Using the male reproductive tract as a model system in which water and glycerol transport are critical for the establishment of fertility, we now report a novel pathway for the regulation of aquaporin 9 (AQP9) permeability. AQP9 is the major aquaglyceroporin of the epididymis, liver, and peripheral leukocytes, and its COOH-terminal portion contains a putative PDZ binding motif (SVIM). Here we show that NHERF1, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), and AQP9 co-localize in the apical membrane of principal cells of the epididymis and the vas deferens, and that both NHERF1 and CFTR co-immunoprecipitate with AQP9. Overlay assays revealed that AQP9 binds to both the PDZ1 and PDZ2 domains of NHERF1, with an apparently higher affinity for PDZ1 versus PDZ2. Pull-down assays showed that the AQP9 COOH-terminal SVIM motif is essential for interaction with NHERF1. Functional assays on isolated tubules perfused in vitro showed a high permeability of the apical membrane to glycerol, which is inhibited by the AQP9 inhibitor, phloretin, and is markedly activated by cAMP. The CFTR inhibitors DPC, GlyH-101 and CFTRinh-172 all significantly reduced the cAMP-activated glycerol-induced cell swelling. We propose that CFTR is an important regulator of AQP9 and that the interaction between AQP9, NHERF1, and CFTR may facilitate the activation of AQP9 by cAMP.     

Characterization of interactions of Na+/H+ exchanger regulatory factor-1 with the parathyroid hormone receptor and phospholipase C.

The Na(+)/H(+) exchanger regulatory factor-1 (NHERF1) is a molecular scaffold important for the signaling of the G-protein coupled receptor for the parathyroid hormone (PTH1R). The two PDZ (PSD-95, Discs-large, ZO1) domains of NHERF1 through association with the C-termini of PTH1R and phospholipase C enhance the signaling pathway associated with PTH. To examine these interactions, we have produced the individual PDZ1 and PDZ2 domains as well as the tandem PDZ1-PDZ2 domains (PDZ12) of NHERF1 and have characterized the binding affinities of the C-terminal motifs of PTH1R and PLCbeta using fluorescence anisotropy. Circular dichroism indicates that the PDZ1 and PDZ2 are properly folded. Based on fluorescence anisotropy we find that the C-terminus of PTH1R, containing ETVM, has similar affinities (approximately 10 microm) for both PDZ1 and PDZ2. The PTH1R displayed reduced binding affinity for the tandem PDZ12 (16 microm) compared with the individual domains or a solution of equal molar concentrations of PDZ1 and PDZ2 (5.8 microm), suggesting negative cooperativity between the PDZ domains or intervening region. The C-termini of PLCbeta (both beta1 and beta2 isozymes were examined, containing DTPL and ESRL, respectively) displayed a diminished affinity for PDZ2 (approximately 30 microm) over that of PDZ1 (approximately 8 microm). Finally, we demonstrate trans PDZ1-PDZ2 association that is enhanced in the presence of the C-terminus of PTH1R or PLCbeta, suggesting oligomerization of NHERF as a mode for enhancing the signaling associated with PTH.     

Ezrin-anchored protein kinase A coordinates phosphorylation-dependent disassembly of a NHERF1 ternary complex to regulate hormone-sensitive phosphate transport

Congenital defects in the Na/H exchanger regulatory factor-1 (NHERF1) are linked to disordered phosphate homeostasis and skeletal abnormalities in humans. In the kidney, these mutations interrupt parathyroid hormone (PTH)-responsive sequestration of the renal phosphate transporter, Npt2a, with ensuing urinary phosphate wasting. We now report that NHERF1, a modular PDZ domain scaffolding protein, coordinates the assembly of an obligate ternary complex with Npt2a and the PKA-anchoring protein ezrin to facilitate PTH-responsive cAMP signaling events. Activation of ezrin-anchored PKA initiates NHERF1 phosphorylation to disassemble the ternary complex, release Npt2a, and thereby inhibit phosphate transport. Loss-of-function mutations stabilize an inactive NHERF1 conformation that we show is refractory to PKA phosphorylation and impairs assembly of the ternary complex. Compensatory mutations introduced in mutant NHERF1 re-establish the integrity of the ternary complex to permit phosphorylation of NHERF1 and rescue PTH action. These findings offer new insights into a novel macromolecular mechanism for the physiological action of a critical ternary complex, where anchored PKA coordinates the assembly and turnover of the Npt2a-NHERF1-ezrin complex.     

Molecular requirements for the regulation of the renal outer medullary K(+) channel ROMK1 by the serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase SGK1

The serum- and glucocorticoid- inducible kinase SGK1 stimulates the renal outer medullary K(+) channel ROMK1 in the presence of the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger regulating factor NHERF2. SGK1/NHERF2 are effective through enhancement of ROMK1 abundance within the cell membrane. The present study aims to define the molecular requirements for the interaction of ROMK1 with SGK1/NHERF2. Pull down assays reveal that SGK1 interacts with NHERF2 through the second PDZ domain of NHERF2. According to chemiluminescence and electrophysiology, deletion of the second PDZ domain of NHERF2 or the putative PDZ binding motif on ROMK1 abrogates the stimulating effect of SGK1 on ROMK1 protein abundance in the plasma membrane and K(+) current.     

NHERF2/NHERF3 Protein Heterodimerization and Macrocomplex Formation Are Required for the Inhibition of NHE3 Activity by Carbachol

NHERF1, NHERF2, and NHERF3 belong to the NHERF (Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger regulatory factor) family of PSD-95/Discs-large/ZO-1 (PDZ) scaffolding proteins. Individually, each NHERF protein has been shown to be involved in the regulation of multiple receptors or transporters including Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger 3 (NHE3). Although NHERF dimerizations have been reported, results have been inconsistent, and the physiological function of NHERF dimerizations is still unknown. The current study semiquantitatively compared the interaction strength among all possible homodimerizations and heterodimerizations of these three NHERF proteins by pulldown and co-immunoprecipitation assays. Both methods showed that NHERF2 and NHERF3 heterodimerize as the strongest interaction among all NHERF dimerizations. In vivo NHERF2/NHERF3 heterodimerization was confirmed by FRET and FRAP (fluorescence recovery after photobleach). NHERF2/NHERF3 heterodimerization is mediated by PDZ domains of NHERF2 and the C-terminal PDZ domain recognition motif of NHERF3. The NHERF3-4A mutant is defective in heterodimerization with NHERF2 and does not support the inhibition of NHE3 by carbachol. This suggests a role for NHERF2/NHERF3 heterodimerization in the regulation of NHE3 activity. In addition, both PDZ domains of NHERF2 could be simultaneously occupied by NHERF3 and another ligand such as NHE3, α-actinin-4, and PKCα, promoting formation of NHE3 macrocomplexes. This study suggests that NHERF2/NHERF3 heterodimerization mediates the formation of NHE3 macrocomplexes, which are required for the inhibition of NHE3 activity by carbachol.     

NHERF1 regulates parathyroid hormone receptor membrane retention without affecting recycling

Na/H exchange regulatory factor-1 (NHERF1) is a PDZ protein that regulates trafficking of several G protein-coupled receptors. The phenotype of NHERF1-null mice suggests that the parathyroid hormone (PTH) receptor (PTH1R) is the principal GPCR interacting with NHERF1. The effect of NHERF1 on receptor recycling is unknown. Here, we characterized NHERF1 effects on PTH1R membrane tethering and recycling by radio-ligand binding and recovery after maximal receptor endocytosis. Using Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing the PTH1R, where NHERF1 expression could be induced by tetracycline, NHERF1 inhibited PTH1R endocytosis and delayed PTH1R recycling. NHERF1 also inhibited PTH-induced receptor internalization in MC4 osteoblast cells. Reducing constitutive NHERF1 levels in HEK-293 cells with short hairpin RNA directed against NHERF1 augmented PTH1R endocytosis in response to PTH. Mutagenesis of the PDZ-binding domains or deletion of the MERM domain of NHERF1 demonstrated that both are required for inhibition of endocytosis and recycling. Likewise, an intact COOH-terminal PDZ recognition motif in PTH1R is needed. The effect of NHERF1 on receptor internalization and recycling was not associated with altered receptor expression or binding, activation, or phosphorylation but involved beta-arrestin and dynamin. We conclude that NHERF1 inhibits endocytosis without affecting PTH1R recycling in MC4 and PTH1R-expressing HEK-293 cells. Such an effect may protect against PTH resistance or PTH1R down-regulation in certain cells harboring NHERF1.     

Regulation of albumin endocytosis by PSD95/Dlg/ZO-1 (PDZ) scaffolds. Interaction of Na+-H+ exchange regulatory factor-2 with ClC-5

The constitutive reuptake of albumin from the glomerular filtrate by receptor-mediated endocytosis is a key function of the renal proximal tubules. Both the Cl- channel ClC-5 and the Na+-H+ exchanger isoform 3 are critical components of the macromolecular endocytic complex that is required for albumin uptake, and therefore the cell-surface levels of these proteins may limit albumin endocytosis. This study was undertaken to investigate the potential roles of the epithelial PDZ scaffolds, Na+-H+ exchange regulatory factors, NHERF1 and NHERF2, in albumin uptake by opossum kidney (OK) cells. We found that ClC-5 co-immunoprecipitates with NHERF2 but not NHERF1 from OK cell lysate. Experiments using fusion proteins demonstrated that this was a direct interaction between an internal binding site in the C terminus of ClC-5 and the PDZ2 module of NHERF2. In OK cells, NHERF2 is restricted to the intravillar region while NHERF1 is located in the microvilli. Silencing NHERF2 reduced both cell-surface levels of ClC-5 and albumin uptake. Conversely, silencing NHERF1 increased cell-surface levels of ClC-5 and albumin uptake, presumably by increasing the mobility of NHE3 in the membrane and its availability to the albumin uptake complex. Surface biotinylation experiments revealed that both NHERF1 and NHERF2 were associated with the plasma membrane and that NHERF2 was recruited to the membrane in the presence of albumin. The importance of the interaction between NHERF2 and the cytoskeleton was demonstrated by a significant reduction in albumin uptake in cells overexpressing an ezrin binding-deficient mutant of NHERF2. Thus NHERF1 and NHERF2 differentially regulate albumin uptake by mechanisms that ultimately alter the cell-surface levels of ClC-5.     

Assembly and trafficking of a multiprotein ROMK (Kir 1.1) channel complex by PDZ interactions

The ROMK subtypes of inward rectifier K+ channels (Kir 1.1, KCNJ1) mediate potassium secretion and regulate NaCl reabsorption in the kidney. In the present study, the role of the PDZ binding motif in ROMK function is explored. Here we identify the Na/H exchange regulatory factors, NHERF-1 and NHERF-2, as PDZ domain interaction partners of the ROMK channel. Characterization of the basis and consequences of NHERF association with ROMK reveals a PDZ interaction-dependent trafficking process and a coupling mechanism for linking ROMK to a channel modifier protein, the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR). As measured by antibody binding of external epitope-tagged forms of Kir 1.1 in intact cells, NHERF-1 or NHERF-2 coexpression increased cell surface expression of ROMK. Channel interaction with NHERF proteins and effects of NHERF on ROMK localization were dependent on the presence of the PDZ domain binding motif in ROMK. Both NHERF proteins contain two PDZ domains; recombinant protein-protein binding assays and yeast-two-hybrid studies revealed that ROMK preferentially associates with the second PDZ domain of NHERF-1 and with the first PDZ domain of NHERF-2, precisely opposite of what has been reported for CFTR. Consistent with the scaffolding capacity of the NHERF proteins, coexpression of NHERF-2 with ROMK and CFTR dramatically increases the amount of ROMK protein that coimmunopurifies and functionally interacts with CFTR. Thus NHERF facilitates assembly of a ternary complex containing ROMK and CFTR. These observations raise the possibility that PDZ-based interactions may underscore physiological regulation and membrane targeting of ROMK in the kidney.     

Plasma membrane Ca2+ ATPase isoform 2b interacts preferentially with Na+/H+ exchanger regulatory factor 2 in apical plasma membranes.

Spatial and temporal regulation of Ca(2+) signaling require the assembly of multiprotein complexes linking molecules involved in Ca(2+) influx, sensing, buffering, and extrusion. Recent evidence indicates that plasma membrane Ca(2+) ATPases (PMCAs) participate in the control of local Ca(2+) fluxes, but the mechanism of multiprotein complex formation of specific PMCAs is poorly understood. Using the PMCA2b COOH-terminal tail as bait in a yeast two-hybrid screen, we identified the PSD-95, Dlg, ZO-1 (PDZ) domain-containing Na(+)/H(+) exchanger regulatory factor-2 (NHERF2) as an interacting partner. Protein pull-down and coimmunoprecipitation experiments using recombinant PMCA2b and PMCA4b as well as NHERF1 and NHERF2 showed that the interaction of PMCA2b with NHERF2 was specific and selective. PMCA4b did not interact with either of the NHERFs, and PMCA2b selectively preferred NHERF2 over NHERF1. Green fluorescent protein-tagged PMCA2b was expressed at the apical membrane in Madin-Darby canine kidney epithelial cells, where it colocalized with apically targeted NHERF2. Our study identifies NHERF2 as the first specific PDZ partner for PMCA2b not shared with PMCA4b, and demonstrates that PMCA splice forms differing only minimally in their COOH-terminal residues interact with unique PDZ proteins. NHERFs have been implicated in the targeting, retention and regulation of membrane proteins including the beta(2)-adrenergic receptor, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, and Trp4 Ca(2+) channel, and NHERF2 is now shown to also interact with PMCA2b. This interaction may allow the functional assembly of PMCA2b in a multiprotein Ca(2+) signaling complex, facilitating integrated cross-talk between local Ca(2+) influx and efflux.     

Concerted actions of NHERF2 and WNK4 in regulating TRPV5

With-no-lysine (K) kinase 4 (WNK4) is a protein serine/threonine kinase associated with a Mendelian form of hypertension. WNK4 is an integrative regulator of renal transport of Na⁺, K⁺, and Cl⁻ as shown in Xenopus oocyte system. In addition, WNK4 enhances the surface expression of epithelial Ca²⁺ channel TRPV5, which plays a key role in the fine tuning of renal Ca²⁺ reabsorption. Variations in the magnitude of WNK4-mediated regulation on TRPV5 in Xenopus oocytes suggest additional cellular components with limited expression are required for the regulation. In this study, we identified the Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger regulating factor 2 (NHERF2) as a critical component for the positive regulation of TRPV5 by WNK4. NHERF2 augmented the positive effect of WNK4 on TRPV5, whereas its homolog NHERF1 had no effect when tested in the Xenopus oocyte system. The C-terminal PDZ binding motif of TRPV5 was required for the regulation by NHERF2. While NHERF2 interacted with TRPV5, no association between NHERF2 and WNK4 was detected using a GST pull-down assay. WNK4 increased the forward trafficking of TRPV5; however, it also caused an accelerated decline of the functional TRPV5 channels at later stage of co-expression. NHERF2 stabilized TRPV5 at the plasma membrane without interrupting the forward trafficking of TRPV5, thus prevented the decline of functional TRPV5 channel caused by WNK4 at later stage. The complementary and orderly regulations of WNK4 and NHERF2 allow TRPV5 functions at higher level for a longer period to maximize Ca²⁺ influx.     

Role of the scaffold protein RACK1 in apical expression of CFTR

Previous studies from this laboratory demonstrated a role for protein kinase C (PKC) in the regulation of cAMP-dependent cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) Cl channel function via binding of PKC to RACK1, a receptor for activated C kinase, and of RACK1 to human Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger regulatory factor (NHERF1). In the present study, we investigated the role of RACK1 in regulating CFTR function in a Calu-3 airway epithelial cell line. Confocal microscopy and biotinylation of apical surface proteins demonstrate apical localization of RACK1 independent of actin. Mass spectrometric analysis of NHERF1 revealed copurification of tubulin, which, in in vitro binding assays, selectively binds to NHERF1, but not RACK1, via a PDZ1 domain. In binding and pulldown assays, we show direct binding of a PDZ2 domain to NHERF1, pulldown of endogenous NHERF1 by a PDZ2 domain, and inhibition of NHERF1-tubulin binding by a PDZ1 domain. Downregulation of RACK1 using double-stranded silencing RNA reduced the amount of RACK1 by 77.5% and apical expression of biotinylated CFTR by 87.4%. Expression of CFTR, NHERF1, and actin were not altered by treatment with siRACK1 or by nontargeting control silencing RNA, which, in addition, did not affect RACK1 expression. On the basis of these results, we model a RACK1 proteome consisting of PKC-RACK1-NHERF1-NHERF1-tubulin with a role in stable expression of CFTR in the apical plasma membrane of epithelial cells. silencing RNA; downregulation; biotinylation; tubulin; NHERF1; tailless cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator; PDZ domain     

Protein kinase C phosphorylation disrupts Na+/H+ exchanger regulatory factor 1 autoinhibition and promotes cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator macromolecular assembly

An emerging theme in cell signaling is that membrane-bound channels and receptors are organized into supramolecular signaling complexes for optimum function and cross-talk. In this study, we determined how protein kinase C (PKC) phosphorylation influences the scaffolding protein Na(+)/H(+) exchanger regulatory factor 1 (NHERF) to assemble protein complexes of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), a chloride ion channel that controls fluid and electrolyte transport across cell membranes. NHERF directs polarized expression of receptors and ion transport proteins in epithelial cells, as well as organizes the homo- and hetero-association of these cell surface proteins. NHERF contains two modular PDZ domains that are modular protein-protein interaction motifs, and a C-terminal domain. Previous studies have shown that NHERF is a phosphoprotein, but how phosphorylation affects NHERF to assemble macromolecular complexes is unknown. We show that PKC phosphorylates two amino acid residues Ser-339 and Ser-340 in the C-terminal domain of NHERF, but a serine 162 of PDZ2 is specifically protected from being phosphorylated by the intact C-terminal domain. PKC phosphorylation-mimicking mutant S339D/S340D of NHERF has increased affinity and stoichiometry when binding to C-CFTR. Moreover, solution small angle x-ray scattering indicates that the PDZ2 and C-terminal domains contact each other in NHERF, but such intramolecular domain-domain interactions are released in the PKC phosphorylation-mimicking mutant indicating that PKC phosphorylation disrupts the autoinhibition interactions in NHERF. The results demonstrate that the C-terminal domain of NHERF functions as an intramolecular switch that regulates the binding capability of PDZ2, and thus controls the stoichiometry of NHERF to assemble protein complexes.     

Acute down-regulation of sodium-dependent phosphate transporter NPT2a involves predominantly the cAMP/PKA pathway as revealed by signaling-selective parathyroid hormone analogs

The parathyroid hormone (PTH)/PTH-related peptide (PTHrP) receptor (PTHR1) in cells of the renal proximal tubule mediates the reduction in membrane expression of the sodium-dependent P(i) co-transporters, NPT2a and NPT2c, and thus suppresses the re-uptake of P(i) from the filtrate. In most cell types, the liganded PTHR1 activates Gα(S)/adenylyl cyclase/cAMP/PKA (cAMP/PKA) and Gα(q/11)/phospholipase C/phosphatidylinositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3))/Ca(2+)/PKC (IP(3)/PKC) signaling pathways, but the relative roles of each pathway in mediating renal regulation P(i) transport remain uncertain. We therefore explored the signaling mechanisms involved in PTH-dependent regulation of NPT2a function using potent, long-acting PTH analogs, M-PTH(1-28) (where M = Ala(1,12), Aib(3), Gln(10), Har(11), Trp(14), and Arg(19)) and its position 1-modified variant, Trp(1)-M-PTH(1-28), designed to be phospholipase C-deficient. In cell-based assays, both M-PTH(1-28) and Trp(1)-M-PTH(1-28) exhibited potent and prolonged cAMP responses, whereas only M-PTH(1-28) was effective in inducing IP(3) and intracellular calcium responses. In opossum kidney cells, a clonal cell line in which the PTHR1 and NPT2a are endogenously expressed, M-PTH(1-28) and Trp(1)-M-PTH(1-28) each induced reductions in (32)P uptake, and these responses persisted for more than 24 h after ligand wash-out, whereas that of PTH(1-34) was terminated by 4 h. When injected into wild-type mice, both M-modified PTH analogs induced prolonged reductions in blood P(i) levels and commensurate reductions in NPT2a expression in the renal brush border membrane. Our findings suggest that the acute down-regulation of NPT2a expression by PTH ligands involves mainly the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway and are thus consistent with the elevated blood P(i) levels seen in pseudohypoparathyroid patients, in whom Gα(s)-mediated signaling in renal proximal tubule cells is defective.     

CXCR2 Macromolecular Complex in Pancreatic Cancer: A Potential Therapeutic Target in Tumor Growth

The signaling mediated by the chemokine receptor CXC chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2) plays an important role in promoting the progression of many cancers, including pancreatic cancer, one of the most lethal human malignancies. CXCR2 possesses a consensus PSD-95/DlgA/ZO-1 (PDZ) motif at its carboxyl termini, which might interact with potential PDZ scaffold/adaptor proteins. We have previously reported that CXCR2 PDZ motif-mediated protein interaction is an important regulator for neutrophil functions. Here, using a series of biochemical assays, we demonstrate that CXCR2 is physically coupled to its downstream effector phospholipase C-β3 (PLC-β3) that is mediated by PDZ scaffold protein Na⁺/H⁺ exchange regulatory factor 1 (NHERF1) into a macromolecular signaling complex both in vitro and in pancreatic cancer cells. We also observe that disrupting the CXCR2 complex, by gene delivery or peptide delivery of exogenous CXCR2 C-tail, significantly inhibits the biologic functions of pancreatic cancer cells (i.e., proliferation and invasion) in a PDZ motif-dependent manner. In addition, using a human pancreatic tumor xenograft model, we show that gene delivery of CXCR2 C-tail sequence (containing the PDZ motif) by adeno-associated virus type 2 viral vector potently suppresses human pancreatic tumor growth in immunodeficient mice. In summary, our results suggest the existence of a physical and functional coupling of CXCR2 and PLC-β3 mediated through NHERF1, forming a macromolecular complex that is critical for efficient and specific CXCR2 signaling in pancreatic cancer progression. Disrupting this CXCR2 complex could represent a novel and effective treatment strategy against pancreatic cancer.     

The relative binding affinities of PDZ partners for CFTR: a biochemical basis for efficient endocytic recycling

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is an epithelial chloride channel mutated in patients with cystic fibrosis. Its expression and functional interactions in the apical membrane are regulated by several PDZ (PSD-95, discs large, zonula occludens-1) proteins, which mediate protein-protein interactions, typically by binding C-terminal recognition motifs. In particular, the CFTR-associated ligand (CAL) limits cell-surface levels of the most common disease-associated mutant DeltaF508-CFTR. CAL also mediates degradation of wild-type CFTR, targeting it to lysosomes following endocytosis. Nevertheless, wild-type CFTR survives numerous cycles of uptake and recycling. In doing so, how does it repeatedly avoid CAL-mediated degradation? One mechanism may involve competition between CAL and other PDZ proteins including Na (+)/H (+) exchanger-3 regulatory factors 1 and 2 (NHERF1 and NHERF2), which functionally stabilize cell-surface CFTR. Thus, to understand the biochemical basis of WT-CFTR persistence, we need to know the relative affinities of these partners. However, no quantitative binding data are available for CAL or the individual NHERF2 PDZ domains, and published estimates for the NHERF1 PDZ domains conflict. Here we demonstrate that the affinity of the CAL PDZ domain for the CFTR C-terminus is much weaker than those of NHERF1 and NHERF2 domains, enabling wild-type CFTR to avoid premature entrapment in the lysosomal pathway. At the same time, CAL's affinity is evidently sufficient to capture and degrade more rapidly cycling mutants, such as DeltaF508-CFTR. The relatively weak affinity of the CAL:CFTR interaction may provide a pharmacological window for stabilizing rescued DeltaF508-CFTR in patients with cystic fibrosis.     

NHE3 Regulatory Factor 1 (NHERF1) Modulates Intestinal Sodium-dependent Phosphate Transporter (NaPi-2b) Expression in Apical Microvilli

P_i uptake in the small intestine occurs predominantly through the NaPi-2b (SLC34a2) co-transporter. NaPi-2b is regulated by changes in dietary P_i but the mechanisms underlying this regulation are largely undetermined. Sequence analyses show NaPi-2b has a PDZ binding motif at its C terminus. Immunofluorescence imaging shows NaPi-2b and two PDZ domain containing proteins, NHERF1 and PDZK1, are expressed in the apical microvillar domain of rat small intestine enterocytes. Co-immunoprecipitation studies in rat enterocytes show that NHERF1 associates with NaPi-2b but not PDZK1. In HEK co-expression studies, GFP-NaPi-2b co-precipitates with FLAG-NHERF1. This interaction is markedly diminished when the C-terminal four amino acids are truncated from NaPi-2b. FLIM-FRET analyses using tagged proteins in CACO-2_BBE cells show a distinct phasor shift between NaPi-2b and NHERF1 but not between NaPi-2b and the PDZK1 pair. This shift demonstrates that NaPi-2b and NHERF1 reside within 10 nm of each other. NHERF1^−/− mice, but not PDZK1^−/− mice, had a diminished adaptation of NaPi-2b expression in response to a low P_i diet. Together these studies demonstrate that NHERF1 associates with NaPi-2b in enterocytes and regulates NaPi-2b adaptation.     

Crystal structure of the PDZ1 domain of human Na(+)/H(+) exchanger regulatory factor provides insights into the mechanism of carboxyl-terminal leucine recognition by class I PDZ domains

The Na(+)/H(+) exchanger regulatory factor (NHERF; also known as EBP50) contains two PDZ domains that mediate the assembly of transmembrane and cytosolic proteins into functional signal transduction complexes. The NHERF PDZ1 domain interacts specifically with the motifs DSLL, DSFL, and DTRL present at the carboxyl termini of the beta(2) adrenergic receptor (beta(2)AR), the platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), and the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), respectively, and plays a central role in the physiological regulation of these proteins. The crystal structure of the human NHERF PDZ1 has been determined at 1.5 A resolution using multiwavelength anomalous diffraction phasing. The overall structure is similar to known PDZ structures, with notable differences in the NHERF PDZ1 carboxylate-binding loop that contains the GYGF motif, and the variable loop between the beta2 and beta3 strands. In the crystalline state, the carboxyl-terminal sequence DEQL of PDZ1 occupies the peptide-binding pocket of a neighboring PDZ1 molecule related by 2-fold crystallographic symmetry. This structure reveals the molecular mechanism of carboxyl-terminal leucine recognition by class I PDZ domains, and provides insights into the specificity of NHERF interaction with the carboxyl termini of several membrane receptors and ion channels, including the beta(2)AR, PDGFR, and CFTR.