CD44 exhibits a cell type dependent interaction with triton X-100 insoluble, lipid rich, plasma membrane domains

Signal transduction via CD44: role of plasma membrane microdomains

CD44 is the principal cell surface receptor for extracellular matrix glycosaminoglycan hyaluronan. CD44-hyaluronan mediated cell adhesion is important in several pathophysiological processes such as inflammation and metastatic spread of cancer cells. It has been recently recognized that CD44 also functions as a signaling receptor in a variety of cell types. Cell stimulation by monoclonal anti-CD44 antibody or natural CD44 ligands activate several signaling pathways that culminate in cell proliferation, cytokine secretion, chemokine gene expression and cytolytic effector functions. One of the earliest signaling events following stimulation via CD44 is tyrosine phosphorylation of intracellular proteins substrates, and CD44 mediated cellular activation could be abolished by protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitors. The Src-family non-receptor PTKs such as Lck, Fyn, Lyn and Hck were shown to be coupled to CD44 via sphingolipid-rich microdomains (lipid rafts) of the plasma membrane. Studies on T cell receptor and IgE receptor mediated signaling in lymphocytes and mast cells have consolidated the notion that microdomains consist of signaling platforms where components of multiple signaling pathways are assembled. Co-isolation of CD44 with microdomains strongly suggests that CD44 generates cellular activation signals utilizing the signaling machinery of the plasma membrane microdomains.

Analysis of CD44-containing lipid rafts: Recruitment of annexin II and stabilization by the actin cytoskeleton

CD44, the major cell surface receptor for hyaluronic acid (HA), was shown to localize to detergent-resistant cholesterol-rich microdomains, called lipid rafts, in fibroblasts and blood cells. Here, we have investigated the molecular environment of CD44 within the plane of the basolateral membrane of polarized mammary epithelial cells. We show that CD44 partitions into lipid rafts that contain annexin II at their cytoplasmic face. Both CD44 and annexin II were released from these lipid rafts by sequestration of plasma membrane cholesterol. Partition of annexin II and CD44 to the same type of lipid rafts was demonstrated by cross-linking experiments in living cells. First, when CD44 was clustered at the cell surface by anti-CD44 antibodies, annexin II was recruited into the cytoplasmic leaflet of CD44 clusters. Second, the formation of intracellular, submembranous annexin II-p11 aggregates caused by expression of a trans-dominant mutant of annexin II resulted in coclustering of CD44. Moreover, a frequent redirection of actin bundles to these clusters was observed. These basolateral CD44/annexin II-lipid raft complexes were stabilized by addition of GTPgammaS or phalloidin in a semipermeabilized and cholesterol-depleted cell system. The low lateral mobility of CD44 in the plasma membrane, as assessed with fluorescent recovery after photobleaching (FRAP), was dependent on the presence of plasma membrane cholesterol and an intact actin cytoskeleton. Disruption of the actin cytoskeleton dramatically increased the fraction of CD44 which could be recovered from the light detergent-insoluble membrane fraction. Taken together, our data indicate that in mammary epithelial cells the vast majority of CD44 interacts with annexin II in lipid rafts in a cholesterol-dependent manner. These CD44-containing lipid microdomains interact with the underlying actin cytoskeleton.

Characterization of the Wsc1 protein, a putative receptor in the stress response of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Wsc1p, Wsc2p, Wsc3p, and Wsc4p, members of a novel protein family in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, are putative sensors or receptors in the stress response. Genetic characterization suggests that the WSC family are upstream regulators of the stress-activated PKC1-MAP kinase cascade and are required for the heat shock response and for maintenance of cell wall integrity. The Wsc proteins share sequence characteristics: at their N terminus they have a cysteine motif and a serine/threonine-rich domain predicted to be extracellular, a hydrophobic domain suggested to be transmembranous, and a variable, highly charged C terminus that may be involved in intracellular signaling. Although a role for the WSC genes in maintenance of cell wall integrity has been firmly established, little is known about the properties of the proteins. As reported here, to study its properties in vivo, we epitope tagged the Wsc1 protein. Wsc1p was found to fractionate with the membrane pellet after high-speed centrifugation. Extraction experiments show that Wsc1p is an integral membrane protein present in two forms: one solubilized by detergent, the other Triton X-100 insoluble. Our results also show that Wsc1p is glycosylated and phosphorylated. To characterize the contribution of different domains to the function of Wsc1p, we generated various deletion constructs. Analysis of the properties and function of the mutant proteins shows that the predicted extracellular serine/threonine-rich domain is required for Wsc1p functionality, as well as its glycosylation. A mutant Wsc1 protein lacking the putative transmembrane domain is not functional and partitions to the soluble fraction. Overexpression of full-length Wsc1p inhibits cell growth, with the N terminus alone being sufficient for this inhibition. This suggests that Wsc1p may function in a complex with at least one other protein important for normal cell growth.

N-Glycans mediate the apical sorting of a GPI-anchored, raft-associated protein in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells

Glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI)- anchored proteins are preferentially transported to the apical cell surface of polarized Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. It has been assumed that the GPI anchor itself acts as an apical determinant by its interaction with sphingolipid-cholesterol rafts. We modified the rat growth hormone (rGH), an unglycosylated, unpolarized secreted protein, into a GPI-anchored protein and analyzed its surface delivery in polarized MDCK cells. The addition of a GPI anchor to rGH did not lead to an increase in apical delivery of the protein. However, addition of N-glycans to GPI-anchored rGH resulted in predominant apical delivery, suggesting that N-glycans act as apical sorting signals on GPI-anchored proteins as they do on transmembrane and secretory proteins. In contrast to the GPI-anchored rGH, a transmembrane form of rGH which was not raft-associated accumulated intracellularly. Addition of N-glycans to this chimeric protein prevented intracellular accumulation and led to apical delivery.

Signaling complex formation of CD44 with src-related kinases

The complex formation of murine CD44 with the src-like protein tyrosine kinases, lck and lyn, was investigated. In accordance with previous observations, stable CD44-lck and CD44-lyn complexes were detected in nonstimulated lymphoid T- and B-cells, respectively. In addition, a direct modulation of lck and lyn by CD44 was observed as revealed by the CD44-dependent translocation of these enzymes to the Triton X-100 resistant cell fraction. To clarify which receptor domain is responsible for the association, peptide binding assays were performed. Interestingly, the synthetic peptide pCD44 (ILAVCIAVNSRRR), which corresponds to the plasma membrane-cytoplasmic interface region of murine CD44, exhibited a high capacity to bind lck and lyn. A single amino acid modification in the position of the cysteine residue completely abolished this interaction, while the truncation of the three tandem arginines significantly decreased it. Remarkably, similar sequences were found in a number of other molecules including subunits of receptors recognizing antigens, immunoglobulins, extracellular matrix components, accessory molecules, cytokines and also in certain viral gene products. Synthetic peptides corresponding to the homologous regions found in CD28 and FcepsilonRIbeta were also studied and comparable lck-lyn-binding potentials were detected. These data suggest a novel interaction between src-family kinases and CD44, CD28, FcepsilonRIbeta, and provide a simple model for the association of src-like kinases with transmembrane proteins.

Microdomain-dependent regulation of Lck and Fyn protein-tyrosine kinases in T lymphocyte plasma membranes

Src family protein-tyrosine kinases are implicated in signaling via glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored receptors. Both kinds of molecules reside in opposite leaflets of the same sphingolipid-enriched microdomains in the lymphocyte plasma membrane without making direct contact. Under detergent-free conditions, we isolated a GPI-enriched plasma membrane fraction, also containing transmembrane proteins, selectively associated with sphingolipid microdomains. Nonionic detergents released the transmembrane proteins, yielding core sphingolipid microdomains, limited amounts of which could also be obtained by detergent-free subcellular fractionation. Protein-tyrosine kinase activity in membranes containing both GPI-anchored and transmembrane proteins was much lower than in core sphingolipid microdomains but was strongly reactivated by nonionic detergents. The inhibitory mechanism acting on Lck and Fyn kinases in these membranes was independent of the protein-tyrosine phosphatase CD45 and was characterized as a mixed, noncompetitive one. We propose that in lymphocyte plasma membranes, Lck and Fyn kinases exhibit optimal activity when juxtaposed to the GPI- and sphingolipid-enriched core microdomains but encounter inhibitory conditions in surrounding membrane areas that are rich in glycerophospholipids and contain additional transmembrane proteins.

LYVE-1, a new homologue of the CD44 glycoprotein, is a lymph-specific receptor for hyaluronan

The extracellular matrix glycosaminoglycan hyaluronan (HA) is an abundant component of skin and mesenchymal tissues where it facilitates cell migration during wound healing, inflammation, and embryonic morphogenesis. Both during normal tissue homeostasis and particularly after tissue injury, HA is mobilized from these sites through lymphatic vessels to the lymph nodes where it is degraded before entering the circulation for rapid uptake by the liver. Currently, however, the identities of HA binding molecules which control this pathway are unknown. Here we describe the first such molecule, LYVE-1, which we have identified as a major receptor for HA on the lymph vessel wall. The deduced amino acid sequence of LYVE-1 predicts a 322-residue type I integral membrane polypeptide 41% similar to the CD44 HA receptor with a 212-residue extracellular domain containing a single Link module the prototypic HA binding domain of the Link protein superfamily. Like CD44, the LYVE-1 molecule binds both soluble and immobilized HA. However, unlike CD44, the LYVE-1 molecule colocalizes with HA on the luminal face of the lymph vessel wall and is completely absent from blood vessels. Hence, LYVE-1 is the first lymph-specific HA receptor to be characterized and is a uniquely powerful marker for lymph vessels themselves.

Role of lipid modifications in targeting proteins to detergent-resistant membrane rafts. Many raft proteins are acylated, while few are prenylated

Sphingolipid and cholesterol-rich Triton X-100-insoluble membrane fragments (detergent-resistant membranes, DRMs) containing lipids in a state similar to the liquid-ordered phase can be isolated from mammalian cells, and probably exist as discrete domains or rafts in intact membranes. We postulated that proteins with a high affinity for such an ordered lipid environment might be targeted to rafts. Saturated acyl chains should prefer an extended conformation that would fit well in rafts. In contrast, prenyl groups, which are as hydrophobic as acyl chains but have a branched and bulky structure, should be excluded from rafts. Here, we showed that at least half of the proteins in Madin-Darby canine kidney cell DRMs (other than cytoskeletal contaminants) could be labeled with [3H]palmitate. Association of influenza hemagglutinin with DRMs required all three of its palmitoylated Cys residues. Prenylated proteins, detected by [3H]mevalonate labeling or by blotting for Rap1, Rab5, Gbeta, or Ras, were excluded from DRMs. Rab5 and H-Ras each contain more than one lipid group, showing that hydrophobicity alone does not target multiply lipid-modified proteins to DRMs. Partitioning of covalently linked saturated acyl chains into liquid-ordered phase domains is likely to be an important mechanism for targeting proteins to DRMs.

Discrete domains within the hyaluronan receptor CD44 regulate membrane localization and cell migration

CD44 is the principle transmembrane receptor for the extracellular matrix glycosaminoglycan, hyaluronan. This receptor: ligand interaction is required for many normal cellular processes including lymphocyte homing into inflammatory sites, assembly of a pericellular matrix during chondrogenesis, wound healing and tissue morphogenesis during development. In order to mediate these diverse events, CD44 expressing cells must be able to regulate, and respond to, interactions with hyaluronan. The mechanisms responsible have been subject to scrutiny over the past few years as it has become clear that their disruption can underlie the progression of both metastatic tumours and chronic inflammatory diseases. Here we describe recent data identifying discrete regions within the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of CD44 which regulate this important adhesion receptor.

Signal transduction in leucocytes via GPI-anchored proteins: an experimental artefact or an aspect of immunoreceptor function?

Membrane proteins anchored in the membrane via a glycolipid glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) as well as some glycolipids are able to transduce signals and induce diverse functional responses in cells upon their cross-linking via antibodies or natural ligands. In some cases this signaling capacity seems to be due to associations of these molecules with specific transmembrane proteins. GPI-anchored proteins are components of membrane microdomains enriched in glycosphingolipids and cholesterol and devoid of most transmembrane proteins. These membrane specializations are relatively resistant to solubilization in solutions of some mild detergents at low temperatures. These 'GPI-microdomains' contain also cytoplasmic signaling molecules such as Src-family protein tyrosine kinases and trimeric G-proteins. Thus, at least some signaling elicited upon cross-linking of GPI-anchored proteins and glycolipids may be due to perturbation of the signaling molecules associated with these microdomains. It is suggested that these specialized areas of the membrane rich in signaling molecules interact with immunoreceptors (TCR, BCR, Fc receptors) cross-linked upon their interactions with ligands and importantly contribute to initiation of proximal phases of their signaling pathways.

Identification and functional analysis of the ezrin-binding site in the hyaluronan receptor, CD44

ERM (ezrin, radixin and moesin) proteins function as linkers between the actin cytoskeleton and the plasma membrane. In addition to this structural role, these proteins are highly regulatable making them ideal candidates to mediate important physiological events such as adhesion and membrane morphology and to control formation and breakdown of membrane-cytoskeletal junctions. Recently, a direct interaction in vitro has been demonstrated between ERM proteins and the hyaluronan receptor, CD44. We have mapped the ezrin-binding site to two clusters of basic amino acids in a membrane-proximal 9 amino-acid region within the CD44 cytoplasmic domain. To investigate the functional importance of this interaction in vivo, we created a number of mutations within full-length CD44 and expressed these mutants in human melanoma cells. We demonstrate here that mutations within the ezrin-binding site do not disrupt the plasma membrane localization of CD44 and, in addition, that this region is not required to mediate efficient hyaluronan binding. These studies suggest that ERM proteins mediate the outside-in, rather than inside-out, signalling of adhesion receptors.

CD44 Selectively Associates With Active Src Family Protein Tyrosine Kinases Lck and Fyn in Glycosphingolipid-Rich Plasma Membrane Domains of Human Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes

CD44 is the major cell surface receptor for the extracellular matrix glycosaminoglycan hyaluronan and is implicated in a variety of biological events that include embryonic morphogenesis, lymphocyte recirculation, inflammation, and tumor metastasis. CD44 delivers activation signals to T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, natural killer cells, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and macrophages by stimulating protein tyrosine phosphorylation and calcium influx. The mechanism of signal transduction via CD44 remains undefined, although CD44 was shown to physically associate with intracellular protein tyrosine kinase Lck in T lymphocytes. In the present report, we show that a significant proportion of CD44 in human peripheral blood T lymphocytes and endothelial cells is associated with low-density plasma membrane fractions that represent specialized plasma membrane domains enriched in glycosphingolipids and glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins. CD44 and the GPI-anchored CD59 do not appear to directly interact in the low-density membrane fractions. In human peripheral blood T lymphocytes, 20% to 30% of the Src family protein tyrosine kinases, Lck and Fyn, are recovered from these fractions. CD44-associated protein kinase activity was selectively recovered from the low-density membrane fractions, corresponding to glycosphingolipid-rich plasma membrane microdomains. Reprecipitation of the in vitro phosphorylated proteins showed that CD44 associates not only with Lck but also with Fyn kinase in these membrane domains. Our results suggest that cellular stimulation via CD44 may proceed through the signaling machinery of glycosphingolipid-enriched plasma membrane microdomains and, hence, depend on the functional integrity of such domains.

CD44 Selectively Associates With Active Src Family Protein Tyrosine Kinases Lck and Fyn in Glycosphingolipid-Rich Plasma Membrane Domains of Human Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes

CD44 is the major cell surface receptor for the extracellular matrix glycosaminoglycan hyaluronan and is implicated in a variety of biological events that include embryonic morphogenesis, lymphocyte recirculation, inflammation, and tumor metastasis. CD44 delivers activation signals to T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, natural killer cells, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and macrophages by stimulating protein tyrosine phosphorylation and calcium influx. The mechanism of signal transduction via CD44 remains undefined, although CD44 was shown to physically associate with intracellular protein tyrosine kinase Lck in T lymphocytes. In the present report, we show that a significant proportion of CD44 in human peripheral blood T lymphocytes and endothelial cells is associated with low-density plasma membrane fractions that represent specialized plasma membrane domains enriched in glycosphingolipids and glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins. CD44 and the GPI-anchored CD59 do not appear to directly interact in the low-density membrane fractions. In human peripheral blood T lymphocytes, 20% to 30% of the Src family protein tyrosine kinases, Lck and Fyn, are recovered from these fractions. CD44-associated protein kinase activity was selectively recovered from the low-density membrane fractions, corresponding to glycosphingolipid-rich plasma membrane microdomains. Reprecipitation of the in vitro phosphorylated proteins showed that CD44 associates not only with Lck but also with Fyn kinase in these membrane domains. Our results suggest that cellular stimulation via CD44 may proceed through the signaling machinery of glycosphingolipid-enriched plasma membrane microdomains and, hence, depend on the functional integrity of such domains.

Structure of detergent-resistant membrane domains: does phase separation occur in biological membranes?

Detergent-resistant membrane domains (DRMs) can be isolated from a variety of eukaryotic cells. DRMs are of interest because of their potential importance in processes such as intracellular membrane sorting, and signal transduction at the cell surface. One type of DRM is also present in caveolae, non clathrin-coated plasma membrane pits with proposed roles in endocytosis, lipid transport, and signal transduction. Here we review recent advances in understanding the structure of these domains, and explore the possibility that DRMs are present in a phase separate from the surrounding bilayer. DRMs are rich in sphingolipids and cholesterol. The long saturated acyl chains and high acyl chain melting temperature of sphingolipids mediate their association in detergent resistant domains. These sphingolipid and cholesterol-rich domains have the properties of the liquid-ordered phase previously described in model membranes. Several lines of investigation support the idea that DRMs are not detergent-induced artifacts, but exist as domains in cell membranes. A striking feature of the proteins in DRMs is that many of them are linked to lipids. These include both GPI anchored proteins, and acylated proteins such as Src-family kinases. The linkage of these proteins to saturated acyl chains may help in targeting them to ordered membrane domains. Caveolin, the major structural protein of caveolae, is multiply palmitoylated. The presence of a high concentration of palmitate chains in DRMs in caveolae may help stabilize ordered domains.

CD44: structure, function, and association with the malignant process

CD44 is a ubiquitous multistructural and multifunctional cells surface adhesion molecule involved in cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. Twenty exons are involved in the genomic organization of this molecule. The first five and the last 5 exons are constant, whereas the 10 exons located between these regions are subjected to alternative splicing, resulting in the generation of a variable region. Differential utilization of the 10 variable region exons, as well as variations in N-glycosylation, O-glycosylation, and glycosaminoglycanation (by heparan sulfate or chondroitin sulfate), generate multiple isoforms (at least 20 are known) of different molecular sizes (85-230 kDa). The smallest CD44 molecule (85-95 kDa), which lacks the entire variable region, is standard CD44 (CD44s). As it is expressed mainly on cells of lymphohematopoietic origin, CD44s is also known as hematopoietic CD44 (CD44H). CD44s is a single-chain molecule composed of a distal extracellular domain (containing, the ligand-binding sites), a membrane-proximal region, a transmembrane-spanning domain, and a cytoplasmic tail. The molecular sequence (with the exception of the membrane-proximal region) displays high interspecies homology. After immunological activation, T lymphocytes and other leukocytes transiently upregulate CD44 isoforms expressing variant exons (designated CD44v). A CD44 isform containing the last 3 exon products of the variable region (CD44V8-10, also known as epithelial CD44 or CD44E), is preferentially expressed on epithelial cells. The longest CD44 isoform expressing in tandem eight exons of the variable region (CD44V3-10) was detected in keratinocytes. Hyaluronic acid (HA), an important component of the extracellular matrix (ECM), is the principal, but by no means the only, ligand of CD44. Other CD44 ligands include the ECM components collagen, fibronectin, laminin, and chondroitin sulfate. Mucosal addressin, serglycin, osteopontin, and the class II invariant chain (Ii) are additional, ECM-unrelated, ligands of the molecule. In many, but not in all cases, CD44 does not bind HA unless it is stimulated by phorbol esters, activated by agonistic anti-CD44 antibody, or deglycosylated (e.g., by tunicamycin). CD44 is a multifunctional receptor involved in cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions, cell traffic, lymph node homing, presentation of chemokines and growth factors to traveling cells, and transmission of growth signals. CD44 also participates in the uptake and intracellular degradation of HA, as well as in transmission of signals mediating hematopoiesis and apoptosis. Many cancer cell types as well as their metastases express high levels of CD44. Whereas some tumors, such as gliomas, exclusively express standard CD44, other neoplasms, including gastrointestinal cancer, bladder cancer, uterine cervical cancer, breast cancer and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, also express CD44 variants. Hence CD44, particularly its variants, may be used as diagnostic or prognostic markers of at least some human malignant diseases. Furthermore, it has been shown in animal models that injection of reagents interfering with CD44-ligand interaction (e.g., CD44s- or CD44v-specific antibodies) inhibit local tumor growth and metastatic spread. These findings suggest that CD44 may confer a growth advantage on some neoplastic cells and, therefore, could be used as a target for cancer therapy. It is hoped that identification of CD44 variants expressed on cancer but not on normal cells will lead to the development of anti-CD44 reagents restricted to the neoplastic growth.

CD44 phosphorylation regulates melanoma cell and fibroblast migration on, but not attachment to, a hyaluronan substratum

BACKGROUND

CD44 is a transmembrane receptor for the extracellular matrix glycosaminoglycan, hyaluronan. This receptor-ligand interaction plays an essential role in tumour progression, in embryonic tissue morphogenesis and in leukocyte migration during inflammation. It is well documented that the interaction between CD44 and hyaluronan is strictly regulated, but little is known about the relationship between hyaluronan-dependent cell adhesion and cell migration.

RESULTS

In these studies we have used a CD44-negative human melanoma cell line and a murine fibroblast line which expresses low levels of endogenous CD44. Both cell lines were transfected with plasmids encoding wild-type human CD44 or CD44 phosphorylation mutants, in which the target serines had been mutated to small neutral amino acids or large acidic residues. We show that expression of wild-type CD44 enhances the ability of both cell lines to bind to, and migrate on, a hyaluronan-coated substratum. In contrast, the two CD44 phosphorylation mutants were as efficient as wild-type CD44 in mediating cell adhesion but were unable to support hyaluronan-dependent migration.

CONCLUSIONS

These studies demonstrate a control mechanism specific for CD44-mediated cell motility and have implications for the regulation of metastatic progression by cell-adhesion receptors.

A di-hydrophobic Leu-Val motif regulates the basolateral localization of CD44 in polarized Madin-Darby canine kidney epithelial cells

Both in vivo and in vitro the distribution of the resident plasma membrane adhesion protein, CD44, is restricted to the basolateral domain of polarized epithelial cells, suggesting a role in interepithelial interactions. To determine how this localization might be regulated a range of CD44 cytoplasmic domain mutations were generated and a minimal 5 amino acid sequence, His330-Leu-Val-Asn-Lys334, was identified which when deleted results in expression of CD44 on the apical microvillal membrane. Further mutagenesis throughout this regions pinpointed a critical di-hydrophobic motif, Leu331/Val332. The ability of wild type but not mutant CD44 cytoplasmic domains to redirect an apically targeted protein, placental alkaline phosphatase, to the basolateral plasma membrane demonstrates that this sequence can function as a dominant localization signal. This His330-Lys334 sequence is spatially separate from other CD44 regulatory elements and as discussed here, a comparison with known basolateral sorting sequences identified in other transmembrane proteins suggests that a distinct mechanism operates to retain resident plasma membrane proteins in their correct plasma membrane subdomains.