Lipid Rafts and Caveolae as Portals for Endocytosis: New Insights and Common Mechanisms

Molecular pathogenesis of Shigella spp.: controlling host cell signaling, invasion, and death by type III secretion

Shigella spp. are gram-negative pathogenic bacteria that evolved from harmless enterobacterial relatives and may cause devastating diarrhea upon ingestion. Research performed over the last 25 years revealed that a type III secretion system (T3SS) encoded on a large plasmid is a key virulence factor of Shigella flexneri. The T3SS determines the interactions of S. flexneri with intestinal cells by consecutively translocating two sets of effector proteins into the target cells. Thus, S. flexneri controls invasion into EC, intra- and intercellular spread, macrophage cell death, as well as host inflammatory responses. Some of the translocated effector proteins show novel biochemical activities by which they intercept host cell signal transduction pathways. An understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying Shigella pathogenesis will foster the development of a safe and efficient vaccine, which, in parallel with improved hygiene, should curb infections by this widespread pathogen.

Neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) marks adult myogenic cells committed to differentiation

Although recent advances in broad-scale gene expression analysis have dramatically increased our knowledge of the repertoire of mRNAs present in multiple cell types, it has become increasingly clear that examination of the expression, localization, and associations of the encoded proteins will be critical for determining their functional significance. In particular, many signaling receptors, transducers, and effectors have been proposed to act in higher-order complexes associated with physically distinct areas of the plasma membrane. Adult muscle stem cells (satellite cells) must, upon injury, respond appropriately to a wide range of extracellular stimuli: the role of such signaling scaffolds is therefore a potentially important area of inquiry. To address this question, we first isolated detergent-resistant membrane fractions from primary satellite cells, then analyzed their component proteins using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Transmembrane and juxtamembrane components of adhesion-mediated signaling pathways made up the largest group of identified proteins; in particular, neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), a multifunctional cell-surface protein that has previously been associated with muscle regeneration, was significant. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that not only is NCAM localized to discrete areas of the plasma membrane, it is also a very early marker of commitment to terminal differentiation. Using flow cytometry, we have sorted physically homogeneous myogenic cultures into proliferating and differentiating fractions based solely upon NCAM expression.

The internalization of the M2 and M4 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors involves distinct subsets of small G-proteins

Multiple mechanisms exist for the endocytosis of receptors from the cell surface. While the M1, M3, and M4 subtypes of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor and M4 receptors transduce their signals through the same second messengers but internalize though different pathways, we tested the ability of several small G-proteins to regulate the agonist-induced endocytosis of M2 and M4 in JEG-3 human choriocarcinoma cells. Dominant-negative Rab5 as well as both wild-type and dominant-negative Rab11 inhibited M4 but not M2 endocytosis. In contrast, a dominant-negative Arf6 as well as wild-type Rab22 increased M2 but not M4 endocytosis. We used immunocytochemistry to show that in unstimulated cells, the M2 and M4 receptors co-localize on the cell surface, whereas after stimulation M2 and M4 are in distinct vesicular compartments. In this study, we demonstrate that agonist-induced internalization of the M2 receptor utilizes an Arf6, Rab22 dependent pathway, while the M4 receptor undergoes agonist-induced internalization through a Rab5, Rab11 dependent pathway. Additionally, we show that Rab15 and RhoA are not involved in either pathway in JEG-3 cells.

FcgammaRI (CD64) resides constitutively in lipid rafts

Cellular membranes contain microdomains known as 'lipid rafts' or detergent-insoluble microdomains (DRM), enriched in cholesterol and sphingolipids. DRM can play an important role in many cellular processes, including signal transduction, cytoskeletal organization, and pathogen entry. Many receptors like T cell receptors, B cell receptors and IgE receptors have been shown to reside in DRM. The majority of these receptors depend on multivalent ligand interaction to associate with these microdomains. We, here, study association between the high affinity IgG receptor, FcgammaRI (CD64), and membrane microdomains. FcgammaRI is a 72kDa type I glycoprotein that can mediate phagocytosis of opsonized pathogens, but can also effectively capture small immune complexes, and facilitates antigen presentation. We found FcgammaRI to predominantly reside within detergent-insoluble buoyant membranes, together with FcRgamma-chain, but independent of cross-linking ligand. With the use of confocal imaging, FcgammaRI was found to co-patch with GM1, a microdomain-enriched glycolipid. Depletion of cellular cholesterol, furthermore, modulated FcgammaRI-ligand interactions. These data indicated FcgammaRI to reside within lipid rafts without prior triggering of the receptor.

Pharmacological inhibition of endocytic pathways: is it specific enough to be useful?

Eukaryotic cells constantly form and internalize plasma membrane vesicles in a process known as endocytosis. Endocytosis serves a variety of housekeeping and specialized cellular functions, and it can be mediated by distinct molecular pathways. Among them, internalization via clathrin-coated pits, lipid raft/caveolae-mediated endocytosis and macropinocytosis/phagocytosis are the most extensively characterized. The major endocytic pathways are usually distinguished on the basis of their differential sensitivity to pharmacological/chemical inhibitors, although the possibility of nonspecific effects of such inhibitors is frequently overlooked. This review provides a critical evaluation of the selectivity of the most widely used pharmacological inhibitors of clathrin-mediated, lipid raft/caveolae-mediated endocytosis and macropinocytosis/phagocytosis. The mechanisms of actions of these agents are described with special emphasis on their reported side effects on the alternative internalization modes and the actin cytoskeleton. The most and the least-selective inhibitors of each major endocytic pathway are highlighted.

Caveolin regulates endocytosis of the muscle repair protein, dysferlin

Dysferlin and Caveolin-3 are plasma membrane proteins associated with muscular dystrophy. Patients with mutations in the CAV3 gene show dysferlin mislocalization in muscle cells. By utilizing caveolin-null cells, expression of caveolin mutants, and different mutants of dysferlin, we have dissected the site of action of caveolin with respect to dysferlin trafficking pathways. We now show that Caveolin-1 or -3 can facilitate exit of a dysferlin mutant that accumulates in the Golgi complex of Cav1(-/-) cells. In contrast, wild type dysferlin reaches the plasma membrane but is rapidly endocytosed in Cav1(-/-) cells. We demonstrate that the primary effect of caveolin is to cause surface retention of dysferlin. Caveolin-1 or Caveolin-3, but not specific caveolin mutants, inhibit endocytosis of dysferlin through a clathrin-independent pathway colocalizing with internalized glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins. Our results provide new insights into the role of this endocytic pathway in surface remodeling of specific surface components. In addition, they highlight a novel mechanism of action of caveolins relevant to the pathogenic mechanisms underlying caveolin-associated disease.

Reorganization of prion protein membrane environment during low potassium-induced apoptosis in primary rat cerebellar neurons

We studied the changes occurring in the membrane environment of prion protein (PrP) during apoptosis induced by low potassium in primary rat cerebellar neurons. Ceramide levels increased during apoptosis-inducing treatment, being doubled with respect to time-matched controls after 24 h. Sphingomyelin levels were parallely decreased, while cholesterol and ganglioside contents were not affected. Changes in ceramide and sphingomyelin composition were exclusively restricted to a detergent-resistant membrane fraction. The pro-apoptotic treatment was accompanied by the down-regulation of PrP and of the non-receptor kinase Fyn. The levels of PrP and Fyn were correspondingly reduced in the detergent-resistant membrane fraction. In control cells, the membrane microenvironment separated by immunoprecipitation with anti-PrP antibody contained 80% of the detergent-resistant PrP and 35% and 38% of the sphingolipids and cholesterol respectively. Upon low potassium treatment, 20% of the PrP originally present in the detergent-resistant fraction was immunoprecipitated, together with 19% of sphingolipids and 22% of cholesterol. Thus, PrP in the immunoprecipitate from apoptotic cells was ninefold less than in control ones, while sphingolipids and cholesterol were about 50% with respect to controls cells. The molar ratio between cholesterol, sphingomyelin and ceramide was 15 : 6 : 1 in the PrP-rich environment from control neurons, and 6 : 2 : 1 in that from apoptotic cells.

Cellular entry of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus

In contrast to most enveloped viruses that enter the host cell via clathrin-dependent endocytosis, the Old World arenavirus lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) enters cells via noncoated vesicles that deliver the virus to endosomes, where pH-dependent membrane fusion occurs. Here, we investigated the initial steps of LCMV infection. We found that the attachment of LCMV to its cellular receptor alpha-dystroglycan occurs rapidly and is not dependent on membrane cholesterol. However, subsequent virus internalization is sensitive to cholesterol depletion, indicating the involvement of a cholesterol-dependent pathway. We provide evidence that LCMV entry involves an endocytotic pathway that is independent of clathrin and caveolin and that does not require the GTPase dynamin. In addition, neither the structural integrity nor the dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton are required for infection. These findings indicate that the prototypic Old World arenavirus LCMV uses a mechanism of entry that is different from clathrin-mediated endocytosis, which is used by the New World arenavirus Junin virus, and pathways used by other enveloped viruses.

Studies of distribution, location and dynamic properties of EGFR on the cell surface measured by image correlation spectroscopy

In this work, we have studied the distribution and dynamic properties of Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) receptors in the plasma membrane of fixed and live cells as well as the extent of co-localization of this transmembrane protein with proteins specific for three-membrane microdomains: membrane rafts, caveolae and clathrin-coated pits. This was achieved using a family of image-processing tools called image correlation spectroscopy (ICS), image cross-correlation spectroscopy (ICCS) and dynamic image correlation spectroscopy (DICS). Our results indicate that EGFR is diffusely distributed on the cell surface at 37 degrees C and aggregates as the temperature is lowered to 4 degrees C. This aggregation takes place within 15 min and is reversible. Changes in temperature also affect the diffusion of EGFR by two orders of magnitude. The dynamic properties of EGFR are similar to the dynamic properties of a GPI-anchored protein known to be present in membrane rafts, which motivated us to explore the extent of co-localization of EGFR with this membrane raft protein using ICCS. Our results indicate that more than half of the EGFR population is present in membrane rafts and smaller percentages are present in caveolae and clathrin-coated pits.

Clathrin-independent internalization and recycling

The functionality of receptor and channel proteins depends directly upon their expression level on the plasma membrane. Therefore, the ability to selectively adjust the surface level of a particular receptor or channel protein is pivotal to many cellular signalling events. The internalization and recycling pathway plays a major role in the regulation of protein surface level, and thus has been a focus of research for many years. Although several endocytic pathways have been identified, most of our knowledge has come from the clathrin-dependent pathway, while the other pathways remain much less well defined. Considering that clathrin-independent internalization may account for as much as 50% of the total endocytic activity in the cell, the lack of such knowledge constitutes a major gap in our efforts to understand how different internalization pathways are utilized and co-ordinated. Recent studies have provided valuable insights into this area, yet many more questions still remain. In this review, we will give a panoramic introduction to the current knowledge of various internalization and recycling pathways, with an emphasis on the latest findings that have broadened our view of the clathrin-independent pathways. We will also dedicate one section to the emerging studies of the clathrin-independent internalization pathways in neuronal cells.

Anomalous surface distribution of glycosyl phosphatidyl inositol-anchored proteins in neurons lacking acid sphingomyelinase

Acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) converts sphingomyelin (SM) into ceramide. Mutations in the ASM gene cause the mental retardation syndrome Niemann Pick type A (NPA), characterized as a lysosomal disorder because of the SM accumulation in these organelles. We here report that neurons from mice lacking ASM (ASMKO) present increased plasma membrane SM levels evident in detergent-resistant membranes. Paralleling this lipidic alteration, GPI-anchored proteins show an aberrant distribution in both axons and dendrites instead of the axonal enrichment observed in neurons from wild-type mice. Trafficking analysis suggests that this is due to defective internalization from dendrites. Increasing the SM content in wild-type neurons mimics these defects, whereas SM reduction in ASMKO neurons prevents their occurrence. Moreover, expression of active RhoA, which membrane attachment is affected by SM accumulation, rescues internalization rates in ASMKO neurons. These data unveil an unexpected role for ASM in neuronal plasma membrane organization and trafficking providing insight on the molecular mechanisms involved. They also suggest that deficiencies in such processes could be key pathological events in NPA disease.

Clustering endothelial E-selectin in clathrin-coated pits and lipid rafts enhances leukocyte adhesion under flow

During inflammation, E-selectin expressed on cytokine-activated endothelial cells mediates leukocyte rolling under flow. E-selectin undergoes endocytosis and may associate with lipid rafts. We asked whether distribution of E-selectin in membrane domains affects its functions. E-selectin was internalized in transfected CHO cells or cytokine-activated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Confocal microscopy demonstrated colocalization of E-selectin with alpha-adaptin, a clathrin-associated protein. Deleting the cytoplasmic domain of E-selectin or disrupting clathrin-coated pits with hypertonic medium blocked internalization of E-selectin, reduced colocalization of E-selectin with alpha-adaptin, and inhibited E-selectin-mediated neutrophil rolling under flow. Unlike CHO cells, HUVECs expressed a small percentage of E-selectin in lipid rafts. Even fewer neutrophils rolled on E-selectin in HUVECs treated with hypertonic medium and with methyl-beta-cyclodextrin, which disrupts lipid rafts. These data demonstrate that E-selectin clusters in both clathrin-coated pits and lipid rafts of endothelial cells but is internalized in clathrin-coated pits. Distribution in both domains markedly enhances E-selectin's ability to mediate leukocyte rolling under flow.

Alzheimer's disease: cholesterol, membrane rafts, isoprenoids and statins

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorder and the most prevalent form of dementia worldwide. AD is characterized pathologically by amyloid-β plaques, neurofibrillary tangles and neuronal loss, and clinically by a progressive loss of cognitive abilities. At present, the fundamental molecular mechanisms underlying the disease are unclear and no treatment for AD is known. Epidemiological evidence continues to mount linking vascular diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, and hypercholesterolaemia with an increased risk for developing AD. A growing amount of evidence suggests a mechanistic link between cholesterol metabolism in the brain and the formation of amyloid plaques in AD development. Cholesterol and statins clearly modulate β-amyloid precursor protein (βAPP) processing in cell culture and animal models. Statins not only reduce endogenous cholesterol synthesis but also exert other various pleiotrophic effects, such as the reduction in protein isoprenylation. Through these effects statins modulate a variety of cellular functions involving both cholesterol (and membrane rafts) and isoprenylation. Although clearly other factors, such as vascular inflammation, oxidative stress and genetic factors, are intimately linked with the progression of AD, this review focuses on the present research findings describing the effect of cholesterol, membrane rafts and isoprenylation in regulating βAPP processing and in particular γ-secretase complex assembly and function and AD progression, along with consideration for the potential role statins may play in modulating these events.

Clathrin-mediated endocytosis of a lipid-raft-associated protein is mediated through a dual tyrosine motif

We have previously shown that the integral membrane protein CD317 has both a conventional transmembrane domain near its N-terminus and a C-terminal glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. With the possible exception of a minor topological variant of the prion protein, there remain no other convincing examples of a mammalian protein with such a topology. CD317 is localised to cholesterol-rich lipid microdomains (`lipid rafts') in the plasma membrane and is internalised from the cell surface for delivery to a juxta-nuclear compartment (most probably the TGN). We have now investigated the mechanism by which CD317 is internalised and find that this raft-associated integral membrane protein is internalised through a clathrin-dependent pathway, internalisation is dependent upon a novel dual-tyrosine-based motif in the cytosolic domain of CD317, the cytosolic domain of CD317 can interact with the μ subunits of the AP2 and AP1 adaptor complexes, interaction with AP1 is required for delivery of CD317 back to the TGN, and removal of the GPI anchor from CD317 reduces the efficiency of CD317 internalisation. Collectively, these data indicate that CD317 is internalised and delivered back to the TGN by the sequential action of AP2 and AP1 adaptor complexes and that, surprisingly, the clathrin-mediated internalisation of CD317 occurs more efficiently if CD317 is localised to lipid rafts.

Cellular uptake and intracellular release are major obstacles to the therapeutic application of siRNA: novel options by phosphorothioate-stimulated delivery

The cellular uptake of oligomeric nucleic acid-based tools and drugs including small-interfering RNA (siRNA) represents a major technical hurdle for the biologic effectiveness and therapeutic success in vivo. Subsequent to cellular delivery it is crucial to direct siRNA to the cellular location where it enters the RNA interference pathway. Here the authors summarise evidence that functionally active siRNA represents a minor fraction in the order of 1% of total siRNA inside a given target cell. Exploiting possibilities of steering intracellular release or trafficking of siRNA bears the potential of substantially increasing the biological activity of siRNA. The recently described phosphorothioate stimulated cellular delivery of siRNA makes use of the caveolar system ending in the Golgi apparatus, which contrasts all other known delivery systems. Therefore, it represents an attractive alternative to study whether promoted intracellular release is related to increased target suppression and, thus, increased phenotypic biologic effectiveness.

Cholesterol-induced caveolin targeting to lipid droplets in adipocytes: a role for caveolar endocytosis

We have investigated the targeting of caveolin to lipid bodies in adipocytes that express high levels of caveolins and contain well-developed lipid droplets. We observed that the lipid droplets isolated from adipocytes of caveolin-1 knock out mice contained dramatically reduced levels of cholesterol, indicating that caveolin is required for maintaining the cholesterol content of this organelle. Analysis of caveolin distribution by cell fractionation and fluorescent light microscopy in 3T3-L1 adipocytes indicated that addition of cholesterol rapidly stimulated translocation of caveolin to lipid droplets. The cholesterol-induced trafficking of caveolins to lipid droplets was shown to be dynamin- and protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent and modulated by src tyrosine kinase activation, suggesting a role for caveolar endocytosis in this novel trafficking pathway. Consistent with this, caveolae budding was stimulated by cholesterol addition. The present data identify lipid droplets as potential target organelles for caveolar endocytosis and demonstrate a role for caveolin-1 in the maintenance of free cholesterol levels in adipocyte lipid droplets.

The epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) traffics to apical membrane in lipid rafts in mouse cortical collecting duct cells

We previously showed that ENaC is present in lipid rafts in A6 cells, a Xenopus kidney cell line. We now demonstrate that ENaC can be detected in lipid rafts in mouse cortical collecting duct ((MPK)CCD(14)) cells by detergent insolubility, buoyancy on density gradients using two distinct approaches, and colocalization with caveolin 1. Less than 30% of ENaC subunits were found in raft fractions. The channel subunits also colocalized on sucrose gradients with known vesicle targeting and fusion proteins syntaxin 1A, Vamp 2, and SNAP23. Hormonal stimulation of ENaC activity by either forskolin or aldosterone, short or long term, did not alter the lipid raft distribution of ENaC. Methyl-beta-cyclodextrin added apically to (MPK)CCD(14) cells resulted in a slow decline in amiloride-sensitive sodium transport with short circuit current reductions of 38.1 +/- 9.6% after 60 min. The slow decline in ENaC activity in response to apical cyclodextrin was identical to the rate of decline seen when protein synthesis was inhibited by cycloheximide. Apical biotinylation of (MPK)CCD(14) cells confirmed the loss of ENaC at the cell surface following cyclodextrin treatment. Acute stimulation of the recycling pool of ENaC was unaffected by apical cyclodextrin application. Expression of dominant negative caveolin isoforms (CAV1-eGFP and CAV3-DGV) which disrupt caveolae, reduced basal ENaC currents by 72.3 and 78.2%, respectively; but, as with cyclodextrin, the acute response to forskolin was unaffected. We conclude that ENaC is present in and regulated by lipid rafts. The data are consistent with a model in which rafts mediate the constitutive apical delivery of ENaC.

Methyl-beta-cyclodextrin increases permeability of Caco-2 cell monolayers by displacing specific claudins from cholesterol rich domains associated with tight junctions

In a previous study we demonstrated that depletion of Caco-2 cell cholesterol results in the loss of tight junction (TJ) integrity through the movement of claudins 3 and 4 and occludin, but not claudin 1, out of the TJs [1]. The aims of this study were to determine whether the major tight junction (TJ) proteins in Caco-2 cells are associated with cholesterol rich, membrane raft-like domains and if the loss of TJ integrity produced by the extraction of cholesterol reflects the dissolution of these domains resulting in the loss of TJ organisation. We have demonstrated that in Caco-2 cells claudins 1, 3, 4 and 7, JAM-A and occludin, are associated with cholesterol rich membrane domains that are insoluble in Lubrol WX. Co-immunoprecipitation studies demonstrated that there is no apparent restriction on the combination of claudins present in the rafts and that interaction between the proteins is dependent on cholesterol. JAM-A was not co-immunoprecipitated with the other TJ proteins indicating that it is resident within in a distinct population of rafts and therefore is likely not directly associated with the claudins/occludin present in the TJ complexes. Depletion of Caco-2 cell cholesterol with methyl-beta-cyclodextrin resulted in the displacement of claudins 3, 4 and 7, JAM-A and occludin, but not claudin 1, out of the cholesterol rich domains. Our data indicate that depletion of cholesterol does not result in the loss of the TJ-associated membrane rafts. However, the sterol is required to maintain the association of key proteins with the TJ associated membrane rafts and therefore the TJs. Furthermore, the data suggest that cholesterol may actually directly stabilise the multi-protein complexes that form the TJ strands.

Structural determinants for partitioning of lipids and proteins between coexisting fluid phases in giant plasma membrane vesicles

The structural basis for organizational heterogeneity of lipids and proteins underlies fundamental questions about the plasma membrane of eukaryotic cells. A current hypothesis is the participation of liquid ordered (Lo) membrane domains (lipid rafts) in dynamic compartmentalization of membrane function, but it has been difficult to demonstrate the existence of these domains in live cells. Recently, giant plasma membrane vesicles (GPMVs) obtained by chemically induced blebbing of cultured cells were found to phase separate into optically resolvable, coexisting fluid domains containing Lo-like and liquid disordered (Ld)-like phases as identified by fluorescent probes. In the present study, we used these GPMVs to investigate the structural bases for partitioning of selected lipids and proteins between coexisting Lo-like/Ld-like fluid phases in compositionally complex membranes. Our results with lipid probes show that the structure of the polar headgroups, in addition to acyl chain saturation, can significantly affect partitioning. We find that the membrane anchor of proteins and the aggregation state of proteins both significantly influence their distributions between coexisting fluid phases in these biological membranes. Our results demonstrate the value of GPMVs for characterizing the phase preference of proteins and lipid probes in the absence of detergents and other perturbations of membrane structure.

Lipid raft-mediated uptake of cysteine-modified thioredoxin-1: apoptosis enhancement by inhibiting the endogenous thioredoxin-1

Thioredoxin-1 (TRX) plays important roles in cellular signaling by controlling the redox state of cysteine residues in target proteins. TRX is released in response to oxidative stress and shows various biologic functions from the extracellular environment. However, the mechanism by which extracellular TRX transduces the signal into the cells remains unclear. Here we report that the cysteine modification at the active site of TRX promotes the internalization of TRX into the cells. TRX-C35S, in which the cysteine at residue 35 of the active site was replaced with serine, was internalized more effectively than wild-type TRX in human T-cell leukemia virus-transformed T cells. TRX-C35S bound rapidly to the cell surface and was internalized into the cells dependent on lipid rafts in the plasma membrane. This process was inhibited by wild-type TRX, reducing reagents such as dithiothreitol, and methyl-beta-cyclodextrin, which disrupts lipid rafts. Moreover, the internalized TRX-C35S binds to endogenous TRX, resulting in the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and enhanced cis-diamine-dichloroplatinum (II) (CDDP)-induced apoptosis via a ROS-mediated pathway involving apoptosis signal-regulating kinase-1 (ASK-1) activation. These findings suggest that the cysteine at the active site of TRX plays a key role in the internalization and signal transduction of extracellular TRX into the cells.

RAB-10 regulates glutamate receptor recycling in a cholesterol-dependent endocytosis pathway

Regulated endocytosis of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid-type glutamate receptors (AMPARs) is critical for synaptic plasticity. However, the specific combination of clathrin-dependent and -independent mechanisms that mediate AMPAR trafficking in vivo have not been fully characterized. Here, we examine the trafficking of the AMPAR subunit GLR-1 in Caenorhabditis elegans. GLR-1 is localized on synaptic membranes, where it regulates reversals of locomotion in a simple behavioral circuit. Animals lacking RAB-10, a small GTPase required for endocytic recycling of intestinal cargo, are similar in phenotype to animals lacking LIN-10, a postsynaptic density 95/disc-large/zona occludens-domain containing protein: GLR-1 accumulates in large accretions and animals display a decreased frequency of reversals. Mutations in unc-11 (AP180) or itsn-1 (Intersectin 1), which reduce clathrin-dependent endocytosis, suppress the lin-10 but not rab-10 mutant phenotype, suggesting that LIN-10 functions after clathrin-mediated endocytosis. By contrast, cholesterol depletion, which impairs lipid raft formation and clathrin-independent endocytosis, suppresses the rab-10 but not the lin-10 phenotype, suggesting that RAB-10 functions after clathrin-independent endocytosis. Animals lacking both genes display additive GLR-1 trafficking defects. We propose that RAB-10 and LIN-10 recycle AMPARs from intracellular endosomal compartments to synapses along distinct pathways, each with distinct sensitivities to cholesterol and the clathrin-mediated endocytosis machinery.

Caveolin-1 regulates the delivery and endocytosis of the glutamate transporter, excitatory amino acid carrier 1

The sodium-dependent glutamate transporter, excitatory amino acid carrier 1 (EAAC1), has been implicated in the regulation of excitatory signaling and prevention of cell death in the nervous system. There is evidence that EAAC1 constitutively cycles on and off the plasma membrane and that under steady state conditions up to 80% of the transporter is intracellular. As is observed with other neurotransmitter transporters, the activity of EAAC1 is regulated by a variety of molecules, and some of these effects are associated with redistribution of EAAC1 on and off the plasma membrane. In the present study we tested the hypothesis that a structural component of lipid rafts, caveolin-1 (Cav-1), may participate in EAAC1 trafficking. Using C6 glioma cells as a model system, co-expression of Cav-1 S80E (a dominant-negative variant) or small interfering RNA-mediated knock-down of caveolin-1 reduced cell surface expression of myc epitope-tagged EAAC1 or endogenous EAAC1, respectively. Cav-1 S80E slowed the constitutive delivery and endocytosis of myc-EAAC1. In primary cultures derived from caveolin-1 knock-out mice, a similar reduction in delivery and internalization of endogenous EAAC1 was observed. We also found that caveolin-1, caveolin-2, or Cav-1 S80E formed immunoprecipitable complexes with EAAC1 in C6 glioma and/or transfected HEK cells. Together, these data provide strong evidence that caveolin-1 contributes to the trafficking of EAAC1 on and off the plasma membrane and that these effects are associated with formation of EAAC1-caveolin complexes.

Intracellular trafficking of raft/caveolae domains: insights from integrin signaling

Cells have a complex system for delivering and compartmentalizing proteins and lipids in order to achieve spatio-temporal coordination of signaling. Rafts/caveolae are plasma membrane microdomains that regulate signaling pathways and processes such as cell migration, polarization and proliferation. Regulation of raft/caveolae trafficking involves multiple steps regulated by different proteins to ensure coordination of signaling cascades. The best studied raft-mediated endocytic route is controlled by caveolins. Recent data suggest integrin-mediated cell adhesion is a key regulator of caveolar endocytosis. In this review we examine the regulation of caveolar trafficking and the interplay between integrins, cell adhesion and caveolae internalization.

Regulation of tumor phenotypes by caveolin-1 and sphingolipid-controlled membrane signaling complexes

Aberrant (glyco)sphingolipid expression deeply affects several properties of tumor cells that are involved in tumor progression and metastasis formation: cell adhesion (to the extracellular matrix or to the endothelium of blood vessels), motility, recognition and invasion of host tissues. In particular, (glyco)sphingolipids might contribute to the modulation of integrin-dependent interactions of tumor cells (determining their adhesion, motility and invasiveness) with the extracellular matrix as well as with host cells present in the stromal compartment of the tumor. A model based on solid experimental evidence has been proposed: (glyco)sphingolipids at the cell surface interact with plasma membrane receptors (e.g., integrin receptors and growth factor receptors) and adapter molecules (including tetraspanins) forming signaling complexes that are able to influence the activity of signal transduction molecules oriented at the cytosolic surface of the plasma membrane (mainly the Src kinases pathway members). The function of these signaling complexes appears to be strictly dependent on their (glyco)sphingolipid composition, and likely on specific sphingolipid-protein interactions. From this point of view, particularly intriguing is the connection between (glyco)sphingolipids and caveolin-1, a membrane protein that plays multiple roles as a suppressor of tumor growth and metastasis in ovarian, breast and colon human carcinomas.

DNA Internalized via Caveolae Requires Microtubule-dependent, Rab7-independent Transport to the Late Endocytic Pathway for Delivery to the Nucleus

Using cationic liposomes to mediate gene delivery by transfection has the advantages of improved safety and simplicity of use over viral gene therapy. Understanding the mechanism by which cationic liposome:DNA complexes are internalized and delivered to the nucleus should help identify which transport steps might be manipulated in order to improve transfection efficiencies. We therefore examined the endocytosis and trafficking of two cationic liposomes, DMRIE-C and Lipofectamine LTX, in CHO cells. We found that DMRIE-C-transfected DNA is internalized via caveolae, while LTX-transfected DNA is internalized by clathrin-mediated endocytosis, with both pathways converging at the late endosome or lysosome. Inhibition of microtubule-dependent transport with nocodazole revealed that DMRIE-C:DNA complexes cannot enter the cytosol directly from caveosomes. Lysosomal degradation of transfected DNA has been proposed to be a major reason for poor transfection efficiency. However, in our system dominant negatives of both Rab7 and its effector RILP inhibited late endosome to lysosome transport of DNA complexes and LDL, but did not affect DNA delivery to the nucleus. This suggests that DNA is able to escape from late endosomes without traversing lysosomes and that caveosome to late endosome transport does not require Rab7 function. Lysosomal inhibition with chloroquine likewise had no effect on transfection product titers. These data suggest that DMRIE-C and LTX transfection complexes are endocytosed by separate pathways that converge at the late endosome or lysosome, but that blocking lysosomal traffic does not improve transfection product yields, identifying late endosome/lysosome to nuclear delivery as a step for future study.

Lipid rafts, fluid/fluid phase separation, and their relevance to plasma membrane structure and function

Novel biophysical approaches combined with modeling and new biochemical data have helped to recharge the lipid raft field and have contributed to the generation of a refined model of plasma membrane organization. In this review, we summarize new information in the context of previous literature to provide new insights into the spatial organization and dynamics of lipids and proteins in the plasma membrane of live cells. Recent findings of large-scale separation of liquid-ordered and liquid-disordered phases in plasma membrane vesicles demonstrate this capacity within the complex milieu of plasma membrane proteins and lipids. Roles for membrane heterogeneity and reorganization in immune cell activation are discussed in light of this new information.

Cellular internalization of green fluorescent protein fused with herpes simplex virus protein VP22 via a lipid raft-mediated endocytic pathway independent of caveolae and Rho family GTPases but dependent on dynamin and Arf6

VP22 is a structural protein of the herpes simplex virus and has been reported to possess unusual trafficking properties. Here we examined the mechanism of cellular uptake of VP22 using a fusion protein between the C-terminal half of VP22 and green fluorescent protein (GFP). Adsorption of VP22-GFP onto a cell surface required heparan sulfate proteoglycans and basic amino acids, in particular, Arg-164 of VP22. Inhibitor treatment, RNA interference, expression of dominant-negative mutant genes, and confocal microscopy all indicated that VP22-GFP enters cells through an endocytic pathway independent of clathrin and caveolae but dependent on dynamin and Arf6 activity. As with CD59 (a lipid raft marker), cell-surface VP22-GFP signals were resistant to Triton X-100 treatment but only partially overlapped cell-surface CD59 signals. Furthermore, unlike other lipid raft-mediated endocytic pathways, no Rho family GTPase was required for VP22-GFP internalization. Internalized VP22 initially entered early endosomes and then moved to lysosomes and possibly recycling endosomes.

Molecular determinants of endothelial transcytosis and their role in endothelial permeability

Caveolae transcytosis with its diverse mechanisms-fluid phase, adsorptive, and receptor-mediated-plays an important role in the continuous exchange of molecules across the endothelium. We will discuss key features of endothelial transcytosis and caveolae that have been studied recently and have increased our understanding of caveolae function in transcytosis at the molecular level. During transcytosis, caveolae "pinch off" from the plasma membrane to form discrete vesicular carriers that shuttle to the opposite front of endothelial cells, fuse with the plasma membrane, and discharge their cargo into the perivascular space. Endothelial transcytosis exhibits distinct properties, the most important being rapid and efficient coupling of endocytosis to exocytosis on opposite plasma membrane. We address herein the membrane fusion-fission reactions that underlie transcytosis. Caveolae move across the endothelial cells with their cargo predominantly in the fluid phase through an active process that bypasses the lysosomes. Endothelial transcytosis is a constitutive process of vesicular transport. Recent studies show that transcytosis can be upregulated in response to pathological stimuli. Transcytosis via caveolae is an important route for the regulation of endothelial barrier function and may participate in different vascular diseases.

Muscular dystrophy associated mutations in caveolin-1 induce neurotransmission and locomotion defects in Caenorhabditis elegans

Mutations in human caveolin-3 are known to underlie a range of myopathies. The cav-1 gene of Caenorhabditis elegans is a homologue of human caveolin-3 and is expressed in both neurons and body wall muscles. Within the body wall muscle CAV-1 localises adjacent to neurons, most likely at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Using fluorescently tagged CAV-1 and pre- and post-synaptic markers we demonstrate that CAV-1 co-localises with UNC-63, a post-synaptic marker, but not with several pre-synaptic markers. To establish a model for human muscular dystrophies caused by dominant-negative mutations in caveolin-3 we created transgenic animals carrying versions of cav-1 with homologous mutations. These animals had increased sensitivity to levamisole, suggesting a role for cav-1 at the NMJ. Animals carrying a deletion in cav-1 show a similar sensitivity. Sensitivity to levamisole and locomotion were also perturbed in animals carrying a dominant-negative cav-1 and a mutation in dynamin, which is a protein known to interact with caveolins. Thus, indicating an interaction between CAV-1 and dynamin at the NMJ and/or in neurons.

Lipid rafts are triage centers for multimeric and monomeric thyrotropin receptor regulation

The TSH receptor (TSHR), a heptahelical G protein-coupled receptor on the surface of thyrocytes, is a major autoantigen and physiological regulator of the thyroid gland. Unlike other G protein-coupled receptors, the TSHR undergoes posttranslational cleavage of its ectodomain, leading to the existence of several forms of the receptor on the plasma membrane. We previously hypothesized that to achieve high fidelity and specificity of TSH ligand or TSHR autoantibody signaling, the TSHR may compartmentalize into microdomains within the plasma membrane. In support of this hypothesis we have shown previously that TSHRs reside in GM1 ganglioside-enriched lipid rafts in the plasma membrane of TSHR-expressing cells. In this study, we further explored the different forms of TSHRs that reside in lipid rafts. We studied both TSHR-transfected cells and rat thyrocytes, using both nondetergent biochemical analyses and receptor-lipid raft colocalization. Using the biochemical approach, we observed that monomeric receptors existed in both raft and nonraft fractions of the cell surface in the steady state. We also demonstrated that the multimeric forms of the receptor were preferentially partitioned into the lipid microdomains. Different TSHR forms, including multimers, were dynamically regulated both by receptor-specific and postreceptor-specific modulators. TSH ligand and TSHR antibody of the stimulating variety induced a decrease of multimeric forms in the raft fractions. In addition, multimeric and monomeric forms of the receptor were both associated with Gsalpha within and without the rafts. Although failure to achieve total lipid raft disruption prevented a conclusion regarding the relative power of TSHR signaling within and without the raft domains, these data showed clearly that not only were a significant proportion of TSHRs residing within lipid microdomains but that constitutive multimerization of TSHRs was actually regulated within the lipid rafts.

Visualization of membrane rafts using a perylene monoimide derivative and fluorescence lifetime imaging

A new membrane probe, based on the perylene imide chromophore, with excellent photophysical properties (high absorption coefficient, quantum yield (QY) approximately 1, high photostability) and excited in the visible domain is proposed for the study of membrane rafts. Visualization of separation between the liquid-ordered (Lo) and the liquid-disordered (Ld) phases can be achieved in artificial membranes by fluorescence lifetime imaging due to the different decay times of the membrane probe in the two phases. Rafts on micrometer-scale in cell membranes due to cellular activation can also be observed by this method. The decay time of the dye in the Lo phase is higher than in organic solvents where its QY is 1. This allows proposing a (possible general) mechanism for the decay time increase in the Lo phase, based on the local field effects of the surrounding molecules. For other fluorophores with QY<1, the suggested mechanism could also contribute, in addition to effects reducing the nonradiative decay pathways, to an increase of the fluorescence decay time in the Lo phase.

Biological Soft Materials

With one or two exceptions, biological materials are "soft", meaning that they combine viscous and elastic elements. This mechanical behavior results from self-assembled supramolecular structures that are stabilized by noncovalent interactions. It is an ongoing and profound challenge to understand the self-organization of biological materials. In many cases, concepts can be imported from soft-matter physics and chemistry, which have traditionally focused on materials such as colloids, polymers, surfactants, and liquid crystals. Using these ideas, it is possible to gain a new perspective on phenomena as diverse as DNA condensation, protein and peptide fibrillization, lipid partitioning in rafts, vesicle fusion and budding, and others, as discussed in this selective review of recent highlights from the literature.

Caveolar endocytosis is critical for BK virus infection of human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells

In recent years, BK virus (BKV) nephritis after renal transplantation has become a severe problem. The exact mechanisms of BKV cell entry and subsequent intracellular trafficking remain unknown. Since human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (HRPTEC) represent a main natural target of BKV nephritis, analysis of BKV infection of HRPTEC is necessary to obtain additional insights into BKV biology and to develop novel strategies for the treatment of BKV nephritis. We coincubated HRPTEC with BKV and the cholesterol-depleting agents methyl beta cyclodextrin (MBCD) and nystatin (Nys), drugs inhibiting caveolar endocytosis. The percentage of infected cells (detected by immunofluorescence) and the cellular levels of BKV large T antigen expression (detected by Western blot analysis) were significantly decreased in both MBCD- and Nys-treated HPRTEC compared to the level in HRPTEC incubated with BKV alone. HRPTEC infection by BKV was also tested after small interfering RNA (siRNA)-dependent depletion of either the caveolar structural protein caveolin-1 (Cav-1) or clathrin, the major structural protein of clathrin-coated pits. BKV infection was inhibited in HRPTEC transfected with Cav-1 siRNA but not in HRPTEC transfected with clathrin siRNA. The colocalization of labeled BKV particles with either Cav-1 or clathrin was investigated by using fluorescent microscopy and image cross-correlation spectroscopy. The rate of colocalization of BKV with Cav-1 peaked at 4 h after incubation. Colocalization with clathrin was insignificant at all time points. These results suggest that BKV entered into HRPTEC via caveolae, not clathrin-coated pits, and that BKV is maximally associated with caveolae at 4 h after infection, prior to relocation to a different intracellular compartment.

Compartmentalization of signaling-competent epidermal growth factor receptors in endosomes

In this study, the preparation of detergent-resistant membranes (DRMs) and the immunoisolation of intracellular vesicles enriched in raft markers were used to investigate the effect of physiological doses of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in vivo on the compartmentalization and activation of EGF receptor (EGFR) in rat liver endosomes. Both of these techniques show that after EGF administration, a distinctive population of intracellular EGFR, which was characterized by a high level of tyrosine phosphorylation, accumulated in endosomes. EGFR recruited to early endosomes were more tyrosine phosphorylated than those from late endosomes. However, the level of tyrosine phosphorylation of EGFR in DRMs isolated from early and late endosomes was comparable, suggesting that EGFR in endosomal DRMs are more resistant to tyrosine dephosphorylation. In accordance with the higher level of Tyr phosphorylation, EGF induced an augmented recruitment of Grb2 and Shc to endosomal DRMs compared with whole endosomes. Furthermore, a proteomic analysis identified a selective increase of many alpha-subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins in endosomal DRMs in response to EGF. These observations suggest that a distinctive pool of endocytic EGFR, potentially competent for signaling, is actively trafficking through intracellular compartments with the characteristic of lipid rafts.

Fluorescence probe partitioning between Lo/Ld phases in lipid membranes

Fluorescence microscopy imaging is an important technique for studying lipid membranes and is increasingly being used for examining lipid bilayer membranes, especially those showing macroscopic coexisting domains. Lipid phase coexistence is a phenomenon of potential biological significance. The identification of lipid membrane heterogeneity by fluorescence microscopy relies on membrane markers with well-defined partitioning behavior. While the partitioning of fluorophores between gel and liquid-disordered phases has been extensively characterized, the same is not true for coexisting liquid phases. We have used fluorescence microscopy imaging to examine a large variety of lipid membrane markers for their liquid phase partitioning in membranes with various lipid compositions. Most fluorescent lipid analogs are found to partition strongly into the liquid-disordered (L(d)) phase. In contrast, some fluorescent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with a flat ring system were found to partition equally, but others partition preferentially into liquid-ordered (L(o)) phases. We have found these fluorescent markers effective for identification of coexisting macroscopic membrane phases in ternary lipid systems composed of phospholipids and cholesterol.

Characterization of lipid rafts from Medicago truncatula root plasma membranes: a proteomic study reveals the presence of a raft-associated redox system

Several studies have provided new insights into the role of sphingolipid/sterol-rich domains so-called lipid rafts of the plasma membrane (PM) from mammalian cells, and more recently from leaves, cell cultures, and seedlings of higher plants. Here we show that lipid raft domains, defined as Triton X-100-insoluble membranes, can also be prepared from Medicago truncatula root PMs. These domains have been extensively characterized by ultrastructural studies as well as by analysis of their content in lipids and proteins. M. truncatula lipid domains are shown to be enriched in sphingolipids and Delta(7)-sterols, with spinasterol as the major compound, but also in steryl glycosides and acyl-steryl glycosides. A large number of proteins (i.e. 270) have been identified. Among them, receptor kinases and proteins related to signaling, cellular trafficking, and cell wall functioning were well represented whereas those involved in transport and metabolism were poorly represented. Evidence is also given for the presence of a complete PM redox system in the lipid rafts.

Diversity of raft-like domains in late endosomes

BACKGROUND

Late endosomes, the last sorting station in the endocytic pathway before lysosomes, are pleiomorphic organelles composed of tubular elements as well as vesicular regions with a characteristic multivesicular appearance, which play a crucial role in intracellular trafficking. Here, we have investigated whether, in addition to these morphologically distinguishable regions, late endosomal membranes are additionally sub-compartmentalized into membrane microdomains.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Using sub-organellar fractionation techniques, both with and without detergents, combined with electron microscopy, we found that both the limiting membrane of the organel and the intraluminal vesicles contain raft-type membrane domains. Interestingly, these differentially localized domains vary in protein composition and physico-chemical properties.

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE

In addition to the multivesicular organization, we find that late endosomes contain cholesterol rich microdomains both on their limiting membrane and their intraluminal vesicles that differ in composition and properties. Implications of these findings for late endosomal functions are discussed.

Lipophilic oligonucleotides spontaneously insert into lipid membranes, bind complementary DNA strands, and sequester into lipid-disordered domains

For the development of surface functionalized bilayers, we have synthesized lipophilic oligonucleotides to combine the molecular recognition mechanism of nucleic acids and the self-assembly characteristics of lipids in planar membranes. A lipophilic oligonucleotide consisting of 21 thymidine units and two lipophilic nucleotides with an alpha-tocopherol moiety as a lipophilic anchor was synthesized using solid-phase methods with a phosphoramadite strategy. The interaction of the water soluble lipophilic oligonucleotide with vesicular lipid membranes and its capability to bind complementary DNA strands was studied using complementary methods such as NMR, EPR, DSC, fluorescence spectroscopy, and fluorescence microscopy. This oligonucleotide inserted stably into preformed membranes from the aqueous phase. Thereby, no significant perturbation of the lipid bilayer and its stability was observed. However, the non-lipidated end of the oligonucleotide is exposed to the aqueous environment, is relatively mobile, and is free to interact with complementary DNA strands. Binding of the complementary single-stranded DNA molecules is fast and accomplished by the formation of Watson-Crick base pairs, which was confirmed by 1H NMR chemical shift analysis and fluorescence resonance energy transfer. The molecular structure of the membrane bound DNA double helix is very similar to the free double-stranded DNA. Further, the membrane bound DNA double strands also undergo regular melting. Finally, in raft-like membrane mixtures, the lipophilic oligonucleotide was shown to preferentially sequester into liquid-disordered membrane domains.

Interfering with interferon receptor sorting and trafficking: impact on signaling

Interferons (IFNs) and their receptors (IFN-Rs) play fundamental roles in a multitude of biological functions. Many articles and reviews emphasize that the JAK/STAT machinery is obligatory for relay of the information transmitted by IFNs after binding to their cognate receptors at the plasma membrane. In contrast, very few studies have addressed the endocytosis and the intracellular trafficking of IFN-Rs, the immediate step following IFN binding. However, recent findings have shed light on the importance of IFN-R sorting and trafficking in the control of IFN signaling. Thus, IFN-Rs can be included in the growing family of signaling receptors for which regulation of biological activity critically involves endocytosis and trafficking.

Transferrin receptor 2 is emerging as a major player in the control of iron metabolism

Our knowledge of mammalian iron metabolism has advanced dramatically over recent years. Iron is an essential element for virtually all living organisms. Its intestinal absorption and accurate cellular regulation is strictly required to ensure the coordinated synthesis of the numerous iron-containing proteins involved in key metabolic processes, while avoiding the uptake of excess iron that can lead to organ damage. A range of different proteins exist to ensure this fine control within the various tissues of the body. Among these proteins, transferrin receptor (TFR2) seems to play a key role in the regulation of iron homeostasis. Disabling mutations in TFR2 are responsible for type 3 hereditary hemochromatosis (Type 3 HH). This review describes the biological properties of this membrane receptor, with a particular emphasis paid to the structure, function and cellular localization. Although much information has been garnered on TFR2, further efforts are needed to elucidate its function in the context of the iron regulatory network.

Mechanisms regulating expression of the HPV 31 L1 and L2 capsid proteins and pseudovirion entry

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) infect stratified epithelia and restrict expression of late capsid genes to highly differentiated cells. In order to begin to understand the processes regulating HPV 31 infection we examined the synthesis of the HPV 31 capsid proteins, L1 and L2, using heterologous expression systems. Similar to studies in HPV 16, expression of wild type HPV 31 L1 and L2 from heterologous promoters resulted in very low levels of synthesis. In contrast, modification of the codons in the capsid genes to ones more commonly used in cellular genes resulted in high-level synthesis. Through the use of chimeric proteins that fused fragments of wild type L1 to Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) coding sequences, a short region was identified that was sufficient to inhibit high level synthesis and similar elements were detected in L2. One element was localized to the 3' end of the L1 gene while a series of elements were localized at the 3' end of the L2 coding sequences. These observations are most consistent with negative RNA regulatory elements controlling the levels of L1 and L2 synthesis that are distinct from those identified in HPV 16. Expression vectors for the codon modified HPV 31 capsid proteins were then transfected together with GFP reporter plasmids to generate HPV 31 pseudoviruses. Infection of cells with HPV 31 pseudoviruses in the presence of the inhibitors, chlorpromazine, nystatin or methyl-beta-cyclodextrin, demonstrated that HPV 31, like HPV 16, enters human and monkey cells through a clathrin-mediated pathway rather than through caveolae as previously reported. This suggests that high-risk HPV types may enter cells through common mechanisms.

Thy-1 expression by cardiac fibroblasts: lack of association with myofibroblast contractile markers

The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of Thy-1 in the myocardium and on cardiac fibroblasts and to determine whether or not cardiac fibroblasts form a heterogeneous population in term of Thy-1 expression. Thy-1 expression was examined by immunohistology of ventricular sections from normal and deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rats. Thy-1 immunostaining was detected in connective tissue on alpha8 integrin-positive and discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR2)-positive fibroblasts. Enhanced Thy-1 staining was observed in the hearts of DOCA-salt rats particularly in areas of interstitial fibrosis. Cardiac mRNA analysis confirmed the increased Thy-1 expression. On cultured cardiac fibroblasts, flow cytofluorometry showed that cells, from primary culture to passage 4, were double positive for Thy-1 and for both alpha8 integrin and DDR2. Analysis of isolated lipid rafts by detergent-free sucrose gradient indicated that Thy-1 protein was probably located in these structures, but it may be located on a membrane microdomain slightly different from those of caveolin-1, as revealed by immunocytochemistry. Differentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts being a characteristic of cardiac fibrosis and scarring, cardiac fibroblasts were stimulated in the presence of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) or connective tissue growth factor. While the expression of smooth muscle alpha-actin and alpha8 integrin doubled, Thy-1 level, measured by Western blotting and flow cytofluorometry, was not influenced by TGF-beta. These results demonstrate that cardiac fibroblasts express Thy-1 and form a homogeneous population. Thy-1 expression also appears to be independent of fibroblast differentiation. The dichotomy between the increased Tthy-1 expression in the fibrotic area and the lack of association with fibroblast differentiation suggests that Thy-1 may represent a marker of fibroblast proliferation in the myocardium.

Loss of caveolin-3 induced by the dystrophy-associated P104L mutation impairs L-type calcium channel function in mouse skeletal muscle cells

Caveolins are membrane scaffolding proteins that associate with and regulate a variety of signalling proteins, including ion channels. A deficiency in caveolin-3 (Cav-3), the major striated muscle isoform, is responsible for skeletal muscle disorders, such as limb-girdle muscular dystrophy 1C (LGMD 1C). The molecular mechanisms leading to the muscle wasting that characterizes this pathology are poorly understood. Here we show that a loss of Cav-3 induced by the expression of the LGMD 1C-associated mutant P104L (Cav-3(P104L)) provokes a reduction by half of the maximal conductance of the voltage-dependent L-type Ca(2+) channel in mouse primary cultured myotubes and fetal skeletal muscle fibres. Confocal immunomiscrocopy indicated a colocalization of Cav-3 and Ca(v)1.1, the pore-forming subunit of the L-type Ca(2+) channel, at the surface membrane and in the developing T-tubule network in control myotubes and fetal fibres. In myotubes expressing Cav-3(P104L), the loss of Cav-3 was accompanied by a 66% reduction in Ca(v)1.1 mean labelling intensity. Our results suggest that Cav-3 is involved in L-type Ca(2+) channel membrane function and localization in skeletal muscle cells and that an alteration of L-type Ca(2+) channels could be involved in the physiopathological mechanisms of caveolinopathies.

Large-scale fluid/fluid phase separation of proteins and lipids in giant plasma membrane vesicles

The membrane raft hypothesis postulates the existence of lipid bilayer membrane heterogeneities, or domains, supposed to be important for cellular function, including lateral sorting, signaling, and trafficking. Characterization of membrane lipid heterogeneities in live cells has been challenging in part because inhomogeneity has not usually been definable by optical microscopy. Model membrane systems, including giant unilamellar vesicles, allow optical fluorescence discrimination of coexisting lipid phase types, but thus far have focused on coexisting optically resolvable fluid phases in simple lipid mixtures. Here we demonstrate that giant plasma membrane vesicles (GPMVs) or blebs formed from the plasma membranes of cultured mammalian cells can also segregate into micrometer-scale fluid phase domains. Phase segregation temperatures are widely spread, with the vast majority of GPMVs found to form optically resolvable domains only at temperatures below approximately 25 degrees C. At 37 degrees C, these GPMV membranes are almost exclusively optically homogenous. At room temperature, we find diagnostic lipid phase fluorophore partitioning preferences in GPMVs analogous to the partitioning behavior now established in model membrane systems with liquid-ordered and liquid-disordered fluid phase coexistence. We image these GPMVs for direct visual characterization of protein partitioning between coexisting liquid-ordered-like and liquid-disordered-like membrane phases in the absence of detergent perturbation. For example, we find that the transmembrane IgE receptor FcepsilonRI preferentially segregates into liquid-disordered-like phases, and we report the partitioning of additional well known membrane associated proteins. Thus, GPMVs now provide an effective approach to characterize biological membrane heterogeneities.

Expression of GM1, a marker of lipid rafts, defines two subsets of human monocytes with differential endocytic capacity and lipopolysaccharide responsiveness

Monocytes constitute 5-10% of total human peripheral blood leucocytes and remain in circulation for several days before replenishing the tissue macrophage populations. Monocytes display heterogeneity in size, granularity and nuclear morphology, and in the expression of cell membrane molecules, such as CD14, CD16, CD32, CD64, major histocompatibility complex class II, CCR2, CCR5, among others. This has led to the suggestion that individual monocyte/macrophage populations have specialized functions within their microenvironments. This study provides evidence for the occurrence of two peripheral blood monocyte subpopulations on the basis of their differential expression of GM1, a sphingolipid found mostly in lipid rafts, a CD14(+) GM1(low) population and a CD14(+) GM1(high) population comprising about 97.5% and 2.5% of total CD14(+) cells, respectively. GM1 expression correlates with functional differences in terms of endocytic activity, susceptibility to mycobacterial infection, and response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (modulation of Toll-like receptor-4 expression). CD14(+) GM1(low) cells proved to be less endocytic and more responsive to LPS, whereas CD14(+) GM1(high) cells are more endocytic and less responsive to LPS. In addition, during monocyte to macrophage differentiation in vitro, the percentage of CD14(+) GM1(high) cells increases from about 2.5% at day 1 to more than 50% at day 7 of culture. These results suggest that GM1(low) and GM1(high) monocytes in peripheral blood, represent either different stages of maturation or different subsets with specialized activities. The expression of CD16 on GM1(high) favours the first possibility and, on the other hand that up-regulation of GM1 expression and probably lipid rafts function is involved in the monocyte to macrophage differentiation process.

Chirality-induced budding: a raft-mediated mechanism for endocytosis and morphology of caveolae?

The formation of transport carriers (spherical vesicles and tubules) involves membrane budding, growth, and ultimately fission. We propose a mechanism of membrane budding, wherein the tilt and chirality of constituent molecules, confined to a patch of area A, induces buds of approximately 50-100 nm that are comparable to vesicles involved in endocytosis. Because such chiral and tilted lipid molecules are likely to exist in "rafts", we suggest the involvement of this mechanism in generating membrane buds in the clathrin and dynamin-independent, raft-component mediated endocytosis of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins. We argue that caveolae, permanent cell surface structures with characteristic morphology and enriched in raft constituents, are also likely to be formed by this mechanism. Thus, molecular chirality and tilt, and its expression over large spatial scales may be a common organizing principle in membrane budding of transport carriers.

JAK kinases control IL-5 receptor ubiquitination, degradation, and internalization

IL-5, IL-3, and GM-CSF are related hematopoietic cytokines, which regulate the function of myeloid cells and are mediators of the allergic inflammatory response. These cytokines signal through heteromeric receptors containing a specific alpha chain and a shared signaling chain, betac. Previous studies demonstrated that the ubiquitin (Ub) proteasome degradation pathway was involved in signal termination of the betac-sharing receptors. In this study, the upstream molecular events leading to proteasome degradation of the IL-5 receptor (IL-5R) were examined. By using biochemical and flow cytometric methods, we show that JAK kinase activity is required for betac ubiquitination and proteasome degradation but only partially required for IL-5R internalization. Furthermore, we demonstrate the direct ubiquitination of the betac cytoplasmic domain and identify lysine residues 566 and 603 as sites of betac ubiquitination. Lastly, we show that ubiquitination of the betac cytoplasmic domain begins at the plasma membrane, increases after receptor internalization, and is degraded by the proteasome after IL-5R internalization. We propose an updated working model of IL-5R down-regulation, whereby IL-5 ligation of its receptor activates JAK2/1 kinases, resulting in betac tyrosine phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and IL-5R internalization. Once inside the cell, proteasomes degrade the betac cytoplasmic domain, and the truncated receptor complex is terminally degraded in the lysosomes. These data establish a critical role for JAK kinases and the Ub/proteasome degradation pathway in IL-5R down-regulation.