PKCα-mediated phosphorylation of the diacylglycerol kinase ζ MARCKS domain switches cell migration modes by regulating interactions with Rac1 and RhoA

Cells can switch between Rac1 (lamellipodia-based) and RhoA (blebbing-based) migration modes, but the molecular mechanisms regulating this shift are not fully understood. Diacylglycerol kinase ζ (DGKζ), which phosphorylates diacylglycerol to yield phosphatidic acid, forms independent complexes with Rac1 and RhoA, selectively dissociating each from their common inhibitor RhoGDI. DGKζ catalytic activity is required for Rac1 dissociation but is dispensable for RhoA dissociation; instead, DGKζ stimulates RhoA release via a kinase-independent scaffolding mechanism. The molecular determinants that mediate the selective targeting of DGKζ to Rac1 or RhoA signaling complexes are unknown. Here, we show that protein kinase Cα (PKCα)-mediated phosphorylation of the DGKζ MARCKS domain increased DGKζ association with RhoA and decreased its interaction with Rac1. The same modification also enhanced DGKζ interaction with the scaffold protein syntrophin. Expression of a phosphomimetic DGKζ mutant stimulated membrane blebbing in mouse embryonic fibroblasts and C2C12 myoblasts, which was augmented by inhibition of endogenous Rac1. DGKζ expression in differentiated C2 myotubes, which have low endogenous Rac1 levels, also induced substantial membrane blebbing via the RhoA-ROCK pathway. These events were independent of DGKζ catalytic activity, but dependent upon a functional C-terminal PDZ-binding motif. Rescue of RhoA activity in DGKζ-null cells also required the PDZ-binding motif, suggesting that syntrophin interaction is necessary for optimal RhoA activation. Collectively, our results define a switch-like mechanism whereby DGKζ phosphorylation by PKCα plays a role in the interconversion between Rac1 and RhoA signaling pathways that underlie different cellular migration modes.

Syntrophins entangled in cytoskeletal meshwork: Helping to hold it all together

Syntrophins are a family of 59 kDa peripheral membrane-associated adapter proteins, containing multiple protein-protein and protein-lipid interaction domains. The syntrophin family consists of five isoforms that exhibit specific tissue distribution, distinct sub-cellular localization and unique expression patterns implying their diverse functional roles. These syntrophin isoforms form multiple functional protein complexes and ensure proper localization of signalling proteins and their binding partners to specific membrane domains and provide appropriate spatiotemporal regulation of signalling pathways. Syntrophins consist of two PH domains, a PDZ domain and a conserved SU domain. The PH1 domain is split by the PDZ domain. The PH2 and the SU domain are involved in the interaction between syntrophin and the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex (DGC). Syntrophins recruit various signalling proteins to DGC and link extracellular matrix to internal signalling apparatus via DGC. The different domains of the syntrophin isoforms are responsible for modulation of cytoskeleton. Syntrophins associate with cytoskeletal proteins and lead to various cellular responses by modulating the cytoskeleton. Syntrophins are involved in many physiological processes which involve cytoskeletal reorganization like insulin secretion, blood pressure regulation, myogenesis, cell migration, formation and retraction of focal adhesions. Syntrophins have been implicated in various pathologies like Alzheimer's disease, muscular dystrophy, cancer. Their role in cytoskeletal organization and modulation makes them perfect candidates for further studies in various cancers and other ailments that involve cytoskeletal modulation. The role of syntrophins in cytoskeletal organization and modulation has not yet been comprehensively reviewed till now. This review focuses on syntrophins and highlights their role in cytoskeletal organization, modulation and dynamics via its involvement in different cell signalling networks.

Perspective: Spectrin-Like Repeats in Dystrophin Have Unique Binding Preferences for Syntrophin Adaptors That Explain the Mystery of How nNOSμ Localizes to the Sarcolemma

Dystrophin is a massive multi-domain protein composed of specialized amino and carboxyl termini that are separated by 24 spectrin-like repeats. Dystrophin performs critical structural and signaling roles that are indispensable for the functional integrity of skeletal muscle. Indeed, the loss of dystrophin protein expression causes the muscle wasting disease, Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Substantial progress has been made in defining the functions of the domains of dystrophin, which has proven invaluable for the development of miniaturized dystrophin gene and exon skipping therapies for DMD. However, a long-standing mystery regarding dystrophin function is how dystrophin, and its adaptor and neuronal nitric oxide synthase mu (nNOSμ) binding partner α-syntrophin, cooperate to localize nNOSμ to the sarcolemma. Only when localized to the sarcolemma can nNOSμ override sympathetic vasoconstriction and prevent functional ischemia in contracting muscles. Current evidence suggests that spectrin-like repeat 17 of dystrophin and α-syntrophin cooperate to localize nNOSμ to the sarcolemma. However, the exact mechanism remains unclear and controversial because of equivocal evidence for direct binding of dystrophin and nNOSμ. Recently, an important study identified a novel α-syntrophin binding site within spectrin-like repeat 17, leading to a new model whereby α-syntrophin recruits nNOSμ to the sarcolemmal dystrophin complex by binding spectrin-like repeat 17. This model finally appears to solve the mystery of the dual requirement for dystrophin and α-syntrophin for sarcolemmal nNOSμ localization. The aim of the current perspective is to highlight this major advance in understanding of dystrophin’s role in localizing nNOSμ and its implications for current trials.

Lateral Membrane-Specific MAGUK CASK Down-Regulates NaV1.5 Channel in Cardiac Myocytes

RATIONALE

Mechanisms underlying membrane protein localization are crucial in the proper function of cardiac myocytes. The main cardiac sodium channel, NaV1.5, carries the sodium current (INa) that provides a rapid depolarizing current during the upstroke of the action potential. Although enriched in the intercalated disc, NaV1.5 is present in different membrane domains in myocytes and interacts with several partners.

OBJECTIVE

To test the hypothesis that the MAGUK (membrane-associated guanylate kinase) protein CASK (calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine protein kinase) interacts with and regulates NaV1.5 in cardiac myocytes.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Immunostaining experiments showed that CASK localizes at lateral membranes of cardiac myocytes, in association with dystrophin. Whole-cell patch clamp showed that CASK-silencing increases INa in vitro. In vivo CASK knockdown similarly increased INa recorded in freshly isolated myocytes. Pull-down experiments revealed that CASK directly interacts with the C-terminus of NaV1.5. CASK silencing reduces syntrophin expression without affecting NaV1.5 and dystrophin expression levels. Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence microscopy and biotinylation assays showed that CASK silencing increased the surface expression of NaV1.5 without changing mRNA levels. Quantification of NaV1.5 expression at the lateral membrane and intercalated disc revealed that the lateral membrane pool only was increased upon CASK silencing. The protein transport inhibitor brefeldin-A prevented INa increase in CASK-silenced myocytes. During atrial dilation/remodeling, CASK expression was reduced but its localization remained unchanged.

CONCLUSION

This study constitutes the first description of an unconventional MAGUK protein, CASK, which directly interacts with NaV1.5 channel and controls its surface expression at the lateral membrane by regulating ion channel trafficking.

Nonmechanical Roles of Dystrophin and Associated Proteins in Exercise, Neuromuscular Junctions, and Brains

Dystrophin-glycoprotein complex (DGC) is an important structural unit in skeletal muscle that connects the cytoskeleton (f-actin) of a muscle fiber to the extracellular matrix (ECM). Several muscular dystrophies, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Becker muscular dystrophy, congenital muscular dystrophies (dystroglycanopathies), and limb-girdle muscular dystrophies (sarcoglycanopathies), are caused by mutations in the different DGC components. Although many early studies indicated DGC plays a crucial mechanical role in maintaining the structural integrity of skeletal muscle, recent studies identified novel roles of DGC. Beyond a mechanical role, these DGC members play important signaling roles and act as a scaffold for various signaling pathways. For example, neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), which is localized at the muscle membrane by DGC members (dystrophin and syntrophins), plays an important role in the regulation of the blood flow during exercise. DGC also plays important roles at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) and in the brain. In this review, we will focus on recently identified roles of DGC particularly in exercise and the brain.

Individual protomers of a G protein-coupled receptor dimer integrate distinct functional modules

Recent advances in proteomic technology reveal G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are organized as large, macromolecular protein complexes in cell membranes, adding a new layer of intricacy to GPCR signaling. We previously reported the α_1D-adrenergic receptor (ADRA1D)—a key regulator of cardiovascular, urinary and CNS function—binds the syntrophin family of PDZ domain proteins (SNTA, SNTB1, and SNTB2) through a C-terminal PDZ ligand interaction, ensuring receptor plasma membrane localization and G-protein coupling. To assess the uniqueness of this novel GPCR complex, 23 human GPCRs containing Type I PDZ ligands were subjected to TAP/MS proteomic analysis. Syntrophins did not interact with any other GPCRs. Unexpectedly, a second PDZ domain protein, scribble (SCRIB), was detected in ADRA1D complexes. Biochemical, proteomic, and dynamic mass redistribution analyses indicate syntrophins and SCRIB compete for the PDZ ligand, simultaneously exist within an ADRA1D multimer, and impart divergent pharmacological properties to the complex. Our results reveal an unprecedented modular dimeric architecture for the ADRA1D in the cell membrane, providing unexpected opportunities for fine-tuning receptor function through novel protein interactions in vivo, and for intervening in signal transduction with small molecules that can stabilize or disrupt unique GPCR:PDZ protein interfaces.

Simultaneous Pathoproteomic Evaluation of the Dystrophin-Glycoprotein Complex and Secondary Changes in the mdx-4cv Mouse Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

In skeletal muscle, the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex forms a membrane-associated assembly of relatively low abundance, making its detailed proteomic characterization in normal versus dystrophic tissues technically challenging. To overcome this analytical problem, we have enriched the muscle membrane fraction by a minimal differential centrifugation step followed by the comprehensive label-free mass spectrometric analysis of microsomal membrane preparations. This organelle proteomic approach successfully identified dystrophin and its binding partners in normal versus dystrophic hind limb muscles. The introduction of a simple pre-fractionation step enabled the simultaneous proteomic comparison of the reduction in the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex and secondary changes in the mdx-4cv mouse model of dystrophinopathy in a single analytical run. The proteomic screening of the microsomal fraction from dystrophic hind limb muscle identified the full-length dystrophin isoform Dp427 as the most drastically reduced protein in dystrophinopathy, demonstrating the remarkable analytical power of comparative muscle proteomics. Secondary pathoproteomic expression patterns were established for 281 proteins, including dystrophin-associated proteins and components involved in metabolism, signalling, contraction, ion-regulation, protein folding, the extracellular matrix and the cytoskeleton. Key findings were verified by immunoblotting. Increased levels of the sarcolemmal Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase in dystrophic leg muscles were also confirmed by immunofluorescence microscopy. Thus, the reduction of sample complexity in organelle-focused proteomics can be advantageous for the profiling of supramolecular protein complexes in highly intricate systems, such as skeletal muscle tissue.

Protein assemblies of sodium and inward rectifier potassium channels control cardiac excitability and arrhythmogenesis

The understanding of how cardiac ion channels function in the normal and the diseased heart has greatly increased over the last four decades thanks to the advent of patch-clamp technology and, more recently, the emergence of genetics, as well as cellular and molecular cardiology. However, our knowledge of how these membrane-embedded proteins physically interact with each other within macromolecular complexes remains incomplete. This review focuses on how the main cardiac inward sodium channel (NaV1.5) and the strong inward rectifier potassium channel (Kir2.1) function within macromolecular complexes to control cardiac excitability. It has become increasingly clear that these two important ion channel proteins physically interact with multiple other protein partners and with each other from early stages of protein trafficking and targeting through membrane anchoring, recycling, and degradation. Recent findings include compartmentalized regulation of NaV1.5 channel expression and function through a PDZ (postsynaptic density protein, Drosophila disc large tumor suppressor, and zonula occludens-1 protein) domain-binding motif, and interaction of caveolin-3 with Kir2.1 and ankyrin-G as a molecular platform for NaV1.5 signaling. At the cardiomyocyte membrane, NaV1.5 and Kir2.1 interact through at least two distinct PDZ domain-scaffolding proteins (synapse-associated protein-97 and α1-syntrophin), thus modulating reciprocally their cell-surface expression at two different microdomains. Emerging evidence also shows that inheritable mutations in plakophilin-2, ankyrin-G, dystrophin, syntrophin, synapse-associated protein-97, and caveolin-3, among others, modify functional expression and/or localization in the cardiac cell of NaV1.5, Kir2.1 or both to give rise to arrhythmogenic diseases. Unveiling the mechanistic underpinnings of macromolecular interactions should increase our understanding of inherited and acquired arrhythmogenic cardiac diseases and may lead to advances in therapy.

PDZ domain-binding motif regulates cardiomyocyte compartment-specific NaV1.5 channel expression and function

BACKGROUND

Sodium channel NaV1.5 underlies cardiac excitability and conduction. The last 3 residues of NaV1.5 (Ser-Ile-Val) constitute a PDZ domain-binding motif that interacts with PDZ proteins such as syntrophins and SAP97 at different locations within the cardiomyocyte, thus defining distinct pools of NaV1.5 multiprotein complexes. Here, we explored the in vivo and clinical impact of this motif through characterization of mutant mice and genetic screening of patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

To investigate in vivo the regulatory role of this motif, we generated knock-in mice lacking the SIV domain (ΔSIV). ΔSIV mice displayed reduced NaV1.5 expression and sodium current (INa), specifically at the lateral myocyte membrane, whereas NaV1.5 expression and INa at the intercalated disks were unaffected. Optical mapping of ΔSIV hearts revealed that ventricular conduction velocity was preferentially decreased in the transversal direction to myocardial fiber orientation, leading to increased anisotropy of ventricular conduction. Internalization of wild-type and ΔSIV channels was unchanged in HEK293 cells. However, the proteasome inhibitor MG132 rescued ΔSIV INa, suggesting that the SIV motif is important for regulation of NaV1.5 degradation. A missense mutation within the SIV motif (p.V2016M) was identified in a patient with Brugada syndrome. The mutation decreased NaV1.5 cell surface expression and INa when expressed in HEK293 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate the in vivo significance of the PDZ domain-binding motif in the correct expression of NaV1.5 at the lateral cardiomyocyte membrane and underline the functional role of lateral NaV1.5 in ventricular conduction. Furthermore, we reveal a clinical relevance of the SIV motif in cardiac disease.

LQTS-associated mutation A257G in α1-syntrophin interacts with the intragenic variant P74L to modify its biophysical phenotype

The SNTA1-encoded α1-syntrophin (SNTA1) missense mutation, p.A257G, causes long QT syndrome (LQTS) by pathogenic accentuation of Nav1.5's sodium current (I_Na). Subsequently, we found p.A257G in combination with the SNTA1 polymorphism, p.P74L in 4 victims of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) as well as in 3 adult controls. We hypothesized that p.P74L-SNTA1 could functionally modify the pathogenic phenotype of p.A257G-SNTA1, thus explaining its occurrence in non-LQTS populations. The SNTA1 variants p.P74L, p.A257G, and the combination variant p.P74L/p.A257G were engineered using PCR-based overlap-extension and were co-expressed heterologously with SCN5A in HEK293 cells. I_Na was recorded using the whole-cell method. Compared to wild-type (WT), the significant increase in peak I_Na and window current found with p.A257G was reversed by the intragenic variant p.P74L (p.P74L/p.A257G). These results report for the first time the intragenic rescue of an LQT-associated SNTA1 mutation when found in combination with the SNTA1 polymorphism p.P74L, suggesting an ever-increasing picture of complexity in terms of genetic risk stratification for arrhythmia.

The role of α-dystrobrevin in striated muscle

Muscular dystrophies are a group of diseases that primarily affect striated muscle and are characterized by the progressive loss of muscle strength and integrity. Major forms of muscular dystrophies are caused by the abnormalities of the dystrophin glycoprotein complex (DGC) that plays crucial roles as a structural unit and scaffolds for signaling molecules at the sarcolemma. α-Dystrobrevin is a component of the DGC and directly associates with dystrophin. α-Dystrobrevin also binds to intermediate filaments as well as syntrophin, a modular adaptor protein thought to be involved in signaling. Although no muscular dystrophy has been associated within mutations of the α-dystrobrevin gene, emerging findings suggest potential significance of α-dystrobrevin in striated muscle. This review addresses the functional role of α-dystrobrevin in muscle as well as its possible implication for muscular dystrophy.

Voltage-gated sodium channels and ankyrinG occupy a different postsynaptic domain from acetylcholine receptors from an early stage of neuromuscular junction maturation in rats

Spatial segregation of membrane proteins is a feature of many excitable cells. In skeletal muscle, clusters of acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) and voltage-gated sodium channels (Na(V)1s) occupy distinct domains at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). We used quantitative immunolabeling of developing rat soleus muscles to study the mechanism of ion channel segregation and Na(V)1 clustering at NMJs. When Na(V)1s can first be detected, at birth, they already occupy a postsynaptic domain that is distinct from that occupied by AChRs. At this time, Na(V)1s are expressed only in a diffuse area that extends 50-100 microm from the immature NMJ. However, in the region of the high-density AChR cluster at NMJ itself, Na(V)1s are actually present in lower density than in the immediately surrounding membrane. These distinctive features of the Na(V)1 distribution at birth are closely correlated with the distribution of ankyrinG immunolabeling. This suggests that an interaction with ankyrinG plays a role in the initial segregation of Na(V)1s from AChRs. Both Na(V)1 and ankyrinG become clustered at the NMJ itself 1-2 weeks after birth, coincident with the formation of postsynaptic folds. Syntrophin immunolabeling codistributes with AChRs and never resembles that for Na(V)1 or ankyrinG. Therefore, syntrophin is unlikely to play an important part in the initial accumulation of Na(V)1 at the NMJ. These findings suggest that the segregation of Na(V)1 from AChRs begins early in NMJ formation and occurs as a result of the physical exclusion of Na(V)1 and ankyrinG from the region of nerve-muscle contact rather than by a process of active clustering.

Assembly of the dystrophin-associated protein complex does not require the dystrophin COOH-terminal domain

Dystrophin is a multidomain protein that links the actin cytoskeleton to laminin in the extracellular matrix through the dystrophin associated protein (DAP) complex. The COOH-terminal domain of dystrophin binds to two components of the DAP complex, syntrophin and dystrobrevin. To understand the role of syntrophin and dystrobrevin, we previously generated a series of transgenic mouse lines expressing dystrophins with deletions throughout the COOH-terminal domain. Each of these mice had normal muscle function and displayed normal localization of syntrophin and dystrobrevin. Since syntrophin and dystrobrevin bind to each other as well as to dystrophin, we have now generated a transgenic mouse deleted for the entire dystrophin COOH-terminal domain. Unexpectedly, this truncated dystrophin supported normal muscle function and assembly of the DAP complex. These results demonstrate that syntrophin and dystrobrevin functionally associate with the DAP complex in the absence of a direct link to dystrophin. We also observed that the DAP complexes in these different transgenic mouse strains were not identical. Instead, the DAP complexes contained varying ratios of syntrophin and dystrobrevin isoforms. These results suggest that alternative splicing of the dystrophin gene, which naturally generates COOH-terminal deletions in dystrophin, may function to regulate the isoform composition of the DAP complex.

A PDZ-containing scaffold related to the dystrophin complex at the basolateral membrane of epithelial cells

Membrane scaffolding complexes are key features of many cell types, serving as specialized links between the extracellular matrix and the actin cytoskeleton. An important scaffold in skeletal muscle is the dystrophin-associated protein complex. One of the proteins bound directly to dystrophin is syntrophin, a modular protein comprised entirely of interaction motifs, including PDZ (protein domain named for PSD-95, discs large, ZO-1) and pleckstrin homology (PH) domains. In skeletal muscle, the syntrophin PDZ domain recruits sodium channels and signaling molecules, such as neuronal nitric oxide synthase, to the dystrophin complex. In epithelia, we identified a variation of the dystrophin complex, in which syntrophin, and the dystrophin homologues, utrophin and dystrobrevin, are restricted to the basolateral membrane. We used exogenously expressed green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged fusion proteins to determine which domains of syntrophin are responsible for its polarized localization. GFP-tagged full-length syntrophin targeted to the basolateral membrane, but individual domains remained in the cytoplasm. In contrast, the second PH domain tandemly linked to a highly conserved, COOH-terminal region was sufficient for basolateral membrane targeting and association with utrophin. The results suggest an interaction between syntrophin and utrophin that leaves the PDZ domain of syntrophin available to recruit additional proteins to the epithelial basolateral membrane. The assembly of multiprotein signaling complexes at sites of membrane specialization may be a widespread function of dystrophin-related protein complexes.

Interaction of muscle and brain sodium channels with multiple members of the syntrophin family of dystrophin-associated proteins

Syntrophins are cytoplasmic peripheral membrane proteins of the dystrophin-associated protein complex (DAPC). Three syntrophin isoforms, alpha1, beta1, and beta2, are encoded by distinct genes. Each contains two pleckstrin homology (PH) domains, a syntrophin-unique (SU) domain, and a PDZ domain. The name PDZ comes from the first three proteins found to contain repeats of this domain (PSD-95, Drosophila discs large protein, and the zona occludens protein 1). PDZ domains in other proteins bind to the C termini of ion channels and neurotransmitter receptors containing the consensus sequence (S/T)XV-COOH and mediate the clustering or synaptic localization of these proteins. Two voltage-gated sodium channels (NaChs), SkM1 and SkM2, of skeletal and cardiac muscle, respectively, have this consensus sequence. Because NaChs are sarcolemmal components like syntrophins, we have investigated possible interactions between these proteins. NaChs copurify with syntrophin and dystrophin from extracts of skeletal and cardiac muscle. Peptides corresponding to the C-terminal 10 amino acids of SkM1 and SkM2 are sufficient to bind detergent-solubilized muscle syntrophins, to inhibit the binding of native NaChs to syntrophin PDZ domain fusion proteins, and to bind specifically to PDZ domains from alpha1-, beta1-, and beta2-syntrophin. These peptides also inhibit binding of the syntrophin PDZ domain to the PDZ domain of neuronal nitric oxide synthase, an interaction that is not mediated by C-terminal sequences. Brain NaChs, which lack the (S/T)XV consensus sequence, also copurify with syntrophin and dystrophin, an interaction that does not appear to be mediated by the PDZ domain of syntrophin. Collectively, our data suggest that syntrophins link NaChs to the actin cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix via dystrophin and the DAPC.