Cloning of cDNAs encoding human lysosomal membrane glycoproteins, h-lamp-1 and h-lamp-2. Comparison of their deduced amino acid sequences

Characterization of three lamp genes from largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides): molecular cloning, expression patterns, and their transcriptional levels in response to fast and refeeding strategy

Lysosomes-associated membrane proteins (LAMPs), a family of glycosylated proteins and major constituents of the lysosomal membranes, play a dominant role in various cellular processes, including phagocytosis, autophagy and immunity in mammals. However, their roles in aquatic species remain poorly known. In the present study, three lamp genes were cloned and characterized from Micropterus salmoides. Subsequently, their transcriptional levels in response to different nutritional status were investigated. The full-length coding sequences of lamp1, lamp2 and lamp3 were 1251bp, 1224bp and 771bp, encoding 416, 407 and 256 amino acids, respectively. Multiple sequence alignment showed that LAMP1-3 were highly conserved among the different fish species, respectively. 3-D structure prediction, genomic survey, and phylogenetic analysis were further confirmed that these genes are widely existed in vertebrates. The mRNA expression of the three genes was ubiquitously expressed in all selected tissues, including liver, brain, gill, heart, muscle, spleen, kidney, stomach, adipose and intestine, lamp1 shows highly transcript levels in brain and muscle, lamp2 displays highly expression level in heart, muscle and spleen, but lamp3 shows highly transcript level in spleen, liver and kidney. To analyze the function of the three genes under starvation stress in largemouth bass, three experimental treatment groups (fasted group and refeeding group, control group) were established in the current study. The results indicated that the expression of lamp1 was significant induced after starvation, and then returned to normal levels after refeeding in the liver. The expression of lamp2 and lamp3 exhibited the same trend in the liver. In addition, in the spleen and the kidney, the transcript level of lamp1 and lamp2 was remarkably increased in the fasted treatment group and slightly decreased in the refed treatment group, respectively. Collectively, our findings suggest that three lamp genes may have differential function in the immune and energetic organism in largemouth bass, which is helpful in understanding roles of lamps in aquatic species.

Altered Splicing of LAMP2 in a Multigenerational Family from Latvia Affected by Danon Disease

Background and Objectives: Danon disease is a multisystemic disorder associated with variants in the LAMP2 gene, mainly affecting the cardiac muscle. Here, we report a multigenerational family from Latvia with two male patients, hemizygous for a novel splice-affecting variant c.928+3A>G. Affected patients exhibit a cardiac phenotype, moderate mental disability, and mild retinal changes. Materials and Methods: Both patients underwent either exome or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy gene panel next-generation sequencing. The pathogenic variant effect was determined using reverse transcription, Sanger sequencing, and high-resolution electrophoresis. Results: Evaluation of the splicing process revealed that approximately 80% of the transcripts exhibited a lack of the entire exon 7. This alteration was predicted to cause a shift of the reading frame, consequently introducing a premature stop codon downstream in the sequence. Conclusions: Based on our data, we propose that c.928+3A>G is a pathogenic variant associated with Danon disease.

Site-specific photo-crosslinking/cleavage for protein-protein interface identification reveals oligomeric assembly of lysosomal-associated membrane protein type 2A in mammalian cells

Genetic code expansion enables site-specific photo-crosslinking by introducing photo-reactive non-canonical amino acids into proteins at defined positions during translation. This technology is widely used for analyzing protein-protein interactions and is applicable in mammalian cells. However, the identification of the crosslinked region still remains challenging. Here, we developed a new method to identify the crosslinked region by pre-installing a site-specific cleavage site, an α-hydroxy acid (Nε -allyloxycarbonyl-α-hydroxyl-l-lysine acid, AllocLys-OH), into the target protein. Alkaline treatment cleaves the crosslinked complex at the position of the α-hydroxy acid residue and thus helps to identify which side of the cleavage site, either closer to the N-terminus or C-terminus, the crosslinked site is located within the target protein. A series of AllocLys-OH introductions narrows down the crosslinked region. By applying this method, we identified the crosslinked regions in lysosomal-associated membrane protein type 2A (LAMP2A), a receptor of chaperone-mediated autophagy, in mammalian cells. The results suggested that at least two interfaces are involved in the homophilic interaction, which requires a trimeric or higher oligomeric assembly of adjacent LAMP2A molecules. Thus, the combination of site-specific crosslinking and site-specific cleavage promises to be useful for revealing binding interfaces and protein complex geometries.

The selective autophagy adaptor p62/SQSTM1 forms phase condensates regulated by HSP27 that facilitate the clearance of damaged lysosomes via lysophagy

In response to lysosomal damage, cells engage several quality-control mechanisms, including the selective isolation and degradation of damaged lysosomes by lysophagy. Here, we report that the selective autophagy adaptor SQSTM1/p62 is recruited to damaged lysosomes in both HeLa cells and neurons and is required for lysophagic flux. The Phox and Bem1p (PB1) domain of p62 mediates oligomerization and is specifically required for lysophagy. Consistent with this observation, we find that p62 forms condensates on damaged lysosomes. These condensates are precisely tuned by the small heat shock protein HSP27, which is phosphorylated in response to lysosomal injury and maintains the liquidity of p62 condensates, facilitating autophagosome formation. Mutations in p62 have been identified in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); ALS-associated mutations in p62 impair lysophagy, suggesting that deficits in this pathway may contribute to neurodegeneration. Thus, p62 condensates regulated by HSP27 promote lysophagy by forming platforms for autophagosome biogenesis at damaged lysosomes.

The two-domain architecture of LAMP2A regulates its interaction with Hsc70

Chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) is a unique proteolytic pathway, in which cytoplasmic proteins recognized by heat shock cognate protein 70 (Hsc70/HSPA8) are transported into lysosomes for degradation. The substrate/chaperone complex binds to the cytosolic tail of the lysosomal-associated membrane protein type 2A (LAMP2A), but whether the interaction between Hsc70 and LAMP2A is direct or mediated by other molecules has remained to be elucidated. The structure of LAMP2A comprises a large lumenal domain composed of two domains, both with the β-prism fold, a transmembrane domain and a short cytoplasmic tail. We previously reported the structural basis for the homophilic interaction of the lumenal domains of LAMP2A, using site-specific photo-crosslinking and/or steric hindrance within cells. In the present study, we introduced a photo-crosslinker into the cytoplasmic tail of LAMP2A and successfully detected its crosslinking with Hsc70, revealing this direct interaction for the first time. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the truncation of the membrane-distal domain within the lumenal domain of LAMP2A reduced the amount of Hsc70 that coimmunoprecipitated with LAMP2A. Our present results suggested that the two-domain architecture of the lumenal domains of LAMP2A underlies the interaction with Hsc70 at the cytoplasmic surface of the lysosome.

Direct homophilic interaction of LAMP2A with the two-domain architecture revealed by site-directed photo-crosslinks and steric hindrances in mammalian cells

LAMP1 (lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1) and LAMP2 are the most abundant protein components of lysosome membranes. Both LAMPs have common structures consisting of a large lumenal domain composed of two domains (N-domain and C-domain, which are membrane-distal and -proximal, respectively), both with the β-prism fold, a transmembrane domain, and a short cytoplasmic tail. LAMP2 is involved in various aspects of autophagy, and reportedly forms high-molecular weight complexes at the lysosomal membrane. We previously showed that LAMP2 molecules coimmunoprecipitated with each other, but whether the homophilic interaction is direct or indirect has remained to be elucidated. In the present study, we demonstrated the direct homophilic interaction of mouse LAMP2A molecules, using expanded genetic code technologies that generate photo-crosslinking and/or steric hindrance at specified interfaces. Specifically, the results suggested that LAMP2A molecules assemble by facing each other with one side of the β-prism (defined as side A) of the C-domains. The N-domain truncation, which increased the coimmunoprecipitation of LAMP2A molecules in our previous study, permitted the nonspecific involvement of both sides of the β-prism (side A and side B). Thus, the presence of the N-domain restricts the LAMP2A interactions to side A-specific. The truncation of LAMP2A impaired the recruitment of GAPDH (a CMA-substrate) fused to the HaloTag protein to the surface of late endosomes/lysosomes (LE/Lys) and affected a process that generates LE/Lys. The present study revealed that the homophilic interaction of LAMP2A is direct, and the side A-specific, homophilic interaction of LAMP2A is required for the functional aspects of LAMP2A.Abbreviations: Aloc-Lys: Nε-allyloxycarbonyl-l-lysine; CMA: chaperone-mediated autophagy; FFE: free-flow electrophoresis; GAPDH-HT: glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase fused to HaloTag protein; LAMP1: lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1; LAMP2A: lysosomal-associated membrane protein 2A; LBPA: lysobisphosphatidic acid; LE/Lys: late endosome/lysosomes; MEFs: mouse embryonic fibroblasts; pBpa: p-benzoyl- l-phenylalanine.

Cell surface membrane lysosome-associated membrane glycoprotein 2 promotes cell adhesion via abundant N-glycans in choriocarcinoma

INTRODUCTION

Lysosome-associated membrane glycoprotein 2 (LAMP-2) is a target protein for glycosylation by N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase IV (GnT-IV), which catalyzes the formation of β1,4GlcNAc branches on the mannose core of N-glycans in choriocarcinoma cells. However, the role of LAMP-2, especially when it is expressed in the cell surface membrane of choriocarcinoma cells, has not been well investigated in the progression of choriocarcinoma. This study aimed to elucidate the function of the cell surface membrane LAMP-2 in the malignancy of choriocarcinoma.

METHODS

We evaluated the localization of LAMP-2 in some choriocarcinoma cell lines and clinical samples of choriocarcinoma, normal placenta, hydatidiform mole, and invasive mole by flow cytometry, immunocytochemistry, and immunohistochemistry. We performed functional experiments using the knockout or overexpression model of LAMP-2 in the presence or absence of galectins.

RESULTS

LAMP-2 was observed in the cell surface membrane of some choriocarcinoma cell lines and tumor cells of choriocarcinoma tissue and trophoblasts of the placenta, hydatidiform mole, and invasive mole. Cell surface membrane LAMP-2 knockout decreased cell adhesion and invasion in choriocarcinoma cells. Conversely, cell surface membrane LAMP-2A overexpression increased cell adhesion and invasion. Experiments in the presence of galectins revealed that abundant N-glycans bound to the peptide core of the luminal side of the cell surface membrane LAMP-2 mediated cell adhesion of choriocarcinoma cells by interacting with galectins in the extracellular matrix (ECM).

DISCUSSION

Cell surface membrane LAMP-2, which is glycosylated by GnT-IV, contributes to the malignancy of choriocarcinoma by promoting cell adhesion with the ECM via abundant N-glycans.

Global mapping of Salmonella enterica-host protein-protein interactions during infection

Intracellular bacterial pathogens inject effector proteins to hijack host cellular processes and promote their survival and proliferation. To systematically map effector-host protein-protein interactions (PPIs) during infection, we generated a library of 32 Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (STm) strains expressing chromosomally encoded affinity-tagged effectors and quantified PPIs in macrophages and epithelial cells. We identified 446 effector-host PPIs, 25 of which were previously described, and validated 13 by reciprocal co-immunoprecipitation. While effectors converged on the same host cellular processes, most had multiple targets, which often differed between cell types. We demonstrate that SseJ, SseL, and SifA modulate cholesterol accumulation at the Salmonella-containing vacuole (SCV) partially via the cholesterol transporter Niemann-Pick C1 protein. PipB recruits the organelle contact site protein PDZD8 to the SCV, and SteC promotes actin bundling by phosphorylating formin-like proteins. This study provides a method for probing host-pathogen PPIs during infection and a resource for interrogating STm effector mechanisms.

Interaction of Trypanosoma cruzi Gp82 With Host Cell LAMP2 Induces Protein Kinase C Activation and Promotes Invasion

The surface molecule gp82 of metacyclic trypomastigote (MT) forms of Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan parasite that causes Chagas disease, mediates the host cell invasion, a process critical for the establishment of infection. Gp82 is known to bind to the target cell in a receptor-dependent manner, triggering Ca²⁺ signal, actin cytoskeleton rearrangement and lysosome spreading. The host cell receptor for gp82 was recently identified as LAMP2, the major lysosome membrane-associated protein. To further clarify the mechanisms of MT invasion, we aimed in this study at identifying the LAMP2 domain that interacts with gp82 and investigated whether target cell PKC and ERK1/2, previously suggested to be implicated in MT invasion, are activated by gp82. Interaction of MT, or the recombinant gp82 (r-gp82), with human epithelial HeLa cells induced the activation of Ca²⁺-dependent PKC and ERK1/2. The LAMP2 sequence predicted to bind gp82 was mapped and the synthetic peptide based on that sequence inhibited MT invasion, impaired the binding of r-gp82 to HeLa cells, and blocked the PKC and ERK1/2 activation induced by r-gp82. Treatment of HeLa cells with specific inhibitor of focal adhesion kinase resulted in inhibition of r-gp82-induced PKC and ERK1/2 activation, as well as in alteration of the actin cytoskeleton architecture. PKC activation by r-gp82 was also impaired by treatment of HeLa cells with inhibitor of phospholipase C, which mediates the production of diacylglycerol, which activates PKC, and inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate that releases Ca²⁺ from intracellular stores. Taken together, our results indicate that recognition of MT gp82 by LAMP2 induces in the host cell the activation of phosholipase C, with generation of products that contribute for PKC activation and the downstream ERK1/2. This chain of events leads to the actin cytoskeleton disruption and lysosome spreading, promoting MT internalization.

Cytosolic domain of SIDT2 carries an arginine-rich motif that binds to RNA/DNA and is important for the direct transport of nucleic acids into lysosomes

RNautophagy and DNautophagy (RDA) are unconventional autophagic pathways where nucleic acids are directly transported through the lysosomal membrane, then degraded inside lysosomes. We have previously shown that bitopic protein LAMP2C and putative RNA transporter SIDT2, both lysosomal membrane proteins, mediate the direct transport of nucleic acids into lysosomes and that LAMP2C interacts with the nucleic acids and functions as a receptor during RDA. Because SIDT2-mediated RDA occurs in isolated lysosomes that lack LAMP2C, in this study, we tested the hypothesis that SIDT2 itself could also interact with the nucleic acids. Our results show that SIDT2 directly binds RNA and DNA through an arginine-rich motif (ARM) located within its main cytosolic domain, and disruption of this motif dramatically impairs SIDT2-mediated RNautophagic activity. We also found that SIDT2 interacts with exon 1 of HTT (huntingtin) transcript through the ARM in a CAG-dependent manner. Moreover, overexpression of SIDT2 promoted degradation of HTT mRNA and reduced the levels of polyglutamine-expanded HTT aggregates, hallmarks of Huntington disease. In addition, a comparative analysis of LAMP2C and SIDT2 functions at the cellular level revealed that the two proteins exert a synergistic effect on RNautophagic activity and that the ARMs which mediate the interactions of SIDT2 and LAMP2C with RNA are essential for the synergy. Together, our results point out the importance of nucleic acid-binding capacity of SIDT2 for its function in translocating nucleic acids through the lipid bilayer and suggests a potential application of RNautophagy activation to reduce the expression levels of disease-causing toxic proteins. Abbreviations: ACTB/β-actin: actin beta; ARM: arginine-rich motif; CBB: Coomassie Brilliant Blue; CD: cytosolic domain; COX4I1/COX4: cytochrome c oxidase subunit 4I1; E. coli: Escherichia coli; EGFP: enhanced green fluorescent protein; EtBr: ethidium bromide; FITC: fluorescein isothiocyanate; GAPDH: glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase; GOLGA2/GM130: golgin A2; GST: glutathione S-transferase; HRP: horseradish peroxidase; HSPA5/GRP78: heat shock protein family A (Hsp70) member 5; HTT: huntingtin; HTTex1: exon 1 of the HTT gene; LAMP2: lysosomal associated membrane protein 2; LMNA: lamin A/C; PAGE: polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; PBS: phosphate-buffered saline; PEI: polyethyleneimine; polyQ: polyglutamine; qPCR: quantitative PCR; RAB5A: RAB5A, member RAS oncogene family; RDA: RNautophagy and DNautophagy; SCARB2/LIMP2: scavenger receptor class B member 2; SDS: sodium dodecyl sulfate; SID-1: systemic RNA interference deficient-1; SIDT2: SID1 transmembrane family member 2; WT: wild type.

The ceramide analogue N-(1-hydroxy-3-morpholino-1-phenylpropan-2-yl)decanamide induces large lipid droplet accumulation and highlights the effect of LAMP-2 deficiency on lipid droplet degradation

Excess accumulation of intracellular lipids leads to various diseases. Lipid droplets (LDs) are ubiquitous cellular organelles for lipid storage. LDs are hydrolyzed via cytosolic lipases (lipolysis) and also degraded in lysosomes through autophagy; namely, lipophagy. A recent study has shown the size-dependent selection of LDs by the two major catabolic pathways (lipolysis and lipophagy), and thus experimental systems that can manipulate the size of LDs are now needed. The ceramide analogue N-(1-hydroxy-3-morpholino-1-phenylpropan-2-yl)decanamide (PDMP) affects the structures and functions of lysosomes/late endosomes and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and alters cholesterol homeostasis. We previously reported that PDMP induces autophagy via the inhibition of mTORC1. In the present study, we found that PDMP induced the accumulation of LDs, especially that of large LDs, in mouse fibroblast (L cells). Surprisingly, the LD accumulation was relieved by PDMP in L cells deficient in lysosome-associated membrane protein-2 (LAMP-2), which is reportedly important for lipophagy. An electron microscopy analysis demonstrated that the LAMP-2 deficiency caused enlarged autophagosomes/autolysosomes in L cells, which may promote the sequestration and degradation of the PDMP-dependent large LDs. Accordingly, PDMP will be useful to explore the mechanism of LD degradation, by inducing large LDs.

Molecular thermodynamics of receptor competition for endocytic uptake

Endocytic uptake of receptors from the cell surface plays an important role in diverse processes from cell signaling to nutrient internalization. Understanding the mechanisms by which endocytic structures select receptors for internalization is of fundamental importance to our understanding of cellular physiology. Binding of receptors to the endocytic protein machinery is known to facilitate receptor loading into endocytic structures. However, many receptor species use the same small set of biochemical motifs to interact with the endocytic machinery, suggesting that receptors may compete for a limited number of binding sites within endocytic structures. Previous studies have shown that such competition can substantially modify receptor uptake. However, a predictive biophysical understanding of this phenomenon is currently lacking. Toward addressing this gap, here we employ quantitative imaging and statistical thermodynamics to measure and predict the competition between two distinct receptor species that are internalized simultaneously from the cell surface. Our studies demonstrate that when receptors compete for the same interactions with the endocytic machinery, their uptake is fundamentally coupled. Importantly, we find that these trends can be quantitatively predicted by a simple thermodynamic analysis. These results suggest that multiple receptor species reach an equilibrium partitioning between endocytic structures and the surrounding plasma membrane as the receptors compete for occupancy within dynamic endocytic structures. More broadly, this work provides a quantitative framework for predicting the impact of competition on receptor uptake, an effect which has the potential to physically couple signaling pathways that impact diverse aspects of cellular physiology.

LAMP-2 absence interferes with plasma membrane repair and decreases T. cruzi host cell invasion

Trypanosoma cruzi enters host cells by subverting the mechanism of cell membrane repair. In this process, the parasite induces small injuries in the host cell membrane leading to calcium entry and lysosomal exocytosis, which are followed by compensatory endocytosis events that drive parasites into host cells. We have previously shown that absence of both LAMP-1 and 2, major components of lysosomal membranes, decreases invasion of T. cruzi into host cells, but the mechanism by which they interfere with parasite invasion has not been described. Here we investigated the role of these proteins in parasitophorous vacuole morphology, host cell lysosomal exocytosis, and membrane repair ability. First, we showed that cells lacking only LAMP-2 present the same invasion phenotype as LAMP1/2-/- cells, indicating that LAMP-2 is an important player during T. cruzi invasion process. Second, neither vacuole morphology nor lysosomal exocytosis was altered in LAMP-2 lacking cells (LAMP2-/- and LAMP1/2-/- cells). We then investigated the ability of LAMP-2 deficient cells to perform compensatory endocytosis upon lysosomal secretion, the mechanism by which cells repair their membrane and T. cruzi ultimately enters cells. We observed that these cells perform less endocytosis upon injury when compared to WT cells. This was a consequence of impaired cholesterol traffic in cells lacking LAMP-2 and its influence in the distribution of caveolin-1 at the cell plasma membrane, which is crucial for plasma membrane repair. The results presented here show the major role of LAMP-2 in caveolin traffic and membrane repair and consequently in T. cruzi invasion.

Recombinant tandem of pore-domains in a Weakly Inward rectifying K+ channel 2 (TWIK2) forms active lysosomal channels

Recombinant TWIK2 channels produce weak basal background K⁺ currents. Current amplitudes depend on the animal species the channels have been isolated from and on the heterologous system used for their re-expression. Here we show that this variability is due to a unique cellular trafficking. We identified three different sequence signals responsible for the preferential expression of TWIK2 in the Lamp1-positive lysosomal compartment. Sequential inactivation of tyrosine-based (Y₃₀₈ASIP) and di-leucine-like (E₂₆₆LILL and D₂₈₂EDDQVDIL) trafficking motifs progressively abolishes the targeting of TWIK2 to lysosomes, and promotes its functional relocation at the plasma membrane. In addition, TWIK2 contains two N-glycosylation sites (N₇₉AS and N₈₅AS) on its luminal side, and glycosylation is necessary for expression in lysosomes. As shown by electrophysiology and electron microscopy, TWIK2 produces functional background K⁺ currents in the endolysosomes, and its expression affects the number and mean size of the lysosomes. These results show that TWIK2 is expressed in lysosomes, further expanding the registry of ion channels expressed in these organelles.

Lysosome-associated membrane proteins-1 and -2 (LAMP-1 and LAMP-2) assemble via distinct modes

Lysosome-associated membrane proteins 1 and 2 (LAMP-1 and LAMP-2) have a large, heavily glycosylated luminal domain composed of two subdomains, and are the most abundant protein components in lysosome membranes. LAMP-1 and LAMP-2 have distinct functions, and the presence of both proteins together is required for the essential regulation of autophagy to avoid embryonic lethality. However, the structural aspects of LAMP-1 and LAMP-2 have not been elucidated. In the present study, we demonstrated that the subdomains of LAMP-1 and LAMP-2 adopt the unique β-prism fold, similar to the domain structure of the dendritic cell-specific-LAMP (DC-LAMP, LAMP-3), confirming the conserved aspect of this family of lysosome-associated membrane proteins. Furthermore, we evaluated the effects of the N-domain truncation of LAMP-1 or LAMP-2 on the assembly of LAMPs, based on immunoprecipitation experiments. We found that the N-domain of LAMP-1 is necessary, whereas that of LAMP-2 is repressive, for the organization of a multimeric assembly of LAMPs. Accordingly, the present study suggests for the first time that the assembly modes of LAMP-1 and LAMP-2 are different, which may underlie their distinct functions.

LAMP-2 is required for incorporating syntaxin-17 into autophagosomes and for their fusion with lysosomes

Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved process used for removing surplus and damaged proteins and organelles from the cytoplasm. The unwanted material is incorporated into autophagosomes that eventually fuse with lysosomes, leading to the degradation of their cargo. The fusion event is mediated by the interaction between the Qa-SNARE syntaxin-17 (STX17) on autophagosomes and the R-SNARE VAMP8 on lysosomes. Cells deficient in lysosome membrane-associated protein-2 (LAMP-2) have increased numbers of autophagosomes but the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. By transfecting LAMP-2-deficient and LAMP-1/2­-double-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) with a tandem fluorescent-tagged LC3 we observed a failure of fusion between the autophagosomes and the lysosomes that could be rescued by complementation with LAMP-2A. Although we observed no change in expression and localization of VAMP8, its interacting partner STX17 was absent from autophagosomes of LAMP-2-deficient cells. Thus, LAMP-2 is essential for STX17 expression by the autophagosomes and this absence is sufficient to explain their failure to fuse with lysosomes. The results have clear implications for situations associated with a reduction of LAMP-2 expression.

Summary: LAMP-2 is required for autophagosome-lysosome fusion. Its absence does not affect the lysosomal SNARE VAMP8 while its interacting partner STX17 is absent from the autophagosomes providing a molecular explanation for this fusion failure.

Clec16a is Critical for Autolysosome Function and Purkinje Cell Survival

CLEC16A is in a locus genetically linked to autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis, but the function of this gene in the nervous system is unknown. Here we show that two mouse strains carrying independent Clec16a mutations developed neurodegenerative disease characterized by motor impairments and loss of Purkinje cells. Neurons from Clec16a-mutant mice exhibited increased expression of the autophagy substrate p62, accumulation of abnormal intra-axonal membranous structures bearing the autophagy protein LC3, and abnormal Golgi morphology. Multiple aspects of endocytosis, lysosome and Golgi function were normal in Clec16a-deficient murine embryonic fibroblasts and HeLa cells. However, these cells displayed abnormal bulk autophagy despite unimpaired autophagosome formation. Cultured Clec16a-deficient cells exhibited a striking accumulation of LC3 and LAMP-1 positive autolysosomes containing undigested cytoplasmic contents. Therefore Clec16a, an autophagy protein that is critical for autolysosome function and clearance, is required for Purkinje cell survival.

Lysosomal membrane permeabilization is involved in oxidative stress-induced apoptotic cell death in LAMP2-deficient iPSCs-derived cerebral cortical neurons

Patients with Danon disease may suffer from severe cardiomyopathy, skeletal muscle dysfunction as well as varying degrees of mental retardation, in which the primary deficiency of lysosomal membrane-associated protein-2 (LAMP2) is considerably associated. Owing to the scarcity of human neurons, the pathological role of LAMP2 deficiency in neural injury of humans remains largely elusive. However, the application of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) may shed light on overcoming such scarcity.

In this study, we obtained iPSCs derived from a patient carrying a mutated LAMP2 gene that is associated with Danon disease. By differentiating such LAMP2-deficient iPSCs into cerebral cortical neurons and with the aid of various biochemical assays, we demonstrated that the LAMP2-deficient neurons are more susceptible to mild oxidative stress-induced injury.

The data from MTT assay and apoptotic analysis demonstrated that there was no notable difference in cellular viability between the normal and LAMP2-deficient neurons under non-stressed condition. When exposed to mild oxidative stress (10 μM H₂O₂), the LAMP2-deficient neurons exhibited a significant increase in apoptosis. Surprisingly, we did not observe any aberrant accumulation of autophagic materials in the LAMP2-deficient neurons under such stress condition.

Our results from cellular fractionation and inhibitor blockade experiments further revealed that oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in the LAMP2-deficient cortical neurons was caused by increased abundance of cytosolic cathepsin L. These results suggest the involvement of lysosomal membrane permeabilization in the LAMP2 deficiency associated neural injury.

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We generated iPSCs from patients with LAMP2-c.183_184insA mutation.

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We differentiated the patient specific iPSCs into LAMP2-deficient cortical neurons.

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The LAMP2-deficient neurons are more susceptible to oxidative stress induced cell death.

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Cathepsin L inhibitor rescued oxidative stress induced cell death in LAMP2-deficient neurons.

Lysosome-associated membrane proteins (LAMPs) regulate intracellular positioning of mitochondria in MC3T3-E1 cells

The intracellular positioning of both lysosomes and mitochondria meets the requirements of degradation and energy supply, which are respectively the two major functions for cellular maintenance. The positioning of both lysosomes and mitochondria is apparently affected by the nutrient status of the cells. However, the mechanism coordinating the positioning of the organelles has not been sufficiently elucidated. Lysosome-associated membrane proteins-1 and -2 (LAMP-1 and LAMP-2) are highly glycosylated proteins that are abundant in lysosomal membranes. In the present study, we demonstrated that the siRNA-mediated downregulation of LAMP-1, LAMP-2 or their combination enhanced the perinuclear localization of mitochondria, in the pre-osteoblastic cell line MC3T3-E1. On the other hand, in the osteocytic cell line MLO-Y4, in which both the lysosomes and mitochondria originally accumulate in the perinuclear region and mitochondria also fill dendrites, the effect of siRNA of LAMP-1 or LAMP-2 was barely observed. LAMPs are not directly associated with mitochondria, and there do not seem to be any accessory molecules commonly required to recruit the motor proteins to lysosomes and mitochondria. Our results suggest that LAMPs may regulate the positioning of lysosomes and mitochondria. A possible mechanism involving the indirect and context-dependent action of LAMPs is discussed.

Anti-LAMP-2 antibodies are not prevalent in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody glomerulonephritis

Lysosomal membrane protein 2 (LAMP-2) is a target of antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA) in addition to the more commonly known targets proteinase 3 and myeloperoxidase. The prevalence of anti-LAMP-2 antibodies and their relationship to disease in ANCA glomerulonephritis are not well described. We measured anti-LAMP-2 reactivity in 680 sera samples (two academic centers) from patients with ANCA glomerulonephritis (n=329); those with ANCA-negative glomerulonephritis (n=104); those with fimbriated, gram-negative Escherichia coli urinary tract infection (n=104); disease controls (n=19); and healthy volunteers (n=124). With levels in healthy controls used to define a reference range, anti-LAMP-2 reactivity was present in 21% of ANCA sera from two of the centers; reactivity was present in 16% of the control group with urinary tract infection. Western blotting and immunofluorescence microscopy did not verify positivity. Titers of anti-myeloperoxidase and anti-proteinase 3 antibodies were 1500-fold and 10,000-fold higher than anti-LAMP-2 titers, respectively. There was no correlation between anti-LAMP-2 antibodies and disease activity. Furthermore, Wistar Kyoto rats injected with anti-LAMP-2 antibodies did not develop glomerulonephritis. In conclusion, antibodies that react with LAMP-2 may exist at very low titers in a minority of patients with ANCA disease. These data do not support a mechanistic relationship between anti-LAMP-2 antibodies and ANCA glomerulonephritis.

Altered expression of autophagic genes in the peripheral leukocytes of patients with sporadic Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease caused by interaction of genetic and environmental factors. To date, genetic genes and variants causing PD remain largely unknown. Autophagy is a conserved cellular process including three subtypes, macroautophagy (hereafter referred to as autophagy), microautophagy and chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA). Although reduced CMA and induced autophagy are observed in human PD brain samples, cell and animal PD models, CMA and autophagy have not been systemically studied in sporadic PD patients. In the peripheral leukocytes of sporadic PD patients, we examined gene expression levels of lysosome-associated membrane 2 (LAMP-2), a CMA receptor and a limiting step, and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), product of which is sequentially cleaved and lipidated to form LC3-II as an autophagosome marker. Compared to age- and sex-matched healthy controls, LAMP-2 gene expression and protein levels in sporadic PD patients were significantly decreased, which may lead to reduced CMA activity and impaired fusion of autophagosome and lysosome. LC3 gene expression and LC3-II protein levels were significantly increased in sporadic PD patients, suggesting that autophagosomes are accumulated. Our findings, decreased LAMP-2 gene expression and increased LC3 gene expression, are consistent to the previous studies with dopaminergic neuronal cells in vitro and in vivo, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of sporadic PD by altering CMA and autophagy activities. The genetic causes leading to decreased LAMP-2 gene expression need further investigation and genetic or pharmacological restoration of LAMP-2 might be a novel strategy for treating PD patients.

Time course analysis of gene expression identifies multiple genes with differential expression in patients with in-stent restenosis

BACKGROUND

The vascular disease in-stent restenosis (ISR) is characterized by formation of neointima and adverse inward remodeling of the artery after injury by coronary stent implantation. We hypothesized that the analysis of gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) would demonstrate differences in transcript expression between individuals who develop ISR and those who do not.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We determined and investigated PBMC gene expression of 358 patients undergoing an index procedure to treat in de novo coronary artery lesions with bare metallic stents, using a novel time-varying intercept model to optimally assess the time course of gene expression across a time course of blood samples. Validation analyses were conducted in an independent sample of 97 patients with similar time-course blood sampling and gene expression data. We identified 47 probesets with differential expression, of which 36 were validated upon independent replication testing. The genes identified have varied functions, including some related to cellular growth and metabolism, such as the NAB2 and LAMP genes.

CONCLUSIONS

In a study of patients undergoing bare metallic stent implantation, we have identified and replicated differential gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, studied across a time series of blood samples. The genes identified suggest alterations in cellular growth and metabolism pathways, and these results provide the basis for further specific functional hypothesis generation and testing of the mechanisms of ISR.

Molecular characterisation of ‘transmembrane protein 192’ (TMEM192), a novel protein of the lysosomal membrane

Transmembrane protein 192 (TMEM192) has been previously identified in proteomic analyses of lysosomal membranes. TMEM192 does not exhibit any significant homology to known protein families and possesses four potential transmembrane segments. To approach the molecular role of TMEM192, a detailed biochemical characterisation of this protein was performed. Expression constructs of fusion proteins containing TMEM192 and appended epitope tags were constructed. In HeLa cells these proteins were detected in membranes of lysosomes/late endosomes. To examine endogenous TMEM192, a TMEM192-specific antibody was generated and validated. With this antibody colocalisation of endogenous TMEM192 with lysosomal and late endosomal markers was demonstrated. Using Percoll density gradient centrifugation and immunoblotting, co-sedimentation of major portions of both TMEM192 and the lysosomal proteins LAMP-2 and cathepsin D into high-density fractions was observed. Interestingly, in contrast to many other lysosomal proteins no N-glycosylation of TMEM192 could be detected. Western blotting of reduced and non-reduced samples and co-immunoprecipitation experiments indicated TMEM192 to be a homodimer with one or more interchain disulphide bridges. TMEM192 was found to be strongly expressed in human kidney, liver, lung and pancreas tissue. The widespread tissue distribution could suggest an important role of TMEM192 for lysosomal function.

Cloning and characterisation of the chicken orthologue of dendritic cell-lysosomal associated membrane protein (DC-LAMP)

A cDNA encoding the chicken orthologue of dendritic cell-lysosomal associated membrane protein (DC-LAMP)/CD208 was cloned by RT-PCR from RNA isolated from mature chicken bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (chBM-DCs). The cloned chicken DC-LAMP (chDC-LAMP) cDNA consists of 1281 nucleotides encoding an open reading frame of 426 amino acids (aa). Comparison of the deduced aa sequence of DC-LAMP with orthologous proteins from human and mouse revealed 27 and 24% identity, respectively. The predicted chDC-LAMP protein shares the characteristic features of LAMP family members. ChDC-LAMP mRNA, unlike its mammalian orthologues, was expressed in a wide range of tissues, at highest levels in the lung. Lymphoid tissues including thymus, spleen, bursa, ceacal tonsil and Meckel's diverticulum had high chDC-LAMP mRNA expression levels. ChDC-LAMP mRNA was expressed in all splenocyte subsets with the highest expression in Bu-1(+) B cells and KUL01(+) cells, which would include macrophages and DC. ChDC-LAMP mRNA was highly expressed in chBM-DC, whereas expression levels in chicken monocyte-derived macrophages (chMo-Mac) and the HD11 macrophage cell line were significantly lower. Following CD40L stimulation, chDC-LAMP mRNA expression levels were up-regulated in mature chBM-DC, chMo-Mac and HD11 cells whereas lipopolysaccharide (LPS) only up-regulated chDC-LAMP mRNA expression levels in chBM-DC. ChDC-LAMP is not solely expressed on chicken DC but can be used as a marker to differentiate between immature and mature DC.

Pleiotropic function of ezrin in human metastatic melanomas

The membrane cytoskeleton cross-linker, ezrin, has recently been depicted as a key regulator in the progression and metastasis of several pediatric tumors. Less defined appears the role of ezrin in human adult tumors, especially melanoma. We therefore addressed ezrin involvement in the metastatic phenotype of human adult metastatic melanoma cells. Our results show that cells resected from melanoma metastatic lesions of patients, display marked metastatic spreading capacity in SCID mice organs. Stable transfection of human melanoma cells with an ezrin deletion mutant comprising only 146 N-terminal aminoacids led to the abolishment of metastatic dissemination. In vitro experiments revealed ezrin direct molecular interactions with molecules related to metastatic functions such as CD44, merlin and Lamp-1, consistent with its participation to the formation of phagocitic vacuoles, vesicular sorting and migration capacities of melanoma cells. Moreover, the ezrin fragment capable of binding to CD44 was shorter than that previously reported, and transfection with the ezrin deletion mutant abrogated plasma membrane Lamp-1 recruitment. This study highlights key involvement of ezrin in a complex machinery, which allows metastatic cancer cells to migrate, invade and survive in very unfavorable conditions. Our in vivo and in vitro data reveal that ezrin is the hub of the metastatic behavior also in human adult tumors.

TRPM2 functions as a lysosomal Ca2+-release channel in beta cells

TRPM2 is a Ca2+-permeable cation channel that is specifically activated by adenosine diphosphoribose (ADPR). Channel activation in the plasma membrane leads to Ca2+ influx and has been linked to apoptotic mechanisms. The primary agonist, ADPR, is produced both extra- and intracellularly and causes increases in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), but the mechanisms involved are not understood. Using short interfering RNA and a knockout mouse, we report that TRPM2, in addition to its role as a plasma membrane channel, also functions as a Ca2+-release channel activated by intracellular ADPR in a lysosomal compartment. We show that both functions of TRPM2 are critically linked to hydrogen peroxide-induced beta cell death. Additionally, extracellular ADPR production by the ectoenzyme CD38 from its substrates NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) or cADPR causes IP3-dependent Ca2+ release via P2Y and adenosine receptors. Thus, ADPR and TRPM2 represent multimodal signaling elements regulating Ca2+ mobilization in beta cells through membrane depolarization, Ca2+ influx, and release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores.

An immunohistochemical approach to differentiate hepatic lipidosis from hepatic phospholipidosis in rats

Hepatocellular vacuolation can be a diagnostic challenge since cytoplasmic accumulations of various substances (lipid, water, phospholipids, glycogen, and plasma) can have a similar morphology. Cytoplasmic accumulation of phospholipids following administration of cationic amphiphilic drugs (CAD) can be particularly difficult to differentiate from nonphosphorylated lipid accumulations at the light microscopic level. Histochemical methods (Sudan Black, Oil Red-O, Nile Blue, etc.) can be used to identify both nonphosphorylated and/or phosphorylated lipid accumulations, but these techniques require non-paraffin-embedded tissue and are only moderately sensitive. Thus, electron microscopy is often utilized to achieve a definitive diagnosis based upon the characteristic morphologic features of phospholipid accumulations; however, this is a low throughput and labor intense procedure. In this report, we describe the use of immunohistochemical staining for LAMP-2 (a lysosome-associated protein) and adipophilin (a protein that forms the membrane around non-lysosomal lipid droplets) to differentiate phospholipidosis and lipidosis, respectively in the livers of rats. This staining procedure can be performed on formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissues, is more sensitive than histochemistry, and easier to perform than ultrastructural evaluation.

Binding modes of mammalian hepatic Gal/GalNAc receptors

Mammalian Gal/GalNAc receptors show dramatic preference for three-branched oligosaccharide structures over two- or one-branched counterparts. The spatial arrangement of the Gal residues is extremely important for optimal binding. The three terminal Gal residues in the best triantennary ligand are about 15-30 A apart, and therefore the sugar-combining sites on the receptor may also have the same geometry. The results obtained with synthetic ligands containing Gal or GalNAc are in agreement with this concept. Photoaffinity labelling and GalNAc-lactoperoxidase catalysed iodolabelling of the receptors revealed that the minor subunits (52 and 60 kDa) were more readily labelled than the major subunit (43 kDa). The stoichiometry of binding was determined with synthetic ligands containing GalNAc. The results indicated that each subunit may have two sugar-combining sites. A model for subunit assembly is proposed on the basis of these results and the finding that coexpression of all subunits is necessary for the binding and processing of asialo-orosomucoid in transfected cells, whereas Gal-polylysine can be bound and processed by the cells expressing only the major subunit.

mRNA-based cancer vaccine: prevention of B16 melanoma progression and metastasis by systemic injection of MART1 mRNA histidylated lipopolyplexes

Immunization with mRNA encoding tumor antigen is an emerging vaccine strategy for cancer. In this paper, we demonstrate that mice receiving systemic injections of MART1 mRNA histidylated lipopolyplexes were specifically and significantly protected against B16F10 melanoma tumor progression. The originality of this work concerns the use of a new tumor antigen mRNA formulation as vaccine, which allows an efficient protection against the growth of a highly aggressive tumor model after its delivery by intravenous route. Synthetic melanoma-associated antigen MART1 mRNA was formulated with a polyethylene glycol (PEG)ylated derivative of histidylated polylysine and L-histidine-(N,N-di-n-hexadecylamine)ethylamide liposomes (termed histidylated lipopolyplexes). Lipopolyplexes comprised mRNA/polymer complexes encapsulated by liposomes. The tumor protective effect was induced with MART1 mRNA carrying a poly(A) tail length of 100 adenosines at an optimal dose of 12.5 microg per mouse. MART1 mRNA lipopolyplexes elicited a cellular immune response characterized by the production of interferon-gamma and the induction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Finally, the anti-B16 response was enhanced using a formulation containing both MART1 mRNA and MART1-LAMP1 mRNA encoding the antigen targeted to the major histocompatibility complex class II compartments by the lysosomal sorting signal of LAMP1 protein. Our results provide a basis for the development of mRNA histidylated lipopolyplexes for cancer vaccine.

Differential Requirements for ts-O45-G and Procollagen Biosynthetic Transport

Emerging experimental evidence favours the existence of cargo sorting occurring upon the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) exit. Recent studies revealed that, in contrast to the conventional secretory marker ts-O45-G, procollagen (PC I) exits the ER at sites not coated with coat protein II and is transported to the Golgi complex in carriers devoid of coat protein I. Here, we investigated whether PC I trafficking requires a different molecular machinery in comparison with the ts-O45-G. By combining colocalization of the cargoes with endogenous markers, downregulation of transport machinery by RNA interference and knock-ins by complementary DNA over-expression, we provide strong evidence that PC I and ts-O45-G have common but also different molecular requirements during pre- and post-Golgi trafficking events.

Production and characterization of a monoclonal antibody against Niemann Pick type C protein

Niemann Pick type C is a severe, incurable disease caused, in the majority of cases, by mutations in the Niemann Pick type C protein 1 (NPC1). The pathology and biochemical changes associated with the disease have been extensively studied. However, the function of the protein is still unknown, and recent studies challenge the established concept that a defect in cholesterol and sphingolipids transport is the primary cause of this human lipidosis. Clearly defining the mechanisms by which defects in this protein lead to the disease phenotype will require further studies on the structure and function of this protein. Therefore, the development of a well-characterized monoclonal antibody (MAb) against this protein to facilitate such studies is an important goal. Here, we describe the production and characterization of such a MAb. The antibody is demonstrated to be highly specific and species cross-reactive. Function studies show that the antibody induces the NPC1 disease phenotype in cells, making it highly likely that the antibody blocks function of the NPC1 protein.

A lumenal domain-dependent pathway for sorting to intralumenal vesicles of multivesicular endosomes involved in organelle morphogenesis

Cargo partitioning into intralumenal vesicles (ILVs) of multivesicular endosomes underlies such cellular processes as receptor downregulation, viral budding, and biogenesis of lysosome-related organelles such as melanosomes. We show that the melanosomal protein Pmel17 is sorted into ILVs by a mechanism that is dependent upon lumenal determinants and conserved in non-pigment cells. Pmel17 targeting to ILVs does not require its native cytoplasmic domain or cytoplasmic residues targeted by ubiquitylation and, unlike sorting of ubiquitylated cargo, is insensitive to functional inhibition of Hrs and ESCRT complexes. Chimeric protein and deletion analyses indicate that two N-terminal lumenal subdomains are necessary and sufficient for ILV targeting. Pmel17 fibril formation, which occurs during melanosome maturation in melanocytes, requires a third lumenal subdomain and proteolytic processing that itself requires ILV localization. These results establish an Hrs- and perhaps ESCRT-independent pathway of ILV sorting by lumenal determinants and a requirement for ILV sorting in fibril formation.

LAMP-2 deficient mice show depressed cardiac contractile function without significant changes in calcium handling

OBJECTIVE

Mutations in the highly glycosylated lysosome associated membrane protein-2 (LAMP-2) cause, as recently shown, familial Danon disease with mental retardation, mild myopathy and fatal cardiomyopathy. Extent and basis of the contractile dysfunction is not completely understood.

METHODS

In LAMP-2 deficient mice, we investigated cardiac function in vivo using Doppler-echocardiography and contractile function in vitro in isolated myocardial trabeculae.

RESULTS

LAMP-2 deficient mice displayed reduced ejection fraction (EF) (58.9+/-3.4 vs. 80.7+/-5.1%, P<0.05) and reduced cardiac output (8.3+/-3.1 vs. 14.7+/-3.6 ml/min, P<0.05) as compared to wild-type controls. Isolated multicellular muscle preparations from LAMP-2 deficient mice confirmed depressed force development (3.2+/-0.6 vs. 8.4+/-0.9 mN/mm2, P<0.01). All groups showed similar force-frequency behaviour when normalised to baseline force. Post-rest potentiation was significantly depressed at intervals>15 s in LAMP-2 deficient mice (P<0.05). Although attenuated in absolute force development, the normalised inotropic response to increased calcium and beta-adrenoreceptor stimulation was unaltered. Electron microscopic analysis revealed autophagic vacuoles in LAMP-2 deficient cardiomyocytes. Protein analysis showed unaltered levels of SERCA2a, calsequestrin and phospholamban.

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiac contractile function in LAMP-2 deficient mice as a model for Danon disease is significantly attenuated. The occurrence of autophagic vacuoles in LAMP-2 deficient myocytes is likely to be causal for the depressed contractile function resulting in an attenuated cardiac pump reserve.

Unifying nomenclature for the isoforms of the lysosomal membrane protein LAMP-2

The present nomenclature of the splice variants of the lysosome-associated membrane protein type 2 (LAMP-2) is confusing. The LAMP-2a isoform is uniformly named in human, chicken, and mouse, but the LAMP-2b and LAMP-2c isoforms are switched in human as compared with mouse and chicken. We propose to change the nomenclature of the chicken and mouse b and c isoforms to agree with that currently used for the human isoforms. To avoid confusion in the literature, we further propose to adopt the use of capital letters for the updated nomenclature of all the isoforms in all three species: LAMP-2A, LAMP-2B, and LAMP-2C.

NPC1 late endosomes contain elevated levels of non-esterified ('free') fatty acids and an abnormally glycosylated form of the NPC2 protein

NPC (Niemann-Pick type C) disease is a rare lipidosis characterized by the accumulation of LDL (low-density lipoprotein)-derived non-esterified cholesterol in the E/L (endosomal/lysosomal) system. The gene products that are responsible for the two NPC complementation groups are distinct and dissimilar, yet their cellular and disease phenotypes are virtually indistinguishable. To investigate the relationship between NPC1 and NPC2 and their potential role in NPC disease pathogenesis, we have developed a method for the rapid and efficient isolation of late endocytic vesicles from mouse liver by magnetic chromatography. Late endosomes from Wt (wild-type) and NPC1 mice were found to differ not only in their cholesterol and sphingomyelin content, as expected, but also in their non-esterified ('free') fatty acid content, with NPC1 vesicles showing an approx. 7-fold increase in non-esterified fatty acid levels compared with Wt vesicles. Furthermore, we show that the NPC2 protein is in an incompletely deglycosylated form in NPC1 late endosomes by a mechanism that is specific to the NPC2 protein and not a global aberration of protein glycosylation/deglycosylation or trafficking, since NPC2 secreted from NPC1 cells is indistinguishable from that secreted from Wt cells. Also, a greater proportion of the normally soluble cellular NPC2 protein partitions with detergent-insoluble late endosomal internal membrane domains in NPC1 vesicles. In addition, we show that, although a small amount of the NPC2 protein associates with these membranes in Wt vesicles, this localization becomes much more pronounced in NPC1 vesicles. These results suggest that the function of the NPC2 protein may be compromised as well in NPC1 endosomes, which might explain the paradoxical phenotypic similarities of the two NPC disease complementation groups.

rab7 Activity Affects Epidermal Growth Factor:Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Degradation by Regulating Endocytic Trafficking from the Late Endosome

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a member of the receptor tyrosine kinase family. Ligand (epidermal growth factor or EGF) binding to the EGFR results in the coordinated activation and integration of biochemical signaling events to mediate cell growth, migration, and differentiation. One mechanism the cell utilizes to orchestrate these events is ligand-mediated endocytosis through the canonical clathrin-mediated endocytic pathway. Identification of proteins that regulate the intracellular movement of the EGF.EGFR complex is an important first step in dissecting how specificity of EGFR signaling is conferred. We examined the role of the small molecular weight guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G-protein) rab7 as a regulator of the distal stages of the endocytic pathway. Through the transient expression of activating and inactivating mutants of rab7 in HeLa cells, we have determined that rab7 activity directly correlates with the rate of radiolabeled EGF and EGFR degradation. Furthermore, when inhibitory mutants of rab7 are expressed, the internalized EGF.EGFR complex accumulates in high-density endosomes that are characteristic of the late endocytic pathway. Thus, we conclude that rab7 regulates the endocytic trafficking of the EGF.EGFR complex by regulating its lysosomal degradation.

Immunochemical analysis of CD107a (LAMP-1)

CD107a, also known as the lysosome associated membrane protein-1 (LAMP-1), is expressed largely in the endosome-lysosome membranes of cells, but is also found on the plasma membrane (1-2% of total LAMP-1). LAMP-1 has been implicated in a variety of cellular functions, including cancer metastasis. It has been proposed as a therapeutic agent for some cancers, and is a marker for lysosomal storage disorders and different cell types such as cytotoxic T cells. In light of this diversity of applications, it is important to have well characterized immune-reagents for the detection and quantification of LAMP-1. We have compared a new monoclonal antibody 80280 against LAMP-1 to an existing monoclonal antibody BB6 and a rabbit polyclonal antibody. While all antibodies gave similar results by immunofluorescence, the monoclonal antibody 80280 showed no epitope reactivity to LAMP-1 peptides, suggesting the possibility of a carbohydrate epitope. Western blotting revealed a weaker activity of the monoclonal antibody 80280 relative to either the BB6 monoclonal or the polyclonal antibodies. The monoclonal antibody 80280 is distinct from BB6, providing an additional reagent for CD107a analysis.

Molecular modification of idiotypes from B-cell lymphomas for expression in mature dendritic cells as a strategy to induce tumor-reactive CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses

Most non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphomas (NHLs) are characterized by the clonal expansion of a single cell expressing a unique rearranged immunoglobulin gene. This idiotype (Id) is a tumor-specific antigen that can be immunologically targeted. The therapeutic efficacy of Id-based vaccines correlates best with detection of cellular immune responses, although these have not been as well characterized as the humoral responses. This study exploited a molecular approach to modify the Id of 38C13 lymphoma for processing via class I and II antigen-processing pathways and evaluated protein expression in dendritic cells (DCs) to simultaneously stimulate tumor reactive CD8(+) and CD4(+) lymphocytes. Recombinant vaccinia viruses (rVVs) were constructed, coding for Id fused with the targeting signal of the lysosomal-associated membrane protein1 (Id-LAMP1) to promote antigen presentation in the context of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II. Mature DCs infected with rVV/Id-LAMP1 elicited both CD4(+) and CD8(+) Id-specific T cells and protected animals from tumor challenge. Id-specific CD8(+) cells were required to mediate the effector phase of a therapeutic response, and CD4(+) cells were beneficial in the induction phase of the response. These results demonstrate that fusing Id to LAMP1 enhances CD8(+) and CD4(+) Id-specific responses for NHLs and may be useful therapeutically.

A dileucine motif and a cluster of acidic amino acids in the second cytoplasmic domain of the batten disease-related CLN3 protein are required for efficient lysosomal targeting

The juvenile form of ceroid lipofuscinosis (Batten disease) is a neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorder caused by mutations in the CLN3 gene. CLN3 encodes a multimembrane-spanning protein of unknown function, which is mainly localized in lysosomes in non-neuronal cells and in endosomes in neuronal cells. For this study we constructed chimeric proteins of three CLN3 cytoplasmic domains fused to the lumenal and transmembrane domains of the reporter proteins LAMP-1 and lysosomal acid phosphatase to identify lysosomal targeting motifs and to determine the intracellular transport and subcellular localization of the chimera in transfected cell lines. We report that a novel type of dileucine-based sorting motif, EEEX(8)LI, present in the second cytoplasmic domain of CLN3, is sufficient for proper targeting to lysosomes. The first cytoplasmic domain of CLN3 and the mutation of the dileucine motif resulted in a partial missorting of chimeric proteins to the plasma membrane. At equilibrium, 4-13% of the different chimera are present at the cell surface. Analysis of lysosome-specific proteolytic processing revealed that lysosomal acid phosphatase chimera containing the second cytoplasmic domain of CLN3 showed the highest rate of lysosomal delivery, whereas the C terminus of CLN3 was found to be less efficient in lysosomal targeting. However, none of these cytosolic CLN3 domains was able to interact with AP-1, AP-3, or GGA3 adaptor complexes. These data revealed that lysosomal sorting motifs located in an intramolecular cytoplasmic domain of a multimembrane-spanning protein have different structural requirements for adaptor binding than sorting signals found in the C-terminal cytoplasmic domains of single- or dual-spanning lysosomal membrane proteins.

The NPC1 protein: structure implies function

Niemann-Pick type C (NPC) is a lysosomal storage disorder, characterized by intracellular accumulation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-derived cholesterol and neurodegeneration leading to premature death. The most common form of the disease, NPC1, results from mutations in the NPC1 gene. Thus, the NPC1 protein is the focus of intense investigation to elucidate the function of this protein and its role in the disease pathogenesis. Recent studies have revealed the NPC1 subcellular location, topology and potential functions of the NPC1 protein. In lieu of direct experimental evidence, certain hypotheses about the function of NPC1 can be inferred by analyzing disease-causing mutations, NPC1 protein sequence homology to other related proteins, and the potential tertiary structure similarity between NPC1 and its prokaryotic ancestors, such as the E. coli RND permease AcrB. This review will discuss recent work on the characterization and function of the NPC1 protein and highlight structural features that may be important in assisting in the elucidation of NPC1 function and role in subcellular lipid transport and homeostasis.

Transthyretin interacts with the lysosome-associated membrane protein (LAMP-1) in circulation

LAMP-1 (lysosome-associated membrane protein), a major glycoprotein present in the lysosomal membrane, constitutes up to 50% of total membrane proteins. LAMP-1, expressed at the plasma membrane, is reported to be the major molecule expressing the sialyl-Lewis X antigen. Two forms of LAMP-1 exist; the full-length LAMP-1 [LAMP-1 (+Tail)] has a highly glycosylated lumenal domain, a membrane-spanning domain and a short cytoplasmic tail, and the truncated LAMP-1 [LAMP-1 (-Tail)] contains only the lumenal domain. Soluble LAMP-1 (+/-Tail) has been reported in circulation. LAMP-1 at the cell surface has been shown to interact with E-selectin and galectin and is proposed to function in cell-cell interactions. However, the functional role(s) of soluble LAMP-1 in circulation is unclear. To investigate the functional role of soluble LAMP-1 in circulation, recombinant LAMP-1 (-Tail) and LAMP-1 (+Tail) were produced in HT1080 cells. Two immune-quantification assays were developed to distinguish between the LAMP-1 forms. The interaction and aggregation properties of the different LAMP-1 forms were investigated using the immune-quantification assays. Only LAMP-1 (+Tail) was found to aggregate and interact with plasma proteins. Plasma proteins that interact with LAMP-1 were isolated by affinity chromatography with either the recombinant LAMP-1 (-Tail) or a synthesized peptide consisting of the 14 amino acids of the LAMP-1 cytoplasmic tail. Transthyretin was found to interact with the cytoplasmic tail of LAMP-1. Transthyretin exists as a homotetramer in plasma, as such may play a role in the aggregation of LAMP-1 in circulation.

Membrane-bound fatty acid desaturases are inserted co-translationally into the ER and contain different ER retrieval motifs at their carboxy termini

Fatty acid desaturases (FADs) play a prominent role in plant lipid metabolism and are located in various subcellular compartments, including the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). To investigate the biogenesis of ER-localized membrane-bound FADs, we characterized the mechanisms responsible for insertion of Arabidopsis FAD2 and Brassica FAD3 into ER membranes and determined the molecular signals that maintain their ER residency. Using in vitro transcription/translation reactions with ER-derived microsomes, we show that both FAD2 and FAD3 are efficiently integrated into membranes by a co-translational, translocon-mediated pathway. We also demonstrate that while the C-terminus of FAD3 (-KSKIN) contains a functional prototypic dilysine ER retrieval motif, FAD2 contains a novel C-terminal aromatic amino acid-containing sequence (-YNNKL) that is both necessary and sufficient for maintaining localization in the ER. Co-expression of a membrane-bound reporter protein containing the FAD2 C-terminus with a dominant-negative mutant of ADP-ribosylation factor (Arf)1 abolished transient localization of the reporter protein in the Golgi, indicating that the FAD2 peptide signal acts as an ER retrieval motif. Mutational analysis of the FAD2 ER retrieval signal revealed a sequence-specific motif consisting of Phi-X-X-K/R/D/E-Phi-COOH, where -Phi- are large hydrophobic amino acid residues. Interestingly, this aromatic motif was present in a variety of other known and putative ER membrane proteins, including cytochrome P450 and the peroxisomal biogenesis factor Pex10p. Taken together, these data describe the insertion and retrieval mechanisms of FADs and define a new ER localization signal in plants that is responsible for the retrieval of escaped membrane proteins back to the ER.

Cloning and characterization of the mouse homologue of the human dendritic cell maturation marker CD208/DC-LAMP

DC-LAMP, a member of the lysosomal-associated membrane protein (LAMP) family, is specifically expressed by human dendritic cells (DC) upon activation and therefore serves as marker of human DC maturation. DC-LAMP is detected first in activated human DC within MHC class II molecules-containing compartments just before the translocation of MHC class II-peptide complexes to the cell surface, suggesting a possible involvement in this process. The present study describes the cloning and characterization of mouse DC-LAMP, whose predicted protein sequence is over 50% identical to the human counterpart. The mouse DC-LAMP gene spans over 25 kb and shares syntenic chromosomal localization (16B2-B4 and 3q26) and conserved organization with the human DC-LAMP gene. Analysis of mouse DC-LAMP mRNA and protein revealed the expression in lung peripheral cells, but also its unexpected absence from mouse lymphoid organs and from mouse DC activated either in vitro or in vivo. In conclusion, mouse DC-LAMP is not a marker of mature mouse DC and this observation raises new questions regarding the role of human DC-LAMP in human DC.

Selective plasma membrane permeabilization by freeze-thawing and immunofluorescence epitope access to determine the topology of intracellular membrane proteins

The structural and functional characterization of membrane proteins includes assessment of their topology in the bilayer. In the present work, we successfully used an approach based on comparative epitope accessibility. The classical method of detergent permeabilization of fixed cells allowed antibodies to detect epitopes distributed at either side of each cellular membrane by immunofluorescent staining. Instead, freeze-thawing followed by fixation allowed antibodies to cross only the plasma membrane whereas all intracellular membranes remained impermeable. By combining the immunofluorescence results achieved with these two methods for a variety of known membrane proteins, we showed that epitope accessibility could be accurately determined in proteins residing in the plasma membrane or in intracellular compartments, including the endoplasmic reticulum, lysosomes, peroxisomes, different Golgi regions and the nucleus. Freeze-thawing neither changed the expected distribution of each tested protein nor permeabilized intracellular membranes to antibodies. It only permeabilized the plasma membrane. Furthermore, the protocol proved to be efficient in different kinds of cells, which include MDCK and FRT polarized epithelial cells, HeLa cells and fibroblasts. If the complete topology of an integral membrane protein is known, this method would allow to assign an orientation to epitopes recognized by a panel of monoclonal antibodies. It also avoids the use of toxic reagents for permeabilization. Thus, selective permeabilization of the plasma membrane by freeze-thawing provides an inexpensive and reliable method to investigate the topology of membrane proteins as well as the distribution of soluble proteins.

A novel method of imaging lysosomes in living human mammary epithelial cells

Cancer cells invade by secreting degradative enzymes which, under normal conditions, are sequestered in lysosomal vesicles. The ability to noninvasively label lysosomes and track lysosomal trafficking would be extremely useful to understand the mechanisms by which degradative enzymes are secreted in the presence of pathophysiological environments, such as hypoxia and acidic extracellular pH, which are frequently encountered in solid tumors. In this study, a novel method of introducing a fluorescent label into lysosomes of human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs) was evaluated. Highly glycosylated lysosomal membrane proteins were labeled with a newly synthesized compound, 5-dimethylamino-naphthalene-1-sulfonic acid 5-amino-3,4,6-trihydroxy-tetrahydro-pyran-2-ylmethyl ester (6-O-dansyl-GlcNH2). The ability to optically image lysosomes using this new probe was validated by determining the colocalization of the fluorescence from the dansyl group with immunofluorescent staining of two well-established lysosomal marker proteins, LAMP-1 and LAMP-2. The location of the dansyl group in lysosomes was also verified by using an anti-dansyl antibody in Western blots of lysosomes isolated using isopycnic density gradient centrifugation. This novel method of labeling lysosomes biosynthetically was used to image lysosomes in living HMECs perfused in a microscopy-compatible cell perfusion system.

Presence of detergent-resistant microdomains in lysosomal membranes

We examined the association of acetyl-CoA:alpha-glucosaminide N-acetyltransferase, a lysosomal enzyme participating in the degradation of heparan sulfate with other components of the lysosomal membrane. We prepared lysosomal membranes from human placenta and treated them with zwitterionic and non-ionic detergents. Membrane proteins were solubilized either in the presence of CHAPS at room temperature or of Triton X-100 at 4 degrees C. The CHAPS-containing extract was subjected to gel filtration in a column with the nominal size exclusion of 0.6 MDa. Under these conditions the enzyme fractionated near the void volume. To examine the association of the enzyme with detergent-resistant lipid microdomains, the extract that had been prepared with Triton X-100 was subjected to flotation in a density gradient medium. After centrifugation, a major portion of the activity of the acetyltransferase was found at the top of the gradient along with the bulk of alkaline phosphatase. Alkaline phosphatase is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein; possibly a contaminant in the lysosomal fraction originating from the plasma membrane and adventitiously an internal control for the flotation in the gradient. In contrast, acetyltransferase is a genuine lysosomal protein that obligatorily spans the membrane since it transfers acetyl residues from acetyl-CoA in cytosol to glucosaminyl residues in heparan sulfate fragments in the lysosomal matrix. To our knowledge this is the first report on association of a lysosomal membrane protein with detergent-resistant membrane microdomains or rafts.

Structural gene organization and evolutionary aspects of the V-ATPase accessory subunit Ac45

The vacuolar H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) is a multisubunit enzyme that couples ATP hydrolysis to proton pumping across membranes. The intracellular targeting and activity of the V-ATPase may be regulated via proteins that interact with the pump such as the accessory subunit Ac45. Here we report the isolation and characterization of the gene encoding Ac45. This single-copy gene is located in a gene-dense region of chromosome Xq and consists of 10 exons spanning approximately 8 kb in the mouse and human genomes. The gene structure is poorly conserved in that its invertebrate orthologs of Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster encompass only six and four exons extending over 4.1 and 2.1 kb, respectively. Furthermore, the overall degree of amino acid sequence identity between the mammalian and invertebrate Ac45 proteins is very low (<18%), except for a surprisingly highly conserved putative targeting motif in the carboxy-terminal region. Primer extension analysis revealed that the mouse Ac45 gene contains two major transcription initiation sites. The start sites are not preceded by a clear CAAT-box and are located in a CpG island. The most downstream start site contains a TATA-box and transcriptional regulatory elements such as PEA-3, F2F, Maz and Sp1. The limited number of regulatory DNA elements common in the genes encoding Ac45 and V-ATPase subunits suggests a differential regulation of these genes. Together with the finding that Ac45 appears to occur only in multicellular organisms, these results indicate that this accessory subunit directs the V-ATPase to specialized and complex vacuolar systems.

A phosphorylated cytoplasmic autoantigen, GW182, associates with a unique population of human mRNAs within novel cytoplasmic speckles

A novel human cellular structure has been identified that contains a unique autoimmune antigen and multiple messenger RNAs. This complex was discovered using an autoimmune serum from a patient with motor and sensory neuropathy and contains a protein of 182 kDa. The gene and cDNA encoding the protein indicated an open reading frame with glycine-tryptophan (GW) repeats and a single RNA recognition motif. Both the patient's serum and a rabbit serum raised against the recombinant GW protein costained discrete cytoplasmic speckles designated as GW bodies (GWBs) that do not overlap with the Golgi complex, endosomes, lysosomes, or peroxisomes. The mRNAs associated with GW182 represent a clustered set of transcripts that are presumed to reside within the GW complexes. We propose that the GW ribonucleoprotein complex is involved in the posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression by sequestering a specific subset of gene transcripts involved in cell growth and homeostasis.