Edg-6 as a putative sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor coupling to Ca(2+) signaling pathway

Analysis of endogenous S1P and LPA receptor expression in CHO-K1 cells

The CHO-K1 cell line is commonly used for studies of recombinantly expressed proteins, including proteins of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family. This laboratory has used CHO-K1 cells for the functional characterization of Edg family GPCRs. However, parental CHO-K1 cells respond to lysophospholipids in in-vitro functional assays, which suggests expression of endogenous Edg family GPCRs. To determine the repertoire of Edg family receptor expression in this cell line, alignments of human and rodent sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptor sequences were used to design semi-redundant oligonucleotide pairs. A portion of each receptor gene coding sequence was amplified from Chinese hamster genomic DNA and the resultant gene fragments sequenced. Species-specific oligonucleotide pairs were designed using this novel sequence information and used to detect expression of S1P(1,2,4) and LPA(1) transcripts in CHO-K1 cells by RT-PCR.

Structural and functional characteristics of S1P receptors

The sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) regulates essential cellular processes such as proliferation, migration, cytoskeletal organization, adherens junction assembly, and morphogenesis. S1P, a product from the breakdown of sphingomyelin, binds to the five members of this receptor family, S1P(1), S1P(2), S1P(3), S1P(4), and S1P(5), previously referred to as endothelial differentiation gene (EDG)-1, -5, -3, -6, and -8. S1P receptors are widely expressed in different tissues, so it is not surprising that the S1P receptor family regulates many physiological processes, such as vascular maturation, cardiac development, lymphocyte trafficking, and vascular permeability. FTY720, a new S1P receptor agonist, is undergoing clinical trials as an immunosuppressor. Understanding the physiological role of these receptors and the basics of the ligand-receptor interaction will potentially provide new therapies to control a variety of diseases.

Cell surface receptors in lysophospholipid signaling

The lysophospholipids, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), regulate various signaling pathways within cells by binding to multiple G protein-coupled receptors. Receptor-mediated LPA and S1P signaling induces diverse cellular responses including proliferation, adhesion, migration, morphogenesis, differentiation and survival. This review will focus on major components of lysophospholipid signaling: metabolism, identification and expression of LPA and S1P receptors, general signaling pathways and specific signaling mechanisms in mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Finally, in vivo effects of LP receptor gene deletion in mice will be discussed.

Lysophospholipid receptors: signaling and biology

Lysophospholipids (LPs), such as lysophosphatidic acid and sphingosine 1-phosphate, are membrane-derived bioactive lipid mediators. LPs can affect fundamental cellular functions, which include proliferation, differentiation, survival, migration, adhesion, invasion, and morphogenesis. These functions influence many biological processes that include neurogenesis, angiogenesis, wound healing, immunity, and carcinogenesis. In recent years, identification of multiple cognate G protein-coupled receptors has provided a mechanistic framework for understanding how LPs play such diverse roles. Generation of LP receptor-null animals has allowed rigorous examination of receptor-mediated physiological functions in vivo and has identified new functions for LP receptor signaling. Efforts to develop LP receptor subtype-specific agonists/antagonists are in progress and raise expectations for a growing collection of chemical tools and potential therapeutic compounds. The rapidly expanding literature on the LP receptors is herein reviewed.

Postgenomic characterization of G-protein-coupled receptors

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) constitute one of the largest families of membrane-spanning proteins. Their importance in drug development has been proven over and over again. Therefore, they remain one of the most significant groups of molecules to be characterized. In the postgenomic era, the methods used for the characterization of GPCRs have dramatically changed: the predicted orphan receptors are now often used to ascertain the ligands (reverse pharmacology), whereas, in the past, the bioactive ligand was used to identify the receptor (classic approach). In this review, we will give an overview of the recent postgenomic functional assays that are frequently used to link the orphan GPCR of both vertebrate and invertebrate organisms with their ligands.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors: receptor specificity versus functional redundancy

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive sphingolipid that has recently been shown to bind cell surface S1P receptors (previously called endothelial differentiation gene (Edg) receptors), which are members of the G-protein-coupled family of receptors. Signaling via S1P is a complex process, as cells usually express a number of these receptors on their surfaces. Many of the S1P receptors share common G-proteins, invoking the question of how these receptors are specific in their actions. This review describes the coupling pathways of S1P receptors, and highlights the in vitro and in vivo evidence for the "uniqueness" of each receptor in activating downstream signaling pathways, taking the effect of S1P on migration as an example.

Pharmacological characterization of human S1P4 using a novel radioligand, [4,5-3H]-dihydrosphingosine-1-phosphate

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive lipid that affects a variety of cellular processes through both its actions as a second messenger and via activation of a family of G protein-coupled receptors (S1P(1-5)). The study of S1P receptor pharmacology, particularly S1P(4), has been hindered by the lack of high-affinity radioligands with good specific activity. The studies presented herein characterize [(3)H]DH-S1P as a stable, high-affinity radioligand for S1P(4) pharmacology. Using a transfected Ba/F3 cell line selected for high hS1P(4) surface expression, we compared the consequences of different cellular backgrounds and commercial sources of sphingophospholipids on S1P(4) characterization. The development and subsequent use of the assay described has enabled us to extensively and definitively characterize the pharmacology of the human S1P(4) receptor.

Assembly of adherens junctions is required for sphingosine 1-phosphate-induced matriptase accumulation and activation at mammary epithelial cell-cell contacts

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), a bioactive phospholipid, simultaneously induces actin cytoskeletal rearrangements and activation of matriptase, a membrane-associated serine protease in human mammary epithelial cells. In this study, we used a monoclonal antibody selective for activated, two-chain matriptase to examine the functional relationship between these two S1P-induced events. Ten minutes after exposure of 184 A1N4 mammary epithelial cells to S1P, matriptase was observed to accumulate at cell-cell contacts. Activated matriptase first began to appear as small spots at cell-cell contacts, and then its deposits elongated along cell-cell contacts. Concomitantly, S1P induced assembly of adherens junctions and subcortical actin belts. Matriptase localization was observed to be coincident with markers of adherens junctions at cell-cell contacts but likely not to be incorporated into the tightly bound adhesion plaque. Disruption of subcortical actin belt formation and prevention of adherens junction assembly led to prevention of accumulation and activation of the protease at cell-cell contacts. These data suggest that S1P-induced accumulation and activation of matriptase depend on the S1P-induced adherens junction assembly. Although MAb M32, directed against one of the low-density lipoprotein receptor class A domains of matriptase, blocked S1P-induced activation of the enzyme, the antibody had no effect on S1P-induced actin cytoskeletal rearrangement. Together, these data indicate that actin cytoskeletal rearrangement is necessary but not sufficient for S1P-induced activation of matriptase at cell-cell contacts. The coupling of matriptase activation to adherens junction assembly and actin cytoskeletal rearrangement may serve to ensure tight control of matriptase activity, restricted to cell-cell junctions of mammary epithelial cells.

Comparative analysis of functional assays for characterization of agonist ligands at G protein-coupled receptors

A variety of functional assays are available for agonist or antagonist screening of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), but it is a priori not predictable which assay is the most suitable to identify agonists or antagonists of GPCRs with therapeutic value in humans. More specifically, it is not known how a given set of GPCR agonists compares in different functional assays with respect to potency and efficacy and whether the level of the signaling cascade that is analyzed has any impact on the detection of agonistic responses. To address this question, the authors used the recently cloned human S1P(5) receptor as a model and compared a set of 3 lipid ligands (sphingosine 1-phosphate [S1P], dihydro sphingosine 1-phosphate [dhS1P], and sphingosine) in 5 different functional assays: GTPgammaS binding, inhibition of adenylyl cyclase activity, mobilization of intracellular Ca(2+) via the FLIPR and aequorin technology, and MAP kinase (ERK1/2) activation. S1P induced agonistic responses in all except the ERK1/2 assays with EC(50) values varying by a factor of 10. Whereas dhS1P was identified as a partial agonist in the GTPgammaS assay, it behaved as a full agonist in all other settings. Sphingosine displayed partial agonistic activity exclusively in GTPgammaS binding assays. The findings suggest that assays in a given cellular background may vary significantly with respect to suitability for agonist finding and that ligands producing a response may not readily be detectable in all agonist assays.

THEIDENTIFICATION OFLIGANDS ATORPHANG-PROTEINCOUPLEDRECEPTORS

The completion of the human genome sequencing project has identified approximately 720 genes that belong to the G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily. Approximately half of these genes are thought to encode sensory receptors. Of the remaining 360 receptors, the natural ligand has been identified for approximately 210 receptors, leaving 150 so-called orphan GPCRs with no known ligand or function. The identification of ligands active at orphan GPCRs has been achieved through the development of a number of experimental approaches, including the screening of putative small molecule and peptide ligands, reverse pharmacology, and the use of bioinformatics to predict candidate ligands. In this review, we discuss the methodologies developed for the identification of ligands at orphan GPCRs and include examples of their successful application.

Lysophospholipid receptor-dependent and -independent calcium signaling

Changes in cellular Ca(2+) concentrations form a ubiquitous signal regulating numerous processes such as fertilization, differentiation, proliferation, contraction, and secretion. The Ca(2+) signal, highly organized in space and time, is generated by the cellular Ca(2+) signaling toolkit. Lysophospholipids, such as sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC), or lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) use this toolkit in a specific manner to initiate their cellular responses. Acting as agonists at G protein-coupled receptors, S1P, SPC, and LPA increase the intracellular free Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) by using the classical, phospholipase C (PLC)-dependent pathway as well as PLC-independent pathways such as sphingosine kinase (SphK)/S1P. The S1P(1) receptor, via protein kinase C, inhibits the [Ca(2+)](i) transients caused by other receptors. Both S1P and SPC also act intracellularly to regulate [Ca(2+)](i). Intracellular S1P mobilizes Ca(2+) in intact cells independently of G protein-coupled S1P receptors, and Ca(2+) signaling by many agonists requires SphK-mediated S1P production. As shown for the FcepsilonRI receptor, PLC and SphK may contribute specific components to the overall [Ca(2+)](i) transient. Of the many open questions, identification of the intracellular S1P target site(s) appears to be of particular importance.

Clostridium perfringens alpha-toxin activates the sphingomyelin metabolism system in sheep erythrocytes

Clostridium perfringens alpha-toxin induces hemolysis of rabbit erythrocytes through the activation of glycerophospholipid metabolism. Sheep erythrocytes contain large amounts of sphingomyelin (SM) but not phosphatidylcholine. We investigated the relationship between the toxin-induced hemolysis and SM metabolic system in sheep erythrocytes. Alpha-toxin simultaneously induced hemolysis and a reduction in the levels of SM and formation of ceramide and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P). N-Oleoylethanolamine, a ceramidase inhibitor, inhibited the toxin-induced hemolysis and caused ceramide to accumulate in the toxin-treated cells. Furthermore, dl-threo-dihydrosphingosine and B-5354c, isolated from a novel marine bacterium, both sphingosine kinase inhibitors, blocked the toxin-induced hemolysis and production of S1P and caused sphingosine to accumulate. These observations suggest that the toxin-induced activation of the SM metabolic system is closely related to hemolysis. S1P potentiated the toxin-induced hemolysis of saponin-permeabilized erythrocytes but had no effect on that of intact cells. Preincubation of lysated sheep erythrocytes with pertussis toxin blocked the alpha-toxin-induced formation of ceramide from SM. In addition, incubation of C. botulinum C3 exoenzyme-treated lysates of sheep erythrocytes with alpha-toxin caused an accumulation of sphingosine and inhibition of the formation of S1P. These observations suggest that the alpha-toxin-induced hemolysis of sheep erythrocytes is dependent on the activation of the SM metabolic system through GTP-binding proteins, especially the formation of S1P.

Synergistic effect of sphingosine 1-phosphate on thrombin-induced tissue factor expression in endothelial cells

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), a bioactive lipid, is produced and stored in platelets and is released from activated platelets during blood coagulation activation. Thrombin, which is also generated during blood coagulation, has been shown to induce tissue factor (TF), the initiator of blood coagulation, in endothelial cells (ECs); however, the effect of S1P on this process is not evaluated. Here we demonstrated that S1P strongly potentiated thrombin-induced TF expression in ECs and that S1P itself did not induce TF expression. Among signaling lipids, platelet-activating factor slightly enhanced thrombin-induced TF expression; other lipids, including lysophosphatidic acid, lysophosphatidylcholine, sphingosine, and C2-ceramide exert no effect on TF expression. S1P enhanced TF expression at the transcriptional level, possibly via promoting the activation of transcription factors nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and Egr-1. Thrombin weakly and S1P strongly activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and, in the presence of both stimulants, enhanced and sustained activation of this kinase was observed. The ERK1/2-specific inhibitor PD98059 significantly inhibited enhanced TF expression induced by both stimulants but only weakly inhibited thrombin-induced TF expression, thus indicating the requirement of the ERK1/2 pathway in synergistic induction of TF expression. In addition, we found that thrombin and S1P rapidly up-regulated the expression of S1P receptors, endothelial differentiation gene-1 (EDG-1) and EDG-3, thereby suggesting that the effect of S1P on TF expression and other EC functions may be enhanced by thrombin and S1P itself. The present data reveal the synergistic effect of S1P on thrombin-induced TF expression in ECs, which may promote further thrombin and S1P generation, thus propagating a positive feedback reaction.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate in amniotic fluid modulates cyclooxygenase-2 expression in human amnion-derived WISH cells

The metabolism of arachidonic acid, in particular the generation of prostaglandins (PGs), has been proposed to play a key role in the regulation of labor. Moreover, several extracellular proteins have been reported to modulate PG synthesis in amnion cells. In this study, we found that lipid components dissolved in the amniotic fluid modulate PG synthesis in WISH human amnion cells and identified one of these components as a sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P). WISH cells express several S1P receptors including S1P1, S1P2, and S1P3. When WISH cells were stimulated with S1P, PGE2 synthesis increased in a concentration-dependent manner, showing maximal activity at around 100 nM. S1P treatment also caused the up-regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA and protein, which was apparent within 3-12 h of stimulation. In terms of the intracellular signaling pathway of S1P-induced WISH cell activation, we found that S1P stimulated two kinds of MAPK, ERK, and p38 kinase. We examined the roles of these two MAPKs in S1P-induced COX-2 expression. S1P-induced COX-2 expression was blocked completely by PD-98059 but not by SB-203580, suggesting that ERK has a critical role in the process. Transfection of S1P1 or S1P3 but not of S1P2 antisense oligonucleotide inhibited S1P-induced COX-2 expression and PGE2 production in WISH cells, indicating the involvements of S1P1 and S1P3 in the processes. This study demonstrates the physiological role of S1P in amniotic fluid and its effect on the modulation of COX-2 expression and PGs synthesis in WISH cells.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate promotes cell migration through the activation of Cdc42 in Edg-6/S1P4-expressing cells

BACKGROUND

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (Sph-1-P) is a bioactive lipid mediator released from activated platelets, which regulates diverse signal transduction pathways via cell surface receptors. Recent studies have revealed that the seven-transmembrane-spanning receptors, Edg-1, Edg-3, Edg-5, Edg-6 and Edg-8 are specific Sph-1-P receptors. Northern blot analysis has demonstrated that Edg-6 is expressed in lymphocyte-containing tissues such as spleen and lung. Little is known about the molecular mechanisms of Edg-6 functions, probably because of the difficulties in expressing Edg-6 on the cell surface.

RESULTS

Here, our studies revealed that N-terminal FLAG-tagged Edg-6 or Edg-6-GFP fusion protein was expressed in the endoplasmic reticulum, but was not expressed on the cell surface. On the other hand, C-terminally tagged Edg-6 or both N-terminally and C-terminally tagged Edg-6 was able to localize to the cell surface. Using these cells, we found that Sph-1-P induced cell migration through cell surface-expressed Edg-6 in a pertussis toxin-sensitive manner. This motility was mediated through the activation of a member of the Rho family of small GTPases, Cdc42.

CONCLUSION

These results support a role for Sph-1-P signalling via Edg-6 in the pathways involved in cell motility.

Characterisation of a sphingosine 1-phosphate-activated Ca2+ signalling pathway in human neuroblastoma cells

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) has assumed great importance within neuroscience research because of putative links between S1P-sensitive Edg receptors and neuroregeneration, cell survival, and alterations in neurite outgrowth. In the present study, we examined the mechanisms by which the endogenous complement of S1P-sensitive human Edg receptors can elevate Ca(2+) in the human neuroblastoma cell line, SH-SY5Y. Reverse transcriptase-polymersase chain reaction (RT-PCR) confirmed the expression of mRNA for Edg 3, 5, and 8 subtypes of S1P-responsive Edg receptors in SH-SY5Y cells. Neither S1P nor the muscarinic agonist methacholine were able to cause a change in SH-SY5Y cell morphology, whereas retinoic acid caused a range of changes, including an increase in neurite outgrowth, under similar test conditions. Stimulation with S1P resulted in a slowly rising increase in cytosolic Ca(2+) levels. These responses were dependent upon inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors, thapsigargin-sensitive endoplasmic reticulum, and also intact functional mitochondria. S1P-evoked Ca(2+) responses were similar in mechanism to those of methacholine, which activated a much faster responding, larger amplitude Ca(2+) response. These studies indicate that in an endogenous human expression system, S1P appears to be an efficacious agonist of Edg receptors. Despite its slow time course of response, S1P appears to activate the same single Ca(2+) store in SH-SY5Y cells as is activated by methacholine and other G protein coupled receptors.

Lipid receptors in cardiovascular development

To most people, concerns over the link between lipids and cardiovascular health most likely end with monitoring their daily consumption of dietary fats. However, it has become increasingly clear that, in addition to effects on adult cardiovascular physiology, lipids also play key roles in the formation of a functioning cardiovascular system. The lysophospholipids, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), have come to the forefront as developmental and physiological regulators of the cardiovascular system. In this review, we discuss the function of the G protein-coupled receptors responsible for transducing LPA and S1P signals during development of the vertebrate cardiovascular system, focusing first on their role in angiogenesis and then on their function during embryonic development.

The sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor S1P4 regulates cell shape and motility via coupling to Gi and G12/13

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptors represent a novel subfamily of G-protein-coupled receptors binding S1P specifically and with high affinity. Although their in vivo functions remain largely unknown, in vitro extracellular application of S1P induces distinct S1P receptor-dependent cellular responses including proliferation, differentiation, and migration. We have analyzed signaling pathways engaged by S1P(4), which is highly expressed in the lymphoid system. Here we show that S1P(4) couples directly to Galpha(i) and even more effectively to Galpha(12/13)-subunits of trimeric G-proteins, but not to Galpha(q) unlike other S1P receptors. Consequently, CHO-K1 cells ectopically expressing S1P(4) potently activate the small GTPase Rho and undergo cytoskeletal rearrangements, inducing peripheral stress fiber formation and cell rounding, upon S1P stimulation. Overexpression of S1P(4) in Jurkat T cells induces pertussis toxin-sensitive cell motility even in the absence of exogenously added S1P. In addition, S1P(4) is internalized upon binding of S1P. The capacity of S1P(4) to mediate cellular responses, such as motility and shape change through Galpha(i)- and Galpha(12/13)-coupled signaling pathways may be important for its in vivo function which is currently under investigation.

Edg-8 receptors are preferentially expressed in oligodendrocyte lineage cells of the rat CNS

The messenger RNA for endothelial differentiation gene 8 receptors is known to be expressed almost exclusively in the rat CNS, but the nature of the expressing cells has not been defined. Using an antibody specific for endothelial differentiation gene 8, we investigated the immunohistochemical localization of endothelial differentiation gene 8 receptors in the rat CNS. Immunopositive staining was detected in a subset of glial cells distributed throughout the brain and spinal cord, including both gray and white matter, but not in the dorsal root ganglion. The distribution and morphological similarity in comparative immunostaining for endothelial differentiation gene 8 and various glial markers suggested that endothelial differentiation gene 8 is preferentially expressed in NG2-positive oligodendrocyte progenitor cells in adult rat brains. Counts of endothelial differentiation gene 8-positive cells and NG2-positive cells in the forebrain revealed that a subset of NG2-positive cells was endothelial differentiation gene 8-positive, and that the ratio of endothelial differentiation gene 8-positive cells to NG2-positive cells varied from region to region. In 17-day-old embryonic brains, the endothelial differentiation gene 8 distribution was similar to that of an oligodendrocytic marker, 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase. These data suggest that endothelial differentiation gene 8 receptors are preferentially expressed in oligodendrocyte lineage cells including oligodendrocyte progenitor cells and immature/maturating oligodendrocytes in rat CNS, and that they might have important functions in oligodendrocytic maturation and myelination.

Assessment of the role of sphingosine 1-phosphate and its receptors in high-density lipoprotein-induced stimulation of astroglial cell function

It has been suggested that lipoproteins in the central nervous system are involved in the regulation of several neural functions independent of cholesterol metabolism as well as those related to lipid metabolism. We recently demonstrated that lipoproteins are carriers for sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P). This raised the possibility that S1P mediates the neural cell functions induced by lipoproteins. In the current study, we examined the effects of plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) on astroglial cell functions, focusing especially on the role of the lipoprotein-associated S1P. In rat type I astrocytes or C6 glioma cells, similar to S1P, HDL stimulated DNA synthesis and mRNA expression of fibroblast growth factor-2, a potent neurotrophic factor, which was associated with the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in a pertussis toxin-sensitive manner. The data from fractionation studies of HDL indicated that S1P may be a major component for the activation of ERK. In C6 glioma cells, HDL also induced phospholipase C-dependent intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization. Desensitization of the C6 glioma cells with S1P abolished these HDL-induced actions. Furthermore, overexpression of S1P receptors in C6 glioma cells led to a significant enhancement of HDL-induced ERK activation and Ca(2+) mobilization. Thus, at least some HDL-induced actions may be mediated by cell-surface S1P receptors in astroglial cells. These results imply that S1P might partially mediate lipoprotein-induced cholesterol metabolism-independent neural cell functions in the central nervous system.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) act via PDGF beta receptor-sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor complexes in airway smooth muscle cells

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) act via PDGF beta receptor-S1P(1) receptor complexes in airway smooth muscle cells to promote mitogenic signaling. Several lines of evidence support this conclusion. First, both receptors were co-immunoprecipitated from cell lysates with specific anti-S1P(1) antibodies, indicating that they form a complex. Second, treatment of airway smooth muscle cells with PDGF stimulated the phosphorylation of p42/p44 MAPK, and this phosphorylated p42/p44 MAPK associates with the PDGF beta receptor-S1P(1) receptor complex. Third, treatment of cells with antisense S1P(1) receptor plasmid construct reduced the PDGF- and S1P-dependent activation of p42/p44 MAPK. Fourth, S1P and/or PDGF induced the formation of endocytic vesicles containing both PDGF beta receptors and S1P(1) receptors, which was required for activation of the p42/p44 MAPK pathway. PDGF does not induce the release of S1P, suggesting the absence of a sequential mechanism. However, sphingosine kinase 1 is constitutively exported from cells and supports activation of p42/p44 MAPK by exogenous sphingosine. Thus, the presentation of sphingosine from other cell types and its conversion to S1P by the kinase exported from airway smooth muscle cells might enable S1P to act with PDGF on the PDGF beta receptor-S1P(1) receptor complex to induce biological responses in vivo. These data provide further evidence for a novel mechanism for G-protein-coupled receptor and receptor tyrosine kinase signal integration that is distinct from the transactivation of receptor tyrosine kinases by G-protein-coupled receptor agonists and/or sequential release and action of S1P in response to PDGF.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate is a ligand of the human gpr3, gpr6 and gpr12 family of constitutively active G protein-coupled receptors

Five G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) for the lysophospholipid sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) have been cloned and characterized so far. We report here about the identification of gpr3, gpr6 and gpr12 as additional members of the S1P-GPCR family. When expressed transiently in HEK293 cells, gpr3, gpr6 and gpr12 confer constitutive activation of adenylate cyclase (AC) similar in amplitude to that seen with fully activated G(alpha)(s)-coupled receptors. Culturing the transfected cells in medium with charcoal-stripped serum (devoid of lipids) significantly reduces cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels, suggesting a lipid-like ligand. A library containing 200 bioactive lipids was applied in functional assays recording intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization. S1P and dihydrosphingosine 1-phosphate (DHS1P) were identified as functional activators exhibiting nanomolar EC(50) values. In the presence of the S1P and LPA receptor antagonist suramin, gpr3-, gpr6- and gpr12-mediated intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization via S1P is enhanced. Besides constitutive activation of G(alpha)(s) type of G proteins, all three receptors are capable of constitutively activating inhibitory G(alpha)(i/o) proteins: (i) in the presence of pertussis toxin, gpr3-, gpr6- and gpr12-mediated stimulation of AC is enhanced; and (ii) overexpression of G(alpha)(i) significantly reduces the stimulatory action on intracellular cAMP levels. Agonist (S1P)-mediated internalization can be visualized in intact HEK293 cells using a gpr6 green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion protein. In summary, our data suggest that gpr3, gpr6 and gpr12 are a family of constitutively active receptors with dual coupling to G(alpha)(s) and G(alpha)(i) type of G proteins. Constitutive activation of AC and mobilization of [Ca(2+)](i) can be modulated by the sphingophospholipids S1P and DHS1P, adding three additional members to the family of S1P receptors.

Tandem genomic arrangement of a G protein (Gna15) and G protein-coupled receptor (s1p(4)/lp(C1)/Edg6) gene

A genomic analysis of the s1p(4)/lp(C1)/Edg6 mouse sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) G protein-coupled receptor gene revealed it to be located on central chromosome 10 and to consist of two exons with an intronless coding region. Surprisingly, we found the gene encoding the promiscuously coupling G(alpha15) protein (Gna15) located in tandem just upstream, an arrangement conserved in the human genome (on chromosome 19p13.3). Given that Northern blots demonstrated similar tissue distributions of the mouse s1p(4) and Gna15 transcripts, we propose that transcription of the two genes may be under control of the same enhancer elements and that their protein products may couple in vivo.

Comparative analysis of human and rat S1P(5) (edg8): differential expression profiles and sensitivities to antagonists

Five guanine nucleotide-binding protein-coupled receptors (S1P(1-5)) for the lysophospholipid mediator sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) have thus far been described. Whereas tissue distribution and functional properties of the human S1P(1-4) genes are well characterized, only limited functional and expression data are available for S1P(5), todate. Northern blot analysis indicated that human S1P(5) (hS1P(5)) is an alternatively spliced gene, with a 5.4-kb transcript that is predominantly expressed in peripheral tissues, and a 2.4-kb transcript expressed in brain, spleen, and peripheral blood leucocytes. In contrast, rat S1P(5) (rS1P(5)) was exclusively detected in brain and skin. Expression of hS1P(5) and rS1P(5) in mammalian CHO-K1 or HEK293 cells conferred onto the cells the ability to mobilize intracellular calcium as determined by a functional Fluorometric Imaging Plate Reader assay, when challenged with S1P and dihydro S1P, respectively. Applying a lipid library with 200 bioactive lipids in a functional Fluorometric Imaging Plate Reader assay did not reveal additional agonists. However, both receptors exhibited differential sensitivity towards the S1P- and lysophosphatidic acid-receptor antagonist, suramin: rS1P(5)-mediated intracellular calcium mobilization was partly inhibited by suramin (IC(50): 5800 microM), whereas hS1P(5) was completely antagonized (IC(50): 130 microM). Both receptors were sensitive towards inhibition with the related drug (8,8'-(carbonylbis(imino-3,1-phenylene))bis(1,3,5-naphthalenetrisulfonic acid)) but IC(50) values differed significantly (340 microM for hS1P(5), 4000 microM for rS1P(5)). In addition, rS1P(5) displayed antiproliferative effects in transfected CHO-K1 and HEK293 cells in contrast to hS1P(5). Taken together, our data imply that differences between hS1P(5) and rS1P(5) will be an important point to be considered in the development of selective receptor antagonists.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate signaling in atherosclerosis and vascular biology

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Sphingosine 1-phosphate is a novel lipid mediator which exerts various actions on endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells. In this review, we discuss the latest findings about the molecule in vascular biology.

RECENT FINDINGS

It has been demonstrated that most sphingosine 1-phosphate-induced actions are mediated by the Edg-family of its receptors. Sphingosine 1-phosphate stimulates the migration and proliferation of endothelial cells and is cytoprotective towards them. The involvement of phosphoinositide 3-kinase and nitric oxide in sphingosine 1-phosphate downstream signaling in endothelial cells was recently reported, as was the enhancement of endothelial barrier integrity induced by the molecule. Sphingosine 1-phosphate inhibits migration of vascular smooth muscle cells and this inhibition was reported to be mediated by inhibition of Rac. Sphingosine 1-phosphate is concentrated in the lipoprotein fraction in plasma, and high-density lipoprotein exerted endothelial cytoprotection through its component of this molecule.

SUMMARY

Sphingosine 1-phosphate might play a critical role in the development of atherosclerosis.

Orphan G protein-coupled receptors and beyond

Since the first discovery of mammalian receptors for adrenaline (beta(2)) and acetylcholine (M(1)) in 1986, many G protein-coupled receptors for known ligands have been cloned by protein purification, PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and low stringency hybridization, and they have been identified by expression cloning techniques. Now we are almost out of the known ligands pool. However, through the achievement of the Human Genome Project, numerous orphan receptors (whose natural ligands are not yet found) are also available for analysis. In this review, I would like to review recent achievements in the discovery of natural ligands, to describe useful orphan receptor strategies, and to predict the future of reverse pharmacology.

Phytosphingosine 1-phosphate: a high affinity ligand for the S1P4/Edg-6 receptor

It has been reported recently that the phosphorylated form of the immunomodulator FTY720 activates sphingosine 1-phosphate G protein-coupled receptors. Therefore, understanding the biology of this new class of receptors will be important in clarifying the immunological function of bioactive lysosphingolipid ligands. The S1P(4) receptor has generated interest due to its lymphoid tissue distribution. While the S1P(4) receptor binds the prototypical ligand, S1P, a survey of other lysosphingolipids demonstrated that 4D-hydroxysphinganine 1-phosphate, more commonly known as phytosphingosine 1-phosphate (PhS1P), binds to S1P(4) with higher affinity. Using radiolabeled S1P (S133P), the affinity of PhS1P for the S1P(4) receptor is 1.6nM, while that of S1P is nearly 50-fold lower (119+/-20nM). Radiolabeled PhS1P proved to be superior to S133P in routine binding assays due to improved signal-to-noise ratio. The present study demonstrates the utility of a novel radiolabeled probe, PhS133P, for in vitro studies of the S1P(4) receptor pharmacology.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate induces membrane ruffling and increases motility of human umbilical vein endothelial cells via vascular endothelial growth factor receptor and CrkII

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), a ligand for endothelial differentiation gene family proteins, is one of the most potent signal mediators released from activated platelets. Here, we report that S1P induces membrane ruffling of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) via the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR), Src family tyrosine kinase(s), and the CrkII adaptor protein. S1P induced prominent phosphorylation of CrkII in HUVECs, indicating that CrkII was involved in the S1P-induced signaling pathway. S1P-induced CrkII phosphorylation was blocked by pertussis toxin and overexpression of the carboxyl terminus of beta-adrenergic receptor kinase, indicating that the betagamma subunit of G(i) was required for the phosphorylation. Notably, the S1P-induced CrkII phosphorylation was also abolished by inhibitors of VEGFR or Src family tyrosine kinases. By using Picchu, a real time monitoring protein for CrkII phosphorylation, we found that S1P induced rapid CrkII phosphorylation at membrane ruffles. Finally, we observed that expression of a dominant negative mutant of CrkII inhibited the S1P-induced membrane ruffling and cell migration. These results delineated a novel S1P signaling pathway that involves sequential activation of G(i)-coupled receptor(s), VEGFR, Src family tyrosine kinase(s), and the CrkII adaptor protein, and which is responsible for both the induction of membrane ruffling and the increase in cell motility.

Plasma lipoproteins behave as carriers of extracellular sphingosine 1-phosphate: is this an atherogenic mediator or an anti-atherogenic mediator?

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) concentration in plasma and serum has been estimated to be within 200-900 nM. Among plasma and serum components, S1P is concentrated in lipoprotein fractions with a rank order of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)>low-density lipoprotein (LDL)>very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)>lipoprotein-deficient plasma (LPDP) when expressed as the per unit amount of protein. It is well known that LDL, especially oxidized LDL, is closely correlated and HDL is inversely correlated, with the risk of cardiovascular disease, such as atherosclerosis. Evidence was presented that a part of HDL-induced actions previously reported are mediated by the lipoprotein-associated S1P. Furthermore, S1P content in LDL was markedly decreased during its oxidation. This paper will discuss whether S1P is an atherogenic mediator or an anti-atherogenic mediator.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate, present in serum-derived lipoproteins, activates matriptase

We describe here a novel biological function of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P): the activation of a serine protease, matriptase. Matriptase is a type II integral membrane serine protease, expressed on the surface of a variety of epithelial cells; it may play an important role in tissue remodeling. We have previously reported that the activation of matriptase is regulated by serum. We have now identified the bioactive component from serum. First, the activity was observed to co-purify with lipoproteins by conventional liquid chromatography and immunoaffinity chromatography. The ability of lipoproteins to induce the activation of matriptase was further confirmed with commercial preparations of low density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL). Next, we observed that the bioactive component of LDL is associated with the phospholipid components of LDL. Fractionation of lipid components of LDL by thin layer chromatography (TLC) revealed that the bioactive component of LDL comigrates with S1P. Nanomolar concentrations of commercially obtained S1P were then observed to induce the rapid activation of matriptase on the surfaces of nontransformed human mammary epithelial cells. Other structurally related sphingolipids, including dihydro-S1P, ceramide 1-phosphates, and sphingosine phosphocholine as well as lysophosphatidic acid, can also induce the activation of matriptase, but at significantly higher concentrations than S1P. Furthermore, S1P-dependent matriptase activation is dependent on Ca(2+) but not via G(i) protein-coupled receptors. Our results demonstrate that bioactive phospholipids can function as nonprotein activators of a cell surface protease, suggesting a possible mechanistic link between S1P and normal and possibly pathologic tissue remodeling.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate evokes calcium signals in C2C12 myoblasts via Edg3 and Edg5 receptors

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (SPP) is a bioactive lipid that exerts multiple biological effects in a large variety of cell types, acting as either an intracellular messenger or an extracellular ligand coupled to Edg-family receptors (where Edg stands for endothelial differentiation gene). Here we report that in C(2)C(12) myoblasts SPP elicited significant Ca(2+) mobilization. Analysis of the process using a confocal laser-scanning microscope showed that the Ca(2+) response occurred in a high percentage of cells, despite variations in amplitude and kinetics. Quantitative analysis of SPP-induced Ca(2+) transients performed with a spectrophotofluorimeter showed that the rise in Ca(2+) was strictly dependent on availability of extracellular Ca(2+). Cell treatment with pertussis toxin partially prevented the Ca(2+) response induced by SPP, indicating that G(i)-coupled-receptors were involved. Indeed, SPP action was shown to be mediated by agonist-specific Edg receptors. In particular, suramin, an antagonist of the SPP-specific receptor Edg3, as well as down-regulation of Edg3 by cell transfection with antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotides (ODN), significantly reduced agonist-mediated Ca(2+) mobilization. Moreover, an antisense ODN designed to inhibit Edg5 expression also decreased the SPP-induced rise in Ca(2+), although to a lesser extent than that observed by inhibiting Edg3. On the contrary, the SPP response was unaffected in myoblasts loaded with antisense ODN specific for Edg1. Remarkably, the concomitant inhibition of Edg3 and Edg5 receptors abolished the SPP-induced Ca(2+) increase, supporting the notion that Ca(2+) mobilization in C(2)C(12) cells induced by SPP is a receptor-mediated process that involves Edg3 and Edg5, but not Edg1.

Target validation of G-protein coupled receptors

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) represent possibly the most important target class of proteins for drug discovery. Over 30% of clinically marketed drugs are active at this receptor family. These drugs exhibit their activity at <10% of all known GPCRs. A major challenge for the pharmaceutical industry is to associate the many novel GPCRs with disease to identify the drugs of the future. This process consists of a collection of experimental paradigms that together can be loosely labelled 'target validation'.

[Establishment of the method for the measurement of sphingosine-1-phosphate in biological samples and its application for S1P research]

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), one of the sphingolipid metabolites, has been shown to participate in a variety of cellular responses including proliferation, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and apoptosis. These cellular responses elicited by S1P were first thought to be mediated through an intracellular target(s), but extracellular mechanisms through G-protein-coupled S1P receptors have also been suggested. In addition to the studies examining the functions of the lipid on the cells and tissues, the measurement of the lipid concentration is also important for understanding the physiological and pathophysiological roles of the lipid. We have recently developed a novel quantitative method for measurement of S1P, which was based on the competition of S1P in the samples with the labeled S1P on the S1P receptor Edg-1. Here, we compared our method with previously published ones in several points including specificity and simplicity. We further presented our recent results obtained by using this novel quantitative method and finally mentioned the prospects of the S1P measurement in lipid research, especially in relation to several disorders.

Activity of 2-substituted lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) analogs at LPA receptors: discovery of a LPA1/LPA3 receptor antagonist

The physiological implications of lysophosphatidic acid occupancy of individual receptors are largely unknown because selective agonists/antagonists are unavailable currently. The molecular cloning of three high-affinity lysophosphatidic acid receptors, LPA1, LPA2, and LPA3, provides a platform for developing receptor type-selective ligands. Starting with an N-acyl ethanolamide phosphate LPA analog, we made a series of substitutions at the second carbon to generate compounds with varying spatial, stereochemical, and electronic characteristics. Analysis of this series at each recombinant LPA receptor using a guanosine 5'-O-(3-[35S]thio)triphosphate (GTP[gamma35S]) binding assay revealed sharp differences in activity. Our results suggest that these receptors have one spatially restrictive binding pocket that interacts with the 2-substituted moieties and prefers small hydrophobic groups and hydrogen bonding functionalities. The agonist activity predicted by the GTP[gamma35S] binding assay was reflected in the activity of a subset of compounds in increasing arterial pressure in anesthetized rats. One compound with a bulky hydrophobic group (VPC12249) was a dual LPA1/LPA3 competitive antagonist. Several compounds that had smaller side chains were found to be LPA1-selective agonists.

A role for G protein-coupled lysophospholipid receptors in sphingolipid-induced Ca2+ signaling in MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells

Sphingolipids have been proposed to modulate cell function by acting as intracellular second messengers and through binding to plasma membrane receptors. Exposure of MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells to sphingosine (SPH), sphingosine-1-phosphate (SPP), or sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC) led to the release of Ca2+ from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and acute elevations in cytosolic-free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i). Desensitization studies suggest that SPP and SPC bind plasma membrane endothelial differentiation gene (Edg) receptors for lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). Consistent with the coupling of Edg receptors to G proteins, SPP- and SPC-induced Ca2+ signaling was inhibited by pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin (PTx). Of the Edg receptors known to bind SPH derivatives in other cell types, MC3T3-E1 cells were found to express transcripts encoding Edg-1 and Edg-5 but not Edg-3, Edg-6, or Edg-8. In contrast to SPP and SPC, the ability of SPH to elicit [Ca2+]i elevations was affected neither by prior exposure of cells to LPA nor by PTx treatment. However, LPA-induced Ca2+ signaling was blocked in MC3T3-E1 cells previously exposed to SPH. Elevations in [Ca2+]i were not evoked by SPP or SPC in cells treated with 2-aminoethoxydiphenylborate (2-APB), an inhibitor of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3)-gated Ca2+ channels in the ER. No effect of 2-APB was observed on SPH-or LPA-induced [Ca2+]i elevations. The data support a model in which SPP and SPC bind Edg-1 and/or Edg-5 receptors in osteoblasts leading to the release of Ca2+ from the ER through IP3-gated channels.

Neurobiology of the Edg2 lysophosphatidic acid receptor

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA, 1-acyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphate) is a well-known lipid growth factor that is found widely in various tissues including brain and is reported to drive different intracellular signaling pathways. In the nervous system, LPA studies have drawn many neuroscientists' attention because it has some actions related to neurogenesis such as cell rounding and proliferation. Remarkable advances in this field have been obtained along with the discovery of the cDNA clone for its receptor, vzg1/edg2, a member of the seven transmembrane-type edg family. Successive studies have revealed that edg2 activation by LPA mediates several neurobiological actions related to neurogenesis, neuronal excitability and survival activity on developing and postnatal neurons. Here we focused their molecular basis of signaling through G proteins and in vivo roles of edg2 in such neurobiological events.

Role of the sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor EDG-1 in vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), a platelet-derived ligand for the EDG-1 family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), has recently emerged as a regulator of vascular development. Although S1P has potent effects on endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), the functions of the specific S1P receptors in the latter cell type are not known. Here we show that pup-intimal VSMCs express higher levels of EDG-1 mRNA than adult-medial VSMCs. Stable transfection of EDG-1 into adult-medial VSMCs enhanced their proliferative response to S1P, concomitant with induction of p70 S6 kinase activity and expression of cyclin D1. Pertussis toxin treatment inhibited S1P-induced p70 S6 kinase activation, cyclin D1 expression and proliferation, suggesting that EDG-1-coupling to the G(i) pathway is critical. Furthermore, blocking p70 S6 kinase phosphorylation with rapamycin inhibited cyclin D1 expression and proliferation, suggesting that activation of p70 S6 kinase is critical in EDG-1/G(i)-mediated cell proliferation. EDG-1 expression also profoundly enhanced the migratory response of adult-medial VSMCs to S1P. S1P-induced migration of adult-medial VSMCs expressing exogenous EDG-1 required G(i) activation but not p70 S6 kinase. These results suggest that enhanced expression of EDG-1 in VSMCs dramatically stimulates both the proliferative and migratory responses to S1P. Since EDG-1 is expressed in the pup-intimal phenotype of VSMCs, S1P signaling via EDG-1 may play a role in vascular diseases in which the proliferation and migration of VSMCs are dysregulated.

Selective loss of sphingosine 1-phosphate signaling with no obvious phenotypic abnormality in mice lacking its G protein-coupled receptor, LP(B3)/EDG-3

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) exerts diverse physiological actions by activating its cognate G protein-coupled receptors. Five S1P receptors have been identified in mammals: LP(B1)/EDG-1, LP(B2)/H218/AGR16/EDG-5, LP(B3)/EDG-3, LP(B4)/NRG-1/EDG-8, and LP(C1)/EDG-6. One of these receptors, LP(B1), has recently been shown to be essential for mouse embryonic development. Here we disrupted the lp(B3) gene in mice, resulting in the complete absence of lp(B3) gene, transcript, and LP(B3) protein. LP(B3)-null mice were viable and fertile and developed normally with no obvious phenotypic abnormality. We prepared mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells to examine effects of LP(B3) deletion on S1P-induced signal transduction pathways. Wild-type MEF cells expressed lp(B1), lp(B2), and lp(B3) but neither lp(B4) nor lp(C1), and they were highly responsive to S1P in phospholipase C (PLC) activation, adenylyl cyclase inhibition, and Rho activation. Identically prepared LP(B3)-null MEF cells showed significant decreases in PLC activation, slight decreases in adenylyl cyclase inhibition, and no change in Rho activation. Retrovirus-mediated rescue of the LP(B3) receptor in LP(B3)-null MEF cells restored S1P-dependent PLC activation and adenylyl cyclase inhibition. These results indicate a nonessential role for LP(B3) in normal development of mouse but show nonredundant cellular signaling mediated by a single type of S1P receptor.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate may be a major component of plasma lipoproteins responsible for the cytoprotective actions in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), a novel lipid mediator, is concentrated in the fraction of lipoproteins that include high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) in human plasma. Here, we show that oxidation of LDL resulted in a marked reduction in the S1P level in association with a marked accumulation of lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC). We therefore investigated the role of the lipoprotein-associated lipids especially S1P in the lipoprotein-induced cytoprotective or cytotoxic actions in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The viability of the cells gradually decreased in the absence of serum or growth factors in the culture medium. The addition of oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) accelerated the decrease in the cell viability. LPC and 7-ketocholesterol mimicked ox-LDL actions. On the other hand, HDL and LDL almost completely reversed the serum deprivation- or ox-LDL-induced cytotoxicity. Exogenous S1P mimicked cytoprotective actions. Moreover, the S1P-rich fraction and chromatographically purified S1P from HDL exerted cytoprotective actions, but the rest of the fractions did not. The cytoprotective actions of HDL and S1P were associated with extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation and were almost completely inhibited by pertussis toxin and PD98059, an ERK kinase inhibitor. The HDL-induced action was specifically desensitized in the S1P-pretreated cells. Taken together, these results indicate that the lipoprotein-associated S1P and the lipid receptor-mediated signal pathways may be responsible for the lipoprotein-induced cytoprotective actions. Furthermore, the decrease in the S1P content, in addition to the accumulation of cytotoxic substances such as LPC, may be important for the acquisition of the cytotoxic property to ox-LDL.

Lysophospholipid receptors

Lysophospholipids (LPs), including lysophosphatidic acid and sphingosine 1-phosphate, produce many cellular effects. However, the prolonged absence of any cloned and identified LP receptor has left open the question of how these lipids actually bring about these effects. The cloning and functional identification of the first LP receptor, lp(A1)/vzg-1, has led rapidly to the identification and classification of multiple orphan receptors/expression sequence tags known by many names (e.g. edg, mrec1.3, gpcr26, H218, AGR16, nrg-1) as members of a common cognate G protein-coupled receptor family. We review features of the LP receptor family, including molecular characteristics, genomics, signaling properties, and gene expression. A major question for which only partial answers are available concerns the biological significance of receptor-mediated LP signaling. Recent studies that demonstrate the role of receptor-mediated LP signaling in the nervous system, cardiovascular system, and other organ systems indicate the importance of this signaling in development, function, and pathophysiology and portend an exciting time ahead for this growing field.

Subtype-specific, differential activities of the EDG family receptors for sphingosine-1-phosphate, a novel lysophospholipid mediator

The lysosphingolipid sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and the structurally related lipid lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) elicit a wide spectrum of biological responses in a variety of cell types, including mitogenesis, cell-shape changes, migration and contraction. Recent studies have unveiled the existence of the G protein-coupled heptahelical receptor subfamily for the biologically active lysophospholipids, which consists of the two receptor subgroups specific for S1P and LPA, respectively. The S1P receptor subgroup comprises four members, i.e. EDG-1, EDG-3, EDG-5/AGR16 and EDG-6, with considerable amino acid similarity among them. The S1P receptor subtypes are coupled to different heterotrimeric G proteins, leading to the activation of a unique set of multiple intracellular signaling pathways. The expression of transcripts of the S1P receptor subtypes is wide-spread, except for EDG-6 which exhibits lymphoid tissue-specific expression. Plasma contains substantial concentrations of S1P as well as LPA. Activated platelets appear to be a major source of S1P and LPA in blood. In addition, accumulating evidence demonstrates that S1P and LPA are released from a variety of cell types in response to various extracellular stimuli. These observations demonstrate the existence of the novel signaling system comprising the lysosphingolipids and their cognate receptors, suggesting physiological and pathological roles.

G-protein-coupled receptor stimulation of the p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway is attenuated by lipid phosphate phosphatases 1, 1a, and 2 in human embryonic kidney 293 cells

Sphingosine 1-phosphate, lysophosphatidic acid, and phosphatidic acid bind to G-protein-coupled receptors to stimulate intracellular signaling in mammalian cells. Lipid phosphate phosphatases (1, 1a, 2, and 3) are a group of enzymes that catalyze de-phosphorylation of these lipid agonists. It has been proposed that the lipid phosphate phosphatases exhibit ecto activity that may function to limit bioavailability of these lipid agonists at their receptors. In this study, we show that the stimulation of the p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway by sphingosine 1-phosphate, lysophosphatidic acid, and phosphatidic acid, all of which bind to G(i/o)-coupled receptors, is substantially reduced in human embyronic kidney 293 cells transfected with lipid phosphate phosphatases 1, 1a, and 2 but not 3. This was correlated with reduced basal intracellular phosphatidic acid and not ecto lipid phosphate phosphatase activity. These findings were supported by results showing that lipid phosphate phosphatases 1, 1a, and 2 also abrogate the stimulation of p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase by thrombin, a peptide G(i/o)-coupled receptor agonist whose bioavailability at its receptor is not subject to regulation by the phosphatases. Furthermore, the lipid phosphate phosphatases have no effect on the stimulation of p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase by other agents that do not use G-proteins to signal, such as serum factors and phorbol ester. Therefore, these findings show that the lipid phosphate phosphatases 1, 1a, and 2 may function to perturb G-protein-coupled receptor signaling per se rather than limiting bioavailability of lipid agonists at their respective receptors.

Lysophosphatidic acid, a novel lipid growth factor for human thyroid cells: over-expression of the high-affinity receptor edg4 in differentiated thyroid cancer

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a small lipid mediator with pleiotropic biological activities, e.g., the regulation of cellular proliferation and various aspects of cellular physiology. Signal transduction is achieved by binding to 2 high-affinity receptors, EDG2 and EDG4, and a group of low-affinity receptors, EDG1-7, all belonging to the superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors. We examined the growth-regulatory effects of LPA in primary cultures of 8 goiters and 1 papillary thyroid cancer. We further assessed mRNA expression of high-affinity receptors EDG2 and EDG4 in 14 normal thyroids, 29 papillary thyroid cancers, 7 follicular thyroid cancers and 13 goiters by quantitative RT-PCR. We also identified mRNA expression of phospholipase A(2) and LPA acyltransferase in fresh thyroid tissues derived from various sources. At concentrations of 10, 50 and 150 microM, LPA induced a 2-fold rise of proliferation (p < 0.001) and acted as strongly as thyrotropin. The combination of LPA and TSH produced significant synergistic effects compared with each substance alone (p < 0.05). Normal thyroid, goiter and papillary or follicular thyroid cancer expressed 2 high-affinity cognate LPA receptors, EDG2 and EDG4. EDG4 receptor mRNA expression was increased 3-fold in differentiated thyroid cancer (p < 0.01), both papillary (p < 0.01) and follicular (p < 0.05), compared to normal thyroid or goiter. Overall expression of EDG2 receptor was unchanged in malignancy; however, increased EDG2 expression in individual samples correlated with lymphonodular metastasis (p = 0.01). Thus, lipid mediators are a novel class of factors involved in the control of proliferation in the human thyroid. Altered mRNA expression of the high-affinity LPA receptor EDG4 suggests a role in the pathogenesis of differentiated thyroid cancer.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate and activation of endothelial nitric-oxide synthase. differential regulation of Akt and MAP kinase pathways by EDG and bradykinin receptors in vascular endothelial cells

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a platelet-derived sphingolipid that elicits numerous biological responses in endothelial cells mediated by a family of G protein-coupled EDG receptors. Stimulation of EDG receptors by S1P has been shown to activate the endothelial isoform of nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS) in heterologous expression systems (Igarashi, J., and Michel, T. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 32363-32370). However, the signaling pathways that modulate eNOS regulation by S1P/EDG in vascular endothelial cells remain less well understood. We now report that S1P treatment of bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) acutely increases eNOS enzyme activity; the EC(50) for S1P activation of eNOS is approximately 10 nm. The magnitude of eNOS activation by S1P in BAEC is equivalent to that elicited by the agonist bradykinin. S1P treatment activates Akt, a protein kinase implicated in phosphorylation of eNOS. S1P treatment of BAEC leads to eNOS phosphorylation at Ser(1179), a residue phosphorylated by Akt; an eNOS mutant in which this Akt phosphorylation site is inactivated shows attenuated S1P-induced eNOS activation. S1P-induced activation both of Akt and of eNOS is inhibited by pertussis toxin, by the phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin, and by the intracellular calcium chelator BAPTA (1,2-bis(aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid). By contrast to S1P, activation of G protein-coupled bradykinin B2 receptors neither activates kinase Akt nor promotes Ser(1179) eNOS phosphorylation despite robustly activating eNOS enzyme activity. Understanding the differential regulation of protein kinase pathways by S1P and bradykinin may lead to the identification of new points for eNOS regulation in vascular endothelial cells.

Lysosphingolipid receptor-mediated diuresis and natriuresis in anaesthetized rats

Lysosphingolipids such as sphingosine-1-phosphate (SPP) and sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPPC) can act on specific G-protein-coupled receptors. Since SPP and SPPC cause renal vasoconstriction, we have investigated their effects on urine and electrolyte excretion in anaesthetized rats. Infusion of SPP (1 - 30 microg kg(-1) min(-1)) for up to 120 min dose-dependently but transiently (peak after 15 min, disappearance after 60 min) reduced renal blood flow without altering endogenous creatinine clearance. Nevertheless, infusion of SPP increased diuresis, natriuresis and calciuresis and, to a lesser extent, kaliuresis. These tubular lysosphingolipid effects developed more slowly (maximum after 60 - 90 min) and also abated more slowly upon lysosphingolipid washout than the renovascular effects. Infusion of SPPC, sphingosine and glucopsychosine (3 - 30 microg kg(-1) min(-1) each) caused little if any alterations in renal blood flow but also increased diuresis, natriuresis and calciuresis and, to a lesser extent, kaliuresis. Pretreatment with pertussis toxin (10 microg kg(-1) 3 days before the acute experiment) abolished the renovascular and tubular effects of 30 microg kg(-1) min(-1) SPP. These findings suggest that lysosphingolipids are a hitherto unrecognized class of endogenous modulators of renal function. SPP affects renovascular tone and tubular function via receptors coupled to G(i)-type G-proteins. SPPC, sphingosine and glucopsychosine mimic only the tubular effects of SPP, and hence may act on distinct sites.

The LPA receptors

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a growth factor-like lipid that produces many cellular responses. These responses, including actin cytoskeletal rearrangements, cell proliferation and inhibition of gap junction communication, have been documented in many cell types over the last 2 decades. Both non-receptor and receptor-mediated mechanisms had been implicated to explain these responses. A clear advance in this field was the cloning and functional identification of LPA receptors, and there are currently three high-affinity members, LPA1, LPA2 and LPA3 (synonymous with orphan receptor names edg-2, edg-4 and edg-7, respectively). Here we review the gene structure, expression and functions of LPA receptors. We also discuss the in vivo roles mediated by a single LPA receptor type, based on studies of the nervous system, a major locus of LPA receptor expression.