Lysophosphatidic acid-induced membrane ruffling and brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene expression are mediated by ATP release in primary microglia

We examined the effects of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) on microglia, which may play an important role in the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain. LPA caused membrane ruffling as detected by scanning electron microscopy, and increased the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in a primary culture of rat microglia, which express LPA(3), but not LPA(1) or LPA(2) receptors. These actions were inhibited by a Galpha(q/11)-antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (AS-ODN), U73122, an inhibitor of phospholipase C (PLC), and apyrase, which specifically degrades ATP and ADP. When ATP release was measured using a luciferin-luciferase bioluminescence assay, LPA was shown to increase it in an LPA(3) and PLC inhibitor-reversible manner. However, LPA-induced ATP release was also blocked by the Galpha(q/11) AS-ODN, but not by pertussis toxin. These results suggest that LPA induces the release of ATP from rat primary cultured microglia via the LPA(3) receptor, Galpha(q/11) and PLC, and that the released ATP or ectopically converted ADP may in turn cause membrane ruffling via P2Y(12) receptors and Galpha(i/o) activation, and BDNF expression via activation of P2X(4) receptors.     

Lysophosphatidic acid-LPA1 receptor-Rho-Rho kinase-induced up-regulation of Nav1.7 sodium channel mRNA and protein in adrenal chromaffin cells: enhancement of 22Na+ influx, 45Ca2+ influx and catecholamine secretion

In cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells, chronic (> or = 24 h) treatment with lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) augmented veratridine-induced 22Na+ influx via Na(v)1.7 by approximately 22% (EC(50) = 1 nmol/L), without changing nicotine-induced 22Na+ influx via nicotinic receptor-associated channel. LPA enhanced veratridine (but not nicotine)-induced 45Ca2+ influx via voltage-dependent calcium channel and catecholamine secretion. LPA shifted concentration-response curve of veratridine for 22Na+ influx upward, without altering the EC(50) of veratridine. Ptychodiscus brevis toxin-3 allosterically enhanced veratridine-induced 22Na+ influx by twofold in non-treated and LPA-treated cells. Whole-cell patch-clamp analysis showed that peak Na+ current amplitude was greater by 39% in LPA (100 nmol/L for 36 h)-treated cells; however, I-V curve and steady-state inactivation/activation curves were comparable between non-treated and LPA-treated cells. LPA treatment (> or = 24 h) increased cell surface [3H]saxitoxin binding by approximately 28%, without altering the K(d) value; the increase was prevented by cycloheximide, actinomycin D, or Ki16425, dioctylglycerol pyrophosphate 8:0 (two inhibitors of LPA(1) and LPA3 receptors), or botulinum toxin C3 (Rho inhibitor), Y27632 (Rho kinase inhibitor), consistent with LPA(1) receptor expression in adrenal chromaffin cells. LPA raised Nav1.7 mRNA level by approximately 37%. Thus, LPA-LPA(1) receptor-Rho/Rho kinase pathway up-regulated cell surface Nav1.7 and Nav1.7 mRNA levels, enhancing veratridine-induced Ca2+ influx and catecholamine secretion.     

Involvement of the cAMP response element binding protein, CREB, and cyclin D1 in LPA-induced proliferation of P19 embryonic carcinoma cells

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a lipid growth factor that induces proliferation of fibroblasts by activating the cAMP response element binding protein (CREB). Here, we further investigated whether LPA induces proliferation of P19 cells, a line of pluripotent embryonic carcinoma cells. 5′-Bromo-2-deoxyuridine incorporation and cell viability assays showed that LPA stimulated proliferation of P19 cells. Immunoblot experiments with P19 cells revealed that the mitogen activated protein kinases, including p-ERK, p38, pAKT, glycogen synthase kinase 3β, and CREB were phosphorylated by treatment with 10 μM LPA. LPA-induced phosphorylation of CREB was efficiently blocked by U0126 and H89, inhibitors of the MAP kinases ERK1/2 and mitogen- and stress-activated protein kinase 1, respectively. Involvement of cyclin D1 in LPA-induced P19 cell proliferation was verified by immunoblot analysis in combination with pharmacological inhibitor treatment. Furthermore, LPA up-regulated CRE-harboring cyclin D1 promoter activity, suggesting that CREB and cyclin D1 play significant roles in LPA-induced proliferation of P19 embryonic carcinoma cells.     

The role of PLDα1 in providing specificity to signal‐response coupling by heterotrimeric G‐protein components in Arabidopsis

Heterotrimeric G‐proteins comprised of Gα, Gβ and Gγ subunits are important signal transducers in all eukaryotes. In plants, G‐proteins affect multiple biotic and abiotic stress responses, as well as many developmental processes, even though their repertoire is significantly limited compared with that in metazoan systems. One canonical and three extra‐large Gα, 1 Gβ and 3 Gγ proteins represent the heterotrimeric G‐protein complex in Arabidopsis, and a single regulatory protein, RGS1, is one of the few known biochemical regulators of this signaling complex. This quantitative disparity between the number of signaling components and the range of processes they influence is rather intriguing. We now present evidence that the phospholipase Dα1 protein is a key component and modulator of the G‐protein complex in affecting a subset of signaling pathways. We also show that the same G‐protein subunits and their modulators exhibit distinct physiological and genetic interactions depending on specific signaling and developmental pathways. Such developmental plasticity and interaction specificity likely compensates for the lack of multiplicity of individual subunits, and helps to fine tune the plants' responses to constantly changing environments.     

Herbivore perception decreases photosynthetic carbon assimilation and reduces stomatal conductance by engaging 12‐oxo‐phytodienoic acid,mitogen‐activated protein kinase 4 and cytokinin perception

Herbivory‐induced changes in photosynthesis have been documented in many plant species; however, the complexity of photosynthetic regulation and analysis has thwarted progress in understanding the mechanism involved, particularly those elicited by herbivore‐specific elicitors. Here, we analysed the early photosynthetic gas exchange responses in Nicotiana attenuata plants after wounding and elicitation with Manduca sexta oral secretions and the pathways regulating these responses. Elicitation with M. sexta oral secretions rapidly decreased photosynthetic carbon assimilation (A_C) in treated and systemic (untreated, vascularly connected) leaves, which were associated with changes in stomatal conductance, rather than with changes in Rubisco activity and 1‐5 ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate turnover. Phytohormone profiling and gas exchange analysis of oral secretion‐elicited transgenic plants altered in phytohormone regulation, biosynthesis and perception, combined with micrografting techniques, revealed that the local photosynthetic responses were mediated by 12‐oxo‐phytodienoic acid, while the systemic responses involved interactions among jasmonates, cytokinins and abscisic acid signalling mediated by mitogen‐activated protein kinase 4. The analysis also revealed a role for cytokinins interacting with mitogen‐activated protein kinase 4 in CO₂‐mediated stomatal regulation. Hence, oral secretions, while eliciting jasmonic acid‐mediated defence responses, also elicit 12‐oxo‐phytodienoic acid‐mediated changes in stomatal conductance and A_C, an observation illustrating the complexity and economy of the signalling that regulates defence and carbon assimilation pathways in response to herbivore attack.