Identification of Ca2+-stimulated polyphosphoinositide phospholipase C in isolated plant plasma membranes

A polyphosphoinositide phospholipase C has been identified in highly purified plasma membranes from shoots and roots of wheat seedlings. The enzyme preferentially hydrolysed phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate and had a different phosphoinositide substrate profile from soluble phospholipase C. The enzyme activity was lower in plasma membranes isolated from light-grown shoots than from dark-grown ones, whereas no differences in activity between plasma membranes from light- and dark-grown roots were seen. Maximum activity of the membrane-bound enzyme was observed around pH 6. It was activated by micromolar concentrations of Ca2+, but not by GTP or GTP analogues. The enzyme may participate in signal transduction over the plant plasma membrane.     

Proton-sensing Ca2+ binding domains regulate the cardiac Na+/Ca2+ exchanger

The cardiac Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger (NCX) regulates cellular [Ca(2+)](i) and plays a central role in health and disease, but its molecular regulation is poorly understood. Here we report on how protons affect this electrogenic transporter by modulating two critically important NCX C(2) regulatory domains, Ca(2+) binding domain-1 (CBD1) and CBD2. The NCX transport rate in intact cardiac ventricular myocytes was measured as a membrane current, I(NCX), whereas [H(+)](i) was varied using an ammonium chloride "rebound" method at constant extracellular pH 7.4. At pH(i) = 7.2 and [Ca(2+)](i) < 120 nM, I(NCX) was less than 4% that of its maximally Ca(2+)-activated value. I(NCX) increases steeply at [Ca(2+)](i) between 130-150 nM with a Hill coefficient (n(H)) of 8.0 ± 0.7 and K(0.5) = 310 ± 5 nM. At pH(i) = 6.87, the threshold of Ca(2+)-dependent activation of I(NCX) was shifted to much higher [Ca(2+)](i) (600-700 nM), and the relationship was similarly steep (n(H) = 8.0±0.8) with K(0.5) = 1042 ± 15 nM. The V(max) of Ca(2+)-dependent activation of I(NCX) was not significantly altered by low pH(i). The Ca(2+) affinities for CBD1 (0.39 ± 0.06 μM) and CBD2 (K(d) = 18.4 ± 6 μM) were exquisitely sensitive to [H(+)], decreasing 1.3-2.3-fold as pH(i) decreased from 7.2 to 6.9. This work reveals for the first time that NCX can be switched off by physiologically relevant intracellular acidification and that this depends on the competitive binding of protons to its C(2) regulatory domains CBD1 and CBD2.     

Ca2+ binding effects on the C2 domain conformation of human cytosolic phospholipase A2

It has been reported that the cooperative binding of calcium ions indicated a local conformational change of the human cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) C2 domain (Nalefski et al., (1997) Biochemistry 36, 12011-12018). However its structural evidence is less known (Malmberg et al., (2003) Biochemistry 42, 13227-13240). In this letter, life-time decay and fluorescence quenching techniques were employed to compare the calcium-induced conformational changes. The life-time decay parameters and fluorescence quenching constant changes were small between the apo- and holo-C2 domains when tryptophan residue was excited at 295 nm. In contrast, the quenching constant change was large, from 0.52 M(-1) for the apo-C2 to 8.8 M(-1) for the holo-C2 domain, when tyrosine residues were excited at 284 nm. Our results provide new information on amino acid side chain orientation change at calcium binding loop 3, which is necessary for Ca2+ binding regulated membrane targeting of human cytosolic phospholipase A2.     

Ca2+-independent phospholipase A2 is a novel determinant of store-operated Ca2+ entry

Store-operated cation (SOC) channels and capacitative Ca(2+) entry (CCE) play very important role in cellular function, but the mechanism of their activation remains one of the most intriguing and long lasting mysteries in the field of Ca(2+) signaling. Here, we present the first evidence that Ca(2+)-independent phospholipase A(2) (iPLA(2)) is a crucial molecular determinant in activation of SOC channels and store-operated Ca(2+) entry pathway. Using molecular, imaging, and electrophysiological techniques, we show that directed molecular or pharmacological impairment of the functional activity of iPLA(2) leads to irreversible inhibition of CCE mediated by nonselective SOC channels and by Ca(2+)-release-activated Ca(2+) (CRAC) channels. Transfection of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) with antisense, but not sense, oligonucleotides for iPLA(2) impaired thapsigargin (TG)-induced activation of iPLA(2) and TG-induced Ca(2+) and Mn(2+) influx. Identical inhibition of TG-induced Ca(2+) and Mn(2+) influx (but not Ca(2+) release) was observed in SMC, human platelets, and Jurkat T-lymphocytes when functional activity of iPLA(2) was inhibited by its mechanism-based suicidal substrate, bromoenol lactone (BEL). Moreover, irreversible inhibition of iPLA(2) impaired TG-induced activation of single nonselective SOC channels in SMC and BAPTA (1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid)-induced activation of whole-cell CRAC current in rat basophilic leukemia cells. Thus, functional iPLA(2) is required for activation of store-operated channels and capacitative Ca(2+) influx in wide variety of cell types.     

Phosphatidylinositol phosphates as co-activators of Ca2+ binding to C2 domains of synaptotagmin 1

Ca2+-dependent phospholipid binding to the C2A and C2B domains of synaptotagmin 1 is thought to trigger fast neurotransmitter release, but only Ca2+ binding to the C2B domain is essential for release. To investigate the underlying mechanism, we have compared the role of basic residues in Ca2+/phospholipid binding and in release. Mutations in a polybasic sequence on the side of the C2B domain beta-sandwich or in a basic residue in a top Ca2+-binding loop of the C2A domain (R233) cause comparable decreases in the apparent Ca2+ affinity of synaptotagmin 1 and the Ca2+ sensitivity of release, whereas mutation of the residue homologous to Arg233 in the C2B domain (Lys366) has no effect. Phosphatidylinositol polyphosphates co-activate Ca2+-dependent and -independent phospholipid binding to synaptotagmin 1, but the effects of these mutations on release only correlate with their effects on the Ca2+-dependent component. These results reveal clear distinctions in the Ca2+-dependent phospholipid binding modes of the synaptotagmin 1 C2 domains that may underlie their functional asymmetry and suggest that phosphatidylinositol polyphosphates may serve as physiological modulators of Ca2+ affinity of synaptotagmin 1 in vivo.     

Phosphatidylcholine metabolism in endothelial cells: evidence for phospholipase A and a novel Ca2+-independent phospholipase C

The metabolism of phosphatidylcholine (PC) was investigated in sonicated suspensions of bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells and in subcellular fractions using two PC substrates: 1-oleoyl-2-[3H]oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho[14C]choline. When these substrates were incubated with the whole cell sonicate at pH 7.5, all of the metabolized 3H label was recovered in [3H]oleic acid (95%) and [3H]diacylglycerol (5%). All of the 14C label was identified in [14C]lysoPC (92%) and [14C]phosphocholine (8%). These data indicated that PC was metabolized via phospholipase(s) A and phospholipase C. Substantial diacylglycerol lipase activity was identified in the cell sonicate. Production of similar proportions of diacylglycerol and phosphocholine and the low relative activity of phospholipase C compared to phospholipase A indicated that the phospholipase C-diacylglycerol lipase pathway contributed little to fatty acid release from the sn-2 position of PC. Neither phospholipase A nor phospholipase C required Ca2+. The pH profiles and subcellular fractionation experiments indicated the presence of multiple forms of phospholipase A, but phospholipase C activity displayed a single pH optimum at 7.5 and was located exclusively in the particulate fraction. The two enzyme activities demonstrated differential sensitivities to inhibition by p-bromophenacylbromide, phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride and quinacrine. Each of these agents inhibited phospholipase A, whereas phospholipase C was inhibited only by p-bromophenacylbromide. The unique characteristics observed for phospholipase C activity towards PC indicated the existence of a novel enzyme that may play an important role in lipid metabolism in endothelial cells.     

Role of phospholipase C-zeta domains in Ca2+-dependent phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate hydrolysis and cytoplasmic Ca2+ oscillations

The sperm-specific phospholipase C-zeta (PLCzeta) elicits fertilization-like Ca2+ oscillations and activation of embryo development when microinjected into mammalian eggs (Saunders, C. M., Larman, M. G., Parrington, J., Cox, L. J., Royse, J., Blayney, L. M., Swann, K., and Lai, F. A. (2002) Development (Camb.) 129, 3533-3544; Cox, L. J., Larman, M. G., Saunders, C. M., Hashimoto, K., Swann, K., and Lai, F. A. (2002) Reproduction 124, 611-623). PLCzeta may represent the physiological stimulus for egg activation and development at mammalian fertilization. PLCzeta is the smallest known mammalian PLC isozyme, comprising two EF hand domains, a C2 domain, and the catalytic X and Y core domains. To gain insight into PLCzeta structure-function, we assessed the ability of PLCzeta and a series of domain-deletion constructs to cause phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate hydrolysis in vitro and also to generate cytoplasmic Ca2+ changes in intact mouse eggs. PLCzeta and the closely related PLCdelta1 had similar K(m) values for phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, but PLCzeta was around 100 times more sensitive to Ca2+ than was PLCdelta1. Notably, specific phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate hydrolysis activity was retained in PLCzeta constructs that had either EF hand domains or the C2 domain removed, or both. In contrast, Ca2+ sensitivity was greatly reduced when either one, or both, of the EF hand domains were absent, and the Hill coefficient was reduced upon deletion of the C2 domain. Microinjection into intact mouse eggs revealed that all domain-deletion constructs were ineffective at initiating Ca2+ oscillations. These data suggest that the exquisite Ca2+-dependent features of PLCzeta regulation are essential for it to generate inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and Ca2+ oscillations in intact mouse eggs.     

Solubilization and properties of Ca2+-dependent human platelet phospholipase A2

Using a sonicated dispersion of radiolabeled 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine as substrate, we found that phospholipase A2 activity of human platelets was enhanced 2.4-fold by albumin (1 mg/ml). The enzyme was recovered predominantly in the cytosolic fraction of platelets with less than a third of its activity being associated with the membrane fraction. In the presence of 24 mM n-octyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (octylglucoside) phospholipase A2 was effectively (more than 90%) extracted from platelet lysates without solubilization of platelet membranes. Ion exchange chromatography of the soluble enzyme yielded a phospholipase A2 of unchanged total activity and great stability. This phospholipase A2 was active only in the presence of divalent cations (Ca2+ greater than Sr2+ greater than Mg2+ = 0), required albumin for optimal activity and exhibited exclusive positional specificity for the acyl ester bond at the 2-position of 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine. Indomethacin (500 microM), mepacrine (500 microM) and N-ethylmaleimide (4 mM) inhibited the phospholipase A2 by 69, 62 and 19%, respectively. The results are discussed in the light of previous findings on human platelet phospholipase A2.     

Ligand requirements for Ca2+ binding to EGF-like domains.

Site-specific mutagenesis studies of the first epidermal growth factor-like (EGF-like) domain of human clotting factor IX suggest that the calcium-binding site present in this domain (dissociation constant Kd = 1.8 mM at pH 7.5 and ionic strength I = 0.15) involved the carboxylate residues Asp47, Asp49 and Asp64. To further characterize the ligands required for calcium binding to EGF-like domains, two new mutations, Asp47----Asn and Asp49----Asn, were introduced into the domain by peptide synthesis. 1H-NMR spectroscopy was used to obtain the dissociation constants for calcium binding to these mutations. Calcium binding to the Asp49----Asn modified domain is only mildly affected (Kd = 6 mM, I = 0.15), whereas binding to the Asp47----Asn modified domain is severely reduced (Kd = 42 mM, I = 0.15). From these data, it is proposed that the anionic oxygen atoms of the side chains of residues 47 and 64 are essential for calcium binding, whereas the side chain ligand for calcium at residue 49 can be a carboxyamide oxygen. As a control, the introduction of the modification Glu78----Asp in a region of the domain not believed to be involved in calcium binding had very little effect on the Kd for calcium (Kd = 2.6 mM, I = 0.15). Finally, the effect of an Asp47----Gly substitution found in the natural haemophilia B mutant, factor IXAlabama, was investigated. This peptide has a markedly reduced affinity for calcium (Kd = 37 mM, I = 0.15), suggesting that the defect in factor IXAlabama is due to impaired calcium binding to its first EGF-like domain.     

Ionomycin can elevate intraplatelet Ca2+ and activate phospholipase A without activating phospholipase C

Human platelets exposed to ionomycin, a Ca2+ ionophore, exhibit activation of both phospholipases A2 and C. Such platelets manifest a rise in cytoplasmic Ca2+ (monitored by quin 2), a loss in phosphoinositides, formation of lysophosphatidylinositol, thromboxane B2, phosphatidic acid, and phosphorylated 47 kilodalton protein, and secretion. In the absence of thromboxane formation and secreted ADP, phospholipase C is not activated and the 47 kilodalton protein is not phosphorylated. The elevation in Ca2+ is unaffected by inhibition of cyclooxygenase and ADP. Thus, an increase in cytoplasmic Ca2+ is not sufficient to stimulate phospholipase C. Further, secretion can occur in the absence of phospholipase C activation and 47 kilodalton protein phosphorylation.     

Thermodynamics of the binding of Ca2+ to porcine pancreatic phospholipase A2

The binding of Ca2+ to porcine pancreatic phospholipase A2 was studied by batch microcalorimetry. Enthalpies of binding at 25 degrees C were determined as a function of Ca2+ concentration in buffered solutions at pH 8.0 using both the Tris-HCl and Hepes-NaOH buffer systems. The calorimetric results indicate that protons are released on calcium binding and that in addition to the binding of the active-site calcium, there appears to be weak binding of a second Ca2+. Results from potentiometric titrations indicate that this proton release on binding Ca2+ arises from a change in pK of a histidine(s) functional group. The thermodynamic functions delta G0, delta H0 and delta S0 for calcium binding to phospholipase A2 have been determined. These results are compared with literature data for Ca2+ complex formation with some small molecules and also the protein troponin-C.     

Structural and dynamic aspects of Ca2+ and Mg2+ binding of the regulatory domains of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger

Intracellular Ca2+ regulates the activity of the NCX (Na+/Ca2+ exchanger) through binding to the cytosolic CBD (Ca2+-binding domain) 1 and CBD2. In vitro studies of the structure and dynamics of CBD1 and CBD2, as well as studies of their kinetics and thermodynamics of Ca2+ binding, greatly enhanced our understanding of NCX regulation. We describe the fold of the CBDs in relation to other known structures and review Ca2+ binding of the different CBD variants from a structural perspective. We also report on new findings concerning Mg2+ binding to the CBDs and finally we discuss recent results on CBD1-CBD2 interdomain interactions.     

Ca2+-antagonistic properties of phospholipase A2 inhibitors, mepacrine and chloroquine

The effects of putative phospholipase A2 inhibitors mepacrine and chloroquine on membrane ionic currents were studied in intact frog atrial trabeculae. Both agents decreased slow calcium channel current Isi and fast sodium channel current If. Isi was affected twice at least in comparison to If. Half-block of Isi was observed at approximately 10(-6) mol/l mepacrine and at approximately 10(-5) mol/l chloroquine. These effects on transmembrane ionic transport should be considered when using the above agents as phospholipase inhibitors or antiarrhythmic drugs.     

The Ca2+ antagonists binding cytosolic protein has properties of the Ca2+ channel.

In our previous work (Krizanová et al. 1989) we have described a protein from rabbit skeletal muscle cytosolic fraction, which is able to bind dihydropyridines and phenothiazines. In the present work conclusive evidence is provided for the ability of the phospholipid-reconstituted cytosolic protein to transport calcium. The calcium transport was stimulated by BAY K 8644 and inhibited in the presence of PN 200-110. Our observations were confirmed also by electrophysiological measurements on planar lipid bilayers. The possibility that the cytosolic fraction was contaminated with membranes could be definitely ruled out. Nevertheless, the nature of the protein under study is still in the frame of guess.     

Common structural framework of the two Ca2+/Mg2+ binding loops of troponin C and other Ca2+ binding proteins

The refinement of the crystal structure of turkey skeletal muscle troponin C at 2.2-A resolution reveals that the two calcium binding loops that are occupied by Ca2+ ions adopt conformations very similar to those of the two homologous loops of parvalbumin and to that of loop III-IV of the intestinal calcium binding protein. This specific fold assures suitable spatial positioning of the Ca2+ ligands. It consists of two reverse turns, one located at each end of the loop, and four Asx turns (a cyclic hydrogen-bonded structure involving an oxygen of the side chain of residue n and the main-chain amide nitrogen of residue n + 2) whenever such a side chain coordinates to the metal ion. The fifth Ca2+ coordination position in both loops of troponin C is occupied by a water molecule that is within hydrogen-bonding distance of an aspartic acid, thus mediating indirect interaction between the cation and the negatively charged carboxylate. The same loop framework is conserved in the two Ca2+ binding loops of parvalbumin and loop III-IV of the intestinal Ca2+ binding protein in spite of the variability in the nature of the side chains at equivalent positions. The disposition of the Ca2+ and of its coordinating water molecule relative to the protein main chain is conserved in all these cases.     

GTP and GDP will stimulate platelet cytosolic phospholipase C independently of Ca2+

The hydrolysis of [3H]phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) by cytosolic phospholipase C from human platelets was determined. Cytosolic fractions were prepared from platelets that had or had not been preactivated with thrombin. Thrombin pretreatment did not affect cytosolic phospholipase C activity. In both cytosolic fractions, phospholipase C was activated by GTP and GTP gamma S. This action is observed in the presence of 2 mM EGTA. GDP was as effective as GTP in stimulating cytosolic phospholipase C in the presence of Ca2+ or EGTA. Partially purified phospholipase C obtained from platelet cytosol is activated by GTP, but not by GTP gamma S, in the presence of 2 mM EGTA. However, in the presence of 6 microM Ca2+, both GTP and GTP gamma S stimulated the partially purified phospholipase C. Our present information indicates that GTP and GDP have a direct effect on the cytosolic phospholipase C.     

Calcium-sensitive phospholipid binding properties of normal and mutant ferlin C2 domains

Mutations in dysferlin, a novel membrane protein of unknown function, lead to muscular dystrophy. Myoferlin is highly homologous to dysferlin and like dysferlin is a plasma membrane protein with six C2 domains highly expressed in muscle. C2 domains are found in a variety of membrane-associated proteins where they have been implicated in calcium, phospholipid, and protein-binding. We investigated the pattern of dysferlin and myoferlin expression in a cell culture model of muscle development and found that dysferlin is expressed in mature myotubes. In contrast, myoferlin is highly expressed in elongated "prefusion" myoblasts and is decreased in mature myotubes where dysferlin expression is greatest. We tested ferlin C2 domains for their ability to bind phospholipid in a calcium-sensitive manner. We found that C2A, the first C2 domain of dysferlin and myoferlin, bound 50% phosphatidylserine and that phospholipid binding was regulated by calcium concentration. A dysferlin point mutation responsible for muscular dystrophy was engineered into the dysferlin C2A domain and demonstrated reduced calcium-sensitive phospholipid binding. Based on these data, we propose a mechanism for muscular dystrophy in which calcium-regulated phospholipid binding is abnormal, leading to defective maintenance and repair of muscle membranes.     

Expression of calreticulin in Escherichia coli and identification of its Ca2+ binding domains

Recombinant calreticulin and discrete domains of calreticulin were expressed in Escherichia coli, using the glutathione S-transferase fusion protein system, and their Ca2+ binding properties were determined. Native calreticulin bound 1 mol of Ca2+/mol of protein with high affinity, and also bound approximately 20 mol of Ca2+/mol of protein with low affinity. Both Ca2+ binding sites were present in the recombinant calreticulin indicating that proper folding of the protein was achieved using this system. Calreticulin is structurally divided into three distinct domains: the N-domain encompassing the first 200 residues; the P-domain which is enriched in proline residues (residue 187-317); and the C-domain which covers the carboxyl-terminal quarter of the protein (residues 310-401), and contains a high concentration of acidic residues. These domains were expressed in E. coli, isolated, and purified, and their Ca2+ binding properties were analyzed. The C-domain bound approximately 18 mol of Ca2+/mol of protein with a dissociation constant of approximately 2 mM. The P-domain bound approximately 0.6-1 mol of Ca2+/mol of protein with a dissociation constant of approximately 10 microM. The P-domain and the C-domain, when expressed together as the P+C-domain, bound Ca2+ with both high affinity and low affinity, reminiscent of both full length recombinant calreticulin and native calreticulin. In contrast the N-domain, did not bind any detectable amount of 45Ca2+. We conclude that calreticulin has two quite distinct types of Ca2+ binding sites, and that these sites are in different structural regions of the molecule. The P-domain binds Ca2+ with high affinity and low capacity, whereas the C-domain binds Ca2+ with low affinity and high capacity.