Site-directed mutagenesis of tryptophan residues to conserved hydrophobic residues inhibits the processing of human KB cell folate receptor

Point mutations alter the cellular distribution of the human folate receptor in cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells

Diminished cellular need for folate results in decreased function of the human folate receptor (FR) but increased expression of this protein in cells grown at different rates. Much of this FR is intracellular and not available for vitamin transport, raising the following question: what is the function of this excess receptor? In this study, we characterized the effects of three point mutations on FR regulation in Chinese hamster ovary cells stably transfected to express either wild-type receptor or FR containing mutations at positions 67(S-->P),144(E-->D), and/or 201(N-->D). The 201(N-->D) FR responded functionally like the wild-type receptor but was localized predominantly at the cell surface (>90% vs. <40% for wild-type). This mutation disrupted a N-linked glycosylation site and generated a partially deglycosylated receptor. The 67(S-->P) mutation also shifted the cellular distribution such that more FR was surface accessible ( approximately 80%) but did not affect glycosylation. Because previous results showed that these mutations influence the conformation of FR, our findings suggest that structural changes in the receptor facilitate its trafficking to the cell surface. FR containing the 67(S-->P) mutation with either a 144(E-->D) or 201(N-->D) change was not processed from the high-mannose to complex glycoform but was still transported to the cell surface and able to transport folates. Thus, conformational changes introduced by specific point mutations can influence FR processing and/or trafficking to the cell surface. Furthermore, the fact that mutated FR can be trafficked to the cell surface more efficiently suggests that the native receptor may be retained intracellularly to perform some function there.

Sorting and function of the human folate receptor is independent of the caveolin expression in Fisher rat thyroid epithelial cells

Caveolae are small, flask-shaped, non-clathrin coated invaginations of the plasma membrane of many mammalian cells. Caveolae have a coat that includes caveolin. They have been implicated in numerous cellular processes, including potocytosis. Since the human folate receptor (hFR) and other glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol GPI)-tailed proteins have been co-localized to caveolae, we studied the caveolin role in the hFR function by transfecting hFR and/or caveolin cDNA into Fisher rat thyroid epithelial (FRT) cells that normally do not express detectable levels of either protein. We isolated and characterized stable clones as follows: they express (1) high levels of caveolin alone, (2) hFR and caveolin, or (3) hFR alone. We discovered that hFR is correctly processed, sorted, and anchored by a GPI tail to the plasma membrane in FRT cells. No difference in the total folic acid binding or cell surface folic acid binding activity were found between the FRT cells that were transfected with hFR, or cells that were transfected with hFR and caveolin. The hFR that was expressed on the cell surface of clones that were transfected with hFR was also sensitive to phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) release, and incorporated radiolabeled ethanolamine that supports the attachment of a GPI-tail on hFR. We conclude that the processing, sorting, and function of hFR is independent on the caveolin expression in FRT cells.

Folate pathway gene alterations in patients with neural tube defects

Periconceptional folate supplementation reduces the recurrence and occurrence risk of neural tube defects (NTD) by as much as 70%, yet the protective mechanism remains unknown. Inborn errors of folate and homocysteine metabolism may be involved in the aetiology of NTDs. Previous studies have demonstrated that both homozygosity for the C677T mutation in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, and combined heterozygosity for the C677T and for another mutation in the same gene, the A1298C polymorphism, represent genetic risk factors for NTDs. In an attempt to identify additional folate related genes that contribute to NTD pathogenesis, we performed molecular genetic analysis of folate receptors (FRs). We identified 4 unrelated patients out of 50 with de novo insertions of pseudogene (PS)-specific mutations in exon 7 and 3'UTR of the FRalpha gene, arising by microconversion events. All of the substitutions affect the carboxy-terminal amino acid membrane tail, or the GPI anchor region of the nascent protein. Furthermore, among 150 control individuals, we also identified one infant with a gene conversion event within the FRalpha coding region. This study, though preliminary, provides the first genetic association between molecular variations of the FRalpha gene and NTDs and suggests that this gene can act as a risk factor for human NTD.

Role of individual N-linked glycosylation sites in the function and intracellular transport of the human alpha folate receptor

Glycosylation is a structural feature of all three isoforms of the human folate receptor. We have used site-directed mutagenesis to study the role of individual glycosylation sites in the assembly and function of the a isoform of the human folate receptor (alpha(h)FR). Three potential N-linked glycosylation sites in the alpha(h)FR sequence were disrupted by conservative mutation of the S or T residues in the consensus sequence (N-X-S/T) to A or V, respectively. Constructs with the single mutations S(71)-->A (alpha(h)FR(-1)), T(163)-->V (alpha(h)FR(-2)), and S(203)-->A (alpha(h)FR(-3)); the double mutation S(71)--> A/S(203)-->A (alpha(h)FR(-1-3)); and the triple mutation S(71)--> A/S(203)--> A/T(163)--> V (alpha(h)FR(-1-2-3)) were stably transfected into Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. The proteins produced in CHO cells by the mutated cDNAs have apparent molecular weights that are reduced relative to the wild type and are consistent with the loss of carbohydrate residues. The triple mutant, which lacks all three consensus glycosylation sites, yields protein that comigrates with the enzymatically deglycosylated native protein. Determinations of the K(D) for folic acid by Scatchard analyses of the glycosylation mutants indicate that folic acid binding affinity is not significantly affected in the single mutants alpha(h)FR(-1) and alpha(h)FR(-2). However, in the single mutant, alpha(h)FR(-3), and the double mutant, alpha(h)FR(-1-3), folic acid binding affinity is respectively 2.7- and 3.5-fold lower than that in wild type. Deglycosylation by mutation of all three consensus sites (alpha(h)FR(-1-2-3) eliminates both folic acid binding and cell surface expression. In contrast, enzymatic deglycosylation of purified wild-type alpha(h)FR with endoglycosidase F does not significantly affect folate binding affinity. Thus, while carbohydrate residues are not essential for the folate binding activity of the mature folate receptor, at least one of the three core glycosylated residues is necessary for the synthesis of alpha(h)FR in its active conformation.

Tissue-specific promoters of the alpha human folate receptor gene yield transcripts with divergent 5' leader sequences and different translational efficiencies

The alpha human folate receptor (alphahFR), or KB cell folate receptor, gene contains two major promoters that produce transcripts, KB1 and KB4, varying only in the length and sequence of their 5' untranslated regions (UTRs). Using RNase protection assays specific for each isoform, we show that the level of expression of these two transcripts is tissue-specific, indicating that promoter usage is regulated, not constitutive. RNA stabilities and translational efficiencies of the KB1 and KB4 transcripts were compared to determine the functional significance of the different 5' UTRs. Analyses of RNA turnover in vivo with actinomycin D to block new transcription and in vitro with a cytoplasmic extract indicate no discernible differences in the stabilities of the two transcripts. However, the KB4 transcript is 2-3-fold more efficiently translated in wheat germ extracts in vitro and transfected CHO cells in vivo. Also, high ionic strength, which favours the formation of RNA secondary structure, differentially affects the translational efficiencies of the two transcripts. Translation of the longer KB1 mRNA is 2-5-fold more inhibited by hypertonic conditions than translation of the KB4 mRNA. Because the 5' UTR of KB1 is approximately four times longer than the 5' UTR of KB4, 149 bp (75%) of the KB1 5' UTR were deleted to determine whether the long leader sequence inhibited translation. The resulting derivative, dKB1, has a 5' UTR similar in length, but not sequence, to the 5' UTR of KB4. dKB1 is translated at a level approaching that of KB4 in wheat germ extracts, indicating that the upstream portion of the 5' leader sequence contributes to the relative translational inefficiency of KB1. Hence, one consequence of tissue-specific promoter usage is the production of alphahFR transcripts with different 5' non-coding regions that affect translational efficiency.

Sequence of a cDNA encoding turtle riboflavin-binding protein: a comparison with avian riboflavin-binding protein

To search for the existence and distribution of a riboflavin-binding protein (RfBP), total RNA from estrogen-treated oviparous animals were screened by Northern hybridization using chicken RfBP cDNA as a probe. Besides avian livers and oviducts, RfBP mRNA was found in turtle liver, but not in the turtle oviduct. To elucidate the structure of the RfBP from a reptilian source, we constructed a cDNA library from estrogen-injected turtle liver, and a full-length turtle RfBP-encoding cDNA was cloned and sequenced. The open reading frame (ORF) encoded 242 amino acids (aa) including a signal peptide of 18 aa. There is an overall 71.3% aa identity between the deduced aa sequences of turtle and chicken. The aa sequence of turtle and chicken RfBP also show more than 30% similarity to a fragment of folate-binding protein (FBP). Six Trp and nine pairs of Cys residues are conserved between the two RfBPs with only one pair of Cys residues missing in FBP. The two Asn-linked glycosylation sites found in chicken RfBP are conserved in turtle RfBP, but only one of which is conserved in FBP. However, there is an additional potential N-glycosylation site in the turtle sequence and this may provide a better explanation for the greater molecular weight of the turtle protein than chicken RfBP. Turtle RfBP contains a region of nine Ser and five Glu residues which is present in mature chicken RfBP as eight phosphorylserine clusters forming a highly anionic region at the C terminus, but this region is not found in FBP.