Constitutive high-affinity choline transporter endocytosis is determined by a carboxyl-terminal tail dileucine motif

Maintenance of acetylcholine synthesis depends on the effective functioning of a high-affinity sodium-dependent choline transporter (CHT1). Recent studies have shown that this transporter is predominantly localized inside the cell, unlike other neurotransmitter transporters, suggesting that the trafficking of CHT1 to and from the plasma membrane may play a crucial role in regulating choline uptake. Here we found that CHT1 is rapidly and constitutively internalized in clathrin-coated vesicles to Rab5-positive early endosomes. CHT1 internalization is controlled by an atypical carboxyl-terminal dileucine-like motif (L531, V532) which, upon replacement by alanine residues, blocks CHT1 internalization in both human embryonic kidney 293 cells and primary cortical neurons and results in both increased CHT1 cell surface expression and choline transport activity. Perturbation of clathrin-mediated endocytosis with dynamin-I K44A increases cell surface expression and transport activity to a similar extent as mutating the dileucine motif, suggesting that we have identified the motif responsible for constitutive CHT1 internalization. Based on the observation that the localization of CHT1 to the plasma membrane is transient, we propose that acetylcholine synthesis may be influenced by processes that lead to the attenuation of constitutive CHT1 endocytosis.     

Expression of the high-affinity choline transporter CHT1 in epithelia

Uptake of choline by the high-affinity choline transporter CHT1 is the rate-limiting step in neuronal acetylcholine (ACh) synthesis. Here, we investigated by RT-PCR, in-situ hybridisation, immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting whether CHT1 is also expressed in cholinergic epithelia. CHT1-mRNA and -protein were detected in keratinocytes of human skin, rat skin and tongue, the human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT, and the ciliated cells of the rat tracheal epithelium. Immunohistochemically, CHT1 was predominantly localized to the epithelial cell membranes, in case of ciliated tracheal cells it was restricted to the apical membrane. This is the first study to demonstrate the expression of CHT1 in non-neuronal cells. The close apposition of CHT1 to reported sites of localization of choline acetyltransferase in these cells is strongly in favour of ACh synthesis being fuelled by choline uptake via CHT1 in these epithelia.     

The neuronal choline transporter CHT1 is regulated by immunosuppressor-sensitive pathways

The immunosuppressor cyclosporin A inhibits the peptidyl-prolyl-cis/trans-isomerase activity of cyclophilins and the resulting complex inhibits the phosphatase activity of calcineurin. Both enzymes were detected in peripheral nerve endings isolated from the electric organ of Torpedo and shown to be affected by 10 micro m cyclosporin A. Among the cholinergic properties studied, choline uptake was specifically inhibited by cyclosporin A to a maximum of 40%. Cyclosporin A decreased the rate of choline transport but not the binding of the non-transportable choline analogue hemicholinium-3, indicating that the number of membrane transporters was not affected. Through the use of two other immunosuppressors, FK506, which also inhibits calcineurin, and rapamycin, which does not, two different mechanisms of choline uptake inhibition were uncovered. FK506 inhibited the rate of choline transport, whereas rapamycin diminished the affinity for choline. The Torpedo homologue of the high affinity choline transporter CHT1 was cloned and its activity was reconstituted in Xenopus oocytes. Choline uptake by oocytes expressing tCHT1 was inhibited by all three immunosuppressors and also by microinjection of the specific calcineurin autoinhibitory domain A457-481, indicating that the phosphatase calcineurin regulates CHT1 activity and could be the common target of cyclosporin and FK506. Rapamycin, which changed the affinity of the transporter, may have acted through an immunophilin on the isomerization of critical prolines that are found in the tCHT1 sequence.     

Expression of the high-affinity choline transporter CHT1 in rat and human arteries.

The arterial vascular wall contains a non-neuronal intrinsic cholinergic system. The rate-limiting step in acetylcholine (ACh) synthesis is choline uptake. A high-affinity choline transporter, CHT1, has recently been cloned from neural tissue and has been identified in epithelial cholinergic cells. Here we investigated its presence in rat and human arteries and in primary cell cultures of rat vascular cells (endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts). CHT1-mRNA was detected in the arterial wall and in all isolated cell types by RT-PCR using five different CHT1-specific primer pairs. Antisera raised against amino acids 29-40 of the rat sequence labeled a single band (50 kD) in Western blots of rat aorta, and an additional higher molecular weight band appeared in the hippocampus. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated CHT1 immunoreactivity in endothelial and smooth muscle cells in situ and in all cultured cell types. A high-affinity [3H]-choline uptake mechanism sharing characteristics with neuronal high-affinity choline uptake, i.e., sensitivity to hemicholinium-3 and dependence on sodium, was demonstrated in rat thoracic aortic segments by microimager autoradiography. Expression of the high-affinity choline transporter CHT1 is a novel component of the intrinsic non-neuronal cholinergic system of the arterial vascular wall, predominantly in the intimal and medial layers.     

The hemicholinium-3 sensitive high affinity choline transporter is internalized by clathrin-mediated endocytosis and is present in endosomes and synaptic vesicles

Synthesis of acetylcholine depends on the plasma membrane uptake of choline by a high affinity choline transporter (CHT1). Choline uptake is regulated by nerve impulses and trafficking of an intracellular pool of CHT1 to the plasma membrane may be important for this regulation. We have generated a hemagglutinin (HA) epitope tagged CHT1 to investigate the organelles involved with intracellular trafficking of this protein. Expression of CHT1-HA in HEK 293 cells establishes Na+-dependent, hemicholinium-3 sensitive high-affinity choline transport activity. Confocal microscopy reveals that CHT1-HA is found predominantly in intracellular organelles in three different cell lines. Importantly, CHT1-HA seems to be continuously cycling between the plasma membrane and endocytic organelles via a constitutive clathrin-mediated endocytic pathway. In a neuronal cell line, CHT1-HA colocalizes with the early endocytic marker green fluorescent protein (GFP)-Rab 5 and with two markers of synaptic-like vesicles, VAMP-myc and GFP-VAChT, suggesting that in cultured cells CHT1 is present mainly in organelles of endocytic origin. Subcellular fractionation and immunoisolation of organelles from rat brain indicate that CHT1 is present in synaptic vesicles. We propose that intracellular CHT1 can be recruited during stimulation to increase choline uptake in nerve terminals.     

Nerve growth factor regulates the expression of the cholinergic locus and the high-affinity choline transporter via the Akt/PKB signaling pathway

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a trophic and survival factor for cholinergic neurons, and it induces the expression of several genes that are essential for synthesis and storage of acetylcholine (ACh), specifically choline acetyltransferase, vesicular ACh transporter (VAChT), and choline transporter. We have found previously that the phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase pathway, but not the MEK/MAPK pathway, is the mediator of NGF-induced cholinergic differentiation. Here we demonstrate, in the rat pheochromocytoma cell line PC12 and in primary mouse neuronal cultures, that NGF-evoked up-regulation of these three cholinergic-specific genes is mediated by the anti-apoptotic signaling molecule Akt/protein kinase B. Inhibition of Akt activation by the pharmacological inhibitor 1L-6-hydroxymethyl-chiro-inositol 2(R)-2-O-methyl-3-O-octadecylcarbonate (HIMO), or by a peptide fragment derived from the proto-oncogene TLC1, eliminated NGF-stimulated increases in cholinergic gene expression, as demonstrated by RT-PCR and reporter gene assays. Moreover, treatment with HIMO reversed NGF-evoked increases in choline acetyltransferase activity and ACh production. In co-transfection assays with the reporter construct, a dominant-negative Akt plasmid and Akt1-specific small interfering RNA also attenuated NGF-induced cholinergic promoter activity. Our data indicate that, in addition to its well-described role in promoting neuronal survival, Akt can also mediate signals necessary for neurochemical differentiation.     

Determinants for Arabidopsis peptide transporter targeting to the tonoplast or plasma membrane

Di- and tripeptide transporters of the PTR/NRT1 (peptide transporter/nitrate transporter1)-family are localized either at the tonoplast (TP) or plasma membrane (PM). As limited information is available on structural determinants required for targeting of plant membrane proteins, we performed gene shuffling and domain swapping experiments of Arabidopsis PTRs. A 7 amino acid fragment of the hydrophilic N-terminal region of PTR2, PTR4 and PTR6 was required for TP localization and sufficient to redirect not only PM-localized PTR1 or PTR5, but also sucrose transporter SUC2 to the TP. Alanine scanning mutagenesis identified L(11) and I(12) of PTR2 to be essential for TP targeting, while only one acidic amino acid at position 5, 6 or 7 was required, revealing a dileucine (LL or LI) motif with at least one upstream acidic residue. Similar dileucine motifs could be identified in other plant TP transporters, indicating a broader role of this targeting motif in plants. Targeting to the PM required the loop between transmembrane domain 6 and 7 of PTR1 or PTR5. Deletion of either PM or TP targeting signals resulted in retention in internal membranes, indicating that PTR trafficking to these destination membranes requires distinct signals and is in both cases not by default.     

Cortical choline transporter function measured in vivo using choline-sensitive microelectrodes: clearance of endogenous and exogenous choline and effects of removal of cholinergic terminals

The capacity of the high-affinity choline transporter (CHT) to import choline into presynaptic terminals is essential for acetylcholine synthesis. Ceramic-based microelectrodes, coated at recording sites with choline oxidase to detect extracellular choline concentration changes, were attached to multibarrel glass micropipettes and implanted into the rat frontoparietal cortex. Pressure ejections of hemicholinium-3 (HC-3), a selective CHT blocker, dose-dependently reduced the uptake rate of exogenous choline as well as that of choline generated in response to terminal depolarization. Following the removal of CHTs, choline signal recordings confirmed that the demonstration of potassium-induced choline signals and HC-3-induced decreases in choline clearance require the presence of cholinergic terminals. The results obtained from lesioned animals also confirmed the selectivity of the effects of HC-3 on choline clearance in intact animals. Residual cortical choline clearance correlated significantly with CHT-immunoreactivity in lesioned and intact animals. Finally, synaptosomal choline uptake assays were conducted under conditions reflecting in vivo basal extracellular choline concentrations. Results from these assays confirmed the capacity of CHTs measured in vivo and indicated that diffusion of substrate away from the electrode did not confound the in vivo findings. Collectively, these results indicate that increases in extracellular choline concentrations, irrespective of source, are rapidly cleared by CHTs.     

Molecular and functional characterization of an Na+-independent choline transporter in rat astrocytes

In this study, we examined the molecular and functional characterization of choline uptake into cultured rat cortical astrocytes. Choline uptake into astrocytes showed little dependence on extracellular Na+. Na+-independent choline uptake was saturable and mediated by a single transport system, with an apparent Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) of 35.7 +/- 4.1 microm and a maximal velocity (Vmax) of 49.1 +/- 2.0 pmol/mg protein/min. Choline uptake was significantly decreased by acidification of the extracellular medium and by membrane depolarization. Na+-independent choline uptake was inhibited by unlabeled choline, acetylcholine and the choline analogue hemicholinium-3. The prototypical organic cation tetrahexylammonium (TEA), and other n-tetraalkylammonium compounds such as tetrabutylammonium (TBA) and tetrahexylammonium (THA), inhibited Na+-independent choline uptake, and their inhibitory potencies were in the order THA > TBA > TEA. Various organic cations, such as 1-methyl-4-tetrahydropyridinium (MPP+), clonidine, quinine, quinidine, guanidine, N-methylnicotinamide, cimetidine, desipramine, diphenhydramine and verapamil, also interacted with the Na+-independent choline transport system. Corticosterone and 17beta-estradiol, known inhibitors of organic cation transporter 3 (OCT3), did not cause any significant inhibition. However, decynium22, which inhibits OCTs, markedly inhibited Na+-independent choline uptake. RT-PCR demonstrated that astrocytes expressed low levels of OCT1, OCT2 and OCT3 mRNA, but the functional characteristics of choline uptake are very different from the known properties of these OCTs. The high-affinity Na+-dependent choline transporter, CHT1, is not expressed in astrocytes as evidenced by RT-PCR. Furthermore, mRNA for choline transporter-like protein 1 (CTL1), and its splice variants CTL1a and CTL1b, was expressed in rat astrocytes, and the inhibition of CTL1 expression by RNA interference completely inhibited Na+-independent choline uptake. We conclude that rat astrocytes express an intermediate-affinity Na+-independent choline transport system. This system seems to occur through a CTL1 and is responsible for the uptake of choline and organic cations in these cells.     

Dileucine motif is sufficient for internalization and synaptic vesicle targeting of vesicular acetylcholine transporter

Efficient cholinergic transmission requires accurate targeting of vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) to synaptic vesicles (SVs). However, the signals that regulate this vesicular targeting are not well characterized. Although previous studies suggest that the C-terminus of the transporter is required for its SV targeting, it is not clear whether this region is sufficient for this process. Furthermore, a synaptic vesicle-targeting motif (SVTM) within this sequence remains to be identified. Here we use a chimeric protein, TacA, between an unrelated plasma membrane protein, Tac, and the C-terminus of VAChT to demonstrate the sufficiency of the C-terminus for targeting to synaptic vesicle-like vesicles (SVLVs) in PC12 cells. TacA shows colocalization and cosedimentation with the SV marker synaptophysin. Deletion mutation analysis of TacA demonstrates that a short, dileucine motif-containing sequence is required and sufficient to direct this targeting. Dialanine mutation analysis within this sequence suggests indistinguishable signals for both internalization and SV sorting. Using additional chimeras as controls, we confirm the specificity of this region for SVLVs targeting. Therefore, we suggest that the dileucine-containing motif is sufficient as a dual signal for both internalization and SV targeting during VAChT trafficking.     

Inhibition of the rat blood–brain barrier choline transporter by manganese chloride

Choline transport has been characterized by multiple mechanisms including the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and high- and low-affinity systems. Each mechanism has unique locations and characteristics yet retain some similarities. Previous studies have demonstrated cationic competition by monovalent cations at the BBB and cation divalent manganese in the high-affinity system. To evaluate the effects of divalent manganese inhibition as well as other cationic metals at the BBB choline transporter, brain choline uptake was evaluated in the presence of certain metals of interest in Fischer-344 rats using the in situ brain perfusion technique. Brain choline uptake was inhibited in the presence of Cd(2+) (73 +/- 2%) and Mn(2+) (44 +/- 6%), whereas no inhibition was observed with Cu(2+) and Al(3+). Furthermore, it was found that manganese caused a reduction in brain choline uptake and significant regional choline uptake inhibition in the frontal and parietal cortex, the hippocampus and the caudate putamen (45 +/- 3%, 68 +/- 18%, 58 +/- 9% and 46 +/- 15%, respectively). These results suggest that choline uptake into the CNS can be inhibited by divalent cationic metals and monovalent cations. In addition, the choline transporter may be a means by which manganese enters the brain.     

Characterization of the blood-brain barrier choline transporter using the in situ rat brain perfusion technique

Choline enters brain by saturable transport at the blood-brain barrier (BBB). In separate studies, both sodium-dependent and passive choline transport systems of differing affinity have been reported at brain capillary endothelial cells. In the present study, we re-examined brain choline uptake using the in situ rat brain perfusion technique. Saturable brain choline uptake from perfusion fluid was best described by a model with a single transporter (V:(max) = 2.4-3.1 nmol/min/g; K(m) = 39-42 microM) with an apparent affinity (1/Km)) for choline five to ten-fold greater than previously reported in vivo, but less than neuronal 'high-affinity' brain choline transport (K(m) = 1-5 microM). BBB choline uptake from a sodium-free perfusion fluid using sucrose for osmotic balance was 50% greater than in the presence of sodium suggesting that sodium is not required for transport. Hemicholinium-3 inhibited brain choline uptake with a K(i) (57 +/- 11 microM) greater than that at the neuronal choline system. In summary, BBB choline transport occurs with greater affinity than previously reported, but does not match the properties of the neuronal choline transporter. The V:(max) of this system is appreciable and may provide a mechanism for delivering cationic drugs to brain.     

Identification of acidic dileucine signals in LRP9 that interact with both GGAs and AP-1/AP-2

The Golgi-localized, gamma-ear-containing, ADP ribosylation factor-binding family of monomeric clathrin adaptors (GGAs) is known to bind cargo molecules through short C-terminal peptide motifs conforming to the sequence DXXLL (X = any amino acid), while the heterotetrameric adaptors AP-1 and AP-2 utilize a similar but discrete sorting motif of the sequence [D,E]XXXL[L,I]. While it has been established that a single cargo molecule may contain either or both types of these acidic cluster-dileucine (AC-LL) sorting signals, there are no examples of cargo with overlapping GGA and AP-1/AP-2-binding motifs. In this study, we report that the cytosolic tail of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP)9 contains a bifunctional GGA and AP-1/AP-2-binding motif at its carboxy-terminus (EDEPLL). We further demonstrate that the internal EDEVLL sequence of LRP9 also binds to GGAs in addition to AP-2. Either AC-LL motif of LRP9 is functional in endocytosis. These findings represent the first study characterizing the trafficking of LRP9 and also have implications for the identification of additional GGA cargo molecules.     

The outs and the ins of sphingosine-1-phosphate in immunity

The potent lipid mediator sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is produced inside cells by two closely related kinases, sphingosine kinase 1 (SPHK1) and SPHK2, and has emerged as a crucial regulator of immunity. Many of the actions of S1P in innate and adaptive immunity are mediated by its binding to five G protein-coupled receptors, designated S1PR1-5, but recent findings have also identified important roles for S1P as a second messenger during inflammation. In this Review, we discuss recent advances in our understanding of the roles of S1P receptors and describe the newly identified intracellular targets of S1P that are crucial for immune responses. Finally, we discuss the therapeutic potential of new drugs that target S1P signalling and functions.     

Constitutive endocytosis and recycling of the neuronal glutamate transporter, excitatory amino acid carrier 1

The neuronal glutamate transporter, excitatory amino acid carrier 1 (EAAC1), has a diverse array of physiologic and metabolic functions. There is evidence that there is a relatively large intracellular pool of EAAC1 both in vivo and in vitro, that EAAC1 cycles on and off the plasma membrane, and that EAAC1 cell surface expression can be rapidly regulated by intracellular signals. Despite the possible relevance of EAAC1 trafficking to both physiologic and pathologic processes, the cellular machinery involved has not been defined. In the present study, we found that agents that disrupt clathrin-dependent endocytosis or plasma membrane cholesterol increased steady-state levels of biotinylated EAAC1 in C6 glioma cells and primary neuronal cultures. Acute depletion of cholesterol increased the V(max) for EAAC1-mediated activity and had no effect on Na(+)-dependent glycine transport in the same system. These agents also impaired endocytosis as measured using a reversible biotinylating reagent. Co-expression with dominant-negative variants of dynamin or the clathrin adaptor, epidermal growth factor receptor pathway substrate clone 15, increased the steady-state levels of biotinylated myc-EAAC1. EAAC1 immunoreactivity was found in a subcellular fraction enriched in early endosome antigen 1 (EEA1) isolated by differential centrifugation and partially co-localized with EEA1. Co-expression of a dominant-negative variant of Rab11 (Rab11 S25N) reduced steady-state levels of biotinylated myc-EAAC1 and slowed constitutive delivery of myc-EAAC1 to the plasma membrane. Together, these observations suggest that EAAC1 is constitutively internalized via a clathrin- and dynamin-dependent pathway into early endosomes and that EAAC1 is trafficked back to the cell surface via the endocytic recycling compartment in a Rab11-dependent mechanism. As one defines the machinery required for constitutive trafficking of EAAC1, it may be possible to determine how intracellular signals regulate EAAC1 cell surface expression.     

Different motifs regulate trafficking of SorCS1 isoforms

The type I transmembrane protein SorCS1 is a member of the Vps10p-domain receptor family comprised of Sortilin, SorLA and SorCS1, -2 and -3. Current information indicates that Sortilin and SorLA mediate intracellular protein trafficking and sorting, but little is known about the cellular functions of the SorCS subgroup. SorCS1 binds platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) and is expressed in isoforms differing only in their cytoplasmic domains. Here, we identify two novel isoforms of mouse SorCS1 designated m-SorCS1c and -d. In situ hybridization revealed a combinatorial expression pattern of the variants in brain and embryonic tissues. We demonstrate that among the mouse variants, only SorCS1c mediates internalization and that the highly conserved SorCS1c is internalized through a canonical tyrosine-based motif. In contrast, human SorCS1a, whose cytoplasmic domain is completely different from mouse SorCS1a, is internalized through a DXXLL motif. We report that the human SorCS1a cytoplasmic domain interacts with the αC/σ2 subunits of the adaptor protein (AP)-2 complex, and internalization of human SorCS1a and -c is mediated by AP-2. Our results suggest that the endocytic isoforms target internalized cargo to lysosomes but are not engaged in Golgi–endosomal transport to a significant degree.     

Regulation of the high‐affinity choline transporter activity and trafficking by its association with cholesterol‐rich lipid rafts

The sodium‐coupled, hemicholinium‐3‐sensitive, high‐affinity choline transporter (CHT) is responsible for transport of choline into cholinergic nerve terminals from the synaptic cleft following acetylcholine release and hydrolysis. In this study, we address regulation of CHT function by plasma membrane cholesterol. We show for the first time that CHT is concentrated in cholesterol‐rich lipid rafts in both SH‐SY5Y cells and nerve terminals from mouse forebrain. Treatment of SH‐SY5Y cells expressing rat CHT with filipin, methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (MβC) or cholesterol oxidase significantly decreased choline uptake. In contrast, CHT activity was increased by addition of cholesterol to membranes using cholesterol‐saturated MβC. Kinetic analysis of binding of [³H]hemicholinium‐3 to CHT revealed that reducing membrane cholesterol with MβC decreased both the apparent binding affinity (K_D) and maximum number of binding sites (B_max); this was confirmed by decreased plasma membrane CHT protein in lipid rafts in cell surface protein biotinylation assays. Finally, the loss of cell surface CHT associated with lipid raft disruption was not because of changes in CHT internalization. In summary, we provide evidence that CHT association with cholesterol‐rich rafts is critical for transporter function and localization. Alterations in plasma membrane cholesterol cholinergic nerve terminals could diminish cholinergic transmission by reducing choline availability for acetylcholine synthesis.