Polarity sets the stage for cytokinesis

MBOAT7-driven phosphatidylinositol remodeling promotes the progression of clear cell renal carcinoma

Objective

The most common kidney cancer, clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), is closely associated with obesity. The “clear cell” variant of RCC gets its name from the large lipid droplets that accumulate in the tumor cells. Although renal lipid metabolism is altered in ccRCC, the mechanisms and lipids driving this are not well understood.

Methods

We used shotgun lipidomics in human ccRCC tumors and matched normal adjacent renal tissue. To assess MBOAT7s gene expression across tumor severity, we examined histologically graded human ccRCC samples. We then utilized genome editing in ccRCC cell lines to understand the role of MBOAT7 in ccRCC progression.

Results

We identified a lipid signature for ccRCC that includes an increase in arachidonic acid-enriched phosphatidylinositols (AA-PI). In parallel, we found that ccRCC tumors have increased expression of acyltransferase enzyme membrane bound O-acyltransferase domain containing 7 (MBOAT7) that contributes to AA-PI synthesis. In ccRCC patients, MBOAT7 expression increases with tumor grade, and increased MBOAT7 expression correlates with poor survival. Genetic deletion of MBOAT7 in ccRCC cells decreases proliferation and induces cell cycle arrest, and MBOAT7^−/− cells fail to form tumors in vivo. RNAseq of MBOAT7^−/− cells identified alterations in cell migration and extracellular matrix organization that were functionally validated in migration assays.

Conclusions

This study highlights the accumulation of AA-PI in ccRCC and demonstrates a novel way to decrease the AA-PI pool in ccRCC by limiting MBOAT7. Our data reveal that metastatic ccRCC is associated with altered AA-PI metabolism and identify MBOAT7 as a novel target in advanced ccRCC.

Polarized Exocytosis

Polarized exocytosis is generally considered as the multistep vesicular trafficking process in which membrane-bounded carriers are transported from the Golgi or endosomal compartments to specific sites of the plasma membrane. Polarized exocytosis in cells is achieved through the coordinated actions of membrane trafficking machinery and cytoskeleton orchestrated by signaling molecules such as the Rho family of small GTPases. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms of polarized exocytosis is essential to our understanding of a wide range of pathophysiological processes from neuronal development to tumor invasion.

Cytokinetic Abscission: Phosphoinositides and ESCRTs Direct the Final Cut

Cytokinetic abscission involves the fine and regulated recruitment of membrane remodeling proteins that participate in the abscission of the intracellular bridge that connects the two dividing cells. This essential process is mediated by the concomitant activity of the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) and the vesicular trafficking directed to the midbody. Phosphoinositides (PtdIns), produced at plasma membrane, and endosomes, act as molecular intermediates by recruiting effector proteins involved in multiple cellular processes, such as intracellular signaling, endo- and exo-cytosis, and membrane remodeling events. Emerging evidences suggest that PtdIns have an active role in recruiting key elements that control the stability and the remodeling of the cytoskeleton from the furrow ingression to the abscission, at the end of cytokinesis. Accordingly, a possible concomitant and coordinated activity between PtdIns production and ESCRT machinery assembly could also exist and recent findings are pointing the attention on poorly understood ESCRT subunits potentially able to associate with PtdIns rich membranes. Although further studies are required to link PtdIns to ESCRT machinery during abscission, this might represent a promising field of study. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 3561-3568, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The Centrosome, a Multitalented Renaissance Organelle

The centrosome acts as a microtubule-organizing center (MTOC) from the G₁ to G₂ phases of the cell cycle; it can mature into a spindle pole during mitosis and/or transition into a cilium by elongating microtubules (MTs) from the basal body on cell differentiation or cell cycle arrest. New studies hint that the centrosome functions in more than MT organization. For instance, it has recently been shown that a specific substructure of the centrosome-the mother centriole appendages-are required for the recycling of endosomes back to the plasma membrane. This alone could have important implications for a renaissance in our understanding of the development of primary cilia, endosome recycling, and the immune response. Here, we review newly identified roles for the centrosome in directing membrane traffic, the immunological synapse, and the stress response.

Rab14 specifies the apical membrane through Arf6-mediated regulation of lipid domains and Cdc42

The generation of cell polarity is essential for the development of multi-cellular organisms as well as for the function of epithelial organs in the mature animal. Small GTPases regulate the establishment and maintenance of polarity through effects on cytoskeleton, membrane trafficking, and signaling. Using short-term 3-dimensional culture of MDCK cells, we find that the small GTPase Rab14 is required for apical membrane specification. Rab14 knockdown results in disruption of polarized lipid domains and failure of the Par/aPKC/Cdc42 polarity complex to localize to the apical membrane. These effects are mediated through tight control of lipid localization, as overexpression of the phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase α [PtdIns(4)P5K] activator Arf6 or PtdIns(4)P5K alone, or treatment with the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PtdInsI3K) inhibitor wortmannin, rescued the multiple-apical domain phenotype observed after Rab14 knockdown. Rab14 also co-immunoprecipitates and colocalizes with the small GTPase Cdc42, and Rab14 knockdown results in increased Cdc42 activity. Furthermore, Rab14 regulates trafficking of vesicles to the apical domain, mitotic spindle orientation, and midbody position, consistent with Rab14’s reported localization to the midbody as well as its effects upon Cdc42. These results position Rab14 at the top of a molecular cascade that regulates the establishment of cell polarity.

Rab35 GTPase couples cell division with initiation of epithelial apico-basal polarity and lumen opening

Establishment and maintenance of apico-basal polarity in epithelial organs must be tightly coupled with cell division, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. Using 3D cultures of renal MDCK cells (cysts), we found that the Rab35 GTPase plays a crucial role in polarity initiation and apical lumen positioning during the first cell division of cyst development. At the molecular level, Rab35 physically couples cytokinesis with the initiation of apico-basal polarity by tethering intracellular vesicles containing key apical determinants at the cleavage site. These vesicles transport aPKC, Cdc42, Crumbs3 and the lumen-promoting factor Podocalyxin, and are tethered through a direct interaction between Rab35 and the cytoplasmic tail of Podocalyxin. Consequently, Rab35 inactivation leads to complete inversion of apico-basal polarity in 3D cysts. This novel and unconventional mode of Rab-dependent vesicle targeting provides a simple mechanism for triggering both initiation of apico-basal polarity and lumen opening at the centre of cysts.

Establishment and maintenance of apico-basal polarity in epithelial organs needs to be tightly coupled with cell division. Here the authors show that the Rab35 GTPase tethers intracellular vesicles containing key apical determinants at the cleavage site, connecting cytokinesis to apico-basal polarity.

Phosphoinositides: Lipids with informative heads and mastermind functions in cell division

Phosphoinositides are low abundant but essential phospholipids in eukaryotic cells and refer to phosphatidylinositol and its seven polyphospho-derivatives. In this review, we summarize our current knowledge on phosphoinositides in multiple aspects of cell division in animal cells, including mitotic cell rounding, longitudinal cell elongation, cytokinesis furrow ingression, intercellular bridge abscission and post-cytokinesis events. PtdIns(4,5)P₂production plays critical roles in spindle orientation, mitotic cell shape and bridge stability after furrow ingression by recruiting force generator complexes and numerous cytoskeleton binding proteins. Later, PtdIns(4,5)P₂hydrolysis and PtdIns3P production are essential for normal cytokinesis abscission. Finally, emerging functions of PtdIns3P and likely PtdIns(4,5)P₂have recently been reported for midbody remnant clearance after abscission. We describe how the multiple functions of phosphoinositides in cell division reflect their distinct roles in local recruitment of protein complexes, membrane traffic and cytoskeleton remodeling. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Phosphoinositides.

A new role for Rab GTPases during early mitotic stages

A recent study revealed new roles for the Rab11 GTPase during mitosis. Rab11 is involved in recycling endosome localization to mitotic spindle poles via dynein-mediated transport. This process is in contrast to Golgi membranes, which disperse in mitosis and do not appear to directly contribute to mitotic functions. Rab11-depletion prevents recycling endosome organization at spindle poles, delays mitotic progression, and disrupts spindle pole protein recruitment, astral microtubule organization, and mitotic spindle orientation. However, Rab11 is not the only endocytic and/or trafficking protein that regulates mitotic progression. Clathrin and two small GTPases (Rab6A', Rab5) play key roles in spindle organization and function. In this commentary, we discuss the roles of all these canonical endocytic and membrane trafficking proteins during mitosis and speculate on possible cross-communication between them and their molecular pathways that ensure faithful progression through mitosis.

Mitochondria localize to the cleavage furrow in mammalian cytokinesis

Mitochondria are dynamic organelles with multiple cellular functions, including ATP production, calcium buffering, and lipid biosynthesis. Several studies have shown that mitochondrial positioning is regulated by the cytoskeleton during cell division in several eukaryotic systems. However, the distribution of mitochondria during mammalian cytokinesis and whether the distribution is regulated by the cytoskeleton has not been examined. Using live spinning disk confocal microscopy and quantitative analysis of mitochondrial fluorescence intensity, we demonstrate that mitochondria are recruited to the cleavage furrow during cytokinesis in HeLa cells. After anaphase onset, the mitochondria are recruited towards the site of cleavage furrow formation, where they remain enriched as the furrow ingresses and until cytokinesis completion. Furthermore, we show that recruitment of mitochondria to the furrow occurs in multiple mammalian cells lines as well as in monopolar, bipolar, and multipolar divisions, suggesting that the mechanism of recruitment is conserved and robust. Using inhibitors of cytoskeleton dynamics, we show that the microtubule cytoskeleton, but not actin, is required to transport mitochondria to the cleavage furrow. Thus, mitochondria are specifically recruited to the cleavage furrow in a microtubule-dependent manner during mammalian cytokinesis. Two possible reasons for this could be to localize mitochondrial function to the furrow to facilitate cytokinesis and / or ensure accurate mitochondrial inheritance.

Typical cell signaling response to ionizing radiation: DNA damage and extranuclear damage

To treat many types of cancer, ionizing radiation (IR) is primarily used as external-beam radiotherapy, brachytherapy, and targeted radionuclide therapy. Exposure of tumor cells to IR can induce DNA damage as well as generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) which can cause non-DNA lesions or extracellular damage like lipid perioxidation. The initial radiation-induced cell responses to DNA damage and ROS like the proteolytic processing, as well as synthesis and releasing ligands (such as growth factors, cytokines, and hormone) can cause the delayed secondary responses in irradiated and unirradiated bystander cells through paracrine and autocrine pathways.

The centrosome regulates the Rab11- dependent recycling endosome pathway at appendages of the mother centriole

The recycling endosome localizes to a pericentrosomal region via microtubule-dependent transport. We previously showed that Sec15, an effector of the recycling endosome component, Rab11-GTPase, interacts with the mother centriole appendage protein, centriolin, suggesting an interaction between endosomes and centrosomes. Here we show that the recycling endosome associates with the appendages of the mother (older) centriole. We show that two mother centriole appendage proteins, centriolin and cenexin/ODF2, regulate association of the endosome components Rab11, the Rab11 GTP-activating protein Evi5, and the exocyst at the mother centriole. Development of an in vitro method for reconstituting endosome protein complexes onto isolated membrane-free centrosomes demonstrates that purified GTP-Rab11 but not GDP-Rab11 binds to mother centriole appendages in the absence of membranes. Moreover, centriolin depletion displaces the centrosomal Rab11 GAP, Evi5, and increases mother-centriole-associated Rab11; depletion of Evi5 also increases centrosomal Rab11. This indicates that centriolin localizes Evi5 to centriolar appendages to turn off centrosomal Rab11 activity. Finally, centriolin depletion disrupts recycling endosome organization and function, suggesting a role for mother centriole proteins in the regulation of Rab11 localization and activity at the mother centriole.

The PDZ protein discs-large (DLG): the 'Jekyll and Hyde' of the epithelial polarity proteins

Discs-large (DLG) is a multi-PDZ domain-containing protein that belongs to the family of molecular scaffolding proteins known as membrane guanylate kinases or MAGUKs. DLG is a component of the Scribble polarity complex and genetic analyses of DLG in Drosophila have identified a role for the protein in several key biological processes including the regulation of apico-basal polarity of epithelial cells, as well as other polarity processes such as asymmetric cell division and cell invasion. Disturbance of DLG function leads to uncontrolled epithelial cell proliferation and neoplastic transformation, thereby defining DLG as a potential tumour suppressor. However, whether mammalian homologues of DLG (DLG1, DLG2, DLG3 and DLG4) also possess tumour suppressor functions is not known. In this minireview, we focus on the biological functions of DLG1 in human epithelial cells and on how the function of this MAGUK relates to its intracellular location. We examine some of the evidence that implies that DLG has both tumour suppressor and, paradoxically, oncogenic functions depending upon the precise cellular context.

Anterior PAR proteins function during cytokinesis and maintain DYN-1 at the cleavage furrow in Caenorhabditis elegans

PAR proteins are key regulators of cellular polarity and have links to the endocytic machinery and the actin cytoskeleton. Our data suggest a unique role for PAR proteins in cytokinesis. We have found that at the onset of cytokinesis, anterior PAR-6 and posterior PAR-2 proteins are redistributed to the furrow membrane in a temporal and spatial manner. PAR-6 and PAR-2 localize to the furrow membrane during ingression but PAR-2-GFP is distinct in that it is excluded from the extreme tip of the furrow. Once the midbody has formed, PAR-2-GFP becomes restricted to the midbody region (the midbody plus the membrane flanking it). Depletion of both anterior PAR proteins, PAR-3 and PAR-6, led to an increase in multinucleate embryos, suggesting that the anterior PAR proteins are necessary during cytokinesis and that PAR-3 and PAR-6 function in cytokinesis may be partially redundant. Lastly, anterior PAR proteins play a role in the maintenance of DYN-1 in the cleavage furrow. Our data indicate that the PAR proteins are involved in the events that occur during cytokinesis and may play a role in promoting the membrane trafficking and remodeling events that occur during this time.

Orchestrating vesicle transport, ESCRTs and kinase surveillance during abscission

During the final stage of cell division, the future daughter cells are physically separated through abscission. This process requires coordination of many molecular machines, including endocytic and secretory vesicle trafficking proteins as well as ESCRT (endosomal sorting complex required for transport) proteins, that mediate a complex series of events to culminate in the final separation of daughter cells. Abscission is coordinated with other cellular processes (for example, nuclear pore reassembly) through mitotic kinases such as Aurora B and Polo-like kinase 1, which act as master regulators to ensure proper progression of abscission.