ADP-ribosylation factor 6 as a target of guanine nucleotide exchange factor GRP1

Interaction protein for cytohesin exchange factors 1 (IPCEF1) binds cytohesin 2 and modifies its activity

The ADP-ribosylation factor 6 (ARF6) small GTPase functions as a GDP/GTP-regulated switch in the pathways that stimulate actin reorganization and membrane ruffling. The formation of active ARF6GTP is stimulated by guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) such as cytohesins, which translocate to the plasma membrane in agonist-stimulated cells by binding the lipid second messenger phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate through the pleckstrin homology domain with subsequent ARF6 activation. Using cytohesin 2 as bait in yeast two-hybrid screening, we have isolated a cDNA encoding a protein termed interaction protein for cytohesin exchange factors 1 (IPCEF1). Using yeast two-hybrid and glutathione S-transferase pull-down assays coupled with deletion mutational analysis, the specific domains required for the cytohesin 2-IPCEF1 interaction were mapped to the coiled-coil domain of cytohesin 2 and the C-terminal 121 amino acids of IPCEF1. IPCEF1 also interacts with the other members of the cytohesin family of ARF GEFs, suggesting that the interaction with IPCEF1 is highly conserved among the cytohesin family of ARF GEFs. The interaction of cytohesin 2 and IPCEF1 in mammalian cells was demonstrated by immunoprecipitation. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that IPCEF1 co-localizes with cytohesin 2 to the cytosol in unstimulated cells and translocates to the plasma membrane via binding to cytohesin 2 in epidermal growth factor-stimulated cells. However, a deletion mutant of IPCEF1 that lacks the cytohesin 2 binding site failed to co-migrate with cytohesin 2 to the membrane in stimulated cells. The functional significance of the IPCEF1-cytohesin 2 interaction is demonstrated by showing that IPCEF1 increases the in vitro and in vivo stimulation of ARFGTP formation by cytohesin 2.

Lanthanum is transported by the sodium/calcium exchanger and regulates its activity

La3+ uptake was measured in fura 2-loaded Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing the bovine cardiac Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX1.1). La3+ was taken up by the cells after an initial lag phase of 50-60 s and achieved a steady state within 5-6 min. Neonatal cardiac myocytes accumulated La3+ in a similar manner. La3+ uptake was due to the activity of the exchanger, because no uptake was seen in nontransfected cells or in transfected cells that had been treated with gramicidin to remove cytosolic Na+. The low rate of La3+ uptake during the lag period resulted from insufficient cytosolic Ca2+ to activate the exchanger at its regulatory sites, as shown by the following observations. La3+ uptake occurred without a lag period in cells expressing a mutant of NCX1.1 that does not exhibit regulatory activation by cytosolic Ca2+. The rate of La3+ uptake by wild-type cells was increased, and the lag phase was reduced or eliminated, when the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration was increased before initiating La3+ uptake. La3+ could substitute for Ca2+ at very low concentrations to activate exchange activity. Thus preloading cells expressing NCX1.1 with a small quantity of La3+ increased the rate of exchange-mediated Ca2+ influx by 20-fold; in contrast, cytosolic La3+ partially inhibited Ca2+ uptake by the regulation-deficient mutant. With an estimated KD of 30 pM for the binding of La3+ to fura 2, we conclude that cytosolic La3+ activates exchange activity at picomolar concentrations. We speculatively suggest that endogenous trace metals might activate exchange activity under physiological conditions.

The guanine nucleotide exchange factor ARNO mediates the activation of ARF and phospholipase D by insulin

BACKGROUND

Phospholipase D (PLD) is involved in many signaling pathways. In most systems, the activity of PLD is primarily regulated by the members of the ADP-Ribosylation Factor (ARF) family of GTPases, but the mechanism of activation of PLD and ARF by extracellular signals has not been fully established. Here we tested the hypothesis that ARF-guanine nucleotide exchange factors (ARF-GEFs) of the cytohesin/ARNO family mediate the activation of ARF and PLD by insulin.

RESULTS

Wild type ARNO transiently transfected in HIRcB cells was translocated to the plasma membrane in an insulin-dependent manner and promoted the translocation of ARF to the membranes. ARNO mutants: DeltaCC-ARNO and CC-ARNO were partially translocated to the membranes while DeltaPH-ARNO and PH-ARNO could not be translocated to the membranes. Sec7 domain mutants of ARNO did not facilitate the ARF translocation. Overexpression of wild type ARNO significantly increased insulin-stimulated PLD activity, and mutations in the Sec7 and PH domains, or deletion of the PH or CC domains inhibited the effects of insulin.

CONCLUSIONS

Small ARF-GEFs of the cytohesin/ARNO family mediate the activation of ARF and PLD by the insulin receptor.

Molecular mechanisms of insulin resistance in IRS-2-deficient hepatocytes

To assess the role of insulin receptor (IR) substrate (IRS)-2 in insulin action and resistance in the liver, immortalized neonatal hepatocyte cell lines have been generated from IRS-2(-/-), IRS-2(+/-), and wild-type mice. These cells maintained the expression of the differentiated liver markers albumin and carbamoyl phosphate synthetase, as well as bear a high number of IRs. The lack of IRS-2 did not result in enhanced IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation or IRS-1-associated phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase activity on insulin stimulation. Total insulin-induced PI 3-kinase activity was decreased by 50% in IRS-2(-/-) hepatocytes, but the translocation of PI-3,4,5-trisphosphate to the plasma membrane in these cells was almost completely abolished. Downstream PI 3-kinase, activation of Akt, glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3 (alpha and beta isoforms), Foxo1, and atypical protein kinase C were blunted in insulin-stimulated IRS-2(-/-) cells. Reconstitution of IRS-2(-/-) hepatocytes with adenoviral IRS-2 restored activation of these pathways, demonstrating that IRS-2 is essential for functional insulin signaling in hepatocytes. Insulin induced a marked glycogen synthase activity in wild-type and heterozygous primary hepatocytes; interestingly, this response was absent in IRS-2(-/-) cells but was rescued by infection with adenoviral IRS-2. Regarding gluconeogenesis, the induction of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glucose 6-phosphatase by dibutyryl cAMP and dexamethasone was observed in primary hepatocytes of all genotypes. However, insulin was not able to suppress gluconeogenic gene expression in primary hepatocytes lacking IRS-2, but when IRS-2 signaling was reconstituted, these cells recovered this response to insulin. Suppression of gluconeogenic gene expression in IRS-2-deficient primary hepatocytes was also restored by infection with dominant negative Delta 256Foxo1.

Control of Myoblast Fusion by a Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor, Loner, and Its Effector ARF6

Myoblast fusion is essential for the formation and regeneration of skeletal muscle. In a genetic screen for regulators of muscle development in Drosophila, we discovered a gene encoding a guanine nucleotide exchange factor, called loner, which is required for myoblast fusion. Loner localizes to subcellular sites of fusion and acts downstream of cell surface fusion receptors by recruiting the small GTPase ARF6 and stimulating guanine nucleotide exchange. Accordingly, a dominant-negative ARF6 disrupts myoblast fusion in Drosophila embryos and in mammalian myoblasts in culture, mimicking the fusion defects caused by loss of Loner. Loner and ARF6, which also control the proper membrane localization of another small GTPase, Rac, are key components of a cellular apparatus required for myoblast fusion and muscle development. In muscle cells, this fusigenic mechanism is coupled to fusion receptors; in other fusion-competent cell types it may be triggered by different upstream signals.

Differential localization and function of ADP-ribosylation factor-6 in anergic human T cells: a potential marker for their identification

Anergy is a state of immunologic tolerance in which T cells are viable but incapable of responding to antigenic stimulation. Recent data indicate that anergic cells have a distinct gene expression program that determines their unique function. In this study we show that anergic human T cells selectively express the small GTPase ADP-ribosylation factor-6 (ARF6), which is involved in membrane traffic and regulation of the cortical actin cytoskeleton. ARF6 was expressed in the GTP-bound form that localizes at the plasma membrane, resulting in a distinct morphologic appearance of anergic cells. Forced expression of ARF6-GTP in Jurkat T cells prevented TCR-mediated reorganization of cortical actin, extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 activation, and IL-2 transcription. Forced expression of ARF6-GTP in primary human T cells inhibited extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 activation and proliferative responses. Importantly, T cells with the distribution pattern of ARF6-GTP were detected in peripheral blood, suggesting that anergic T cells may constitutively exist in vivo.

Dynamics of phosphoinositides in membrane retrieval and insertion

The phosphoinositides PtdIns(4,5)P2 and PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 are concentrated in plasma membranes of eukaryotic cells, and excluded from endosomes, whereas PtdIns(3)P is formed in these latter intracellular membranes and is apparently excluded from the plasma membrane. The logic of this asymmetric disposition is now revealed by the nature of the effector proteins that selectively bind these lipids through specific modules and by the processes that they catalyze. PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 has a role in directing exocytosis, in addition to many other signaling events, whereas PtdIns(4,5)P2 directs endocytosis through its ability to anchor several coat proteins to the plasma membrane. Remarkably, the elimination of PtdIns(4,5)P2 from forming endosomes may be required for membrane fission to occur. Thus membrane insertion and retrieval can be regulated by plasma membrane concentrations of PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 and PtdIns(4,5)P2, whereas PtdIns(3)P directs the downstream trafficking and recycling of intracellular membranes through its attraction of proteins that catalyze these processes. The phosphoinositides thereby control many cell features that depend upon protein sorting, including the composition of the plasma membrane itself, which in turn determines the cell's responses to its environment.

Rheb is a direct target of the tuberous sclerosis tumour suppressor proteins

Mutations in the TSC1 or TSC2 genes cause tuberous sclerosis, a benign tumour syndrome in humans. Tsc2 possesses a domain that shares homology with the GTPase-activating protein (GAP) domain of Rap1-GAP, suggesting that a GTPase might be the physiological target of Tsc2. Here we show that the small GTPase Rheb (Ras homologue enriched in brain) is a direct target of Tsc2 GAP activity both in vivo and in vitro. Point mutations in the GAP domain of Tsc2 disrupted its ability to regulate Rheb without affecting the ability of Tsc2 to form a complex with Tsc1. Our studies identify Rheb as a molecular target of the TSC tumour suppressors.

Conventional kinesin KIF5B mediates insulin-stimulated GLUT4 movements on microtubules

Insulin stimulates glucose uptake in muscle and adipose cells by mobilizing intracellular membrane vesicles containing GLUT4 glucose transporter proteins to the plasma membrane. Here we show in live cultured adipocytes that intracellular membranes containing GLUT4-yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) move along tubulin-cyan fluorescent protein-labeled microtubules in response to insulin by a mechanism that is insensitive to the phosphatidylinositol 3 (PI3)-kinase inhibitor wortmannin. Insulin increased by several fold the observed frequencies, but not velocities, of long-range movements of GLUT4-YFP on microtubules, both away from and towards the perinuclear region. Genomics screens show conventional kinesin KIF5B is highly expressed in adipocytes and this kinesin is partially co-localized with perinuclear GLUT4. Dominant-negative mutants of conventional kinesin light chain blocked outward GLUT4 vesicle movements and translocation of exofacial Myc-tagged GLUT4-green fluorescent protein to the plasma membrane in response to insulin. These data reveal that insulin signaling targets the engagement or initiates the movement of GLUT4-containing membranes on microtubules via conventional kinesin through a PI3-kinase-independent mechanism. This insulin signaling pathway regulating KIF5B function appears to be required for GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane.

Phosphoinositide binding by the pleckstrin homology domains of Ipl and Tih1

The Ipl protein consists of a single pleckstrin homology (PH) domain with short N- and C-terminal extensions. This protein is highly conserved among vertebrates, and it acts to limit placental growth in mice. However, its biochemical function is unknown. The closest paralogue of Ipl is Tih1, another small PH domain protein. By sequence comparisons, Ipl and Tih1 define an outlying branch of the PH domain superfamily. Here we describe phosphatidylinositol phosphate (PIP) binding by these proteins. Ipl and Tih1 bind to immobilized PIPs with moderate affinity, but this binding is weaker and more promiscuous than that of prototypical PH domains from the general receptor for phosphoinositides (GRP1), phospholipase C delta1, and dual adaptor for phosphoinositides and phosphotyrosine 1. In COS7 cells exposed to epidermal growth factor, green fluorescent protein (GFP)-Ipl and GFP-Tih1 accumulate at membrane ruffles without clearing from the cytoplasm, whereas control GFP-GRP1 translocates rapidly to the plasma membrane and clears from the cytoplasm. Ras*-Ipl and Ras*-Tih1 fusion proteins both rescue cdc25ts Saccharomyces cerevisiae, but Ras*-Ipl rescues more efficiently in the presence of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), whereas PI3K-independent rescue is more efficient with Ras*-Tih1. Site-directed mutagenesis defines amino acids in the beta1-loop1-beta2 regions of Ipl and Tih1 as essential for growth rescue in this assay. Thus, Ipl and Tih1 are bona fide PH domain proteins, with broad specificity and moderate affinity for PIPs.

HIV-1 Nef downregulates MHC-I by a PACS-1- and PI3K-regulated ARF6 endocytic pathway

The HIV-1 Nef-mediated downregulation of cell surface MHC-I molecules to the trans-Golgi network (TGN) enables HIV-1 to escape immune surveillance. However, the cellular pathway used by Nef to downregulate MHC-I is unknown. Here, we show that Nef and PACS-1 combine to usurp the ARF6 endocytic pathway by a PI3K-dependent process and downregulate cell surface MHC-I to the TGN. This mechanism requires the hierarchical actions of three Nef motifs-the acidic cluster 62EEEE(65), the SH3 domain binding site 72PXXP(75), and M(20)-in controlling PACS-1-dependent sorting to the TGN, ARF6 activation, and sequestering internalized MHC-I to the TGN, respectively. These data provide new insights into the cellular basis of HIV-1 immunoevasion.

The N-terminal coiled coil domain of the cytohesin/ARNO family of guanine nucleotide exchange factors interacts with the scaffolding protein CASP

Cytohesin is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor that regulates members of the ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) family of small GTPases. All of the members of the cytohesin family (including ARNO, ARNO3, and the newly characterized cytohesin-4) have a similar domain distribution consisting of a Sec7 homology domain, a pleckstrin homology domain, and an N-terminal coiled coil. In this study, we attempt to identify proteins that interact specifically with the coiled coil motif of cytohesin. Yeast two-hybrid screening of a B cell library using the cytohesin N terminus as bait, identified CASP, a scaffolding protein of previously unknown function, as a binding partner. CASP contains an internal coiled coil motif that is required for cytohesin binding both in vitro and in COS-1 cells. The specificity of the coiled coil of CASP is not restricted to cytohesin, however, because it is also capable of interacting with other members of the cytohesin/ARNO family, ARNO and ARNO3. In immunofluorescence experiments, CASP localizes to perinuclear tubulovesicular structures that are in close proximity to the Golgi. These structures remain relatively undisturbed when the cells are treated with brefeldin A. In epidermal growth factor-stimulated COS-1 cells overexpressing cytohesin and CASP, cytohesin recruits CASP to membrane ruffles, revealing a functional interaction between the two proteins. These observations collectively suggest that CASP is a scaffolding protein that facilitates the function of at least one member of the cytohesin/ARNO family in response to specific cellular stimuli.

Coordinated patterns of gene expression for substrate and energy metabolism in skeletal muscle of diabetic mice

Metabolic abnormalities underlying diabetes are primarily the result of the lack of adequate insulin action and the associated changes in protein phosphorylation and gene expression. To define the full set of alterations in gene expression in skeletal muscle caused by diabetes and the loss of insulin action, we have used Affymetrix oligonucleotide microarrays and streptozotocin-diabetic mice. Of the genes studied, 235 were identified as changed in diabetes, with 129 genes up-regulated and 106 down-regulated. Analysis revealed a coordinated regulation at key steps in glucose and lipid metabolism, mitochondrial electron transport, transcriptional regulation, and protein trafficking. mRNAs for all of the enzymes of the fatty acid beta-oxidation pathway were increased, whereas those for GLUT4, hexokinase II, the E1 component of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, and subunits of all four complexes of the mitochondrial electron transport chain were all coordinately down-regulated. Only about half of the alterations in gene expression in diabetic mice could be corrected toward normal after 3 days of insulin treatment and euglycemia. These data point to as of yet undefined mechanisms for highly coordinated regulation of gene expression by insulin and potential new targets for therapy of diabetes mellitus.

A conserved C-terminal domain of EFA6-family ARF6-guanine nucleotide exchange factors induces lengthening of microvilli-like membrane protrusions

We recently reported the identification of EFA6 (exchange factor for ARF6), a brain-specific Sec7-domain-containing guanine nucleotide exchange factor that works specifically on ARF6. Here, we have characterized the product of a broadly expressed gene encoding a novel 1056 amino-acid protein that we have named EFA6B. We show that EFA6B, which contains a Sec7 domain that is highly homologous to EFA6, works as an ARF6-specific guanine exchange factor in vitro. Like EFA6, which will be referred to as EFA6A from now on, EFA6B is involved in membrane recycling and colocalizes with ARF6 in actin-rich membrane ruffles and microvilli-like protrusions on the dorsal cell surface in transfected baby hamster kidney cells. Strikingly, homology between EFA6A and EFA6B is not limited to the Sec7 domain but extends to an adjacent pleckstrin homology (PH) domain and a ∼150 amino-acid C-terminal region containing a predicted coiled coil motif. Association of EFA6A with membrane ruffles and microvilli-like structures depends on the PH domain, which probably interacts with phosphatidylinositol 4,5-biphosphate. Moreover, we show that overexpression of the PH domain/C-terminal region of EFA6A or EFA6B in the absence of the Sec7 domain promotes lengthening of dorsal microvillar protrusions. This morphological change requires the integrity of the coiled-coil motif. Lastly, database analysis reveals that the EFA6-family comprises at least four members in humans and is conserved in multicellular organisms throughout evolution. Our results suggest that EFA6 family guanine exchange factors are modular proteins that work through the coordinated action of the catalytic Sec7 domain to promote ARF6 activation, through the PH domain to regulate association with specific subdomains of the plasma membrane and through the C-terminal region to control actin cytoskeletal reorganization.

Regulation of phospholipase C-gamma2 and phosphoinositide 3-kinase pathways by adaptor proteins in B lymphocytes

The importance of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and phospholipase C (PLC)-gamma2 in B cell function and development has been highlighted by gene targeting experiments in mice. In fact, these knockout mice exhibit a profound inhibition of proliferative responses upon B cell receptor (BCR) engagement. The molecular connections between these effectors and upstream tyrosine kinases such as Syk have been studied intensively in the past few years. This mechanism involves the action of cytoplasmic adaptor molecules, which participate in forming multicomponent signaling complexes, thereby directing the appropriate subcellular localization of effector enzymes. In addition to these cytoplasmic adaptor proteins, cell surface coreceptors can be viewed as transmembrane adaptor proteins, because coreceptors can also change the localization of effector enzymes, which in turn modulates the BCR-initiated signals.

GBF1, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for ADP-ribosylation factors, is localized to the cis-Golgi and involved in membrane association of the COPI coat

Formation of coated carrier vesicles, such as COPI-coated vesicles from the cis-Golgi, is triggered by membrane binding of the GTP-bound form of ADP-ribosylation factors. This process is blocked by brefeldin A, which is an inhibitor of guanine nucleotide exchange factors for ADP-ribosylation factor. GBF1 is one of the guanine nucleotide-exchange factors for ADP-ribosylation factor and is localized in the Golgi region. In the present study, we have determined the detailed subcellular localization of GBF1. Immunofluorescence microscopy of cells treated with nocodazole or incubated at 15 degrees C has suggested that GBF1 behaves similarly to proteins recycling between the cis-Golgi and the endoplasmic reticulum. Immunoelectron microscopy has revealed that GBF1 localizes primarily to vesicular and tubular structures apposed to the cis-face of Golgi stacks and minor fractions to the Golgi stacks. GBF1 overexpressed in cells causes recruitment of class I and class II ADP-ribosylation factors onto Golgi membranes. Furthermore, overexpressed GBF1 antagonizes various effects of brefeldin A, such as inhibition of membrane recruitment of ADP-ribosylation factors and the COPI coat, and redistribution of Golgi-resident and itinerant proteins. These observations indicate that GBF1 is involved in the formation of COPI-coated vesicles from the cis-Golgi or the pre-Golgi intermediate compartment through activating ADP-ribosylation factors.

DEF-1/ASAP1 is a GTPase-activating protein (GAP) for ARF1 that enhances cell motility through a GAP-dependent mechanism

DEF-1/ASAP1 is an ADP-ribosylation factor GTPase-activating protein (ARF GAP) that localizes to focal adhesions and is involved in cytoskeletal regulation. In this paper, we use a cell-based ARF GAP assay to demonstrate that DEF-1 functions as a GAP for ARF1 and not ARF6 in vivo. This degree of substrate preference was unique to DEF-1, as other ARF GAP proteins, ACAP1, ACAP2, and ARFGAP1, were able to function on both ARF1 and ARF6. Since transient overexpression of DEF-1 has been shown to interfere with focal adhesion formation and platelet-derived growth factor-induced membrane ruffling, we investigated whether NIH 3T3 cells stably expressing DEF-1 have altered cell motility. Here we report that ectopic DEF-1 enhances cell migration toward PDGF as well as IGF-1. This chemotactic effect appears to result from a general increase in cell motility, as DEF-1-expressing cells also exhibit enhanced levels of basal and chemokinetic motility. The increase in cell motility is dependent on DEF-1 GAP activity, since a DEF-1 mutant lacking the GAP domain failed to stimulate motility. This suggests that DEF-1 alters cell motility through the deactivation of ARF1. In contrast, the inhibition of cell spreading by DEF-1 was not dependent on GAP activity, indicating that spreading and motility are altered by DEF-1 through different pathways.

A phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-independent insulin signaling pathway to N-WASP/Arp2/3/F-actin required for GLUT4 glucose transporter recycling

Recruitment of intracellular glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) to the plasma membrane of fat and muscle cells in response to insulin requires phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase as well as a proposed PI 3-kinase-independent pathway leading to activation of the small GTPase TC10. Here we show that in cultured adipocytes insulin causes acute cortical localization of the actin-regulatory neural Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP) and actin-related protein-3 (Arp3) as well as cortical F-actin polymerization by a mechanism that is insensitive to the PI 3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin. Expression of the dominant inhibitory N-WASP-DeltaWA protein lacking the Arp and actin binding regions attenuates the cortical F-actin rearrangements by insulin in these cells. Remarkably, the N-WASP-DeltaWA protein also inhibits insulin action on GLUT4 translocation, indicating dependence of GLUT4 recycling on N-WASP-directed cortical F-actin assembly. TC10 exhibits sequence similarity to Cdc42 and has been reported to bind N-WASP. We show the inhibitory TC10 (T31N) mutant, which abrogates insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation and glucose transport, also inhibits both cortical localization of N-WASP and F-actin formation in response to insulin. These findings reveal that N-WASP likely functions downstream of TC10 in a PI 3-kinase-independent insulin signaling pathway to mobilize cortical F-actin, which in turn promotes GLUT4 responsiveness to insulin.

Regulation of Salmonella-induced neutrophil transmigration by epithelial ADP-ribosylation factor 6

Salmonella typhimurium elicits an acute inflammatory response in the host intestinal epithelium, characterized by the movement of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) across the epithelial monolayer to the intestinal lumen. It was recently shown that SipA, a protein secreted by S. typhimurium, is necessary and sufficient to drive PMN transmigration across model intestinal epithelia (Lee, C. A., Silva, M., Siber, A. M., Kelly, A. J., Galyov, E., and McCormick, B. A. (2000) Proc. Natl. Acad Sci. USA 97, 12283-12288). However, the epithelial factors responsible for this process have not been identified. Here, for the first time, we demonstrate that S. typhimurium-induced PMN transmigration across Madin-Darby canine kidney-polarized monolayers is regulated by the GTPase ARF6. Apically added S. typhimurium promoted the translocation of ARF6 and its exchange factor ARNO to the apical surface. Overexpression of a dominant-negative mutant of ARF6 inhibited Salmonella-induced PMN transmigration, which was due to a reduction in apical release of the PMN chemoattractant PEEC (pathogen-elicited epithelial chemoattractant), without affecting bacterial internalization. Furthermore, ARF6 and its effector phospholipase D (PLD) were both required for bacteria-induced translocation of protein kinase C (PKC) to membranes. These results describe a novel signal transduction pathway, in which Salmonella initiates an ARF6- and PLD-dependent lipid signaling cascade that, in turn, directs activation of PKC, release of PEEC, and subsequent transepithelial PMN movement.

The Phox homology (PX) domain, a new player in phosphoinositide signalling

Phosphoinositides are key regulators of diverse cellular processes. The pleckstrin homology (PH) domain mediates the action of PtdIns(3,4)P(2), PtdIns(4,5)P(2) and PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3), while the FYVE domain relays the pulse of PtdIns3P. The recent establishment that the Phox homology (PX) domain interacts with PtdIns3P and other phosphoinositides suggests another mechanism by which phosphoinositides can regulate/integrate multiple cellular events via a spectrum of PX domain-containing proteins. Together with the recent discovery that the epsin N-terminal homologue (ENTH) domain interacts with PtdIns(4,5)P(2), it is becoming clear that phosphoinositides regulate diverse cellular events through interactions with several distinct structural motifs present in many different proteins.

Signaling complexes of the FERM domain-containing protein GRSP1 bound to ARF exchange factor GRP1

GRP1 is a member of a family of proteins that contain a coiled-coil region, a Sec7 homology domain with guanosine nucleotide exchange activity for the ARF GTP-binding proteins, and a pleckstrin homology domain at the C terminus. The pleckstrin homology domain of GRP1 binds phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5) trisphosphate and mediates the translocation of GRP1 to the plasma membrane upon agonist stimulation of PI 3-kinase activity. Using a (32)P-labeled GRP1 probe to screen a mouse brain cDNA expression library, we isolated a cDNA clone encoding a GRP1-binding partner (GRSP1) that exists as two different splice variants in brain and lung. The GRSP1 protein contains a FERM protein interaction domain as well as two coiled coil domains and may therefore function as a scaffolding protein. Mapping experiments revealed that the interaction of GRP1 and GRSP1 occurs through the coiled coil domains in the two proteins. Immunodepletion experiments indicate that virtually all of the endogenous GRSP1 protein exists as a complex with GRP1 in lung. When co-expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing the human insulin receptor, both proteins display a diffuse, cytoplasmic localization. Acute translocation and co-localization of GRSP1 and GRP1 to ruffles in the plasma membrane was evident after insulin stimulation. These results identify GRSP1 as a novel member of GRP1 signaling complexes that are acutely recruited to plasma membrane ruffles in response to insulin receptor signaling.

Activation of the luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin hormone receptor promotes ADP ribosylation factor 6 activation in porcine ovarian follicular membranes

Previously we demonstrated in a cell-free ovarian follicular plasma membrane model that agonist-dependent desensitization of the luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor (LH/CG R) is GTP-dependent, mimicked by the addition of ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) nucleotide binding site opener, which acts as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for ARFs 1 and 6, and selectively inhibited by synthetic N-terminal ARF6 peptides. We therefore sought direct evidence that activation of the LH/CG R promotes activation of ARF1 and/or ARF6. Using a classic ARF activation assay, the cholera toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of G alpha(s), results show that LH/CG R activation stimulates an ARF protein by a brefeldin A-independent mechanism. Synthetic N-terminal inhibitory ARF6 but not ARF1 peptide blocks LH/CG R-stimulated ARF activity. LH/CG R activation also promotes the binding of a photoaffinity GTP analog to a protein that migrates on one- and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with ARF6. These results suggest that ARF6 is the predominant ARF activated by the LH/CG R. To activate ARF6, the LH/CG R does not appear to signal through the C-terminal regions of G alpha(i) or G alpha(q) or through the second or third intracellular loops or the N terminus of the cytoplasmic tail of the LH/CG R. Although exogenous recombinant ARNO promotes only a small increase in ARF6 activation in the presence of activated LH/CG R, hCG-stimulated ARF6 activation is reduced to basal levels by catalytically inactive ARF nucleotide binding-site opener. These results provide direct evidence that LH/CG R activation leads to the activation of membrane-delimited ARF6.

Activation of ARF6 by ARNO stimulates epithelial cell migration through downstream activation of both Rac1 and phospholipase D

Migration of epithelial cells is essential for tissue morphogenesis, wound healing, and metastasis of epithelial tumors. Here we show that ARNO, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) GTPases, induces Madin-Darby canine kidney epithelial cells to develop broad lamellipodia, to separate from neighboring cells, and to exhibit a dramatic increase in migratory behavior. This transition requires ARNO catalytic activity, which we show leads to enhanced activation of endogenous ARF6, but not ARF1, using a novel pulldown assay. We further demonstrate that expression of ARNO leads to increased activation of endogenous Rac1, and that Rac activation is required for ARNO-induced cell motility. Finally, ARNO-induced activation of ARF6 also results in increased activation of phospholipase D (PLD), and inhibition of PLD activity also inhibits motility. However, inhibition of PLD does not prevent activation of Rac. Together, these data suggest that ARF6 activation stimulates two distinct signaling pathways, one leading to Rac activation, the other to changes in membrane phospholipid composition, and that both pathways are required for cell motility.

G(alpha)11 signaling through ARF6 regulates F-actin mobilization and GLUT4 glucose transporter translocation to the plasma membrane

The action of insulin to recruit the intracellular GLUT4 glucose transporter to the plasma membrane of 3T3-L1 adipocytes is mimicked by endothelin 1, which signals through trimeric G(alpha)q or G(alpha)11 proteins. Here we report that murine G(alpha)11 is most abundant in fat and that expression of the constitutively active form of G(alpha)11 [G(alpha)11(Q209L)] in 3T3-L1 adipocytes causes recruitment of GLUT4 to the plasma membrane and stimulation of 2-deoxyglucose uptake. In contrast to the action of insulin on GLUT4, the effects of endothelin 1 and G(alpha)11 were not inhibited by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin at 100 nM. Signaling by insulin, endothelin 1, or G(alpha)11(Q209L) also mobilized cortical F-actin in cultured adipocytes. Importantly, GLUT4 translocation caused by all three agents was blocked upon disassembly of F-actin by latrunculin B, suggesting that the F-actin polymerization caused by these agents may be required for their effects on GLUT4. Remarkably, expression of a dominant inhibitory form of the actin-regulatory GTPase ARF6 [ARF6(T27N)] in cultured adipocytes selectively inhibited both F-actin formation and GLUT4 translocation in response to endothelin 1 but not insulin. These data indicate that ARF6 is a required downstream element in endothelin 1 signaling through G(alpha)11 to regulate cortical actin and GLUT4 translocation in cultured adipocytes, while insulin action involves different signaling pathways.

Specificities for the small G proteins ARF1 and ARF6 of the guanine nucleotide exchange factors ARNO and EFA6

ARF1 and ARF6 are distant members of the ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) small G-protein subfamily. Their distinct cellular functions must result from specificity of interaction with different effectors and regulators, including guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs). ARF nucleotide-binding site opener (ARNO), and EFA6 are analogous ARF-GEFs, both comprising a catalytic "Sec7" domain and a pleckstrin homology domain. In vivo ARNO, like ARF1, is mostly cytosolic, with minor localizations at the Golgi and plasma membrane; EFA6, like ARF6, is restricted to the plasma membrane. However, depending on conditions, ARNO appears active on ARF6 as well as on ARF1. Here we analyze the origin of these ARF-GEF selectivities. In vitro, in the presence of phospholipid membranes, ARNO activates ARF1 preferentially and ARF6 slightly, whereas EFA6 activates ARF6 exclusively; the stimulation efficiency of EFA6 on ARF6 is comparable with that of ARNO on ARF1. These selectivities are determined by the GEFs Sec7 domains alone, without the pleckstrin homology and N-terminal domains, and by the ARF core domains, without the myristoylated N-terminal helix; they are not modified upon permutation between ARF1 and ARF6 of the few amino acids that differ within the switch regions. Thus selectivity for ARF1 or ARF6 must depend on subtle folding differences between the ARFs switch regions that interact with the Sec7 domains.

N-terminal domains of the class ia phosphoinositide 3-kinase regulatory subunit play a role in cytoskeletal but not mitogenic signaling

Phosphoinositide (PI) 3-kinases are required for the acute regulation of the cytoskeleton by growth factors. We have shown previously that in the MTLn3 rat adenocarcinoma cells line, the p85/p110alpha PI 3-kinase is required for epidermal growth factor (EGF)-stimulated lamellipod extension and formation of new actin barbed ends at the leading edge of the cell. We have now examined the role of the p85alpha regulatory subunit in greater detail. Microinjection of recombinant p85alpha into MTLn3 cells blocked both EGF-stimulated mitogenic signaling and lamellipod extension. In contrast, a truncated p85(1-333), which lacks the SH2 and iSH2 domains and does not bind p110, had no effect on EGF-stimulated mitogenesis but still blocked EGF-stimulated lamellipod extension. Additional deletional analysis showed that the SH3 domain was not required for inhibition of lamellipod extension, as a construct containing only the proline-rich and breakpoint cluster region (BCR) homology domains was sufficient for inhibition. Although the BCR domain of p85 binds Rac, the effects of the p85 constructs were not because of a general inhibition of Rac signaling, because sorbitol-induced JNK activation in MTLn3 cells was not inhibited. These data show that the proline-rich and BCR homology domains of p85 are involved in the coupling of p85/p110 PI 3-kinases to regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. These data provide evidence of a distinct cellular function for the N-terminal domains of p85.

Localization of mRNAs for six ARFs (ADP-ribosylation factors) in the brain of developing and adult rats and changes in the expression in the hypoglossal nucleus after its axotomy

ADP-ribosylation factors (ARFs) play crucial roles in the intracellular vesicular transport and in regulation of phospholipid-modifying enzyme activities and cytoskeletons. Using in situ hybridization histochemistry, the gene expression for six isoforms of ARF was examined during normal development of rats and in the hypoglossal nucleus following its axotomy. In the embryonic brain, the expression for ARF-1, -4, -5, -6 mRNAs was distinct in the ventricular germinal zone while that for ARF-3, -4, -5 in the mantle zone. In early postnatal brain, the expression for six ARFs was seen widely in various loci of the gray matter with different intensity, and the expression of ARF-4, -5, -6 mRNAs was evident in the cerebellar external granule cell layer. In the adult brain, the gene expression for all ARF isoforms decreased more or less in most gray matters and the distinct expression was maintained mainly in the hippocampal and dentate neuronal layers and cerebellar cortex. The expression levels of ARF-2 and -4 mRNAs in affected hypoglossal nucleus increased after 24 h up to 7 days following axotomy of the hypoglossal nerve, while no such changes were seen in the expression levels for the other ARFs. The present findings suggest that ARFs are differentially involved in some processes essential to nerve regeneration as well as neuronal differentiation and maturation.

Desensitization of the luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor in ovarian follicular membranes is inhibited by catalytically inactive ARNO(+)

We have investigated the participation of endogenous ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) nucleotide-binding site opener (ARNO) in desensitization of the luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin (LH/CG) receptor, independent of receptor internalization, using a cell-free plasma membrane model. We recently showed that the addition of recombinant ARNO promotes binding of beta-arrestin1 to the third intracellular (3i) loop of the active LH/CG receptor, thereby reducing the ability of the receptor to activate the stimulatory G protein and signal to adenylyl cyclase. In the present report we determined whether ARNO is detectable in follicular membranes and whether the catalytically inactive E156K ARNO mutant, containing a mutation in the Sec7 domain, can act in a dominant negative manner to block LH/CG receptor desensitization. Results show that ARNO is readily detected in follicular membranes and that levels of membrane-associated ARNO increase with follicular maturation. The addition of catalytically inactive E156K ARNO blocks both the release of beta-arrestin1 from its membrane docking site, based on Western blot analysis, and development of LH/CG receptor desensitization. We also investigated whether a point mutation in the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of ARNO (R280D), which blocks binding of phosphoinositides like phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP(2)) but not catalytic activity, disrupts LH/CG receptor desensitization. R280D ARNO neither promotes nor inhibits LH/CG receptor desensitization, consistent with a requirement of the PH domain of ARNO for its association with the plasma membrane. LH/CG receptor activation of ARNO is not mediated by activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) or by G protein beta gamma subunits. Taken together, these results suggest that LH/CG receptor promotes beta-arrestin1 release from its membrane docking site to bind to the 3i loop of the LH/CG receptor via activation of membrane delimited endogenous ARNO. As ARNO activation is independent of PI 3-kinase and G beta gamma, our results are consistent with a role for PIP(2) in receptor-stimulated ARNO activation.

Characterization of cytohesin-1 monoclonal antibodies: expression in neutrophils and during granulocytic maturation of HL-60 cells

ADP-ribosylation factors (Arf) are small GTP-binding proteins involved in vesicular transport and the activation of phospholipase D (PLD). The conversion of Arf-GDP to Arf-GTP is promoted in vivo by guanine nucleotide exchange factors such as ARNO or cytohesin-1. In order to examine the expression of ARNO and cytohesin-1 in human granulocytes, we generated specific polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). We also overexpressed GFP-ARNO and GFP-cytohesin-1 in RBL-2H3 cells to characterize the specificity and the ability of cytohesin-1 mAbs to immunoprecipitate cytohesin-1. Among the hybridomas secreting cytohesin-1 mAbs, only the clones 2E11, 1E4, 3C8, 6F5, 4C7, 7A3 and 8F7 were found to be specific for cytohesin-1. Furthermore, mAb 2E11 immunoprecipitated GFP-cytohesin-1 but not GFP-ARNO under native conditions. In contrast, mAbs 5D8, 4C3, 2G8, 6G11, 4C3, 6D4, 7B4 and 6F8 detected both cytohesin-1 and ARNO as monitored by immunoblotting. Although mAb 6G11 detected both proteins, this antibody immunoprecipitated GFP-ARNO but not GFP-cytohesin-1 under native conditions. Another antibody, mAb 10A12, also selectively immunoprecipitated GFP-ARNO under native conditions, but the epitope recognized by this mAb is unlikely to be linear as no signal was obtained by immunoblotting. Immunoprecipitation with a cytohesin-1 polyclonal antibody and blotting with cytohesin-1 specific mAbs revealed that cytohesin-1 is highly expressed in neutrophils. Cytohesin-1 can be detected in HL-60 cells but the endogenous protein levels were low in undifferentiated cells. Using the specific cytohesin-1 mAb 2E11 we observed a marked increase in levels of cytohesin-1 expression during dibutyryl-cyclic AMP-induced granulocytic differentiation of HL-60 cells. These data suggest that cytohesin-1, which may have important functions in neutrophil physiology, can be useful as a potential marker for granulocytic differentiation.

Ceramide dissociates 3'-phosphoinositide production from pleckstrin homology domain translocation

Numerous hormones, cytokines and transforming oncogenes activate phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI-3K), a lipid kinase that initiates signal transduction cascades regulating cellular proliferation, survival, protein synthesis and glucose metabolism. PI-3K catalyses the production of the 3'-phosphoinositides PtdIns(3,4)P(2) and PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3), which recruit downstream effector enzymes to the membrane via their pleckstrin homology (PH) domains. Recent studies have indicated that another signalling lipid, the sphingolipid ceramide, inhibits several PI-3K-dependent events, including insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and growth-factor-stimulated cell survival. Here we show that ceramide analogues specifically prevent the recruitment of the PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3)-binding proteins Akt/protein kinase B (PKB) or the general receptor for phosphoinositides-1 (GRP1). Specifically, the short-chain ceramide derivative C2-ceramide inhibited the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-stimulated translocation of full-length Akt/PKB, as well as truncated proteins encoding only the PH domains of Akt/PKB or GRP1. C2-ceramide did not alter the membrane localization of the PH domain for phospholipase Cdelta, which preferentially binds PtdIns(4,5)P(2), nor did it affect the PDGF-stimulated production of PtdIns(3,4)P(2) or PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3). Interestingly, a glucosylceramide synthase inhibitor, 1-phenyl-2-decanoylamino-3-morpholinopropan-1-ol (PDMP), shown previously to increase intracellular ceramide concentrations without affecting PI-3K [Rani, Abe, Chang, Rosenzweig, Saltiel, Radin and Shayman (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 2859-2867], recapitulated the inhibitory effects of C2-ceramide on PDGF-stimulated Akt/PKB phosphorylation. These studies indicate that ceramide prevents the translocation of certain PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3)-binding proteins, despite the presence of a full complement of PtdIns(3,4)P(2) or PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3). Furthermore, these findings suggest a mechanism by which stimuli that induce ceramide synthesis could negate the fundamental signalling pathways initiated by PI-3K.

SH2-containing inositol 5'-phosphatase SHIP2 associates with the p130(Cas) adapter protein and regulates cellular adhesion and spreading

In a previous study, we found that the SHIP2 protein became tyrosine phosphorylated and associated with the Shc adapter protein in response to the treatment of cells with growth factors and insulin (T. Habib, J. A. Hejna, R. E. Moses, and S. J. Decker, J. Biol. Chem. 273:18605-18609, 1998). We describe here a novel interaction between SHIP2 and the p130(Cas) adapter protein, a mediator of actin cytoskeleton organization. SHIP2 and p130(Cas) association was detected in anti-SHIP2 immunoprecipitates from several cell types. Reattachment of trypsinized cells stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of SHIP2 and increased the formation of a complex containing SHIP2 and a faster-migrating tyrosine-phosphorylated form of p130(Cas). The faster-migrating form of p130(Cas) was no longer recognized by antibodies to the amino terminus of p130(Cas) and appeared to be generated through proteolysis. Interaction of the SHIP2 protein with the various forms of p130(Cas) was mediated primarily through the SH2 domain of SHIP2. Immunofluorescence studies indicated that SHIP2 localized to focal contacts and to lamellipodia. Increased adhesion was observed in HeLa cells transiently expressing exogenous WT-SHIP2. These effects were not seen with SHIP2 possessing a mutation in the SH2 domain (R47G). Transfection of a catalytic domain deletion mutant of SHIP2 (DeltaRV) inhibited cell spreading. Taken together, our studies suggest an important role for SHIP2 in adhesion and spreading.

Small GTP-binding proteins

Small GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) exist in eukaryotes from yeast to human and constitute a superfamily consisting of more than 100 members. This superfamily is structurally classified into at least five families: the Ras, Rho, Rab, Sar1/Arf, and Ran families. They regulate a wide variety of cell functions as biological timers (biotimers) that initiate and terminate specific cell functions and determine the periods of time for the continuation of the specific cell functions. They furthermore play key roles in not only temporal but also spatial determination of specific cell functions. The Ras family regulates gene expression, the Rho family regulates cytoskeletal reorganization and gene expression, the Rab and Sar1/Arf families regulate vesicle trafficking, and the Ran family regulates nucleocytoplasmic transport and microtubule organization. Many upstream regulators and downstream effectors of small G proteins have been isolated, and their modes of activation and action have gradually been elucidated. Cascades and cross-talks of small G proteins have also been clarified. In this review, functions of small G proteins and their modes of activation and action are described.

Diversification of cardiac insulin signaling involves the p85 alpha/beta subunits of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase

Ventricular cardiomyocytes and cardiac tissue of lean and genetically obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats were used 1) to study the role of the p85 regulatory subunit isoforms p85 alpha and p85 beta for insulin signaling through the phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase pathway, and 2) to elucidate the implications of these mechanisms for cardiac insulin resistance. Western blot analysis of cardiomyocyte lysates revealed expression of p85 alpha and p85 beta but no detectable amounts of the splice variants of p85 alpha. Essentially no p85 alpha subunit of PI 3-kinase was found to be associated with insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 or IRS-2 in basal and insulin-stimulated (5 min) cardiomyocytes. Instead, insulin produced a twofold increase in p85 beta associated with IRS-1, leading to a three- to fourfold increase in p85 beta-associated PI 3-kinase activity. This response was significantly reduced in obese animals. Comparable results were obtained in the intact heart after in vivo stimulation. In GLUT-4-containing vesicles, an increased abundance (3.7 +/- 0.7-fold over basal) of p85 alpha was observed after insulin stimulation of lean animals, with no significant effect in the obese group. No p85 beta could be detected in GLUT-4-containing vesicles. Recruitment of the p110 catalytic subunit of PI 3-kinase and a twofold increase in enzyme activity in GLUT-4-containing vesicles by insulin was observed only in lean rats. We conclude that, in the heart, p85 alpha recruits PI 3-kinase activity to GLUT-4 vesicles, whereas p85 beta represents the main regulator of IRS-1- and IRS-2-mediated PI 3-kinase activation. Furthermore, multiple defects of PI 3-kinase activation, involving both the p85 alpha and the p85 beta adaptor subunits, may contribute to cardiac insulin resistance.

Molecular aspects of the cellular activities of ADP-ribosylation factors

Adenosine diphosphate-ribosylation factor (Arf) proteins are members of the Arf arm of the Ras superfamily of guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-binding proteins. Arfs are named for their activity as cofactors for cholera toxin-catalyzed adenosine diphosphate-ribosylation of the heterotrimeric G protein Gs. Physiologically, Arfs regulate membrane traffic and the actin cytoskeleton. Arfs function both constitutively within the secretory pathway and as targets of signal transduction in the cell periphery. In each case, the controlled binding and hydrolysis of GTP is critical to Arf function. The activities of some guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) and guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase)-activating proteins (GAPs) are stimulated by phosphoinositides, including phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP3) and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2), and phosphatidic acid (PA), likely providing both a means to respond to regulatory signals and a mechanism to coordinate GTP binding and hydrolysis. Arfs affect membrane traffic in part by recruiting coat proteins, including COPI and clathrin adaptor complexes, to membranes. However, Arf function likely involves many additional biochemical activities. Arf activates phospholipase D and phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase with the consequent production of PA and PIP2, respectively. In addition to mediating Arf's effects on membrane traffic and the actin cytoskeleton, PA and PIP2 are involved in the regulation of Arf. Arf also works with Rho family proteins to affect the actin cytoskeleton. Several Arf-binding proteins suspected to be effectors have been identified in two-hybrid screens. Arf-dependent biochemical activities, actin cytoskeleton changes, and membrane trafficking may be integrally related. Understanding Arf's role in complex cellular functions such as protein secretion or cell movement will involve a description of the temporal and spatial coordination of these multiple Arf-dependent events.

Distinct polyphosphoinositide binding selectivities for pleckstrin homology domains of GRP1-like proteins based on diglycine versus triglycine motifs

GRP1 and the related proteins ARNO and cytohesin-1 are ARF exchange factors that contain a pleckstrin homology (PH) domain thought to target these proteins to cell membranes through binding polyphosphoinositides. Here we show the PH domains of all three proteins exhibit relatively high affinity for dioctanoyl phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-triphosphate (PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3)), with K(D) values of 0.05, 1.6 and 1.0 micrometer for GRP1, ARNO, and cytohesin-1, respectively. However, the GRP1 PH domain was unique among these proteins in its striking selectivity for PtdIns(3,4, 5)P(3) versus phosphatidylinositol 4,5-diphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P(2)), for which it exhibits about 650-fold lower apparent affinity. Addition of a glycine to the Gly(274)-Gly(275) motif in GRP1 greatly increased its binding affinity for PtdIns(4,5)P(2) with little effect on its binding to PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3), while deletion of a single glycine in the corresponding triglycine motif of the ARNO PH domain markedly reduced its binding affinity for PtdIns(4,5)P(2) but not for PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3). In intact cells, the hemagglutinin epitope-tagged PH domain of GRP1 was recruited to ruffles in the cell surface in response to insulin, as were full-length GRP1 and cytohesin-1, but the PH domain of cytohesin-1 was not. These data indicate that the unique diglycine motif in the GRP1 PH domain, as opposed to the triglycine in ARNO and cytohesin-1, directs its remarkable PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3) binding selectivity.

Cytohesins and centaurins: mediators of PI 3-kinase-regulated Arf signaling

Receptor-activated phosphoinositide (PI) 3-kinases produce PtdIns(3, 4,5)P(3) and its metabolite PtdIns(3,4)P(2) that function as second messengers in membrane recruitment and activation of target proteins. The cytohesin and centaurin protein families are potential targets for PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3) that also regulate and interact with Arf GTPases. Consequently, these families are poised to transduce PI 3-kinase activation into coordinated control of Arf-dependent pathways. Proposed downstream events in PI 3-kinase-regulated Arf cascades include modulation of vesicular trafficking and the actin cytoskeleton.

Regulators and effectors of the ARF GTPases

The small G proteins of the ARF family are key regulators of membrane dynamics. Many functions of ARF proteins in cells are being revealed by studies of their regulators and effectors. Significant progress has been made over the past year, with the identification of a surprisingly large family of novel ARF GTPase-activating proteins. In addition, two new classes of effectors, the PIP kinases and a novel family of monomeric coat-like proteins have been discovered.

Interaction of GRASP, a protein encoded by a novel retinoic acid-induced gene, with members of the cytohesin family of guanine nucleotide exchange factors

A novel, retinoic acid-induced gene, GRP1-associated scaffold protein (GRASP), was isolated from P19 embryonal carcinoma cells using a subtractive screening strategy. GRASP was found to be highly expressed in brain and exhibited lower levels of expression in lung, heart, embryo, kidney, and ovary. The predicted amino acid sequence of GRASP is characterized by several putative protein-protein interaction motifs, suggesting that GRASP may be a component of a larger protein complex in the cell. Although GRASP does not harbor a predicted membrane spanning domain(s), the protein was observed to be associated with the plasma membrane of transiently transfected mammalian cells. Yeast two-hybrid screening revealed that GRASP interacted strongly with the General Receptor for Phosphoinositides 1 (GRP1), a brefeldin A-insensitive guanine nucleotide exchange factor for the ADP-ribosylation factor family of proteins. GRASP. GRP1 interactions were also demonstrated in vitro and in mammalian cells in which GRASP was shown to enhance GRP1 association with the plasma membrane. Furthermore, GRASP colocalized with endogenous ADP-ribosylation factors at the plasma membrane in transfected cells, suggesting that GRASP may modulate signaling by this family of small GTPases.

Identification of a plasma membrane-associated guanine nucleotide exchange factor for ARF6 in chromaffin cells. Possible role in the regulated exocytotic pathway

ADP-ribosylation factors (ARFs) constitute a family of structurally related proteins that forms a subset of the Ras superfamily of regulatory GTP-binding proteins. Like other GTPases, activation of ARFs is facilitated by specific guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs). In chromaffin cells, ARF6 is associated with the membrane of secretory granules. Stimulation of intact cells or direct elevation of cytosolic calcium in permeabilized cells triggers the rapid translocation of ARF6 to the plasma membrane and the concomitant activation of phospholipase D (PLD) in the plasma membrane. Both calcium-evoked PLD activation and catecholamine secretion in permeabilized cells are strongly inhibited by a synthetic peptide corresponding to the N-terminal domain of ARF6, suggesting that the ARF6-dependent PLD activation near the exocytotic sites represents a key event in the exocytotic reaction in chromaffin cells. In the present study, we demonstrate the occurrence of a brefeldin A-insensitive ARF6-GEF activity in the plasma membrane and in the cytosol of chromaffin cells. Furthermore, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and immunoreplica analysis indicate that ARNO, a member of the brefeldin A-insensitive ARF-GEF family, is expressed and predominantly localized in the cytosol and in the plasma membrane of chromaffin cells. Using permeabilized chromaffin cells, we found that the introduction of anti-ARNO antibodies into the cytosol inhibits, in a dose-dependent manner, both PLD activation and catecholamine secretion in calcium-stimulated cells. Furthermore, co-expression in PC12 cells of a catalytically inactive ARNO mutant with human growth hormone as a marker of secretory granules in transfected cells resulted in a 50% inhibition of growth hormone secretion evoked by depolarization with high K(+). The possibility that the plasma membrane-associated ARNO participates in the exocytotic pathway by activating ARF6 and downstream PLD is discussed.

ADP-ribosylation factor 6 regulates actin cytoskeleton remodeling in coordination with Rac1 and RhoA

In this study, we have documented an essential role for ADP-ribosylation factor 6 (ARF6) in cell surface remodeling in response to physiological stimulus and in the down regulation of stress fiber formation. We demonstrate that the G-protein-coupled receptor agonist bombesin triggers the redistribution of ARF6- and Rac1-containing endosomal vesicles to the cell surface. This membrane redistribution was accompanied by cortical actin rearrangements and was inhibited by dominant negative ARF6, implying that bombesin is a physiological trigger of ARF6 activation. Furthermore, these studies provide a new model for bombesin-induced Rac1 activation that involves ARF6-regulated endosomal recycling. The bombesin-elicited translocation of vesicular ARF6 was mimicked by activated Galphaq and was partially inhibited by expression of RGS2, which down regulates Gq function. This suggests that Gq functions as an upstream regulator of ARF6 activation. The ARF6-induced peripheral cytoskeletal rearrangements were accompanied by a depletion of stress fibers. Moreover, cells expressing activated ARF6 resisted the formation of stress fibers induced by lysophosphatidic acid. We show that the ARF6-dependent inhibition of stress fiber formation was due to an inhibition of RhoA activation and was overcome by expression of a constitutively active RhoA mutant. The latter observations demonstrate that activation of ARF6 down regulates Rho signaling. Our findings underscore the potential roles of ARF6, Rac1, and RhoA in the coordinated regulation of cytoskeletal remodeling.

Identification and localization of two brefeldin A-inhibited guanine nucleotide-exchange proteins for ADP-ribosylation factors in a macromolecular complex

Two brefeldin A (BFA)-inhibited guanine nucleotide-exchange proteins for ADP-ribosylation factors, 200-kDa BIG1 and 190-kDa BIG2, were copurified from bovine brain cytosol associated with >670-kDa macromolecular complexes. When observed by immunofluorescence in HeLa S3 and HepG2 cells, endogenous BIG1 and coexpressed BIG2 were distributed in a punctate pattern throughout the cytosol, and also concentrated in the perinuclear region, where endogenous BIG1 and BIG2 each partially colocalized with Golgi-specific 58K protein and gamma-adaptin. On Western blot analysis, both BIG1 and BIG2 were clearly more abundant in the cytosol than in the microsomal fractions. After density gradient centrifugation of a microsomal fraction, BIG1 and BIG2 were recovered in the same fraction as beta-COP, a marker for Golgi membranes. When cytosol from HeLa S3 cells was subjected to gel filtration and fractions were analyzed by Western blotting, the largest percentages of both BIG1 and BIG2 were detected in fractions containing proteins with a molecular mass of >670 kDa. Western blotting using anti-peptide antibodies specific for BIG1 or BIG2 demonstrated that approximately 70% of BIG2 was immunoprecipitated along with 100% of BIG1 by the anti-BIG1 IgG, and approximately 75% of BIG1 was coprecipitated with 100% of BIG2 by the anti-BIG2 IgG. All observations were consistent with the conclusion that significant fractions of BIG1 and BIG2 exist as components of the same macromolecular complexes in bovine brain cytosol and are similarly localized in cultured cells.

A role for phospholipase D in GLUT4 glucose transporter translocation

Based on recent studies showing that phospholipase D (PLD)1 is associated with intracellular membranes and promotes membrane budding from the trans-Golgi, we tested its possible role in the membrane trafficking of GLUT4 glucose transporters. Using immunofluorescence confocal microscopy, expressed Myc epitope-tagged PLD1 was found to associate with intracellular vesicular structures by a mechanism that requires its N-terminal pleckstrin homology domain. Partial co-localization with expressed GLUT4 fused to green fluorescent protein in both 3T3-L1 adipocytes and Chinese hamster ovary cells was evident. Furthermore, microinjection of purified PLD into cultured adipocytes markedly potentiated the effect of a submaximal concentration of insulin to stimulate GLUT4 translocation to cell surface membranes. Insulin stimulated PLD activity in cells expressing high levels of insulin receptors but no such insulin effect was detected in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Taken together, these results are consistent with the hypothesis that PLD1 associated with GLUT4-containing membranes acts in a constitutive manner to promote the mechanism of GLUT4 translocation by insulin.

Turning on ARF: the Sec7 family of guanine-nucleotide-exchange factors

ARF proteins are important regulators of membrane dynamics and protein transport within the eukaryotic cell. The Sec7 domain is approximately 200 amino acids in size and stimulates guanine-nucleotide exchange on members of the ARF class of small GTPases. The members of one subclass of Sec7-domain proteins are direct targets of the secretion-inhibiting drug brefeldin A, which blocks the exchange reaction by trapping a reaction intermediate in an inactive, abortive complex. A separate subclass of Sec7-domain proteins is involved in signal transduction and possess a domain that mediates membrane binding in response to extracellular signals.

Dual interaction of ADP ribosylation factor 1 with Sec7 domain and with lipid membranes during catalysis of guanine nucleotide exchange

Sec7 domains catalyze the replacement of GDP by GTP on the G protein ADP-ribosylation factor 1 (myrARF1) by interacting with its switch I and II regions and by destabilizing, through a glutamic finger, the beta-phosphate of the bound GDP. The myristoylated N-terminal helix that allows myrARF1 to interact with membrane lipids in a GTP-dependent manner is located some distance from the Sec7 domain-binding region. However, these two regions are connected. Measuring the binding to liposomes of functional or abortive complexes between myrARF1 and the Sec7 domain of ARNO demonstrates that myrARF1, in complex with the Sec7 domain, adopts a high affinity state for membrane lipids, similar to that of the free GTP-bound form. This tight membrane attachment does not depend on the release of GDP induced by the Sec7 domain but is partially inhibited by the uncompetitive inhibitor brefeldin A. These results suggest that the conformational switch of the N-terminal helix of myrARF1 to the membrane-bound form is an early event in the nucleotide exchange pathway and is a prerequisite for a structural rearrangement at the myrARF1-GDP/Sec7 domain interface that allows the glutamic finger to expel GDP from myrARF1.

Signaling by distinct classes of phosphoinositide 3-kinases

Many signaling pathways converge on and regulate phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) enzymes whose inositol lipid products are key mediators of intracellular signaling. Different PI3K isoforms generate specific lipids that bind to FYVE and pleckstrin homology (PH) domains in a variety of proteins, affecting their localization, conformation, and activities. Here we review the activation mechanisms of the different types of PI3Ks and their downstream actions, with focus on the PI3Ks that are acutely triggered by extracellular stimulation.