PDZ proteins retain and regulate membrane transporters in polarized epithelial cell membranes

The carboxyl-terminal PDZ ligand motif of chemokine receptor CXCR2 modulates post-endocytic sorting and cellular chemotaxis

Adaptor protein interaction with specific peptide motifs found within the intracellular, carboxyl terminus of chemokine receptor CXCR2 has been shown to modulate intracellular trafficking and receptor function. Efficient ligand-induced internalization of this receptor is dependent on the binding of adaptor protein 2 to the specific LLKIL motif found within the carboxyl terminus (1). In this study we show that the carboxyl-terminal type 1 PDZ ligand motif (-STTL) of CXCR2 plays an essential role in both proper intracellular receptor trafficking and efficient cellular chemotaxis. First, we show that CXCR2 is sorted to and degraded in the lysosome upon long-term ligand stimulation. We also show that receptor degradation is not dependent upon receptor ubiquitination, but is instead modulated by the carboxyl-terminal type I PDZ ligand of CXCR2. Deletion of this ligand results in increased degradation, earlier co-localization with the lysosome, and enhanced sorting to the Rab7-positive late endosome. We also show that deletion of this ligand effects neither receptor internalization nor receptor recycling. Furthermore, we demonstrate that deletion of the PDZ ligand motif results in impaired chemotactic response. The data presented here demonstrate that the type I PDZ ligand of CXCR2 acts to both delay lysosomal sorting and facilitate proper chemotactic response.

Ligation of erythrocyte CR1 induces its clustering in complex with scaffolding protein FAP-1

The primary identified function of complement receptor 1 (CR1/CD35) on primate erythrocytes is to bind complement-tagged inflammatory particles including microbes and immune complexes. When erythrocytes circulate through liver and spleen, sinusoidal phagocytes remove CR1-adherent particles and erythrocytes return to the circulation. This process of immune adherence clearance is important for host defense and prevention of autoimmunity. CR1 was previously described as clustered in the human erythrocyte membrane, which was thought to be necessary for binding complement-opsonized particles. In contrast, we demonstrate that on erythrocytes CR1 is not clustered, but dispersed, and able to bind complement-tagged particles. When fresh erythrocytes are solubilized by nonionic detergent, CR1 partitions to the cytoskeleton fraction. Using a PDZ-peptide array, CR1's cytoplasmic tail, which contains 2 PDZ-motifs, binds PDZ domains 2, 3, and 5 of Fas-associated phosphatase 1 (FAP-1), a scaffolding protein. We show that FAP-1, not previously recognized as an erythroid protein, is expressed on circulating erythrocytes. CR1 and FAP-1 coimmunoprecipitate, which confirms their molecular association. Disperse CR1 on erythrocytes may be advantageous for capturing immune-complexes, while ligation-induced CR1 clustering may prevent ingestion of the erythrocyte during the immune-complex transfer to the macrophages by keeping the opsonic stimulus localized thus preventing phagocyosis.

Comprehensive analysis of the mouse renal cortex using two-dimensional HPLC - tandem mass spectrometry

Background

Proteomic methodologies increasingly have been applied to the kidney to map the renal cortical proteome and to identify global changes in renal proteins induced by diseases such as diabetes. While progress has been made in establishing a renal cortical proteome using 1-D or 2-DE and mass spectrometry, the number of proteins definitively identified by mass spectrometry has remained surprisingly small. Low coverage of the renal cortical proteome as well as our interest in diabetes-induced changes in proteins found in the renal cortex prompted us to perform an in-depth proteomic analysis of mouse renal cortical tissue.

Results

We report a large scale analysis of mouse renal cortical proteome using SCX prefractionation strategy combined with HPLC – tandem mass spectrometry. High-confidence identification of ~2,000 proteins, including cytoplasmic, nuclear, plasma membrane, extracellular and unknown/unclassified proteins, was obtained by separating tryptic peptides of renal cortical proteins into 60 fractions by SCX prior to LC-MS/MS. The identified proteins represented the renal cortical proteome with no discernible bias due to protein physicochemical properties, subcellular distribution, biological processes, or molecular function. The highest ranked molecular functions were characteristic of tubular epithelium, and included binding, catalytic activity, transporter activity, structural molecule activity, and carrier activity. Comparison of this renal cortical proteome with published human urinary proteomes demonstrated enrichment of renal extracellular, plasma membrane, and lysosomal proteins in the urine, with a lack of intracellular proteins. Comparison of the most abundant proteins based on normalized spectral abundance factor (NSAF) in this dataset versus a published glomerular proteome indicated enrichment of mitochondrial proteins in the former and cytoskeletal proteins in the latter.

Conclusion

A whole tissue extract of the mouse kidney cortex was analyzed by an unbiased proteomic approach, yielding a dataset of ~2,000 unique proteins identified with strict criteria to ensure a high level of confidence in protein identification. As a result of extracting all proteins from the renal cortex, we identified an exceptionally wide range of renal proteins in terms of pI, MW, hydrophobicity, abundance, and subcellular location. Many of these proteins, such as low-abundance proteins, membrane proteins and proteins with extreme values in pI or MW are traditionally under-represented in 2-DE-based proteomic analysis.

Novel regulatory function for NHERF-1 in Npt2a transcription

Several lines of evidence show that sodium/hydrogen exchanger regulatory factor 1 (NHERF-1) regulates the expression and activity of the type IIa sodium-dependent phosphate transporter (Npt2a) in renal proximal tubules. We have previously demonstrated that expression of a COOH-terminal ezrin binding domain-deficient NHERF-1 in opossum kidney (OK) cells decreased expression of Npt2a in apical membranes but did not affect responses to parathyroid hormone. We hypothesized that NHERF-1 regulates apical membrane expression of Npt2a in renal proximal tubule cells. To address this hypothesis, we compared regulation of Npt2a expression and function in NHERF-deficient OK cells (OK-H) and wild-type cells (OK-WT). In OK-H cells, phosphate uptake and expression of Npt2a protein in apical membranes were significantly lower than in OK-WT cells. Transient transfection of green fluorescent protein-tagged Npt2a cDNA into OK-H cells resulted in aberrant localization of an Npt2a fragment to the cytosol but not to the apical membrane. OK-H cells also exhibited a marked decrease in Npt2a mRNA expression. As demonstrated by luciferase assay, Npt2a promoter activity was significantly decreased in OK-H cells compared with that shown in OK-WT cells. Transfection of OK-H cells with human NHERF-1 restored Npt2a expression at both the protein and mRNA levels and regulation by parathyroid hormone. Expression of NHERF-1 constructs with mutations in the PDZ domains or the ezrin binding domain in OK-H cells suggested that the PDZ2 domain is critical for apical translocation of Npt2a and for expression at the mRNA level. Our data demonstrate for the first time that NHERF-1 regulates Npt2a transcription and membrane insertion.

Role of NHERF1, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, and cAMP in the regulation of aquaporin 9

Water and solute transport across the plasma membrane of cells is a crucial biological function that is mediated mainly by aquaporins and aquaglyceroporins. The regulation of these membrane proteins is still incompletely understood. Using the male reproductive tract as a model system in which water and glycerol transport are critical for the establishment of fertility, we now report a novel pathway for the regulation of aquaporin 9 (AQP9) permeability. AQP9 is the major aquaglyceroporin of the epididymis, liver, and peripheral leukocytes, and its COOH-terminal portion contains a putative PDZ binding motif (SVIM). Here we show that NHERF1, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), and AQP9 co-localize in the apical membrane of principal cells of the epididymis and the vas deferens, and that both NHERF1 and CFTR co-immunoprecipitate with AQP9. Overlay assays revealed that AQP9 binds to both the PDZ1 and PDZ2 domains of NHERF1, with an apparently higher affinity for PDZ1 versus PDZ2. Pull-down assays showed that the AQP9 COOH-terminal SVIM motif is essential for interaction with NHERF1. Functional assays on isolated tubules perfused in vitro showed a high permeability of the apical membrane to glycerol, which is inhibited by the AQP9 inhibitor, phloretin, and is markedly activated by cAMP. The CFTR inhibitors DPC, GlyH-101 and CFTRinh-172 all significantly reduced the cAMP-activated glycerol-induced cell swelling. We propose that CFTR is an important regulator of AQP9 and that the interaction between AQP9, NHERF1, and CFTR may facilitate the activation of AQP9 by cAMP.

Functional insights into the creatine transporter

Creatine and phosphocreatine provide an intracellular, high-energy phosphate buffering system, essential to maintain ATP levels in tissues with high energy demands. A specific plasma membrane creatine transporter (CRT) is required for the cellular uptake of creatine. This transporter is related to the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GAT) and norepinephrine (NET) transporters and is part of a large gene family of Na(+) - and Cl(-) -dependent neurotransmitter transporters, now known as solute carrier family 6 (SLC6). CRT is essential for normal brain function as mutations in the CRT gene (SLC6A8) result in X-linked mental retardation, associated with the almost complete lack of creatine in the brain, severe speech and language delay, epilepsy, and autistic behaviour. Insight into the structure and function of the CRT has come from studies of creatine transport by tissues and cells, in vitro studies of CRT mutations, identification of mutations associated with CRT deficiency, and from the recent high resolution structure of a prokaryotic homologue of the SLC6 transporters. CRT antibodies have been developed enabling the localization of creatine uptake sites in the brain, retina, muscle and other tissues. These tools in conjunction with the use of appropriate cell models should allow further progress in our knowledge on the regulation and cellular trafficking of the CRT. Development of suitable mouse models may allow improved understanding of the importance of the CRT for normal brain function and how the transporter is regulated in vivo.

Regulatory Binding Partners and Complexes of NHE3

NHE3 is the brush-border (BB) Na+/H+exchanger of small intestine, colon, and renal proximal tubule which is involved in large amounts of neutral Na+absorption. NHE3 is a highly regulated transporter, being both stimulated and inhibited by signaling that mimics the postprandial state. It also undergoes downregulation in diarrheal diseases as well as changes in renal disorders. For this regulation, NHE3 exists in large, multiprotein complexes in which it associates with at least nine other proteins. This review deals with short-term regulation of NHE3 and the identity and function of its recognized interacting partners and the multiprotein complexes in which NHE3 functions.

Extracellular Interaction between hCD98 and the PDZ Class II Domain of hCASK in Intestinal Epithelia

The extracellular domain of the glycoprotein-associated integrin hCD98 protrudes into the basolateral extracellular space of the intestine and contains a PDZ class II-binding domain (GLLLRFPYAA, amino acids 520-529). Protein-protein interaction studies in vitro as well as in human colonic sections and Caco2-BBE cells have revealed that hCD98 coimmunoprecipitated with the basolateral membrane-associated guanylate kinase hCASK and that this interaction occurred in a PDZ domain-dependent manner. These novel results, which provide the first evidence for a PDZ domain-dependent interaction between a membrane protein and an extracellular protein, open a new field of investigation related to extracellular signaling in cell biology.

A bipartite signal regulates the faithful delivery of apical domain marker podocalyxin/Gp135

Podocalyxin/Gp135 was recently demonstrated to participate in the formation of a preapical complex to set up initial polarity in MDCK cells, a function presumably depending on the apical targeting of Gp135. We show that correct apical sorting of Gp135 depends on a bipartite signal composed of an extracellular O-glycosylation-rich region and the intracellular PDZ domain-binding motif. The function of this PDZ-binding motif could be substituted with a fusion construct of Gp135 with Ezrin-binding phosphoprotein 50 (EBP50). In accordance with this observation, EBP50 binds to newly synthesized Gp135 at the Golgi apparatus and facilitates oligomerization and sorting of Gp135 into a clustering complex. A defective connection between Gp135 and EBP50 or EBP50 knockdown results in a delayed exit from the detergent-resistant microdomain, failure of oligomerization, and basolateral missorting of Gp135. Furthermore, the basolaterally missorted EBP50-binding defective mutant of Gp135 was rapidly retrieved via a PKC-dependent mechanism. According to these findings, we propose a model by which a highly negative charged transmembrane protein could be packed into an apical sorting platform with the aid of its cytoplasmic partner EBP50.

Targeting CAL as a Negative Regulator of ΔF508-CFTR Cell-Surface Expression

PDZ domains are ubiquitous peptide-binding modules that mediate protein-protein interactions in a wide variety of intracellular trafficking and localization processes. These include the pathways that regulate the membrane trafficking and endocytic recycling of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), an epithelial chloride channel mutated in patients with cystic fibrosis. Correspondingly, a number of PDZ proteins have now been identified that directly or indirectly interact with the C terminus of CFTR. One of these is CAL, whose overexpression in heterologous cells directs the lysosomal degradation of WT-CFTR in a dose-dependent fashion and reduces the amount of CFTR found at the cell surface. Here, we show that RNA interference targeting endogenous CAL specifically increases cell-surface expression of the disease-associated DeltaF508-CFTR mutant and thus enhances transepithelial chloride currents in a polarized human patient bronchial epithelial cell line. We have reconstituted the CAL-CFTR interaction in vitro from purified components, demonstrating for the first time that the binding is direct and allowing us to characterize its components biochemically and biophysically. To test the hypothesis that inhibition of the binding site could also reverse CAL-mediated suppression of CFTR, a three-dimensional homology model of the CAL.CFTR complex was constructed and used to generate a CAL mutant whose binding pocket is correctly folded but has lost its ability to bind CFTR. Although produced at the same levels as wild-type protein, the mutant does not affect CFTR expression levels. Taken together, our data establish CAL as a candidate therapeutic target for correction of post-maturational trafficking defects in cystic fibrosis.

The NHERF1 PDZ2 domain regulates PKA-RhoA-p38-mediated NHE1 activation and invasion in breast tumor cells

Understanding the signal transduction systems governing invasion is fundamental for the design of therapeutic strategies against metastasis. Na(+)/H(+) exchanger regulatory factor (NHERF1) is a postsynaptic density 95/disc-large/zona occludens (PDZ) domain-containing protein that recruits membrane receptors/transporters and cytoplasmic signaling proteins into functional complexes. NHERF1 expression is altered in breast cancer, but its effective role in mammary carcinogenesis remains undefined. We report here that NHERF1 overexpression in human breast tumor biopsies is associated with metastatic progression, poor prognosis, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha expression. In cultured tumor cells, hypoxia and serum deprivation increase NHERF1 expression, promote the formation of leading-edge pseudopodia, and redistribute NHERF1 to these pseudopodia. This pseudopodial localization of NHERF1 was verified in breast biopsies and in three-dimensional Matrigel culture. Furthermore, serum deprivation and hypoxia stimulate the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger, invasion, and activate a protein kinase A (PKA)-gated RhoA/p38 invasion signal module. Significantly, NHERF1 overexpression was sufficient to induce these morphological and functional changes, and it potentiated their induction by serum deprivation. Functional experiments with truncated and binding groove-mutated PDZ domain constructs demonstrated that NHERF1 regulates these processes through its PDZ2 domain. We conclude that NHERF1 overexpression enhances the invasive phenotype in breast cancer cells, both alone and in synergy with exposure to the tumor microenvironment, via the coordination of PKA-gated RhoA/p38 signaling.

Na+-H+ exchanger regulatory factor 1 is a PDZ scaffold for the astroglial glutamate transporter GLAST

Glutamate is a key neurotransmitter and its levels in the synaptic cleft are tightly regulated by reuptake mechanisms that primarily involve transporters in astrocytes. This requires that the glutamate transporters be spatially constrained to effect maximum glutamate transport. GLAST (EAAT1) is the predominant astroglial transporter and contains a class I PDZ-binding consensus (ETKM) in its C-terminus. The epithelial Na(+)/H(+) exchanger regulatory factors NHERF1 and NHERF2 are PDZ proteins that contain two tandem PDZ domains and a C-terminal domain that binds members of the ERM (ezrin-radixin-moesin) family of membrane-cytoskeletal adaptors. NHERF proteins have been extensively characterized in renal epithelia and their expression in brain has recently been reported; however, their function in the brain remains unknown. The aims of the current study were to (1) determine the distribution of NHERF1/2 in the rodent brain and (2) investigate whether GLAST was a physiological ligand for NHERF1/2. Immunohistochemistry revealed that NHERF1 expression was widespread in rat brain (abundant in cerebellum, cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and thalamus) and primarily restricted to astrocytes whereas NHERF2 expression was primarily restricted to endothelial cells of blood vessels and capillaries. Importantly, NHERF1 distribution closely matched that of GLAST and confocal imaging demonstrated co-localization of the two proteins. Co-immunoprecipitation demonstrated that GLAST, NHERF1, and ezrin associate in vivo. In vitro binding assays showed that GLAST bound directly to the PDZ1 domain of NHERF1 via the C-terminal ETKM motif of GLAST. These findings implicate the GLAST-NHERF1 complex in the regulation of glutamate homeostasis in astrocytes.

TIP-1 has PDZ scaffold antagonist activity

PDZ proteins usually contain multiple protein-protein interaction domains and act as molecular scaffolds that are important for the generation and maintenance of cell polarity and cell signaling. Here, we identify and characterize TIP-1 as an atypical PDZ protein that is composed almost entirely of a single PDZ domain and functions as a negative regulator of PDZ-based scaffolding. We found that TIP-1 competes with the basolateral membrane mLin-7/CASK complex for interaction with the potassium channel Kir 2.3 in model renal epithelia. Consequently, polarized plasma membrane expression of Kir 2.3 is disrupted resulting in pronounced endosomal targeting of the channel, similar to the phenotype observed for mutant Kir 2.3 channels lacking the PDZ-binding motif. TIP-1 is ubiquitously expressed, raising the possibility that TIP-1 may play a similar role in regulating the expression of other membrane proteins containing a type I PDZ ligand.

PDZ Adaptor Protein PDZK2 Stimulates Transport Activity of Organic Cation/Carnitine Transporter OCTN2 by Modulating Cell Surface Expression

A part of the organic cation transporter families (OCT3, OCTN1, and OCTN2) has recently been identified to physically interact with PDZ (PSD95, Dlg, and ZO1) domain-containing proteins, although the physiological relevance of such interaction has not yet been fully examined. Here we have examined the stimulatory effect of PDZK2 [also named NaPi-Cap2 and intestinal and kidney-enriched PDZ protein (IKEPP)] on those cation transporters. In HEK293 cells, coexpression with PDZK2 increased the uptake of carnitine by OCTN2 with minimal effect on its substrate recognition specificity, but not for transport activity of OCT3 or OCTN1. The stimulatory effect of PDZK2 on OCTN2 was compatible with an approximately 2 times increase in transport capacity and can be accounted for by the increase in cell surface expression of OCTN2. Coexpression of PDZK2 did not affect carnitine transport activity of OCTN2 with deletion of the last four amino acids, which were found to be important for the interaction, suggesting involvement of physical interaction of the two proteins in the increase of cell surface expression of OCTN2. In mouse kidney, colocalization of PDZK2 and OCTN2 occurred predominantly in the region that was close to, but not the same as, the surface of apical membranes where OCTN2 alone was observed, suggesting the existence of OCTN2 in the subapical compartment that interacts with PDZK2. The present data have thus proposed an "intracellular pool" for OCTN2 that may be relevant to the stabilization of cell surface expression of OCTN2, thereby increasing transport activity for carnitine.

New insights into cystic fibrosis: molecular switches that regulate CFTR

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), a Cl(-)-selective ion channel, is a prototypic member of the ATP-binding cassette transporter superfamily that is expressed in several organs. In these organs, CFTR assembles into large, dynamic macromolecular complexes that contain signalling molecules, kinases, transport proteins, PDZ-domain-containing proteins, myosin motors, Rab GTPases, and SNAREs. Understanding how these complexes regulate the intracellular trafficking and activity of CFTR provides a unique insight into the aetiology of cystic fibrosis and other diseases.

Rat organic anion transporting protein 1A1 (Oatp1a1): purification and phosphopeptide assignment

Rat organic anion transporting protein 1a1 (oatp1a1), a hepatocyte basolateral plasma membrane protein, mediates transport of various amphipathic compounds. Our previous studies indicated that serine phosphorylation of a single tryptic peptide inhibits its transport activity without changing its cell surface content. The site of phosphorylation is unknown and was the subject of the present study. Following immunoaffinity chromatographic purification from rat liver, oatp1a1 was subjected to trypsin digestion and MALDI-TOF. Except for predicted N-glycosylated peptides, 97% of oatp1a1 tryptic peptides were observed. A single tryptic phosphopeptide was found in the C-terminus (aa 626-647), existing in unphosphorylated or singly or doubly phosphorylated forms and sensitive to alkaline phosphatase treatment. The beta-elimination reaction resulted in a mass loss of 98 or 196 Da from this peptide, and subsequent Michael addition with cysteamine increased masses by the predicated 77 and 154 Da, indicating that oatp1a1 can be singly or doubly phosphorylated at serine or threonine residues in the C-terminal sequence SSATDHT (aa 634-640). Subsequent tandem MS/MS analysis revealed that phosphorylation at S634 accounted for all singly phosphorylated peptide, while phosphorylation at S634 and S635 accounted for all doubly phosphorylated peptide. These findings identify the site of oatp1a1 phosphorylation and demonstrate that it is an ordered process, in which phosphorylation at S634 precedes that at S635. The mechanism by which phosphorylation results in loss of transport activity in hepatocytes remains to be established. Whether phosphorylation near the C-terminus inhibits C-terminal oligomerization of oatp1a1, required for normal transport function, can be speculated upon but is as yet unknown.

Protein kinase D intracellular localization and activity control kinase D-interacting substrate of 220-kDa traffic through a postsynaptic density-95/discs large/zonula occludens-1-binding motif

Protein kinase D (PKD) controls protein traffic from the trans-Golgi network (TGN) to the plasma membrane of epithelial cells in an isoform-specific manner. However, whether the different PKD isoforms could be selectively regulating the traffic of their specific substrates remains unexplored. We identified the C terminus of the different PKDs that constitutes a postsynaptic density-95/discs large/zonula occludens-1 (PDZ)-binding motif in PKD1 and PKD2, but not in PKD3, to be responsible for the differential control of kinase D-interacting substrate of 220-kDa (Kidins220) surface localization, a neural membrane protein identified as the first substrate of PKD1. A kinase-inactive mutant of PKD3 is only able to alter the localization of Kidins220 at the plasma membrane when its C terminus has been substituted by the PDZ-binding motif of PKD1 or PKD2. This isoform-specific regulation of Kidins220 transport might not be due to differences among kinase activity or substrate selectivity of the PKD isoenzymes but more to the adaptors bound to their unique C terminus. Furthermore, by mutating the autophosphorylation site Ser(916), located at the critical position -2 of the PDZ-binding domain within PKD1, or by phorbol ester stimulation, we demonstrate that the phosphorylation of this residue is crucial for Kidins220-regulated transport. We also discovered that Ser(916) trans-phosphorylation takes place among PKD1 molecules. Finally, we demonstrate that PKD1 association to intracellular membranes is critical to control Kidins220 traffic. Our findings reveal the molecular mechanism by which PKD localization and activity control the traffic of Kidins220, most likely by modulating the recruitment of PDZ proteins in an isoform-specific and phosphorylation-dependent manner.

The enteropathogenic Escherichia coli type III secretion system effector Map binds EBP50/NHERF1: implication for cell signalling and diarrhoea

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) is the single most important contributor to child diarrhoea in developing countries. Nevertheless, the mechanism responsible for EPEC diarrhoea remains elusive. Using the yeast two-hybrid system to determine the target host cell protein of the EPEC type III secretion system effector Map led to identification of ezrin/radixin/moesin (ERM)-binding phosphoprotein 50 (EBP50), also known as Na+/H+ exchanger regulatory factor 1 (NHERF1). Protein interaction is mediated by the carboxy-terminal Thr-Arg-Leu (TRL) motif of Map and the PSD-95/Disk-large/ZO-1 domain 1 (PDZ1) of EBP50/NHERF1. Although EBP50/NHERF1 is recruited to site of EPEC adhesion in a Map-independent mechanism, co-immunoprecipitation and immunostaining revealed that Map binds to, induces proteolysis of, and colocalizes with EBP50/NHERF1 during infection of cultured epithelial cells. The TRL motif of Map was involved in Map-induced filopodia formation and brush border elongation on infected HeLa and Caco-2 cells respectively. As EBP50/NHERF1 regulates ion channels in the intestine we assessed the involvement of Map in diarrhoea using the Citrobacter rodentium mouse model of EPEC. We report significantly greater diarrhoea following infections with wild-type C. rodentium compared with C. rodentiumDeltamap. These results provide new insights into the mechanisms of EPEC diarrhoea.

Characterization of big bang, a novel gene encoding for PDZ domain-containing proteins that are dynamically expressed throughout Drosophila development

PDZ (PSD-95, Discs-large, ZO-1) domain proteins often function as scaffolding proteins and have been shown to play important roles in diverse cellular processes such as the establishment and maintenance of cell polarity, and signal transduction. Here, we report the identification and cloning of a novel Drosophila melanogaster gene that is predicted to produce several different PDZ domain-containing proteins through alternative promoter usage and alternative splicing. This gene, that we have named big bang (bbg), was first identified as C96-GAL4, a GAL4 enhancer trap line that was generated in our lab. To further characterize bbg, its expression pattern was examined in ovaries, embryos, and late third instar larvae using UAS reporter gene constructs, in situ hybridization, or immunocytochemistry. In addition, the expression of alternatively spliced transcripts was examined in more detail using in situ hybridization. We find that during embryogenesis bbg is predominantly expressed in the developing gut, but it is also expressed in external sensory organs found in the epidermis. In the late third instar larva, bbg is expressed along the presumptive wing margin in the wing disc, broadly in the eye disc, and in other imaginal discs as well as in the brain. The expression patterns observed are dynamic and specific during development, suggesting that like other genes that encode for several different PDZ domain protein isoforms, bbg likely plays important roles in multiple developmental processes.

Regulation of drug transporters by PDZ adaptor proteins and nuclear receptors

Drug transporters have been suggested to be involved in various aspects of pharmacokinetics. Identification and characterization of drug transporters have given us a scientific basis for understanding drug disposition, as well as the molecular mechanisms of drug interaction and inter-individual/inter-species differences. On the other hand, regulatory mechanisms of drug transporters are still poorly understood, and information is limited to induction and down-regulation of drug transporters by various microsomal enzyme inducers. Little is known about the molecular machinery that directly interacts with the drug transporters. As a first step to clarify such molecular mechanisms, recent studies have identified PDZ (PSD-95/Discs-large/ZO-1) domain-containing proteins that directly interact with the so-called PDZ binding motif located at the C-terminus of drug transporters. Some of the PDZ proteins have been suggested to regulate transporters via at least two pathways, i.e. stabilization at the cell-surface and direct modulation of transporter function. Therefore, it is possible that membrane transport of therapeutic agents is not only governed by the drug transporters themselves, but also indirectly by PDZ proteins. The PDZ proteins are classified as a family, the members of which are thought to have distinct, but also redundant physiological roles. The purpose of this review article is to summarize the available knowledge on protein interactions and functional modulation of drug transporters.

Mutation in an Adaptor Protein PDZKI Affects Transport Activity of Organic Cation Transporter OCTNs and Oligopeptide Transporter PEPT2

Genetic polymorphisms in xenobiotic transporters have recently been clarified to be associated with change in drug distribution and disposition. To expand on recent identification of direct interaction and functional regulation of several transporters by a PDZ (PSD95, Dlg and ZO1) domain containing protein PDZK1, the effect of mutation in PDZK1 on transport activity and subcellular localization of organic cation/carnitine transporters OCTN1 and OCTN2, and oligopeptide transporter PEPT2 was examined in the present study. HEK293 cells stably expressing a mutant transcript PDZK1-E195K (HEK293/PDZK1-E195K) were constructed, followed by transient transfection of cDNA for each transporter. Uptake of tetraethylammonium by OCTN1 was much higher in HEK293/PDZK1 cells, compared with that in the parent HEK293 cells, the uptake in HEK293/PDZK1-E195K cells showing middle range between the two values. Such difference in transport activity was accounted for the difference in transport capacity, with minimal change in affinity of OCTN1 to the substrate or other compounds. The similar difference among HEK293/PDZK1, HEK293/PDZK1-E195K and HEK293 cells was also observed in transport property of OCTN2 and PEPT2, whereas the difference was not so remarkable in each transporter with the last four amino acids deleted, that has much lower interaction potential with PDZK1. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated that OCTN1 was colocalized with PDZK1 on cell-surface, whereas colocalization with PDZK1-E195K was partially observed in cytoplasmic region. These results suggest a novel hypothesis that mutation in PDZK1 potentially changes transport property of various types of xenobiotic transporters by affecting their subcellular localization, possibly leading to change in disposition of various types of substrate drugs.

Ezrin Controls the Macromolecular Complexes Formed between an Adapter Protein Na+/H+ Exchanger Regulatory Factor and the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator

Na(+)/H(+) exchanger regulatory factor (NHERF) is an adapter protein that is responsible for organizing a number of cell receptors and channels. NHERF contains two amino-terminal PDZ (postsynaptic density 95/disk-large/zonula occluden-1) domains that bind to the cytoplasmic domains of a number of membrane channels or receptors. The carboxyl terminus of NHERF interacts with the FERM domain (a domain shared by protein 4.1, ezrin, radixin, and moesin) of a family of actin-binding proteins, ezrin-radixin-moesin. NHERF was shown previously to be capable of enhancing the channel activities of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). Here we show that binding of the FERM domain of ezrin to NHERF regulates the cooperative binding of NHERF to bring two cytoplasmic tails of CFTR into spatial proximity to each other. We find that ezrin binding activates the second PDZ domain of NHERF to interact with the cytoplasmic tails of CFTR (C-CFTR), so as to form a specific 2:1:1 (C-CFTR)(2).NHERF.ezrin ternary complex. Without ezrin binding, the cytoplasmic tail of CFTR only interacts strongly with the first amino-terminal PDZ domain to form a 1:1 C-CFTR.NHERF complex. Immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting confirm the specific interactions of NHERF with the full-length CFTR and with ezrin in vivo. Because of the concentrated distribution of ezrin and NHERF in the apical membrane regions of epithelial cells and the diverse binding partners for the NHERF PDZ domains, the regulation of NHERF by ezrin may be employed as a general mechanism to assemble channels and receptors in the membrane cytoskeleton.

Modulation of Renal Apical Organic Anion Transporter 4 Function by Two PDZ Domain–Containing Proteins

Human organic anion transporter 4 (OAT4) is an apical organic anion/dicarboxylate exchanger in the renal proximal tubules and mediates high-affinity transport of steroid sulfates such as estrone-3-sulfate (E1S) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. Here, two multivalent PDZ (PSD-95/Discs Large/ZO-1) proteins PDZK1 and NHERF1 were examined as interactors of OAT4 by a yeast two-hybrid assay. These interactions require the extreme C-terminal region of OAT4 and the first and fourth PDZ domains of PDZK1 and the first PDZ domain of NHERF1. These interactions were confirmed by surface plasmon resonance assays (K(D): 36 nM, 1.2 microM, and 41.7 microM, respectively). In vitro binding assays and co-immunoprecipitation studies revealed that the OAT4 wild-type but not a mutant lacking the PDZ motif interacted directly with both PDZK1 and NHERF1. OAT4, PDZK1, and NHERF1 proteins were shown to be localized at the apical membrane of renal proximal tubules. The association with PDZK1 or NHERF1 enhanced OAT4-mediated E1S transport activities in HEK293 cells (1.2- to 1.4-fold), and the deletion of the OAT4 C-terminal PDZ motif abolished this effect. The augmentation of the transport activity was accompanied by alteration in V(max) of E(1)S transport via OAT4 and was associated with the increased surface expression level of OAT4 protein. This study indicates that the functional activity of OAT4 is modulated through the PDZ interaction with the network of PDZK1 and NHERF1 and suggests that OAT4 is involved in the regulated apical organic anion handling in the renal proximal tubules, provided by the PDZ scaffold.

Integrated physiology of proximal tubular organic anion transport

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Renal organic anion transport proteins play important roles in the reabsorption and the secretion of endogenous and exogenous compounds. This review focuses on the interpretation of the physiological integration of identified transport molecules in the renal proximal tubules.

RECENT FINDINGS

To date, molecular identification of organic anion transport proteins is still continuing: rodent organic anion transporter 5, organic anion-transporting polypeptide 4C1, voltage-driven organic anion transporter 1, multidrug resistance-associated protein 4, and sodium-coupled monocarboxylate transporter have yielded additional information in this field. In addition, particularly at the apical membrane of the proximal tubules, the importance of the PDZ (PSD-95, DglA, and ZO-1) binding domain proteins has emerged in the formation of the multimolecular complex as a functional unit of membrane transport. Finally, discovery of dicarboxylate receptors in the renal tubular cells raises the possibility that dicarboxylate anions function as intrarenal signaling molecules. This novel aspect of renal organic anion transport, the potential modulation of signaling via dicarboxylate receptors, may be of significant relevance to renovascular hypertension and other renal diseases.

SUMMARY

Comprehensive understanding of the multimolecular complex, which is composed of transporters and their related signaling elements and is supported by the scaffold proteins underneath the plasma membrane, may be useful in clarifying complex transport phenomena such as renal apical organic anion handling. In addition to the recent proteomics approaches and conventional molecular physiology, it is necessary to develop novel methods to analyze the overall function of the multimolecular complex for the post-genomic era.

NHERF family and NHE3 regulation

The intestinal and renal proximal tubule brush border (BB) Na+-H+ exchanger NHE3 binds to members of the NHERF (Na+-H+ exchanger regulatory factor) family. These are four proteins (current most used names include NHERF1, NHERF2, PDZK1 and IKEPP) which are related to each other, are present in locations in or close to the BB, and scaffold a variable series of proteins in NHE3-containing complexes in a dynamic manner that is altered by changes in signal transduction which affects NHE3 activity. The specific roles of these proteins in terms of NHE3 regulation as well as interactions with each other and with their many other substrates are only now being defined. Specificity for only one member of the NHERF family in one example of NHE3 regulation, inhibition by elevation in cGMP, is used to describe how NHERF family proteins are involved in NHE3 complex formation and its regulation. In this case, NHERF2 directly binds cGKII in the brush border to form an NHE3 complex, with cGKII also associating with the BB via its myristoylation.