A putative G-protein-coupled receptor, H218, is down-regulated during the retinoic acid-induced differentiation of F9 embryonal carcinoma cells

Changes in S1P1 and S1P2 expression during embryonal development and primitive endoderm differentiation of F9 cells

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a ligand for S1P family receptors (S1P(1)-S1P(5)). Of these receptors, S1P(1), S1P(2), and S1P(3) are ubiquitously expressed in adult mice, while S1P(4) and S1P(5) are tissue specific. However, little is known of their expression during embryonal development. We performed Northern blot analyses in mouse embryonal tissue and found that such expression is developmentally regulated. We also examined the expression of these receptors during primitive endoderm (PrE) differentiation of mouse F9 embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells, a well-known in vitro endoderm differentiation system. S1P(2) mRNA was abundantly expressed in F9 EC cells, but little S1P(1) and no S1P(3), S1P(4), or S1P(5) mRNA was detectable. However, S1P(1) mRNA expression was induced during EC-to-PrE differentiation. Studies using small interference RNA of S1P(1) indicated that increased S1P(1) expression is required for PrE differentiation. Thus, S1P(1) may play an important function in PrE differentiation that is not substituted for by S1P(2).

Effects of sphingosine 1-phosphate on calcium signaling, proliferation and S1P2 receptor expression in PC Cl3 rat thyroid cells

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) regulates diverse biological processes, including mitosis, by binding to the S1P family of G-protein coupled receptors. The aim of the study was to determine the pattern of S1P receptor expression and to investigate the effects of S1P on intracellular calcium levels and proliferation in the rat thyroid cell line PC Cl(3). S1P(2) and S1P(3) mRNA and proteins were detected in PC Cl(3) cells, as well as in FRTL-5 rat thyroid cells. In addition, S1P(5) mRNA was present at low levels, but not S1P(1) or S1P(4). In PC Cl(3) cells, S1P invoked calcium release from intracellular stores, but not calcium entry. The Ca(2+) release was mediated by phospholipase C and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate. S1P attenuated the TSH-evoked cAMP increase in a pertussis toxin-sensitive manner. S1P per se did not affect the proliferation of the cells, but attenuated the proliferation evoked by a combination of insulin and TSH. Furthermore, S1P attenuated the PMA-evoked proliferation. S1P(2) expression was positively regulated by insulin and PMA. S1P itself transiently upregulated S1P(2) receptor mRNA, while TSH had a net downregulating effect on S1P(2) expression. In summary, S1P modulates central intracellular signaling cascades and is antiproliferative in PC Cl(3) cells. S1P(2) receptor expression is modulated by insulin and TSH, two central growth factors in thyroid cell regulation.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase is involved in the differentiation of F9 embryonal carcinoma cells to primitive endoderm

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive lipid molecule that acts both extracellularly and intracellularly. The SPL gene encodes a mammalian S1P lyase that degrades S1P. Here, we have disrupted the SPL gene in mouse F9 embryonal carcinoma cells by gene targeting. This is the first report of gene disruption of mammalian S1P lyase. The SPL-null cells exhibited no S1P lyase activity, and intracellular S1P was increased approximately 2-fold, compared with wild-type cells. Treatment of F9 embryonal carcinoma cells with retinoic acid induces differentiation to primitive endoderm (PrE). An acceleration in this PrE differentiation was observed in the SPL-null cells. This effect was apparently caused by the accumulated S1P, since N,N-dimethylsphingosine, a S1P synthesis inhibitor, had an inhibitory effect on the PrE differentiation. Moreover, F9 cells stably expressing sphingosine kinase also exhibited an acceleration in the differentiation. Exogenous S1P had no effect on differentiation, indicating that intracellular but not extracellular S1P is involved. Moreover, we determined that expression of the SPL protein is up-regulated during the progression to PrE. We also showed that sphingosine kinase activity is increased in PrE-differentiated cells. These results suggest that intracellular S1P has a role in the PrE differentiation and that SPL may be involved in the regulation of intracellular S1P levels during this differentiation.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate signalling via the endothelial differentiation gene family of G-protein-coupled receptors

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is stored in and released from platelets in response to cell activation. However, recent studies show that it is also released from a number of cell types, where it can function as a paracrine/autocrine signal to regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, and motility. This review discusses the role of S1P in cellular regulation, both at the molecular level and in terms of health and disease. The main biochemical routes for S1P synthesis (sphingosine kinase) and degradation (S1P lyase and S1P phosphatase) are described. The major focus is on the ability of S1P to bind to a novel family of G-protein-coupled receptors (endothelial differentiation gene [EDG]-1, -3, -5, -6, and -8) to elicit signal transduction (via G(q)-, G(i)-, G(12)-, G(13)-, and Rho-dependent routes). Effector pathways regulated by S1P are divergent, such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, phospholipases C and D, adenylyl cyclase, and focal adhesion kinase, and occur in multiple cell types, such as immune cells, neurones, smooth muscle, etc. This provides a molecular basis for the ability of S1P to act as a pleiotropic bioactive lipid with an important role in cellular regulation. We also give an account of the expanding role for S1P in health and disease; in particular, with regard to its role in atherosclerosis, angiogenesis, cancer, and inflammation. Finally, we describe future directions for S1P research and novel approaches whereby S1P signalling can be manipulated for therapeutic intervention in disease.

Molecular cloning and characterization of two novel retinoic acid-inducible orphan G-protein-coupled receptors (GPRC5B and GPRC5C)

Using homology searching of public databases with a metabotropic glutamate receptor sequence from Caenorhabditis elegans, two novel protein sequences (named RAIG-2 (HGMW-approved symbol GPRC5B) and RAIG-3 (HGMW-approved symbol GPRC5C) were identified containing seven putative transmembrane domains characteristic of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). RAIG-2 and RAIG-3 encode open reading frames of 403 and 442 amino acid polypeptides, respectively, and show 58% similarity to the recently identified retinoic acid-inducible gene-1 (RAIG-1, HGMW-approved symbol RAI3). Analysis of the three protein sequences places them within the type 3 GPCR family, which includes metabotropic glutamate receptors, GABA(B) receptors, calcium-sensing receptors, and pheromone receptors. However, in contrast to other type 3 GPCRs, RAIG-1, RAIG-2, and RAIG-3 have only short N-terminal domains. RAIG-2 and RAIG-3 cDNA sequences were cloned into the mammalian expression vector pcDNA3 with c-myc or HA epitope tags inserted at their N-termini, respectively. Transient transfection experiments in HEK239T cells using these constructs demonstrated RAIG-2 and RAIG-3 expression at the cell surface. Distribution profiles of mRNA expression obtained by semiquantitative Taq-Man PCR analysis showed RAIG-2 to be predominantly expressed in human brain areas and RAIG-3 to be predominantly expressed in peripheral tissues. In addition, expression of RAIG-2 and RAIG-3 mRNA was increased following treatment with all-trans-retinoic acid in a manner similar to that previously described for RAIG-1. Finally, RAIG-2 was mapped to chromosome 16p12 (D16S405-D16S3045) and RAIG-3 to chromosome 17q25 (D17S1352-D17S785). These results suggest that RAIG-1, RAIG-2, and RAIG-3 represent a novel family of retinoic acid-inducible receptors, most closely related to the type 3 GPCR subfamily, and provide further evidence for a linkage between retinoic acid and G-protein-coupled receptor signal transduction pathways.

Edg-6 as a putative sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor coupling to Ca(2+) signaling pathway

The endothelial differentiation gene-6 (Edg-6) was recently identified as an orphan G-protein-coupled receptor. Its predicted amino acid sequence is very close to Edg family of receptor proteins whose ligand is supposed to be lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) or lysosphingolipid such as sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) and sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC). Transfection of the Edg-6 into Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and K562 cells resulted in the appearance of high-affinity [(3)H]S1P binding activity. Among lipids employed, S1P and, even though less potent, SPC, displaced the [(3)H]S1P binding, but LPA was inactive. In Edg-6-transfected CHO cells, an increase in cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration in response to S1P or SPC was clearly enhanced without change in the LPA-induced action as compared with the vector-transfected cells. The enhancement of the Ca(2+) response was associated with a significant accumulation of inositol phosphate, reflecting activation of phospholipase C. Similar enhancement of Ca(2+) response to S1P or SPC was also observed in Edg-6-expressing K562 cells. These lipid-induced actions in CHO cells and K562 cells expressing Edg-6 were markedly suppressed by pertussis toxin treatment. We conclude that Edg-6 is one of S1P or lysosphingolipid receptors that couple to phospholipase C-Ca(2+) system through pertussis toxin-sensitive G-proteins.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate induces arachidonic acid mobilization in A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells

In the present paper, the effect of sphingosine 1-phosphate (Sph-1-P) on arachidonic acid mobilization in A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells was investigated. Sph-1-P provoked a rapid and relevant release of arachidonic acid which was similar to that elicited by bradykinin, well-known pro-inflammatory agonist. The Sph-1-P-induced release of arachidonic acid involved Ca(2+)-independent phospholipase A(2) (iPLA2) activity, as suggested by the dose-dependent inhibition exerted by the rather specific inhibitor bromoenol lactone. The Sph-1-P-induced release of arachidonic acid was pertussis toxin-sensitive, pointing at a receptor-mediated mechanism, which involves heterotrimeric Gi proteins. The action of Sph-1-P was totally dependent on protein kinase C (PKC) catalytic activity and seemed to involve agonist-stimulated phospholipase D (PLD) activity. This study represents the first evidence for Sph-1-P-induced release of arachidonic acid which occurs through a specific signaling pathway involving Gi protein-coupled receptor(s), PKC, PLD and iPLA2 activities.

The expression and activity of D-type cyclins in F9 embryonal carcinoma cells: modulation of growth by RXR-selective retinoids

The growth rate of malignant F9 embryonal carcinoma cells slows considerably following all-trans-retinoic acid-induced differentiation into benign parietal endoderm. To determine the mechanism of this process, we examined the expression of cyclins D1, D2, and D3 and the activity of their associated kinases. Cyclin D1 and D3 mRNA levels decreased during complete differentiation induced by all-trans-retinoic acid and dibutyryl cAMP, while the levels of cyclin D2 and the cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitor p27 mRNAs increased. Ultimately, terminally differentiated cells possessed 50% of the Cdk4-associated kinase activity observed in undifferentiated cells. Since numerous genes are differentially regulated during parietal endoderm differentiation, it is difficult to determine whether retinoic acid affects cell cycle gene expression directly or if these changes are caused by differentiation. We found that the retinoid X receptor (RXR)-selective agonists LG100153 and LG100268 significantly inhibited F9 cell growth without causing overt terminal differentiation as assessed by anchorage-independent growth and differentiation-associated gene expression. As seen in cells induced to differentiate by the RAR agonist all-trans-retinoic acid, RXR activation led to an increase in the number of cells in G1 phase. RXR agonists also sharply induced the levels of the Cdk regulatory subunits, cyclin D2 and D3. However, Cdk4-dependent kinase activity was reduced by RXR-selective retinoid treatment. These observations suggest that some retinoids can directly inhibit proliferation and regulate Cdk4-dependent kinase activity without inducing terminal differentiation.

Down-regulation of phospholipase D during differentiation of mouse F9 teratocarcinoma cells

Phospholipase D has been recognized as playing an important role in signal transduction in many types of cells. We investigated the expression of phospholipase D during the differentiation of F9 embryonal teratocarcinoma cells. The ADP ribosylation factor-dependent phospholipase D activity, as measured by an in vitro assay, and H2O2-induced phospholipase D activity and phospholipase D protein content in whole cells were decreased during the differentiation of F9 cells induced by a combination of dibutyryl cyclic AMP and all-trans retinoic acid. In contrast, these changes were not observed when cells were induced by retinoic acid. These results suggest that down-regulation of phospholipase D protein is associated with differentiation of F9 cells to a parietal endoderm lineage.

Downregulation of mRNA expression of Edg-3, a putative sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor coupled to Ca2+ signaling, during differentiation of HL-60 leukemia cells

We measured the mRNA expression of the recently identified putative sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptors, i.e., Edg-1, AGR16/H218, and Edg-3, in HL-60 leukemia cells. Of these putative receptors, Edg-3 mRNA was abundantly expressed in undifferentiated HL-60 cells. Further, its mRNA expression was markedly downregulated by inducers of cell differentiation such as dibutyryl cAMP, retinoic acid, and 1alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. The reduction of mRNA expression was associated with the attenuation of an S1P-induced increase in cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration. Thus, Edg-3, whose mRNA expression is downregulated during cell differentiation, may be responsible for the S1P-induced Ca2+ response in HL-60 leukemia cells.