The role of palmitoylation of the guanine nucleotide binding protein G11 alpha in defining interaction with the plasma membrane

Protein expression of prenyltransferase subunits in postmortem schizophrenia dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

The pathophysiology of schizophrenia includes altered neurotransmission, dysregulated intracellular signaling pathway activity, and abnormal dendritic morphology that contribute to deficits of synaptic plasticity in the disorder. These processes all require dynamic protein-protein interactions at cell membranes. Lipid modifications target proteins to membranes by increasing substrate hydrophobicity by the addition of a fatty acid or isoprenyl moiety, and recent evidence suggests that dysregulated posttranslational lipid modifications may play a role in multiple neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. Consistent with these emerging findings, we have recently reported decreased protein S-palmitoylation in schizophrenia. Protein prenylation is a lipid modification that occurs upstream of S-palmitoylation on many protein substrates, facilitating membrane localization and activity of key intracellular signaling proteins. Accordingly, we hypothesized that, in addition to palmitoylation, protein prenylation may be abnormal in schizophrenia. To test this, we assayed protein expression of the five prenyltransferase subunits (FNTA, FNTB, PGGT1B, RABGGTA, and RABGGTB) in postmortem dorsolateral prefrontal cortex from patients with schizophrenia and paired comparison subjects (n = 13 pairs). We found decreased levels of FNTA (14%), PGGT1B (13%), and RABGGTB (8%) in schizophrenia. To determine whether upstream or downstream factors may be driving these changes, we also assayed protein expression of the isoprenoid synthases FDPS and GGPS1 and prenylation-dependent processing enzymes RCE and ICMT. We found these upstream and downstream enzymes to have normal protein expression. To rule out effects from chronic antipsychotic treatment, we assayed FNTA, PGGT1B, and RABGGTB in the cortex from rats treated long-term with haloperidol decanoate and found no change in the expression of these proteins. Given the role prenylation plays in localization of key signaling proteins found at the synapse, these data offer a potential mechanism underlying abnormal protein-protein interactions and protein localization in schizophrenia.

Effects of Post-translational Modifications on Membrane Localization and Signaling of Prostanoid GPCR-G Protein Complexes and the Role of Hypoxia

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play a pivotal role in the adaptive responses to cellular stresses such as hypoxia. In addition to influencing cellular gene expression profiles, hypoxic microenvironments can perturb membrane protein localization, altering GPCR effector scaffolding and altering downstream signaling. Studies using proteomics approaches have revealed significant regulation of GPCR and G proteins by their state of post-translational modification. The aim of this review is to examine the effects of post-translational modifications on membrane localization and signaling of GPCR-G protein complexes, with an emphasis on vascular prostanoid receptors, and to highlight what is known about the effect of cellular hypoxia on these mechanisms. Understanding post-translational modifications of protein targets will help to define GPCR targets in treatment of disease, and to inform research into mechanisms of hypoxic cellular responses.

G protein-membrane interactions II: Effect of G protein-linked lipids on membrane structure and G protein-membrane interactions

G proteins often bear myristoyl, palmitoyl and isoprenyl moieties, which favor their association with the membrane and their accumulation in G Protein Coupled Receptor-rich microdomains. These lipids influence the biophysical properties of membranes and thereby modulate G protein binding to bilayers. In this context, we showed here that geranylgeraniol, but neither myristate nor palmitate, increased the inverted hexagonal (H_II) phase propensity of phosphatidylethanolamine-containing membranes. While myristate and palmitate preferentially associated with phosphatidylcholine membranes, geranylgeraniol favored nonlamellar-prone membranes. In addition, Gαi₁ monomers had a higher affinity for lamellar phases, while Gβγ and Gαβγ showed a marked preference for nonlamellar prone membranes. Moreover, geranylgeraniol enhanced the binding of G protein dimers and trimers to phosphatidylethanolamine-containing membranes, yet it decreased that of monomers. By contrast, both myristate and palmitate increased the Gαi₁ preference for lamellar membranes. Palmitoylation reinforced the binding of the monomer to PC membranes and myristoylation decreased its binding to PE-enriched bilayer. Finally, binding of dimers and trimers to lamellar-prone membranes was decreased by palmitate and myristate, but it was increased in nonlamellar-prone bilayers. These results demonstrate that co/post-translational G protein lipid modifications regulate the membrane lipid structure and that they influence the physico-chemical properties of membranes, which in part explains why G protein subunits sort to different plasma membrane domains. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Membrane Lipid Therapy: Drugs Targeting Biomembranes edited by Pablo V. Escribá.

Proteomic and redox-proteomic analysis of berberine-induced cytotoxicity in breast cancer cells

Berberine is a natural product isolated from herbal plants such as Rhizoma coptidis which has been shown to have anti-neoplastic properties. However, the effects of berberine on the behavior of breast cancers are largely unknown. To determine if berberine might be useful in the treatment of breast cancer and its cytotoxic mechanism, we analyzed the impact of berberine treatment on differential protein expression and redox regulation in human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 using lysine- and cysteine-labeling two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) combined with mass spectrometry (MS). This study demonstrated that 96 and 22 protein features were significantly changed in protein expression and thiol reactivity, respectively and revealed that berberine-induced cytotoxicity in breast cancer cells involves dysregulation of protein folding, proteolysis, redox regulation, protein trafficking, cell signaling, electron transport, metabolism and centrosomal structure. Our work shows that this combined proteomic strategy provides a rapid method to study the molecular mechanisms of berberine-induced cytotoxicity in breast cancer cells. The identified targets may be useful for further evaluation as potential targets in breast cancer therapy.

Site-specific analysis of protein S-acylation by resin-assisted capture

Protein S-acylation is a major posttranslational modification whereby a cysteine thiol is converted to a thioester. A prototype is S-palmitoylation (fatty acylation), in which a protein undergoes acylation with a hydrophobic 16 carbon lipid chain. Although this modification is a well-recognized determinant of protein function and localization, current techniques to study cellular S-acylation are cumbersome and/or technically demanding. We recently described a simple and robust methodology to rapidly identify S-nitrosylation sites in proteins via resin-assisted capture (RAC) and provided an initial description of the applicability of the technique to S-acylated proteins (acyl-RAC). Here we expand on the acyl-RAC assay, coupled with mass spectrometry-based proteomics, to characterize both previously reported and novel sites of endogenous S-acylation. Acyl-RAC should therefore find general applicability in studies of both global and individual protein S-acylation in mammalian cells.

Palmitoylation participates in G protein coupled signal transduction by affecting its oligomerization

Much in vivo and in vitro evidence has shown that the alpha subunits of heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) exist as oligomers in their base state and disaggregate when being activated. In this article, the influence of palmitoylation modification of Galpha(o) on its oligomerization was explored extensively. Galpha(o) protein was expressed and purified from Escherichia coli strain JM109 cotransformed with pQE60(Galpha(o)) and pBB131(N-myristoyltransferase). Non-denaturing gel electrophoresis analysis revealed that Galpha(o) existed to a small extent as monomers but mostly as oligomers including dimers, trimers, tetramers and pentamers which could disaggregate completely into monomers by GTPgammaS stimulation. Palmitoylated Galpha(o), on the other hand, only present as oligomers that were difficult to disaggregate into monomers. The effect of palmitoylation on oligomerization of Galpha(o) was further investigated by several other biochemical and biophysical methods including gel filtration chromatography, analytical ultracentrifugation and atomic force microscopy analysis. The results consistently demonstrated that palmitoylation facilitated oligomerization of the Galpha(o) protein. Autoradiography indicated that [(14)C]-palmitoylated Galpha(o) would in no case disaggregate into monomers after treatment with GTPgammaS. [(35)S]-GTPgammaS binding activity assay showed that palmitoylated Galpha(o) was saturated at only 7.8 nmol/mg compared to 21.8 nmol/mg for non-palmitoylated Galpha(o). Fluorescent quenching studies using BODIPY FL-GTPgammaS as a probe showed that the conformation of GTP-binding domain of Galpha(o) tended to become more compact after palmitoylation. These results implied that palmitoylation may regulate the GDP/GTP exchange of Galpha(o) by influencing the oligomerization state of Galpha(o) and thereby modulate the on-off switch of the G protein in G protein-coupled signal transduction.

Degradation of the non-palmitoylated invertebrate visual guanine-nucleotide binding protein, iGq alpha(C3,4A), by the ubiquitin-proteasomal pathway is regulated by its activation and translocation to the cytoplasm

Light-dependent translocation of invertebrate visual guanine-nucleotide binding protein, iGq alpha, from rhabdomeric membranes to the cytoplasm is one of many mechanisms that contribute to light adaptation in the invertebrate eye. We have previously cloned iGq alpha from a Loligo pealei photoreceptor cDNA library and shown that when expressed in HEK 293T cells it is palmitoylated. In this study we compared the activation, cytoplasmic translocation, and turnover of iGq alpha with that of a non-palmitoylated mutant, iGq alpha(C3,4A). In the HEK 293T cells, muscarinic M1 receptors coupled equally well to iGq alpha and iGq alpha(C3,4A) to activate phospholipase C. Activation of iGq alpha(C3,4A), but not iGq alpha, induced translocation of the alpha subunit from the membrane to cytosol with rapid degradation of the soluble protein resulting in a decreased half-life for iGq alpha(C3,4A) of 10 hours compared to 20 hours for iGq alpha. Degradation of iGq alpha(C3,4A) was inhibited by proteasomal inhibitors but not by inhibitors of lysosomal proteases or calpain. The presence of the proteasomal inhibitor led to the accumulation of polyubiquitinated species of either iGq alpha or iGq alpha(C3,4A). Our results suggest that palmitoylation of iGq alpha is required to maintain membrane association of the protein in its active conformation, and whereas membrane-bound and soluble iGq alpha can be polyubiquitinated, membrane association protects the protein from rapid degradation by the proteasomal pathway.

Proteasome involvement in the degradation of the G(q) family of Galpha subunits

Metabolically unstable proteins are involved in a multitude of regulatory networks, including those that control cell signaling, the cell cycle and in many responses to physiological stress. In the present study, we have determined the stability and characterized the degradation process of some members of the G(q) class of heterotrimeric G proteins. Pulse-chase experiments in HEK293 cells indicated a rapid turnover of endogenously expressed Galpha(q) and overexpressed Galpha(q) and Galpha(16) subunits. Pretreatment with proteasome inhibitors attenuated the degradation of both G alpha subunits. In contrast, pretreatment of cells with inhibitors of lysosomal proteases and nonproteasomal cysteine proteases had very little effect on the stability of the proteins. Significantly, the turnover of these proteins is not affected by transient activation of their associated receptors. Fractionation studies showed that the rates of Galpha(q) and Galpha16 degradation are accelerated in the cytosol. In fact, we show that a mutant Galpha(q) which lacks its palmitoyl modification site, and which is localized almost entirely in the cytoplasm, has a marked increase in the rate of degradation. Taken together, these results suggest that the G(q) class proteins are degraded through the proteasome pathway and that cellular localization and/or other protein interactions determine their stability.

Functional interactions between the alpha1b-adrenoceptor and Galpha11 are compromised by de-palmitoylation of the G protein but not of the receptor

Both the alpha1b-adrenoceptor and Galpha11 are targets for post-translational thio-acylation that is regulated by agonist occupancy of the receptor [P.A. Stevens, J. Pediani, J.J. Carrillo, G. Milligan, J. Biol. Chem. 276 (2001) 35883]. In co-expression studies mutation of the sites of thio-acylation in the G protein or treatment of cell membranes with hydroxylamine greatly reduced agonist stimulation of guanosine 5'-[gamma-[35S]thio]triphosphate ([35S]GTPgammaS) binding. In alpha1b-adrenoceptor-Galpha11 fusion proteins mutation of thio-acylation sites in receptor or G protein did not alter the binding affinity of the antagonist [3H]prazosin or the agonist phenylephrine. Although the potency of phenylephrine to stimulate binding of [35S]GTPgammaS to alpha1b-adrenoceptor-Galpha11 fusion proteins was unaffected by the thio-acylation potential of either element, the maximal effect was reduced by some 50% when the G protein but not the receptor was mutated to prevent thio-acylation. This reflected lack of thio-acylation of the G protein rather than mutation of Cys9 and Cys10 to Ser because treatment with hydroxylamine mimicked this in fusions containing the wild type G protein but was without effect in those mutated to prevent thio-acylation. Mutation to reduce binding of beta/gamma to Galpha11 markedly reduced phenylephrine stimulation of [35S]GTPgammaS binding. Combination of mutations to prevent thio-acylation and beta/gamma binding did not, however, have an additive effect on [35S]GTPgammaS binding. These results indicate that the thio-acylation status of the alpha1b-adrenoceptor does not regulate G protein activation whereas thio-acylation of Galpha11 plays a key role in activation by the receptor beyond providing membrane association and proximity.

Role of palmitoylation/depalmitoylation reactions in G-protein-coupled receptor function

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) constitute one of the largest protein families in the human genome. They are subject to numerous post-translational modifications, including palmitoylation. This review highlights the dynamic nature of palmitoylation and its role in GPCR expression and function. The palmitoylation of other proteins involved in GPCR signaling, such as G-proteins, regulators of G-protein signaling, and G-protein-coupled receptor kinases, is also discussed.

Subcellular shifts of trimeric G-proteins following activation of baker's yeast by glucose

Addition of glucose to a resting cell suspension of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was accompanied by marked shifts of the G alpha-protein subunits from the plasma membrane to the cell interior. This process was rapid with half-times between < 10 and 20 s. The decrease of the plasma membrane pool of the Gi alpha/Go alpha- and Gq alpha/Gl 1 alpha-protein subunits correlated with an increase in acid-sensitive forms of these proteins which was recovered in the mitochondrial and/or lysosomal membrane fraction. In contrast to cells from higher organisms glucose-stimulated yeast exhibits an extremely rapid type of the redistribution (internalization). The question remains open as to the functional significance of the internalized forms of the G-proteins as these remain sequestered from the plasma membrane well after glucose has been consumed.

N-terminal N-myristoylation of proteins: prediction of substrate proteins from amino acid sequence

Myristoylation by the myristoyl-CoA:protein N-myristoyltransferase (NMT) is an important lipid anchor modification of eukaryotic and viral proteins. Automated prediction of N-terminal N-myristoylation from the substrate protein sequence alone is necessary for large-scale sequence annotation projects but it requires a low rate of false positive hits in addition to a sufficient sensitivity. Our previous analysis of substrate protein sequence variability, NMT sequences and 3D structures has revealed motif properties in addition to the known PROSITE motif that are utilized in a new predictor described here. The composite prediction function (with separate ad hoc parameterization (a) for queries from non-fungal eukaryotes and their viruses and (b) for sequences from fungal species) consists of terms evaluating amino acid type preferences at sequences positions close to the N terminus as well as terms penalizing deviations from the physical property pattern of amino acid side-chains encoded in multi-residue correlation within the motif sequence. The algorithm has been validated with a self-consistency and two jack-knife tests for the learning set as well as with kinetic data for model substrates. The sensitivity in recognizing documented NMT substrates is above 95 % for both taxon-specific versions. The corresponding rate of false positive prediction (for sequences with an N-terminal glycine residue) is close to 0.5 %; thus, the technique is applicable for large-scale automated sequence database annotation. The predictor is available as public WWW-server with the URL http://mendel.imp.univie.ac.at/myristate/. Additionally, we propose a version of the predictor that identifies a number of proteolytic protein processing sites at internal glycine residues and that evaluates possible N-terminal myristoylation of the protein fragments.A scan of public protein databases revealed new potential NMT targets for which the myristoyl modification may be of critical importance for biological function. Among others, the list includes kinases, phosphatases, proteasomal regulatory subunit 4, kinase interacting proteins KIP1/KIP2, protozoan flagellar proteins, homologues of mitochondrial translocase TOM40, of the neuronal calcium sensor NCS-1 and of the cytochrome c-type heme lyase CCHL. Analyses of complete eukaryote genomes indicate that about 0.5 % of all encoded proteins are apparent NMT substrates except for a higher fraction in Arabidopsis thaliana ( approximately 0.8 %).

Potentiation of GPCR-signaling via membrane targeting of G protein alpha subunits

Different assay technologies are available that allow ligand occupancy of G protein coupled receptors to be converted into robust functional assay signals. Of particular interest are universal screening systems such that activation of any GPCR can be detected with a common assay end point. The promiscuous G protein Galpha16 and chimeric G proteins are broadly used tools for setting up almost universal assay systems. Many efforts focused on making G proteins more promiscuous, however no attempts have been made to make promiscuos G proteins more sensitive by interfering with their cellular protein distribution. As a model system, we used a promiscuous G protein alphaq subunit, that lacks the highly conserved six amino acid N-terminal extension and bears four residues of alphai sequence at its C-terminus replacing the corresponding alphaq sequence (referred to as delta6qi4). When expressed in COS7 cells, delta6qi4 undergoes palmitoylation at its N-terminus. Cell fractionation and immunoblotting analysis indicated localization in the particulate and cytosolic fraction. Interestingly, introduction of a consensus site for N-terminal myristoylation (the resulting mutant referred to as delta6qi4myr) created a protein that was dually acylated and exclusively located in the particulate fraction. As a measure of G protein activation delta6qi4 and delta6qi4myr were coexpressed (in CHO cells) with a series of different Gi/o coupled receptors and ligand induced increases in intracellular Ca2+ release were determined with the FLIPR technology (Fluorescence plate imaging reader from Molecular Devices Corp.). All of the receptors interacted more efficiently with delta6qi4myr as compared with delta6qi4. It could be shown that increased functional responses of agonist activated GPCRs are due to the higher content of delta6qi4myr in the plasma membrane. Our results indicate that manipulation of subcellular localization of G protein alpha subunits-moving them from the cytosol to the plasma membrane-potentiates signaling of agonist activated GPCRs. It is concluded that addition of myristoylation sites into otherwise exclusively palmitoylated G proteins is a new and sensitive approach and may be applicable when functional assays are expected to yield weak signals as is the case when screening extracts of tissues for biologically active GPCR ligands.

Coordinated agonist regulation of receptor and G protein palmitoylation and functional rescue of palmitoylation-deficient mutants of the G protein G11alpha following fusion to the alpha1b-adrenoreceptor: palmitoylation of G11alpha is not required for interaction with beta*gamma complex

Transfection of either the alpha(1b)-adrenoreceptor or Galpha(11) into a fibroblast cell line derived from a Galpha(q)/Galpha(11) double knockout mouse failed to produce elevation of intracellular [Ca(2+)] upon the addition of agonist. Co-expression of these two polypeptides, however, produced a significant stimulation. Co-transfection of the alpha(1b)-adrenoreceptor with the palmitoylation-resistant C9S,C10S Galpha(11) also failed to produce a signal, and much reduced and kinetically delayed signals were obtained using either C9S Galpha(11) or C10S Galpha(11). Expression of a fusion protein between the alpha(1b)-adrenoreceptor and Galpha(11) allowed [Ca(2+)](i) elevation, and this was also true for a fusion protein between the alpha(1b)-adrenoreceptor and C9S,C10S Galpha(11), since this strategy ensures proximity of the two polypeptides at the cell membrane. For both fusion proteins, co-expression of transducin alpha, as a beta.gamma-sequestering agent, fully attenuated the Ca(2+) signal. Both of these fusion proteins and one in which an acylation-resistant form of the receptor was linked to wild type Galpha(11) were also targets for agonist-regulated [(3)H]palmitoylation and bound [(35)S]guanosine 5'-3-O-(thio)triphosphate (GTPgammaS) in an agonist concentration-dependent manner. The potency of agonist to stimulate [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding was unaffected by the palmitoylation potential of either receptor or G protein. These studies provide clear evidence for coordinated, agonist-mediated regulation of the post-translational acylation of both a receptor and partner G protein and demonstrate the capacity of such fusions to bind and then release beta.gamma complex upon agonist stimulation whether or not the G protein can be palmitoylated. They also demonstrate that Ca(2+) signaling in EF88 cells by such fusion proteins is mediated via release of the G protein beta.gamma complex.

Agonist regulation of D(2) dopamine receptor/G protein interaction. Evidence for agonist selection of G protein subtype

The D(2) dopamine receptor has been expressed in Sf21 insect cells together with the G proteins G(o) and G(i2), using the baculovirus system. Expression levels of receptor and G protein (alpha, beta, and gamma subunits) in the two preparations were similar as shown by binding of [(3)H]spiperone and quantitative Western blot, respectively. For several agonists, binding data were fitted best by a two-binding site model in either preparation, showing interaction of expressed receptor and G protein. For some agonists, binding to the higher affinity site was of higher affinity in D(2)/G(o) than in the D(2)/G(i2) preparation. Some agonists exhibited binding data that were best fitted by a two-binding site model in D(2)/G(o) and a one-binding site model in D(2)/G(i2). Therefore, receptor/G protein interaction seemed to be stronger in the D(2)/G(o) preparation. Agonist stimulation of [(35)S]GTP gamma S (guanosine 5'-3-O-(thio)triphosphate) binding in the two preparations also gave evidence for higher affinity D(2)/G(o) interaction. In the D(2)/G(o) preparation, agonist stimulation of [(35)S]GTP gamma S binding occurred at higher potency for several agonists, and a higher stimulation (relative to dopamine) was achieved in D(2)/G(o) compared with D(2)/G(i2). Some agonists were able to stimulate [(35)S]GTP gamma S binding in the D(2)/G(o) preparation but not in D(2)/G(i2). The extent of D(2) receptor selectivity for G(o) over G(i2) is therefore dependent on the agonist used, and thus agonists may stabilize different conformations of the receptor with different abilities to couple to and activate G proteins.

Visualization of a functional Galpha q-green fluorescent protein fusion in living cells. Association with the plasma membrane is disrupted by mutational activation and by elimination of palmitoylation sites, but not be activation mediated by receptors or AlF4-

To investigate how G protein alpha subunit localization is regulated under basal and activated conditions, we inserted green fluorescent protein (GFP) into an internal loop of Galpha(q). alpha(q)-GFP stimulates phospholipase C in response to activated receptors and inhibits betagamma-dependent activation of basal G protein-gated inwardly rectifying K(+) currents as effectively as alpha(q) does. Association of alpha(q)-GFP with the plasma membrane is reduced by mutational activation and eliminated by mutation of the alpha(q) palmitoylation sites, suggesting that alpha(q) must be in the inactive, palmitoylated state to be targeted to this location. We tested the effects of activation by receptors and by AlF(4)(-) on the localization of alpha(q)-GFP in cells expressing both alpha(q)-GFP and a protein kinase Cgamma-red fluorescent protein fusion that translocates to the plasma membrane in response to activation of G(q). In cells that clearly exhibit protein kinase Cgamma-red fluorescent protein translocation responses, relocalization of alpha(q)-GFP is not observed. Thus, under conditions associated with palmitate turnover and betagamma dissociation, alpha(q)-GFP remains associated with the plasma membrane. These results suggest that upon reaching the plasma membrane alpha(q) receives an anchoring signal in addition to palmitoylation and association with betagamma, or that during activation, one or both of these factors continues to retain alpha(q) in this location.

Regulation of galpha i palmitoylation by activation of the 5-hydroxytryptamine-1A receptor

Nearly all alpha subunits of heterotrimeric GTP-binding regulatory proteins (G proteins) are palmitoylated at cysteine residues near the N terminus. A regulated cycle of palmitoylation could provide a mechanism for modulating G protein signaling by affecting protein interactions and localization of the subunit. In the present studies we utilized both [(3)H]palmitate incorporation and pulse-chase techniques to address the dynamics of alpha(i) palmitoylation in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Both techniques demonstrated a dose- and time-dependent change in [(3)H]palmitate labeling of alpha(i) upon activation of stably expressed 5-hydroxytryptamine-1A receptors by the agonist (+/-)-2-dipropylamino-8-hydroxy-1,2,3, 4-tetrahydronaphthalene hydrobromide (DPAT), with an EC(50) of approximately 10 nm. For the incorporation assay, DPAT elicited an approximate doubling in labeling at the earliest time point measured. For the pulse-chase assay, DPAT promoted a significant loss of radiolabel almost equally as fast. These data demonstrate that the exchange of palmitate on alpha(i) is increased upon stimulation of 5-hydroxytryptamine-1A receptors through the combined processes of depalmitoylation and palmitoylation. These results provide the basis for extending the concept of regulated exchange of palmitate beyond G(s) and provide a framework for exploring the specific functional attributes of the palmitoylated and depalmitoylated forms of subunit.

Activation of the beta(2)-adrenergic receptor-Galpha(s) complex leads to rapid depalmitoylation and inhibition of repalmitoylation of both the receptor and Galpha(s)

Palmitoylation is unique among lipid modifications in that it is reversible. In recent years, dynamic palmitoylation of G protein alpha subunits and of their cognate receptors has attracted considerable attention. However, very little is known concerning the acylation/deacylation cycle of the proteins in relation to their activity status. In particular, the relative contribution of the activation and desensitization of the signaling unit to the regulation of the receptors and G proteins palmitoylation state is unknown. To address this issue, we took advantage of the fact that a fusion protein composed of the stimulatory alpha subunit of trimeric G protein (Galpha(s)) covalently attached to the beta(2)-adrenergic receptor (beta(2)AR) as a carboxyl-terminal extension (beta(2)AR-Galpha(s)) can be stimulated by agonists but does not undergo rapid inactivation, desensitization, or internalization. When expressed in Sf9 cells, both the receptor and the Galpha(s) moieties of the fusion protein were found to be palmitoylated via thioester linkage. Stimulation with the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol led to a rapid depalmitoylation of both the beta(2)AR and Galpha(s) and inhibited repalmitoylation. The extent of depalmitoylation induced by a series of agonists was correlated (0.99) with their intrinsic efficacy to stimulate the adenylyl cyclase activity. However, forskolin-stimulated cAMP production did not affect the palmitoylation state of beta(2)AR-Galpha(s), indicating that the agonist-promoted depalmitoylation is linked to conformational changes and not to second messenger generation. Given that, upon activation, the fusion protein mimics the activated receptor-G protein complex but cannot undergo desensitization, the data demonstrate that early steps in the activation process lead to the depalmitoylation of both receptor and G protein and that repalmitoylation requires later events that cannot be accommodated by the activated fusion protein.

Agonist-induced translocation of Gq/11alpha immunoreactivity directly from plasma membrane in MDCK cells

Both Gsalpha and Gqalpha are palmitoylated and both can move from a crude membrane fraction to a soluble fraction in response to stimulation with agonists. This response may be mediated through depalmitoylation. Previous studies have not demonstrated that endogenous guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein (G protein) alpha-subunits are released directly from the plasma membrane. We have examined the effect of agonist stimulation on the location of Gq/11alpha immunoreactivity in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Bradykinin (BK; 0.1 microM) caused Gq/11alpha, but not Gialpha, to rapidly translocate from purified plasma membranes to the supernatant. AlF and GTP also caused translocation of Gq/11alpha immunoreactivity from purified plasma membranes. BK caused translocation of Gq/11alpha immunoreactivity in intact cells from the basal and lateral plasma membranes to an intracellular compartment as assessed by confocal microscopy. Thus Gq/11alpha is released directly from the plasma membrane to an intracellular location in response to activation by an agonist and direct activation of G proteins. G protein translocation may be a mechanism for desensitization or for signaling specificity.

Structure-function analysis of muscarinic receptors and their associated G proteins

Each member of the muscarinic receptor family (M1-M5) can interact only with a limited subset of the many structurally closely related heterotrimeric G proteins expressed within a cell. To understand how this selectivity is achieved at a molecular level, we have used the G(i/0)-coupled M2 and the Gq/11-coupled M3 muscarinic receptors as model systems. We developed a genetic strategy involving the coexpression of wild type or mutant muscarinic receptors with hybrid or mutant G protein alpha subunits to identify specific, functionally relevant receptor/G protein contact sites. This approach led to the identification of N- and C-terminal amino acids on alpha(q) and alpha(i) that are critical for maintaining proper receptor/G protein coupling. Moreover, several receptor sites were identified that are likely to be contacted by these functionally critical G alpha residues. To gain deeper insight into muscarinic receptor structure, we recently developed a cysteine disulfide cross-linking strategy, using the M3 muscarinic receptor as a model system. Among other structural modifications, this approach involves the removal of most native cysteine residues by site-directed mutagenesis, the insertion of three factor Xa cleavage sites into the third intracellular loop, and systematic 'reintroduction' of pairs of cysteine residues. Following treatment of receptor-containing membrane preparations with factor Xa and oxidizing agents, disulfide cross-linked products can be identified by immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting studies. This approach should greatly advance our knowledge of the molecular architecture of muscarinic and other G protein-coupled receptors.

Functional characterization of a series of mutant G protein alphaq subunits displaying promiscuous receptor coupling properties

The N termini of two G protein alpha subunits, alphaq and alpha11, differ from those of other alpha subunits in that they display a unique, highly conserved six-amino acid extension (MTLESI(M)). We recently showed that an alphaq deletion mutant lacking these six amino acids (in contrast to wild type alphaq) was able to couple to several different Gs- and Gi/o-coupled receptors, apparently due to promiscuous receptor/G protein coupling (Kostenis, E., Degtyarev, M. Y., Conklin, B. R., and Wess, J. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 19107-19110). To study which specific amino acids within the N-terminal segment of alphaq/11 are critical for constraining the receptor coupling selectivity of these subunits, this region of alphaq was subjected to systematic deletion and alanine scanning mutagenesis. All mutant alphaq constructs (or wild type alphaq as a control) were coexpressed (in COS-7 cells) with the m2 muscarinic or the D2 dopamine receptors, two prototypical Gi/o-coupled receptors, and ligand-induced increases in inositol phosphate production were determined as a measure of G protein activation. Surprisingly, all 14 mutant G proteins studied (but not wild type alphaq) gained the ability to productively interact with the two Gi/o-linked receptors. Similar results were obtained when we examined the ability of selected mutant alphaq subunits to couple to the Gs-coupled beta2-adrenergic receptor. Additional experiments indicated that the functional promiscuity displayed by all investigated mutant alphaq constructs was not due to overexpression (as compared with wild type alphaq), lack of palmitoylation, or initiation of translation at a downstream ATG codon (codon seven). These data are consistent with the notion that the six-amino acid extension characteristic for alphaq/11 subunits forms a tightly folded protein subdomain that is critical for regulating the receptor coupling selectivity of these subunits.

Quantitative analysis of a cysteine351glycine mutation in the G protein Gi1alpha: effect on alpha2A-adrenoceptor-Gi1alpha fusion protein activation

Fusion proteins were constructed between the porcine alpha2A-adrenoceptor and either wild-type (Cys351) or a pertussis toxin-resistant (Gly351) form of the G protein Gi1alpha. Addition of adrenaline to membranes expressing the fusion proteins resulted in concentration-dependent stimulation of their high affinity GTPase activity. The alpha2A-adrenoceptor-wild type Gi1alpha fusion protein produced substantially higher maximal stimulation of GTPase activity in response to adrenaline than that containing Gly351 Gi1alpha. Treatment of the fusion proteins as agonist-regulated enzymes allowed measurement of Vmax and turnover number for adrenaline-stimulation of the GTPase activity of each fusion construct. The turnover number of the alpha2A-adrenoceptor-Cys351 Gly Gi1alpha fusion protein was only 44'S, of that for the alpha2A-adrenoceptor-wild type Gi1alpha fusion protein. These data provide the first direct quantitative evaluation of the effects of a mutation of a G protein on the capacity of an agonist-occupied receptor to activate the mutant.

Galpha12 requires acylation for its transforming activity

The alpha subunit of the heterotrimeric G protein G12, harboring a mutation in the GTP binding domain (Q229L), behaves as a potent oncogene in NIH 3T3 cells. This alpha subunit, like most other G protein alpha subunits, undergoes palmitoylation, the reversible posttranslational addition of palmitate to cysteine residues. We investigated the role of palmitoylation of alpha12 in membrane localization and transformation efficiency and whether another lipid modification, myristoylation, could substitute for palmitoylation. NIH 3T3 cells were stably transfected with plasmids that expressed the wild-type alpha12, the constitutively active Q229L (QL) mutant, and mutants in which C11 was changed to S (C11S) and S2 and R6 were changed to G and S, respectively (S2G). Incorporation of [3H]palmitate was found in the endogenous and expressed alpha12 but not in the C11S mutants. Incorporation of [3H]myristate was found only in the S2G mutants. The wild type, QL mutant, and all the acylation mutants were found in the particulate fraction. Cells expressing the nonpalmitoylated C11S,QL mutant did not undergo transformation. The S2G mutation in the nonpalmitoylated C11S,QL mutant restored the transformation efficiency to a greater level than that of the palmitoylated QL mutant as measured by foci formation, growth in soft agar, and growth rate. Palmitoylation was critical for the transformation efficiency of alpha12 but not specifically required because myristoylation could substitute for these functions.

Plasma membrane localization of G alpha z requires two signals

Three covalent attachments anchor heterotrimeric G proteins to cellular membranes: the alpha subunits are myristoylated and/or palmitoylated, whereas the gamma chain is prenylated. Despite the essential role of these modifications in membrane attachment, it is not clear how they cooperate to specify G protein localization at the plasma membrane, where the G protein relays signals from cell surface receptors to intracellular effector molecules. To explore this question, we studied the effects of mutations that prevent myristoylation and/or palmitoylation of an epitope-labeled alpha subunit, alpha z. Wild-type alpha z (alpha z-WT) localizes specifically at the plasma membrane. A mutant that incorporates only myristate is mistargeted to intracellular membranes, in addition to the plasma membrane, but transduces hormonal signals as well as does alpha z-WT. Removal of the myristoylation site produced a mutant alpha z that is located in the cytosol, is not efficiently palmitoylated, and does not relay the hormonal signal. Coexpression of beta gamma with this myristoylation defective mutant transfers it to the plasma membrane, promotes its palmitoylation, and enables it to transmit hormonal signals. Pulse-chase experiments show that the palmitate attached to this myristoylation-defective mutant turns over much more rapidly than does palmitate on alpha z-WT, and that the rate of turnover is further accelerated by receptor activation. In contrast, receptor activation does not increase the slow rate of palmitate turnover on alpha z-WT. Together these results suggest that myristate and beta gamma promote stable association with membranes not only by providing hydrophobicity, but also by stabilizing attachment of palmitate. Moreover, palmitoylation confers on alpha z specific localization at the plasma membrane.

A cysteine-3 to serine mutation of the G-protein Gi1 alpha abrogates functional activation by the alpha 2A-adrenoceptor but not interactions with the beta gamma complex

Pertussis toxin-resistant (C351G) and also palmitoylation-negative (C3S/C351G), myristoylation-negative (G2A/C351G) and combined acylation-negative (G2A/C3S/C351G) forms of the G-protein Gi1 alpha were expressed in COS-7 cells along with the porcine alpha 2A-adrenoceptor. G2A/C3S/C351G Gi1 alpha and G2A/C351G Gi1 alpha were largely cytosolic and failed to interact with the agonist-occupied alpha 2A-adrenoceptor in membrane preparations. In contrast, C351G Gi1 alpha was almost entirely particulate and the alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist UK14304 caused a marked stimulation of its GTPase activity and binding of [35S]GTP gamma S which was not prevented by pertussis toxin treatment of the cells. C3S/C351G Gi1 alpha was present in both the particulate and cytosolic fractions but the GTPase activity of the membrane bound fraction was only slightly activated by the alpha 2A-adrenoceptor. Coexpression of C3S/C351G Gi1 alpha and the alpha 2A-adrenoceptor along with beta 1 and gamma 2 subunits increased the P2 membrane complement of the alpha subunit and increased substantially the ratio of membrane bound to cytosolic protein. However, this also failed to allow marked stimulation of high-affinity GTPase activity by the alpha 2A-adrenoceptor despite the increased proportion of G-protein in the P2 membrane fraction. Despite the low fractional activation of C3S/C351G Gi1 alpha by the alpha 2A-adrenoceptor compared to C351G Gi1 alpha, the palmitoylation-resistant G-protein caused a marked reduction in pertussis toxin-resistant, agonist (UK14304)-mediated stimulation of adenylyl cyclase activity. UK14304 caused the same degree of effect on adenylyl cyclase activity in pertussis toxin-treated cells following transfection of the same amounts of C351G Gi1 alpha and C3S/C351G Gi1 alpha, as both appear to act to sequester beta gamma subunits. By contrast, neither G2A/C351G Gi1 alpha nor G2A/C3S/C351G Gi1 alpha resulted in effective regulation of adenylyl cyclase activity.

The N-terminal extension of Galphaq is critical for constraining the selectivity of receptor coupling

Characteristically, an individual member of the superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors can interact only with a limited number of the many structurally closely related G protein heterotrimers that are expressed within a cell. Interestingly, the N termini of two G protein alpha subunits, Galphaq and Galpha11, differ from those of other alpha subunits in that they display a unique, highly conserved six-amino acid extension. To test the hypothesis that this sequence element is critical for proper receptor recognition, we prepared a Galphaq deletion mutant (-6q) lacking these first six amino acids. The -6q construct (or wild type Galphaq as a control) was coexpressed (in COS-7 cells) with several different Gi/o- or Gs-coupled receptors, and ligand-induced increases in inositol phosphate production were determined as a measure of G protein activation. Whereas these receptors did not efficiently interact with wild type Galphaq, most of them gained the ability to productively couple to -6q. Additional experiments indicated that the observed functional promiscuity of -6q is not due to overexpression (as compared with wild type Galphaq) or to a lack of palmitoylation. We conclude that the N-terminal extension characteristic for Galphaq/11 proteins is critical for constraining the receptor coupling selectivity of these subunits, indicative of a novel mechanism by which the fidelity of receptor-G protein interactions can be regulated.

The stoichiometry of G alpha(s) palmitoylation in its basal and activated states

Palmitoylation is the dynamic modification of proteins by the addition of palmitate to cysteine residues. The alpha subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins undergo palmitoylation on their amino terminus, and activation of alpha(s) accelerates its palmitate turnover. In previous studies, palmitoylation was assessed by incorporation or turnover of [3H]palmitate. These studies did not determine the fraction of alpha(s) that is palmitoylated because the specific activity of [3H]palmitoyl-CoA within cells is indeterminate. We developed an HPLC method to determine the fraction of alpha(s) that was palmitoylated in the basal and activated states. COS and S49 cells were radiolabeled with [35S]methionine, and alpha(s) was immunoprecipitated from the particulate fraction. The immunoprecipitated proteins were separated by reverse phase HPLC into two peaks that were determined to contain the modified and unmodified forms of alpha(s). Approximately 77% of the endogenous alpha(s) in COS cells and 70% in S49 lymphoma cells were palmitoylated. The fraction of alpha(s) that was modified did not change after treatment with isoproterenol, a beta-adrenergic receptor agonist that causes turnover of palmitate on alpha(s). These results suggest that receptor activation of alpha(s) caused a rapid turnover of palmitate to maintain most of alpha(s) in its palmitoylated form.

Interaction of the G-protein G11alpha with receptors and phosphoinositidase C: the contribution of G-protein palmitoylation and membrane association

Wild-type and palmitoylation defective mutants of the murine G protein G11alpha were transfected into HEK293 cells. Wild-type G11alpha was membrane associated, Cys9Ser Cys10Ser G11alpha was present in the soluble fraction whilst both Cys9Ser G11alpha and Cys10Ser G11alpha were distributed between the fractions. Expression of the rat TRH receptor resulted in agonist stimulation of inositol phosphate accumulation. The degree of stimulation produced by TRH following co-transfection of the palmitoylation-resistant forms of G11alpha compared to the wild-type protein correlated with the amount of membrane-associated G protein.

Reversible palmitoylation of signaling proteins

Palmitoylation is unique among lipid modifications of proteins in that it is reversible and regulable. Recent advances in the study of palmitoylation include the following: the correlation of this modification with the localization of a signaling protein to specific membrane subdomains; the demonstration of a specific protein-protein interaction that is promoted by palmitoylation; and the identification, characterization, and purification of enzymes catalyzing this modification.

Importance of the different beta subunits in the membrane expression of the alpha1A and alpha2 calcium channel subunits: studies using a depolarization-sensitive alpha1A antibody

The plasma membrane expression of the rat brain calcium channel subunits alpha1A, alpha2-delta and the beta subunits beta1b, beta2a, beta3b and beta4 was examined by transient expression in COS-7 cells. Neither alpha1A nor alpha2-delta localized to the plasma membrane, either alone or when coexpressed. However, coexpression of alpha1A or alpha2-delta/alpha1A with any of the beta subunits caused alpha1A and alpha2 to be targetted to the plasma membrane. The alpha1A antibody is directed against an exofacial epitope at the mouth of the pore, which is not exposed unless cells are depolarized, both for native alpha1A channels in dorsal root ganglion neurons and for alpha1A expressed with a beta subunit. This subsidiary result provides evidence that either channel opening or inactivation causes a conformational change at the mouth of the pore of alpha1A. Immunostaining for alpha1A was obtained in depolarized non-permeabilized cells, indicating correct orientation in the membrane only when it was coexpressed with a beta subunit. In contrast, beta1b and beta2a were associated with the plasma membrane when expressed alone. However, this is not a prerequisite to target alpha1A to the membrane since beta3 and beta4 alone showed no differential localization, but did direct the translocation of alpha1A to the plasma membrane, suggesting a chaperone role for the beta subunits.

Myristoylation

N-myristoylation is an acylation process absolutely specific to the N-terminal amino acid glycine in proteins. This maturation process concerns about a hundred proteins in lower and higher eukaryotes involved in oncogenesis, in secondary cellular signalling, in infectivity of retroviruses and, marginally, of other virus types. Thy cytosolic enzyme responsible for this activity, N-myristoyltransferase (NMT), studied since 1987, has been purified from different sources. However, the studies of the specificities of the various NMTs have not progressed in detail except for those relating to the yeast cytosolic enzyme. Still to be explained are differences in species specificity and between various putative isoenzymes, also whether the data obtained from the yeast enzyme can be transposed to other NMTs. The present review discusses data on the various addressing processes subsequent to myristoylation, a patchwork of pathways that suggests myristoylation is only the first step of the mechanisms by which a protein associates with the membrane. Concerning the enzyme itself, there are evidences that NMT is also present in the endoplasmic reticulum and that its substrate specificity is different from that of the cytosolic enzyme(s). These differences have major implications for their differential inhibition and for their respective roles in several pathologies. For instance, the NMTs from mammalians are clearly different from those found in several microorganisms, which raises the question whether the NMT may be a new targets for fungicides. Finally, since myristoylation has a central role in virus maturation and oncogenesis, specific NMT inhibitors might lead to potent antivirus and anticancer agents.

Simple purification and functional reconstitution of octopus photoreceptor Gq, which couples rhodopsin to phospholipase C

In invertebrate photoreceptors, illuminated rhodopsin activates multiple G proteins, which are assumed to initiate multiple phototransduction cascades. In this paper, we focused on one of the phototransduction cascades, which utilizes rhodopsin, a Gq-like G protein, and phospholipase C (PLC). A Gq-like G protein from octopus photoreceptors was successfully purified to apparent homogeneity as an active form by simple two-step chromatography. The purified G protein had an alpha beta gamma-trimeric structure consisting of 44-kDa alpha, 37-kDa beta, and 9-kDa gamma subunits. The 44-kDa alpha subunit was assigned to the Gq class by western blot with antiserum against mammalian Gq alpha and by partial amino acid sequencing of its proteolytic fragments. Light-dependent binding of GTP gamma S was observed when the purified octopus Gq was reconstituted with octopus rhodopsin that had been integrated into phospholipid vesicles. Octopus Gq activated PLC beta 1 purified from bovine brain dose-dependently in the presence of A1F4-. Finally, light- and GTP-dependent activation of PLC beta 1 was observed in a reconstitution system consisting of octopus rhodopsin, Gq, and bovine PLC beta 1.

Regulation of cellular signalling by fatty acid acylation and prenylation of signal transduction proteins

Covalent modification by fatty acylation and prenylation occurs on a wide variety of cellular signalling proteins. The enzymes that catalyze attachment of these lipophilic moieties to proteins have recently been identified and characterized. Each lipophilic group confers unique properties to the modified protein, resulting in alterations in protein/protein interactions, membrane binding and targeting, and intracellular signalling. The biochemistry and cell biology of protein myristoylation, farnesylation and geranylgeranylation is reviewed here, with emphasis on the Src family of tyrosine kinases, Ras proteins and G protein coupled signalling systems.

Lipid-modified, cysteinyl-containing peptides of diverse structures are efficiently S-acylated at the plasma membrane of mammalian cells

A variety of cysteine-containing, lipid-modified peptides are found to be S-acylated by cultured mammalian cells. The acylation reaction is highly specific for cysteinyl over serinyl residues and for lipid-modified peptides over hydrophilic peptides. The S-acylation process appears by various criteria to be enzymatic and resembles the S-acylation of plasma membrane-associated proteins in various characteristics, including inhibition by tunicamycin. The substrate range of the S-acylation reaction encompasses, but is not limited to, lipopeptides incorporating the motifs myristoylGC- and -CXC(farnesyl)-OCH3, which are reversibly S-acylated in various intracellular proteins. Mass-spectrometric analysis indicates that palmitoyl residues constitute the predominant but not the only type of S-acyl group coupled to a lipopeptide carrying the myristoylGC- motif, with smaller amounts of S-stearoyl and S-oleoyl substituents also detectable. Fluorescence microscopy using NBD-labeled cysteinyl lipopeptides reveals that the products of lipopeptide S-acylation, which cannot diffuse between membranes, are in almost all cases localized preferentially to the plasma membrane. This preferential localization is found even at reduced temperatures where vesicular transport from the Golgi complex to the plasma membrane is suppressed, strongly suggesting that the plasma membrane itself is the preferred site of S-acylation of these species. Uniquely among the lipopeptides studied, species incorporating an unphysiological N-myristoylcysteinyl- motif also show substantial formation of S-acylated products in a second, intracellular compartment identified as the Golgi complex by its labeling with a fluorescent ceramide. Our results suggest that distinct S-acyltransferases exist in the Golgi complex and plasma membrane compartments and that S-acylation of motifs such as myristoylGC- occurs specifically at the plasma membrane, affording efficient targeting of cellular proteins bearing such motifs to this membrane compartment.

Heterotrimeric G proteins

Over the past year, the thrust of work in the field of heterotrimeric G proteins has been primarily in the following areas: first, resolution of their three-dimensional structures by X-ray crystallography; second, elucidation of the effect of lipid modifications on the Galpha and Ggamma subunits; third, understanding the role of the Gbetagamma dimer in stimulation of a variety of effectors following receptor activation; and fourth, identification of the points of contact among the Galpha, Gbeta, and Ggamma subunits, and between these subunits and their cognate receptor or effector molecules.