Lysophosphatidic acid LPA1 receptor close-up

Lysophosphatidic acid receptor LPA1 trafficking and interaction with Rab proteins, as evidenced by Förster resonance energy transfer

LPA₁ internalization to endosomes was studied employing Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) in cells coexpressing the mCherry-lysophosphatidic acid LPA₁ receptors and distinct eGFP-tagged Rab proteins. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA)-induced internalization was rapid and decreased afterward: phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) action was slower and sustained. LPA stimulated LPA₁-Rab5 interaction rapidly but transiently, whereas PMA action was rapid but sustained. Expression of a Rab5 dominant-negative mutant blocked LPA₁-Rab5 interaction and receptor internalization. LPA-induced LPA₁-Rab9 interaction was only observed at 60 min, and LPA₁-Rab7 interaction after 5 min with LPA and after 60 min with PMA. LPA triggered immediate but transient rapid recycling (i.e., LPA₁-Rab4 interaction), whereas PMA action was slower but sustained. Agonist-induced slow recycling (LPA₁-Rab11 interaction) increased at 15 min and remained at this level, whereas PMA action showed early and late peaks. Our results indicate that LPA₁ receptor internalization varies with the stimuli.

Phosphorylation and Internalization of Lysophosphatidic Acid Receptors LPA1, LPA2, and LPA3

Results

The lysophosphatidic acid receptors LPA₁, LPA₂, and LPA₃ were individually expressed in C9 cells and their signaling and regulation were studied. Agonist-activation increases intracellular calcium concentration in a concentration-dependent fashion. Phorbol myristate acetate markedly inhibited LPA₁- and LPA₃-mediated effect, whereas that mediated by LPA₂ was only partially diminished; the actions of the phorbol ester were inhibited by bisindolylmaleimide I and by overnight incubation with the protein kinase C activator, which leads to down regulation of this protein kinase. Homologous desensitization was also observed for the three LPA receptors studied, with that of LPA₂ receptors being consistently of lesser magnitude; neither inhibition nor down-regulation of protein kinase C exerted any effect on homologous desensitization. Activation of LPA_1–3 receptors induced ERK 1/2 phosphorylation; this effect was markedly attenuated by inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase activity, suggesting growth factor receptor transactivation in this effect. Lysophosphatidic acid and phorbol myristate acetate were able to induce LPA_1–3 phosphorylation, in time- and concentration-dependent fashions. It was also clearly observed that agonists and protein kinase C activation induced internalization of these receptors. Phosphorylation of the LPA₂ subtype required larger concentrations of these agents and its internalization was less intense than that of the other subtypes.

Conclusion

Our data show that these three LPA receptors are phosphoproteins whose phosphorylation state is modulated by agonist-stimulation and protein kinase C-activation and that differences in regulation and cellular localization exist, among the subtypes.

Visualizing G protein-coupled receptors in action through confocal microscopy techniques

G protein-coupled receptors constitute one of the most abundant entities in cellular communication. Elucidation of their structure and function as well as of their regulation began 30-40 years ago and the advance has markedly increased during the last 15 years. They participate in a plethora of cell functions such as regulation of metabolic fluxes, contraction, secretion, differentiation, or proliferation, and in essentially all activities of our organism; these receptors are targets of a large proportion of prescribed and illegal drugs. Fluorescence techniques have been used to study receptors for many years. The experimental result was usually a two-dimensional (2D) micrograph. Today, the result can be a spatiotemporal (four-dimensional, 4D) movie. Advances in microscopy, fluorescent protein design, and computer-assisted analysis have been of great importance to increase our knowledge on receptor regulation and function and create opportunities for future research. In this review we briefly depict the state of the art of the G protein-coupled receptor field and the methodologies used to study G protein-coupled receptor location, trafficking, dimerization, and other types of receptor-protein interaction. Fluorescence techniques now permit the capture of receptor images with high resolution and, together with a variety of fluorescent dyes that color organelles (such as the plasma membrane or the nucleus) or the cytoskeleton, allow researchers to obtain a much clearer idea of what is taking place at the cellular level. These developments are changing the way we explore cell communication and signal transduction, permitting deeper understanding of the physiological and pathophysiological processes.

Conventional protein kinase C isoforms mediate phorbol ester-induced lysophosphatidic acid LPA1 receptor phosphorylation

Using C9 cells stably expressing LPA1 receptors fused to the enhanced green fluorescent protein, it was observed that activation of protein kinase C induced a rapid and strong increase in the phosphorylation state of these receptors. Overnight incubation with phorbol esters markedly decreased the amount of conventional (α, βI, βII and γ) and novel (δ) but not atypical (ζ) immunodetected PKC isoforms, this treatment blocks the action of protein kinase on receptor function and phosphorylation. Bis-indolylmaleimide I a general, non-subtype selective protein kinase C inhibitor, and Gö 6976, selective for the isoforms α and β, were also able to block LPA1 receptor desensitization and phosphorylation; hispidin, isoform β-selective blocker partially avoided receptor desensitization. Expression of dominant-negative protein kinase C α or β II mutants and knocking down the expression of these kinase isozymes markedly decreased phorbol ester-induced LPA1 receptor phosphorylation without avoiding receptor desensitization. This effect was blocked by bis-indolyl-maleimide and Gö 6976, suggesting that these genetic interventions were not completely effective. It was also observed that protein kinase C α and β II isozymes co-immunoprecipitate with LPA1 receptors and that such an association was further increased by cell treatments with phorbol esters or lysophosphatidic acid. Our data suggest that conventional protein kinase C α and β isozymes modulate LPA1 receptor phosphorylation state. Receptor desensitization appears to be a more complex process that might involve additional elements.

EGF and angiotensin II modulate lysophosphatidic acid LPA(1) receptor function and phosphorylation state

BACKGROUND

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a local mediator that exerts its actions through G protein coupled receptors. Knowledge on the regulation of such receptors is scarce to date. Here we show that bidirectional cross-talk exits between LPA(1) and EGF receptors.

METHODS

C9 cells expressing LPA(1) receptor fussed to the enhanced green fluorescent protein were used. We studied intracellular calcium concentration, Akt/PKB phosphorylation, LPA(1) and EGF receptor phosphorylation.

RESULTS

EGF diminished LPA-mediated intracellular calcium response and induced LPA(1) receptor phosphorylation, which was sensitive to protein kinase C inhibitors. Angiotensin II and LPA induced EGF receptor transactivation as evidenced by Akt/PKB phosphorylation through metalloproteinase-catalyzed membrane shedding of heparin-binding EGF and autocrine/paracrine activation of EGF receptors. This process was found to be of major importance in angiotensin II-induced LPA(1) receptor phosphorylation. Attempts to define a role for EGF receptor transactivation in homologous LPA(1) receptor desensitization and phosphorylation suggested that G protein-coupled receptor kinases are the major players in this process, overshadowing other events.

CONCLUSIONS

EGF receptors and LPA(1) receptors are engaged in an intense liaison, in that EGF receptors are capable of modulating LPA(1) receptor function through phosphorylation cascades. EGF transactivation plays a dual role: it mediates some LPA actions, and it modulates LPA(1) receptor function in inhibitory fashion.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

EGF and LPA receptors coexist in many cell types and play key roles in maintaining the delicate equilibrium that we call health and in the pathogenesis of many diseases. The intense cross-talk described here has important physiological and pathophysiological implications.