Cholesterol is important in control of EGF receptor kinase activity but EGF receptors are not concentrated in caveolae

Filamin A modulates kinase activation and intracellular trafficking of epidermal growth factor receptors in human melanoma cells

The actin-binding protein filamin A (FLNa) affects the intracellular trafficking of various classes of receptors and has a potential role in oncogenesis. However, it is unclear whether FLNa regulates the signaling capacity and/or down-regulation of the activated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Here it is shown that partial knockdown of FLNa gene expression blocked ligand-induced EGFR responses in metastatic human melanomas. To gain greater insights into the role of FLNa in EGFR activation and intracellular sorting, we used M2 melanoma cells that lack endogenous FLNa and a subclone in which human FLNa cDNA has been stably reintroduced (M2A7 cells). Both tyrosine phosphorylation and ubiquitination of EGFR were significantly lower in epidermal growth factor (EGF)-stimulated M2 cells when compared with M2A7 cells. Moreover, the lack of FLNa interfered with EGFR interaction with the ubiquitin ligase c-Cbl. M2 cells exhibited marked resistance to EGF-induced receptor degradation, which was very active in M2A7 cells. Despite comparable rates of EGF-mediated receptor endocytosis, internalized EGFR colocalized with the lysosomal marker lysosome-associated membrane protein-1 in M2A7 cells but not M2 cells, in which EGFR was found to be sequestered in large vesicles and subsequently accumulated in punctated perinuclear structures after EGF stimulation. These results suggest the requirement of FLNa for efficient EGFR kinase activation and the sorting of endocytosed receptors into the degradation pathway.

Palmitoylation of the EGF receptor impairs signal transduction and abolishes high-affinity ligand binding

The intracellular juxtamembrane domain of the EGF receptor has been shown to be involved in the stimulation of the receptor's tyrosine kinase activity. To further explore the function of this portion of the EGF receptor, a consensus site for protein palmitoylation was inserted at the beginning of the juxtamembrane domain of the receptor. The altered EGF receptor incorporated [(3)H]palmitate, demonstrating that it was palmitoylated. Compared to the wild-type EGF receptor, the palmitoylated EGF receptor was significantly impaired in EGF-stimulated receptor autophosphorylation as well as ligand-induced receptor internalization. While both the wild-type and the palmitoylated EGF receptors exhibited a similar propensity to associate with lipid rafts, only the wild-type receptor exited lipid rafts in response to EGF. Binding of [(125)I]EGF to the wild-type EGF receptor showed a curvilinear Scatchard plot with both high- and low-affinity forms of the receptor. By contrast, the palmitoylated receptor exhibited only low-affinity EGF binding. These data suggest that the cytoplasmic juxtamembrane domain is involved not only in the transmission of the proliferative signal generated by ligand binding but also in facilitating the adoption of the high-affinity conformation by the extracellular ligand binding domain.

Epidermal growth factor-like repeats of thrombospondins activate phospholipase Cgamma and increase epithelial cell migration through indirect epidermal growth factor receptor activation

Thrombospondin (TSP) 1 is a trimeric multidomain protein that contains motifs that recognize distinct host cell receptors coupled to multiple signaling pathways. Selected TSP1-induced cellular responses are tyrosine kinase-dependent, and TSP1 contains epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like repeats. Specific receptor interactions or functions for the EGF-like repeats have not been identified. We asked whether one or more biological responses to TSP1 might be explained through EGF receptor (EGFR) activation. In A431 cells, TSP1 increased autophosphorylation of Tyr-1068 of EGFR in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The ability of TSP1 to activate EGFR was replicated by the tandem EGF-like repeats as a recombinant protein. The three EGF-like repeats alone produced a high level of Tyr-1068 phosphorylation. EGF-like repeats from TSP2 and TSP4 also activated EGFR. Tyr-1068 phosphorylation was less when individual EGF-like repeats were tested or flanking sequences were added to the three EGF-like repeats. TSP1 and its EGF-like repeats also increased phosphorylation of EGFR Tyr-845, Tyr-992, Tyr-1045, Tyr-1086, and Tyr-1173, activated phospholipase Cgamma, and increased cell migration. No evidence was found for binding of the EGF-like repeats to EGFR. Instead, EGFR activation in response to TSP1 or its EGF-like repeats required matrix metalloprotease activity, including activity of matrix metalloprotease 9. Access to the ligand-binding portion of the EGFR ectodomain was also required. These findings suggest release of an endogenous EGFR ligand in response to ligation of a second unknown receptor by the TSPs.

Membrane domain-disrupting effects of 4-substitued cholesterol derivatives

A wide range of cellular functions are thought to be regulated not only by the activity of membrane proteins, but also by the local membrane organization, including domains of specific lipid composition. Thus, molecules and drugs targeting and disrupting this lipid pattern, particularly of the plasma membrane, will not only help to investigate the role of membrane domains in cell biology, but might also be interesting candidates for therapy. We have identified three 4-substituted cholesterol derivatives that are able to induce a domain-disrupting effect in model membranes. When applied to giant unilamellar vesicles displaying liquid-ordered-liquid-disordered phase coexistence, extensive reorganization of the membrane can be observed, such as the budding of membrane tubules or changes in the geometry of the domains, to the point of complete abolition of phase separation. In this case, the resulting membranes display a fluidity intermediate between those of liquid-disordered and liquid-ordered phases.

EGF induces coalescence of different lipid rafts

The suggestion that microdomains may function as signaling platforms arose from the presence of growth factor receptors, such as the EGFR, in biochemically isolated lipid raft fractions. To investigate the role of EGFR activation in the organization of lipid rafts we have performed FLIM analyses using putative lipid raft markers such as ganglioside GM1 and glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored GFP (GPI-GFP). The EGFR was labeled using single domain antibodies from Llama glama that specifically bind the EGFR without stimulating its kinase activity. Our FLIM analyses demonstrate a cholesterol-independent colocalization of GM1 with EGFR, which was not observed for the transferrin receptor. By contrast, a cholesterol-dependent colocalization was observed for GM1 with GPI-GFP. In the resting state no colocalization was observed between EGFR and GPI-GFP, but stimulation of the cell with EGF resulted in the colocalization at the nanoscale level of EGFR and GPI-GFP. Moreover, EGF induced the enrichment of GPI-GFP in a detergent-free lipid raft fraction. Our results suggest that EGF induces the coalescence of the two types of GM1-containing microdomains that might lead to the formation of signaling platforms.

The spatiotemporal pattern of Src activation at lipid rafts revealed by diffusion-corrected FRET imaging

Genetically encoded biosensors based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) have been widely applied to visualize the molecular activity in live cells with high spatiotemporal resolution. However, the rapid diffusion of biosensor proteins hinders a precise reconstruction of the actual molecular activation map. Based on fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) experiments, we have developed a finite element (FE) method to analyze, simulate, and subtract the diffusion effect of mobile biosensors. This method has been applied to analyze the mobility of Src FRET biosensors engineered to reside at different subcompartments in live cells. The results indicate that the Src biosensor located in the cytoplasm moves 4–8 folds faster (0.93±0.06 µm²/sec) than those anchored on different compartments in plasma membrane (at lipid raft: 0.11±0.01 µm²/sec and outside: 0.18±0.02 µm²/sec). The mobility of biosensor at lipid rafts is slower than that outside of lipid rafts and is dominated by two-dimensional diffusion. When this diffusion effect was subtracted from the FRET ratio images, high Src activity at lipid rafts was observed at clustered regions proximal to the cell periphery, which remained relatively stationary upon epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulation. This result suggests that EGF induced a Src activation at lipid rafts with well-coordinated spatiotemporal patterns. Our FE-based method also provides an integrated platform of image analysis for studying molecular mobility and reconstructing the spatiotemporal activation maps of signaling molecules in live cells.

Fluorescence biosensors have been widely used to report the spatial and temporal activity of target molecules in live cells. However, biosensors can move independently of the target molecule and carry its signal to other subcellular locations. Therefore, the observed images appear to be the combination of the target molecular activity and the artifacts introduced by the movement of the biosensors (mainly due to diffusion). The intriguing question is how to estimate and exclude the movement effect of biosensors from the observed fluorescent images and to reconstruct the real activity map of the target molecules. The Src molecule plays important roles in cell adhesion, migration, and cancer invasion. In this paper, we developed a novel computational method to analyze and simulate the movement of the Src biosensor, which was then subtracted from the original fluorescent images. With this computational method, we observed discrete clusters of high Src activity at relatively stationary locations on the plasma membrane. Therefore, our results highlight the coordination of molecular activities in space and time. In addition to Src, our computational method can be used to reconstruct the activity map of other signaling molecules.

Distribution and significance of caveolin 2 expression in normal breast and invasive breast cancer: an immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical analysis

BACKGROUND

The aims of this study were to define the distribution of caveolin 2 (CAV2) in frozen and formalin fixed, paraffin embedded (FFPE) normal breast samples and the significance of CAV2 expression in breast cancer.

METHODS

Caveolin 2 distribution in frozen and paraffin-embedded whole tissue sections of normal breast was evaluated using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence, in conjunction with antibodies to define luminal epithelial cells (oestrogen receptor and cytokeratin 8/18) and myoepithelial/ basal cells (cytokeratins 14 and 5/6, p63 and smooth muscle actin). CAV2 expression was also immunohistochemically analysed in two independent cohorts of invasive breast carcinomas (n = 245 and n = 418).

RESULTS

In normal breast, CAV2 was expressed in myoepithelial cells, endothelial cells, fibroblasts and adipocytes. Luminal epithelial cells showed no or only negligible staining. CAV2 expression was observed in 9.6% of all breast cancers and was strongly correlated with high histological grade, lack of oestrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and cyclin D1 expression, and positivity for epidermal growth factor receptor, basal markers, p53 expression, and high proliferation index. Furthermore, CAV2 expression was significantly associated with basal-like immunophenotype and proved to be a prognostic factor for breast cancer-specific survival on univariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate that CAV2 is preferentially expressed in basal-like cancers and is associated with poor prognosis. Further in vitro studies are required to determine whether CAV2 has oncogenic properties or is only a surrogate marker of basal-like carcinomas.

Epidermal growth factor receptor and cancer: control of oncogenic signalling by endocytosis

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and other members of the EGFR/ErbB receptor family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are important regulators of proliferation, angiogenesis, migration, tumorigenesis and metastasis. Overexpression, mutations, deletions and production of autocrine ligands contribute to aberrant activation of the ErbB proteins. The signalling output from EGFR is complicated given that other ErbB proteins are often additionally expressed and activated in the same cell, resulting in formation of homo-and/or heterodimers. In particular, association of EGFR with ErbB2 prevents its down-regulation, underscoring the importance of the cellular background for EGFR effects. Signalling from ErbB proteins can either be terminated by dissociation of ligand resulting in dephosphorylation, or blunted by degradation of the receptors. Although proteasomal targeting of ErbB proteins has been described, lysosomal degradation upon ligand-induced endocytosis seems to play the major role in EGFR down-regulation. Preclinical and clinical data have demonstrated that EGFR is a central player in cancer, especially in carcinomas, some brain tumours and in non-small cell lung cancer. Such studies have further validated EGFR as an important molecular target in cancer treatment. This review focuses on mechanisms involved in ligand-induced EGFR activation and endocytic down-regulation. A better understanding of EGFR biology should allow development of more tumour-selective therapeutic approaches targeting EGFR-induced signalling.

Single-molecule imaging and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy show different structures for high- and low-affinity epidermal growth factor receptors in A431 cells

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR) modulates mitosis and apoptosis through signaling by its high-affinity (HA) and low-affinity (LA) EGF-binding states. The prevailing model of EGFR activation-derived from x-ray crystallography-involves the transition from tethered ectodomain monomers to extended back-to-back dimers and cannot explain these EGFR affinities or their different functions. Here, we use single-molecule Förster resonant energy transfer analysis in combination with ensemble fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy to investigate the three-dimensional architecture of HA and LA EGFR-EGF complexes in cells by measuring the inter-EGF distances within discrete EGF pairs and the vertical distance from EGF to the plasma membrane. Our results show that EGFR ectodomains form interfaces resulting in two inter-EGF distances ( approximately 8 nm and < 5.5 nm), different from the back-to-back EGFR ectodomain interface ( approximately 11 nm). Distance measurements from EGF to the plasma membrane show that HA EGFR ectodomains are oriented flat on the membrane, whereas LA ectodomains stand proud from it. Their flat orientation confers on HA EGFR ectodomains the exclusive ability to interact via asymmetric interfaces, head-to-head with respect to the EGF-binding site, whereas LA EGFRs must interact only side-by-side. Our results support a structural model in which asymmetric EGFR head-to-head interfaces may be relevant for HA EGFR oligomerization.

Studies of distribution, location and dynamic properties of EGFR on the cell surface measured by image correlation spectroscopy

In this work, we have studied the distribution and dynamic properties of Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) receptors in the plasma membrane of fixed and live cells as well as the extent of co-localization of this transmembrane protein with proteins specific for three-membrane microdomains: membrane rafts, caveolae and clathrin-coated pits. This was achieved using a family of image-processing tools called image correlation spectroscopy (ICS), image cross-correlation spectroscopy (ICCS) and dynamic image correlation spectroscopy (DICS). Our results indicate that EGFR is diffusely distributed on the cell surface at 37 degrees C and aggregates as the temperature is lowered to 4 degrees C. This aggregation takes place within 15 min and is reversible. Changes in temperature also affect the diffusion of EGFR by two orders of magnitude. The dynamic properties of EGFR are similar to the dynamic properties of a GPI-anchored protein known to be present in membrane rafts, which motivated us to explore the extent of co-localization of EGFR with this membrane raft protein using ICCS. Our results indicate that more than half of the EGFR population is present in membrane rafts and smaller percentages are present in caveolae and clathrin-coated pits.

Cholesterol suppresses cellular TGF-beta responsiveness: implications in atherogenesis

Hypercholesterolemia is a major causative factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The molecular mechanisms by which cholesterol initiates and facilitates the process of atherosclerosis are not well understood. Here, we demonstrate that cholesterol treatment suppresses or attenuates TGF-beta responsiveness in all cell types studied as determined by measuring TGF-beta-induced Smad2 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation, TGF-beta-induced PAI-1 expression, TGF-beta-induced luciferase reporter gene expression and TGF-beta-induced growth inhibition. Cholesterol, alone or complexed in lipoproteins (LDL, VLDL), suppresses TGF-beta responsiveness by increasing lipid raft and/or caveolae accumulation of TGF-beta receptors and facilitating rapid degradation of TGF-beta and thus suppressing TGF-beta-induced signaling. Conversely, cholesterol-lowering agents (fluvastatin and lovastatin) and cholesterol-depleting agents (beta-cyclodextrin and nystatin) enhance TGF-beta responsiveness by increasing non-lipid raft microdomain accumulation of TGF-beta receptors and facilitating TGF-beta-induced signaling. Furthermore, the effects of cholesterol on the cultured cells are also found in the aortic endothelium of ApoE-null mice fed a high-cholesterol diet. These results suggest that high cholesterol contributes to atherogenesis, at least in part, by suppressing TGF-beta responsiveness in vascular cells.

Regulation of tumor phenotypes by caveolin-1 and sphingolipid-controlled membrane signaling complexes

Aberrant (glyco)sphingolipid expression deeply affects several properties of tumor cells that are involved in tumor progression and metastasis formation: cell adhesion (to the extracellular matrix or to the endothelium of blood vessels), motility, recognition and invasion of host tissues. In particular, (glyco)sphingolipids might contribute to the modulation of integrin-dependent interactions of tumor cells (determining their adhesion, motility and invasiveness) with the extracellular matrix as well as with host cells present in the stromal compartment of the tumor. A model based on solid experimental evidence has been proposed: (glyco)sphingolipids at the cell surface interact with plasma membrane receptors (e.g., integrin receptors and growth factor receptors) and adapter molecules (including tetraspanins) forming signaling complexes that are able to influence the activity of signal transduction molecules oriented at the cytosolic surface of the plasma membrane (mainly the Src kinases pathway members). The function of these signaling complexes appears to be strictly dependent on their (glyco)sphingolipid composition, and likely on specific sphingolipid-protein interactions. From this point of view, particularly intriguing is the connection between (glyco)sphingolipids and caveolin-1, a membrane protein that plays multiple roles as a suppressor of tumor growth and metastasis in ovarian, breast and colon human carcinomas.

Oligomerization of the EGF receptor investigated by live cell fluorescence intensity distribution analysis

Recent evidence suggests that the EGF receptor oligomerizes or clusters in cells even in the absence of agonist ligand. To assess the status of EGF receptors in live cells, an EGF receptor fused to eGFP was stably expressed in CHO cells and studied using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and fluorescent brightness analysis. By modifying FIDA for use in a two-dimensional system with quantal brightnesses, a method was developed to quantify the degree of clustering of the receptors on the cell surface. The analysis demonstrates that under physiological conditions, the EGF receptor exists in a complex equilibrium involving single molecules and clusters of two or more receptors. Acute depletion of cellular cholesterol enhanced EGF receptor clustering whereas cholesterol loading decreased receptor clustering, indicating that receptor aggregation is sensitive to the lipid composition of the membrane.

The inhibitory effect of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate on activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor is associated with altered lipid order in HT29 colon cancer cells

(-)-Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a major biologically active constituent of green tea, inhibits activation of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR) and downstream signaling pathways in several types of human cancer cells, but the precise mechanism is not known. Because several plasma membrane-associated receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) including EGFR are localized in detergent-insoluble ordered membrane domains, so-called "lipid rafts," we examined whether the inhibitory effect of EGCG on activation of the EGFR is associated with changes in membrane lipid order in HT29 colon cancer cells. First, we did cold Triton X-100 solubility assays. Phosphorylated (activated) EGFR was found only in the Triton X-100-insoluble (lipid raft) fraction, whereas total cellular EGFR was present in the Triton X-100-soluble fraction. Pretreatment with EGCG inhibited the binding of Alexa Fluor 488-labeled EGF to the cells and also inhibited EGF-induced dimerization of the EGFR. To examine possible effects of EGCG on membrane lipid organization, we labeled the cells with the fluorescent lipid analogue 1, 1'-dihexadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate, which preferentially incorporates into ordered membrane domains in cells and found that subsequent treatment with EGCG caused a marked reduction in the Triton X-100-resistant membrane fraction. Polyphenon E, a mixture of green tea catechins, had a similar effect but (-)-epicatechin (EC), the biologically inactive compound, did not significantly alter the Triton X-100 solubility properties of the membrane. Furthermore, we found that EGCG but not EC caused dramatic changes in the function of bilayer-incorporated gramicidin channels. Taken together, these findings suggest that EGCG inhibits the binding of EGF to the EGFR and the subsequent dimerization and activation of the EGFR by altering membrane organization. These effects may also explain the ability of EGCG to inhibit activation of other membrane-associated RTKs, and they may play a critical role in the anticancer effects of this and related compounds.

Mapping ErbB receptors on breast cancer cell membranes during signal transduction

Distributions of ErbB receptors on membranes of SKBR3 breast cancer cells were mapped by immunoelectron microscopy. The most abundant receptor, ErbB2, is phosphorylated, clustered and active. Kinase inhibitors ablate ErbB2 phosphorylation without dispersing clusters. Modest co-clustering of ErbB2 and EGFR, even after EGF treatment, suggests that both are predominantly involved in homointeractions. Heregulin leads to dramatic clusters of ErbB3 that contain some ErbB2 and EGFR and abundant PI 3-kinase. Other docking proteins, such as Shc and STAT5, respond differently to receptor activation. Levels of Shc at the membrane increase two- to five-fold with EGF, whereas pre-associated STAT5 becomes strongly phosphorylated. These data suggest that the distinct topography of receptors and their docking partners modulates signaling activities.

Cholesterol inhibits MMP-9 expression in human epidermal keratinocytes and HaCaT cells

Cholesterol is a major component of skin lipids and acts as a regulator of vesicular trafficking and signal transduction. However, the function of cholesterol on matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) expression of human skin is not fully understood. Here, we investigated the effects of cholesterol on MMP-9 expression in normal human keratinocytes (NHK) and HaCaT cells. Basal level of MMP-9 expression was decreased by cholesterol in NHK. On the other hand, MMP-9 expression was increased by the cholesterol depletion agent, methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MbetaCD), while it was inhibited by cholesterol repletion in HaCaT cells. MbetaCD induced ERK and JNK phosphorylation were prevented by cholesterol repletion. The inhibition of ERK and JNK decreased MbetaCD-induced MMP-9 expression. Therefore, our results suggest that cholesterol regulates MMP-9 expression through ERK and JNK-dependent pathways.

Heparin suppresses lipid raft-mediated signaling and ligand-independent EGF receptor activation

Heparin is well known to suppress vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation, and attempts to exploit this therapeutically have led to recognition of multiple pathways for heparin's anti-mitogenic actions. At low concentrations (ca. 1 microg.ml(-1)), these suppressive effects may reflect physiological activities of endogenous heparan sulfates, and appear to be rapid responses to extracellular or cell surface-associated heparin. Because heparin has been shown to influence expression of caveolin proteins, and caveolae/lipid rafts are critical structures modulating cell signaling, we examined the effect of heparin on signaling involving cholesterol-rich membrane microdomains. The VSMC line PAC-1 activates the MAP kinase Erk in response to the cholesterol-sequestering agents methyl-beta-cyclodextrin and nystatin. This follows a temporal sequence that involves Ras-GTP activation of MEK, and is independent of PKC, Src, and PI3 kinase. However, ligand-independent phosphorylation of the EGF receptor (EGFR) by removal of cholesterol precedes Ras activation, and the EGFR kinase inhibitor AG1478 blocks Erk phosphorylation, supporting occurrence of the signaling sequence EGFR-Ras-MEK-Erk. Phosphorylation of EGFR occurs predominantly in caveolin-rich microdomains as identified by Western blotting of fractions from density gradient centrifugation of membranes prepared under detergent-free conditions. In these situations, heparin inhibits phosphorylation of EGFR on the Src-dependent site Tyr(845), but not the autophosphorylation of Tyr(1173), and decreases Ras activation and Erk phosphorylation. We conclude that heparin can suppress Erk signaling in VSMC with effects on site-specific phosphorylation of EGFR localized in caveolin-enriched lipid rafts.

Transit of hormonal and EGF receptor-dependent signals through cholesterol-rich membranes

The functional consequences of changes in membrane lipid composition that coincide with malignant growth are poorly understood. Sufficient data have been acquired from studies of lipid binding proteins, post-translational modifications of signaling proteins, and biochemical inhibition of lipidogenic pathways to indicate that growth and survival pathways might be substantially re-directed by alterations in the lipid content of membranes. Cholesterol and glycosphingolipids segregate into membrane patches that exhibit a liquid-ordered state in comparison to membrane domains containing relatively lower amounts of these classes of lipids. These "lipid raft" structures, which may vary in size and stability in different cell types, both accumulate and exclude signaling proteins and have been implicated in signal transduction through a number of cancer-relevant pathways. In prostate cancer cells, signaling from epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) to the serine-threonine kinase Akt1, as well as from IL-6 to STAT3, have been demonstrated to be influenced by experimental interventions that target cholesterol homeostasis. The recent finding that classical steroid hormone receptors also reside in these microdomains, and thus may function within these structures in a signaling capacity independent of their role as nuclear factors, suggests a novel means of cross-talk between receptor tyrosine kinase-derived and steroidogenic signals. Potential points of intersection between components of the EGFR family of receptor tyrosine kinases and androgen receptor signaling pathways, which may be sensitive to disruptions in cholesterol metabolism, are discussed. Understanding the manner in which these pathways converge within cholesterol-rich membranes may present new avenues for therapeutic intervention in hormone-dependent cancers.

The neck of caveolae is a distinct plasma membrane subdomain that concentrates insulin receptors in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Insulin receptors (IRs) segregate on plasma membrane microvilli, but in cells devoid of microvilli, such as adipocytes, the localization of IRs is a matter of controversy. In the present study, we examined the distribution of IRs in the plasma membrane of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Quantitative electron microscopy indicates that IRs are predominantly associated with the neck, but not the bulb, of caveolae. Caveola necks represent distinct microdomains of the plasma membrane. Indeed, as shown by freeze-fracture analysis, intramembrane particles are concentrated as necklaces around the craters of caveolae. In addition, subcellular fractionation suggests that the neck and the bulb of caveolae present a different resistance to detergent solubility. Finally, cytoskeletal components, including actin, are highly enriched in the membrane area underlying the neck part of caveolae. IRs coimmunoprecipitate with cytoskeletal components, and disruption of the actin cytoskeleton alters IRs expression, localization, and signaling, thus supporting the notion that caveola necks are involved in intracellular signaling by IRs. Together, these results suggest that cytoskeletal proteins anchor IRs to microdomains in the caveola necks of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. By homology with IR localization in other cell types, we suggest that the necks of caveolae may represent the counterpart of microvillar domains in cells poor in microvilli such as adipocytes and that they play an important role as signaling platforms.

Caveolin 1 is overexpressed and amplified in a subset of basal-like and metaplastic breast carcinomas: a morphologic, ultrastructural, immunohistochemical, and in situ hybridization analysis

PURPOSE

The distribution and significance of caveolin 1 (CAV1) expression in different breast cell types and role in breast carcinogenesis remain poorly understood. Both tumor-suppressive and oncogenic roles have been proposed for this protein. The aims of this study were to characterize the distribution of CAV1 in normal breast, benign breast lesions, breast cancer precursors, and metaplastic breast carcinomas; to assess the prognostic significance of CAV1 expression in invasive breast carcinomas; and to define whether CAV1 gene amplification is the underlying genetic mechanism driving CAV1 overexpression in breast carcinomas.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

CAV1 distribution in frozen and paraffin-embedded whole tissue sections of normal breast was evaluated using immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and immunoelectron microscopy. CAV1 expression was immunohistochemically analyzed in benign lesions, breast cancer precursors, and metaplastic breast carcinomas and in a cohort of 245 invasive breast carcinomas from patients treated with surgery followed by anthracycline-based chemotherapy. In 25 cases, CAV1 gene amplification was assessed by chromogenic in situ hybridization.

RESULTS

In normal breast, CAV1 was expressed in myoepithelial cells, endothelial cells, and a subset of fibroblasts. Luminal epithelial cells showed negligible staining. CAV1 was expressed in 90% of 39 metaplastic breast carcinomas and in 9.4% of 245 invasive breast cancers. In the later cohort, CAV1 expression was significantly associated with 'basal-like' immunophenotype and with shorter disease-free and overall survival on univariate analysis. CAV1 gene amplification was found in 13% of cases with strong CAV1 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

The concurrent CAV1 amplification and overexpression call into question its tumor-suppressive effects in basal-like breast carcinomas.

Activated epidermal growth factor receptor induces integrin alpha2 internalization via caveolae/raft-dependent endocytic pathway

Elevated expression or activity of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor is common in ovarian cancer and is associated with poor patient prognosis. Our previous studies demonstrated that expression of the constitutively active mutant form of the EGF receptor (EGFRvIII) in ovarian cancer cells led to reduction in integrin alpha2 surface expression, defects in cell spreading, and disruption of focal adhesions. Inhibition of EGFRvIII catalytic activity reversed the response, suggesting that EGF receptor activation regulates integrin alpha2. In this study we found that EGF treatment resulted in a transient loss of integrin alpha2 from the cell surface. Before EGF stimulation, integrin alpha2 and EGF receptors were associated based on biochemical and immuno-colocalization approaches. After EGF treatment, EGF receptor and integrin alpha2 were internalized and segregated into different compartments. Integrin alpha2, but not EGF receptor, was associated with caveolin-1 and GM1 (Gal_1,3GalNAc_1,4(Neu5Ac-_ 2,3)Gal_1,4Glc_1,1-ceramide) gangliosides, suggesting caveolae-mediated endocytosis. Moreover, integrin alpha2 was subsequently targeted to the Golgi apparatus and the endoplasmic reticulum. Together, these findings demonstrate that activated EGF receptor transiently modulates integrin alpha2 cell surface expression and stimulates integrin alpha2 trafficking via caveolae/raft-mediated endocytosis, representing a novel mechanism by which the EGF receptor may regulate integrin-mediated cell behavior.

EGF-Induced Activation of the EGF Receptor Does Not Trigger Mobilization of Caveolae

Caveolae-dependent endocytosis has recently been proposed in the uptake of EGF receptor (EGFR) at high concentrations of ligand. Consistently, upon incubation of HEp2 and HeLa cells with methyl-beta-cyclodextrin, we observed a small inhibitory effect on endocytosis of ligated EGFR in HEp2 cells. However, immunoelectron microscopy showed the same relative amount of bound EGF localizing to caveolae on incubation with high and low concentrations of EGF, not supporting rapid recruitment of EGFR to caveolae. Live-cell microscopy furthermore demonstrated that incubating HEp2 cells with high concentrations of EGF did not increase the mobility of caveolae. By RNA-interference-mediated knockdown of clathrin heavy chain in HEp2 and HeLa cells, we found that endocytosis of EGFR was efficiently inhibited both at high and low concentrations of EGF. Our results show that caveolae are not involved in endocytosis of EGF-bound EGFR to any significant degree and that high concentrations of EGF do not further mobilize caveolae.

Strategies to enhance epidermal growth factor inhibition: targeting the mevalonate pathway

Mevalonate metabolites play an essential role in transducing epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR)-mediated signaling, as several of these metabolites are required for the function of this receptor and the components of its signaling cascades. Thus, the depletion of mevalonate metabolites may have a significant effect on EGFR function. Lovastatin is a specific and potent inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme of the mevalonate pathway. Targeting 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase using lovastatin induces a potent tumor-specific apoptotic response in a variety of tumor types at therapeutically achievable levels of this drug. The effects of lovastatin on EGFR function and the potential combination effects with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as gefitinib, were evaluated. Lovastatin treatment inhibited EGF-induced EGFR autophosphorylation and its downstream signaling cascades by 24 hours. Combining lovastatin and gefitinib showed enhanced inhibition and cooperative cytotoxicity in a variety of cell lines that included all eight squamous cell carcinomas, four non-small cell lung carcinoma, and four colon carcinoma cell lines tested. Isobologram analyses confirmed that this combination was synergistic, inducing a potent apoptotic response. A phase I study has shown the safety and potential clinical benefit of high-dose lovastatin in patients with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma. The use of lovastatin, which is metabolized by CYP3A4, is contraindicated with drugs, such as gefitinib and erlotinib, which are also metabolized by CYP3A4 due to greatly enhanced toxicity. Rosuvastatin, a relatively novel potent mevalonate pathway inhibitor that is not metabolized significantly by CYP3A4, is a more appropriate statin to combine with either erlotinib or gefitinib. The combination of erlotinib and rosuvastatin has been proposed for a phase I/II study in advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma.

The membrane proximal disulfides of the EGF receptor extracellular domain are required for high affinity binding and signal transduction but do not play a role in the localization of the receptor to lipid rafts

The EGF receptor is a transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase that is enriched in lipid rafts. Subdomains I, II and III of the extracellular domain of the EGF receptor participate in ligand binding and dimer formation. However, the function of the cysteine-rich subdomain IV has not been elucidated. In this study, we analyzed the role of the membrane-proximal portion of subdomain IV in EGF binding and signal transduction. A double Cys-->Ala mutation that breaks the most membrane-proximal disulfide bond (Cys600 to Cys612), ablated high affinity ligand binding and substantially reduced signal transduction. A similar mutation that breaks the overlapping Cys596 to Cys604 disulfide had little effect on receptor function. Mutation of residues within the Cys600 to Cys612 disulfide loop did not alter the ligand binding or signal transducing activities of the receptor. Despite the fact that the C600,612A EGF receptor was significantly impaired functionally, this receptor as well as all of the other receptors with mutations in the region of residues 596 to 612 localized normally to lipid rafts. These data suggest that the disulfide-bonded structure of the membrane-proximal portion of the EGF receptor, rather than its primary sequence, is important for EGF binding and signaling but is not involved in localizing the receptor to lipid rafts.

Signaling through ERBB receptors: Multiple layers of diversity and control

The four known ERBB receptors in humans are involved in a broad range of cellular responses, and their deregulation is a significant aspect in a large number of disease states. However, their mechanism of action and modes of control are still poorly understood. This is largely due to the fact that the control of ERBB activity is a multilayered process with significant differences between the various ERBB members. In contrast to other receptor tyrosine kinases, the kinase domain of EGFR (ERBB1) does not require phosphorylation for activation. Consequently, the overall activation state of the receptor is controlled by constant balancing of activity favoring and activity suppressing actions within the receptor molecule. Influences of the membrane microenvironment and context dependent interactions with varying sets of signaling partners are superimposed on this system of intramolecular checks and balances. We will discuss current models of the control of ERBB signaling with an emphasis on the multilayered nature of activation control and aspects that give rise to diversity between ERBB receptors.

Cellular functions of cholesterol probed with optical biosensors

Cholesterol is an essential constituent of cell membranes and the regulation of cholesterol concentration is critical for cell functions including signaling. In this paper, we applied resonant waveguide grating (RWG) biosensor to study the cellular functions of cholesterol through real time monitoring the dynamic mass redistribution (DMR) mediated by cholesterol depletion with methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (mbetaCD). In A431 cells, depletion of cholesterol by mbetaCD led to a DMR signature that was similar, but not identical to that induced by epidermal growth factor (EGF). To elucidate the cellular mechanisms of the DMR signal mediated by cholesterol depletion, a panel of modulators that specifically modulate the activities of various cellular targets were used to pretreat the cells. Results showed that the DMR signals triggered by cholesterol depletion are primarily linked to the transactivation of EGF receptor. Multiple signaling pathways including Ras/mitogenic activated protein (MAP) kinase, protein kinase C (PKC) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) acted synergically in the cell response, whereas the activation of protein kinase A (PKA) pathway was found to antagonize the cell response.

Agonist-induced interactions between angiotensin AT1 and epidermal growth factor receptors

In rat hepatic C9 cells, angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced activation of angiotensin type 1 (AT(1)) receptors (AT(1)-Rs) stimulates extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 phosphorylation via transactivation of the endogenous epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGF-R) by a protein kinase C (PKC) delta/Src/Pyk2-dependent pathway. This leads to phosphorylation of the EGF-R as well as its subsequent internalization. On the other hand, EGF-induced activation of the EGF-R in C9 cells was found to cause phosphorylation of the AT(1)-R. This was prevented by selective inhibition of the intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity of the EGF-R by AG1478 [4-(3'-chloroanilino)-6,7-dimethoxy-quinazoline] and was reduced by inhibition of PKC and phosphoinositide 3-kinase. EGF-induced AT(1)-R phosphorylation was associated with a decrease in membrane-associated AT(1)-Rs and a reduced inositol phosphate response to Ang II. Agonist activation of endogenous AT(1)-Rs and EGF-Rs induced the formation of a multireceptor complex containing both the AT(1)-R and the transactivated EGF-R. The dependence of these responses on caveolin was indicated by the finding that cholesterol depletion of C9 cells abolished Ang II-induced inositol phosphate production, activation of Akt/PKB and ERK1/2, and AT(1)-R internalization. Confocal microscopy demonstrated that caveolin-1 was endogenously phosphorylated and was distributed on the plasma membrane in patches that undergo redistribution during Ang II stimulation. Agonist-induced phosphorylation and association of caveolin 1 with the AT(1)-R was observed, consistent with a scaffolding role of caveolin during transactivation of the EGF-R by Ang II. The EGF-induced AT(1)-R/caveolin association was abolished by AG1478, suggesting that activation of the EGF-R promotes the association of caveolin and the AT(1)-R.

Epidermal growth factor receptors are localized to lipid rafts that contain a balance of inner and outer leaflet lipids: a shotgun lipidomics study

The epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor partitions into lipid rafts made using a detergent-free method, but is extracted from low density fractions by Triton X-100. By screening several detergents, we identified Brij 98 as a detergent in which the EGF receptor is retained in detergent-resistant membrane fractions. To identify the difference in lipid composition between those rafts that harbored the EGF receptor (detergent-free and Brij 98-resistant) and those that did not (Triton X-100-resistant), we used multidimensional electrospray ionization mass spectrometry to perform a lipidomics study on these three raft preparations. Although all three raft preparations were similarly enriched in cholesterol, the EGF receptor-containing rafts contained more ethanolamine glycerophospholipids and less sphingomyelin than did the non-EGF receptor-containing Triton X-100 rafts. As a result, the detergent-free and Brij 98-resistant rafts exhibited a balance of inner and outer leaflet lipids, whereas the Triton X-100 rafts contained a preponderance of outer leaflet lipids. Furthermore, in all raft preparations, the outer leaflet phospholipid species were significantly different from those in the bulk membrane, whereas the inner leaflet lipids were quite similar to those found in the bulk membrane. These findings indicate that the EGF receptor is retained only in rafts that exhibit a lipid distribution compatible with a bilayer structure and that the selection of phospholipids for inclusion into rafts occurs mainly on the outer leaflet lipids.

Heterogeneities in EGF receptor density at the cell surface can lead to concave up scatchard plot of EGF binding

The mechanism responsible for the concave up nature of the Scatchard plot of epidermal growth factor (EGF) binding on EGF receptor (EGFR) has been a controversial issue for more than a decade. Past efforts to mechanistically simulate the concave up nature of the Scatchard plot of EGF binding have shown that negative cooperativity in EGF binding on an EGFR dimer or inclusion of some external site or binding event can describe this behavior. However, herein we show that heterogeneity in the density of EGFR due to localization in certain regions of the plasma membrane, which has been experimentally reported, can also lead to concave up shape of the Scatchard plot of the EGF binding on EGFR.

Decorin evokes protracted internalization and degradation of the epidermal growth factor receptor via caveolar endocytosis

Decorin inhibits the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) by down-regulating its tyrosine kinase activity, thereby blocking the growth of a variety of transformed cells and tumor xenografts. In this study we provide evidence that decorin directly binds to the EGFR causing its dimerization, internalization, and ultimately its degradation. Using various pharmacological agents to disrupt clathrin-dependent and -independent endocytosis, we demonstrate that decorin evokes a protracted internalization of the EGFR primarily via caveolar-mediated endocytosis. In contrast to EGF, decorin targets the EGFR to caveolae, but not to early or recycling endosomes. Ultimately, however, both EGF- and decorin-induced pathways converge into late endosomes/lysosomes for final degradation. Thus, we have discovered a novel biological mechanism for decorin that could explain its anti-proliferative and anti-oncogenic mode of action.

Targeting the mevalonate pathway inhibits the function of the epidermal growth factor receptor

PURPOSE

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a key regulator of growth, differentiation, and survival of epithelial cancers. In a small subset of tumors, the presence of activating mutations within the ATP binding site confers increased susceptibility to gefitinib, a potent tyrosine kinase inhibitor of EGFR. Agents that can inhibit EGFR function through different mechanisms may enhance gefitinib activity in patients lacking these mutations. Mevalonate metabolites play significant roles in the function of the EGFR; therefore, mevalonate pathway inhibitors may potentiate EGFR-targeted therapies.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

In this study, we evaluated the effect of lovastatin on EGFR function and on gefitinib activity. Effects on EGFR function were analyzed by Western blot analysis using phosphospecific antibodies to EGFR, AKT, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase. Cytotoxic effects of lovastatin and/or gefitinib were evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Lovastatin treatment inhibited EGF-induced EGFR autophosphorylation by 24 hours that was reversed by the coadministration of mevalonate. Combining lovastatin and gefitinib treatments showed enhanced inhibition of AKT activation by EGF in SCC9 cells. The combination of 10 mumol/L lovastatin and 10 mumol/L gefitinib treatments showed cooperative cytotoxicity in all 8 squamous cell carcinomas, 4 of 4 non-small cell lung carcinoma and 4 of 4 colon carcinoma cell lines tested. Isobologram and flow cytometric analyses of three representative cell lines with wild-type EGFR ATP binding sites confirmed that this combination was synergistic inducing a potent apoptotic response.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, these results show that targeting the mevalonate pathway can inhibit EGFR function. They also suggest the potential utility of combining these clinically relevant therapeutic approaches.

Growth factor receptors, lipid rafts and caveolae: an evolving story

Growth factor receptors have been shown to be localized to lipid rafts and caveolae. Consistent with a role for these cholesterol-enriched membrane domains in growth factor receptor function, the binding and kinase activities of growth factor receptors are susceptible to regulation by changes in cholesterol content. Furthermore, knockouts of caveolin-1, the structural protein of caveolae, have confirmed that this protein, and by implication caveolae, modulate the ability of growth factor receptors to signal. This article reviews the findings pertinent to the relationship between growth factor receptors, lipid rafts and caveolae and presents a model for understanding the disparate observations regarding the role of membrane microdomains in the regulation of growth factor receptor function.

Signalling pathways leading to neuroblastoma differentiation after serum withdrawal: HDL blocks neuroblastoma differentiation by inhibition of EGFR

Neuroblastoma is the second most common pediatric malignancy, characterized by a high rate of unexplained spontaneous remissions. Much progress has been made in understanding neuroblastoma differentiation triggered by certain agents such as retinoic acid. However, little is known about the signalling pathways that lead to differentiation of neuroblastoma cells due to serum withdrawal. We found that in Neuro2a neuroblastoma cells, EGFR, ERK1/2 and Akt showed increased phosphorylation after serum withdrawal, and that the activation of EGFR was necessary for the activation of Akt and ERK1/2. Inhibition of EGFR, ERK1/2 and PI3K blocked neuroblastoma differentiation after serum withdrawal. Interestingly, addition of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) abrogated serum-withdrawal induced neuroblastoma differentiation, as well as the activation of EGFR. Our results demonstrate a novel role for serum-derived lipoproteins in the control of receptor tyrosine kinase activity.

Cholesterol dictates the freedom of EGF receptors and HER2 in the plane of the membrane

The flow of information through the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is shaped by molecular interactions in the plasma membrane. The EGFR is associated with lipid rafts, but their role in modulating receptor mobility and subsequent interactions is unclear. To investigate the role of nanoscale rafts in EGFR dynamics, we used single-molecule fluorescence imaging to track individual receptors and their dimerization partner, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), in the membrane of human mammary epithelial cells. We found that the motion of both receptors was interrupted by dwellings within nanodomains. EGFR was significantly less mobile than HER2. This difference was likely due to F-actin because its depolymerization led to similar diffusion patterns between the EGFR and HER2. Manipulations of membrane cholesterol content dramatically altered the diffusion pattern of both receptors. Cholesterol depletion led to almost complete confinement of the receptors, whereas cholesterol enrichment extended the boundaries of the restricted areas. Interestingly, F-actin depolymerization partially restored receptor mobility in cholesterol-depleted membranes. Our observations suggest that membrane cholesterol provides a dynamic environment that facilitates the free motion of EGFR and HER2, possibly by modulating the dynamic state of F-actin. The association of the receptors with lipid rafts could therefore promote their rapid interactions only upon ligand stimulation.

Relationships between EGFR signaling-competent and endocytosis-competent membrane microdomains

Membrane microdomains, the so-called lipid rafts, function as platforms to concentrate receptors and assemble the signal transduction machinery. Internalization, in most cases, is carried out by different specialized structures, the clathrin-coated pits. Here, we show that several endocytic proteins are efficiently recruited to morphologically identified plasma membrane lipid rafts, upon activation of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR), a receptor tyrosine kinase. Analysis of detergent-resistant membrane fractions revealed that the EGF-dependent association of endocytic proteins with rafts is as efficient as that of signaling effector molecules, such as Grb2 or Shc. Finally, the EGFR, but not the nonsignaling transferrin receptor, could be localized in nascent coated pits that almost invariably contained raft membranes. Thus, specialized membrane microdomains have the ability to assemble both the molecular machineries necessary for intracellular propagation of EGFR effector signals and for receptor internalization.

Interactions of EGFR and caveolin-1 in human glioblastoma cells: evidence that tyrosine phosphorylation regulates EGFR association with caveolae

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) amplification and type III mutation (EGFRvIII), associated with constitutive tyrosine kinase activation and high malignancy, are commonly observed in glioblastoma tumors. The association of EGFR and EGFRvIII with caveolins was investigated in human glioblastoma cell lines, U87MG and U87MG-EGFRvIII. Caveolin-1 expression, determined by RT-PCR, real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot, was upregulated in glioblastoma cell lines (two-fold) and tumors (20-300-fold) compared to primary human astrocytes and nonmalignant brain tissue, respectively. U87MG-EGFRvIII expressed higher levels of caveolin-1 than U87MG. In contrast, the expression of caveolin-2 and -3 were downregulated in glioblastoma cells compared to astrocytes. A colocalization of EGFR, but not of EGFRvIII, with lipid rafts and caveolin-1 was observed by immunocytochemistry. Association of EGFR and EGFRvIII with caveolae, assessed in vitro by binding to caveolin scaffolding domain peptides and in vivo by immunocolocalization studies in cells and caveolae-enriched cellular fraction, was phosphorylation-dependent: ligand-induced phosphorylation of EGFR resulted in dissociation of EGFR from caveolae. In contrast, inhibition of the EGFRvIII constitutive tyrosine phosphorylation by AG1478 increased association of EGFRvIII with caveolin-1. AG1478 also increased caveolin-1 expression and reduced glioblastoma cell growth in a semi-solid agar. The evidence suggests that the phosphorylation-regulated sequestration of EGFR in caveolae may be involved in arresting constitutive or ligand-induced signaling through EGFR responsible for glial cell transformation.

Cholesterol Depletion Upregulates Involucrin Expression in Epidermal Keratinocytes Through Activation of p38

Cholesterol has been recently suggested to regulate the early steps of keratinocyte differentiation through lipid rafts. In many cell types, depletion of cholesterol activates signaling proteins like epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), or extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) known to affect cell differentiation. In this study, we explored the effects of cholesterol depletion on the phenotype of cultured keratinocytes, using a treatment with methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MbetaCD) to extract cholesterol and a treatment with lovastatin to inhibit cholesterol neosynthesis. Analysis of the expression of differentiation marker genes in early differentiating confluent cultures reveals that cholesterol depletion induces downregulation of keratin 14 (K14) and keratin 10 (K10) and upregulation of involucrin. MbetaCD treatment induces phosphorylation of EGFR, HER2, and ERK, but not HER3. Inhibition of EGFR with PD153035 impairs the MbetaCD-induced phosphorylation of EGFR, HER2, and ERK, but does not impair the alteration of K14, K10, or involucrin gene expression, indicating that other signaling proteins regulate this phenomenon. p38 has been suggested to regulate the expression of involucrin during keratinocyte differentiation. We found that MbetaCD treatment induces a prolonged phosphorylation of p38 in general and p38alpha in particular. An inhibition of p38 with PD169316 impairs the upregulation of involucrin mRNAs by a treatment with MbetaCD, but not by a p38delta-activating TPA treatment, which might suggest that cholesterol depletion alters involucrin gene expression through activation of p38alpha/beta.

Membrane distribution of epidermal growth factor receptors in cells expressing different gangliosides

Gangliosides have been found to reside in glycosphingolipid-enriched microdomains (GEM) of the plasma membrane and to be involved in the regulation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr or ErbB1) activity. To gain further insight into the mechanisms involved in EGFr modulation by gangliosides, we investigated the distribution of EGFr family members in the plasma membrane of CHO-K1 cells, which were genetically modified to express different ganglioside molecules or depleted of glycolipids. Our data demonstrate that at least four different sets of endogenously expressed gangliosides, including GD3, did not have a significant effect on EGFr distribution in the plasma membrane. In addition, using confocal microscopy analysis we clearly demonstrated that the EGFr co-localizes only to a minor extent with GD3. We also explored the endogenous expression, in wild-type CHO-K1 cells, of the orphan receptor ErbB2 (which is the preferred heteroassociation partner of all other ErbB proteins) and the effect of GD3 expression on its membrane distribution. Our results showed that CHO-K1 cells endogenously express ErbB2 and that expression of the GD3 affected, to some extent, the membrane distribution of endogenous ErbB2. Finally, our findings support the notion that most EGFr are excluded from GEM, while an important fraction of ErbB2 is found to be associated with these microdomains in membranes from CHO-K1 cells.

Distribution and Transport of Cholesterol-rich Membrane Domains Monitored by a Membrane-impermeant Fluorescent Polyethylene Glycol-derivatized Cholesterol

Cholesterol-rich membrane domains function in various membrane events as diverse as signal transduction and membrane traffic. We studied the interaction of a fluorescein ester of polyethylene glycol-derivatized cholesterol (fPEG-Chol) with cholesterol-rich membranes both in cells and in model membranes. Unlike filipin and other cholesterol probes, this molecule could be applied as an aqueous dispersion to various samples. When added to live cells, fPEG-Chol distributed exclusively in the outer plasma membrane leaflet and was enriched in microdomains that dynamically clustered by the activation of receptor signaling. The surface-bound fPEG-Chol was slowly internalized via clathrin-independent pathway into endosomes together with lipid raft markers. Noteworthy, fPEG-Chol could be microinjected in the living cells in which we found Golgi apparatus as the sole major organelle to be labeled. PEG-Chol, thus, provides a novel, sensitive probe for unraveling the dynamics of cholesterol-rich microdomains in living cells.

Cholesterol depletion induces PKA-mediated basolateral-to-apical transcytosis of the scavenger receptor class B type I in MDCK cells

Cholesterol-based membrane microdomains, or lipid rafts, are believed to play important, yet poorly defined, roles in protein trafficking and signal transduction. In polarized epithelial cells, the current view is that rafts are involved in apical but not in basolateral protein transport from the trans-Golgi network (TGN). We report here that cholesterol is required in a post-TGN mechanism of basolateral regionalization. Permanently transfected Madin-Darby canine kidney cells segregated the caveolae/raft-associated high-density lipoprotein scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) predominantly to the basolateral domain where it was constitutively internalized and recycled basolaterally. Acute cholesterol depletion did not significantly alter SR-BI internalization, implying a cholesterol depletion-insensitive endocytic process but instead induced its transcytosis through a protein kinase A (PKA)- and microtubule-dependent mechanism. Forskolin also elicited SR-BI transcytosis. The basolateral distribution of endogenous epidermal growth factor receptor remained unaffected. Strikingly, cholesterol depletion induced PKA activity without increasing the cAMP levels. Thus, our results are consistent with a scenario in which cholesterol-based rafts promote internalization and basolateral recycling of internalized SR-BI whereas a PKA pool sensitive to cholesterol depletion mediates SR-BI transcytosis. Regulated transcytosis of SR-BI may provide an additional mechanism to control cholesterol homeostasis. These results disclose relationships between cholesterol-based rafts and PKA activity operating in a post-TGN mechanism of regulated apical-to-basolateral cell surface protein distribution.

Cholesterol depletion results in site-specific increases in epidermal growth factor receptor phosphorylation due to membrane level effects. Studies with cholesterol enantiomers

In A431 cells, depletion of cholesterol with methyl-beta-cyclodextrin induced an increase in both basal and epidermal growth factor (EGF)-stimulated EGF receptor phosphorylation. This increase in phosphorylation was site-specific, with significant increases occurring at Tyr845, Tyr992, and Tyr1173, but only minor changes at Tyr1045 and Tyr1068. The elevated level of receptor phosphorylation was associated with an increase in the intrinsic kinase activity of the EGF receptor kinase, possibly as a result of the cyclodextrin-induced enhancement of the phosphorylation of Tyr845, a site in the kinase activation loop known to be phosphorylated by pp60src. Cholesterol and its enantiomer (ent-cholesterol) were used to investigate the molecular basis for the modulation of EGF receptor function by cholesterol. Natural cholesterol (nat-cholesterol) was oxidized substantially more rapidly than ent-cholesterol by cholesterol oxidase, a protein that contains a specific binding site for the sterol. By contrast, the ability of nat- and ent-cholesterol to interact with sphingomyelins and phosphatidylcholine and to induce lipid condensation in a monolayer system was the same. These data suggest that, whereas cholesterol-protein interactions may be sensitive to the absolute configuration of the sterol, sterol-lipid interactions are not. nat- and ent-cholesterol were tested for their ability to physically reconstitute lipid rafts following depletion of cholesterol. nat- and ent-cholesterol reversed to the same extent the enhanced phosphorylation of the EGF receptor that occurred following removal of cholesterol. Furthermore, the enantiomers showed similar abilities to reconstitute lipid rafts in cyclodextrin-treated cells. These data suggest that cholesterol most likely affects EGF receptor function because of its physical effects on membrane properties, not through direct enantioselective interactions with the receptor.

Tetraspanin CD82 regulates compartmentalisation and ligand-induced dimerization of EGFR

We have previously shown that CD82, a transmembrane protein of the tetraspanin superfamily is associated with EGFR and has a negative effect on EGF-induced signalling (Odintsova, E., Sugiura, T. and Berditchevski, F. (2000) Curr. Biol. 10, 1009-1012). Here we demonstrate that CD82 specifically attenuates ligand-induced dimerization of EGFR. The recombinant soluble large extracellular loop of CD82 has no effect on the dimerization thereby suggesting that other parts of the protein are required. Although CD82 is also associated with ErbB2 and ErbB3, ligand-induced assembly of the ErbB2-ErbB3 complexes is not affected in CD82-expressing cells. Furthermore, in contrast to the CD82-EGFR association, CD82-ErbB2 and CD82-ErbB3 complexes are stable in the presence of ErbB3 ligand. The effect of CD82 on the formation of EGFR dimers correlates with changes in compartmentalisation of the ErbB receptors on the plasma membrane. Expression of CD82 causes a significant increase in the amount of EGFR and ErbB2 in the light fractions of the sucrose gradient. This correlates with the increased surface expression of gangliosides GD1a and GM1 and redistribution of GD1a and EGFR on the plasma membrane. Furthermore, in CD82-expressing cells GD1a is co-localised with EGFR and the tetraspanin. Taken together our results offer a molecular mechanism of the attenuating activity of CD82 towards EGFR, whereby GD1a functions as a mediator of CD82-dependent compartmentalisation of the receptor.

Caveolin interacts with the angiotensin II type 1 receptor during exocytic transport but not at the plasma membrane

The mechanisms involved in angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1-R) trafficking and membrane localization are largely unknown. In this study, we examined the role of caveolin in these processes. Electron microscopy of plasma membrane sheets shows that the AT1-R is not concentrated in caveolae but is clustered in cholesterol-independent microdomains; upon activation, it partially redistributes to lipid rafts. Despite the lack of AT1-R in caveolae, AT1-R.caveolin complexes are readily detectable in cells co-expressing both proteins. This interaction requires an intact caveolin scaffolding domain because mutant caveolins that lack a functional caveolin scaffolding domain do not interact with AT1-R. Expression of an N-terminally truncated caveolin-3, CavDGV, that localizes to lipid bodies, or a point mutant, Cav3-P104L, that accumulates in the Golgi mislocalizes AT1-R to lipid bodies and Golgi, respectively. Mislocalization results in aberrant maturation and surface expression of AT1-R, effects that are not reversed by supplementing cells with cholesterol. Similarly mutation of aromatic residues in the caveolin-binding site abrogates AT1-R cell surface expression. In cells lacking caveolin-1 or caveolin-3, AT1-R does not traffic to the cell surface unless caveolin is ectopically expressed. This observation is recapitulated in caveolin-1 null mice that have a 55% reduction in renal AT1-R levels compared with controls. Taken together our results indicate that a direct interaction with caveolin is required to traffic the AT1-R through the exocytic pathway, but this does not result in AT1-R sequestration in caveolae. Caveolin therefore acts as a molecular chaperone rather than a plasma membrane scaffold for AT1-R.