Movin' on up: the role of PtdIns(4,5)P(2) in cell migration

Cell migration requires the coordination of many biochemical events, including cell-matrix contact turnover and cytoskeletal restructuring. Recent advances further implicate phosphatidylinositol(4,5)-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P(2)] in the control of these events. Many proteins that are crucial to the assembly of the migration machinery are regulated by PtdIns(4,5)P(2). Coordinated synthesis of PtdIns(4,5)P(2) at these sites is dependent on the precise targeting of the type I phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinases (PIPKs). Two PIPKI isoforms target to, and generate, PtdIns(4,5)P(2) at membrane ruffles and focal adhesions during cell migration. Here, we discuss our current understanding of PtdIns(4,5)P(2) in the regulation of cell responses to migratory stimuli and how the migrating cell controls PtdIns(4,5)P(2) availability.     

PIP kinases and their role in plant tip growing cells

Phosphatidylinositol (4,5) bisphosphate, [PtdIns(4,5)P2], is a signaling lipid involved in many important processes in animal cells such as cytoskeleton organization, intracellular vesicular trafficking, secretion, cell motility, regulation of ion channels, and nuclear signaling pathways. In the last years PtdIns(4,5)P2 and its synthesizing enzyme, phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinase (PIPK), has been intensively studied in plant cells, revealing a key role in the control of polar tip growth. Analysis of the PIPK members from Arabidopsis thaliana, Oryza sativa and Physcomitrella patens showed that they share some regulatory features with animal PIPKs but also exert plant-specific modes of regulation. This review aims at giving an overview on the PIPK family from Arabidopsis thaliana and Physcomitrella patens. Even though their basic structure, modes of activation and physiological role is evolutionary conserved, modules responsible for plasma membrane localization are distinct for different PIPKs, depending on differences in physiological and/or developmental status of cells, such as polarized and non-polarized.     

Conversion of PtdIns(4,5)P(2) into PtdIns(5)P by the S.flexneri effector IpgD reorganizes host cell morphology

Phosphoinositides play a central role in the control of several cellular events including actin cytoskeleton organization. Here we show that, upon infection of epithelial cells with the Gram-negative pathogen Shigella flexneri, the virulence factor IpgD is translocated directly into eukaryotic cells and acts as a potent inositol 4-phosphatase that specifically dephosphorylates phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P(2)] into phosphatidylinositol 5-monophosphate [PtdIns(5)P] that then accumulates. Transfection experiments indicate that the transformation of PtdIns(4,5)P(2) into PtdIns(5)P by IpgD is responsible for dramatic morphological changes of the host cell, leading to a decrease in membrane tether force associated with membrane blebbing and actin filament remodelling. These data provide the molecular basis for a new mechanism employed by a pathogenic bacterium to promote membrane ruffling at the entry site.     

The differential regulation of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinases and phospholipase D1 by ADP-ribosylation factors 1 and 6

Phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinases [PtdIns4P5Ks] synthesise the majority of cellular phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P(2)] and phospholipase D1 (PLD1) synthesises large amounts of phosphatidic acid (PtdOH). The activities of PtdIns4P5Ks and PLDs are thought to be coupled during cell signalling in order to support large simultaneous increases in both PtdIns(4,5)P(2) and PtdOH, since PtdOH activates PtdIns4P5Ks and PLD1 requires PtdIns(4,5)P(2) as a cofactor. However, little is known about the control of such a system. Membrane recruitment of ADP-ribosylation factors (Arfs) activates both PtdIns4P5Ks and PLDs, but it is not known if each enzyme is controlled in series by different Arfs or in parallel by a single form. We show through pull-down and vesicle sedimentation interaction assays that PtdIns4P5K activation may be facilitated by Arf-enhanced membrane association. However PtdIns4P5Ks discriminate poorly between near homogeneously myristoylated Arf1 and Arf6 although examples of all three known active isoforms (mouse alpha>beta, gamma) respond to these G-proteins. Conversely PLD1 genuinely prefers Arf1 and so the two lipid metabolising enzymes are differentially controlled. We propose that isoform selective Arf/PLD interaction and not Arf/PtdIns4P5K will be the critical trigger in the formation of distinct, optimal triples of Arf/PLDs/PtdIns4P5Ks and be the principle regulator of any coupled increases in the signalling lipids PtdIns(4,5)P(2) and PtdOH.     

Coordinated activation of the nuclear ubiquitin ligase Cul3-SPOP by the generation of phosphatidylinositol 5-phosphate

Phosphoinositide signaling pathways regulate numerous processes in eukaryotic cells, including migration, proliferation, and survival. The regulatory lipid phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate is synthesized by two distinct classes of phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinases (PIPKs), the type I and II PIPKs. Although numerous physiological functions have been identified for type I PIPKs, little is known about the functions and regulation of type II PIPK. Using a yeast two-hybrid screen, we identified an interaction between the type IIbeta PIPK isoform (PIPKIIbeta) and SPOP (speckle-type POZ domain protein), a nuclear speckle-associated protein that recruits substrates to Cul3-based ubiquitin ligases. PIPKIIbeta and SPOP interact and co-localize at nuclear speckles in mammalian cells, and SPOP mediates the ubiquitylation of PIPKIIbeta by Cul3-based ubiquitin ligases. Additionally, stimulation of the p38 MAPK pathway enhances the ubiquitin ligase activity of Cul3-SPOP toward multiple substrate proteins. Finally, a kinase-dead PIPKIIbeta mutant enhanced ubiquitylation of Cul3-SPOP substrates. The kinase-dead PIPKIIbeta mutant increases the cellular content of its substrate lipid phosphatidylinositol 5-phosphate (PI5P), suggesting that PI5P may stimulate Cul3-SPOP activity through a p38-dependent signaling pathway. Expression of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 4-phosphatases that generate PI5P dramatically stimulated Cul3-SPOP activity and was blocked by the p38 inhibitor SB203580. Taken together, these data define a novel mechanism whereby the phosphoinositide PI5P leads to stimulation of Cul3-SPOP ubiquitin ligase activity and also implicate PIPKIIbeta as a key regulator of this signaling pathway through its association with the Cul3-SPOP complex.     

Receptor-mediated net breakdown of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate in parotid acinar cells.

The metabolism of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PtdIns4P) and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P2] in rat parotid acinar cells was investigated, particularly with regard to the effects of receptor-active agonists. Stimulation of cholinergic-muscarinic receptors with methacholine provoked a rapid disappearance of 40--50% of [32P]PtdIns(4,5)P2, but had no effect on PtdIns4P. Adrenaline, acting on alpha-adrenoceptors, and Substance P also stimulated net loss of PtdIns(4,5)P2. The beta-adrenoceptor agonist, isoprenaline, and the Ca2+ ionophore, ionomycin, failed to affect labelled PtdIns(4,5)P2 or PtdIns4P. By chelation of extracellular Ca2+ with excess EGTA, and by an experimental protocol that eliminates cellular Ca2+ release, it was demonstrated that the agonist-induced decrease in PtdIns(4,5)P2 is independent of both Ca2+ influx and Ca2+ release. These results may suggest that net PtdIns(4,5)P2 breakdown is an early event in the stimulus-response pathway of the parotid acinar cell and could be directly involved in the mechanism of agonist-induced Ca2+ release from the plasma membrane.     

A Dibasic Amino Acid Pair Conserved in the Activation Loop Directs Plasma Membrane Localization and Is Necessary for Activity of Plant Type I/II Phosphatidylinositol Phosphate Kinase

Phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinase (PIPK) is an enzyme involved in the regulation of cellular levels of phosphoinositides involved in various physiological processes, such as cytoskeletal organization, ion channel activation, and vesicle trafficking. In animals, research has focused on the modes of activation and function of PIPKs, providing an understanding of the importance of plasma membrane localization. However, it still remains unclear how this issue is regulated in plant PIPKs. Here, we demonstrate that the carboxyl-terminal catalytic domain, which contains the activation loop, is sufficient for plasma membrane localization of PpPIPK1, a type I/II B PIPK from the moss Physcomitrella patens. The importance of the carboxyl-terminal catalytic domain for plasma membrane localization was confirmed with Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) AtPIP5K1. Our findings, in which substitution of a conserved dibasic amino acid pair in the activation loop of PpPIPK1 completely prevented plasma membrane targeting and abolished enzymatic activity, demonstrate its critical role in these processes. Placing our results in the context of studies of eukaryotic PIPKs led us to conclude that the function of the dibasic amino acid pair in the activation loop in type I/II PIPKs is plant specific.Phosphoinositides (PIs) are minor lipids found in membrane fractions but implicated in a wide variety of physiological regulations in eukaryotes (Di Paolo and De Camilli, 2006; Zonia and Munnik, 2006). Phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P₂] is a major PI in animal plasma membranes, affecting the localization and activity of various kinds of proteins carrying phosphatidylinositol-binding domains, which in turn affect the regulation of cytoskeletal organization, vesicle trafficking, cell proliferation, and cell growth during development and stress responses (Doughman et al., 2003; Downes et al., 2005; Di Paolo and De Camilli, 2006; Zonia and Munnik, 2006; Heck et al., 2007). In addition, PtdIns(4,5)P₂ is also a well-known substrate of phospholipase C, producing second messengers such as diacylglycerol, phosphatidic acid (PA), and inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate, which are involved in the activation of intracellular signal transduction pathways (Zonia and Munnik, 2006). Transient accumulation of PtdIns(4,5)P₂ has also been observed under various kinds of environmental stress (Pical et al., 1999; DeWald et al., 2001), suggesting an important role of this lipid in the regulation of stress signal transduction pathways also in plants. These findings indicate that PtdIns(4,5)P₂ is multifunctional and involved in a variety of cellular processes. Therefore, elucidation of the mechanisms controlling the cellular levels of PtdIns(4,5)P₂ is important in understanding the significance of PI signaling in eukaryotes.PtdIns(4,5)P₂ is synthesized by phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinases (PIPKs; Anderson et al., 1999; Doughman et al., 2003; Heck et al., 2007). Physiological roles of several plant PIPKs have been reported. In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), AtPIP5K3 is an essential regulator of tip growth of root hairs (Kusano et al., 2008; Stenzel et al., 2008), while AtPIPK4 and AtPIPK5 are essential for pollen germination and pollen tube elongation (Ischebeck et al., 2008; Sousa et al., 2008). In addition, AtPIP5K9 was shown to interact with the cytosolic invertase CINV1 to regulate sugar-mediated root cell elongation negatively (Lou et al., 2007). Rice (Oryza sativa) OsPIPK1 is proposed to be involved in shoot growth and floral initiation through the regulation of floral induction genes (Ma et al., 2004). In animals, membrane-associated type I PIPK mainly phosphorylates the D-5 hydroxyl group of PtdIns4P to produce PtdIns(4,5)P₂ but also produces PtdIns(3,4)P₂ and PtdIns(3,5)P₂ from PtdIns3P with 5- and 4-kinase activity (Anderson et al., 1999; Heck et al., 2007), whereas type II PIPK prefers the D-4 position of PtdIns5P, producing PtdIns(4,5)P₂ in the nucleus and at the endoplasmic reticulum (Clarke et al., 2007). Thus, in animals, type I and II PIPKs are involved in the generation of PtdIns(4,5)P₂ via different pathways. Molecular biological analysis of plant PIPKs was initiated with AtPIP5K1 from Arabidopsis (Mikami et al., 1998), which phosphorylates PtdIns3P, PtdIns4P, and PtdIns(4,5)P₂ to produce PtdIns(3,4)P₂, PtdIns(4,5)P₂, and PtdIns (3,4,5)P₃, respectively, with D-4- and D-5-kinase activity (Elge et al., 2001; Westergren et al., 2001; Im et al., 2007). Similar enzymatic activity was also reported for other PIPKs from Arabidopsis (Ischebeck et al., 2008; Kusano et al., 2008; Stenzel et al., 2008). In addition, a PIPK from the moss Physcomitrella patens (designated as PpPIPK1) preferred PtdIns4P, PtdIns3P, and PtdIns(3,4)P₂ as substrates, but not PtdIns5P, producing PtdIns(4,5)P₂, PtdIns(3,4)P₂, and PtdIns(3,4,5)P₃, respectively (Saavedra et al., 2009). These findings indicate that the substrate specificity of plant PIPKs is essentially the same as that of type I PIPKs. However, AtPIP5K1 has yet to be classified as either type I or type II based on sequence comparisons of the catalytic domain (CD; Mikami et al., 1998). This was confirmed by a genome-wide analysis of PIPK genes in Arabidopsis in which all 11 PIPKs were classified as type I/II based on sequence comparisons of the CDs, which were further subdivided into subtypes A and B (Mueller-Roeber and Pical, 2002). Therefore, it is suggested that typical type I and II PIPKs are absent in plants, although further confirmation is needed.The conserved PIPK CD contains a short highly conserved region near its C-terminal end, designated the activation loop, which acts as the substrate-binding site and is responsible for the differences in substrate specificity and subcellular localization between animal type I and type II PIPKs (Kunz et al., 2000, 2002). Substrate specificities of animal type I and type II PIPKs, for example, are determined by a respective Glu and Ala at the corresponding positions in the activation loop. Moreover, it has been established that substitution of Glu to Ala results in a swap of substrate specificity and subcellular localization between the two types (Kunz et al., 2000, 2002). In contrast to animal PIPKs, a substitution in the activation loop of PpPIPK1 from Glu to Ala resulted in a nearly complete loss of type I/II activity; however, such a mutation did not fully convert the substrate specificity, although an enhancement of type II versus type I activity was observed (Saavedra et al., 2009). Since the corresponding amino acid residue is Glu in all plant PIPKs so far reported, it is suggested that there also is a plant-specific mode of substrate specificity regulation in plant type I/II PIPKs. However, enzymatic activity appears to be modified in similar ways between plant type I/II and animal type I PIPKs; that is, phosphorylation- and PA-dependent activation of PIPKs has been observed in both animals and plants (Moritz et al., 1992; Jenkins et al., 1994; Pical et al., 1999; Westergren et al., 2001; Perera et al., 2005; Saavedra et al., 2009).The regulation of plasma membrane localization of mammalian type I PIPKs remains confusing. In addition to the involvement of a Glu residue as mentioned above, the substitution of two Lys residues in the activation loop to Asn residues changes the subcellular localization from the plasma membrane to the cytosol (Kunz et al., 2000, 2002). However, Arioka et al. (2004) also showed that the plasma membrane localization of type I PIPKs is regulated by another basic amino acid pair localized downstream of the activation loop in the CD, which is not found in type II PIPKs. Interestingly, the mechanism behind plasma membrane localization of plant PIPKs seems to differ significantly from the animal one. The obvious structural feature of plant PIPKs is the presence of a repetition of membrane occupation and recognition nexus (MORN) motifs at the N-terminal half, which is conserved across the B subfamily of plant type I/II PIPKs (Mueller-Roeber and Pical, 2002). The MORN motif was first identified in mammalian junctophilin, an endoplasmic reticulum-membrane-bound component of the junctional complex between the plasma membrane and the endoplasmic reticulum (Takeshima et al., 2000). Since MORN motifs are not found in PIPKs from nonplant organisms, a plant-specific mode of PIPK activation is speculated. Indeed, a regulatory role of the MORN domain was reported in the enzymatic activation of AtPIP5K1 (Im et al., 2007) and in root hair formation, but not in enzymatic activation, of AtPIP5K3 (Stenzel et al., 2008). Moreover, the MORN domain may play a role in the plasma membrane localization of OsPIPK1 from rice and AtPIP5K1 and AtPIP5K3 from Arabidopsis (Ma et al., 2006; Im et al., 2007; Kusano et al., 2008). However, stable transformation of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) cells to express an AtPIP5K1 MORN domain-GFP fusion did not allow visualization of the plasma membrane localization of this protein (Im et al., 2007). Thus, it is not clear if the MORN domain functions as a plasma membrane-targeting module.Given the sequence conservation of the CD among eukaryotic PIPKs (Saavedra et al., 2009), we hypothesize that the CD is responsible for the plasma membrane localization of plant PIPKs. Thus, to gain further insight into the mechanisms regulating this issue, we dissected PpPIPK1 to determine the molecular determinants of plasma membrane localization. Here, we show that the MORN domain is not involved in the plasma membrane localization of PpPIPK1 and AtPIP5K1 in P. patens protoplasts and onion (Allium cepa) epidermal cells. We further demonstrate that two basic amino acids, but not Glu, conserved in the activation loop of the CD are required for plasma membrane localization. These findings demonstrate that the activation mode of type I/II PIPKs is plant specific and differs from that of the membrane-localized animal type I PIPKs.     

Plasma membrane nano-organization specifies phosphoinositide effects on Rho-GTPases and actin dynamics in tobacco pollen tubes

Pollen tube growth requires coordination of cytoskeletal dynamics and apical secretion. The regulatory phospholipid phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P₂) is enriched in the subapical plasma membrane of pollen tubes of Arabidopsis thaliana and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) and can influence both actin dynamics and secretion. How alternative PtdIns(4,5)P₂ effects are specified is unclear. In tobacco pollen tubes, spinning disc microscopy (SD) reveals dual distribution of a fluorescent PtdIns(4,5)P₂-reporter in dynamic plasma membrane nanodomains vs. apparent diffuse membrane labeling, consistent with spatially distinct coexisting pools of PtdIns(4,5)P₂. Several PI4P 5-kinases (PIP5Ks) can generate PtdIns(4,5)P₂ in pollen tubes. Despite localizing to one membrane region, the PIP5Ks AtPIP5K2-EYFP and NtPIP5K6-EYFP display distinctive overexpression effects on cell morphologies, respectively related to altered actin dynamics or membrane trafficking. When analyzed by SD, AtPIP5K2-EYFP associated with nanodomains, whereas NtPIP5K6-EYFP localized diffusely. Chimeric AtPIP5K2-EYFP and NtPIP5K6-EYFP variants with reciprocally swapped membrane-associating domains evoked reciprocally shifted effects on cell morphology upon overexpression. Overall, active PI4P 5-kinase variants stabilized actin when targeted to nanodomains, suggesting a role of nanodomain-associated PtdIns(4,5)P₂ in actin regulation. This notion is further supported by interaction and proximity of nanodomain-associated AtPIP5K2 with the Rho-GTPase NtRac5, and by its functional interplay with elements of Rho of plants signaling. Plasma membrane nano-organization may thus aid the specification of PtdIns(4,5)P₂ functions to coordinate cytoskeletal dynamics and secretion.

The apical plasma membrane of pollen tubes contains nanodomains where the regulatory phospholipid PtdIns(4,5)P₂ exerts a stabilizing effect on the actin cytoskeleton.     

Increasing plasma membrane phosphatidylinositol(4,5)bisphosphate biosynthesis increases phosphoinositide metabolism in Nicotiana tabacum

A genetic approach was used to increase phosphatidylinositol(4,5)bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P2] biosynthesis and test the hypothesis that PtdInsP kinase (PIPK) is flux limiting in the plant phosphoinositide (PI) pathway. Expressing human PIPKIalpha in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) cells increased plasma membrane PtdIns(4,5)P2 100-fold. In vivo studies revealed that the rate of 32Pi incorporation into whole-cell PtdIns(4,5)P2 increased >12-fold, and the ratio of [3H]PtdInsP2 to [3H]PtdInsP increased 6-fold, but PtdInsP levels did not decrease, indicating that PtdInsP biosynthesis was not limiting. Both [3H]inositol trisphosphate and [3H]inositol hexakisphosphate increased 3-and 1.5-fold, respectively, in the transgenic lines after 18 h of labeling. The inositol(1,4,5)trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] binding assay showed that total cellular Ins(1,4,5)P3/g fresh weight was >40-fold higher in transgenic tobacco lines; however, even with this high steady state level of Ins(1,4,5)P3, the pathway was not saturated. Stimulating transgenic cells with hyperosmotic stress led to another 2-fold increase, suggesting that the transgenic cells were in a constant state of PI stimulation. Furthermore, expressing Hs PIPKIalpha increased sugar use and oxygen uptake. Our results demonstrate that PIPK is flux limiting and that this high rate of PI metabolism increased the energy demands in these cells.     

The yeast synaptojanin-like proteins control the cellular distribution of phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-bisphosphate

Phosphoinositides (PI) are synthesized and turned over by specific kinases, phosphatases, and lipases that ensure the proper localization of discrete PI isoforms at distinct membranes. We analyzed the role of the yeast synaptojanin-like proteins using a strain that expressed only a temperature-conditional allele of SJL2. Our analysis demonstrated that inactivation of the yeast synaptojanins leads to increased cellular levels of phosphatidylinositol (3,5)-bisphosphate and phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P(2)), accompanied by defects in actin organization, endocytosis, and clathrin-mediated sorting between the Golgi and endosomes. The phenotypes observed in synaptojanin-deficient cells correlated with accumulation of PtdIns(4,5)P(2), because these effects were rescued by mutations in MSS4 or a mutant form of Sjl2p that harbors only PI 5-phosphatase activity. We utilized green fluorescent protein-pleckstrin homology domain chimeras (termed FLAREs for fluorescent lipid-associated reporters) with distinct PI-binding specificities to visualize pools of PtdIns(4,5)P(2) and phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate in yeast. PtdIns(4,5)P(2) localized to the plasma membrane in a manner dependent on Mss4p activity. On inactivation of the yeast synaptojanins, PtdIns(4,5)P(2) accumulated in intracellular compartments, as well as the cell surface. In contrast, phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate generated by Pik1p localized in intracellular compartments. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the yeast synaptojanins control the localization of PtdIns(4,5)P(2) in vivo and provide further evidence for the compartmentalization of different PI species.     

The pleckstrin homology domain proteins Slm1 and Slm2 are required for actin cytoskeleton organization in yeast and bind phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate and TORC2

Phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P(2)] is a key second messenger that regulates actin and membrane dynamics, as well as other cellular processes. Many of the effects of PtdIns(4,5)P(2) are mediated by binding to effector proteins that contain a pleckstrin homology (PH) domain. Here, we identify two novel effectors of PtdIns(4,5)P(2) in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae: the PH domain containing protein Slm1 and its homolog Slm2. Slm1 and Slm2 serve redundant roles essential for cell growth and actin cytoskeleton polarization. Slm1 and Slm2 bind PtdIns(4,5)P(2) through their PH domains. In addition, Slm1 and Slm2 physically interact with Avo2 and Bit61, two components of the TORC2 signaling complex, which mediates Tor2 signaling to the actin cytoskeleton. Together, these interactions coordinately regulate Slm1 targeting to the plasma membrane. Our results thus identify two novel effectors of PtdIns(4,5)P(2) regulating cell growth and actin organization and suggest that Slm1 and Slm2 integrate inputs from the PtdIns(4,5)P(2) and TORC2 to modulate polarized actin assembly and growth.     

Antigen receptor-mediated regulation of sustained polyphosphoinositide turnover in a human T cell line. Evidence for a receptor-regulated pathway for production of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate

Stimulation of the human T cell line, Jurkat, by the addition of monoclonal antibodies reactive with the T cell antigen receptor complex (CD3/Ti) leads to sustained increases in levels of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate. To investigate the possibility that the production of polyphosphoinositides is regulated during CD3/Ti stimulation, we studied Jurkat cells whose inositol phospholipids had been labeled to steady state with [3H]inositol, as well as Jurkat cells during nonequilibrium labeling with [32P]orthophosphate. The addition of CD3 monoclonal antibodies led to a 4-5-fold increase in [3H]inositol trisphosphate that was sustained for greater than 20 min. Within 60 s of CD3/Ti stimulation, [3H] phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P2) and [3H]phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PtdIns4P) decreased by 65 and 35%, respectively. This change in [3H]PtdIns(4,5)P2 persisted for greater than 20 min. The decrease in [3H]PtdIns4P, however, was transient, and, after 5 min, the levels of [3H]PtdIns4P were comparable in stimulated and unstimulated cells. To examine the rate of flux through inositol phospholipids, we measured the CD3/Ti-stimulated changes in the ratio, 32P cpm/3H cpm, in each inositol phospholipid. CD3/Ti stimulation led to accelerated fluxes through PtdIns(4,5)P2 and phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) that were maintained for greater than 20 min. After the initial 30 s, however, there was no detectable effect of anti-CD3 on flux through Ptsins4p. This observation suggested that, during CD3/Ti stimulation, production of PtdIns(4,5)P2 from PtdIns might occur via a small pool of PtdIns4P with a very high turnover. The existence of such a pool was established by determining that, in stimulated cells, the 32P-specific activity of the 1-position phosphate of PtdIns(4,5)P2 was 8-10-fold that of PtdIns4P. We conclude that, during the initial 60 s of CD3/Ti stimulation, there is a substantial depletion of cellular PtdIns(4,5)P2 and PtdIns4P. Thereafter, a CD3/Ti-regulated pathway generates PtdIns(4,5)P2 from PtdIns through a small, but highly labile, pool of PtdIns4P.     

PtdIns(4,5)P2 and PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 dynamics during focal adhesions assembly and disassembly in a cancer cell line

Focal adhesions (FAs) are large assemblies of proteins that mediate intracellular signals between the cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix (ECM). The turnover of FA proteins plays a critical regulatory role in cancer cell migration. Plasma membrane lipids locally generated or broken down by different inositide kinases and phosphatase enzymes to activate and recruit proteins to specific regions in the plasma membrane. Presently, little attention has been given to the use of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P2) and Phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PtdIns(3,4,5)P3) fluorescent biosensors in order to determine the spatiotemporal organisation of PtdIns(4,5)P2 and PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 within and around or during assembly and disassembly of FAs. In this study, specific biosensors were used to detect PtdIns(4,5)P2, PtdIns(3,4,5)P3, and FAs proteins conjugated to RFP/GFP in order to monitor changes of PtdIns(4,5)P2 and PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 levels within FAs. We demonstrated that the localisation of PtdIns(4,5)P2 and PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 were moderately correlated with that of FA proteins. Furthermore, we demonstrate that local levels of PtdIns(4,5)P2 increased within FA assembly and declined within FA disassembly. However, PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 levels remained constant within FAs assembly and disassembly. In conclusion, this study shows that PtdIns(4,5)P2 and PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 localised in FAs may be regulated differently during FA assembly and disassembly.     

Regulation of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate levels and its roles in cytoskeletal re-organization and malignant transformation.

It is well known that phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P2) plays important roles not only as a precursor lipid for generating second messengers but also as a regulator of cytoskeletal re-organization. The last step of PtdIns(4,5)P2 synthesis is catalyzed by PtdIns monophosphate(PIP) kinase. So far, three type I PIP kinases(alpha, beta, and gamma), which phosphorylate PtdIns(4) to PtdIns(4,5)P2, and three type II PIP kinases(alpha, beta, gamma), which phosphorylate PtdIns(5)P to PtdIns(4,5)P2 have been found. On the other hand, several inositolpolyphosphate 5-phosphatases which convert PtdIns(4,5)P2 to PtdIns(4) are known. Among them, synaptojanin, which associates with tyrosine kinase receptors through an adaptor protein, Ash/Grb2, in response to growth factors, is capable of hydrolyzing PtdIns(4,5)P2 bound to actin regulatory proteins, resulting in actin filament re-organization downstream of tyrosine kinases.     

Osmotic cell shrinkage activates ezrin/radixin/moesin (ERM) proteins: activation mechanisms and physiological implications

Hyperosmotic shrinkage induces multiple cellular responses, including activation of volume-regulatory ion transport, cytoskeletal reorganization, and cell death. Here we investigated the possible roles of ezrin/radixin/moesin (ERM) proteins in these events. Osmotic shrinkage of Ehrlich Lettre ascites cells elicited the formation of long microvillus-like protrusions, rapid translocation of endogenous ERM proteins and green fluorescent protein-tagged ezrin to the cortical region including these protrusions, and Thr(567/564/558) (ezrin/radixin/moesin) phosphorylation of cortical ERM proteins. Reduced cell volume appeared to be the critical parameter in hypertonicity-induced ERM protein activation, whereas alterations in extracellular ionic strength or intracellular pH were not involved. A shrinkage-induced increase in the level of membrane-associated phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P(2)] appeared to play an important role in ERM protein activation, which was prevented after PtdIns(4,5)P(2) depletion by expression of the synaptojanin-2 phosphatase domain. While expression of constitutively active RhoA increased basal ERM phosphorylation, the Rho-Rho kinase pathway did not appear to be involved in shrinkage-induced ERM protein phosphorylation, which was also unaffected by the inhibition or absence of Na(+)/H(+) exchanger isoform (NHE1). Ezrin knockdown by small interfering RNA increased shrinkage-induced NHE1 activity, reduced basal and shrinkage-induced Rho activity, and attenuated the shrinkage-induced formation of microvillus-like protrusions. Hyperosmolarity-induced cell death was unaltered by ezrin knockdown or after phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibition. In conclusion, ERM proteins are activated by osmotic shrinkage in a PtdIns(4,5)P(2)-dependent, NHE1-independent manner. This in turn mitigates the shrinkage-induced activation of NHE1, augments Rho activity, and may also contribute to F-actin rearrangement. In contrast, no evidence was found for the involvement of an NHE1-ezrin-PI3K-PKB pathway in counteracting shrinkage-induced cell death.     

Amer1/WTX couples Wnt-induced formation of PtdIns(4,5)P2 to LRP6 phosphorylation

Phosphorylation of the Wnt receptor low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6) by glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) and casein kinase 1γ (CK1γ) is a key step in Wnt/β-catenin signalling, which requires Wnt-induced formation of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P(2)). Here, we show that adenomatous polyposis coli membrane recruitment 1 (Amer1) (also called WTX), a membrane associated PtdIns(4,5)P(2)-binding protein, is essential for the activation of Wnt signalling at the LRP6 receptor level. Knockdown of Amer1 reduces Wnt-induced LRP6 phosphorylation, Axin translocation to the plasma membrane and formation of LRP6 signalosomes. Overexpression of Amer1 promotes LRP6 phosphorylation, which requires interaction of Amer1 with PtdIns(4,5)P(2). Amer1 translocates to the plasma membrane in a PtdIns(4,5)P(2)-dependent manner after Wnt treatment and is required for LRP6 phosphorylation stimulated by application of PtdIns(4,5)P(2). Amer1 binds CK1γ, recruits Axin and GSK3β to the plasma membrane and promotes complex formation between Axin and LRP6. Fusion of Amer1 to the cytoplasmic domain of LRP6 induces LRP6 phosphorylation and stimulates robust Wnt/β-catenin signalling. We propose a mechanism for Wnt receptor activation by which generation of PtdIns(4,5)P(2) leads to recruitment of Amer1 to the plasma membrane, which acts as a scaffold protein to stimulate phosphorylation of LRP6.     

Dibasic amino acid residues at the carboxy-terminal end of kinase homology domain participate in the plasma membrane localization and function of phosphatidylinositol 5-kinase gamma

Type I phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI(4)P) 5-kinases (PIP5Ks) catalyze the synthesis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P(2)), an essential lipid molecule involved in various cellular processes such as regulation of actin cytoskeleton and membrane traffic. The protein localizes to the plasma membrane where its activity has been shown to be regulated by small GTPase ARFs and/or phosphatidic acid. Deletion analysis of amino- or carboxy-terminal sequences of PIP5Kgamma fused with EGFP demonstrated that the presence of central kinase homology domain (KHD), a 380 amino acid-long region highly conserved among PIP5K family, was necessary and sufficient for the plasma membrane localization of PIP5Kgamma. Particularly, the dibasic Arg-Lys sequence located at the carboxy-terminal end of KHD was shown to be crucial for the plasma membrane targeting of PIP5Kgamma, since the deletion or charge-reversal mutation of this dibasic sequence resulted in the mislocalization of the protein to the cytoplasm. Mislocalized mutants also failed to complement the temperature-sensitive growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mss4-1 mutant defective in PIP5K function. The presence of dibasic residues at the C-terminal end of KHD was conserved among mammalian as well as invertebrate PIP5K family members, but not in the type II PIPKs that are not targeted to the plasma membrane, suggesting that the conserved dibasic motif provides a mechanism essential for the proper localization and cellular function of PIP5Ks.     

Differential roles of phosphatidylserine, PtdIns(4,5)P2, and PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 in plasma membrane targeting of C2 domains. Molecular dynamics simulation, membrane binding, and cell translocation studies of the PKCalpha C2 domain

Many cytosolic proteins are recruited to the plasma membrane (PM) during cell signaling and other cellular processes. Recent reports have indicated that phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P(2)), and phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3)) that are present in the PM play important roles for their specific PM recruitment. To systematically analyze how these lipids mediate PM targeting of cellular proteins, we performed biophysical, computational, and cell studies of the Ca(2+)-dependent C2 domain of protein kinase Calpha (PKCalpha) that is known to bind PS and phosphoinositides. In vitro membrane binding measurements by surface plasmon resonance analysis show that PKCalpha-C2 nonspecifically binds phosphoinositides, including PtdIns(4,5)P(2) and PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3), but that PS and Ca(2+) binding is prerequisite for productive phosphoinositide binding. PtdIns(4,5)P(2) or PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3) augments the Ca(2+)- and PS-dependent membrane binding of PKCalpha-C2 by slowing its membrane dissociation. Molecular dynamics simulations also support that Ca(2+)-dependent PS binding is essential for membrane interactions of PKCalpha-C2. PtdIns(4,5)P(2) alone cannot drive the membrane attachment of the domain but further stabilizes the Ca(2+)- and PS-dependent membrane binding. When the fluorescence protein-tagged PKCalpha-C2 was expressed in NIH-3T3 cells, mutations of phosphoinositide-binding residues or depletion of PtdIns(4,5)P(2) and/or PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3) from PM did not significantly affect the PM association of the domain but accelerated its dissociation from PM. Also, local synthesis of PtdIns(4,5)P(2) or PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3) at the PM slowed membrane dissociation of PKCalpha-C2. Collectively, these studies show that PtdIns(4,5)P(2) and PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3) augment the Ca(2+)- and PS-dependent membrane binding of PKCalpha-C2 by elongating the membrane residence of the domain but cannot drive the PM recruitment of PKCalpha-C2. These studies also suggest that effective PM recruitment of many cellular proteins may require synergistic actions of PS and phosphoinositides.     

IRBIT Interacts with the Catalytic Core of Phosphatidylinositol Phosphate Kinase Type Iα and IIα through Conserved Catalytic Aspartate Residues

Phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinases (PIPKs) are lipid kinases that generate phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P₂), a critical lipid signaling molecule that regulates diverse cellular functions, including the activities of membrane channels and transporters. IRBIT (IP₃ R-binding protein released with inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate) is a multifunctional protein that regulates diverse target proteins. Here, we report that IRBIT forms signaling complexes with members of the PIPK family. IRBIT bound to all PIPK isoforms in heterologous expression systems and specifically interacted with PIPK type Iα (PIPKIα) and type IIα (PIPKIIα) in mouse cerebellum. Site-directed mutagenesis revealed that two conserved catalytic aspartate residues of PIPKIα and PIPKIIα are involved in the interaction with IRBIT. Furthermore, phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate, Mg²⁺, and/or ATP interfered with the interaction, suggesting that IRBIT interacts with catalytic cores of PIPKs. Mutations of phosphorylation sites in the serine-rich region of IRBIT affected the selectivity of its interaction with PIPKIα and PIPKIIα. The structural flexibility of the serine-rich region, located in the intrinsically disordered protein region, is assumed to underlie the mechanism of this interaction. Furthermore, in vitro binding experiments and immunocytochemistry suggest that IRBIT and PIPKIα interact with the Na⁺/HCO₃ ⁻ cotransporter NBCe1-B. These results suggest that IRBIT forms signaling complexes with PIPKIα and NBCe1-B, whose activity is regulated by PI(4,5)P₂.     

Spatial control of actin-based motility through plasmalemmal PtdIns(4,5)P2-rich raft assemblies

The interactions of cells with their environment involve regulated actin-based motility at defined positions along the cell surface. Sphingolipid- and cholesterol-dependent microdomains (rafts) order proteins at biological membranes, and have been implicated in most signalling processes at the cell surface. Many membrane-bound components that regulate actin cytoskeleton dynamics and cell-surface motility associate with PtdIns(4,5)P(2)-rich lipid rafts. Although raft integrity is not required for substrate-directed cell spreading, or to initiate signalling for motility, it is a prerequisite for sustained and organized motility. Plasmalemmal rafts redistribute rapidly in response to signals, triggering motility. This process involves the removal of rafts from sites that are not interacting with the substrate, apparently through endocytosis, and a local accumulation at sites of integrin-mediated substrate interactions. PtdIns(4,5)P(2)-rich lipid rafts can assemble into patches in a process depending on PtdIns(4,5)P(2), Cdc42 (cell-division control 42), N-WASP (neural Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein) and actin cytoskeleton dynamics. The raft patches are sites of signal-induced actin assembly, and their accumulation locally promotes sustained motility. The patches capture microtubules, which promote patch clustering through PKA (protein kinase A), to steer motility. Raft accumulation at the cell surface, and its coupling to motility are influenced greatly by the expression of intrinsic raft-associated components that associate with the cytosolic leaflet of lipid rafts. Among them, GAP43 (growth-associated protein 43)-like proteins interact with PtdIns(4,5)P(2) in a Ca(2+)/calmodulin and PKC (protein kinase C)-regulated manner, and function as intrinsic determinants of motility and anatomical plasticity. Plasmalemmal PtdIns(4,5)P(2)-rich raft assemblies thus provide powerful organizational principles for tight spatial and temporal control of signalling in motility.