Energetics of ErbB1 Transmembrane Domain Dimerization in Lipid Bilayers

One of the most extensively studied receptor tyrosine kinases is EGFR/ErbB1. Although our knowledge of the role of the extracellular domains and ligands in ErbB1 activation has increased dramatically based on solved domain structures, the exact mechanism of signal transduction across the membrane remains unknown. The transmembrane domains are expected to play an important role in the dimerization process, but the contribution of ErbB1 TM domain to dimer stability is not known, with published results contradicting one another. We address this controversy by showing that ErbB1 TM domain dimerizes in lipid bilayers and by calculating its contribution to stability as −2.5 kcal/mol. The stability calculations use two different methods based on Förster resonance energy transfer, which give the same result. The ErbB1 TM domain contribution to stability exceeds the change in receptor tyrosine kinases dimerization propensities that can convert normal signaling processes into pathogenic processes, and is thus likely important for biological function.     

The Cytoplasmic Domain of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Transmembrane Protein gp41 Harbors Lipid Raft Association Determinants

The molecular basis for localization of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) in detergent-resistant membranes (DRMs), also called lipid rafts, still remains unclear. The C-terminal cytoplasmic tail of gp41 contains three membrane-interacting, amphipathic α-helical sequences, termed lentivirus lytic peptide 2 (LLP-2), LLP-3, and LLP-1, in that order. Here we identify determinants in the cytoplasmic tail which are crucial for Env''s association with Triton X-100-resistant rafts. Truncations of LLP-1 greatly reduced Env localization in lipid rafts, and the property of Gag-independent gp41 localization in rafts was conserved among different strains. Analyses of mutants containing single deletions or substitutions in LLP-1 showed that the α-helical structure of the LLP-1 hydrophobic face has a more-critical role in Env-raft associations than that of the hydrophilic face. With the exception of a Pro substitution for Val-833, all Pro substitution and charge-inverting mutants showed wild-type virus-like one-cycle viral infectivity, replication kinetics, and Env incorporation into the virus. The intracellular localization and cell surface expression of mutants not localized in lipid rafts, such as the TM844, TM813, 829P, and 843P mutants, were apparently normal compared to those of wild-type Env. Cytoplasmic subdomain targeting analyses revealed that the sequence spanning LLP-3 and LLP-1 could target a cytoplasmic reporter protein to DRMs. Mutations of LLP-1 that affected Env association with lipid rafts also disrupted the DRM-targeting ability of the LLP-3/LLP-1 sequence. Our results clearly demonstrate that LLP motifs located in the C-terminal cytoplasmic tail of gp41 harbor Triton X-100-resistant raft association determinants.Lentiviruses, including human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), are unusual in possessing a long cytoplasmic domain (∼150 amino acids) in their envelope (Env) transmembrane (TM) glycoprotein compared to those of other retroviruses (20 to 50 amino acids). The cytoplasmic domain of HIV-1 TM protein gp41, which encompasses residues 706 to 856, has multiple functions during the virus life cycle, including viral replication, infectivity, transmission, and cytopathogenicity. Truncations of the HIV-1 cytoplasmic domains may modulate cell-cell fusion properties of the Env protein, presumably due to alterations in the levels of cell surface Env expression and conformation of the Env ectodomain (23, 81). The cytoplasmic domain is characterized by the presence of three structurally conserved, amphipathic α-helical segments, located at residues 828 to 856, 770 to 795, and 786 to 813 and referred to as lentivirus lytic peptide 1 (LLP-1), LLP-2, and LLP-3, respectively, at its C terminus (Fig. ​(Fig.1A).1A). The LLP-1 and LLP-2 sequences were shown to be inserted into viral membranes by a photoinduced chemical reaction (73). These LLP motifs have been implicated in a variety of functions, such as cell surface expression (12), Env fusogenicity (30), and Env incorporation into a virus (47, 56), as well as Env protein stability (33) and multimerization (34).Open in a separate windowFIG. 1.(A) Schematic representation of the gp41 cytoplasmic domain and truncation mutants examined in this study. The cytoplasmic tail of gp41 contains a tyrosine-based endocytic YSPL signal located at residue 712, a hydrophilic region, a diaromatic YW motif, and three amphipathic α-helices, termed LLP-2, LLP-3, and LLP-1, at its C terminus. The amino acid sequence from residues 806 to 856 of the WT HXB2 Env is presented in single amino acid code, and the C-terminal dileucine motif is underlined in the sequence. Truncation mutants (TMs) generating stop codons immediately downstream of the indicated amino acids and their respective sequences are also shown. (B) pHXB2R3-based mutant proviruses used in this study. All mutants were generated by a PCR overlap cloning strategy, and the mutation sites are indicated. A dash or dot indicates that the residue in that position of the mutant provirus sequence is identical to or absent from that of the WT provirus sequence, respectively. The substituted amino acids in the mutant proviruses are also indicated.Gag and Env carry specific intracellular localization signals governing the site(s) of virus assembly/budding and release into the extracellular milieu. Env trafficking to the plasma membrane is regulated by the conserved C-terminal dileucine motif and the endocytic, membrane-proximal, tyrosine-based GY₇₁₂SPL signal in the cytoplasmic tail of gp41 (Fig. ​(Fig.1A)1A) and by their respective interactions with the clathrin adaptor proteins, AP1 and AP2 (4, 9, 21, 49, 65, 77). A diaromatic motif, Y₈₀₂W₈₀₃, was shown to bind to TIP47, a protein required for the retrograde transport of mannose-6-phosphate receptors from late endosomes to the trans-Golgi network, and this interaction was involved in the retrograde transport of Env to the trans-Golgi network (8). Alterations of these intracellular localization signals may affect viral infectivity, Env assembly into the virus, and viral replication (8, 20). Likewise, Gag also contains important sequences required for its trafficking to and assembly at the plasma membrane. The matrix (MA) protein, p17, contains a myristoyl group and a cluster of basic amino acids, while p6 contains a late domain which interacts with the components of the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) pathway to mediate Gag trafficking to the virion assembly/budding site (for reviews, see references 25, 45, 57, and 59). It is well documented that the specific interaction between the cytoplasmic domain of gp41 and the trimeric MA protein in infected cells facilitates recruitment of the Env into virus assembly/budding sites on target membranes (for reviews, see references 18, 24, and 46). TIP47 was demonstrated to act as an adaptor to bridge the gp41 cytoplasmic domain and Gag, which allows the physical encounter between Gag and Env, resulting in efficient Env incorporation into the virus during the viral assembly/budding process (39).Lipid rafts, also called detergent-resistant membranes (DRMs), are highly specialized membrane microdomains present in both the plasma and endosomal membranes of eukaryotic cells. These dynamic microdomains are characterized by their detergent insolubility, light density on a sucrose gradient, and enrichment of cholesterol, glycosphingolipids, and glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked proteins that are anchored in the membrane by their attached GPI moieties (1). HIV-1 utilizes lipid rafts to efficiently enter host cells (40, 74, 80) and selectively assembles and buds from lipid rafts on the surfaces of infected cells (27, 36, 48, 50, 54). Also, the HIV-1 Env protein was detected in lipid raft membranes (48, 54, 64). Lipid rafts are thought to facilitate Env-Gag interactions, to concentrate viral Env glycoproteins, and to promote multimerization of intracellular viral components (for a review, see reference 51). However, what governs Env transport to and localization in lipid rafts is a long-standing question.Although the mechanisms by which proteins associate with lipid rafts are not fully understood, determinants for targeting of signal proteins to DRMs have been identified. These include a GPI anchor (2, 61) and an N-terminal Met-Gly-Cys in which Gly is myristylated and Cys is palmitoylated (43, 71). The latter includes certain dually acylated heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein) α subunits (44). In addition, acylation by palmitoylation also serves as a signal to target signaling molecules to lipid rafts (for reviews, see references 11 and 60). Some Env proteins of membrane-enveloped viruses are known to be associated with lipid rafts (35, 41, 54, 69, 79), and acylation of viral Env proteins, in particular, palmitoylation, is important for targeting these Env proteins to lipid rafts (for reviews, see references 58 and 70).It is generally believed that the association of HIV-1 Env with lipid rafts requires a palmitoylation signal(s) located in the cytoplasmic tail of gp41 (6, 64). Nevertheless, the two cytoplasmic palmitoylated Cys residues in the HXB2 strain Env protein are not conserved among HIV-1 isolates, and some isolates do not even contain cysteine residues in their cytoplasmic tail (32). In accordance with this notion, we previously demonstrated that the two cytoplasmic palmitoylated Cys residues in T-cell (T)- and macrophage (M)-tropic Env proteins do not play an obvious role in the virus life cycle, including Env''s association with lipid rafts (13), suggesting that other factors may substitute for cytoplasmic palmitoylation to promote Env localization in lipid rafts. Clapham''s group showed that mutations in MA or the cytoplasmic tail that prevent Env from incorporating into the virus and impair virus infectivity also interfere with Env''s association with lipid rafts (7), indicating that the Gag-Env interaction drives efficient Env association with lipid rafts, which in turn modulates Env budding and assembly onto viral particles. In contrast to their findings, we previously also noted that the Env protein of the HXB2 strain expressed without Gag is still located in lipid rafts (13), providing compelling evidence for the proposal that the Env per se contains sufficient information for its sequestration into lipid rafts.To further understand the nature of Env''s association with lipid rafts, in the present study we show that sequestering Env in Triton X-100-resistant lipid rafts is an intrinsic property of Env and is independent of Gag-Env interactions. Additionally, the LLP motifs, in particular the α-helical structure of the hydrophobic face of LLP-1, play a crucial role in Env''s localization in lipid rafts. Except for the 833P mutant of Env, which is unstable and degrades (33), all Pro-substituted mutants not located in lipid rafts exhibited wild-type (WT)-like phenotypes of intracellular localization, cell surface expression, incorporation into virions, and viral replication capacity. Importantly, the α-helix of the hydrophobic face of LLP-1 is also critical for the raft-targeting ability of the LLP-3/LLP-1 sequence. Our study depicts, for the first time, the critical role of the α-helix of the gp41 cytoplasmic domain in mediating Env''s association with and targeting to Triton X-100-resistant lipid rafts.     

Co-Translational Folding of the First Transmembrane Domain of ABC-Transporter CFTR is Supported by Assembly with the First Cytosolic Domain

ABC transporters transport a wealth of molecules across membranes and consist of transmembrane and cytosolic domains. Their activity cycle involves a tightly regulated and concerted domain choreography. Regulation is driven by the cytosolic domains and function by the transmembrane domains. Folding of these polytopic multidomain proteins to their functional state is a challenge for cells, which is mitigated by co-translational and sequential events. We here reveal the first stages of co-translational domain folding and assembly of CFTR, the ABC transporter defective in the most abundant rare inherited disease cystic fibrosis. We have combined biosynthetic radiolabeling with protease-susceptibility assays and domain-specific antibodies. The most N-terminal domain, TMD1 (transmembrane domain 1), folds both its hydrophobic and soluble helices during translation: the transmembrane helices pack tightly and the cytosolic N- and C-termini assemble with the first cytosolic helical loop ICL1, leaving only ICL2 exposed. This N-C-ICL1 assembly is strengthened by two independent events: (i) assembly of ICL1 with the N-terminal subdomain of the next domain, cytosolic NBD1 (nucleotide-binding domain 1); and (ii) in the presence of corrector drug VX-809, which rescues cell-surface expression of a range of disease-causing CFTR mutants. Both lead to increased shielding of the CFTR N-terminus, and their additivity implies different modes of action. Early assembly of NBD1 and TMD1 is essential for CFTR folding and positions both domains for the required assembly with TMD2. Altogether, we have gained insights into this first, nucleating, VX-809-enhanced domain-assembly event during and immediately after CFTR translation, involving structures conserved in type-I ABC exporters.     

The Phosphatase PP1 Promotes Mitotic Slippage through Mad3 Dephosphorylation

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The ER-Localized Transmembrane Protein TMEM39A/SUSR2 Regulates Autophagy by Controlling the Trafficking of the PtdIns(4)P Phosphatase SAC1

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The Transmembrane Domain Peptide of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Promotes Both Intermediate and Pore Formation during PEG-Mediated Vesicle Fusion

We propose mechanisms by which the transmembrane domain of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV-TMD) promotes both initiation of fusion and formation of a fusion pore. Time courses of polyethyleneglycol (PEG)-mediated fusion of 25 nm small unilamellar vesicles composed of dioleoylphosphatidylcholine, dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE), bovine brain sphingomyelin, and cholesterol (35:30:15:20 molar ratio) were recorded at pH 7.4 at five different temperatures (from 17°C to 37°C) and compared with time courses obtained with the same vesicles containing the fusion-active TMD of the G protein of VSV. Multiple time courses were fitted globally to a one-intermediate ensemble kinetic model to estimate the rate constants for conversion of the aggregated state to an intermediate hemifused state (k₁, stalk, or I₁) that rapidly transits to an unstable intermediate (I₂ state) that converts to a final fusion pore state with a combined rate k₃. The probabilities of lipid mixing, contents mixing, and contents leakage in the three states were also obtained from this analysis. The activation thermodynamics for each step were consistent with previously published models of lipid rearrangements during intermediate and pore formation. The influences of VSV-TMD, hexadecane, and VSV-TMD + hexadecane on the kinetics, activation thermodynamics, and membrane structure support the hypothesis that these two agents do not catalyze fusion by a common mechanism, except possibly at the lowest temperatures examined. VSV-TMD primarily catalyzed initial intermediate formation, although it substantially increased the probability of contents mixing in the intermediate state. Our results support the hypothesis that the catalytic influence of VSV-TMD on the initial-intermediate- and pore-forming steps of PEG-mediated fusion derives from its ability to impose a positive intrinsic curvature and thereby stress small unilamellar vesicle outer leaflets as well as the periphery of intermediate microstructures.     

Pore Dynamics and Conductance of RyR1 Transmembrane Domain

Ryanodine receptors (RyR) are calcium release channels, playing a major role in the regulation of muscular contraction. Mutations in skeletal muscle RyR (RyR1) are associated with congenital diseases such as malignant hyperthermia and central core disease (CCD). The absence of high-resolution structures of RyR1 has limited our understanding of channel function and disease mechanisms at the molecular level. Previously, we have reported a hypothetical structure of the RyR1 pore-forming region, obtained by homology modeling and supported by mutational scans, electrophysiological measurements, and cryo-electron microscopy. Here, we utilize the expanded model encompassing six transmembrane helices to calculate the RyR1 pore region conductance, to analyze its structural stability, and to hypothesize the mechanism of the Ile4897 CCD-associated mutation. The calculated conductance of the wild-type RyR1 suggests that the proposed pore structure can sustain ion currents measured in single-channel experiments. We observe a stable pore structure on timescales of 0.2 μs, with multiple cations occupying the selectivity filter and cytosolic vestibule, but not the inner chamber. We further suggest that stability of the selectivity filter critically depends on the interactions between the I4897 residue and several hydrophobic residues of the neighboring subunit. Loss of these interactions in the case of polar substitution I4897T results in destabilization of the selectivity filter, a possible cause of the CCD-specific reduced Ca²⁺ conductance.     

Pore Dynamics and Conductance of RyR1 Transmembrane Domain

Ryanodine receptors (RyR) are calcium release channels, playing a major role in the regulation of muscular contraction. Mutations in skeletal muscle RyR (RyR1) are associated with congenital diseases such as malignant hyperthermia and central core disease (CCD). The absence of high-resolution structures of RyR1 has limited our understanding of channel function and disease mechanisms at the molecular level. Previously, we have reported a hypothetical structure of the RyR1 pore-forming region, obtained by homology modeling and supported by mutational scans, electrophysiological measurements, and cryo-electron microscopy. Here, we utilize the expanded model encompassing six transmembrane helices to calculate the RyR1 pore region conductance, to analyze its structural stability, and to hypothesize the mechanism of the Ile4897 CCD-associated mutation. The calculated conductance of the wild-type RyR1 suggests that the proposed pore structure can sustain ion currents measured in single-channel experiments. We observe a stable pore structure on timescales of 0.2 μs, with multiple cations occupying the selectivity filter and cytosolic vestibule, but not the inner chamber. We further suggest that stability of the selectivity filter critically depends on the interactions between the I4897 residue and several hydrophobic residues of the neighboring subunit. Loss of these interactions in the case of polar substitution I4897T results in destabilization of the selectivity filter, a possible cause of the CCD-specific reduced Ca²⁺ conductance.     

The First Transmembrane Domain of the Hepatitis B Virus Large Envelope Protein Is Crucial for Infectivity

The early steps of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) life cycle are still poorly understood. Indeed, neither the virus receptor at the cell surface nor the mechanism by which nucleocapsids are delivered to the cytosol of infected cells has been identified. Extensive mutagenesis studies in pre-S1, pre-S2, and most of the S domain of envelope proteins revealed the presence of two regions essential for HBV infectivity: the 77 first residues of the pre-S1 domain and a conformational motif in the antigenic loop of the S domain. In addition, at the N-terminal extremity of the S domain, a putative fusion peptide, partially overlapping the first transmembrane (TM1) domain and preceded by a PEST sequence likely containing several proteolytic cleavage sites, was identified. Since no mutational analysis of these two motifs potentially implicated in the fusion process was performed, we decided to investigate the ability of viruses bearing contiguous deletions or substitutions in the putative fusion peptide and PEST sequence to infect HepaRG cells. By introducing the mutations either in the L and M proteins or in the S protein, we demonstrated the following: (i) that in the TM1 domain of the L protein, three hydrophobic clusters of four residues were necessary for infectivity; (ii) that the same clusters were critical for S protein expression; and, finally, (iii) that the PEST sequence was dispensable for both assembly and infection processes.The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the main human pathogen responsible for severe hepatic diseases like cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Even though infection can be prevented by immunization with an efficient vaccine, about 2 billion people have been infected worldwide, resulting in 350 million chronic carriers that are prone to develop liver diseases (56). Current treatments consist either of the use of interferon α, which modulates antiviral defenses and controls infection in 30 to 40% of cases, or of the use of viral polymerase inhibitors that allow a stronger response to treatment but require long-term utilization and frequently lead to the outcome of resistant viruses (34, 55). A better understanding of the virus life cycle, and particularly of the mechanism by which the virus enters the cell, could provide background for therapeutics that inhibit the early steps of infection, as recently illustrated with the HBV pre-S1-derived entry inhibitor (25, 45).HBV belongs to the Hepadnaviridae family whose members infect different species. All viruses of this family share common properties. The capsid containing a partially double-stranded circular DNA genome is surrounded by a lipid envelope, in which two (in avihepadnaviruses infecting birds) or three (in orthohepadnaviruses infecting mammals) envelope proteins are embedded. A single open reading frame bearing several translation initiation sites encodes these surface proteins. Thus, the HBV envelope contains three proteins: S, M, and L that share the same C-terminal extremity corresponding to the small S protein that is crucial for virus assembly (7, 8, 46) and infectivity (1, 31, 53). These proteins are synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), assembled, and secreted as particles through the Golgi apparatus (15, 42). The current model for the transmembrane structure of the S domain implies the luminal exposition of both N- and C-terminal extremities and the presence of four transmembrane (TM) domains: the TM1 and TM2 domains, both necessary for cotranslational protein integration into the ER membrane, and the TM3 and TM4 domains, located in the C-terminal third of the S domain (for a review, see reference 6). Among the four predicted TM domains, only the TM2 domain has a defined position between amino acids 80 and 98 of the S domain. The exact localization of the TM1 domain is still unclear, probably because of the relatively low hydrophobicity of its sequence, which contains polar residues and two prolines. The M protein corresponds to the S protein extended by an N-terminal domain of 55 amino acids called pre-S2. Its presence is dispensable for both assembly and infectivity (20, 21, 37). Finally, the L protein corresponds to the M protein extended by an N-terminal domain of 108 amino acids called pre-S1 (genotype D). The pre-S1 and pre-S2 domains of the L protein can be present either at the inner face of viral particles (on the cytoplasmic side of the ER), playing a crucial role in virus assembly (5, 8, 10, 11, 46), or on the outer face (on the luminal side of the ER), available for the interaction with target cells and necessary for viral infectivity (4, 14, 36). The pre-S translocation is independent from the M and S proteins and is driven by the L protein TM2 domain (33). Finally, HBV surface proteins are not only incorporated into virion envelopes but also spontaneously bud from ER-Golgi intermediate compartment membranes (30, 43) to form empty subviral particles (SVPs) that are released from the cell by secretion (8, 40).One approach to decipher viral entry is to interfere with the function of envelope proteins. Thus, by a mutagenesis approach, two envelope protein domains crucial for HBV infectivity have already been identified: (i) the 77 first amino acids of the pre-S1 domain (4, 36) including the myristic acid at the N-terminal extremity (9, 27) and (ii) possibly a cysteine motif in the luminal loop of the S domain (1, 31). In addition, a putative fusion peptide has been identified at the N-terminal extremity of the S domain due to its sequence homology with other viral fusion peptides (50). This sequence, either N-terminal in the S protein or internal in the L and M proteins, is conserved among the Hepadnaviridae family and shares common structural and functional properties with other fusion peptides (49, 50). Finally, a PEST sequence likely containing several proteolytic cleavage sites has been identified in the L and M proteins upstream of the TM1 domain (39). A cleavage within this sequence could activate the fusion peptide.In this study, we investigated whether the putative fusion peptide and the PEST sequence were necessary for the infection process. For this purpose, we constructed a set of mutant viruses bearing contiguous deletions in these regions and determined their infectivity using an in vitro infection model based on HepaRG cells (28). The introduction of mutations either in the L and M proteins or in only the S protein allowed us to demonstrate that, in the TM1 domain of L protein, three hydrophobic clusters not essential for viral assembly were crucial for HBV infectivity while their presence in the S protein was critical for envelope protein expression. In addition, we showed that the PEST sequence was clearly dispensable for both assembly and infection processes.     

Cdc14 Phosphatase Promotes TORC1-Regulated Autophagy in Yeast

Cdc14 protein phosphatase is critical for late mitosis progression in budding yeast, although its orthologs in other organisms, including mammalian cells, function as stress-responsive phosphatases. We found herein unexpected roles of Cdc14 in autophagy induction after nutrient starvation and target of rapamycin complex 1 (TORC1) kinase inactivation. TORC1 kinase phosphorylates Atg13 to repress autophagy under nutrient-rich conditions, but if TORC1 becomes inactive upon nutrient starvation or rapamycin treatment, Atg13 is rapidly dephosphorylated and autophagy is induced. Cdc14 phosphatase was required for optimal Atg13 dephosphorylation, pre-autophagosomal structure formation, and autophagy induction after TORC1 inactivation. In addition, Cdc14 was required for sufficient induction of ATG8 and ATG13 expression. Moreover, Cdc14 activation provoked autophagy even under normal conditions. This study identified a novel role of Cdc14 as the stress-responsive phosphatase for autophagy induction in budding yeast.     

The Tiam1 PDZ Domain Couples to Syndecan1 and Promotes Cell-Matrix Adhesion

The T-cell lymphoma invasion and metastasis gene 1 (Tiam1) is a guanine exchange factor (GEF) for the Rho-family GTPase Rac1 that is crucial for the integrity of adherens junctions, tight junctions, and cell-matrix interactions. This GEF contains several protein-protein interaction domains, including a PDZ domain. Earlier studies identified a consensus PDZ-binding motif and a synthetic peptide capable of binding to the Tiam1 PDZ domain, but little is known about its ligand specificity and physiological role in cells. Here, we investigated the structure, specificity, and function of the Tiam1 PDZ domain. We determined the crystal structures of the Tiam1 PDZ domain free and in complex with a “model” peptide, which revealed the structural basis for ligand specificity. Protein database searches using the consensus PDZ-binding motif identified two eukaryotic cell adhesion proteins, Syndecan1 and Caspr4, as potential Tiam1 PDZ domain binding proteins. Equilibrium binding experiments confirmed that C-terminal peptides derived from Syndecan1 and Caspr4 bound the Tiam1 PDZ domain. NMR chemical shift perturbation experiments indicated that the Tiam1 PDZ/Syndecan1 and PDZ/Caspr4 complexes were structurally distinct and identified key residues likely to be responsible for ligand selectivity. Moreover, cell biological analysis established that Syndecan1 is a physiological binding partner of Tiam1 and that the PDZ domain has a function in cell-matrix adhesion and cell migration. Collectively, our data provide insight into the structure, specificity, and function of the Tiam1 PDZ domain. Importantly, our data report on a physiological role for the Tiam1 PDZ domain and establish a novel link between two previously unrelated signal transduction pathways, both of which are implicated in cancer.     

The Transmembrane Domain and Acidic Lipid Flip-Flop Regulates Voltage-Dependent Fusion Mediated by Class II and III Viral Proteins

Voltage dependence of fusion induced by class II and class III viral fusion proteins was investigated. Class II proteins from Ross River and Sindbus virus and a mutant class III protein from Epstein Barr virus were found to induce cell-cell fusion that is voltage dependent. Combined with previous studies, in all, four class II and two class III protein have now been shown to exhibit voltage-dependent fusion, demonstrating that this is probably a general phenomenon for these two classes of viral fusion proteins. In the present study, monitoring fusion of pseudovirus expressing Vesicular Stomatitis virus (VSV) G within endosomes shows that here, too, fusion is voltage dependent. This supports the claim that voltage dependence of fusion is biologically relevant and that cell-cell fusion reliably models the voltage dependence. Fusion induced by class I viral proteins is independent of voltage; chimeras expressing the ectodomain of a class I fusion protein and the transmembrane domain of VSV G could therefore be used to explore the location within the protein responsible for voltage dependence. Results showed that the transmembrane domain is the region associated with voltage dependence. Experiments in which cells were enriched with acidic lipids led to the conclusion that it is the flip-flop of acidic lipids that carries the charge responsible for the observed voltage dependence of fusion. This flip-flop occurred downstream of hemifusion, in accord with previous findings that the voltage dependent steps of fusion occur at a stage subsequent to hemifusion.     

脂质筏在信号转导中的作用

细胞质膜对膜上受体的细胞外到细胞内的跨膜信号转导具有十分重要的意义。目前的研究表明膜上受体在介导跨膜信号转导时,通常是在细胞质膜上的胞膜窖和脂质筏结构中进行的。胞膜窖和脂质筏都是细胞膜上富含胆固醇和鞘磷脂的脂质有序结构域。其中,胞膜窖是一种有窖蛋白包被的特殊的脂质筏结构,通常在细胞膜上形成内陷的小窝。许多细胞膜上的受体都已经被发现位于胞膜窖和脂质筏中。同时,在脂质筏的胞质侧富集了大量的细胞内信号分子,这些信号分子集聚形成信号分子复合体,使得受体的细胞内结构域很容易就与大量的细胞内信号分子发生相互作用,为信号的起始和交叉作用提供了一个结构平台。     

Integration of Golgi trafficking and growth factor signaling by the lipid phosphatase SAC1

When a growing cell expands, lipids and proteins must be delivered to its periphery. Although this phenomenon has been observed for decades, it remains unknown how the secretory pathway responds to growth signaling. We demonstrate that control of Golgi phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PI(4)P) is required for growth-dependent secretion. The phosphoinositide phosphatase SAC1 accumulates at the Golgi in quiescent cells and down-regulates anterograde trafficking by depleting Golgi PI(4)P. Golgi localization requires oligomerization of SAC1 and recruitment of the coat protein (COP) II complex. When quiescent cells are stimulated by mitogens, SAC1 rapidly shuttles back to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), thus releasing the brake on Golgi secretion. The p38 mitogen-activated kinase (MAPK) pathway induces dissociation of SAC1 oligomers after mitogen stimulation, which triggers COP-I-mediated retrieval of SAC1 to the ER. Inhibition of p38 MAPK abolishes growth factor-induced Golgi-to-ER shuttling of SAC1 and slows secretion. These results suggest direct roles for p38 MAPK and SAC1 in transmitting growth signals to the secretory machinery.     

A Role for the Lumenal Domain in Golgi Localization of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Guanosine Diphosphatase

Integral membrane proteins (IMPs) contain localization signals necessary for targeting to their resident subcellular compartments. To define signals that mediate localization to the Golgi complex, we have analyzed a resident IMP of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Golgi complex, guanosine diphosphatase (GDPase). GDPase, which is necessary for Golgi-specific glycosylation reactions, is a type II IMP with a short amino-terminal cytoplasmic domain, a single transmembrane domain (TMD), and a large catalytic lumenal domain. Regions specifying Golgi localization were identified by analyzing recombinant proteins either lacking GDPase domains or containing corresponding domains from type II vacuolar IMPs. Neither deletion nor substitution of the GDPase cytoplasmic domain perturbed Golgi localization. Exchanging the GDPase TMD with vacuolar protein TMDs only marginally affected Golgi localization. Replacement of the lumenal domain resulted in mislocalization of the chimeric protein from the Golgi to the vacuole, but a similar substitution leaving 34 amino acids of the GDPase lumenal domain intact was properly localized. These results identify a major Golgi localization determinant in the membrane-adjacent lumenal region (stem) of GDPase. Although necessary, the stem domain is not sufficient to mediate localization; in addition, a membrane-anchoring domain and either the cytoplasmic or full-length lumenal domain must be present to maintain Golgi residence. The importance of lumenal domain sequences in GDPase Golgi localization and the requirement for multiple hydrophilic protein domains support a model for Golgi localization invoking protein–protein interactions rather than interactions between the TMD and the lipid bilayer.     

Tyr-94 Phosphorylation Inhibits Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Phosphatase 1 and Promotes Tumor Growth

Many cancer cells rely more on aerobic glycolysis (the Warburg effect) than mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and catabolize glucose at a high rate. Such a metabolic switch is suggested to be due in part to functional attenuation of mitochondria in cancer cells. However, how oncogenic signals attenuate mitochondrial function and promote the switch to glycolysis remains unclear. We previously reported that tyrosine phosphorylation activates and inhibits mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK) and phosphatase (PDP), respectively, leading to enhanced inhibitory serine phosphorylation of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) and consequently inhibition of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) in cancer cells. In particular, Tyr-381 phosphorylation of PDP1 dissociates deacetylase SIRT3 and recruits acetyltransferase ACAT1 to PDC, resulting in increased inhibitory lysine acetylation of PDHA1 and PDP1. Here we report that phosphorylation at another tyrosine residue, Tyr-94, inhibits PDP1 by reducing the binding ability of PDP1 to lipoic acid, which is covalently attached to the L2 domain of dihydrolipoyl acetyltransferase (E2) to recruit PDP1 to PDC. We found that multiple oncogenic tyrosine kinases directly phosphorylated PDP1 at Tyr-94, and Tyr-94 phosphorylation of PDP1 was common in diverse human cancer cells and primary leukemia cells from patients. Moreover, expression of a phosphorylation-deficient PDP1 Y94F mutant in cancer cells resulted in increased oxidative phosphorylation, decreased cell proliferation under hypoxia, and reduced tumor growth in mice. Together, our findings suggest that phosphorylation at different tyrosine residues inhibits PDP1 through independent mechanisms, which act in concert to regulate PDC activity and promote the Warburg effect.     

Mapping the Binding Site of the Inhibitor Tariquidar That Stabilizes the First Transmembrane Domain of P-glycoprotein

ABC (ATP-binding cassette) transporters are clinically important because drug pumps like P-glycoprotein (P-gp, ABCB1) confer multidrug resistance and mutant ABC proteins are responsible for many protein-folding diseases such as cystic fibrosis. Identification of the tariquidar-binding site has been the subject of intensive molecular modeling studies because it is the most potent inhibitor and corrector of P-gp. Tariquidar is a unique P-gp inhibitor because it locks the pump in a conformation that blocks drug efflux but activates ATPase activity. In silico docking studies have identified several potential tariquidar-binding sites. Here, we show through cross-linking studies that tariquidar most likely binds to sites within the transmembrane (TM) segments located in one wing or at the interface between the two wings (12 TM segments form 2 divergent wings). We then introduced arginine residues at all positions in the 12 TM segments (223 mutants) of P-gp. The rationale was that a charged residue in the drug-binding pocket would disrupt hydrophobic interaction with tariquidar and inhibit its ability to rescue processing mutants or stimulate ATPase activity. Arginines introduced at 30 positions significantly inhibited tariquidar rescue of a processing mutant and activation of ATPase activity. The results suggest that tariquidar binds to a site within the drug-binding pocket at the interface between the TM segments of both structural wings. Tariquidar differed from other drug substrates, however, as it stabilized the first TM domain. Stabilization of the first TM domain appears to be a key mechanism for high efficiency rescue of ABC processing mutants that cause disease.     

Loss of Catalytically Inactive Lipid Phosphatase Myotubularin-related Protein 12 Impairs Myotubularin Stability and Promotes Centronuclear Myopathy in Zebrafish

X-linked myotubular myopathy (XLMTM) is a congenital disorder caused by mutations of the myotubularin gene, MTM1. Myotubularin belongs to a large family of conserved lipid phosphatases that include both catalytically active and inactive myotubularin-related proteins (i.e., “MTMRs”). Biochemically, catalytically inactive MTMRs have been shown to form heteroligomers with active members within the myotubularin family through protein-protein interactions. However, the pathophysiological significance of catalytically inactive MTMRs remains unknown in muscle. By in vitro as well as in vivo studies, we have identified that catalytically inactive myotubularin-related protein 12 (MTMR12) binds to myotubularin in skeletal muscle. Knockdown of the mtmr12 gene in zebrafish resulted in skeletal muscle defects and impaired motor function. Analysis of mtmr12 morphant fish showed pathological changes with central nucleation, disorganized Triads, myofiber hypotrophy and whorled membrane structures similar to those seen in X-linked myotubular myopathy. Biochemical studies showed that deficiency of MTMR12 results in reduced levels of myotubularin protein in zebrafish and mammalian C2C12 cells. Loss of myotubularin also resulted in reduction of MTMR12 protein in C2C12 cells, mice and humans. Moreover, XLMTM mutations within the myotubularin interaction domain disrupted binding to MTMR12 in cell culture. Analysis of human XLMTM patient myotubes showed that mutations that disrupt the interaction between myotubularin and MTMR12 proteins result in reduction of both myotubularin and MTMR12. These studies strongly support the concept that interactions between myotubularin and MTMR12 are required for the stability of their functional protein complex in normal skeletal muscles. This work highlights an important physiological function of catalytically inactive phosphatases in the pathophysiology of myotubular myopathy and suggests a novel therapeutic approach through identification of drugs that could stabilize the myotubularin-MTMR12 complex and hence ameliorate this disorder.     

Mutations in the SAC1 gene suppress defects in yeast Golgi and yeast actin function

The budding mode of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell growth demands that a high degree of secretory polarity be established and directed toward the emerging bud. We report here our demonstration that mutations in SAC1, a gene identified by virtue of its allele-specific genetic interactions with yeast actin defects, were also capable of suppressing sec14 lethalities associated with yeast Golgi defects. Moreover, these sac1 suppressor properties also extended to sec6 and sec9 secretory vesicle defects. The genetic data are consistent with the notion that SAC1p modulates both secretory pathway and actin cytoskeleton function. On this basis, we suggest that SAC1p may represent one aspect of the mechanism whereby secretory and cytoskeletal activities are coordinated, so that proper spatial regulation of secretion might be achieved.     

Transmembrane Helical Domain of the Cannabinoid CB1 Receptor

Brain cannabinoid (CB₁) receptors are G-protein coupled receptors and belong to the rhodopsin-like subfamily. A homology model of the inactive state of the CB₁ receptor was constructed using the x-ray structure of β₂-adrenergic receptor (β₂AR) as the template. We used 105 ns duration molecular-dynamics simulations of the CB₁ receptor embedded in a 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) bilayer to gain some insight into the structure and function of the CB₁ receptor. As judged from the root mean-square deviations combined with the detailed structural analyses, the helical bundle of the CB₁ receptor appears to be fully converged in 50 ns of the simulation. The results reveal that the helical bundle structure of the CB₁ receptor maintains a topology quite similar to the x-ray structures of G-protein coupled receptors overall. It is also revealed that the CB₁ receptor is stabilized by the formation of extensive, water-mediated H-bond networks, aromatic stacking interactions, and receptor-lipid interactions within the helical core region. It is likely that these interactions, which are often specific to functional motifs, including the S(N)LAxAD, D(E)RY, CWxP, and NPxxY motifs, are the molecular constraints imposed on the inactive state of the CB₁ receptor. It appears that disruption of these specific interactions is necessary to release the molecular constraints to achieve a conformational change of the receptor suitable for G-protein activation.