Appl1 is dispensable for Akt signaling in vivo and mouse T-cell development

APPL1 Is a Prognostic Biomarker and Correlated with Treg Cell Infiltration via Oxygen-Consuming Metabolism in Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma

Kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) is one of the most hazardous tumors in the urinary system. The regulation of oxygen consumption in renal clear cell carcinoma is a consequence of adaptive reprogramming of oxidative metabolism in tumor cells. APPL1 is a signaling adaptor involved in cell survival, oxidative stress, inflammation, and energy metabolism. However, the correlation of APPL1 with regulatory T cell (Treg) infiltration and prognostic value in KIRC remain unclear. In this study, we comprehensively predicted the potential function and prognostic value of APPL1 in KIRC. For KIRC patients, relatively low expression of APPL1 was associated with high degree of metastasis, pathological stage, and shorter overall time or poor prognosis. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses suggested that low expression of APPL1 may be adapted to the malignant progression of tumors via affecting oxygen-consuming metabolism. In addition, the expression level of APPL1 was negatively correlated with Treg cell infiltration and chemotherapy sensitivity, which indicated that APPL1 may regulate the tumor immune infiltration and chemotherapy resistance by decrease oxygen-consuming metabolic process in KIRC. Therefore, APPL1 may become one of the important prognostic factors, and it may serve as a candidate prognostic biomarker in KIRC.

Endosomal trafficking in metabolic homeostasis and diseases

The global prevalences of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus have reached epidemic status, presenting a heavy burden on society. It is therefore essential to find novel mechanisms and targets that could be utilized in potential treatment strategies and, as such, intracellular membrane trafficking has re-emerged as a regulatory tool for controlling metabolic homeostasis. Membrane trafficking is an essential physiological process that is responsible for the sorting and distribution of signalling receptors, membrane transporters and hormones or other ligands between different intracellular compartments and the plasma membrane. Dysregulation of intracellular transport is associated with many human diseases, including cancer, neurodegeneration, immune deficiencies and metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus and its associated complications. This Review focuses on the latest advances on the role of endosomal membrane trafficking in metabolic physiology and pathology in vivo, highlighting the importance of this research field in targeting metabolic diseases.

Endosomes as Signaling Platforms for IL-6 Family Cytokine Receptors

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is the name-giving cytokine of a family of eleven members, including IL-6, CNTF, LIF, and IL-27. IL-6 was first recognized as a B-cell stimulating factor but we now know that the cytokine plays a pivotal role in the orchestration of inflammatory processes as well as in inflammation associated cancer. Moreover, IL-6 is involved in metabolic regulation and it has been shown to be involved in major neural activities such as neuroprotection, which can help to repair and to reduce brain damage. Receptor complexes of all members formed at the plasma membrane contain one or two molecules of the signaling receptor subunit GP130 and the mechanisms of signal transduction are well understood. IL-6 type cytokines can also signal from endomembranes, in particular the endosome, and situations have been reported in which endocytosis of receptor complexes are a prerequisite of intracellular signaling. Moreover, pathogenic GP130 variants were shown to interfere with spatial activation of downstream signals. We here summarize the molecular mechanisms underlying spatial regulation of IL-6 family cytokine signaling and discuss its relevance for pathogenic processes.

Imbalanced insulin action in chronic over nutrition: Clinical harm, molecular mechanisms, and a way forward

The growing worldwide prevalence of overnutrition and underexertion threatens the gains that we have made against atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and other maladies. Chronic overnutrition causes the atherometabolic syndrome, which is a cluster of seemingly unrelated health problems characterized by increased abdominal girth and body-mass index, high fasting and postprandial concentrations of cholesterol- and triglyceride-rich apoB-lipoproteins (C-TRLs), low plasma HDL levels, impaired regulation of plasma glucose concentrations, hypertension, and a significant risk of developing overt type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In addition, individuals with this syndrome exhibit fatty liver, hypercoagulability, sympathetic overactivity, a gradually rising set-point for body adiposity, a substantially increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and--crucially--hyperinsulinemia. Many lines of evidence indicate that each component of the atherometabolic syndrome arises, or is worsened by, pathway-selective insulin resistance and responsiveness (SEIRR). Individuals with SEIRR require compensatory hyperinsulinemia to control plasma glucose levels. The result is overdrive of those pathways that remain insulin-responsive, particularly ERK activation and hepatic de-novo lipogenesis (DNL), while carbohydrate regulation deteriorates. The effects are easily summarized: if hyperinsulinemia does something bad in a tissue or organ, that effect remains responsive in the atherometabolic syndrome and T2DM; and if hyperinsulinemia might do something good, that effect becomes resistant. It is a deadly imbalance in insulin action. From the standpoint of human health, it is the worst possible combination of effects. In this review, we discuss the origins of the atherometabolic syndrome in our historically unprecedented environment that only recently has become full of poorly satiating calories and incessant enticements to sit. Data are examined that indicate the magnitude of daily caloric imbalance that causes obesity. We also cover key aspects of healthy, balanced insulin action in liver, endothelium, brain, and elsewhere. Recent insights into the molecular basis and pathophysiologic harm from SEIRR in these organs are discussed. Importantly, a newly discovered oxide transport chain functions as the master regulator of the balance amongst different limbs of the insulin signaling cascade. This oxide transport chain--abbreviated 'NSAPP' after its five major proteins--fails to function properly during chronic overnutrition, resulting in this harmful pattern of SEIRR. We also review the origins of widespread, chronic overnutrition. Despite its apparent complexity, one factor stands out. A sophisticated junk food industry, aided by subsidies from willing governments, has devoted years of careful effort to promote overeating through the creation of a new class of food and drink that is low- or no-cost to the consumer, convenient, savory, calorically dense, yet weakly satiating. It is past time for the rest of us to overcome these foes of good health and solve this man-made epidemic.

Appl1 and Appl2 are Expendable for Mouse Development But Are Essential for HGF-Induced Akt Activation and Migration in Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts

Although Appl1 and Appl2 have been implicated in multiple cellular activities, we and others have found that Appl1 is dispensable for mouse embryonic development, suggesting that Appl2 can substitute for Appl1 during development. To address this possibility, we generated conditionally targeted Appl2 mice. We found that ubiquitous Appl2 knockout (Appl2-/-) mice, much like Appl1-/- mice, are viable and grow normally to adulthood. Intriguingly, when Appl1-/- mice were crossed with Appl2-/- mice, we found that homozygous Appl1;Appl2 double knockout (DKO) animals are also viable and grossly normal with regard to reproductive potential and postnatal growth. Appl2-null and DKO mice were found to exhibit altered red blood cell physiology, with erythrocytes from these mice generally being larger and having a more irregular shape than erythrocytes from wild type mice. Although Appl1/2 proteins have been previously shown to have a very strong interaction with phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (Pi3k) in thymic T cells, Pi3k-Akt signaling and cellular differentiation was unaltered in thymocytes from Appl1;Appl2 (DKO) mice. However, Appl1/2-null mouse embryonic fibroblasts exhibited defects in HGF-induced Akt activation, migration, and invasion. Taken together, these data suggest that Appl1 and Appl2 are required for robust HGF cell signaling but are dispensable for embryonic development and reproduction.

The Osteogenesis Effect and Underlying Mechanisms of Local Delivery of gAPN in Extraction Sockets of Beagle Dogs

A plastic and biodegradable bone substitute consists of poly (L-lactic-co-glycolic) acid and 30 wt % β-tricalcium phosphate has been previously fabricated, but its osteogenic capability required further improvement. We investigated the use of globular adiponectin (gAPN) as an anabolic agent for tissue-engineered bone using this scaffold. A qualitative analysis of the bone regeneration process was carried out using μCT and histological analysis 12 weeks after implantation. CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) superimposition was used to characterise the effect of the different treatments on bone formation. In this study, we also explored adiponectin's (APN) influence on primary cultured human jaw bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells gene expressions involved in the osteogenesis. We found OPEN ACCESS Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2015, 16 24947 that composite scaffolds loaded with gAPN or bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) exhibited significantly increased bone formation and mineralisation following 12 weeks in the extraction sockets of beagle dogs, as well as enhanced expression of osteogenic markers. In vitro investigation revealed that APN also promoted osteoblast differentiation of primary cultured human jaw bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (h-JBMMSCs), accompanied by increased activity of alkaline phosphatase, greater mineralisation, and production of the osteoblast-differentiated genes osteocalcin, bone sialoprotein and collagen type I, which was reversed by APPL1 siRNA. Therefore, the composite scaffold loaded with APN exhibited superior activity for guided bone regeneration compared with blank control or Bio-Oss® (a commercially available product). The composite scaffold with APN has significant potential for clinical applications in bone tissue engineering.

Rab31 and APPL2 enhance FcγR-mediated phagocytosis through PI3K/Akt signaling in macrophages

Rab31 recruits APPL2 to regulate phagocytic cup closure and FcγR signaling pathways via production of PI(3,4,5)P₃ in macrophages. APPL2 is poised to activate macrophages and act as a counterpoint to APPL1 in FcγR-mediated PI3K/Akt signaling. New locations and roles are found for Rab31 and APPL2 by which they contribute to innate immune functions.

Membrane remodeling in the early stages of phagocytosis enables the engulfment of particles or pathogens and receptor signaling to activate innate immune responses. Members of the Rab GTPase family and their disparate effectors are recruited sequentially to regulate steps throughout phagocytosis. Rab31 (Rab22b) is known for regulating post-Golgi trafficking, and here we show in macrophages that Rab31-GTP is additionally and specifically recruited to early-stage phagosomes. At phagocytic cups, Rab31 is first recruited during the phosphoinositide transition from PI(4,5)P₂ to PI(3,4,5)P₃, and it persists on PI(3)P-enriched phagosomes. During early phagocytosis, we find that Rab31 recruits the signaling adaptor APPL2. siRNA depletion of either Rab31 or APPL2 reduces FcγR-mediated phagocytosis. Mechanistically, this corresponds with a delay in the transition to PI(3,4,5)P₃ and phagocytic cup closure. APPL2 depletion also reduced PI3K/Akt signaling and enhanced p38 signaling from FcγR. We thus conclude that Rab31/APPL2 is required for key roles in phagocytosis and prosurvival responses of macrophages. Of interest, in terms of localization and function, this Rab31/APPL2 complex is distinct from the Rab5/APPL1 complex, which is also involved in phagocytosis and signaling.

APPL1 potentiates insulin sensitivity by facilitating the binding of IRS1/2 to the insulin receptor

Binding of insulin receptor substrate proteins 1 and 2 (IRS1/2) to the insulin receptor (IR) is essential for the regulation of insulin sensitivity and energy homeostasis. However, the mechanism of IRS1/2 recruitment to the IR remains elusive. Here, we identify adaptor protein APPL1 as a critical molecule that promotes IRS1/2-IR interaction. APPL1 forms a complex with IRS1/2 under basal conditions, and this complex is then recruited to the IR in response to insulin or adiponectin stimulation. The interaction between APPL1 and IR depends on insulin- or adiponectin-stimulated APPL1 phosphorylation, which is greatly reduced in insulin target tissues in obese mice. appl1 deletion in mice consistently leads to systemic insulin resistance and a significant reduction in insulin-stimulated IRS1/2, but not IR, tyrosine phosphorylation, indicating that APPL1 sensitizes insulin signaling by acting at a site downstream of the IR. Our study uncovers a mechanism regulating insulin signaling and crosstalk between the insulin and adiponectin pathways.

Reconstruction of an integrated genome-scale co-expression network reveals key modules involved in lung adenocarcinoma

Our goal of this study was to reconstruct a “genome-scale co-expression network” and find important modules in lung adenocarcinoma so that we could identify the genes involved in lung adenocarcinoma. We integrated gene mutation, GWAS, CGH, array-CGH and SNP array data in order to identify important genes and loci in genome-scale. Afterwards, on the basis of the identified genes a co-expression network was reconstructed from the co-expression data. The reconstructed network was named “genome-scale co-expression network”. As the next step, 23 key modules were disclosed through clustering. In this study a number of genes have been identified for the first time to be implicated in lung adenocarcinoma by analyzing the modules. The genes EGFR, PIK3CA, TAF15, XIAP, VAPB, Appl1, Rab5a, ARF4, CLPTM1L, SP4, ZNF124, LPP, FOXP1, SOX18, MSX2, NFE2L2, SMARCC1, TRA2B, CBX3, PRPF6, ATP6V1C1, MYBBP1A, MACF1, GRM2, TBXA2R, PRKAR2A, PTK2, PGF and MYO10 are among the genes that belong to modules 1 and 22. All these genes, being implicated in at least one of the phenomena, namely cell survival, proliferation and metastasis, have an over-expression pattern similar to that of EGFR. In few modules, the genes such as CCNA2 (Cyclin A2), CCNB2 (Cyclin B2), CDK1, CDK5, CDC27, CDCA5, CDCA8, ASPM, BUB1, KIF15, KIF2C, NEK2, NUSAP1, PRC1, SMC4, SYCE2, TFDP1, CDC42 and ARHGEF9 are present that play a crucial role in cell cycle progression. In addition to the mentioned genes, there are some other genes (i.e. DLGAP5, BIRC5, PSMD2, Src, TTK, SENP2, PSMD2, DOK2, FUS and etc.) in the modules.

Adaptor protein APPL1 couples synaptic NMDA receptor with neuronal prosurvival phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway

It is well known that NMDA receptors (NMDARs) can both induce neurotoxicity and promote neuronal survival under different circumstances. Recent studies show that such paradoxical responses are related to the receptor location: the former to the extrasynaptic and the latter to the synaptic. The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt kinase cascade is a key pathway responsible for the synaptic NMDAR-dependent neuroprotection. However, it is still unknown how synaptic NMDARs are coupled with the PI3K/Akt pathway. Here, we explored the role of an adaptor protein-adaptor protein containing pH domain, PTB domain, and leucine zipper motif (APPL1)-in this signal coupling using rat cortical neurons. We found that APPL1 existed in postsynaptic densities and associated with the NMDAR complex through binding to PSD95 at its C-terminal PDZ-binding motif. NMDARs, APPL1, and the PI3K/Akt cascade formed a complex in rat cortical neurons. Synaptic NMDAR activity increased the association of this complex, induced activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway, and consequently protected neurons against starvation-induced apoptosis. Perturbing APPL1 interaction with PSD95 by a peptide comprising the APPL1 C-terminal PDZ-binding motif dissociated the PI3K/Akt pathway from NMDARs. Either the peptide or lentiviral knockdown of APPL1 blocked synaptic NMDAR-dependent recruitment and activation of PI3K/Akt pathway, and consequently blocked synaptic NMDAR-dependent neuroprotection. These results suggest that APPL1 contributes to connecting synaptic NMDARs with the intracellular PI3K/Akt cascade and the downstream prosurvival signaling pathway in rat cortical neurons.

APPL1 potentiates insulin secretion in pancreatic β cells by enhancing protein kinase Akt-dependent expression of SNARE proteins in mice

Insulin resistance and defective insulin secretion are the two major features of type 2 diabetes. The adapter protein APPL1 is an obligatory molecule in regulating peripheral insulin sensitivity, but its role in insulin secretion remains elusive. Here, we show that APPL1 expression in pancreatic β cells is markedly decreased in several mouse models of obesity and diabetes. APPL1 knockout mice exhibit glucose intolerance and impaired glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS), whereas transgenic expression of APPL1 prevents high-fat diet (HFD)-induced glucose intolerance partly by enhancing GSIS. In both pancreatic islets and rat β cells, APPL1 deficiency causes a marked reduction in expression of the exocytotic machinery SNARE proteins (syntaxin-1, synaptosomal-associated protein 25, and vesicle-associated membrane protein 2) and an obvious decrease in the number of exocytotic events. Such changes are accompanied by diminished insulin-stimulated Akt activation. Furthermore, the defective GSIS and reduced expression of SNARE proteins in APPL1-deficient β cells can be rescued by adenovirus-mediated expression of APPL1 or constitutively active Akt. These findings demonstrate that APPL1 couples insulin-stimulated Akt activation to GSIS by promoting the expression of the core exocytotic machinery involved in exocytosis and also suggest that reduced APPL1 expression in pancreatic islets may serve as a pathological link that couples insulin resistance to β-cell dysfunction in type 2 diabetes.

Recruitment of OCRL and Inpp5B to phagosomes by Rab5 and APPL1 depletes phosphoinositides and attenuates Akt signaling

Sealing of phagosomes is accompanied by the disappearance of phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P(2)) from their cytoplasmic leaflet. Elimination of PtdIns(4,5)P(2), which is required for actin remodeling during phagosome formation, has been attributed to hydrolysis by phospholipase C and phosphorylation by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. We found that two inositol 5-phosphatases, OCRL and Inpp5B, become associated with nascent phagosomes. Both phosphatases, which are Rab5 effectors, associate with the adaptor protein APPL1, which is recruited to the phagosomes by active Rab5. Knockdown of APPL1 or inhibition of Rab5 impairs association of OCRL and Inpp5B with phagosomes and prolongs the presence of PtdIns(4,5)P(2) and actin on their membranes. Even though APPL1 can serve as an anchor for Akt, its depletion accentuated the activation of the kinase, likely by increasing the amount of PtdIns(4,5)P(2) available to generate phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate. Thus, inositol 5-phosphatases are important contributors to the phosphoinositide remodeling and signaling that are pivotal for phagocytosis.

Hormonal regulation of hepatic glucose production in health and disease

We review mechanisms that regulate production of glucose by the liver, focusing on areas of budding consensus, and endeavoring to provide a candid assessment of lingering controversies. We also attempt to reconcile data from tracer studies in humans and large animals with the growing compilation of mouse knockouts that display changes in glucose production. A clinical hallmark of diabetes, excessive glucose production remains key to its treatment. Hence, we attempt to integrate emerging pathways into the broader goal to rejuvenate the staid antidiabetic pharmacopeia.

The adapter protein APPL1 links FSH receptor to inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate production and is implicated in intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization

FSH binds to its receptor (FSHR) on target cells in the ovary and testis, to regulate oogenesis and spermatogenesis, respectively. The signaling cascades activated after ligand binding are extremely complex and have been shown to include protein kinase A, mitogen-activated protein kinase, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B, and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-mediated calcium signaling pathways. The adapter protein APPL1 (Adapter protein containing Pleckstrin homology domain, Phosphotyrosine binding domain and Leucine zipper motif), which has been linked to an assortment of other signaling proteins, was previously identified as an interacting protein with FSHR. Thus, alanine substitution mutations in the first intracellular loop of FSHR were generated to determine which residues are essential for FSHR-APPL1 interaction. Three amino acids were essential; when any one of them was altered, APPL1 association with FSHR mutants was abrogated. Two of the mutants (L377A and F382A) that displayed poor cell-surface expression were not studied further. Substitution of FSHR-K376A did not affect FSH binding or agonist-stimulated cAMP production in either transiently transfected human embryonic kidney cells or virally transduced human granulosa cells (KGN). In the KGN line, as well as primary cultures of rat granulosa cells transduced with wild type or mutant receptor, FSH-mediated progesterone or estradiol production was not affected by the mutation. However, in human embryonic kidney cells inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate production was curtailed and KGN cells transduced with FSHR-K376A evidenced reduced Ca(2+) mobilization from intracellular stores after FSH treatment.