Rapid kinetic measurements of 45Ca2+ mobilization reveal that Ins(2,4,5)P3 is a partial agonist at hepatic InsP3 receptors

Ins(2,4,5)P3, a metabolically stable analogue of Ins(1,4,5)P3, is widely used in analyses of Ca2+ signalling pathways, but its utility depends upon it faithfully mimicking the effects of the natural messenger, Ins(1,4,5)P3, at InsP3 receptors. To compare the kinetics of InsP3-evoked 45Ca2+ mobilization, Ins(1,4,5)P3- and Ins(2,4,5)P3-stimulated 45Ca2+ release from the intracellular stores of permeabilized rat hepatocytes was measured using rapid superfusion. Both Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins(2,4,5)P3 caused concentration-dependent increases in the rate of 45Ca2+ efflux, which accelerated towards a peak and then abruptly switched to a bi-exponentially decaying release rate. However, the peak rate of 45Ca2+ mobilization evoked by maximal concentrations of Ins(2,4,5)P3 was only 65+/-3% (n = 3) of that evoked by Ins(1,4,5)P3. Furthermore, Ins(2,4,5)P3 inhibited the peak rate of 45Ca2+ efflux evoked by Ins(1,4,5)P3. These results indicate that Ins(2,4,5)P3 is a partial agonist at hepatic Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptors. Additionally, responses to Ins(2,4,5)P3 were less positively cooperative [Hill coefficient (h) = 1.9+/-0.3] than were those to Ins(1,4,5)P3 (h = 3.0+/-0.2) and the kinetics of termination of 45Ca2+ mobilization were slower. The lesser efficacy of Ins(2,4,5)P3 may account for the lower cooperativity in the responses it evokes, the slower inactivation of InsP3 receptors and the characteristic patterns of Ca2+ spiking it evokes in intact cells.

Aggregation-dependent, integrin-mediated increases in cytoskeletally associated PtdInsP2 (4,5) levels in human platelets are controlled by translocation of PtdIns 4-P 5-kinase C to the cytoskeleton

Thrombin-stimulated aggregation of human platelets promotes an increase in the phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PtdIns 4-P) 5-kinase (PIPkin) activity in the cytoskeleton. This phenomenon is associated with translocation of PIPkin isoform C to the cytoskeleton and with an increase in the amount of phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate (PtdInsP2) bound to the cytoskeletal pellet. All three of these effects are prevented if the platelets are not stirred or if RGD-containing peptides are present, demonstrating that they require integrin activation. All three are also abolished by pretreatment with okadaic acid, which also prevents the aggregation-dependent translocation of pp60(c-src) to the cytoskeleton. The results point to the existence of a cytoskeletally associated PtdInsP2 pool under the control of integrin-mediated signals that act via PIPkin C and suggest that a common, okadaic acid-sensitive mechanism may underlie the aggregation-dependent translocation of certain signalling molecules to the platelet cytoskeleton.

Identification of diacylglycerol pyrophosphate as a novel metabolic product of phosphatidic acid during G-protein activation in plants

We provide evidence that phosphatidic acid (PtdOH) formed during signaling in plants is metabolized by a novel pathway. In much of this study, 32Pi-labeled Chlamydomonas cells were used, and signaling was activated by adding the G-protein activator mastoparan. Within seconds of activation, large amounts of [32P]PtdOH were formed, with peak production at about 4 min, when the level was 5-25-fold higher than the control. As the level of [32P]PtdOH subsequently decreased, an unknown phospholipid (PLX) increased in radiolabeling; before activation it was barely detectable. The chromatographic properties of PLX resembled those of lyso-PtdOH and CMP.PtdOH but on close inspection were found to be different. PLX was shown to be diacylglycerol pyrophosphate (DGPP), the product of a newly discovered enzyme, phosphatidate kinase, whose in vitro activity was described recently (Wissing, J. B., and Behrbohm, H. (1993) Plant Physiol. 102, 1243-1249). The identity of DGPP was established by co-chromatrography with a standard and by degradation analysis as follows: [32P]DGPP was deacylated, and the product (glycerolpyrophosphate, GroPP) was hydrolyzed by mild acid treatment or pyrophosphatase to produce GroP and Pi as the only radioactive products. Since DGPP is the pyrophosphate derivative of PtdOH and is formed as the concentration of PtdOH decreases, we assumed that PtdOH was converted in vivo to DGPP. This was confirmed by showing that during a short labeling protocol while the specific radioactivity of DGPP was increasing, the specific radioactivity of the 32Pi derived from DGPP as above was higher than that of [32P]GroP. DGPP was also formed in suspension cultures of tomato and potato cells, and its synthesis was activated by mastoparan. Moreover, it was also found in intact tissues of a number of higher plants, for example, carnation flower petals, vetch roots, leaves of fig-leaved goosefoot, and common persicaria and microspores of rape seed. Our results suggest that DGPP is a common but minor plant lipid that increases in concentration when signaling is activated. Possible functions of DGPP in phospholpase C and D signaling cascades are discussed.

Synergistic effects of inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate on inositol 2,4,5-triphosphate-stimulated Ca2+ release do not involve direct interaction of inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate with inositol triphosphate-binding sites

We have previously found that for permeabilized L1210 cells, low micromolar concentrations of Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 added prior to Ins(2,4,5)P3 enhance the effects of suboptimal concentrations of Ins(2,4,5)P3 in causing Ca2+ release from InsP3-sensitive Ca2+ stores [Cullen, Irvine and Dawson (1990) Biochem J. 271, 549-553]. If this was due either to some conversion of added Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 into Ins(1,4,5)P3 by the 3-phosphatase, or to Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 acting as a weak (or partial) agonist on the InsP3 receptor it would be expected that,in the presence of thimerosal to sensitize the InsP3 receptor, the dose-response curve to Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 would be left-shifted by the same extent as that of Ins(1,4,5)P3. This was found not to be the case; the dose-response curve to Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 was not shifted at all by thimerosal. Furthermore, L-Ins(1,3,4,5)P4, which can displace radiolabelled D-Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 but not D-Ins(1,4,5)P3 from their respective high-affinity binding sites, mimicked the effects of D-Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 in enhancing the slow phase of Ins(2,4,5)P3-stimulated Ca2+ release. Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 caused an increase in magnitude of the slow phase of InsP3-stimulated Ca2+ release leaving the magnitude of the fast phase unaltered, in contrast to increasing Ins(2,4,5)P3 concentrations which increased the size of both phases. In addition, Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 decreased the rate constant for the slow phase of Ca2+ release. These findings point strongly to the conclusion that InsP4 is not working directly via the InsP3 receptor but indirectly via an InsP4 receptor.

Changes in the components of a nuclear inositide cycle during differentiation in murine erythroleukaemia cells

Differentiation of murine erythroleukaemia cells with the chemical agent DMSO leads to a cessation of proliferation and the production of a number of erythrocyte markers such as haemoglobin. We have previously demonstrated that activation of proliferation leads to an increase in the production of nuclear diacylglycerol (DAG). Here we demonstrate that differentiation leads to a decrease in the levels of nuclear DAG and the activity of the nuclear-associated phosphoinositidase C (PIC). The change in activity appears to be due to a decrease in the mass levels of the beta 1 isoform, as demonstrated by the use of isoform-specific antibodies. Moreover, the changes correlate with the cessation of proliferation and an increase in the number of cells in G1 phase of the cell cycle, rather than with the number of cells which have differentiated. Indeed, although treatment of the cells with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) inhibits the differentiation programme as assessed by haemoglobin staining, it does not inhibit the number of cells blocking in G1 of the cell cycle or the changes in nuclear DAG or PIC activity. The possible involvement of this nuclear inositide cycle during progression through the cell cycle is discussed.

Identification of a specific Ins(1,3,4,5)P4-binding protein as a member of the GAP1 family

Inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate (Ins(1,3,4,5)P4) is produced rapidly from inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3) in stimulated cells. Despite extensive experimentation, no clearly defined cellular function has yet been described for this inositol phosphate. Binding sites specific for Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 have been identified in several tissues, and we have purified one such protein to homogeneity. Its high affinity for Ins(1,3,4,5)P4, and its exquisite specificity for this isomeric configuration, suggest it may be an Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 receptor. Here we report the cloning and characterization of this protein as a GTPase-activating protein, specifically a member of the GAP1 family. In vitro it shows GAP activity against both Rap and Ras, but only the Ras GAP activity is inhibited by phospholipids and is specifically stimulated by Ins(1,3,4,5)P4.

The cloning and sequence of the C isoform of PtdIns4P 5-kinase

In this study we describe the purification and sequencing of the C isoform of platelet PtdIns4P 5-kinase. Subsequently a cDNA was isolated from a human circulating-leucocyte library, which when sequenced was shown to contain all of the peptides identified in the purified protein. In addition, expression of this cDNA in bacteria led to the production of a protein which was recognized by specific monoclonal antibodies raised to the bovine brain enzyme [Brooksbank, Hutchings, Butcher, Irvine and Divecha (1993) Biochem. J. 291, 77-82] and also led to the appearance of PtdIns4P 5-kinase activity in the bacterial lysates. Interestingly, the cDNA showed no similarity to any of the previously cloned inositide kinases. A search of the DNA databases showed that two proteins from Saccharomyces cerevisiae shared close similarity to this enzyme, one of which, the mss4 gene product, has been implicated in the yeast inositol lipid pathway. These data suggest that the PtdIns4P 5-kinases are a new family of inositide kinases unrelated to the previously cloned phosphoinositide 3/4-kinases.

Specificity of the purified inositol (1,3,4,5) tetrakisphosphate-binding protein from porcine platelets

The specificity of the inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate binding protein purified from porcine platelets [Cullen et al. (1995) Biochem. J. 305, 139-143] was examined using all the isomers of myo-inositol tetrakisphosphate. From the relative potencies of these compounds it appears that phosphorylation of the 1, 3 and 5 positions is essential for high affinity binding, that there is some tolerance of phosphorylation of the 6-hydroxyl, but none of a phosphate in the 2-position, and that phosphorylation of the 4-hydroxyl has very little influence. The binding of Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 was not appreciably altered by physiological Mg2+ concentrations, and the pH dependence of binding under physiological conditions showed a decline from pH 5.5 to pH 9.0.

Purification and characterization of an Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 binding protein from pig platelets: possible identification of a novel non-neuronal Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 receptor

A novel Ins(1,3,4,5)P4-binding protein has been purified to apparent homogeneity from solubilized membranes derived from pig platelets. It has a high affinity for Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 (Kd 6.3 +/- 0.4 nM), a Bmax of 2.5-6.0 nmol/mg of protein, and a high specificity for Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 [Kd values for Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5, InsP6, GroPtdIns(3,4,5)P3, Ins(1,4,5)P3, Ins(3,4,5,6)P4 and L-Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 of 85.0 +/- 4.1 nM, 800.0 +/- 20.2 nM, 65.6 +/- 2.6 nM, > 10 microM, 793.3 +/- 55.6 nM and 81.0 +/- 5.9 nM respectively]. The protein has an apparent molecular mass of 104 kDa, suggesting that this peripheral tissue protein may be different from Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 binding proteins previously isolated from neuronal tissues.

The nuclear phosphoinositide cycle--does it play a role in nuclear Ca2+ homoeostasis?

The probable answer to this question is no. Much of the current evidence summarised elsewhere in this issue points to nuclear Ca2+ changes changing in response to cytosolic Ca2+, with little evidence for an independently controlled nuclear Ca2+ homeostasis. There are InsP3 receptors in the nuclear membrane, and it is possible that during nuclear membrane assembly the InsP3 acting on these (Sullivan and Wilson, this issue) is formed by an inositide cycle located on the assembling nuclear skeleton. But our current experimental data suggest that when the nucleus is intact, InsP3 generated by this cycle would have to exit through the nuclear pores to act on any known InsP3 receptors. Thus the nuclear inositide cycle appears more likely to serve to generate diacylglycerol to activate protein kinase C, and/or to generate inositol phosphates such as InsP2, which may have distinct intranuclear functions.

Specific binding sites for inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate are located predominantly in the plasma membranes of human platelets

In the present study we describe the characterization and localization of Ins(1,3,4,5)P4-binding sites in human platelet membranes. Specific binding sites for Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 have been identified on mixed, plasma and intracellular membranes from neuraminidase-treated platelets using highly purified carrier-free [32P]Ins(1,3,4,5)P4. The displacement of Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 from these sites by Ins(1,4,5)P3 and InsP6 occurs at greater than two orders of magnitude higher concentrations and with Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5 at about 40-fold higher concentrations than with Ins(1,3,4,5)P4. The membranes were further separated by free-flow electrophoresis into plasma and intracellular membranes. The Ins(1,3,4,5)P4-binding sites separated with plasma membranes, and showed similar affinities and specificities as mixed membranes, whereas Ins(1,4,5)P3-binding sites were predominantly in the intracellular membranes. These results suggest a predominantly plasma membrane location for putative Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 receptors in human platelets.

Rapid turnover of phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate in the green alga Chlamydomonas eugametos: signs of a phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase signalling pathway in lower plants?

When Chlamydomonas eugametos gametes were incubated in carrier-free [32P]P1, the label was rapidly incorporated into PtdInsP and PtdInsP2 and, after reaching a maximum within minutes, was chased out by recirculating unlabelled P1 in the cell. This pulse-chase labelling pattern reflects their rapid turnover. In contrast, 32P incorporation into the structural lipids was slow and continued for hours. Of the radioactivity in the PtdInsP spot, 15% was in PtdIns3P and the rest in PtdIns4P, and of that in the PtdInsP2 spot, 1% was in PtdIns(3,4)P2 and the rest in PtdIns(4,5)P2, confirming the findings by Irvine, Letcher, Stephens and Musgrave [(1992) Biochem. J. 281, 269-266]. When cells were labelled with carrier-free [32P]P1, both PtdInsP isomers incorporated label in a pulse-chase-type pattern, demonstrating for the first time in a plant or animal system that D-3 poly-phosphoinositides turn over rapidly in non-stimulated cells, with kinetics similar to those shown by the D-4 isomers. In animal systems such lipids are already established as signalling molecules, and the data suggest that a similar role must be sought for them in lower plants such as Chlamydomonas.

Inhibition of iron-catalysed hydroxyl radical formation by inositol polyphosphates: a possible physiological function for myo-inositol hexakisphosphate

1. The ability of myo-inositol polyphosphates to inhibit iron-catalysed hydroxyl radical formation was studied in a hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase system [Graf, Empson and Eaton (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 11647-11650]. Fe3+ present in the assay reagents supported some radical formation, and a standard assay, with 5 microM Fe3+ added, was used to investigate the specificity of compounds which could inhibit radical generation. 2. InsP6 (phytic acid) was able to inhibit radical formation in this assay completely. In this respect it was similar to the effects of the high affinity Fe3+ chelator Desferral, and dissimilar to the effects of EDTA which, even at high concentrations, still allowed detectable radical formation to take place. 3. The six isomers of InsP5 were purified from an alkaline hydrolysate of InsP6 (four of them as two enantiomeric mixtures), and they were compared with InsP6 in this assay. Ins(1,2,3,4,6)P5 and D/L-Ins(1,2,3,4,5)P5 were similar to InsP6 in that they caused a complete inhibition of iron-catalysed radical formation at > 30 microM. Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5 and D/L-Ins(1,2,4,5,6)P5, however, were markedly less potent than InsP6, and did not inhibit radical formation completely; even when Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5 was added up to 600 microM, significant radical formation was still detected. Thus InsP5s lacking 2 or 1/3 phosphates are in this respect qualitatively different from InsP6 and the other InsP5s. 4. scyllo-Inositol hexakisphosphate was also tested, and although it caused a greater inhibition than Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5, it too still allowed detectable free radical formation even at 600 microM. 5. We conclude that the 1,2,3 (equatorial-axial-equatorial) phosphate grouping in InsP6 has a conformation that uniquely provides a specific interaction with iron to inhibit totally its ability to catalyse hydroxyl radical formation; we suggest that a physiological function of InsP6 might be to act as a 'safe' binding site for iron during its transport through the cytosol or cellular organelles.

Evidence for receptor-specific regulation of the metabolism of the second messenger, inositol trisphosphate, in human endothelial cells

Primary cultures (1-2 weeks-old, no passage) of endothelial cells from the human umbilical vein were pre-labelled with [3H]inositol, stimulated for varying times (15 seconds to 5 minutes) in the presence of LiCl with either thrombin or histamine, and the extracted radiolabelled isomers of inositol phosphates were analysed by anion-exchange chromatography. The doses of each receptor-agonist were chosen to stimulate a large accumulation of inositol phosphates at approximately the same rate. At all times of stimulation the relative accumulation of inositol trisphosphate isomers and inositol tetrakisphosphate was different upon stimulation with these agonists, particularly at earlier times. These results argue for the receptor-specific regulation of the inositol trisphosphate 3-kinase. The significance of this observation is discussed with respect not only to the current ideas on the control of calcium homoeostasis by inositol phosphates, but also in consideration of their role as second messengers controlling different end-points of vascular function.

Monoclonal antibodies to phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase: distribution and intracellular localization of the C isoform

We have raised a panel of monoclonal antibodies to PtdIns4P 5-kinase C purified from bovine brain [Divecha, Brooksbank and Irvine (1992) Biochem. J. 288, 637-642]. This panel includes antibodies which specifically recognize PtdIns4P 5-kinase C both in a native catalytically active condition, and/or when presented on Western blots. Some of the former antibodies will also inhibit PtdIns4P 5-kinase C activity. We have used the blotting antibodies to study the bovine tissue distribution of PtdIns4P 5-kinase C and its distribution in mammalian species. We have also studied its localization in Jurkat cells and found it to be predominantly bound to membranes, with only a minority localized to the cytoskeleton. Neither PtdIns4P 5-kinase activity nor PtdIns4P 5-kinase C, as detected by Western blotting, were increased in the cytoskeleton after stimulation of Jurkat cells with OKT3. These antibodies should prove to be extremely useful tools with which to study the regulation of PtdIns4P 5-kinase C.

Nuclear diacylglycerol is increased during cell proliferation in vivo

Highly purified nuclei were prepared from livers and kidneys of rats undergoing compensatory hepatic or renal growth, the former being predominantly by cellular proliferation, and the latter mostly by cellular enlargement. In liver, an increase in nuclear diacylglycerol (DAG) concentration occurred between 16 and 30 h, peaking at around 20 h. At the peak of nuclear DAG production a specific translocation of protein kinase C to the nucleus could be detected; no such changes occurred in kidney. There was no detectable change in whole-cell DAG levels in liver, and the increase in DAG was only measurable in nuclei freed of their nuclear membrane. Overall, these results suggest that there is a stimulation of intranuclear DAG production, possibly through the activation of an inositide cycle [Divecha, Banfić and Irvine (1991) EMBO J. 10, 3207-3214] during cell proliferation in vivo.

Phosphoinositide signalling enzymes in rat liver nuclei: phosphoinositidase C isoform beta 1 is specifically, but not predominantly, located in the nucleus

The presence of phosphoinositide-mobilizing enzymes has been investigated in purified rat liver nuclei by radiolabelling and by probing with antibodies. A Ca(2+)-activated phosphoinositidase C (PIC) is present and was shown immunologically to be the beta 1 isoform. No gamma- or delta-PIC was found. However, only 5% of the total beta 1-PIC isoform is nuclear, with the majority being cytosolic. G alpha q and G alpha 11, the suggested physiological activators of beta 1-PIC, were not present. A PtdIns4P 5-kinase is also present, which immunologically is shown to be the C isoform. All of these nuclear inositide enzymes still remained after the removal of the nuclear envelope with Triton X-100, consistent with the concept of an intranuclear inositide cycle [Divecha, Banfic and Irvine (1991) EMBO. J. 10, 3207-3214].

Purification and characterization of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinases

We detail the purification and characterization of three distinct isoforms of PtdIns4P 5-kinase present in bovine brain. One of these, PtdIns4P 5-kinase C, was purified to apparent homogeneity, and SDS/PAGE analysis demonstrated a single polypeptide and molecular mass 53 KDa. These three isoforms were shown to differ in their kinetic properties, and immunological characterization with an antibody raised to PtdIns4P 5-kinase C demonstrated that this isoform was unrelated to the other two. Furthermore, PtdIns4P 5-kinase C was shown to be the bovine brain homologue of the Type II PtdIns4P 5-kinase previously purified from human erythrocytes [Bazenet, Ruano, Brockman & Anderson (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 18012-18022].