Radixin deficiency causes deafness associated with progressive degeneration of cochlear stereocilia

ERM proteins in epithelial cell organization and functions

ERM (Ezrin, Radixin, Moesin) proteins are membrane-cytoskeleton linkers that regulate the structure and the function of specific domains of the plasma membrane. ERM proteins are expressed in all metazoan analyzed so far. Genetic analysis of ERM protein functions has recently been performed simultaneously in three different organisms, mouse, Drosophila melanogaster and C. elegans. These studies have revealed a remarkable conservation of the protein functions through evolution. Moreover they have shed light on the crucial role these proteins play in various physiological processes that occur in epithelial cells.

Ezrin/radixin/moesin proteins are phosphorylated by TNF-alpha and modulate permeability increases in human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells

Endothelial cells (ECs) respond to TNF-alpha by altering their F-actin cytoskeleton and junctional permeability through mechanisms that include protein kinase C (PKC) and p38 MAPK. Ezrin, radixin, and moesin (ERM) regulate many cell processes that often require a conformational change of these proteins as a result of phosphorylation on a conserved threonine residue near the C terminus. This study tested the hypothesis that ERM proteins are phosphorylated on this critical threonine residue through TNF-alpha-induced activation of PKC and p38 and modulate permeability increases in pulmonary microvascular ECs. TNF-alpha induced ERM phosphorylation on the threonine residue that required activation of p38, PKC isoforms, and phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinase Ialpha, a major enzyme generating phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, and phosphorylated ERM were prominently localized at the EC periphery. TNF-alpha-induced ERM phosphorylation was accompanied by cytoskeletal changes, paracellular gap formation, and increased permeability to fluxes of dextran and albumin. These changes required activation of p38 and PKC and were completely prevented by inhibition of ERM protein expression using small interfering RNA. Thus, ERM proteins are phosphorylated through p38 and PKC-dependent mechanisms and modulate TNF-alpha-induced increases in endothelial permeability. Phosphorylation of ERM likely plays important roles in EC responses to TNF-alpha by modulating the F-actin cytoskeleton, adhesion molecules, and signaling events.

Activated radixin is essential for GABAA receptor alpha5 subunit anchoring at the actin cytoskeleton

Neurotransmitter receptor clustering is thought to represent a critical parameter for neuronal transmission. Little is known about the mechanisms that anchor and concentrate inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors in neurons. GABAA receptor (GABAAR) alpha5 subunits mainly locate at extrasynaptic sites and are thought to mediate tonic inhibition. Notably, similar as synaptic GABAARs, these receptor subtypes also appear in cluster formations at neuronal surface membranes and are of particular interest in cognitive processing. GABAAR alpha5 mutation or depletion facilitates trace fear conditioning or improves spatial learning in mice, respectively. Here, we identified the actin-binding protein radixin, a member of the ERM family, as the first directly interacting molecule that anchors GABAARs at cytoskeletal elements. Intramolecular activation of radixin is a functional prerequisite for GABAAR alpha5 subunit binding and both depletion of radixin expression as well as replacement of the radixin F-actin binding motif interferes with GABAAR alpha5 cluster formation. Our data suggest radixin to represent a critical factor in receptor localization and/or downstream signaling.

Characterization of a novel interaction between ELMO1 and ERM proteins

ERMs are closely related proteins involved in cell migration, cell adhesion, maintenance of cell shape, and formation of microvilli through their ability to cross-link the plasma membrane with the actin cytoskeleton. ELMO proteins are also known to regulate actin cytoskeleton reorganization through activation of the small GTPbinding protein Rac via the ELMO-Dock180 complex. Here we showed that ERM proteins associate directly with ELMO1 as purified recombinant proteins in vitro and at endogenous levels in intact cells. We mapped ERM binding on ELMO1 to the N-terminal 280 amino acids, which overlaps with the region required for binding to the GTPase RhoG, but is distinct from the C-terminal Dock180 binding region. Consistent with this, ELMO1 could simultaneously bind both radixin and Dock180, although radixin did not alter Rac activation via the Dock180-ELMO complex. Most interestingly, radixin binding did not affect ELMO binding to active RhoG and a trimeric complex of active RhoG-ELMO-radixin could be detected. Moreover, the three proteins colocalized at the plasma membrane. Finally, in contrast to most other ERM-binding proteins, ELMO1 binding occurred independently of the state of radixin C-terminal phosphorylation, suggesting an ELMO1 interaction with both the active and inactive forms of ERM proteins and implying a possible role of ELMO in localizing or retaining ERM proteins in certain cellular sites. Together these data suggest that ELMO1-mediated cytoskeletal changes may be coordinated with ERM protein crosslinking activity during dynamic cellular functions.

Postnatal developmental expression of the PDZ scaffolds Na+ -H+ exchanger regulatory factors 1 and 2 in the rat cochlea

Sensory transduction in the mammalian cochlea requires the maintenance of specialized fluid compartments with distinct ionic compositions. This is achieved by the concerted action of diverse ion channels and transporters, some of which can interact with the PDZ scaffolds, Na(+)-H(+) exchanger regulatory factors 1 and 2 (NHERF-1, NHERF-2). Here, we report that NHERF-1 and NHERF-2 are widely expressed in the rat cochlea, and that their expression is developmentally regulated. Reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting initially confirmed the RNA and protein expression of NHERFs. We then performed immunohistochemistry on cochlea during various stages of postnatal development. Prior to the onset of hearing (P8), NHERF-1 immunolabeling was prominently polarized to the apical membrane of cells lining the endolymphatic compartment, including the stereocilia and cuticular plates of the inner and outer hair cells, marginal cells of the stria vascularis, Reissner's epithelia, and tectorial membrane. With maturation (P21, P70), NHERF-1 immunolabeling was reduced in the above structures, whereas labeling increased in the apical membrane of the interdental cells of the spiral limbus and the inner and outer sulcus cells, Hensen's cells, the inner and outer pillar cells, Deiters cells, the inner border cells, spiral ligament fibrocytes, and spiral ganglion neurons (particularly type II). NHERF-1 expression in strial basal and intermediate cells was persistent. NHERF-2 immunolabeling was similar to that for NHERF-1 during postnatal development, with the exception of expression in the synaptic regions beneath the outer hair cells. NHERF-1 and NHERF-2 co-localized with glial fibrillary acidic protein and vimentin in glia. The cochlear localization of NHERF scaffolds suggests that they play important roles in the developmental regulation of ion transport, homeostasis, and auditory neurotransmission.