Bovine brain cytosol contains three immunologically distinct forms of inositolphospholipid-specific phospholipase C

Regulation of calcium entry by cyclic GMP signaling in Toxoplasma gondii

Ca2+ signaling impacts almost every aspect of cellular life. Ca2+ signals are generated through the opening of ion channels that permit the flow of Ca2+ down an electrochemical gradient. Cytosolic Ca2+ fluctuations can be generated through Ca2+ entry from the extracellular milieu or release from intracellular stores. In Toxoplasma gondii, Ca2+ ions play critical roles in several essential functions for the parasite, like invasion of host cells, motility, and egress. Plasma membrane Ca2+ entry in T. gondii was previously shown to be activated by cytosolic calcium and inhibited by the voltage-operated Ca2+ channel blocker nifedipine. However, Ca2+ entry in T. gondii did not show the classical characteristics of store regulation. In this work, we characterized the mechanism by which cytosolic Ca2+ regulates plasma membrane Ca2+ entry in extracellular T. gondii tachyzoites loaded with the Ca2+ indicator Fura-2. We compared the inhibition by nifedipine with the effect of the broad spectrum TRP channel inhibitor, anthranilic acid or ACA, and we find that both inhibitors act on different Ca2+ entry activities. We demonstrate, using pharmacological and genetic tools, that an intracellular signaling pathway engaging cyclic GMP, protein kinase G, Ca2+, and the phosphatidyl inositol phospholipase C affects Ca2+ entry and we present a model for crosstalk between cyclic GMP and cytosolic Ca2+ for the activation of T. gondii's lytic cycle traits.

TMEM16A activation for the fast block to polyspermy in the African clawed frog does not require conventional activation of egg PLCs

Fertilization of an egg by more than one sperm, a condition known as polyspermy, leads to gross chromosomal abnormalities and is embryonic lethal for most animals. Consequently, eggs have evolved multiple processes to stop supernumerary sperm from entering the nascent zygote. For external fertilizers, such as frogs and sea urchins, fertilization signals a depolarization of the egg membrane, which serves as the fast block to polyspermy. Sperm can bind to, but will not enter, depolarized eggs. In eggs from the African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis, the fast block depolarization is mediated by the Ca2+-activated Cl- channel TMEM16A. To do so, fertilization activates phospholipase C, which generates IP3 to signal a Ca2+ release from the ER. Currently, the signaling pathway by which fertilization activates PLC during the fast block remains unknown. Here, we sought to uncover this pathway by targeting the canonical activation of the PLC isoforms present in the X. laevis egg: PLCγ and PLCβ. We observed no changes to the fast block in X. laevis eggs inseminated in inhibitors of tyrosine phosphorylation, used to stop activation of PLCγ, or inhibitors of Gαq/11 pathways, used to stop activation of PLCβ. These data suggest that the PLC that signals the fast block depolarization in X. laevis is activated by a novel mechanism.

Gαq signalling from endosomes: A new conundrum

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) constitute the largest family of membrane receptors, and are involved in the transmission of a variety of extracellular stimuli such as hormones, neurotransmitters, light and odorants into intracellular responses. They regulate every aspect of physiology and, for this reason, about one third of all marketed drugs target these receptors. Classically, upon binding to their agonist, GPCRs are thought to activate G-proteins from the plasma membrane and to stop signalling by subsequent desensitisation and endocytosis. However, accumulating evidence indicates that, upon internalisation, some GPCRs can continue to activate G-proteins in endosomes. Importantly, this signalling from endomembranes mediates alternative cellular responses other than signalling at the plasma membrane. Endosomal G-protein signalling and its physiological relevance have been abundantly documented for Gαs - and Gαi -coupled receptors. Recently, some Gαq -coupled receptors have been reported to activate Gαq on endosomes and mediate important cellular processes. However, several questions relative to the series of cellular events required to translate endosomal Gαq activation into cellular responses remain unanswered and constitute a new conundrum. How are these responses in endosomes mediated in the quasi absence of the substrate for the canonical Gαq -activated effector? Is there another effector? Is there another substrate? If so, how does this alternative endosomal effector or substrate produce a downstream signal? This review aims to unravel and discuss these important questions, and proposes possible routes of investigation.

Phospholipase C: underrated players in microbial infections

During bacterial infections, one or more virulence factors are required to support the survival, growth, and colonization of the pathogen within the host, leading to the symptomatic characteristic of the disease. The outcome of bacterial infections is determined by several factors from both host as well as pathogen origin. Proteins and enzymes involved in cellular signaling are important players in determining the outcome of host-pathogen interactions. phospholipase C (PLCs) participate in cellular signaling and regulation by virtue of their ability to hydrolyze membrane phospholipids into di-acyl-glycerol (DAG) and inositol triphosphate (IP3), which further causes the activation of other signaling pathways involved in various processes, including immune response. A total of 13 PLC isoforms are known so far, differing in their structure, regulation, and tissue-specific distribution. Different PLC isoforms have been implicated in various diseases, including cancer and infectious diseases; however, their roles in infectious diseases are not clearly understood. Many studies have suggested the prominent roles of both host and pathogen-derived PLCs during infections. PLCs have also been shown to contribute towards disease pathogenesis and the onset of disease symptoms. In this review, we have discussed the contribution of PLCs as a determinant of the outcome of host-pathogen interaction and pathogenesis during bacterial infections of human importance.

Phospholipase C families: Common themes and versatility in physiology and pathology

Phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase Cs (PLCs) are expressed in all mammalian cells and play critical roles in signal transduction. To obtain a comprehensive understanding of these enzymes in physiology and pathology, a detailed structural, biochemical, cell biological and genetic information is required. In this review, we cover all these aspects to summarize current knowledge of the entire superfamily. The families of PLCs have expanded from 13 enzymes to 16 with the identification of the atypical PLCs in the human genome. Recent structural insights highlight the common themes that cover not only the substrate catalysis but also the mechanisms of activation. This involves the release of autoinhibitory interactions that, in the absence of stimulation, maintain classical PLC enzymes in their inactive forms. Studies of individual PLCs provide a rich repertoire of PLC function in different physiologies. Furthermore, the genetic studies discovered numerous mutated and rare variants of PLC enzymes and their link to human disease development, greatly expanding our understanding of their roles in diverse pathologies. Notably, substantial evidence now supports involvement of different PLC isoforms in the development of specific cancer types, immune disorders and neurodegeneration. These advances will stimulate the generation of new drugs that target PLC enzymes, and will therefore open new possibilities for treatment of a number of diseases where current therapies remain ineffective.

Intracellular acidification facilitates receptor-operated TRPC4 activation through PLCδ1 in a Ca2+ -dependent manner

KEY POINTS

Receptor-operated activation of TRPC4 cation channels requires G_i/o proteins and phospholipase-Cδ1 (PLCδ1) activation by intracellular Ca²⁺ . Concurrent stimulation of the G_q/11 pathway accelerates G_i/o activation of TRPC4, which is not mimicked by increasing cytosolic Ca²⁺ . The kinetic effect of G_q/11 was diminished by alkaline intracellular pH (pH_i ) and increased pH_i buffer capacity. Acidic pH_i (6.75-6.25) together with the cytosolic Ca²⁺ rise accelerated G_i/o -mediated TRPC4 activation. Protons exert their facilitation effect through Ca²⁺ -dependent activation of PLCδ1. The data suggest that the G_q/11 -PLCβ pathway facilitates G_i/o activation of TRPC4 through hydrolysing phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP₂ ) to produce the initial proton signal that triggers a self-propagating PLCδ1 activity supported by regenerative H⁺ and Ca²⁺ . The findings provide novel mechanistic insights into receptor-operated TRPC4 activation by coincident G_q/11 and G_i/o pathways and shed light on how aberrant activation of TRPC4 may occur under pathological conditions to cause cell damage.

ABSTRACT

Transient Receptor Potential Canonical 4 (TRPC4) forms non-selective cation channels activated downstream from receptors that signal through G proteins. Our recent work suggests that TRPC4 channels are particularly coupled to pertussis toxin-sensitive G_i/o proteins, with a co-dependence on phospholipase-Cδ1 (PLCδ1). The G_i/o -mediated TRPC4 activation is dually dependent on and bimodally regulated by phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP₂ ), the substrate hydrolysed by PLC, and intracellular Ca²⁺ . As a byproduct of PLC-mediated PIP₂ hydrolysis, protons have been shown to play an important role in the activation of Drosophila TRP channels. However, how intracellular pH affects mammalian TRPC channels remains obscure. Here, using patch-clamp recordings of HEK293 cells heterologously co-expressing mouse TRPC4β and the G_i/o -coupled μ opioid receptor, we investigated the role of intracellular protons on G_i/o -mediated TRPC4 activation. We found that acidic cytosolic pH greatly accelerated the rate of TRPC4 activation without altering the maximal current density and this effect was dependent on intracellular Ca²⁺ elevation. However, protons did not accelerate channel activation by directly acting upon TRPC4. We additionally demonstrated that protons exert their effect through sensitization of PLCδ1 to Ca²⁺ , which in turn promotes PLCδ1 activity and further potentiates TRPC4 via a positive feedback mechanism. The mechanism elucidated here helps explain how G_i/o and G_q/11 co-stimulation induces a faster activation of TRPC4 than G_i/o activation alone and highlights again the critical role of PLCδ1 in TRPC4 gating.

Phospholipase C

Phospholipase C (PLC) family members constitute a family of diverse enzymes. Thirteen different family members have been cloned. These family members have unique structures that mediate various functions. Although PLC family members all appear to signal through the bi-products of cleaving phospholipids, it is clear that each family member, and at times each isoform, contributes to unique cellular functions. This chapter provides a review of the current literature on PLC. In addition, references have been provided for more in-depth information regarding areas that are not discussed including tyrosine kinase activation of PLC. Understanding the roles of the individual PLC enzymes, and their distinct cellular functions, will lead to a better understanding of the physiological roles of these enzymes in the development of diseases and the maintenance of homeostasis.

A catalytic career: Studies spanning glutamine synthetase, phospholipase C, peroxiredoxin, and the intracellular messenger role of hydrogen peroxide

I learned biochemistry from P. Boon Chock and Earl Stadtman while working on the regulation of Escherichia coli glutamine synthetase as a postdoctoral fellow at the National Institutes of Health. After becoming a tenured scientist at the same institute, my group discovered, purified, and cloned the first three prototypical members of the phospholipase C family and uncovered the mechanisms by which various cell-surface receptors activate these enzymes to generate diacylglycerol and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate. We also discovered the family of peroxiredoxin (Prx) enzymes that catalyze the reduction of H₂O₂, and we established that mammalian cells express six Prx isoforms that not only protect against oxidative damage but also mediate cell signaling by modulating intracellular H₂O₂ levels. To validate the signaling role of H₂O₂, we showed that epidermal growth factor induces a transient increase in intracellular H₂O₂ levels, and the essential cysteine residue of protein-tyrosine phosphatases is a target for specific and reversible oxidation by the H₂O₂ produced in such cells. These observations led to a new paradigm in receptor signaling, in which protein tyrosine phosphorylation is achieved not via activation of receptor tyrosine kinases alone but also through concurrent inhibition of protein-tyrosine phosphatases by H₂O₂ Our studies revealed that Prx isozymes are extensively regulated via phosphorylation as well as by hyperoxidation of the active-site cysteine to cysteine sulfinic acid, with the reverse reaction being catalyzed by sulfiredoxin. This reversible hyperoxidation of Prx was further shown to constitute a universal marker for circadian rhythms in all domains of life.

Intramolecular electrostatic interactions contribute to phospholipase Cβ3 autoinhibition

Phospholipase Cβ (PLCβ) enzymes regulate second messenger production following the activation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Under basal conditions, these enzymes are maintained in an autoinhibited state by multiple elements, including an insertion within the catalytic domain known as the X-Y linker. Although the PLCβ X-Y linker is variable in sequence and length, its C-terminus is conserved and features an acidic stretch, followed by a short helix. This helix interacts with residues near the active site, acting as a lid to sterically prevent substrate binding. However, deletions that remove the acidic stretch of the X-Y linker increase basal activity to the same extent as deletion of the entire X-Y linker. Thus, the acidic stretch may be the linchpin in autoinhibition mediated by the X-Y linker. We used site-directed mutagenesis and biochemical assays to investigate the importance of this acidic charge in mediating PLCβ3 autoinhibition. Loss of the acidic charge in the X-Y linker increases basal activity and decreases stability, consistent with loss of autoinhibition. However, introduction of compensatory electrostatic mutations on the surface of the PLCβ3 catalytic domain restore activity to basal levels. Thus, intramolecular electrostatics modulate autoinhibition by the X-Y linker.

Charge Shielding of PIP2 by Cations Regulates Enzyme Activity of Phospholipase C

Hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) of the plasma membrane by phospholipase C (PLC) generates two critical second messengers, inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate and diacylglycerol. For the enzymatic reaction, PIP2 binds to positively charged amino acids in the pleckstrin homology domain of PLC. Here we tested the hypothesis that positively charged divalent and multivalent cations accumulate around the negatively charged PIP2, a process called electrostatic charge shielding, and therefore inhibit electrostatic PIP2-PLC interaction. This charge shielding of PIP2 was measured quantitatively with an in vitro enzyme assay using WH-15, a PIP2 analog, and various recombinant PLC proteins (β1, γ1, and δ1). Reduction of PLC activity by divalent cations, polyamines, and neomycin was well described by a theoretical model considering accumulation of cations around PIP2 via their electrostatic interaction and chemical binding. Finally, the charge shielding of PIP2 was also observed in live cells. Perfusion of the cations into cells via patch clamp pipette reduced PIP2 hydrolysis by PLC as triggered by M1 muscarinic receptors with a potency order of Mg2+ < spermine4+ < neomycin6+. Accumulation of divalent cations into cells through divalent-permeable TRPM7 channel had the same effect. Altogether our results suggest that Mg2+ and polyamines modulate the activity of PLCs by controlling the amount of free PIP2 available for the enzymes and that highly charged biomolecules can be inactivated by counterions electrostatically.

Costimulation of AMPA and metabotropic glutamate receptors underlies phospholipase C activation by glutamate in hippocampus

Glutamate, a major neurotransmitter in the brain, activates ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs and mGluRs, respectively). The two types of glutamate receptors interact with each other, as exemplified by the modulation of iGluRs by mGluRs. However, the other way of interaction (i.e., modulation of mGluRs by iGluRs) has not received much attention. In this study, we found that group I mGluR-specific agonist (RS)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) alone is not sufficient to activate phospholipase C (PLC) in rat hippocampus, while glutamate robustly activates PLC. These results suggested that additional mechanisms provided by iGluRs are involved in group I mGluR-mediated PLC activation. A series of experiments demonstrated that glutamate-induced PLC activation is mediated by mGluR5 and is facilitated by local Ca(2+) signals that are induced by AMPA-mediated depolarization and L-type Ca(2+) channel activation. Finally, we found that PLC and L-type Ca(2+) channels are involved in hippocampal mGluR-dependent long-term depression (mGluR-LTD) induced by paired-pulse low-frequency stimulation, but not in DHPG-induced chemical LTD. Together, we propose that AMPA receptors initiate Ca(2+) influx via the L-type Ca(2+) channels that facilitate mGluR5-PLC signaling cascades, which underlie mGluR-LTD in rat hippocampus.

Phosphoinositides: tiny lipids with giant impact on cell regulation

Phosphoinositides (PIs) make up only a small fraction of cellular phospholipids, yet they control almost all aspects of a cell's life and death. These lipids gained tremendous research interest as plasma membrane signaling molecules when discovered in the 1970s and 1980s. Research in the last 15 years has added a wide range of biological processes regulated by PIs, turning these lipids into one of the most universal signaling entities in eukaryotic cells. PIs control organelle biology by regulating vesicular trafficking, but they also modulate lipid distribution and metabolism via their close relationship with lipid transfer proteins. PIs regulate ion channels, pumps, and transporters and control both endocytic and exocytic processes. The nuclear phosphoinositides have grown from being an epiphenomenon to a research area of its own. As expected from such pleiotropic regulators, derangements of phosphoinositide metabolism are responsible for a number of human diseases ranging from rare genetic disorders to the most common ones such as cancer, obesity, and diabetes. Moreover, it is increasingly evident that a number of infectious agents hijack the PI regulatory systems of host cells for their intracellular movements, replication, and assembly. As a result, PI converting enzymes began to be noticed by pharmaceutical companies as potential therapeutic targets. This review is an attempt to give an overview of this enormous research field focusing on major developments in diverse areas of basic science linked to cellular physiology and disease.

Phospholipase C

Phospholipase C (PLC) family members constitute a family of diverse enzymes. Thirteen different family members have been cloned. These family members have unique structures that mediate diverse functions. Although PLC family members all appear to signal through the bi-products of cleaving phospholipids, it is clear that each family member, and at times each isoform, contributes to unique cellular functions. This chapter provides a review of the current literature. In addition, references have been provided for more in depth information regarding areas that are discussed. Ultimately, understanding the roles of the individual PLC enzymes, and their distinct cellular functions, will lead to a better understanding of the development of diseases and the maintenance of homeostasis.

The phospholipase C isozymes and their regulation

The physiological effects of many extracellular neurotransmitters, hormones, growth factors, and other stimuli are mediated by receptor-promoted activation of phospholipase C (PLC) and consequential activation of inositol lipid signaling pathways. These signaling responses include the classically described conversion of phosphatidylinositol(4,5)P(2) to the Ca(2+)-mobilizing second messenger inositol(1,4,5)P(3) and the protein kinase C-activating second messenger diacylglycerol as well as alterations in membrane association or activity of many proteins that harbor phosphoinositide binding domains. The 13 mammalian PLCs elaborate a minimal catalytic core typified by PLC-d to confer multiple modes of regulation of lipase activity. PLC-b isozymes are activated by Gaq- and Gbg-subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins, and activation of PLC-g isozymes occurs through phosphorylation promoted by receptor and non-receptor tyrosine kinases. PLC-e and certain members of the PLC-b and PLC-g subclasses of isozymes are activated by direct binding of small G proteins of the Ras, Rho, and Rac subfamilies of GTPases. Recent high resolution three dimensional structures together with biochemical studies have illustrated that the X/Y linker region of the catalytic core mediates autoinhibition of most if not all PLC isozymes. Activation occurs as a consequence of removal of this autoinhibition.

Mechanism of phosphorylation-induced activation of phospholipase C-gamma isozymes

The lipase activity of most phospholipases C (PLCs) is basally repressed by a highly degenerate and mostly disordered X/Y linker inserted within the catalytic domain. Release of this auto-inhibition is driven by electrostatic repulsion between the plasma membrane and the electronegative X/Y linker. In contrast, PLC-γ isozymes (PLC-γ1 and -γ2) are structurally distinct from other PLCs because multiple domains are present in their X/Y linker. Moreover, although many tyrosine kinases directly phosphorylate PLC-γ isozymes to enhance their lipase activity, the underlying molecular mechanism of this activation remains unclear. Here we define the mechanism for the unique regulation of PLC-γ isozymes by their X/Y linker. Specifically, we identify the C-terminal SH2 domain within the X/Y linker as the critical determinant for auto-inhibition. Tyrosine phosphorylation of the X/Y linker mediates high affinity intramolecular interaction with the C-terminal SH2 domain that is coupled to a large conformational rearrangement and release of auto-inhibition. Consequently, PLC-γ isozymes link phosphorylation to phospholipase activation by elaborating upon primordial regulatory mechanisms found in other PLCs.

Phospholipase C isozymes: structural and functional similarities

Phospholipase C (PLC) is shown to comprise at least nine isoforms. These isoforms can be separated into three structurally related classes. Within a class the isozymes have similar enzymological properties. In the case of the PLC gamma class, both isoforms may be regulated by tyrosine phosphorylation. For PLC gamma 1 we show that the tyrosine phosphorylation sites are contained within the SH2/SH3 region or 'modulatory domain'. The overexpression of PLC gamma 1 in Rat-2 cells results in increased phosphatidylinositol breakdown in response to PDGF treatment, demonstrating that PLC gamma 1 mediates this response. We note that thrombin activates PLC gamma 1 in addition to other PLC isoforms.

Regulation of phosphoinositide and phosphatidylcholine phospholipases by G proteins

Two G proteins that regulate phosphoinositide phospholipase C in liver plasma membranes have been purified to homogeneity in both the heterotrimeric and dissociated forms. The heterotrimers contain a 42 kDa or 43 kDa alpha subunit and a 35 kDa beta subunit. The alpha subunits are not ADP-ribosylated by pertussis toxin and are closely related immunologically to members of the recently identified Gq class of G proteins. The specific phosphoinositide phospholipase C isozyme that responds to the G proteins has been determined to the beta 1 isozyme. GTP analogues stimulate phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis in rat liver plasma membranes. The nucleotide specificity and Mg2+ dependency of the response indicate that it is mediated by a G protein. Phosphatidic acid, diacylglycerol, choline and phosphorylcholine are the products, indicating that both phospholipase D and C activities are involved. Activation of phospholipase D is also indicated by the enhanced production of phosphatidyl-ethanol in the presence of ethanol.

Phospholipase C in living cells: activation, inhibition, Ca2+ requirement, and regulation of M current

We have further tested the hypothesis that receptor-mediated modulation of KCNQ channels involves depletion of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) by phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PLC). We used four parallel assays to characterize the agonist-induced PLC response of cells (tsA or CHO cells) expressing M1 muscarinic receptors: translocation of two fluorescent probes for membrane lipids, release of calcium from intracellular stores, and chemical measurement of acidic lipids. Occupation of M1 receptors activates PLC and consumes cellular PIP2 in less than a minute and also partially depletes mono- and unphosphorylated phosphoinositides. KCNQ current is simultaneously suppressed. Two inhibitors of PLC, U73122 and edelfosine (ET-18-OCH3), can block the muscarinic actions completely, including suppression of KCNQ current. However, U73122 also had many side effects that were attributable to alkylation of various proteins. These were mimicked or occluded by prior reaction with the alkylating agent N-ethylmaleimide and included block of pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins and effects that resembled a weak activation of PLC or an inhibition of lipid kinases. By our functional criteria, the putative PLC activator m-3M3FBS did stimulate PLC, but with a delay and an irregular time course. It also suppressed KCNQ current. The M1 receptor-mediated activation of PLC and suppression of KCNQ current were stopped by lowering intracellular calcium well below resting levels and were slowed by not allowing intracellular calcium to rise in response to PLC activation. Thus calcium release induced by PLC activation feeds back immediately on PLC, accelerating it during muscarinic stimulation in strong positive feedback. These experiments clarify important properties of receptor-coupled PLC responses and their inhibition in the context of the living cell. In each test, the suppression of KCNQ current closely paralleled the expected fall of PIP2. The results are described by a kinetic model.

Phospholipase Cbeta serves as a coincidence detector through its Ca2+ dependency for triggering retrograde endocannabinoid signal

Endocannabinoids mediate retrograde signal and modulate transmission efficacy at various central synapses. Although endocannabinoid release is induced by either depolarization or activation of G(q/11)-coupled receptors, it is markedly enhanced by the coincidence of depolarization and receptor activation. Here we report that this coincidence is detected by phospholipase Cbeta1 (PLCbeta1) in hippocampal neurons. By measuring cannabinoid-sensitive synaptic currents, we found that the receptor-driven endocannabinoid release was dependent on physiological levels of intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)), and markedly enhanced by depolarization-induced [Ca(2+)](i) elevation. Furthermore, we measured PLC activity in intact neurons by using exogenous TRPC6 channel as a biosensor for the PLC product diacylglycerol and found that the receptor-driven PLC activation exhibited similar [Ca(2+)](i) dependence to that of endocannabinoid release. Neither endocannabinoid release nor PLC activation was induced by receptor activation in PLCbeta1 knockout mice. We therefore conclude that PLCbeta1 serves as a coincidence detector through its Ca(2+) dependency for endocannabinoid release in hippocampal neurons.

Ca2+-dependent elevation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate level induced by freezing or homogenization of tissues and cells

Various cells and tissues contain high basal levels of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, raising questions about the functional significance of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate in some tissues such as the heart. We used intact tissue and isolated cells from heart and liver of adult rats to examine if different fixation procedures might artificially elevate the level of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate. The basal level of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate in intact, freeze-clamped cardiac tissue from adult rats was 10 times higher than in isolated, non-frozen cardiomyocytes, while freeze-clamped liver contained approximately 4 times higher inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate levels than isolated, non-frozen hepatocytes. Stimulation with norepinephrine induced a significant increase in the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate level in isolated cardiomyocytes, whereas no significant increase was observed in freeze-clamped cardiac tissue. Freezing of isolated cardiomyocytes or hepatocytes before extraction increased basal inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate levels 3 times. In cellular homogenates prepared in the presence of EGTA and stored at 4 degrees , readdition of calcium resulted in a time-dependent increase in inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate mass and a decrease in the mass of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP(2)). The reaction was essentially complete within 30 sec. in homogenates from cardiomyocytes, while PIP(2) hydrolysis was slower in hepatocyte homogenates. Perfusion of intact rat hearts with EGTA present during the last 2 min. of perfusion, followed by freeze-clamping, resulted in basal inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate levels comparable to those in isolated cardiomyocytes, and norepinephrine stimulation increased inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate mass by approximately 80%. The presence of EGTA did not significantly affect PIP(2) levels in perfused hearts. The results suggest that freezing or homogenization of intact tissue and isolated cells may result in Ca(2+)-dependent activation of phospholipase C, leading to high basal inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate levels that may mask agonist-induced changes.

Distinct phospholipase C-gamma-dependent signaling pathways in the Drosophila eye and wing are revealed by a new small wing allele

The Drosophila genome contains a single phospholipase C-gamma (PLC-gamma) homolog, encoded by small wing (sl), that acts as an inhibitor of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling during photoreceptor R7 development. Although the existing sl alleles behave genetically as nulls, they may still produce truncated Sl products that could in theory still provide limited PLC-gamma function. Both to identify a true null allele and to probe structure-function relationships in Sl, we carried out an F(1) screen for new sl mutations and identified seven new alleles. Flies homozygous for any of these alleles are viable, with the same short-wing phenotype described previously; however, two of the alleles differ from any of those previously isolated in the severity of the eye phenotype: sl(9) homozygotes have a slightly more extreme extra-R7 phenotype, whereas sl(7) homozygotes have an almost wild-type eye. We determined the mutant defect in all seven alleles, revealing that sl(9) is a molecular null due to a very early stop codon, while sl(7) has a missense mutation in the highly conserved Y catalytic domain. Together with in vitro mutagenesis of the residue affected by the sl(7) mutation, these results confirm the role of Sl in RTK signaling and provide evidence for two genetically separable PLC-gamma-dependent pathways affecting the development of the eye and the wing.

Identification of myo-inositol 1,2-cyclic monophosphate by electrospray tandem mass spectrometry, a major constituent of EGF-stimulated phosphoinositide turnover in MDA 468 cells

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) caused an increase in phosphoinositide (PI) turnover in MDA 468 cells. This EGF-stimulated effect was inhibited by the protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor lavendustin A (LA). MDA 468 cells generated an atypical PI turnover profile. Examination and quantitation of the PI metabolite profile showed that even control cells produced a metabolite which was acid-labile and which formed about 60% of the total PI metabolites. By using the technique of electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry, we were able to confirm the identity of this acid-labile metabolite through the specific fragmentation as compared with the standard. The precursor molecule fragmented into two distinct productions with molar masses identical to that of the standard myo-inositol 1,2-cyclic monophosphate (cInsP). Changes in the PI turnover profile could be accounted for by the alterations in myo-inositol 1,2-cyclic monophosphate generated in these cells. We thus conclude that, by some as-yet-unidentified mechanism, cyclic inositol monophosphate forms a major constituent of EGF-stimulated PI turnover in MDA 468 cells.

Cooperative endocannabinoid production by neuronal depolarization and group I metabotropic glutamate receptor activation

Endocannabinoids are retrograde messengers that are released from central neurons by depolarization-induced elevation of intracellular Ca2+ concentration [Ca2+]I or by activation of a group I metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR). We studied the interaction between these two pathways for endocannabinoid production in rat hippocampal neurons. We made a paired whole-cell recording from cultured hippocampal neurons with inhibitory synaptic connections. Activation of group I mGluRs, mainly mGluR5, by the specific agonist (RS)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG), suppressed inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) in about half of the neuron pairs. A cannabinoid agonist, WIN55,212-2, suppressed IPSCs in all DHPG-sensitive pairs but not in most of DHPG-insensitive pairs. The effects of both DHPG and WIN55,212-2 were abolished by the cannabinoid antagonists, AM281 and SR141716A, indicating that activation of group I mGluR releases endocannabinoids and suppress inhibitory neurotransmitter release through activation of presynaptic cannabinoid receptors. Depolarization of the postsynaptic neurons caused a transient suppression of IPSCs, a phemomenon termed depolarization-induced suppression of inhibition (DSI) that was also abolished by cannabinoid antagonists. Importantly, DSI was enhanced significantly when group I mGluRs were activated simultaneously by DHPG. This enhancement was much more prominent than expected from the simple summation of depolarization-induced and group I mGluR-induced endocannabinoid release. DHPG caused no change in depolarization-induced Ca2+ transients, indicating that the enhanced DSI by DHPG was not due to the augmentation of Ca2+ influx. Enhancement of DSI by DHPG was also observed in hippocampal slices. These results suggest that two pathways work in a cooperative manner to release endocannabinoids via a common intracellular cascade.

Visualization of IP(3) dynamics reveals a novel AMPA receptor-triggered IP(3) production pathway mediated by voltage-dependent Ca(2+) influx in Purkinje cells

IP(3) signaling in Purkinje cells is involved in the regulation of cell functions including LTD. We have used a GFP-tagged pleckstrin homology domain to visualize IP(3) dynamics in Purkinje cells. Surprisingly, IP(3) production was observed in response not only to mGluR activation, but also to AMPA receptor activation in Purkinje cells in culture. AMPA-induced IP(3) production was mediated by depolarization-induced Ca(2+) influx because it was mimicked by depolarization and was blocked by inhibition of the P-type Ca(2+) channel. Furthermore, trains of complex spikes, elicited by climbing fiber stimulation (1 Hz), induced IP(3) production in Purkinje cells in cerebellar slices. These results revealed a novel IP(3) signaling pathway in Purkinje cells that can be elicited by synaptic inputs from climbing fibers.

Phospholipase C-gamma mediates the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol, but not of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphoshate, in carbamylcholine-stimulated islets of langerhans

In pancreatic islets the activation of phospholipase C (PLC) by the muscarinic receptor agonist carbamyolcholine (carbachol) results in the hydrolysis of both phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdInsP(2)) and phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns). Here we tested the hypothesis that PtdIns hydrolysis is mediated by PLCgamma1, which is known to be regulated by activation of tyrosine kinases and PtdIns 3-kinase. PtdIns breakdown was more sensitive than that of PtdInsP(2) to the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein. Conversely, the tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, vanadate, alone promoted PtdIns hydrolysis and acted non-additively with carbachol. Vanadate did not stimulate PtdInsP(2) breakdown. Carbachol also stimulated a rapid (maximal at 1-2 min) tyrosine phosphorylation of several islet proteins, although not of PLCgamma1 itself. Two structurally unrelated inhibitors of PtdIns 3-kinase, wortmannin and LY294002, more effectively attenuated the hyrolysis of PtdIns compared with PtdInsP(2). Adenovirally mediated overexpression of PLCgamma1 significantly increased carbachol-stimulated PtdIns hydrolysis without affecting that of PtdInsP(2). Conversely overexpression of PLCbeta1 up-regulated the PtdInsP(2), but not PtdIns, response. These results indicate that the hydrolysis of PtdIns and PtdInsP(2) are independently regulated in pancreatic islets and that PLCgamma1 selectively mediates the breakdown of PtdIns. The activation mechanism of PLCgamma involves tyrosine phosphorylation (but not of PLCgamma directly) and PtdIns 3-kinase. Our findings point to a novel bifurcation of signaling pathways downstream of muscarinic receptors and suggest that hydrolysis of PtdIns and PtdInsP(2) might serve different physiological ends.

A novel bifunctional phospholipase c that is regulated by Galpha 12 and stimulates the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway

Three families of phospholipase C (PI-PLCbeta, gamma, and delta) are known to catalyze the hydrolysis of polyphosphoinositides such as phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP(2)) to generate the second messengers inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate and diacylglycerol, leading to a cascade of intracellular responses that result in cell growth, cell differentiation, and gene expression. Here we describe the founding member of a novel, structurally distinct fourth family of PI-PLC. PLCepsilon not only contains conserved catalytic (X and Y) and regulatory domains (C2) common to other eukaryotic PLCs, but also contains two Ras-associating (RA) domains and a Ras guanine nucleotide exchange factor (RasGEF) motif. PLCepsilon hydrolyzes PIP(2), and this activity is stimulated selectively by a constitutively active form of the heterotrimeric G protein Galpha(12). PLCepsilon and a mutant (H1144L) incapable of hydrolyzing phosphoinositides promote formation of GTP-Ras. Thus PLCepsilon is a RasGEF. PLCepsilon, the mutant H1144L, and the isolated GEF domain activate the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in a manner dependent on Ras but independent of PIP(2) hydrolysis. Our findings demonstrate that PLCepsilon is a novel bifunctional enzyme that is regulated by the heterotrimeric G protein Galpha(12) and activates the small G protein Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway.

Distributional patterns of phospholipase C isozymes in rat pancreas

Phospholipase C (PLC) isozymes are believed to play a role in regulating pancreatic exocrine and endocrine secretion. In an attempt to investigate the role of PLC, we examined the distribution patterns of PLC isozymes in the normal rat pancreas by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Western blot analysis was performed on pancreatic acinar tissues and the islet of Langerhans, which were separated from each other. PLC-beta isozymes (beta1, beta2, beta3, and beta4), delta1, and delta2 were detected in both acinar and islet cells, whereas PLC-gamma1 and gamma2 were observed only in acinar tissues. On immunohistochemistry, the immunoreactivities of PLC isozymes except for PLC-gamma1 were observed as follows: PLC-beta1, in both the exocrine and endocrine tissues; PLC-beta2, mainly in the periphery of the islet and acinar cells; PLC-beta3, in the periphery of the islet and in some ductal epithelium; PLC-beta4, through the islet of Langerhans and ductal epithelium; PLC-gamma1, not detected in pancreatic tissue; PLC-gamma2, mainly in acinar cells; PLC-delta1 and delta2, in the islet and in ductal epithelium. These results suggest that the intrapancreatic site-specific existence of PLC isozymes may modulate pancreatic exocrine and endocrine functions through a PLC-mediated signal transduction.

Effects of heavy metals on phospholipase C in gill and digestive gland of the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis Lam

We studied the in vivo and in vitro effects of Hg2+ and Cu2+ on the activity of phospholipase C (PLC), specific for phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, in the mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis Lam). The enzyme activity was assayed in tissue homogenates from gills and digestive gland. The toxic effect of Hg2+ appeared to be stronger than that of Cu2+ both in vitro and in vivo, especially for the digestive gland. In in vitro tests, Hg2+ was able to inhibit PLC activity when added directly to the reaction mixture. Conversely, Cu2+ was effective only after preincubation, suggesting that the effect of the metal may be derived from lipid peroxidation due to Cu2+-induced oxyradical production. Treatment of mussels with sublethal concentrations of Hg2+ or Cu2+ in vivo produced significant PLC inhibition after 1 or 4 days, respectively. A recovery was reached after 7 days of in vivo metal incubation. Data indicate that in mussel gills and digestive gland heavy metals impair PLC activity, thereby affecting IP3-dependent Ca2+ signaling.

Localization of two distinct type III phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase enzyme mRNAs in the rat

Inositol lipid kinases generate polyphosphoinositides, important regulators of several cellular functions. We have recently cloned two distinct phosphatidylinositol (PI) 4-kinase enzymes, the 210-kDa PI4KIIIalpha and the 110-kDa PI4KIIIbeta, from bovine tissues. In the present study, the distribution of mRNAs encoding these two enzymes was analyzed by in situ hybridization histochemistry in the rat. PI4KIIIalpha was found predominantly expressed in the brain, with low expression in peripheral tissues. PI4KIIIbeta was more uniformly expressed being also present in various peripheral tissues. Within the brain, PI4KIIIbeta showed highest expression in the gray matter, especially in neurons of the olfactory bulb and the hippocampus, but also gave a signal in the white matter indicating its presence in glia. PI4KIIIalpha was highly expressed in neurons, but lacked a signal in the white matter and the choroid plexus. Both enzymes showed expression in the pigment layer and nuclear layers as well as in the ganglion cells of the retina. In a 17-day-old rat fetus, PI4KIIIbeta was found to be more widely distributed and PI4KIIIalpha was primarily expressed in neurons. These results indicate that PI4KIIIbeta is more widely expressed than PI4KIIIalpha, and that the two enzymes are probably coexpressed in many neurons. Such expression pattern and the conservation of these two proteins during evolution suggest their nonredundant functions in mammalian cells.

Ca(2+)-activated but not G protein-mediated inositol phosphate responses in rat neonatal cardiomyocytes involve inositol 1,4, 5-trisphosphate generation

Inositol phosphate (InsP) responses to receptor activation are assumed to involve phospholipase C cleavage of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate to generate Ins(1,4,5)P(3). However, in [(3)H]inositol-labeled rat neonatal cardiomyocytes (NCM) both initial and sustained [(3)H]InsP responses to alpha(1)-adrenergic receptor stimulation with norepinephrine (100 microM) were insensitive to the phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate-binding agent neomycin (5 mM). Introduction of 300 microM unlabeled Ins(1,4, 5)P(3) into guanosine 5'-3-O-(thio)triphosphate (GTPgammaS)-stimulated, permeabilized [(3)H]inositol-labeled NCM increased [(3)H]Ins(1,4,5)P(3) slightly but did not significantly reduce levels of its metabolites [(3)H]Ins(1,4)P(2) and [(3)H]Ins(4)P, suggesting that these [(3)H]InsPs are not formed principally from [(3)H]Ins(1,4,5)P(3). In contrast, the calcium ionophore A23187 (10 microM) provoked [(3)H]InsP responses in intact NCM which were sensitive to neomycin, and elevation of free calcium in permeabilized NCM led to [(3)H]InsP responses characterized by marked increases in [(3)H]Ins(1,4,5)P(3) (2.9 +/- 0.2% of total [(3)H]InsPs after 20 min of high Ca(2+) treatment in comparison to 0. 21 +/- 0.05% of total [(3)H]InsPs accumulated after 20 min of GTPgammaS stimulation). These data provide evidence that Ins(1,4, 5)P(3) generation is not a major contributor to G protein-coupled InsP responses in NCM, but that substantial Ins(1,4,5)P(3) generation occurs under conditions of Ca(2+) overload. Thus in NCM, Ca(2+)-induced Ins(1,4,5)P(3) generation has the potential to worsen Ca(2+) overload and thereby aggravate Ca(2+)-induced electrophysiological perturbations.

Acidosis enhances translocation of protein kinase C but not Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II to cell membranes during complete cerebral ischemia

Systemic hyperglycemia and hypercapnia severely aggravate ischemic brain damage when instituted prior to cerebral ischemia. An aberrant cell signaling following ischemia has been proposed to be involved in ischemic cell death, affecting protein kinase C (PKC) and the calcium calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII). Using a cardiac arrest model of global brain ischemia of 10 min duration, we investigated the effect of hyperglycemia (20 mM) and hypercapnia (pCO(2) 300 mmHg) on the subcellular redistribution of PKC (alpha, beta, gamma) and CaMKII to synaptic membranes and to the microsomes, as well as the effect on PKC activity. We confirmed the marked translocation of PKC and CaMKII to cell membranes induced by ischemia, concomitantly with a decrease in the PKC activity in both the membrane fraction and cytosol. Hyperglycemia and hypercapnia markedly enhanced the translocation of PKC-gamma to cell membranes while other PKC isoforms were less affected. There was no effect of acidosis on PKC activity, or on translocation of CaMKII to cell membranes. Our data strongly suggest that the enhanced translocation of PKC to cell membranes induced by hyperglycemia and hypercapnia may contribute to the detrimental effect of tissue acidosis on the outcome following ischemia.

Ca2+-sensitive phosphoinositide hydrolysis is activated in synovial cells but not in articular chondrocytes

Cell-to-cell diffusion of second messengers across intercellular channels allows tissues to co-ordinate responses to extracellular stimuli. Intercellular diffusion of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, locally produced by focal stimulations, sustains the propagation of intercellular Ca(2+) waves, by stimulating the release of intracellular Ca(2+) in neighbouring cells. We previously demonstrated that in cultured articular chondrocytes and HIG-82 synovial cells, studied with digitial fluorescence video imaging, mechanical stimulation of a single cell induced intercellular Ca(2+) waves dependent on the presence of gap junctions. In the absence of extracellular Ca(2+) the propagating distance of the wave decreased significantly in HIG-82 cells, but appeared unaffected in chondrocytes. We now show that both cells types express connexin 43 and a similar functional coupling, thus suggesting that the different Ca(2+) sensitivity of intercellular waves is not due to major differences in gap junction constituent proteins. In HIG-82 synoviocytes, but not in chondrocytes, the Ca(2+) ionophore ionomycin stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis in a concentration-dependent manner, an effect strictly dependent on the presence of extracellular Ca(2+), suggesting the expression, in these cells, of a Ca(2+)-sensitive phospholipase C activity. Such an activity could be stimulated also by Ca(2+) influx induced by P(2Y) receptor activation and considerably amplifies ATP-induced inositol phosphate (InsP) production. In contrast, Ca(2+) influx did not affect considerably the response of chondrocytes to ATP stimulation. In HIG-82 cells, the combined application of ionomycin and ATP maximally stimulated InsP synthesis, suggesting the involvement of two independent mechanisms in inositol phosphate generation. These results suggest that in HIG-82 synovial cells the recruitment of a Ca(2+)-sensitive phospholipase C activity could amplify the cell response to a focally applied extracellular stimulus, thus providing a positive feedback mechanism for intercellular wave propagation.

Catalytic domain of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PLC). Mutational analysis of residues within the active site and hydrophobic ridge of plcdelta1

Structural studies of phospholipase C delta1 (PLCdelta1) in complexes with the inositol-lipid headgroup and calcium identified residues within the catalytic domain that could be involved in substrate recognition, calcium binding, and catalysis. In addition, the structure of the PLCdelta1 catalytic domain revealed a cluster of hydrophobic residues at the rim of the active site opening (hydrophobic ridge). To assess a role of each of these residues, we have expressed, purified, and characterized enzymes with the point mutations of putative active site residues (His311, Asn312, Glu341, Asp343, His356, Glu390, Lys438, Lys440, Ser522, Arg549, and Tyr551) and residues from the hydrophobic ridge (Leu320, Phe360, and Trp555). The replacements of most active site residues by alanine resulted in a great reduction (1,000-200,000-fold) of PLC activity analyzed in an inositol lipid/sodium cholate mixed micelle assay. Measurements of the enzyme activity toward phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol 4-monophosphate, and phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-bis-phosphate (PIP2) identified Ser522, Lys438, and Arg549 as important for preferential hydrolysis of polyphosphoinositides, whereas replacement of Lys440 selectively affected only hydrolysis of PIP2. When PLC activity was analyzed at different calcium concentrations, substitutions of Asn312, Glu390, Glu341, and Asp343 resulted in a shift toward higher calcium concentrations required for PIP2 hydrolysis, suggesting that all these residues contribute toward Ca2+ binding. Mutational analysis also confirmed the importance of His311 ( approximately 20,000-fold reduction) and His356 ( approximately 6,000-fold reduction) for the catalysis. Mutations within the hydrophobic ridge, which had little effect on PIP2 hydrolysis in the mixed-micelles, resulted in an enzyme that was less dependent on the surface pressure when analyzed in a monolayer. This systematic mutational analysis provides further insights into the structural basis for the substrate specificity, requirement for Ca2+ ion, catalysis, and surface pressure/activity dependence, with general implications for eukaryotic phosphoinositide-specific PLCs.

Phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C isoform expression in pregnant and nonpregnant rat myometrial tissue

OBJECTIVE

Activation of the phosphatidylinositol signaling pathway plays a significant role during the intracellular signal transduction events activated during agonist-stimulated phasic myometrial contractions. Phospholipase C is an essential molecular component of this signaling pathway. These studies sought to characterize the expression of phospholipase C isoform messenger ribonucleic acid in both pregnant and nonpregnant rat myometrium.

STUDY DESIGN

Total cellular ribonucleic acid was isolated from myometrial tissue collected from Sprague-Dawley rats by use of the acidic guanidinium thiocyanate-phenol-chloroform extraction technique. After deoxyribonuclease treatment to ensure removal of genomic deoxyribonucleic acid, as well as resolution on formaldehyde-1% agarose horizontal slab gels to rule out degradation, the ribonucleic acid was used for semiquantitative competitive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction studies to evaluate the expression of five of the reported phospholipase C isoforms. These studies were performed with isoform-specific 20-mer primers and the inclusion of internal standard heterologous deoxyribonucleic acid sequences designed with ends homologous to the isoform-specific primers. The identity of the polymerase chain reaction products was confirmed with restriction endonuclease digestions and homology analysis of the sequenced polymerase chain reaction product deoxyribonucleic acid.

RESULTS

These reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction studies have confirmed expression of the phospholipase C-beta1a, phospholipase C-beta3, phospholipase C-gamma1, phospholipase C-beta2, and phospholipase C-delta1 isoforms in rat myometrial tissue. During pregnancy the levels of expression of the phospholipase C-beta3, phospholipase C-gamma1, and phospholipase C-delta1 isoforms were increased compared with the levels of expression in myometrium from nonpregnant rats. In myometrium from both pregnant and nonpregnant animals the phospholipase C-beta1 a isoform was expressed at the highest level, the phospholipase C-beta3, phospholipase C-gamma1, and phospholipase C-gamma2 isoforms at an intermediate level, and the phospholipase C-delta1 isoform was expressed at the lowest levels.

CONCLUSIONS

These studies have confirmed at the messenger ribonucleic acid level significant expression of several isoforms of phospholipase C in both pregnant and nonpregnant myometrial tissue. These observations provide additional support for the hypothesis that the phosphatidylinositol signaling pathway plays an important role in uterine smooth muscle.

Structural and mechanistic comparison of prokaryotic and eukaryotic phosphoinositide-specific phospholipases C

Phosphoinositide-specific phospholipases C (PI-PLCs) are ubiquitous enzymes that catalyse the hydrolysis of phosphoinositides to inositol phosphates and diacylglycerol (DAG). Whereas the eukaryotic PI-PLCs play a central role in most signal transduction cascades by producing two second messengers, inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate and DAG, prokaryotic PI-PLCs are of interest because they act as virulence factors in some pathogenic bacteria. Bacterial PI-PLCs consist of a single domain of 30 to 35 kDa, while the much larger eukaryotic enzymes (85 to 150 kDa) are organized in several distinct domains. The catalytic domain of eukaryotic PI-PLCs is assembled from two highly conserved polypeptide stretches, called regions X and Y, that are separated by a divergent linker sequence. There is only marginal sequence similarity between the catalytic domain of eukaryotic and prokaryotic PI-PLCs. Recently the crystal structures of a bacterial and a eukaryotic PI-PLC have been determined, both in complexes with substrate analogues thus enabling a comparison of these enzymes in structural and mechanistic terms. Eukaryotic and prokaryotic PI-PLCs contain a distorted (beta alpha)8-barrel as a structural motif with a surprisingly large structural similarity for the first half of the (beta alpha)8-barrel and a much weaker similarity for the second half. The higher degree of structure conservation in the first half of the barrel correlates with the presence of all catalytic residues, in particular two catalytic histidine residues, in this portion of the enzyme. The second half contributes mainly to the features of the substrate binding pocket that result in the distinct substrate preferences exhibited by the prokaryotic and eukaryotic enzymes. A striking difference between the enzymes is the utilization of a catalytic calcium ion that electrostatically stabilizes the transition state in eukaryotic enzymes, whereas this role is filled by an analogously positioned arginine in bacterial PI-PLCs. The catalytic domains of all PI-PLCs may share not only a common fold but also a similar catalytic mechanism utilizing general base/acid catalysis. The conservation of the topology and parts of the active site suggests a divergent evolution from a common ancestral protein.

Membrane-binding properties of phospholipase C-beta1 and phospholipaseC-beta2: role of the C-terminus and effects of polyphosphoinositides, G-proteins and Ca2+

We have studied the binding of two G-protein-regulated phospholipase C (PLC) enzymes, PLCs-beta1 and -beta2, to membrane surfaces using sucrose-loaded bilayer phospholipid vesicles of varying compositions. Neither enzyme binds appreciably to pure phosphatidylcholine vesicles at lipid concentrations up to 10(-3) M. PLC-beta1 and PLC-beta2 bind vesicles composed of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine (molar ratio 1:1:1) with an approximate Kd of 10(-5) M. Inclusion of 2% PtdIns(4,5)P2 in these vesicles had no effect on the affinity of this interaction. As reported by others, removal of the C-terminus of PLC-beta1 and PLC-beta2 produces catalytically active fragments. The affinity of these truncated proteins for phospholipid vesicles is dramatically reduced suggesting that this region of the proteins contains residues important for membrane binding. Inclusion of G-protein alpha- and betagamma-subunit activators in the phospholipid vesicles does not increase the binding of PLC-beta1 or PLC-beta2, and the magnitude of G-protein-mediated PLC activation observed at low phospholipid concentrations (10(-6) M) is comparable to that observed at concentrations at which the enzymes are predominantly membrane-bound (10(-3) M). PLC-beta1 and -beta2 contain C2 domains but Ca2+ does not enhance binding to the vesicles. Our results indicate that binding of these enzymes to membranes involves the C-temini of the proteins and suggest that activation of these enzymes by G-proteins results from a regulated interaction between the membrane-bound proteins rather than G-protein-dependent recruitment of soluble enzymes to a substrate-containing phospholipid surface.

Regulation of inositol lipid-specific phospholipase cdelta by changes in Ca2+ ion concentrations

Studies of inositol lipid-specific phospholipase C (PLC) have elucidated the main regulatory pathways for PLCbeta and PLCgamma but the regulation of PLCdelta isoenzymes still remains obscure. Here we demonstrate that an increase in Ca2+ ion concentration within the physiological range (0.1-10 microM) is sufficient to stimulate PLCdelta1, but not PLCgamma1 and PLCbeta1, to hydrolyse cellular inositol lipids present in permeabilized cells. The activity of PLCdelta1 is further enhanced in the presence of phosphatidylinositol transfer protein (PI-TP). Both full activation by Ca2+ ions and stimulation in the presence of PI-TP require an intact PH domain involved in the membrane attachment of PLCdelta1. The physiological implication of this study is that PLCdelta1 could correspond to a previously uncharacterized PLC responsible for Ca2+ ion-stimulated inositol lipid hydrolysis observed in many cellular systems.

Intranuclear translocation of phospholipase C beta2 during HL-60 myeloid differentiation

Phospholipases C (PLC) beta3, gamma1, and gamma2 were detected in nuclei of HL-60 promyelocitic leukaemia cells. When HL-60 cells undergo terminal myeloid differentiation in the presence of ATRA, the beta2 isoform appeared inside nuclei and was up-regulated until 72 hours of ATRA treatment. The beta3 isozyme was also increased until 72 hours and both isoforms lowered their intranuclear amount at 96 hours and following days of treatment. By contrast PLC gamma1 and gamma2 progressively increased in the nucleus during granulocytic differentiation even after 72 hours of treatment. Terminal differentiation was characterised by the expression of high levels of PLC gamma1 and gamma2 and by low levels of PLC beta2 and beta3 in the nucleus. PIP2 and PIP hydrolysis paralleled the prevalence of the beta or gamma subfamily, respectively. Moreover, at all the examined times no changes of PLCs in the whole cell were detectable, indicating a de novo nuclear translocation of the beta2 and an increased accumulation of beta3, gamma1, and gamma2 isoforms. Thus, the intranuclear presence, expression, and activity of PLC isozymes, which are modulated during differentiation of HL-60 cells, implicate a role for nuclear phosphoinositide signalling in the process of cell maturation. In particular the nuclear translocation of PLC beta2 candidates this PLC as a key enzyme in the granulocytic differentiative commitment of HL-60 cells.

Synaptojanin inhibition of phospholipase D activity by hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate

A 150-kDa protein that inhibits phospholipase D (PLD) activity stimulated by ADP-ribosylation factor and phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2) was previously purified from rat brain. The sequences of peptides derived from the purified PLD inhibitor now identify it as synaptojanin, a nerve terminal protein that has been implicated in the endocytosis of fused synaptic vesicles and shown to be a member of the inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase family. Further characterization of the enzymatic properties of synaptojanin now shows that it hydrolyzes only the 5-phosphate from inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (I(1,4,5)P3) and that it does not catalyze the dephosphorylation of either I(1,3,4)P3 or inositol 1, 4-bisphosphate. However, synaptojanin hydrolyzes both the 4- and 5-phosphates of PI(4,5)P2 and the 4-phosphate of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate, converting both compounds to phosphatidylinositol. Magnesium is required for the hydrolysis of I(1,4,5)P3, but not for that of phosphoinositides, by synaptojanin. The inhibition of PLD by synaptojanin is attributable to its ability to hydrolyze PI(4,5)P2. Synaptojanin did not inhibit PLD in the absence of PI(4,5)P2, and the extent of PLD inhibition was related to the extent of PI(4,5)P2 hydrolysis in substrate vesicles. It has been proposed that the biosynthesis of PI(4,5)P2 and the activation of PLD by ADP-ribosylation factor constitute a positive loop to increase rapidly the concentrations of PI(4,5)P2 and phosphatidic acid (PA) during membrane vesiculation. The PA thus produced, probably together with PI(4,5)P2, facilitates vesicle coat assembly. The hydrolysis of PI(4,5)P2, and consequent inhibition of PLD, by synaptojanin might therefore constitute a mechanism to halt the positive loop connecting PI(4,5)P2 and PA during the endocytotic cycle of synaptic vesicles and serve as a signal for uncoating.

Partial isolation from intact cells of a cell surface-exposed lysophosphatidylinositol-phospholipase C

A novel cell surface phosphoinositide-cleaving phospholipase C (ecto-PLC) activity was isolated from cultured cells by exploiting its presumed external exposure. Biotinylation of intact cells followed by solubilization of the biotinylated proteins from a membrane fraction and recovery onto immobilized-avidin beads, allowed assay of this cell surface enzyme activity apart from the background of the substantial family of intracellular PLCs. Several cell lines of differing ecto-PLC expression were examined as well as cells stably transfected to overexpress the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GP) anchored protein human placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) as a cell surface enzyme marker. The resulting bead preparations from ecto-PLC positive cells possessed calcium-dependent PLC activity with preference for lysophosphatidylinositol (lysaPI) rather than phosphatidylinositol (PI). The function of ecto-PLC of intact cells evidently is not to release GPI-anchored proteins at the cell surface, as no detectable Ca(2+)-dependent release of overexpressed PLAP from ecto-PLC-positive cells was observed. To investigate the cell surface linkage of the ecto-PLC itself, intact cells were treated with bacterial PI-PLC to cleave simple GPI anchors, but no decrease in ecto-PLC activity was observed. High ionic strength washes of biotinylated membranes prior to the generation of bead preparations did not substantially reduce the lysoPI-PLC activity. The results verify that the ecto-PLC is truly cell surface-exposed, and unlike other members of the PLC family that are thought to be peripheral membrane proteins, this novel lysoPI-PLC is most likely a true membrane protein.

Phospholipase C isoforms delta 1 and delta 3 from human fibroblasts. High-yield expression in Escherichia coli, simple purification, and properties

Phospholipase C isoforms delta 1 and delta 3 (PLC delta 1 and delta 3) were expressed in Escherichia coli using the cDNA sequences from human fibroblasts. The enzymes were also expressed with the sequence Met-Gly-His6-Ser-Gly-Leu-Phe-Lys-Arg, a hexahistidine sequence followed by a Kex2 protease cleavage site, denoted as "-H6K2," attached to their amino termini. PLC delta 1, PLC delta 1-H6K2, PLC delta 3, PLC delta 3-H6K2 all expressed in highly active form. The H6K2-bearing isoforms were each purified to homogeneity in a single step, with yields of 90-100%, using agarose-iminodiacetic acid-Ni columns and imidazole buffer as eluting agent. Yields in terms of activity increased as the temperature of expression was decreased. Expression at 16 degrees C for 72 h yielded 33 mg of pure PLC delta 1-H6K2 and 13 mg of pure PLC delta 3-H6K2 per liter of culture. Removal of H6K2 from both isoforms with Kex2 protease resulted in little or no loss of activity. Expression of PLC isoforms bearing -H6K2 at the amino terminus resulted in about 12 times more activity than expression of the isoforms lacking -H6K2. PLC delta 3 is much less stable than PLC delta1. Successful purification and storage of PLC delta 3 depends on a suitable stabilizing medium. Both isoforms require 0.3 microM calcium ion for half-maximum activity. The specific activities of the isoforms expressed with and without -H6K2 are the same, as are their calcium saturation curves.

Inhibition of phospholipase D by a protein factor from bovine brain cytosol. Partial purification and characterization of the inhibition mechanism

A specific protein inhibitor of partially purified bovine brain phospholipase D (PLD) was identified from bovine brain cytosol. The PLD inhibitor has been enriched through several chromatographic steps and characterized with respect to size and mechanism of inhibition. The inhibitor showed an apparent molecular mass of 30 kDa by Superose 12 gel exclusion chromatography and inhibited PLD activity with an IC50 of 7 nM. The inhibitor had neither proteolytic activity nor phospholipid-hydrolyzing activity. Because phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2), which is included in substrate vesicles, is an essential cofactor for PLD, we examined whether the inhibition might be mediated by sequestration of PIP2. PIP2 hydrolysis by phospholipase C (PLC)-beta1 was not affected by the inhibitor and the inhibitor did not bind to substrate vesicles containing PIP2. In contrast, a PH domain derived from PLC-delta1, which could bind to PIP2, showed a nearly identical inhibition of both PLC-beta1 and PLD activities. Thus, the PLD inhibition by the inhibitor is due to the specific interaction with not PIP2 but PLD. The suppression of PLD activity by the inhibitor was largely eliminated by the addition of ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) and GTPgammaS. We propose that the inhibitor plays a negative role in regulation of PLD activity by PIP2 and ARF.

The role of carboxyl-terminal basic amino acids in Gqalpha-dependent activation, particulate association, and nuclear localization of phospholipase C-beta1

The phospholipase C (PLC)-beta isozymes differ from the PLC-gamma and PLC-delta isozymes in that they possess a long COOH-terminal sequence downstream of their catalytic domain, are activated by alpha subunits of the Gq class of G proteins, associate with the particulate subcellular fraction, and are present in the nucleus. Most of the COOH-terminal domain of PLC-beta isozymes is predicted to be helical, and three regions in this domain, PLC-beta1 residues 911-928 (region 1), 1055-1072 (region 2), and 1109-1126 (region 3), contain a high proportion of basic residues that are highly conserved. Projection of the sequences of these three regions in helical wheels reveals clustering of the basic residues. The role of the COOH terminus and the clustered basic residues in PLC-beta1 was investigated by either truncating the entire COOH-terminal domain (mutant DeltaC) or replacing two or three clustered basic residues with isoleucine (or methionine), and expressing the mutant enzymes in CV-1, Rat-2, or Swiss 3T3 cells. The DeltaC mutant no longer showed the ability to be activated by Gqalpha, to translocate to the nucleus, or to associate with the particulate fraction. Substitution of clusters of basic residues in regions 1 and 2 generally reduced the extent of activation by Gqalpha, whereas substitution of a basic cluster in region 3 had no effect. Substitution of the cluster of lysine residues 914, 921, and 925 in region 1 had the most marked effect, reducing Gqalpha-dependent activity to 10% of that of wild type. All substitution mutants, with the exception of that in which lysine residues 1056, 1063, and 1070 in region 2 were substituted with isoleucine, behaved like the wild-type enzyme in showing an approximately equal distribution between cytoplasm and nucleus; only 12% of the region 2 mutant was present in the nucleus. None of the basic clusters appeared critical for particulate association; however, replacement of each cluster reduced the amount of PLC-beta1 in the particulate fraction by some extent, suggesting that all the basic residues contribute to the association, presumably by interacting with acidic residues in the particulate fraction. Membrane localization of PLC-beta isozymes is therefore likely mediated by both the COOH-terminal domain and the pleckstrin homology domain, the latter of which is known to bind phosphatidylinositol 4,5-biphosphate.

Crystal structure of a mammalian phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C delta

Mammalian phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C enzymes (PI-PLC) act as signal transducers that generate two second messengers, inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate and diacylglycerol. The 2.4-A structure of phospholipase C delta 1 reveals a multidomain protein incorporating modules shared by many signalling proteins. The structure suggests a mechanism for membrane attachment and Ca2+-dependent hydrolysis of second-messenger precursors. The regulation and reversible membrane association of PI-PLC may serve as a model for understanding other multidomain enzymes involved in phospholipid signalling.

Expression, characterization, and crystallization of the catalytic core of rat phosphatidylinositide-specific phospholipase C delta 1

Phosphatidylinositide-specific phospholipase Cs (PI-PLCs) catalyze the calcium-dependent hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositides in response to diverse stimuli in higher eukaryotes. Mammalian PI-PLCs contain divergent regulatory regions, but all share three conserved regions: an N-terminal pleckstrin homology (PH) domain, X, and Y. We report the high-level expression and characterization of a recombinant "catalytic core" of rat PI-PLC delta 1 that contains the catalytically essential X and Y regions, but not the PH domain. The expressed protein, PI-PLC delta delta 1-134, is catalytically active versus phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate in deoxycholate micelles with a K(m) of 182 microM and a Vmax of 27 mumol/min/mg. PI-PLC delta delta 1-134 is monomeric and monodisperse as judged by dynamic light scattering. Far-UV CD indicates a structure with approximately 35% alpha-helix. A reversible change in the near-UV CD spectrum is observed on addition of calcium, suggesting that calcium can bind PI-PLC delta delta 1-134 in the absence of phospholipid. Triclinic crystals of PI-PLC delta delta 1-134 have been obtained that diffract beyond 2.4 A resolution under cryogenic conditions. Based on Vm = 2.72 Da/A3 and on the self-rotation function, there are two PI-PLC delta delta 1-134 molecules per asymmetric unit that are related to each other by a noncrystallographic axis of approximate twofold symmetry parallel to a.

Expression and immunohistochemical localization of eight phospholipase C isoforms in adult male mouse cerebellar cortex

By means of specific polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies we have investigated the expression and the localization of phospholipase C isoforms in the adult mice cerebellar cortex. Western-blot analysis revealed that mouse cerebellum expressed eight phospholipase C isozymes: -beta 1, -beta 2, -beta 3, -beta 4, -gamma 1, -gamma 2, -delta 1, -delta 2. Immunohistochemical analysis carried out on cryosections showed a distinct pattern of expression for each of the isoforms. Purkinje cells had high levels of -beta 1, -beta 3, -gamma 2 and -delta 2 isotypes. The -gamma 2 isozyme was the only one that was identified also in the dendrites of Purkinje cells. In the molecular layer we detected mostly -beta 1 and -gamma 1 isozymes whereas in the granular layer -gamma 1 and -gamma 2 isoforms prodominated. These results indicate a heterogeneity of the phospholipase C isoforms expressed in the layers of mouse cerebellar cortex conceivably due to the fact that these enzymes are coupled to different receptors and perform selective tasks in regulating cell signalling events taking place in the cerebellar cortex of mice.