Excitatory Amino Acid-Induced Phosphoinositide Turnover in Guinea Pig Cerebral Cortical Slices: Selective Enhancement by Spermine of the Response to DL-1-Aminocyclopentane- trans-1, 3-Dicarboxylate

In the presence of 1 mM spermine, accumulations of 3H labelled inositol phosphates elicited by quisqualate (100 microM) and 1-aminocyclopentane-trans-1,3-dicarboxylate (t-ACPD, 300 microM) were significantly enhanced by 21 and 26%, respectively, without a significant alteration in the accumulation elicited by L-glutamate (10 mM) or DL-alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxalone propionate (10 microM). Analysis of concentration-response data indicated that the presence of spermine led to an increase in the maximal response to t-ACPD without altering the EC50 value. The stimulatory effect of spermine on the accumulation of t-ACPD-elicited 3H-inositol phosphates was not reversed by ifenprodil or diethylenetriamine (putative polyamine site antagonists), by agents that activate or inhibit protein kinase C, or by calcium channel blockade, but was abolished in the presence of elevated extracellular calcium ion concentration. We conclude that spermine enhances the phosphoinositide turnover in guinea pig cerebral cortical slices elicited by the "metabotropic" excitatory amino acid receptor. The site through which the action of spermine is mediated remains to be defined, but it is apparently distinct from that suggested to modulate N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activity.     

Quisqualate-Stimulated Phosphatidylinositol Breakdown in Rat Cerebellar Membranes

The effect of quisqualate, an excitatory amino acid agonist, on the breakdown of exogenously added phosphatidylinositol was investigated in a membrane preparation from the cerebellum of young rats. Quisqualate stimulated phospholipase C activity in a dose-dependent manner in the presence of guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S). Half-maximal activation of the quisqualate response required 0.15 microM GTP gamma S and was optimal at a free Ca2+ concentration of 300 nM. Phosphoinositide breakdown was also stimulated by quisqualate using either exogenous phosphatidylinositides 4,5-bisphosphate or endogenous labeled phosphoinositides as the substrate for phospholipase C in cerebellar membranes. In the presence of guanine nucleotides, other excitatory amino acid agonists, such as L-glutamate, trans-D,L-1-aminocyclopentyl-1,3-dicarboxylic acid, and ibotenate, but not N-methyl-D-aspartate, stimulated phosphatidylinositol breakdown. However, quisqualate displayed the highest response among these excitatory amino acid agonists. These data indicate that there is a direct activation of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C by excitatory amino acids through a process dependent on the presence of guanine nucleotides.     

Melatonin Receptor-Mediated Stimulation of Phosphoinositide Breakdown in Chick Brain Slices

Abstract: The direct effect of melatonin and related agonists on Li⁺-amplified phosphoinositide breakdown was studied in chick brain slices prelabeled with myo-[2-³H]-inositol. The melatonin receptor agonist 6-chloromelatonin (10–100 µM) increased, in a concentration-dependent manner, the accumulation of inositol phosphates (IP) in chick brain slices. This effect of 6-chloromelatonin (10 µM) was rapid as transient increases in IP₃/IP₄ (maximal increase, 29% at 20 s) and IP₂ levels (maximal increase, 36% at 1 min) were observed, followed by a slower but sustained increase in IP₁ level (30% at 5 min), when the amount of IP₃/IP₄ and IP₂ had already been decreased to the control level. The phosphoinositide response elicited by 6-chloromelatonin (10 µM) was dependent on the presence of extracellular calcium. Direct stimulation of membrane phospholipase C by 6-chloromelatonin (10 µM) in isolated myo-[2-³H]inositol-prelabeled optic tectum membranes was dependent on the presence of guanosine-5′-O-(3-thio)triphosphate (1 µM), thus suggesting that G protein(s) link melatonin receptor activation to phospholipase C stimulation. The competitive melatonin receptor antagonist luzindole (10–100 µM) inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner the IP₁ accumulation stimulated by 6-chloromelatonin (10–100 µM); however, it did not affect the accumulation stimulated by 5-hydroxytryptamine (10 µM). By contrast, methysergide (10 µM) completely inhibited 5-hydroxytryptamine (10 µM)-, but not 6-chloromelatonin (10 µM)-, induced IP₁ accumulation. Melatonin receptor agonists increased IP₁ accumulation in a concentration-dependent manner reaching different maximal responses. N-Acetyl-5-hydroxytryptamine was more potent than melatonin in increasing IP₁ accumulation, suggesting activation of a melatonin receptor site other than the ML-1 melatonin receptor (i.e., N-acetyl-5-hydroxytryptamine ≥ melatonin). In conclusion, these results demonstrate that activation of a melatonin receptor with pharmacological characteristics different from those of the ML-1 subtype leads to activation of the phospholipase C-mediated signal transduction pathway.     

Astroglial Phosphoinositide Hydrolysis During Combined Glucose-Oxygen Deprivation: Role of the Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor

Abstract: Phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate hydrolysis, leading to the production of myo -inositol trisphosphate and diacylglycerol, may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. We used tritiated myo -inositol phosphate (³H-IP) accumulation as a means to quantitate phosphoinositide hydrolysis in prelabeled astroglial cultures subjected to combined glucose-oxygen deprivation. Astroglial cultures exposed to combined glucose-oxygen deprivation had significantly greater ³H-IP accumulation compared with cultures exposed to control conditions. To delineate the role of the metabotropic glutamate receptor in astroglial phosphoinositide hydrolysis during combined glucose-oxygen deprivation, we studied the effects of two metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonists, 2-amino-3-phosphonopropionic acid and (+)-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine. 2-Amino-3-phosphonopropionic acid attenuated the accumulation of ³H-IP during combined glucose-oxygen deprivation but acted as an agonist under control conditions. (+)-Methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine had no effect on ³H-IP accumulation during combined glucose-oxygen deprivation or under control conditions. These results suggest that activation of astroglial phosphoinositide hydrolysis during combined glucose-oxygen deprivation may be mediated, at least in part, by the metabotropic glutamate receptor.     

Arachidonic Acid Increases Inositol Phospholipid Metabolism and Glutamate Release in Synaptosomes Prepared from Hippocampal Tissue

We have been interested in the possibility that arachidonic acid or one of its 12-lipoxygenase metabolites may function as a retrograde messenger in long-term potentiation (LTP) in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. One criterion required of a retrograde messenger is that it stimulates presynaptic changes. Here, two possible presynaptic actions of arachidonic acid and its 12-lipoxygenase metabolites, 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE) and 12-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HPETE), are examined. We report that arachidonic acid, HETE, and HPETE significantly increase both K(+)-stimulated release of [3H]glutamate and [3H]inositol labelling of inositol phosphates in synaptosomes, whereas other biologically important fatty acids (oleic, palmitic, and stearic) failed to induce a similar response. The findings of these experiments are consistent with the hypothesis that arachidonic acid, HETE, or HPETE may play the role of a retrograde messenger in LTP.     

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P2) Specifically Induces Membrane Penetration and Deformation by Bin/Amphiphysin/Rvs (BAR) Domains

Cellular proteins containing Bin/amphiphysin/Rvs (BAR) domains play a key role in clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Despite extensive structural and functional studies of BAR domains, it is still unknown how exactly these domains interact with the plasma membrane containing phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P₂) and whether they function by a universal mechanism or by different mechanisms. Here we report that PtdIns(4,5)P₂ specifically induces partial membrane penetration of the N-terminal amphiphilic α-helix (H₀) of two representative N-BAR domains from Drosophila amphiphysin (dAmp-BAR) and rat endophilin A1 (EndoA1-BAR). Our quantitative fluorescence imaging analysis shows that PtdIns(4,5)P₂-dependent membrane penetration of H₀ is important for self-association of membrane-bound dAmp-BAR and EndoA1-BAR and their membrane deformation activity. EndoA1-BAR behaves differently from dAmp-BAR because the former has an additional amphiphilic α-helix that penetrates the membrane in a PtdIns(4,5)P₂-independent manner. Depletion of PtdIns(4,5)P₂ from the plasma membrane of HEK293 cells abrogated the membrane deforming activity of EndoA1-BAR and dAmp-BAR. Collectively, these studies suggest that the local PtdIns(4,5)P₂ concentration in the plasma membrane may regulate the membrane interaction and deformation by N-BAR domain-containing proteins during clathrin-mediated endocytosis.     

Novel roles of phosphoinositides in signaling,lipid transport,and disease

Phosphoinositides (PPIns) are lipid signaling molecules that act as master regulators of cellular signaling. Recent studies have revealed novel roles of PPIns in myriad cellular processes and multiple human diseases mediated by misregulation of PPIn signaling. This review will present a timely summary of recent discoveries in PPIn biology, specifically their role in regulating unexpected signaling pathways, modification of signaling outcomes downstream of integral membrane proteins, and novel roles in lipid transport. This has revealed new roles of PPIns in regulating membrane trafficking, immunity, cell polarity, and response to extracellular signals. A specific focus will be on novel opportunities to target PPIn metabolism for treatment of human diseases, including cancer, pathogen infection, developmental disorders, and immune disorders.     

Drosophila TRPML Forms PI(3,5)P2-activated Cation Channels in Both Endolysosomes and Plasma Membrane

Transient Receptor Potential mucolipin (TRPML) channels are implicated in endolysosomal trafficking, lysosomal Ca²⁺ and Fe²⁺ release, lysosomal biogenesis, and autophagy. Mutations in human TRPML1 cause the lysosome storage disease, mucolipidosis type IV (MLIV). Unlike vertebrates, which express three TRPML genes, TRPML1–3, the Drosophila genome encodes a single trpml gene. Although the trpml-deficient flies exhibit cellular defects similar to those in mammalian TRPML1 mutants, the biophysical properties of Drosophila TRPML channel remained uncharacterized. Here, we show that transgenic expression of human TRPML1 in the neurons of Drosophila trpml mutants partially suppressed the pupal lethality phenotype. When expressed in HEK293 cells, Drosophila TRPML was localized in both endolysosomes and plasma membrane and was activated by phosphatidylinositol 3,5-bisphosphate (PI(3,5)P₂) applied to the cytoplasmic side in whole lysosomes and inside-out patches excised from plasma membrane. The PI(3,5)P₂-evoked currents were blocked by phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P₂), but not other phosphoinositides. Using TRPML A487P, which mimics the varitint-waddler (Va) mutant of mouse TRPML3 with constitutive whole-cell currents, we show that TRPML is biphasically regulated by extracytosolic pH, with an optimal pH about 0.6 pH unit higher than that of human TRPML1. In addition to monovalent cations, TRPML exhibits high permeability to Ca²⁺, Mn²⁺, and Fe²⁺, but not Fe³⁺. The TRPML currents were inhibited by trivalent cations Fe³⁺, La³⁺, and Gd³⁺. These features resemble more closely to mammalian TRPML1 than TRPML2 and TRPML3, but with some obvious differences. Together, our data support the use of Drosophila for assessing functional significance of TRPML1 in cell physiology.     

Caged lipids as tools for investigating cellular signaling

Lipid derivatives that can be activated by light, often referred to as ‘caged’ lipids, are useful tools to manipulate intact cells non-invasively. Here we focus on experimental approaches that have made use of caged lipids. Apart from summarizing the recent advances and available tools in the field, we strive to highlight the experimental challenges that arise from lipid-specific biophysical properties and the abundance of an enormous diversity of distinct molecular lipid species in cells. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Tools to study lipid functions.     

Phosphoinositide regulation of non-canonical transient receptor potential channels

Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are involved in a wide range of physiological processes, and characterized by diverse activation mechanisms. Phosphoinositides, especially phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PIP₂, or PtdIns(4,5)P₂] recently emerged as regulators of many TRP channels. Several TRP channels require PIP₂ for activity, and depletion of the lipid inhibits them. For some TRP channels, however, phosphoinositide regulation seems more complex, both activating and inhibitory effects have been reported. This review will discuss phosphoinositide regulation of members of the TRPM (Melastatin), TRPV (Vanilloid), TRPA (Ankyrin) and TRPP (Polycystin) families. Lipid regulation of TRPC (Canonical) channels is discussed elsewhere in this volume.