Membrane-Permeant 3-OH-Phosphorylated Phosphoinositide Derivatives

A crucial role in the regulation of epithelial chloride secretion is played by the phosphoinositide PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 . Membrane-permeant derivatives of this and other naturally occurring phosphoinositides have been synthesized. These derivatives, which can be bioactivated, were used in investigations on nasal epithelia of patients suffering from cystic fibrosis.

Membrane-permeant esters of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate

Phosphoinositide 3-OH kinases and their products, D-3 phosphorylated phosphoinositides, are increasingly recognized as crucial elements in many signaling cascades. A reliable means to introduce these lipids into intact cells would be of great value for showing the physiological roles of this pathway and for testing the specificity of pharmacological inhibitors of the kinases. We have stereospecifically synthesized di-C8-PIP3/AM and di-C12-PIP3/AM, the heptakis(acetoxymethyl) esters of dioctanoyl- and dilauroylphosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate, in 14 steps from myo-inositol. The ability of these uncharged lipophilic derivatives to deliver phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate across cell membranes was demonstrated on 3T3-L1 adipocytes and T84 colon carcinoma monolayers. Insulin stimulation of hexose uptake into adipocytes was inhibited by the kinase inhibitor wortmannin and was largely restored by di-C8-PIP3/AM, which had no effect in the absence of insulin. Thus phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate or a metabolite was necessary but not sufficient for stimulation of hexose transport. In T84 epithelial monolayers, di-C12-PIP3/AM mimicked epidermal growth factor in inhibiting chloride secretion and potassium efflux, suggesting that phosphatidylinositol 3,4, 5-trisphosphate was sufficient to modulate these fluxes and mediate epidermal growth factor's action.

Inhibition of Ca(2+)-dependent Cl- secretion in T84 cells: membrane target(s) of inhibition is agonist specific

Previous studies have indicated that Ca(2+)-dependent Cl- secretion across monolayers of T84 epithelial cells is subject to a variety of negative influences that serve to limit the overall extent of secretion. However, the downstream membrane target(s) of these inhibitory influences had not been elucidated. In this study, nuclide efflux techniques were used to determine whether inhibition of Ca(2+)-dependent Cl- secretion induced by carbachol, inositol 3,4,5,6-tetrakisphosphate, epidermal growth factor, or insulin reflected actions at an apical Cl- conductance, a basolateral K+ conductance, or both. Pretreatment of T84 cell monolayers with carbachol or a cell-permeant analog of inositol 3,4,5,6-tetrakisphosphate reduced the ability of subsequently added thapsigargin to stimulate apical 125I-, but not basolateral 86Rb+, efflux. These data suggested an effect on an apical Cl- channel. Conversely, epidermal growth factor reduced Ca(2+)-stimulated 86Rb+ but not 125I- efflux, suggesting an effect of the growth factor on a K+ channel. Finally, insulin inhibited 125I- and 86Rb+ effluxes. Thus effects of agents that inhibit transepithelial Cl- secretion are also manifest at the level of transmembrane transport pathways. However, the precise nature of the membrane conductances targeted are agonist specific.

A pathway in the yeast cell division cycle linking protein kinase C (Pkc1) to activation of Cdc28 at START

In an effort to study further the mechanism of Cdc28 function and cell cycle commitment, we describe here a genetic approach to identify components of pathways downstream of the Cdc28 kinase at START by screening for mutations that decrease the effectiveness of signaling by Cdc28. The first locus to be characterized in detail using this approach was PKC1 which encodes a homolog of the Ca(2+)-dependent isozymes of the mammalian protein kinase C (PKC) superfamily (Levin et al., 1990). By several genetic criteria, we show a functional interaction between CDC28 and PKC1 with PKC1 apparently functioning with respect to bud emergence downstream of START. Consistent with this, activity of the MAP kinase homolog Mpk1 (a putative Pkc1 effector) is stimulated by activation of Cdc28. Furthermore, we demonstrate a cell cycle-dependent hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine to diacylglycerol (a PKC activator) and choline phosphate at START. Diacylglycerol production is stimulated by Cdc28 in cycling cells and is closely associated with Cdc28 activation at START. These results imply that the activation of Pkc1, which is known to be necessary during bud morphogenesis, is mediated via the CDC28-dependent stimulation of PC-PLC activity in a novel cell cycle-regulated signaling pathway.

Physical association of the small GTPase Rho with a 68-kDa phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase in Swiss 3T3 cells

Our previous work showed that post-translationally modified Rho in its GTP-bound state stimulated phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase (PIP5K) activity in mouse fibroblast lysates. To investigate whether Rho physically interacts with PIP5K, we incubated immobilized Rho-GST with Swiss 3T3 cell lysates and tested for retained PIP5K activity. Rho-GST, but not Ras-GST or GST alone, bound significant PIP5K activity. The binding of PIP5K was independent of whether Rho was in a GTP- or GDP-bound state. An antibody against a 68-kDa human erythrocyte type I PIP5K recognized a single 68-kDa protein eluted from Rho-GST column. The Rho-associated PIP5K responded to phosphatidic acid differentially from the erythrocyte type I PIP5K, suggesting that it could be a distinct isoform not reported previously. Rho co-immunoprecipitated with the 68-kDa PIP5K from Swiss 3T3 lysates, demonstrating that endogenous Rho also interacts with PIP5K. ADP-ribosylation of Rho with C3 exoenzyme enhanced PIP5K binding by approximately eightfold, consistent with the ADP-ribosylated Rho functioning as a dominant negative inhibitor. These results demonstrate that Rho physically interacts with a 68-kDa PIP5K, although whether the association is direct or indirect is unknown.

G protein-coupled chemoattractant receptors regulate Lyn tyrosine kinase.Shc adapter protein signaling complexes

Receptors for chemoattractants that direct the migration of phagocytic leukocytes to sites of injury/infection also modulate many other leukocyte functions that are critical to the inflammatory response. These chemoattractant receptors, members of the G protein-coupled heptahelical receptor family, have been classically linked to cell activation via phospholipase C, calcium, and protein kinase C. We show here that activation of the N-formyl peptide chemoattractant receptor stimulates an additional protein kinase C-independent pathway through the Src-related tyrosine kinase, Lyn, in human neutrophils. We demonstrate that activation of Lyn is associated with binding to the Shc adapter protein, which becomes phosphorylated on tyrosine residues. This interaction appears to be mediated via the Shc SH2 domain. Complexes of phosphorylated Lyn and Shc with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase are rapidly formed in stimulated neutrophils, correlating with phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate [corrected] formation and cell activation. This signaling pathway involving a Src-related kinase and the Shc adapter protein provides a potential mechanism linking chemoattractant receptors to downstream events involving Rac activation and NADPH oxidase. Regulation of Shc by G protein-coupled receptors may also allow these receptors to modulate the activity of the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade.

The small GTP-binding protein Rho regulates a phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase in mammalian cells

Integrin-mediated adhesion is known to stimulate production of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (4,5-PIP2) and increase 4,5-PIP2 hydrolysis in response to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). We now show that treatment of cells with lovastatin, which inhibits modification of small GTP-binding proteins, reduced PIP2 levels and decreased calcium mobilization in response to PDGF and thrombin. In cell lysates, GTP gamma S stimulated PIP 5-kinase activity, and this effect was blocked by botulinum C3 exoenzyme, suggesting that Rho was responsible. GTP-bound recombinant Rho stimulated PIP 5-kinase activity, whereas GDP-Rho was much less potent and GTP-bound Rac was ineffective. Microinjected botulinum C3 exoenzyme caused diminished calcium mobilization in response to PDGF or thrombin. Conversely, microinjection of activated Rho reversed the decrease in calcium mobilization normally seen in nonadherent cells. These data demonstrate that Rho regulates 4,5-PIP2 synthesis and, indirectly, 4,5-PIP2 hydrolysis. They also raise the possibility that PIP2 synthesis could mediate the effects of Rho on the actin cytoskeleton.

Long-term uncoupling of chloride secretion from intracellular calcium levels by Ins(3,4,5,6)P4

Osmoregulation, inhibitory neurotransmission and pH balance depend on chloride ion (Cl-) flux. In intestinal epithelial cells, apical Cl- channels control salt and fluid secretion and are, in turn, regulated by agonists acting through cyclic nucleotides and internal calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i). Recently, we found that muscarinic pretreatment prevents [Ca2+]i increases from eliciting Cl- secretion in T84 colonic epithelial cells. By studying concomitant inositol phosphate metabolism, we have now identified D-myo-inositol 3,4,5,6-tetrakisphosphate (Ins(3,4,5,6)P4), as the inositol phosphate most likely to mediate this uncoupling. A novel, membrane-permeant ester prepared by total synthesis delivers Ins(3,4,5,6)P4 intracellularly and confirms that this emerging messenger does inhibit Cl- flux resulting from thapsigargin- or histamine-induced [Ca2+]i elevations.

GP49, an invariant GPI-anchored antigen of Giardia lamblia

Giardia lamblia is a primitive protozoan and a major cause of waterborne enteric disease throughout tropical and temperate zones. The ability to grow the infective trophozoites in culture as well as the discovery of the method of in vitro encystation made it possible to study the biology of this primitive protozoan and to characterize the surface antigens. Giardia trophozoites are exposed to high concentrations of fatty acids in the human small intestine. This raises the possibility that intestinal fatty acids may become incorporated into Giardia. Therefore, we determined the pattern of fatty acylation of Giardia surface molecules. By metabolic labeling with radiolabeled fatty acids we identified a single glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored surface protein in Giardia. GP49 differs from the cysteine-rich variable surface antigens described previously. The presence of a GPI anchor in GP49 was supported by the metabolic incorporation of [14C]-ethanolamine, [3H]-myoinositol and fatty acids into the protein. This was confirmed by chemical and enzymatic cleavage experiments. Most interestingly, GP49 was found to be present in different isolates of Giardia and thus can be considered as an invariant surface antigen. Although the biological function of GP49 is not known, recently we have found that intact and soluble GP49 altered the electrolyte fluxes which regulate fluid secretion in the cultured human intestinal epithelial cell line, T84. These studies indicate that the GPI-anchored invariant antigen of Giardia may play an important role in the pathophysiology of giardiasis.

A product of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase is elevated in dividing HT29 colonic epithelial cells

Phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI-3 kinase) activity has been linked to cell proliferation and growth regulation. Therefore, we studied changes in phosphoinositide metabolism during the cell cycle of HT-29 cells, a colonic epithelial cell line. HT29 cells were treated with the microtubule disrupter, nocodozole, separated into mitotic and quiescent populations and their phospholipid composition was analyzed. Radiolabelled phospholipids from cells labelled with 32PO4 or [3H]myoinositol were analyzed by TLC and/or deacylated and analyzed by HPLC. In all cases, levels of phosphatidylinositol 3 phosphate from mitotic phase cells were double that in resting populations. Therefore, levels of a product of PI-3 kinase are elevated and may play a role in cell division.

Phosphatidic acid modulates Cl- secretion in T84 cells: varying effects depending on mode of stimulation

Cl- secretion in T84 cells evoked by a stimulus that activates protein kinase C, carbachol, was associated with elevated levels of 32P-labeled phosphatidic acid (PA). PA's role in the regulation of Cl- secretion was explored by examining the effect of exogenous PA (10(-4) M) on Cl- secretion and intracellular Ca2+ levels ([Ca2+]i) in monolayers. PA potentiated the effect of carbachol on [Ca2+]i and Cl- secretion, although it did not stimulate Cl- secretion by itself. PA had divergent effects on cyclic nucleotide-dependent Cl- secretion. It delayed Cl- secretion induced by vasoactive intestinal polypeptide [VIP, adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) dependent] but potentiated that induced by the heat-stable enterotoxin of Escherichia coli (STa; guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate dependent). PA did not alter AMP or GMP levels, suggesting that PA acts at a site distal to the generation of these second messengers. PA caused a slight increase in phosphorylation of protein kinase C substrates but not of cAMP-dependent protein kinase substrates. However, PA is probably not acting through a classical protein kinase C pathway, because we have previously shown that phorbol esters inhibit carbachol's actions, and the protein kinase C inhibitor staurosporine failed to block the effect of PA on VIP- or STa-stimulated Cl- secretion. Thus PA differentially regulates stimulated Cl- secretion in T84 cells, depending on the nature of the agonist.

A surface antigen of Giardia lamblia with a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor

Since Giardia lamblia trophozoites are exposed to high concentrations of fatty acids in their human small intestinal milieu, we determined the pattern of incorporation of [3H]palmitic acid and myristic acid into G. lamblia proteins. The pattern of fatty acylation was unusually simple since greater than 90% of the Giardia protein biosynthetically labeled with either [3H]palmitate or myristate migrated at approximately 49 kDa (GP49) in reducing sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis during both growth and differentiation. GP49, which partitions into the Triton X-114 detergent phase, is localized on the cell surface since it is 125I-surface-labeled. GP49 was also biosynthetically labeled with [14C]ethanolamine and [3H]myoinositol, suggesting that it has a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. Moreover, phospholipase A2 (PLA2) or mild alkaline treatment released free fatty acids, indicating a diacylglycerol moiety with ester linkages. Finally, a 3H- and 14C-labeled species was released by nitrous acid deamination from [14C]palmitate- and [3H]myoinositol-labeled GP49. The GPI anchor of GP49 is unusual, however, because purified GP49 was cleaved by Bacillus cereus phosphatidylinositol (PI)-specific PLC, but not by Staphylococcus aureus PI-PLC, or plasma PLD, and did not react with antibody against the variant surface glycoprotein cross-reactive determinant. Moreover, the double-labeled deaminated GP49 anchor migrated faster than authentic PI in TLC and produced [3H]glycerophosphoinositol after deacylation. In contrast to the variable cysteine-rich G. lamblia surface antigens described previously, GP49 was identified in Western blots of every isolate tested, as well as in subclones of a single isolate which differ in expression of a major cysteine-rich 85/66-kDa surface antigen, which does not appear to be GPI-anchored. These observations suggest that GP49, the first common surface antigen to be described in G. lamblia, may play an important role in the interaction of this parasite with its environment.

Mechanism of neutrophil activation by an unopsonized inflammatory particulate. Monosodium urate crystals induce pertussis toxin-insensitive hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate

Monosodium urate crystals are believed to trigger acute inflammation via the direct stimulation of leukocytes. Unopsonized urate crystals activate neutrophil (PMN) membrane G proteins in a pertussis toxin (PT)-sensitive manner, but induce PT-insensitive cytosolic [Ca2+]i elevation. Thus, we have further defined the mechanism of PMN responsiveness to urate crystals in this study. Though urate crystals can increase membrane permeability by lytic effects, we observed elevation of PMN cytosolic [Ca2+]i in the absence of extracellular [Ca2+]i. In addition, the early, crystal-induced cytosolic [Ca2+]i transient was buffered in cells loaded with a [Ca2+]i-chelator. This suggested mobilization of internal [Ca2+]i stores, which was supported by demonstrating rapid phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate (PIP2) hydrolysis, and the formation of inositol (1,4,5) trisphosphate (as well as phosphatidic acid) in a PT-insensitive manner. Importantly, PMN activation by urate crystals was discriminatory, as evidenced by the absence of phosphatidylinositol trisphosphate formation, a PT-sensitive event triggered by chemotactic factors. Urate crystal-induced PIP2 hydrolysis was not a nonspecific consequence of the early cytosolic [Ca2+]i transient itself, and it did not require phagocytosis. However, crystal-induced O2- release was markedly inhibited by buffering of the early cytosolic [Ca2+]i transient under conditions where crystal phagocytosis and PMA-induced O2- release were unaffected. We conclude that urate crystals activate PT-insensitive PIP2 hydrolysis, resulting in IP3 generation, and early urate crystal-induced mobilization of cytosolic [Ca2+]i. This pathway appears to modulate crystal-induced O2- release.

Mechanism of neutrophil activation by an unopsonized inflammatory particulate. Monosodium urate crystals induce pertussis toxin-insensitive hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate

Monosodium urate crystals are believed to trigger acute inflammation via the direct stimulation of leukocytes. Unopsonized urate crystals activate neutrophil (PMN) membrane G proteins in a pertussis toxin (PT)-sensitive manner, but induce PT-insensitive cytosolic [Ca2+]i elevation. Thus, we have further defined the mechanism of PMN responsiveness to urate crystals in this study. Though urate crystals can increase membrane permeability by lytic effects, we observed elevation of PMN cytosolic [Ca2+]i in the absence of extracellular [Ca2+]i. In addition, the early, crystal-induced cytosolic [Ca2+]i transient was buffered in cells loaded with a [Ca2+]i-chelator. This suggested mobilization of internal [Ca2+]i stores, which was supported by demonstrating rapid phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate (PIP2) hydrolysis, and the formation of inositol (1,4,5) trisphosphate (as well as phosphatidic acid) in a PT-insensitive manner. Importantly, PMN activation by urate crystals was discriminatory, as evidenced by the absence of phosphatidylinositol trisphosphate formation, a PT-sensitive event triggered by chemotactic factors. Urate crystal-induced PIP2 hydrolysis was not a nonspecific consequence of the early cytosolic [Ca2+]i transient itself, and it did not require phagocytosis. However, crystal-induced O2- release was markedly inhibited by buffering of the early cytosolic [Ca2+]i transient under conditions where crystal phagocytosis and PMA-induced O2- release were unaffected. We conclude that urate crystals activate PT-insensitive PIP2 hydrolysis, resulting in IP3 generation, and early urate crystal-induced mobilization of cytosolic [Ca2+]i. This pathway appears to modulate crystal-induced O2- release.