Myo3A, one of two class III myosin genes expressed in vertebrate retina, is localized to the calycal processes of rod and cone photoreceptors and is expressed in the sacculus

Genetic analysis of probable sleep bruxism and its associations with clinical and behavioral traits

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Sleep bruxism (SB) can cause damage on teeth, headache and severe pain affecting both sleep and daily functioning. Yet despite the growing interest into bruxism, the underlying clinically relevant biological mechanisms remain unresolved. The aim of our study was to understand biological mechanisms and clinical correlates of SB including previously reported disease associations.

METHODS

We used data from the FinnGen release R9 (N = 377 277 individuals) that are linked with Finnish hospital and primary care registries. We identified 12 297 (3.26%) individuals with International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 codes used for SB. In addition, we used logistic regression to examine the association between probable SB and its clinically diagnosed risk factors and comorbidities using ICD-10 codes. Furthermore, we examined medication purchases using prescription registry. Finally, we performed the first genome-wide association analysis for probable SB and computed genetic correlations using questionnaire, lifestyle, and clinical traits.

RESULTS

The genome-wide association analysis revealed one significant association: rs10193179 intronic to Myosin IIIB (MYO3B) gene. In addition, we observed phenotypic associations and high genetic correlations with pain diagnoses, sleep apnea, reflux disease, upper respiratory diseases, psychiatric traits, and also their related medications such as antidepressants and sleep medication (p < 1e-4 for each trait).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides a large-scale genetic framework to understand risk factors for SB and suggests potential biological mechanisms. Furthermore, our work strengthens the important earlier work that highlights SB as a trait that is associated with multiple axes of health. As part of this study, we provide genome-wide summary statistics that we hope will be useful for the scientific community studying SB.

Molecular insights into MYO3A kinase domain variants explain variability in both severity and progression of DFNB30 hearing impairment

Hereditary hearing impairment (HI) is a common disease with the highest incidence among sensory defects. Several genes have been identified to affect stereocilia structure causing HI, including the unconventional myosin3A. Interestingly, we noticed that variants in MYO3A gene have been previously found to cause variable HI onset and severity. Using clinical exome sequencing, we identified a novel pathogenic variant p.(Lys50Arg) in the MYO3A kinase domain (MYO3A-KD). Previous in vitro studies supported its damaging effect as a 'kinase-dead' mutant. We further analyzed this variation through molecular dynamics which predicts that changes in flexibility of MYO3A structure would influence the protein-ATP binding properties. This Lys50Arg mutation segregated with congenital profound non-syndromic HI. To better investigate this variability, we collected previously identified MYO3A-KDs variants, p.(Tyr129Cys), p.(His142Gln) and p.(Pro189Thr), and built both wild type and mutant 3 D MYO3A-KD models to assess their impact on the protein structure and function. Our results suggest that KD mutations could either cause a congenital profound form of HI, when particularly affecting the kinase activity and preventing the auto-phosphorylation of the motor, or a late onset and progressive form, when partially or completely inactivating the MYO3A protein. In conclusion, we report a novel pathogenic variant affecting the ATP-binding site within the MYO3A-KD causing congenital profound HI. Through computational approaches we provide a deeper understanding on the correlation between the effects of MYO3A-KD mutations and the variable hearing phenotypes. To the best of our knowledge this is the first study to correlate mutations' genotypes with the variable phenotypes of DFNB30.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

siRNA high throughput screening identifies regulators of chloropicrin and hydrogen fluoride injury in human corneal epithelial cell models

Corneal injuries induced by various toxicants result in similar clinical presentations such as corneal opacity and neovascularization. Many studies suggest that several weeks post-exposure a convergence of the molecular mechanisms drives these progressive pathologies. However, chemical agents vary in toxicological properties, and early molecular responses are anticipated to be somewhat dissimilar for different toxicants. We chose 3120 targets from the Dharmacon Human Druggable genome to screen for chloropicrin (CP) and hydrogen fluoride (HF) corneal injury as we hypothesized that targets identified in vitro may be effective as therapeutic targets in future studies. Human immortalized corneal epithelial cells (SV40-HCEC) were used for screening. Cell viability and IL-8 were analyzed to down-select hits into validation studies, where multiplex cytokine analysis and high content analysis were performed to understand toxicant effect and target function. Some endpoints were also evaluated in a second human immortalized corneal epithelial cell line, TCEpi. Over 20 targets entered validation studies for CP and HF; of these, only three targets were shared: NR3C1, RELA, and KMT5A. These findings suggest that early molecular responses to different toxicants may be somewhat distinctive and present dissimilar targets for possible early intervention.

Deafness mutation in the MYO3A motor domain impairs actin protrusion elongation mechanism

Class III myosins are actin-based motors proposed to transport cargo to the distal tips of stereocilia in the inner ear hair cells and/or to participate in stereocilia length regulation, which is especially important during development. Mutations in the MYO3A gene are associated with delayed onset deafness. A previous study demonstrated that L697W, a dominant deafness mutation, disrupts MYO3A ATPase and motor properties but does not impair its ability to localize to the tips of actin protrusions. In the current study, we characterized the transient kinetic mechanism of the L697W motor ATPase cycle. Our kinetic analysis demonstrates that the mutation slows the ADP release and ATP hydrolysis steps, which results in a slight reduction in the duty ratio and slows detachment kinetics. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) of filopodia tip localized L697W and WT MYO3A in COS-7 cells revealed that the mutant does not alter turnover or average intensity at the actin protrusion tips. We demonstrate that the mutation slows filopodia extension velocity in COS-7 cells which correlates with its twofold slower in vitro actin gliding velocity. Overall, this work allowed us to propose a model for how the motor properties of MYO3A are crucial for facilitating actin protrusion length regulation.

Functional Role of Class III Myosins in Hair Cells

Cytoskeletal motors produce force and motion using the energy from ATP hydrolysis and function in a variety of mechanical roles in cells including muscle contraction, cargo transport, and cell division. Actin-based myosin motors have been shown to play crucial roles in the development and function of the stereocilia of auditory and vestibular inner ear hair cells. Hair cells can contain hundreds of stereocilia, which rely on myosin motors to elongate, organize, and stabilize their structure. Mutations in many stereocilia-associated myosins have been shown to cause hearing loss in both humans and animal models suggesting that each myosin isoform has a specific function in these unique parallel actin bundle-based protrusions. Here we review what is known about the classes of myosins that function in the stereocilia, with a special focus on class III myosins that harbor point mutations associated with delayed onset hearing loss. Much has been learned about the role of the two class III myosin isoforms, MYO3A and MYO3B, in maintaining the precise stereocilia lengths required for normal hearing. We propose a model for how class III myosins play a key role in regulating stereocilia lengths and demonstrate how their motor and regulatory properties are particularly well suited for this function. We conclude that ongoing studies on class III myosins and other stereocilia-associated myosins are extremely important and may lead to novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of hearing loss due to stereocilia degeneration.

Myosins and Disease

Myosins constitute a superfamily of actin-based molecular motor proteins that mediates a variety of cellular activities including muscle contraction, cell migration, intracellular transport, the formation of membrane projections, cell adhesion, and cell signaling. The 12 myosin classes that are expressed in humans share sequence similarities especially in the N-terminal motor domain; however, their enzymatic activities, regulation, ability to dimerize, binding partners, and cellular functions differ. It is becoming increasingly apparent that defects in myosins are associated with diseases including cardiomyopathies, colitis, glomerulosclerosis, neurological defects, cancer, blindness, and deafness. Here, we review the current state of knowledge regarding myosins and disease.

A novel missense variant in MYO3A is associated with autosomal dominant high-frequency hearing loss in a German family

Background

MYO3A, encoding the myosin IIIA protein, is associated with autosomal recessive and autosomal dominant nonsyndromic hearing loss. To date, only two missense variants located in the motor‐head domain of MYO3A have been described in autosomal dominant families with progressive, mild‐to‐profound sensorineural hearing loss. These variants alter the ATPase activity of myosin IIIA.

Methods

Exome sequencing of a proband from a three‐generation German family with prelingual, moderate‐to‐profound, high‐frequency hearing loss was performed. Segregation analysis confirmed a dominant inheritance pattern. Regression analysis of mean hearing level thresholds per individual and ear was performed at high‐, mid‐, and low‐frequencies.

Results

A novel heterozygous missense variant c.716T>C, p.(Leu239Pro) in the kinase domain of MYO3A was identified that is predicted in silico as disease causing. High‐frequency, progressive hearing loss was identified.

Conclusion

Correlation analysis of pure‐tone hearing thresholds revealed progressive hearing loss, especially in the high‐frequencies. In the present study, we report the first dominant likely pathogenic variant in MYO3A in a European family and further support MYO3A as an autosomal dominant hearing loss gene.

Unconventional Myosins: How Regulation Meets Function

Unconventional myosins are multi-potent molecular motors that are assigned important roles in fundamental cellular processes. Depending on their mechano-enzymatic properties and structural features, myosins fulfil their roles by acting as cargo transporters along the actin cytoskeleton, molecular anchors or tension sensors. In order to perform such a wide range of roles and modes of action, myosins need to be under tight regulation in time and space. This is achieved at multiple levels through diverse regulatory mechanisms: the alternative splicing of various isoforms, the interaction with their binding partners, their phosphorylation, their applied load and the composition of their local environment, such as ions and lipids. This review summarizes our current knowledge of how unconventional myosins are regulated, how these regulatory mechanisms can adapt to the specific features of a myosin and how they can converge with each other in order to ensure the required tight control of their function.

Structure of the MORN4/Myo3a Tail Complex Reveals MORN Repeats as Protein Binding Modules

Tandem repeats are basic building blocks for constructing proteins with diverse structures and functions. Compared with extensively studied α-helix-based tandem repeats such as ankyrin, tetratricopeptide, armadillo, and HEAT repeat proteins, relatively little is known about tandem repeat proteins formed by β hairpins. In this study, we discovered that the MORN repeats from MORN4 function as a protein binding module specifically recognizing a tail cargo binding region from Myo3a. The structure of the MORN4/Myo3a complex shows that MORN4 forms an extended single-layered β-sheet structure and uses a U-shaped groove to bind to the Myo3a tail with high affinity and specificity. Sequence and structural analyses further elucidated the unique sequence features for folding and target binding of MORN repeats. Our work establishes that the β-hairpin-based MORN repeats are protein-protein interaction modules.

Characterization of a novel MYO3A missense mutation associated with a dominant form of late onset hearing loss

Whole-exome sequencing of samples from affected members of two unrelated families with late-onset non-syndromic hearing loss revealed a novel mutation (c.2090 T > G; NM_017433) in MYO3A. The mutation was confirmed in 36 affected individuals, showing autosomal dominant inheritance. The mutation alters a single residue (L697W or p.Leu697Trp) in the motor domain of the stereocilia protein MYO3A, leading to a reduction in ATPase activity, motility, and an increase in actin affinity. MYO3A-L697W showed reduced filopodial actin protrusion initiation in COS7 cells, and a predominant tipward accumulation at filopodia and stereocilia when coexpressed with wild-type MYO3A and espin-1, an actin-regulatory MYO3A cargo. The combined higher actin affinity and duty ratio of the mutant myosin cause increased retention time at stereocilia tips, resulting in the displacement of the wild-type MYO3A protein, which may impact cargo transport, stereocilia length, and mechanotransduction. The dominant negative effect of the altered myosin function explains the dominant inheritance of deafness.

Cilia - The sensory antennae in the eye

Cilia are hair-like projections found on almost all cells in the human body. Originally believed to function merely in motility, the function of solitary non-motile (primary) cilia was long overlooked. Recent research has demonstrated that primary cilia function as signalling hubs that sense environmental cues and are pivotal for organ development and function, tissue hoemoestasis, and maintenance of human health. Cilia share a common anatomy and their diverse functional features are achieved by evolutionarily conserved functional modules, organized into sub-compartments. Defects in these functional modules are responsible for a rapidly growing list of human diseases collectively termed ciliopathies. Ocular pathogenesis is common in virtually all classes of syndromic ciliopathies, and disruptions in cilia genes have been found to be causative in a growing number of non-syndromic retinal dystrophies. This review will address what is currently known about cilia contribution to visual function. We will focus on the molecular and cellular functions of ciliary proteins and their role in the photoreceptor sensory cilia and their visual phenotypes. We also highlight other ciliated cell types in tissues of the eye (e.g. lens, RPE and Müller glia cells) discussing their possible contribution to disease progression. Progress in basic research on the cilia function in the eye is paving the way for therapeutic options for retinal ciliopathies. In the final section we describe the latest advancements in gene therapy, read-through of non-sense mutations and stem cell therapy, all being adopted to treat cilia dysfunction in the retina.

Usher syndrome type 1-associated cadherins shape the photoreceptor outer segment

Usher syndrome type 1 (USH1) causes combined hearing and sight defects, but USH1 protein function in the retina is unclear. Schietroma et al. use Xenopus to model the deficiency in two USH1 proteins—protocadherin-15 and cadherin-23—and identify crucial roles for these molecules in shaping the photoreceptor outer segment.

Usher syndrome type 1 (USH1) causes combined hearing and sight defects, but how mutations in USH1 genes lead to retinal dystrophy in patients remains elusive. The USH1 protein complex is associated with calyceal processes, which are microvilli of unknown function surrounding the base of the photoreceptor outer segment. We show that in Xenopus tropicalis, these processes are connected to the outer-segment membrane by links composed of protocadherin-15 (USH1F protein). Protocadherin-15 deficiency, obtained by a knockdown approach, leads to impaired photoreceptor function and abnormally shaped photoreceptor outer segments. Rod basal outer disks displayed excessive outgrowth, and cone outer segments were curved, with lamellae of heterogeneous sizes, defects also observed upon knockdown of Cdh23, encoding cadherin-23 (USH1D protein). The calyceal processes were virtually absent in cones and displayed markedly reduced F-actin content in rods, suggesting that protocadherin-15–containing links are essential for their development and/or maintenance. We propose that calyceal processes, together with their associated links, control the sizing of rod disks and cone lamellae throughout their daily renewal.

Myosins: Domain Organisation, Motor Properties, Physiological Roles and Cellular Functions

Myosins are cytoskeletal motor proteins that use energy derived from ATP hydrolysis to generate force and movement along actin filaments. Humans express 38 myosin genes belonging to 12 classes that participate in a diverse range of crucial activities, including muscle contraction, intracellular trafficking, cell division, motility, actin cytoskeletal organisation and cell signalling. Myosin malfunction has been implicated a variety of disorders including deafness, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, Usher syndrome, Griscelli syndrome and cancer. In this chapter, we will first discuss the key structural and kinetic features that are conserved across the myosin family. Thereafter, we summarise for each member in turn its unique functional and structural adaptations, cellular roles and associated pathologies. Finally, we address the broad therapeutic potential for pharmacological interventions that target myosin family members.

Impact of the Motor and Tail Domains of Class III Myosins on Regulating the Formation and Elongation of Actin Protrusions

Class III myosins (MYO3A and MYO3B) are proposed to function as transporters as well as length and ultrastructure regulators within stable actin-based protrusions such as stereocilia and calycal processes. MYO3A differs from MYO3B in that it contains an extended tail domain with an additional actin-binding motif. We examined how the properties of the motor and tail domains of human class III myosins impact their ability to enhance the formation and elongation of actin protrusions. Direct examination of the motor and enzymatic properties of human MYO3A and MYO3B revealed that MYO3A is a 2-fold faster motor with enhanced ATPase activity and actin affinity. A chimera in which the MYO3A tail was fused to the MYO3B motor demonstrated that motor activity correlates with formation and elongation of actin protrusions. We demonstrate that removal of individual exons (30-34) in the MYO3A tail does not prevent filopodia tip localization but abolishes the ability to enhance actin protrusion formation and elongation in COS7 cells. Interestingly, our results demonstrate that MYO3A slows filopodia dynamics and enhances filopodia lifetime in COS7 cells. We also demonstrate that MYO3A is more efficient than MYO3B at increasing formation and elongation of stable microvilli on the surface of cultured epithelial cells. We propose that the unique features of MYO3A, enhanced motor activity, and an extended tail with tail actin-binding motif, allow it to play an important role in stable actin protrusion length and ultrastructure maintenance.

Stereocilia-staircase spacing is influenced by myosin III motors and their cargos espin-1 and espin-like

Hair cells tightly control the dimensions of their stereocilia, which are actin-rich protrusions with graded heights that mediate mechanotransduction in the inner ear. Two members of the myosin-III family, MYO3A and MYO3B, are thought to regulate stereocilia length by transporting cargos that control actin polymerization at stereocilia tips. We show that eliminating espin-1 (ESPN-1), an isoform of ESPN and a myosin-III cargo, dramatically alters the slope of the stereocilia staircase in a subset of hair cells. Furthermore, we show that espin-like (ESPNL), primarily present in developing stereocilia, is also a myosin-III cargo and is essential for normal hearing. ESPN-1 and ESPNL each bind MYO3A and MYO3B, but differentially influence how the two motors function. Consequently, functional properties of different motor-cargo combinations differentially affect molecular transport and the length of actin protrusions. This mechanism is used by hair cells to establish the required range of stereocilia lengths within a single cell.

A Splice Variant of Bardet-Biedl Syndrome 5 (BBS5) Protein that Is Selectively Expressed in Retina

PURPOSE

Bardet-Biedl syndrome is a complex ciliopathy that usually manifests with some form of retinal degeneration, amongst other ciliary-related deficiencies. One of the genetic causes of this syndrome results from a defect in Bardet-Biedl Syndrome 5 (BBS5) protein. BBS5 is one component of the BBSome, a complex of proteins that regulates the protein composition in cilia. In this study, we identify a smaller molecular mass form of BBS5 as a variant formed by alternative splicing and show that expression of this splice variant is restricted to the retina.

METHODS

Reverse transcription PCR from RNA was used to isolate and identify potential alternative transcripts of Bbs5. A peptide unique to the C-terminus of the BBS5 splice variant was synthesized and used to prepare antibodies that selectively recognized the BBS5 splice variant. These antibodies were used on immunoblots of tissue extracts to determine the extent of expression of the alternative transcript and on tissue slices to determine the localization of expressed protein. Pull-down of fluorescently labeled arrestin1 by immunoprecipitation of the BBS5 splice variant was performed to assess functional interaction between the two proteins.

RESULTS

PCR from mouse retinal cDNA using Bbs5-specific primers amplified a unique cDNA that was shown to be a splice variant of BBS5 resulting from the use of cryptic splicing sites in Intron 7. The resulting transcript codes for a truncated form of the BBS5 protein with a unique 24 amino acid C-terminus, and predicted 26.5 kD molecular mass. PCR screening of RNA isolated from various ciliated tissues and immunoblots of protein extracts from these same tissues showed that this splice variant was expressed in retina, but not brain, heart, kidney, or testes. Quantitative PCR showed that the splice variant transcript is 8.9-fold (+/- 1.1-fold) less abundant than the full-length transcript. In the retina, the splice variant of BBS5 appears to be most abundant in the connecting cilium of photoreceptors, where BBS5 is also localized. Like BBS5, the binding of BBS5L to arrestin1 can be modulated by phosphorylation through protein kinase C.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study we have identified a novel splice variant of BBS5 that appears to be expressed only in the retina. The BBS5 splice variant is expressed at approximately 10% of full-length BBS5 level. No unique functional or localization properties could be identified for the splice variant compared to BBS5.

Myosin III-mediated cross-linking and stimulation of actin bundling activity of Espin

Class III myosins (Myo3) and actin-bundling protein Espin play critical roles in regulating the development and maintenance of stereocilia in vertebrate hair cells, and their defects cause hereditary hearing impairments. Myo3 interacts with Espin1 through its tail homology I motif (THDI), however it is not clear how Myo3 specifically acts through Espin1 to regulate the actin bundle assembly and stabilization. Here we discover that Myo3 THDI contains a pair of repeat sequences capable of independently and strongly binding to the ankyrin repeats of Espin1, revealing an unexpected Myo3-mediated cross-linking mechanism of Espin1. The structures of Myo3 in complex with Espin1 not only elucidate the mechanism of the binding, but also reveal a Myo3-induced release of Espin1 auto-inhibition mechanism. We also provide evidence that Myo3-mediated cross-linking can further promote actin fiber bundling activity of Espin1.

My oh my(osin): Insights into how auditory hair cells count, measure, and shape

The mechanisms underlying mechanosensory hair bundle formation in auditory sensory cells are largely mysterious. In this issue, Lelli et al. (2016. J. Cell Biol.http://dx.doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201509017) reveal that a pair of molecular motors, myosin IIIa and myosin IIIb, is involved in the hair bundle’s morphology and hearing.

Invertebrate and vertebrate class III myosins interact with MORN repeat-containing adaptor proteins

In Drosophila photoreceptors, the NINAC-encoded myosin III is found in a complex with a small, MORN-repeat containing, protein Retinophilin (RTP). Expression of these two proteins in other cell types showed NINAC myosin III behavior is altered by RTP. NINAC deletion constructs were used to map the RTP binding site within the proximal tail domain of NINAC. In vertebrates, the RTP ortholog is MORN4. Co-precipitation experiments demonstrated that human MORN4 binds to human myosin IIIA (MYO3A). In COS7 cells, MORN4 and MYO3A, but not MORN4 and MYO3B, co-localize to actin rich filopodia extensions. Deletion analysis mapped the MORN4 binding to the proximal region of the MYO3A tail domain. MYO3A dependent MORN4 tip localization suggests that MYO3A functions as a motor that transports MORN4 to the filopodia tips and MORN4 may enhance MYO3A tip localization by tethering it to the plasma membrane at the protrusion tips. These results establish conserved features of the RTP/MORN4 family: they bind within the tail domain of myosin IIIs to control their behavior.

Phosphorylation of the kinase domain regulates autophosphorylation of myosin IIIA and its translocation in microvilli

Motor activity of myosin III is regulated by autophosphorylation. To investigate the role of the kinase activity on the transporter function of myosin IIIA (Myo3A), we identified the phosphorylation sites of kinase domain (KD), which is responsible for the regulation of kinase activity and thus motor function. Using mass spectrometry, we identified six phosphorylation sites in the KD, which are highly conserved among class III myosins and Ste20-related misshapen (Msn) kinases. Two predominant sites, Thr¹⁸⁴ and Thr¹⁸⁸, in KD are important for phosphorylation of the KD as well as the motor domain, which regulates the affinity for actin. In the Caco2 cells, the full-length human Myo3A (hMyo3AFull) markedly enlarged the microvilli, although it did not show discrete localization within the microvilli. On the other hand, hMyo3AFull(T184A) and hMyo3AFull(T188A) both showed clear localization at the microvilli tips. Our results suggest that Myo3A induces large actin bundle formation to form microvilli, and phosphorylation of KD at Thr¹⁸⁴ and Thr¹⁸⁸ is critical for the kinase activity of Myo3A, and regulation of Myo3A translocation to the tip of microvilli. Retinal extracts potently dephosphorylate both KD and motor domain without IQ motifs (MDIQo), which was inhibited by okadaic acid (OA) with nanomolar range and by tautomycetin (TMC) with micromolar range. The results suggest that Myo3A phosphatase is protein phosphatase type 2A (PP2A). Supporting this result, recombinant PP2Ac potently dephosphorylates both KD and MDIQo. We propose that the phosphorylation–dephosphorylation mechanism plays an essential role in mediating the transport and actin bundle formation and stability functions of hMyo3A.

Myosin 3A kinase activity is regulated by phosphorylation of the kinase domain activation loop

Class III myosins are unique members of the myosin superfamily in that they contain both a motor and kinase domain. We have found that motor activity is decreased by autophosphorylation, although little is known about the regulation of the kinase domain. We demonstrate by mass spectrometry that Thr-178 and Thr-184 in the kinase domain activation loop and two threonines in the loop 2 region of the motor domain are autophosphorylated (Thr-908 and Thr-919). The kinase activity of MYO3A 2IQ with the phosphomimic (T184E) or phosphoblock (T184A) mutations demonstrates that kinase activity is reduced 30-fold as a result of the T184A mutation, although the Thr-178 site only had a minor impact on kinase activity. Interestingly, the actin-activated ATPase activity of MYO3A 2IQ is slightly reduced as a result of the T178A and T184A mutations suggesting coupling between motor and kinase domains. Full-length GFP-tagged T184A and T184E MYO3A constructs transfected into COS7 cells do not disrupt the ability of MYO3A to localize to filopodia structures. In addition, we demonstrate that T184E MYO3A reduces filopodia elongation in the presence of espin-1, whereas T184A enhances filopodia elongation in a similar fashion to kinase-dead MYO3A. Our results suggest that as MYO3A accumulates at the tips of actin protrusions, autophosphorylation of Thr-184 enhances kinase activity resulting in phosphorylation of the MYO3A motor and reducing motor activity. The differential regulation of the kinase and motor activities allows for MYO3A to precisely self-regulate its concentration in the actin bundle-based structures of cells.

Molecular physiology of SPAK and OSR1: two Ste20-related protein kinases regulating ion transport

SPAK (Ste20-related proline alanine rich kinase) and OSR1 (oxidative stress responsive kinase) are members of the germinal center kinase VI subfamily of the mammalian Ste20 (Sterile20)-related protein kinase family. Although there are 30 enzymes in this protein kinase family, their conservation across the fungi, plant, and animal kingdom confirms their evolutionary importance. Already, a large volume of work has accumulated on the tissue distribution, binding partners, signaling cascades, and physiological roles of mammalian SPAK and OSR1 in multiple organ systems. After reviewing this basic information, we will examine newer studies that demonstrate the pathophysiological consequences to SPAK and/or OSR1 disruption, discuss the development and analysis of genetically engineered mouse models, and address the possible role these serine/threonine kinases might have in cancer proliferation and migration.

Cone outer segments: a biophysical model of membrane dynamics, shape retention, and lamella formation

An hypothesis is developed to explain how the unique, right circular conical geometry of cone outer segments (COSs) in Xenopus laevis and other lower vertebrates is maintained during the cycle of axial shortening by apical phagocytosis and axial elongation via the addition of new basal lamellae. Extension of a new basal evagination (BE) applies radial (lateral) traction to membrane and cytoplasmic domains, achieving two coupled effects. 1), The bilayer domain is locally stretched/dilated, creating an entropic driving force that draws membrane components into the BE from the COS's distributed bilayer phase, i.e., plasmalemma and older lamellae (membrane recycling). Membrane proteins, e.g., opsins, are carried passively in this advective, bilayer-driven process. 2), With BE stretching, hydrostatic pressure within the BE cytoplasm is reduced slightly with respect to that of the axonemal cytoplasmic reservoir, allowing cytoplasmic flow into the BE. Attendant lowering of the reservoir's hydrostatic pressure facilitates the subsequent transfer of cytoplasm from lamellar domains to the reservoir (cytoplasmic recycling). The geometry of the BE reflects the membrane/cytoplasm ratio needed for its construction, and essentially specifies the ratio of components recycled from older lamellae. Length and taper angle of the COS reflect the ratio of recycled/new components constructing a new BE. The model also integrates the trajectories and dynamics of lamella open margin lattice components. Although not fully evaluated, the initial model has been assessed against the relevant literature, and three experimental predictions are derived.

PDA (prolonged depolarizing afterpotential)-defective mutants: the story of nina's and ina's--pinta and santa maria, too

Our objective is to present a comprehensive view of the PDA (prolonged depolarizing afterpotential)-defective Drosophila mutants, nina's and ina's, from the discussion of the PDA and the PDA-based mutant screening strategy to summaries of the knowledge gained through the studies of mutants generated using the strategy. The PDA is a component of the light-evoked photoreceptor potential that is generated when a substantial fraction of rhodopsin is photoconverted to its active form, metarhodopsin. The PDA-based mutant screening strategy was adopted to enhance the efficiency and efficacy of ERG (electroretinogram)-based screening for identifying phototransduction-defective mutants. Using this strategy, two classes of PDA-defective mutants were identified and isolated, nina and ina, each comprising multiple complementation groups. The nina mutants are characterized by allele-dependent reduction in the major rhodopsin, Rh1, whereas the ina mutants display defects in some aspects of functions related to the transduction channel, TRP (transient receptor potential). The signaling proteins that have been identified and elucidated through the studies of nina mutants include the Drosophila opsin protein (NINAE), the chaperone protein for nascent opsin (NINAA), and the multifunctional protein, NINAC, required in multiple steps of the Drosophila phototransduction cascade. Also identified by the nina mutants are some of the key enzymes involved in the biogenesis of the rhodopsin chromophore. As for the ina mutants, they led to the discovery of the scaffold protein, INAD, responsible for the nucleation of the supramolecular signaling complex. Also identified by the ina mutants is one of the key members of the signaling complex, INAC (ePKC), and two other proteins that are likely to be important, though their roles in the signaling cascade have not yet been fully elucidated. In most of these cases, the protein identified is the first member of its class to be so recognized.

Myosin IIIB uses an actin-binding motif in its espin-1 cargo to reach the tips of actin protrusions

Myosin IIIA (MYO3A) targets actin protrusion tips using a motility mechanism dependent on both motor and tail actin-binding activity [1]. We show that myosin IIIB (MYO3B) lacks tail actin-binding activity and is unable to target COS7 cell filopodia tips, yet is somehow able to target stereocilia tips. Strikingly, when MYO3B is coexpressed with espin-1 (ESPN1), a MYO3A cargo protein endogenously expressed in stereocilia [2], MYO3B targets and carries ESPN1 to COS7 filopodia tips. We show that this tip localization is lost when we remove the ESPN1 C terminus actin-binding site. We also demonstrate that, like MYO3A [2], MYO3B can elongate filopodia by transporting ESPN1 to the polymerizing end of actin filaments. The mutual dependence of MYO3B and ESPN1 for tip localization reveals a novel mechanism for the cell to regulate myosin tip localization via a reciprocal relationship with cargo that directly participates in actin binding for motility. Our results are consistent with a novel form of motility for class III myosins that requires both motor and tail domain actin-binding activity and show that the actin-binding tail can be replaced by actin-binding cargo. This study also provides a framework to better understand the late-onset hearing loss phenotype in patients with MYO3A mutations.

Mouse class III myosins: kinase activity and phosphorylation sites

As class III unconventional myosins are motor proteins with an N-terminal kinase domain, it seems likely they play a role in both signaling and actin based transport. A growing body of evidence indicates that the motor functions of human class IIIA myosin, which has been implicated in progressive hearing loss, are modulated by intermolecular autophosphorylation. However, the phosphorylation sites have not been identified. We studied the kinase activity and phosphorylation sites of mouse class III myosins, mMyo3A and 3B, which are highly similar to their human orthologs. We demonstrate that the kinase domains of mMyo3A and 3B are active kinases, and that they have similar, if not identical, substrate specificities. We show that the kinase domains of these proteins autophosphorylate, and that they can phosphorylate sites within their myosin and tail domains. Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, we identified phosphorylated sites in the kinase, myosin motor and tail domains of both mMyo3A and 3B. Most of the phosphorylated sites we identified and their consensus phosphorylation motifs are highly conserved among vertebrate class III myosins, including human class III myosins. Our findings are a major step toward understanding how the functions of class III myosins are regulated by phosphorylation.

Intermolecular autophosphorylation regulates myosin IIIa activity and localization in parallel actin bundles

Myosin IIIa (Myo3A) transports cargo to the distal end of actin protrusions and contains a kinase domain that is thought to autoregulate its activity. Because Myo3A tends to cluster at the tips of actin protrusions, we investigated whether intermolecular phosphorylation could regulate Myo3A biochemical activity, cellular localization, and cellular function. Inactivation of Myo3A 2IQ kinase domain with the point mutation K50R did not alter maximal ATPase activity, whereas phosphorylation of Myo3A 2IQ resulted in reduced maximal ATPase activity and actin affinity. The rate and degree of Myo3A 2IQ autophosphorylation was unchanged by the presence of actin but was found to be dependent upon Myo3A 2IQ concentration within the range of 0.1 to 1.2 μm, indicating intermolecular autophosphorylation. In cultured cells, we observed that the filopodial tip localization of Myo3A lacking the kinase domain decreased when co-expressed with kinase-active, full-length Myo3A. The cellular consequence of reduced Myo3A tip localization was decreased filopodial density along the cell periphery, identifying a novel cellular function for Myo3A in mediating the formation and stability of actin-based protrusions. Our results suggest that Myo3A motor activity is regulated through a mechanism involving concentration-dependent autophosphorylation. We suggest that this regulatory mechanism plays an essential role in mediating the transport and actin bundle formation/stability functions of Myo3A.

Effect of phosphorylation in the motor domain of human myosin IIIA on its ATP hydrolysis cycle

Previous findings suggested that the motor activity of human myosin IIIA (HM3A) is influenced by phosphorylation [Kambara, T., et al. (2006) J. Biol. Chem. 281, 37291-37301]; however, how phosphorylation controls the motor activity of HM3A is obscure. In this study, we clarify the kinetic basis of the effect of phosphorylation on the ATP hydrolysis cycle of the motor domain of HM3A (huM3AMD). The affinity of human myosin IIIA for filamentous actin in the presence of ATP is more than 100-fold decreased by phosphorylation, while the maximum rate of ATP turnover is virtually unchanged. The rate of release of ADP from acto-phosphorylated huM3AMD is 6-fold greater than the overall cycle rate, and thus not a rate-determining step. The rate constant of the ATP hydrolysis step of the actin-dissociated form is markedly increased by phosphorylation by 30-fold. The dissociation constant for dissociation of the ATP-bound form of huM3AMD from actin is greatly increased by phosphorylation, and this result agrees well with the significant increase in the K(actin) value of the steady-state ATPase reaction. The rate constant of the P(i) off step is greater than 60 s(-1), suggesting that this step does not limit the overall ATP hydrolysis cycle rate. Our kinetic model indicates that phosphorylation induces the dissociation of huM3AMD from actin during the ATP hydrolysis cycle, and this is due to the phosphorylation-dependent marked decrease in the affinity of huM3AMD.ATP for actin and the increase in the ATP hydrolysis rate of huM3AMD in the actin-dissociated state. These results suggest that the phosphorylation of myosin IIIA significantly lowers the duty ratio, which may influence the cargo transporting ability of the native form of myosin IIIA that contains the ATP-independent actin binding site in the tail.

PDZD7 is a modifier of retinal disease and a contributor to digenic Usher syndrome

Usher syndrome is a genetically heterogeneous recessive disease characterized by hearing loss and retinitis pigmentosa (RP). It frequently presents with unexplained, often intrafamilial, variability of the visual phenotype. Although 9 genes have been linked with Usher syndrome, many patients do not have mutations in any of these genes, suggesting that there are still unidentified genes involved in the syndrome. Here, we have determined that mutations in PDZ domain-containing 7 (PDZD7), which encodes a homolog of proteins mutated in Usher syndrome subtype 1C (USH1C) and USH2D, contribute to Usher syndrome. Mutations in PDZD7 were identified only in patients with mutations in other known Usher genes. In a set of sisters, each with a homozygous mutation in USH2A, a frame-shift mutation in PDZD7 was present in the sister with more severe RP and earlier disease onset. Further, heterozygous PDZD7 mutations were present in patients with truncating mutations in USH2A, G protein-coupled receptor 98 (GPR98; also known as USH2C), and an unidentified locus. We validated the human genotypes using zebrafish, and our findings were consistent with digenic inheritance of PDZD7 and GPR98, and with PDZD7 as a retinal disease modifier in patients with USH2A. Pdzd7 knockdown produced an Usher-like phenotype in zebrafish, exacerbated retinal cell death in combination with ush2a or gpr98, and reduced Gpr98 localization in the region of the photoreceptor connecting cilium. Our data challenge the view of Usher syndrome as a traditional Mendelian disorder and support the reclassification of Usher syndrome as an oligogenic disease.

Supervised machine learning and logistic regression identifies novel epistatic risk factors with PTPN22 for rheumatoid arthritis

Investigating genetic interactions (epistasis) has proven difficult despite the recent advances of both laboratory methods and statistical developments. With no 'best' statistical approach available, combining several analytical methods may be optimal for detecting epistatic interactions. Using a multi-stage analysis that incorporated supervised machine learning and methods of association testing, we investigated epistatic interactions with a well-established genetic factor (PTPN22 1858T) in a complex autoimmune disease (rheumatoid arthritis (RA)). Our analysis consisted of four principal stages: Stage I (data reduction)-identifying candidate chromosomal regions in 292 affected sibling pairs, by predicting PTPN22 concordance using multipoint identity-by-descent probabilities and a supervised machine learning algorithm (Random Forests); Stage II (extension analysis)-testing detailed genetic data within candidate chromosomal regions for epistasis with PTPN22 1858T in 677 cases and 750 controls using logistic regression; Stage III (replication analysis)-confirmation of epistatic interactions in 947 cases and 1756 controls; Stage IV (combined analysis)-a pooled analysis including all 1624 RA cases and 2506 control subjects for final estimates of effect size. A total of seven replicating epistatic interactions were identified. SNP variants within CDH13, MYO3A, CEP72 and near WFDC1 showed significant evidence for interaction with PTPN22, affecting susceptibility to RA.

Evolution of domain combinations in protein kinases and its implications for functional diversity

Protein kinases phosphorylating Ser/Thr/Tyr residues in several cellular proteins exert tight control over their biological functions. They constitute the largest protein family in most eukaryotic species. Protein kinases classified based on sequence similarity in their catalytic domains, cluster into subfamilies, which share gross functional properties. Many protein kinases are associated or tethered covalently to domains that serve as adapter or regulatory modules, aiding substrate recruitment, specificity, and also serve as scaffolds. Hence the modular organisation of the protein kinases serves as guidelines to their functional and molecular properties. Analysis of genomic repertoires of protein kinases in eukaryotes have revealed wide spectrum of domain organisation across various subfamilies of kinases. Occurrence of organism-specific novel domain combinations suggests functional diversity achieved by protein kinases in order to regulate variety of biological processes. In addition, domain architecture of protein kinases revealed existence of hybrid protein kinase subfamilies and their emerging roles in the signaling of eukaryotic organisms. In this review we discuss the repertoire of non-kinase domains tethered to multi-domain kinases in the metazoans. Similarities and differences in the domain architectures of protein kinases in these organisms indicate conserved and unique features that are critical to functional specialization.

The mammalian family of sterile 20p-like protein kinases

Twenty-eight kinases found in mammalian genomes share similarity to the budding yeast kinase Ste20p. This review article examines the biological function of these mammalian Ste20 kinases. Some of them have conserved the Ste20p function of transducing extracellular signals to mitogen-activated kinases. Others affect ion transport, cell cycle, cytoskeleton organization, and program cell death. A number of molecular details involved in the activation of the kinases are discussed including autophosphorylation, substrate recognition, autoinhibition, dimerization, and substrate binding.

Identification and localization of myosin superfamily members in fish retina and retinal pigmented epithelium

Myosins are cytoskeletal motors critical for generating the forces necessary for establishing cell structure and mediating actin-dependent cell motility. In each cell type a multitude of myosins are expressed, each myosin contributing to aspects of morphogenesis, transport, or motility occurring in that cell type. To examine the roles of myosins in individual retinal cell types, we first used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening to identify myosins expressed in retina and retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE), followed by immunohistochemistry to examine the cellular and subcellular localizations of seven of these expressed myosins. In the myosin PCR screen of cDNA from striped bass retina and striped bass RPE, we amplified 17 distinct myosins from eight myosin classes from retinal cDNA and 11 distinct myosins from seven myosin classes from RPE cDNA. By using antibodies specific for myosins IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB, VI, VIIA, and IXB, we examined the localization patterns of these myosins in retinas and RPE of fish, and in isolated inner/outer segment fragments of green sunfish photoreceptors. Each of the myosins exhibited unique expression patterns in fish retina. Individual cell types expressed multiple myosin family members, some of which colocalized within a particular cell type. Because much is known about the functions and properties of these myosins from studies in other systems, their cellular and subcellular localization patterns in the retina help us understand which roles they might play in the vertebrate retina and RPE.

Cloning and distribution of myosin 3B in the mouse retina: differential distribution in cone outer segments

Class III myosins are important for the function and survival of photoreceptors and ciliary hair cells. Although vertebrates possess two class III myosin genes, myo3A and myo3B, recent studies have focused on Myo3A because mutations in the human gene are implicated in progressive hearing loss. Myo3B may compensate for defects in Myo3A, yet little is known about its distribution and function. This study focuses on Myo3B expression in the mouse retina. We cloned two variants of myo3B from mouse retina and determined that they are expressed early in retinal development. In this study we show for the first time in a mammal that both Myo3B and Myo3A proteins are present in inner segments of all photoreceptors. Myo3B is also present in outer segments of S opsin-immunoreactive cones but not M opsin dominant cones. Myo3B is also detected in rare cells of the inner nuclear layer and some ganglion cells. Myo3B may have diverse roles in retinal neurons. In photoreceptor inner segments Myo3B is positioned appropriately to prevent photoreceptor loss of function caused by Myo3A defects.

The translocation of signaling molecules in dark adapting mammalian rod photoreceptor cells is dependent on the cytoskeleton

In vertebrate rod photoreceptor cells, arrestin and the visual G-protein transducin move between the inner segment and outer segment in response to changes in light. This stimulus dependent translocation of signalling molecules is assumed to participate in long term light adaptation of photoreceptors. So far the cellular basis for the transport mechanisms underlying these intracellular movements remains largely elusive. Here we investigated the dependency of these movements on actin filaments and the microtubule cytoskeleton of photoreceptor cells. Co-cultures of mouse retina and retinal pigment epithelium were incubated with drugs stabilizing and destabilizing the cytoskeleton. The actin and microtubule cytoskeleton and the light dependent distribution of signaling molecules were subsequently analyzed by light and electron microscopy. The application of cytoskeletal drugs differentially affected the cytoskeleton in photoreceptor compartments. During dark adaptation the depolymerization of microtubules as well as actin filaments disrupted the translocation of arrestin and transducin in rod photoreceptor cells. During light adaptation only the delivery of arrestin within the outer segment was impaired after destabilization of microtubules. Movements of transducin and arrestin required intact cytoskeletal elements in dark adapting cells. However, diffusion might be sufficient for the fast molecular movements observed as cells adapt to light. These findings indicate that different molecular translocation mechanisms are responsible for the dark and light associated translocations of arrestin and transducin in rod photoreceptor cells.

Dynamic length regulation of sensory stereocilia

Stereocilia, the mechanosensory organelles of hair cells, are a distinctive class of actin-based cellular protrusions with an unparalleled ability to regulate their lengths over time. Studies on actin turnover in stereocilia, as well as the identification of several deafness-related proteins essential for proper stereocilia structure and function, provide new insights into the mechanisms and molecules involved in stereocilia length regulation and long-term maintenance. Comparisons of ongoing investigations on stereocilia with studies on other actin protrusions offer new opportunities to further understand common principles for length regulation, the diversity of its mechanisms, and how the specific needs of each cell are met.

Loop 2 of limulus myosin III is phosphorylated by protein kinase A and autophosphorylation

Little is known about the functions of class III unconventional myosins although, with an N-terminal kinase domain, they are potentially both signaling and motor proteins. Limulus myosin III is particularly interesting because it is a phosphoprotein abundant in photoreceptors that becomes more heavily phosphorylated at night by protein kinase A. This enhanced nighttime phosphorylation occurs in response to signals from an endogenous circadian clock and correlates with dramatic changes in photoreceptor structure and function. We seek to understand the role of Limulus myosin III and its phosphorylation in photoreceptors. Here we determined the sites that become phosphorylated in Limulus myosin III and investigated its kinase, actin binding, and myosin ATPase activities. We show that Limulus myosin III exhibits kinase activity and that a major site for both protein kinase A and autophosphorylation is located within loop 2 of the myosin domain, an important actin binding region. We also identify the phosphorylation of an additional protein kinase A and autophosphorylation site near loop 2, and a predicted phosphorylation site within loop 2. We show that the kinase domain of Limulus myosin III shares some pharmacological properties with protein kinase A, and that it is a potential opsin kinase. Finally, we demonstrate that Limulus myosin III binds actin but lacks ATPase activity. We conclude that Limulus myosin III is an actin-binding and signaling protein and speculate that interactions between actin and Limulus myosin III are regulated by both second messenger mediated phosphorylation and autophosphorylation of its myosin domain within and near loop 2.

Usher syndrome: molecular links of pathogenesis, proteins and pathways

Usher syndrome is the most common form of deaf-blindness. The syndrome is both clinically and genetically heterogeneous, and to date, eight causative genes have been identified. The proteins encoded by these genes are part of a dynamic protein complex that is present in hair cells of the inner ear and in photoreceptor cells of the retina. The localization of the Usher proteins and the phenotype in animal models indicate that the Usher protein complex is essential in the morphogenesis of the stereocilia bundle in hair cells and in the calycal processes of photoreceptor cells. In addition, the Usher proteins are important in the synaptic processes of both cell types. The association of other proteins with the complex indicates functional links to a number of basic cell-biological processes. Prominently present is the connection to the dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton, involved in cellular morphology, cell polarity and cell-cell interactions. The Usher protein complex can also be linked to the cadherins/catenins in the adherens junction-associated protein complexes, suggesting a role in cell polarity and tissue organization. A third link can be established to the integrin transmembrane signaling network. The Usher interactome, as outlined in this review, participates in pathways common in inner ear and retina that are disrupted in the Usher syndrome.

Kinetic mechanism of human myosin IIIA

Myosin IIIA is specifically expressed in photoreceptors and cochlea and is important for the phototransduction and hearing processes. In addition, myosin IIIA contains a unique N-terminal kinase domain and C-terminal tail actin-binding motif. We examined the kinetic properties of baculovirus expressed human myosin IIIA containing the kinase, motor, and two IQ domains. The maximum actin-activated ATPase rate is relatively slow (k(cat) = 0.77 +/- 0.08 s(-1)), and high actin concentrations are required to fully activate the ATPase rate (K(ATPase) = 34 +/- 11 microm). However, actin co-sedimentation assays suggest that myosin III has a relatively high steady-state affinity for actin in the presence of ATP (K(actin) approximately 7 microm). The rate of ATP binding to the motor domain is quite slow both in the presence and absence of actin (K(1)k(+2) = 0.020 and 0.001 microm(-1).s(-1), respectively). The rate of actin-activated phosphate release is more than 100-fold faster (85 s(-1)) than the k(cat), whereas ADP release in the presence of actin follows a two-step mechanism (7.0 and 0.6 s(-1)). Thus, our data suggest a transition between two actomyosin-ADP states is the rate-limiting step in the actomyosin III ATPase cycle. Our data also suggest the myosin III motor spends a large fraction of its cycle in an actomyosin ADP state that has an intermediate affinity for actin (K(d) approximately 5 microm). The long lived actomyosin-ADP state may be important for the ability of myosin III to function as a cellular transporter and actin cross-linker in the actin bundles of sensory cells.

A new compartment at stereocilia tips defined by spatial and temporal patterns of myosin IIIa expression

Class III myosins are motor proteins that contain an N-terminal kinase domain and a C-terminal actin-binding domain. We show that myosin IIIa, which has been implicated in nonsyndromic progressive hearing loss, is localized at stereocilia tips. Myosin IIIa progressively accumulates during stereocilia maturation in a thimble-like pattern around the stereocilia tip, distinct from the cap-like localization of myosin XVa and the shaft localization of myosin Ic. Overexpression of deletion mutants for functional domains of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-myosin IIIa shows that the motor domain, but not the actin-binding tail domain, is required for stereocilia tip localization. Deletion of the kinase domain produces stereocilia elongation and bulging of the stereocilia tips. The thimble-like localization and the influence myosin IIIa has on stereocilia shape reveal a previously unrecognized molecular compartment at the distal end of stereocilia, the site of actin polymerization as well as operation of the mechanoelectrical transduction apparatus.

Human myosin III is a motor having an extremely high affinity for actin

Myosin IIIA is expressed in photoreceptor cells and thought to play a critical role in phototransduction processes, yet its function on a molecular basis is largely unknown. Here we clarified the kinetic mechanism of the ATPase cycle of human myosin IIIA. The steady-state ATPase activity was markedly activated approximately 10-fold with very low actin concentration. The rate of ADP off from actomyosin IIIA was 10 times greater than the overall cycling rate, thus not a rate-determining step. The rate constant of the ATP hydrolysis step of the actin-dissociated form was very slow, but the rate was markedly accelerated by actin binding. The dissociation constant of the ATP-bound form of myosin IIIA from actin is submicromolar, which agrees well with the low K(actin). These results indicate that ATP hydrolysis predominantly takes place in the actin-bound form for actomyosin IIIA ATPase reaction. The obtained K(actin) was much lower than the previously reported one, and we found that the autophosphorylation of myosin IIIA dramatically increased the K(actin), whereas the V(max) was unchanged. Our kinetic model indicates that both the actin-attached hydrolysis and the P(i) release steps determine the overall cycle rate of the dephosphorylated form. Although the stable steady-state intermediates of actomyosin IIIA ATPase reaction are not typical strong actin-binding intermediates, the affinity of the stable intermediates for actin is much higher than conventional weak actin binding forms. The present results suggest that myosin IIIA can spend a majority of its ATP hydrolysis cycling time on actin.

Myosin 3A transgene expression produces abnormal actin filament bundles in transgenic Xenopus laevis rod photoreceptors

Myo3A, a class III myosin, localizes to the distal (plus) ends of inner segment actin filament bundles that form the core of microvillus-like calycal processes encircling the base of the photoreceptor outer segment. To investigate Myo3A localization and function, we expressed green fluorescent protein-tagged bass Myo3A and related constructs in transgenic Xenopus rods using a modified opsin promoter. Tagged intact Myo3A localized to rod calycal processes, as previously reported for native bass Myo3A. Transgenic rods developed abnormally large calycal processes and subsequently degenerated. Modified Myo3A expression constructs demonstrated that calycal process localization required an active motor domain and the tail domain. Expressed tail domain alone localized to actin bundles along the entire inner segment length, rather than to the distal end. This tail domain localization required the conserved C-terminal domain (3THDII) previously shown to possess an actin-binding motif. Our findings suggest that Myo3A plays a role in the morphogenesis and maintenance of calycal processes of vertebrate photoreceptors.

Light-dependent translocation of visual arrestin regulated by the NINAC myosin III

The rhodopsin regulatory protein, visual arrestin, undergoes light-dependent trafficking in mammalian and Drosophila photoreceptor cells, though the mechanisms underlying these movements are poorly understood. In Drosophila, the movement of the visual arrestin, Arr2, functions in long-term adaptation and is dependent on interaction with phosphoinositides (PIs). However, the basis for the requirement for PIs for light-dependent shuttling was unclear. Here, we demonstrated that the dynamic trafficking of Arr2 into the phototransducing compartment, the rhabdomere, required the eye-enriched myosin III, NINAC. We showed that defects in ninaC resulted in a long-term adaptation phenotype similar to that which occurred in arr2 mutants. The interaction between Arr2 and NINAC was PI dependent and NINAC bound directly to PIs. These data demonstrate that the light-dependent translocation of Arr2 into the rhabdomeres requires PI-mediated interactions between Arr2 and the NINAC myosin III.

Myosin III illuminates the mechanism of arrestin translocation

Recent studies have revealed that light adaptation of both vertebrate and invertebrate photoreceptors is accompanied by massive translocations of major signaling proteins in and out of the cellular compartments where visual signal transduction takes place. In this issue of Neuron, Lee and Montell report a breakthrough in understanding the mechanism of arrestin translocation in Drosophila. They show that arrestin is carried into the light-sensitive microvilli by phosphoinositide-enriched vesicles driven by a myosin motor.

Localization of a class III myosin to filopodia tips in transfected HeLa cells requires an actin-binding site in its tail domain

Bass Myo3A, a class III myosin, was expressed in HeLa cells as a GFP fusion in order to study its cellular localization. GFP-Myo3A localized to the cytoplasm and to the tips of F-actin bundles in filopodia, a localization that is consistent with the observed concentration toward the distal ends of F-actin bundles in photoreceptor cells. A mutation in the motor active site resulted in a loss of filopodia localization, suggesting that Myo3A motor activity is required for filopodial tip localization. Deletion analyses showed that the NH2-terminal kinase domain is not required but the CO2H-terminal 22 amino acids of the Myo3A tail are required for filopodial localization. Expression of this tail fragment alone produced fluorescence associated with F-actin throughout the cytoplasm and filopodia and a recombinant tail fragment bound to F-actin in vitro. An actin-binding motif was identified within this tail fragment, and a mutation within this motif abolished both filopodia localization by Myo3A and F-actin binding by the tail fragment alone. Calmodulin localized to filopodial tips when coexpressed with Myo3A but not in the absence of Myo3A, an observation consistent with the previous proposal that class III myosins bind calmodulin and thereby localize it in certain cell types.