Ribosome-translocon complex mediates calcium leakage from endoplasmic reticulum stores

The endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-pump SERCA2b interacts with G protein-coupled receptors and enhances their expression at the cell surface

Calcium (Ca(2+)) plays a pivotal role in both cellular signaling and protein synthesis. However, it is not well understood how calcium metabolism and synthesis of secreted and membrane-bound proteins are related. Here we demonstrate that the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase 2b (SERCA2b), which maintains high Ca(2+) concentration in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum, interacts specifically with the human delta opioid receptor during early steps of receptor biogenesis in human embryonic kidney 293 cells. The interaction involves newly synthesized incompletely folded receptor precursors, because the association between the delta opioid receptor and SERCA2b (i) was short-lived and took place soon after receptor translation, (ii) was not affected by misfolding of the receptor, and (iii) decreased if receptor folding was enhanced by opioid receptor pharmacological chaperone. The physical association with SERCA2b was found to be a universal feature among G protein-coupled receptors within family A and was shown to occur also between the endogenously expressed luteinizing hormone receptor and SERCA2b in rat ovaries. Importantly, active SERCA2b rather than undisturbed Ca(2+) homeostasis was found to be essential for delta opioid receptor biogenesis, as inhibition of its Ca(2+) pumping activity by thapsigargin reduced the interaction and impaired the efficiency of receptor maturation, two phenomena that were not affected by a Ca(2+) ionophore A23187. Nevertheless, inhibition of SERCA2b did not compromise the functionality of receptors that were able to mature. Thus, we propose that the association with SERCA2b is required for efficient folding and/or membrane integration of G protein-coupled receptors.

Intracellular Ca(2+) release via the ER translocon activates store-operated calcium entry

Store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE) is activated in response to depletion of intracellular Ca(2+) from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). A variety of agonists stimulate SOCE via IP(3)-dependent Ca(2+) depletion. SOCE is also activated by thapsigargin, an inhibitor of Ca(2+) reuptake into the ER that induces a net Ca(2+) loss from the ER by unmasking a Ca(2+) "leak" pathway. The molecular identity of this Ca(2+) leak channel and the physiological conditions under which such agonist-independent Ca(2+) depletion might occur remain poorly characterized. In this study, we report that inhibition of the initiation step of protein synthesis (with pactamycin) resulted in detectable Ca(2+) depletion in ER and activation of SOCE. This was completely prevented if the ribosome-nascent chain complexes were first stabilized with an irreversible inhibitor of translational elongation (emetine), suggesting that ER Ca(2+) depletion had occurred through open translocons at the ER. Notably, emetine pretreatment also attenuated thapsigargin-mediated Ca(2+) release and SOCE. Furthermore, both pactamycin and thapsigargin stimulated translocation of STIM1, a protein required for activation of SOCE, to the subplasma membrane region and activated the SOCE-associated current, I (SOC). In aggregate, these data reveal an agonist-independent mechanism for internal Ca(2+) store depletion and activation of SOCE. We suggest that the functional coupling between SOCE and protein synthesis is likely to be critical for maintaining [Ca(2+)](ER) within a range that is required to prevent ER stress during changes in cellular translational activity.

Presenilins form ER Ca2+ leak channels, a function disrupted by familial Alzheimer's disease-linked mutations

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder. Mutations in presenilins 1 and 2 (PS1 and PS2) account for approximately 40% of familial AD (FAD) cases. FAD mutations and genetic deletions of presenilins have been associated with calcium (Ca(2+)) signaling abnormalities. We demonstrate that wild-type presenilins, but not PS1-M146V and PS2-N141I FAD mutants, can form low-conductance divalent-cation-permeable ion channels in planar lipid bilayers. In experiments with PS1/2 double knockout (DKO) mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), we find that presenilins account for approximately 80% of passive Ca(2+) leak from the endoplasmic reticulum. Deficient Ca(2+) signaling in DKO MEFs can be rescued by expression of wild-type PS1 or PS2 but not by expression of PS1-M146V or PS2-N141I mutants. The ER Ca(2+) leak function of presenilins is independent of their gamma-secretase activity. Our data suggest a Ca(2+) signaling function for presenilins and provide support for the "Ca(2+) hypothesis of AD."

Functional implications of calcium permeability of the channel formed by pannexin 1

Although human pannexins (PanX) are homologous to gap junction molecules, their physiological function in vertebrates remains poorly understood. Our results demonstrate that overexpression of PanX1 results in the formation of Ca²⁺-permeable gap junction channels between adjacent cells, thus, allowing direct intercellular Ca²⁺ diffusion and facilitating intercellular Ca²⁺ wave propagation. More intriguingly, our results strongly suggest that PanX1 may also form Ca²⁺-permeable channels in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). These channels contribute to the ER Ca²⁺ leak and thereby affect the ER Ca²⁺ load. Because leakage remains the most enigmatic of those processes involved in intracellular calcium homeostasis, and the molecular nature of the leak channels is as yet unknown, the results of this work provide new insight into calcium signaling mechanisms. These results imply that for vertebrates, a new protein family, referred to as pannexins, may not simply duplicate the connexin function but may also provide additional pathways for intra- and intercellular calcium signaling and homeostasis.

Phosphorylation of SHP-2 Regulates Interactions between the Endoplasmic Reticulum and Focal Adhesions to Restrict Interleukin-1-induced Ca2+ Signaling

Interleukin-1 (IL-1)-induced Ca2+ signaling in fibroblasts is constrained by focal adhesions. This process involves the proteintyrosine phosphatase SHP-2, which is critical for IL-1-induced phosphorylation of phospholipase Cgamma1, thereby enhancing IL-1-induced Ca2+ release and ERK activation. Currently, the mechanisms by which SHP-2 modulates Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum are not defined. We used immunoprecipitation and fluorescence protein-tagged SHP-2 or endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-protein expression vectors, and an ER-specific calcium indicator, to examine the functional relationships between SHP-2, focal adhesions, and IL-1-induced Ca2+ release from the ER. By total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy to image subplasma membrane compartments, SHP-2 co-localized with the ER-associated proteins calnexin and calreticulin at sites of focal adhesion formation in fibroblasts. IL-1beta promoted time-dependent recruitment of SHP-2 and ER proteins to focal adhesions; this process was blocked in cells treated with small interfering RNA for SHP-2 and in cells expressing a Y542F SHP-2 mutant. IL-1 stimulated inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor-mediated Ca2+ release from the ER subjacent to the plasma membrane that was tightly localized around fibronectin-coated beads and was reduced 4-fold in cells expressing Tyr-542 SHP-2 mutant. In subcellular fractions enriched for ER proteins, immunoprecipitation demonstrated that IL-1-enhanced association of SHP-2 with the type 1 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor was dependent on Tyr-542 of SHP-2. We conclude that Tyr-542 of SHP-2 modulates IL-1-induced Ca2+ signals and association of the ER with focal adhesions.

The geometry of the ribosomal polypeptide exit tunnel

The geometry of the polypeptide exit tunnel has been determined using the crystal structure of the large ribosomal subunit from Haloarcula marismortui. The tunnel is a component of a much larger, interconnected system of channels accessible to solvent that permeates the subunit and is connected to the exterior at many points. Since water and other small molecules can diffuse into and out of the tunnel along many different trajectories, the large subunit cannot be part of the seal that keeps ions from passing through the ribosome-translocon complex. The structure referred to as the tunnel is the only passage in the solvent channel system that is both large enough to accommodate nascent peptides, and that traverses the particle. For objects of that size, it is effectively an unbranched tube connecting the peptidyl transferase center of the large subunit and the site where nascent peptides emerge. At no point is the tunnel big enough to accommodate folded polypeptides larger than alpha-helices.

Translocon pores in the endoplasmic reticulum are permeable to small anions

Contribution of translocon peptide channels to the permeation of low molecular mass anions was investigated in rat liver microsomes. Puromycin, which purges translocon pores of nascent polypeptides, creating additional empty pores, raised the microsomal uptake of radiolabeled UDP-glucuronic acid, while it did not increase the uptake of glucose-6-phosphate or glutathione. The role of translocon pores in the transport of small anions was also investigated by measuring the effect of puromycin on the activity of microsomal enzymes with intraluminal active sites. The mannose-6-phosphatase activity of glucose-6-phosphatase and the activity of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase were elevated upon addition of puromycin, but glucose-6-phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase activities were not changed. The increase in enzyme activities was due to a better access of the substrates to the luminal compartment rather than to activation of the enzymes. Antibody against Sec61 translocon component decreased the activity of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase and antagonized the effect of puromycin. Similarly, the addition of the puromycin antagonist anisomycin or treatments of microsomes, resulting in the release of attached ribosomes, prevented the puromycin-dependent increase in the activity. Mannose-6-phosphatase and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activities of smooth microsomal vesicles showed higher basal latencies that were not affected by puromycin. In conclusion, translationally inactive, ribosome-bound translocons allow small anions to cross the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. This pathway can contribute to the nonspecific substrate supply of enzymes with intraluminal active centers.

Passive calcium leak via translocon is a first step for iPLA2-pathway regulated store operated channels activation

Calcium concentration within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) plays an essential role in cell physiopathology. One of the most enigmatic mechanisms responsible for Ca2+ concentration in the ER is passive calcium leak. Previous studies have shown that the translocon complex is permeable to calcium. However, the involvement of the translocon in the passive calcium leak has not been directly demonstrated. Furthermore, the question whether the passive store depletion via the translocon could activate SOC (store operated channels) replenishing the ER, remains still unresolved. In this study, for the first time, we show that thapsigargin and calcium chelators deplete ER via translocon. Indeed, using confocal imaging, we demonstrate that when the number of opened translocons was lowered neither thapsigargin nor calcium chelators could induce ER store depletion. We also demonstrate that calcium leakage occurring via the translocon activates store-operated current, which is, by its kinetic and pharmacology, similar to that evoked by thapsigargin and EGTA (but not IP3), thus highlighting our hypothesis that calcium leakage via the translocon is a first step for activation of the specific iPLA2-regulated SOC. As the translocon is present in yeast and mammalian cells, our findings suggest that translocon-related calcium signaling is a common phenomenon.

Proapoptotic BAX and BAK regulate the type 1 inositol trisphosphate receptor and calcium leak from the endoplasmic reticulum

Proapoptotic BCL-2 family members BAX and BAK are required for the initiation of mitochondrial dysfunction during apoptosis and for maintaining the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca(2+) stores necessary for Ca(2+)-dependent cell death. Conversely, antiapoptotic BCL-2 has been shown to decrease Ca(2+) concentration in the ER. We found that Bax(-/-)Bak(-/-) double-knockout (DKO) cells have reduced resting ER Ca(2+) levels because of increased Ca(2+) leak and an increase in the Ca(2+)-permeable, hyperphosphorylated state of the inositol trisphosphate receptor type 1 (IP3R-1). The ER Ca(2+) defect of DKO cells is rescued by RNA interference reduction of IP3R-1, supporting the argument that this channel regulates the increased Ca(2+) leak in these cells. BCL-2 and IP3R-1 physically interact at the ER, and their binding is increased in the absence of BAX and BAK. Moreover, knocking down BCL-2 decreases IP3R-1 phosphorylation and ER Ca(2+) leak rate in the DKO cells. These findings support a model in which BCL-2 family members regulate IP3R-1 phosphorylation to control the rate of ER Ca(2+) leak from intracellular stores.

Ca2+ homeostasis in apoptotic resistance of prostate cancer cells

Ca2+ is a universal messenger regulating many physiological functions including such an important one, as the ability of the cell to undergo orderly self-destruction upon completion of its mission, called apoptosis. If this function is compromised unwanted cells may eventually take over the tissue turning it into a cancer. Ca2+ dependency of apoptosis, when its all aspects are learned and understood and key molecular players identified, may provide a good opportunity for controlling tumor growth. In the present mini-review we describe the major molecular determinants of Ca2+ homeostasis in prostate cancer cells and establish their role in the transformation to apoptosis-resistant cell phenotypes typical of advanced androgen-independent prostate cancer. We show that the hallmark of such transformation is the inhibition of apoptosis pathway associated with endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ store depletion.