Cholesterol enhances phospholipid binding and aggregation of annexins by their core domain

Annexins are Ca(2+)-dependent phospholipid-binding proteins composed of two domains: A conserved core that is responsible for Ca(2+)- and phospholipid-binding, and a variable N-terminal tail. A Ca(2+)-independent annexin 2-membrane association has been shown to be modulated by the presence of cholesterol in the membranes. Herein, the roles of the core and the N-terminal tail on the cholesterol-enhancement of annexin 2 membrane binding and aggregation were studied. The results show that (i) the cholesterol-mediated increase in membrane binding and in the Ca(2+) sensitivity for membrane aggregation were not modified by a N-terminal peptide (residues 15-26), and were conserved in mutants of the N-terminal end (S11 and S25 substitutions); (ii) cholesterol induced an increase in the Ca(2+)-dependent membrane binding and aggregation of the N-terminally truncated protein (Delta 1-29); and (iii) annexins 5 and 6, two proteins with unrelated N-terminal tails and homologous core domains showed a cholesterol-mediated enhancement of the Ca(2+)-dependent binding to membranes. These data indicate that the core domain is responsible for the cholesterol-mediated effects. A model for the cholesterol effect in membrane organisation, annexin binding and aggregation is discussed.     

The annexins

Annexins are traditionally thought of as calcium-dependent phospholipid-binding proteins, but recent work suggests a more complex set of functions. More than a thousand proteins of the annexin superfamily have been identified in major eukaryotic phyla, but annexins are absent from yeasts and prokaryotes. The unique annexin core domain is made up of four similar repeats approximately 70 amino acids long, each of which usually contains a characteristic 'type 2' motif for binding calcium ions. Animal and fungal annexins also have non-homologous amino-terminal domains of varying length and sequence, which are responsible for the distinct localizations and specialized functions of the proteins through post-translational modification and binding to other proteins. Annexins interact with various cell-membrane components that are involved in the structural organization of the cell, intracellular signaling by enzyme modulation and ion fluxes, growth control, and they can act as atypical calcium channels. Analysis of site-specific conservation in the core domain suggests a role for certain buried residues in the calcium-channel activity of vertebrate annexins and in the structural stability of their core domains. Evolutionarily significant differences between subfamilies are preferentially localized to accessible sites on the protein surface that determine membrane binding and interactions with cytosolic proteins.     

Allosterism in membrane binding: a common motif of the annexins?

Annexins are a family of proteins generally described as Ca(2+)-dependent for phospholipid binding. Yet, annexins have a wide variety of binding behaviors and conformational states, some of which are lipid-dependent and Ca(2+)-independent. We present a model that captures the cation and phospholipid binding behavior of the highly conserved core of the annexins. Experimental data for annexins A4 and A5, which have short N-termini, were globally modeled to gain an understanding of how the lipid-binding affinity of the conserved protein core is modulated. Analysis of the binding behavior was achieved through use of the lanthanide Tb(3+) as a Ca(2+) analogue. Binding isotherms were determined experimentally from the quenching of the intrinsic fluorescence of annexins A4 and A5 by Tb(3+) in the presence or absence of membranes. In the presence of lipid, the affinity of annexin for cation increases, and the binding isotherms change from hyperbolic to weakly sigmoidal. This behavior was modeled by isotherms derived from microscopic binding partition functions. The change from hyperbolic to sigmoidal binding occurs because of an allosteric transition from the annexin solution state to its membrane-associated state. Protein binding to lipid bilayers renders cation binding by annexins cooperative. The two annexin states denote two affinities of the protein for cation, one in the absence and another in the presence of membrane. In the framework of this model, we discuss membrane binding as well as the influence of the N-terminus in modifying the annexin cation-binding affinity by changing the probability of the protein to undergo the postulated two-state transition.     

Identification of a domain that mediates vesicle aggregation reveals functional diversity of annexin repeats.

Annexins are structurally related proteins that bind phospholipids in a Ca2(+)-dependent manner and possess at least four conserved 70-amino acid repeat domains. The ability of certain annexins to promote contact between vesicle membranes in vitro has prompted the suggestion that these proteins regulate membrane traffic in exocytosis. We have previously found that annexins I and II promote contact between vesicles whereas annexin V does not. In order to understand the mechanism of annexin I-mediated vesicle-vesicle contact, we prepared a monoclonal antibody that specifically inhibits annexin I-mediated vesicle aggregation. We identified the domain of annexin I recognized by this monoclonal antibody by using it to screen an expression library containing random fragments of annexin I cDNA. The antibody identified a fragment encoding amino acids 41-118 (the first repeat plus 8 residues of the amino-terminal tail). We constructed a chimeric protein containing these amino acids of annexin I fused to the second, third, and fourth repeats of annexin V. Transfer of this domain conferred the ability to promote vesicle aggregation, confirming that this domain participates directly in mediating contact between vesicle membranes.     

Crystal and molecular structure of human annexin V after refinement. Implications for structure, membrane binding and ion channel formation of the annexin family of proteins.

Two crystal forms (P6(3) and R3) of human annexin V have been crystallographically refined at 2.3 A and 2.0 A resolution to R-values of 0.184 and 0.174, respectively, applying very tight stereochemical restraints with deviations from ideal geometry of 0.01 A and 2 degrees. The three independent molecules (2 in P6(3), 1 in R3) are similar, with deviations in C alpha positions of 0.6 A. The polypeptide chain of 320 amino acid residues is folded into a planar cyclic arrangement of four repeats. The repeats have similar structures of five alpha-helical segments wound into a right-handed compact superhelix. Three calcium ion sites in repeats I, II and IV and two lanthanum ion sites in repeat I have been found in the R3 crystals. They are located at the convex face of the molecule opposite the N terminus. Repeat III has a different conformation at this site and no calcium bound. The calcium sites are similar to the phospholipase A2 calcium-binding site, suggesting analogy also in phospholipid interaction. The center of the molecule is formed by a channel of polar charged residues, which also harbors a chain of ordered water molecules conserved in the different crystal forms. Comparison with amino acid sequences of other annexins shows a high degree of similarity between them. Long insertions are found only at the N termini. Most conserved are the residues forming the metal-binding sites and the polar channel. Annexins V and VII form voltage-gated calcium ion channels when bound to membranes in vitro. We suggest that annexins bind with their convex face to membranes, causing local disorder and permeability of the phospholipid bilayers. Annexins are Janus-faced proteins that face phospholipid and water and mediate calcium transport.     

Identification of a novel mammalian annexin. cDNA cloning, sequence analysis, and ubiquitous expression of the annexin XI gene.

Annexins (or lipocortins) are a family of at least 10 structurally related calcium- and phospholipid-binding proteins. Each protein consists of a conserved core domain having four (or eight) repeats of a segment approximately 70 amino acids in length and a nonconserved, usually short, amino-terminal domain. To date, amino acid sequences for eight distinct mammalian annexins have been predicted from cDNAs. This report describes an additional member of this family, bovine annexin XI, identified by cDNA cloning and sequence analysis. The 503-amino acid deduced protein consists of a core domain of four annexin repeats and a long amino-terminal domain rich in glycine, proline, and tyrosine. This novel annexin gene is expressed in a wide variety of tissues and isolated cells in culture.     

The conserved core domains of annexins A1, A2, A5, and B12 can be divided into two groups with different Ca2+-dependent membrane-binding properties

The hallmark of the annexin super family of proteins is Ca(2+)-dependent binding to phospholipid bilayers, a property that resides in the conserved core domain of these proteins. Despite the structural similarity between the core domains, studies reported herein showed that annexins A1, A2, A5, and B12 could be divided into two groups with distinctively different Ca(2+)-dependent membrane-binding properties. The division correlates with the ability of the annexins to form Ca(2+)-dependent membrane-bound trimers. Site-directed spin-labeling and Forster resonance energy transfer experimental approaches confirmed the well-known ability of annexins A5 and B12 to form trimers, but neither method detected self-association of annexin A1 or A2 on bilayers. Studies of chimeras in which the N-terminal and core domains of annexins A2 and A5 were swapped showed that trimer formation was mediated by the core domain. The trimer-forming annexin A5 and B12 group had the following Ca(2+)-dependent membrane-binding properties: (1) high Ca(2+) stoichiometry for membrane binding ( approximately 12 mol of Ca(2+)/mol of protein); (2) binding to membranes was very exothermic (> -60 kcal/ mol of protein); and (3) binding to bilayers that were in the liquid-crystal phase but not to bilayers in the gel phase. In contrast, the nontrimer-forming annexin A1 and A2 group had the following Ca(2+)-dependent membrane-binding properties: (1) lower Ca(2+) stoichiometry for membrane binding (相似文献   

Mapping of three unique Ca(2+)-binding sites in human annexin II.

Site-directed mutagenesis was employed to map and characterize Ca(2+)-binding sites in annexin II, a member of the annexin family of Ca(2+)- and phospholipid-binding proteins which serves as a major cellular substrate for the tyrosine kinase encoded by the src oncogene. Several single amino acid substitutions were introduced in the human annexin II and the various mutant proteins were scored for their affinity towards Ca2+ in different assays. The data support our previous finding [Thiel, C., Weber, K. and Gerke V. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 14,732-14,739] that a Ca(2+)-binding site is present in the third of the four repeat segments which comprise the 33-kDa protein core of annexin II. In addition to Gly206 and Thr207, which are localized in the highly conserved endonexin fold of the third repeat, Glu246 is involved in the formation of this site. Thus the architecture of this Ca(2+)-binding site in solution is very similar, if not identical, to that of Ca2+ sites identified recently in annexin V crystals [Huber, R., Schneider, M., Mayr, I., R?misch, J. and Paques, E.-P. (1990) FEBS Lett. 275, 15-21]. In addition to the site in repeat 3, we have mapped sites of presumably similar architecture in repeats 2 and 4 of annexin II. Again, an acidic amino acid which is located 40 residues C-terminal to the conserved glycine at position 4 of the endonexin fold is indispensable for high-affinity Ca2+ binding: Asp161 in the second and Asp321 in the fourth repeat. In contrast, repeat 1 does not contain an acidic amino acid at a corresponding position and also shows deviations from the other repeats in the sequence surrounding the conserved glycine. These results on annexin II together with the crystallographic information on annexin V reveal that annexins can differ in the position of the Ca2+ sites. Ca(2+)-binding sites of similar structure are present in repeats 2, 3, and 4 of annexin II while in annexin V they occur in repeats 1, 2, and 4. We also synthesized an annexin II derivative with mutations in all three Ca2+ sites. This molecule shows a greatly reduced affinity for the divalent cation. However, it is still able to bind Ca2+, indicating the presence of (an) additional Ca2+ site(s) of presumably different architecture.     

Annexin VI regulation of cardiac function

Annexins are a family of membrane binding proteins that are characterized by a hypervariable amino terminus followed by a series of highly conserved Ca2+-phospholipid binding domains. Annexins function by binding to anionic phospholipid surfaces in a Ca2+-dependent manner. They self-associate to form trimers which further assemble into sheets that cover the membrane surface and alter properties such as fluidity and permeability. This submembranous skeleton alters integral protein functions such as ion transport properties and shields the surface from phospholipid binding proteins such as phospholipases and protein kinase C. Transgenic mouse hearts overexpressing wild type annexin VI (AnxVI673), a dominant-negative truncated annexin VI (residues 1-129, Anx129) and an annexin VI-null mouse (AnxVI-/-) have implicated the protein as a regulator of intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis which affects cardiac function.     

Calcium signaling and annexins

The annexins, are a family of calcium ion (Ca2+)-binding proteins whose physiological functions are poorly understood. Although many diverse functions have been proposed for these proteins, such as in vesicle trafficking, this review focuses on their proposed roles as Ca2+ or other ion channels, or as intracellular ion channel regulators. Such ideas are founded mainly on in vitro and structural analyses, but there is increasing evidence that at least some members of this protein family may indeed play a part in intracellular Ca2+ signaling by acting both as atypical ion channels and as modulators of ion channel activity. This review first introduces the annexin family, then discusses intracellular localization, developmental regulation, and modes of membrane association of annexins, which suggest roles in Ca2+ homeostasis. Finally, it examines the structural and electrophysiological data that argue for key roles for annexins in the control of ion fluxes.     

Modes of annexin-membrane interactions analyzed by employing chimeric annexin proteins

Annexin II is a member of the annexin family of Ca(2+)- and phospholipid-binding proteins which is particularly enriched on early endosomal membranes and has been implicated in participating in endocytic events. In contrast to other endosomal annexins the association of annexin II with its target membrane can occur in the absence of Ca(2+) in a manner depending on the unique N-terminal domain of the protein. However, endosome binding of annexin II does not require formation of a protein complex with the intracellular ligand S100A10 (p11) as an annexin II mutant protein (PM AnxII) incapable of interacting with p11 is still present on endosomal membranes. Fusion of the N-terminal sequence of this PM AnxII (residues 1-27) to the conserved protein core of annexin I transfers the capability of Ca(2+)-independent membrane binding to the otherwise Ca(2+)-sensitive annexin I. These results underscore the importance of the N-terminal sequence of annexin II for the Ca(2+)-independent endosome association and argue for a direct interaction of this sequence with an endosomal membrane receptor.     

A new consensus sequence for phosphatidylserine recognition by annexins

Annexins are abundant and ubiquitous proteins that bind, by their four structurally identical domain cores, to phosphatidylserine-containing membranes in the presence of Ca2+. Using molecular simulation and mutagenesis, we have identified a new phosphatidylserine-binding site in annexin V domain 1 and established its structure. The residues involved in this site constitute a consensus sequence highly conserved in all annexins. Remarkably, this consensus sequence is exclusively found in domains 1 or 2, sometimes in both, but never in domains 3 and 4. Such a pattern actually delineates three classes of annexins, shedding new light on the role played by the four-domain core of annexins that could encode specific information discriminating the different annexins that compete within a given cell for membrane binding. Our findings thus provide new strategies for understanding the regulation of the cellular functions of annexins.     

Annexins as intracellular calcium sensors

The annexins are a multigene family of Ca(2+)- and charged phospholipid-binding proteins. Although they have been ascribed with diverse functions, there is no consensus about the role played by this family as a whole. We have mapped the Ca(2+)-induced translocations of four members of the annexin family and of two truncated annexins in live cells, and demonstrated that these proteins interact with the plasma membrane as well as with internal membrane systems in a highly coordinated manner. Annexin 2 was the most Ca(2+) sensitive of the studied proteins, followed by annexins 6, 4 and 1. The calcium sensitivity of annexin 2 increased further following co-expression with S100A10. Upon elevation of [Ca(2+)](i), annexins 2 and 6 translocated to the plasma membrane, whereas annexins 4 and 1 also became associated with intracellular membranes and the nuclear envelope. The NH(2)-terminus had a modulatory effect on plasma membrane binding: its truncation increased the Ca(2+) sensitivity of annexin 1, and decreased that of annexin 2. Given the fact that several annexins are present within any one cell, it is likely that they form a sophisticated [Ca(2+)] sensing system, with a regulatory influence on other signaling pathways.     

Annexins--a new family of Ca(2+)-binding proteins

Annexins, the Ca(2+)- and phospholipid-binding proteins, are able to induce Ca(2+)-dependent aggregation of biomembranes. All the representatives of this family contain four or eight tandem repeats, 60-80 amino acids each. All these repeats include a highly conservative 17-member amino acid consensus sequence (an endonexin fold). The central domain comprises all these repeats and contains, in addition, the site(s) with a binding affinity for Ca2+ and phospholipids. Annexins are devoid of the classical "EF-hand" Ca(2+)-binding domain and can therefore be assigned to a new family of Ca(2+)-binding proteins.     

Immunodetection of annexins 1 and 2 in ciliated cells from quail oviduct.

Annexins 1 and 2 are Ca(2+)-binding proteins related to the cytoskeletal proteins which have been reported to bind in a calcium-dependent manner of F-actin and phospholipids in vitro. Proteins immunologically related to the brain 37-kDa annexin 1 and 36-kDa annexin 2 were characterized by immunoblotting epithelial ciliated cells from quail oviduct. They were detected by immunofluorescence in ciliated as well as glandular cells, using antisera and purified antibodies directed against pig brain annexins. The pattern of labeling was found in the apical part of both cell types, with close membrane association. However, a wider distribution was observed in mature ciliated cells: annexins were localized in the well developed cytoskeletal meshwork in which the ciliary apparatus is tightly anchored. After immunogold labeling, annexins 1 and 2 were located in the same area as spectrin 240/235 and at the connection sites of F-actin; both these cytoskeletals proteins were associated with the appendages of the basal body. In contrast, annexins were not detected in immature epithelial cells, while actin and spectrin were present. During ciliogenesis, the staining gradually appeared associated with the lateral and apical membranes. In this cellular model, the annexins may function during exocytosis in gland epithelial cells, where a close cytoskeleton-membrane association is observed; moreover, in ciliated cells, a relationship between cytoskeletal elements of the terminal web and annexins may exist.     

Annexins V and XII insert into bilayers at mildly acidic pH and form ion channels

The functional hallmark of annexins is the ability to bind to the surface of phospholipid membranes in a reversible, Ca(2+)-dependent manner. We now report that human annexin V and hydra annexin XII reversibly bound to phospholipid vesicles in the absence of Ca(2+) at low pH; half-maximal vesicle association occurred at pH 5.3 and 5. 8, respectively. The following biochemical data support the hypothesis that these annexins insert into bilayers at mildly acidic pH. First, a photoactivatable reagent (3-trifluoromethyl)-3-(m-[(125)I]iodophenyl)diazirine) which selectively labels proteins exposed to the hydrophobic domain of bilayers reacted with these annexins at pH 5.0 and below but not at neutral pH. Second, in a Triton X-114 partitioning assay, annexins V and XII act as integral membrane proteins at low pH and as hydrophilic proteins at neutral pH; in the presence of phospholipids half-maximal partitioning into detergent occurred at pH approximately 5.0. Finally, annexin V or XII formed single channels in phospholipid bilayers at low pH but not at neutral pH. A model is discussed in which the concentrations of H(+) and Ca(2+) regulate the reversible conversion of three forms of annexins-soluble, peripheral membrane, and transmembrane.     

Structure of membrane-bound annexin A5 trimers: a hybrid cryo-EM - X-ray crystallography study

Annexins constitute a family of phospholipid- and Ca(2+)-binding proteins involved in a variety of membrane-related processes. The property of several annexins, including annexin A5, to self-organize at the surface of lipid membranes into 2D ordered arrays has been proposed to be functionally relevant in cellular contexts. To further address this question, we investigated the high-resolution structure of annexin A5 trimers in membrane-bound 2D crystals by cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM). A new 2D crystal form was discovered, with p32(1) symmetry, which is significantly better ordered than the 2D crystals reported before. A 2D projection map was obtained at 6.5 A resolution, revealing protein densities within each of the four domains characteristic of annexins. A quantitative comparison was performed between this structure and models generated from the structure of the soluble form of annexin A5 in pseudo-R3 3D crystals. This analysis indicated that both structures are essentially identical, except for small local changes attributed to membrane binding. As a consequence, and contrary to the common view, annexin A5 molecules maintain their bent shape and do not flatten upon membrane binding, which implies either that the four putative Ca(2+) and membrane-binding loops present different types of interaction with the membrane surface, or that the membrane surface is locally perturbed. We propose that the trimerization of annexin A5 molecules is the relevant structural change occurring upon membrane binding. The evidence that 2D arrays of annexin A5 trimers are responsible for its in vitro property of blood coagulation inhibition supports this conclusion.     

Stress fibres-a Ca2+ -independent store for annexins?

Annexins belong to a family of lipid-binding proteins that are implicated in membrane organization. Several members are capable of binding to actin and, in smooth muscle cells, annexin 6 is known to form a Ca(2+)-dependent, plasmalemmal complex with actin filaments. Annexins can also associate with F-actin containing stress fibres within cultured smooth muscle cells or fibroblasts in a Ca(2+)-independent manner. Depolymerization of stress-fibre systems with cytochalasin D leads to the translocation of actin-bound annexin 2 from the cytoplasm to the plasma membrane at high intracellular levels of Ca(2+). This type of Ca(2+)-dependent annexin mobility is observed only in cells of mesenchymal phenotype, which have a well-developed stress-fibre system; not in epithelial cells.     

Annexins V and XII alter the properties of planar lipid bilayers seen by conductance probes

Annexins are proteins that bind lipids in the presence of calcium. Though multiple functions have been proposed for annexins, there is no general agreement on what annexins do or how they do it. We have used the well-studied conductance probes nonactin, alamethicin, and tetraphenylborate to investigate how annexins alter the functional properties of planar lipid bilayers. We found that annexin XII reduces the nonactin-induced conductance to approximately 30% of its original value. Both negative lipid and approximately 30 microM Ca(2+) are required for the conductance reduction. The mutant annexin XIIs, E105K and E105K/K68A, do not reduce the nonactin conductance even though both bind to the membrane just as wild-type does. Thus, subtle changes in the interaction of annexins with the membrane seem to be important. Annexin V also reduces nonactin conductance in nearly the same manner as annexin XII. Pronase in the absence of annexin had no effect on the nonactin conductance. But when added to the side of the bilayer opposite that to which annexin was added, pronase increased the nonactin-induced conductance toward its pre-annexin value. Annexins also dramatically alter the conductance induced by a radically different probe, alamethicin. When added to the same side of the bilayer as alamethicin, annexin has virtually no effect, but when added trans to the alamethicin, annexin dramatically reduces the asymmetry of the I-V curve and greatly slows the kinetics of one branch of the curve without altering those of the other. Annexin also reduces the rate at which the hydrophobic anion, tetraphenylborate, crosses the bilayer. These results suggest that annexin greatly reduces the ability of small molecules to cross the membrane without altering the surface potential and that at least some fraction of the active annexin is accessible to pronase digestion from the opposite side of the membrane.