DOC-2/DAB2 is the binding partner of myosin VI

The roles of dynein and myosin VI motor proteins in endocytosis

Endocytosis is indispensable for multiple cellular processes, including signalling, cell adhesion, migration, as well as the turnover of plasma membrane lipids and proteins. The dynamic interplay and regulation of different endocytic entry routes requires multiple cytoskeletal elements, especially motor proteins that bind to membranes and transport vesicles along the actin and microtubule cytoskeletons. Dynein and kinesin motor proteins transport vesicles along microtubules, whereas myosins drive vesicles along actin filaments. Here, we present a brief overview of multiple endocytic pathways and our current understanding of the involvement of these motor proteins in the regulation of the different cellular entry routes. We particularly focus on structural and mechanistic details of the retrograde motor proteins dynein and myosin VI (also known as MYO6), along with their adaptors, which have important roles in the early events of endocytosis. We conclude by highlighting the key challenges in elucidating the involvement of motor proteins in endocytosis and intracellular membrane trafficking.

Dynamic multimerization of Dab2-Myosin VI complexes regulates cargo processivity while minimizing cortical actin reorganization

Myosin VI ensembles on endocytic cargo facilitate directed transport through a dense cortical actin network. Myosin VI is recruited to clathrin-coated endosomes via the cargo adaptor Dab2. Canonically, it has been assumed that the interactions between a motor and its cargo adaptor are stable. However, it has been demonstrated that the force generated by multiple stably attached motors disrupts local cytoskeletal architecture, potentially compromising transport. In this study, we demonstrate that dynamic multimerization of myosin VI-Dab2 complexes facilitates cargo processivity without significant reorganization of cortical actin networks. Specifically, we find that Dab2 myosin interacting region (MIR) binds myosin VI with a moderate affinity (184 nM) and single-molecule kinetic measurements demonstrate a high rate of turnover (1 s⁻¹) of the Dab2 MIR–myosin VI interaction. Single-molecule motility shows that saturating Dab2-MIR concentration (2 μM) promotes myosin VI homodimerization and processivity with run lengths comparable with constitutive myosin VI dimers. Cargo-mimetic DNA origami scaffolds patterned with Dab2 MIR-myosin VI complexes are weakly processive, displaying sparse motility on single actin filaments and “stop-and-go” motion on a cellular actin network. On a minimal actin cortex assembled on lipid bilayers, unregulated processive movement by either constitutive myosin V or VI dimers results in actin remodeling and foci formation. In contrast, Dab2 MIR–myosin VI interactions preserve the integrity of a minimal cortical actin network. Taken together, our study demonstrates the importance of dynamic motor–cargo association in enabling cargo transportation without disrupting cytoskeletal organization.

Endocytic Adaptors in Cardiovascular Disease

Endocytosis is the process of actively transporting materials into a cell by membrane engulfment. Traditionally, endocytosis was divided into three forms: phagocytosis (cell eating), pinocytosis (cell drinking), and the more selective receptor-mediated endocytosis (clathrin-mediated endocytosis); however, other important endocytic pathways (e.g., caveolin-dependent endocytosis) contribute to the uptake of extracellular substances. In each, the plasma membrane changes shape to allow the ingestion and internalization of materials, resulting in the formation of an intracellular vesicle. While receptor-mediated endocytosis remains the best understood pathway, mammalian cells utilize each form of endocytosis to respond to their environment. Receptor-mediated endocytosis permits the internalization of cell surface receptors and their ligands through a complex membrane invagination process that is facilitated by clathrin and adaptor proteins. Internalized vesicles containing these receptor-ligand cargoes fuse with early endosomes, which can then be recycled back to the plasma membrane, delivered to other cellular compartments, or destined for degradation by fusing with lysosomes. These intracellular fates are largely determined by the interaction of specific cargoes with adaptor proteins, such as the epsins, disabled-homolog 2 (Dab2), the stonin proteins, epidermal growth factor receptor substrate 15, and adaptor protein 2 (AP-2). In this review, we focus on the role of epsins and Dab2 in controlling these sorting processes in the context of cardiovascular disease. In particular, we will focus on the function of epsins and Dab2 in inflammation, cholesterol metabolism, and their fundamental contribution to atherogenicity.

The role of disabled-2 (Dab2) in diseases

Disabled-2 (Dab2/DOC-2) is a mitogen-responsive adaptor protein required for multiple cellular functions. It is involved in many signaling pathways and plays an integral role in vesicular uptake and trafficking, modulating immune function, protein-protein interactions, cellular homeostasis and differentiation, oncogenesis, and inflammatory processes in organ systems. It contains domains for binding to NPXY motif-containing and SH3 domain-containing adapter proteins, phosphoinositides, glycoprotein 100 (gp100, or megalin), integrins, clathrin, and myosin VI. However, the molecular mechanism(s) of Dab2's biological function still remain to be elucidated. In this review, we provide an extensive up-to-date understanding of the function of Dab2 and its regulation in cardiovascular diseases, immune disorders, tumorigenesis, and central nervous system disorders.

Myomics: myosin VI structural and functional plasticity

Myosin VI is a minus end-directed actin motor protein that fulfils several roles in the cell. The interaction of myosin VI with its cellular cargoes is dictated by the presence of binding domains at the C-terminus of the protein. In this review, we describe how alternative splicing and structural and conformational changes modulate the plasticity of the myosin VI interactome. Recent findings highlight how the various partners can cooperate or compete for binding to allow a precise temporal and spatial regulation of myosin VI recruitment to different cellular compartments, where its motor or anchor function is needed.

Taming the Triskelion: Bacterial Manipulation of Clathrin

The entry of pathogens into nonphagocytic host cells has received much attention in the past three decades, revealing a vast array of strategies employed by bacteria and viruses. A method of internalization that has been extensively studied in the context of viral infections is the use of the clathrin-mediated pathway. More recently, a role for clathrin in the entry of some intracellular bacterial pathogens was discovered. Classically, clathrin-mediated endocytosis was thought to accommodate internalization only of particles smaller than 150 nm; however, this was challenged upon the discovery that Listeria monocytogenes requires clathrin to enter eukaryotic cells. Now, with discoveries that clathrin is required during other stages of some bacterial infections, another paradigm shift is occurring. There is a more diverse impact of clathrin during infection than previously thought. Much of the recent data describing clathrin utilization in processes such as bacterial attachment, cell-to-cell spread and intracellular growth may be due to newly discovered divergent roles of clathrin in the cell. Not only does clathrin act to facilitate endocytosis from the plasma membrane, but it also participates in budding from endosomes and the Golgi apparatus and in mitosis. Here, the manipulation of clathrin processes by bacterial pathogens, including its traditional role during invasion and alternative ways in which clathrin supports bacterial infection, is discussed. Researching clathrin in the context of bacterial infections will reveal new insights that inform our understanding of host-pathogen interactions and allow researchers to fully appreciate the diverse roles of clathrin in the eukaryotic cell.

Optineurin: A Coordinator of Membrane-Associated Cargo Trafficking and Autophagy

Optineurin is a multifunctional adaptor protein intimately involved in various vesicular trafficking pathways. Through interactions with an array of proteins, such as myosin VI, huntingtin, Rab8, and Tank-binding kinase 1, as well as via its oligomerisation, optineurin has the ability to act as an adaptor, scaffold, or signal regulator to coordinate many cellular processes associated with the trafficking of membrane-delivered cargo. Due to its diverse interactions and its distinct functions, optineurin is an essential component in a number of homeostatic pathways, such as protein trafficking and organelle maintenance. Through the binding of polyubiquitinated cargoes via its ubiquitin-binding domain, optineurin also serves as a selective autophagic receptor for the removal of a wide range of substrates. Alternatively, it can act in an ubiquitin-independent manner to mediate the clearance of protein aggregates. Regarding its disease associations, mutations in the optineurin gene are associated with glaucoma and have more recently been found to correlate with Paget’s disease of bone and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Indeed, ALS-associated mutations in optineurin result in defects in neuronal vesicular localisation, autophagosome–lysosome fusion, and secretory pathway function. More recent molecular and functional analysis has shown that it also plays a role in mitophagy, thus linking it to a number of other neurodegenerative conditions, such as Parkinson’s. Here, we review the role of optineurin in intracellular membrane trafficking, with a focus on autophagy, and describe how upstream signalling cascades are critical to its regulation. Current data and contradicting reports would suggest that optineurin is an important and selective autophagy receptor under specific conditions, whereby interplay, synergy, and functional redundancy with other receptors occurs. We will also discuss how dysfunction in optineurin-mediated pathways may lead to perturbation of critical cellular processes, which can drive the pathologies of number of diseases. Therefore, further understanding of optineurin function, its target specificity, and its mechanism of action will be critical in fully delineating its role in human disease.

Disabled-2: A modular scaffold protein with multifaceted functions in signaling

Disabled-2 (Dab2) is a multimodular scaffold protein with signaling roles in the domains of cell growth, trafficking, differentiation, and homeostasis. Emerging evidences place Dab2 as a novel modulator of cell-cell interaction; however, its mode of action has remained largely elusive. In this review, we highlight the relevance of Dab2 function in cell signaling and development and provide the most recent and comprehensive analysis of Dab2's action as a mediator of homotypical and heterotypical interactions. Accordingly, Dab-2 controls the extent of platelet aggregation through various motifs within its N-terminus. Dab2 interacts with the cytosolic tail of the integrin receptor blocking inside-out signaling, whereas extracellular Dab2 competes with fibrinogen for integrin αIIb β3 receptor binding and, thus, modulates outside-in signaling. An additional level of regulation results from Dab2's association with cell surface lipids, an event that defines the extent of cell-cell interactions. As a multifaceted regulator, Dab2 acts as a mediator of endocytosis through its association with the [FY]xNPx[YF] motifs of internalized cell surface receptors, phosphoinositides, and clathrin. Other emerging roles of Dab2 include its participation in developmental mechanisms required for tissue formation and in modulation of immune responses. This review highlights the various novel mechanisms by which Dab2 mediates an array of signaling events with vast physiological consequences.

Functional links between Disabled-2 Ser723 phosphorylation and thrombin signaling in human platelets

Essentials Disabled-2 (Dab2) phosphorylation status in thrombin signaling of human platelet was investigated. Ser723 was the major Dab2 phosphorylation site in human platelets stimulated by thrombin. Dab2 S723 phosphorylation (pS723) caused the dissociation of Dab2-CIN85 protein complex. Dab2-pS723 regulated ADP release and integrin αIIbβ3 activation in thrombin-treated platelets.

SUMMARY

Background Disabled-2 (Dab2) is a platelet protein that is functionally involved in thrombin signaling in mice. It is unknown whether or not Dab2 undergoes phosphorylation during human platelet activation. Objectives To investigate the phosphorylation status of Dab2 and its functional consequences in thrombin-stimulated human platelets. Methods Dab2 was immunoprecipitated from resting and thrombin-stimulated platelet lysates for differential isotopic labeling. After enrichment of the phosphopeptides, the phosphorylation sites were analyzed by mass spectrometry. The corresponding phospho-specific antibody was generated. The protein kinases responsible for and the functional significance of Dab2 phosphorylation were defined by the use of signaling pathway inhibitors/activators, protein kinase assays, and various molecular approaches. Results Dab2 was phosphorylated at Ser227, Ser394, Ser401 and Ser723 in thrombin-stimulated platelets, with Ser723 phosphorylation being the most significantly increased by thrombin. Dab2 was phosphorylated by protein kinase C at Ser723 in a Gαq -dependent manner. ADP released from the stimulated platelets further activated the Gβγ -dependent pathway to sustain Ser723 phosphorylation. The Cbl-interacting protein of 85 kDa (CIN85) bound to Dab2 at a motif adjacent to Ser723 in resting platelets. The consequence of Ser723 phosphorylation was the dissociation of CIN85 from the Dab2-CIN85 complex. These molecular events led to increases in fibrinogen binding and platelet aggregation in thrombin-stimulated platelets by regulating αIIb β3 activation and ADP release. Conclusions Dab2 Ser723 phosphorylation is a key molecular event in thrombin-stimulated inside-out signaling and platelet activation, contributing to a new function of Dab2 in thrombin signaling.

Endocytosis and Physiology: Insights from Disabled-2 Deficient Mice

Disabled-2 (Dab2) is a clathrin and cargo binding endocytic adaptor protein, and cell biology studies revealed that Dab2 plays a role in cellular trafficking of a number of transmembrane receptors and signaling proteins. A PTB/PID domain located in the N-terminus of Dab2 binds the NPXY motif(s) present at the cytoplasmic tails of certain transmembrane proteins/receptors. The membrane receptors reported to bind directly to Dab2 include LDL receptor and its family members LRP1 and LRP2 (megalin), growth factor receptors EGFR and FGFR, and the cell adhesion receptor beta1 integrin. Dab2 also serves as an adaptor in signaling pathways. Particularly, Dab2 facilitates the endocytosis of the Ras activating Grb2/Sos1 signaling complex, controls its disassembly, and thereby regulates the Ras/MAPK signaling pathway. Cellular analyses have suggested several diverse functions for the widely expressed proteins, and Dab2 is also considered a tumor suppressor, as loss or reduced expression is found in several cancer types. Dab2 null mutant mice were generated and investigated to determine if the findings from cellular studies might be important and relevant in intact animals. Dab2 conditional knockout mice mediated through a Sox2-Cre transgene have no obvious developmental defects and have a normal life span despite that the Dab2 protein is essentially absent in the mutant mice. The conditional knockout mice were grossly normal, though more recent investigation of the Dab2-deficient mice revealed several phenotypes, which can be accounted for by several previously suggested mechanisms. The studies of mutant mice established that Dab2 plays multiple physiological roles through its endocytic functions and modulation of signal pathways.

The adaptor protein Disabled-2: new insights into platelet biology and integrin signaling

Multiple functions of platelets in various physiological and pathological conditions have prompted considerable attention on understanding how platelets are generated and activated. Of the adaptor proteins that are expressed in megakaryocytes and platelets, Disabled-2 (Dab2) has been demonstrated in the past decades as a key regulator of platelet signaling. Dab2 has two alternative splicing isoforms p82 and p59. However, the mode of Dab2’s action remains to be clearly defined. In this review, we highlight the current understanding of Dab2 expression and function in megakaryocytic differentiation, platelet activation and integrin signaling. Accordingly, Dab2 is upregulated when the human K562 cells, human CD34⁺ hematopoietic stem cells, and murine embryonic stem cells were undergone megakaryocytic differentiation. Appropriate level of Dab2 expression is essential for fate determination of mesodermal and megakaryocytic differentiation. Dab2 is also shown to regulate cell-cell and cell-fibrinogen adhesion, integrin αIIbβ3 activation, fibrinogen uptake, and intracellular signaling of the megakaryocytic cells. In human platelets, p82 is the sole Dab2 isoform present in the cytoplasm and α-granules. Dab2 is released from the α-granules and forms two pools of Dab2 on the outer surface of the platelet plasma membrane, one at the sulfatide-bound and the other at integrin αIIbβ3-bound forms. The balance between these two pools of Dab2 controls the extent of clotting reaction, platelet-fibrinogen interactions and outside-in signaling. In murine platelets, p59 is the only Dab2 isoform and is required for platelet aggregation, fibrinogen uptake, RhoA-ROCK activation, adenosine diphosphate release and integrin αIIbβ3 activation stimulated by low concentration of thrombin. As a result, the bleeding time is prolonged and thrombus formation is impaired for the megakaryocyte lineage-restricted Dab2 deficient mouse. Although discrepancies of Dab2 function and isoform expression are noted between human and murine platelets, the studies up-to-date define Dab2 playing a pivotal role in integrin signaling and platelet activation. With the new tools such as CRISPR and TALEN in the generation of genetically modified animals, the progress in gaining new insights into the functions of Dab2 in megakaryocyte and platelet biology is expected to accelerate.

Myosin VI Contains a Compact Structural Motif that Binds to Ubiquitin Chains

Myosin VI is critical for cargo trafficking and sorting during early endocytosis and autophagosome maturation, and abnormalities in these processes are linked to cancers, neurodegeneration, deafness, and hypertropic cardiomyopathy. We identify a structured domain in myosin VI, myosin VI ubiquitin-binding domain (MyUb), that binds to ubiquitin chains, especially those linked via K63, K11, and K29. Herein, we solve the solution structure of MyUb and MyUb:K63-linked diubiquitin. MyUb folds as a compact helix-turn-helix-like motif and nestles between the ubiquitins of K63-linked diubiquitin, interacting with distinct surfaces of each. A nine-amino-acid extension at the C-terminal helix (Helix2) of MyUb is required for myosin VI interaction with endocytic and autophagic adaptors. Structure-guided mutations revealed that a functional MyUb is necessary for optineurin interaction. In addition, we found that an isoform-specific helix restricts MyUb binding to ubiquitin chains. This work provides fundamental insights into myosin VI interaction with ubiquitinated cargo and functional adaptors.

Diverse functions of myosin VI elucidated by an isoform-specific α-helix domain

Myosin VI functions in endocytosis and cell motility. Alternative splicing of myosin VI mRNA generates two distinct isoform types, myosin VI_short and myosin VI_long, which differ in the C-terminal region. Their physiological and pathological role remains unknown. Here we identified an isoform-specific regulatory helix, named α2-linker that defines specific conformations and hence determines the target selectivity of human myosin VI. The presence of the α2-linker structurally defines a novel clathrin-binding domain that is unique to myosin VI_long and masks the known RRL interaction motif. This finding is relevant to ovarian cancer, where alternative myosin VI splicing is aberrantly regulated, and exon skipping dictates cell addiction to myosin VI_short for tumor cell migration. The RRL interactor optineurin contributes to this process by selectively binding myosin VI_short. Thus the α2-linker acts like a molecular switch that assigns myosin VI to distinct endocytic (myosin VI_long) or migratory (myosin VI_short) functional roles.

Hormonal induction and roles of Disabled-2 in lactation and involution

Disabled-2 (Dab2) is a widely expressed endocytic adaptor that was first isolated as a 96 KDa phospho-protein, p96, involved in MAPK signal transduction. Dab2 expression is lost in several cancer types including breast cancer, and Dab2 is thought to have a tumor suppressor function. In mammary epithelia, Dab2 was induced upon pregnancy and further elevated during lactation. We constructed mutant mice with a mosaic Dab2 gene deletion to bypass early embryonic lethality and to investigate the roles of Dab2 in mammary physiology. Loss of Dab2 had subtle effects on lactation, but Dab2-deficient mammary glands showed a strikingly delayed cell clearance during involution. In primary cultures of mouse mammary epithelial cells, Dab2 proteins were also induced by estrogen, progesterone, and/or prolactin. Dab2 null mammary epithelial cells were refractory to growth suppression induced by TGF-beta. However, Dab2 deletion did not affect Smad2 phosphorylation; rather TGF-beta-stimulated MAPK activation was enhanced in Dab2-deficient cells. We conclude that Dab2 expression is induced by hormones and Dab2 plays a role in modulating TGF-beta signaling to enhance apoptotic clearance of mammary epithelial cells during involution.

Akt recruits Dab2 to albumin endocytosis in the proximal tubule

Proximal tubule epithelial cells have a highly sophisticated endocytic machinery to retrieve the albumin in the glomerular filtrate. The megalin-cubilin complex and the endocytic adaptor disabled-2 (Dab2) play a pivotal role in albumin endocytosis. We previously demonstrated that protein kinase B (Akt) regulates albumin endocytosis in the proximal tubule through an interaction with Dab2. Here, we examined the nature of Akt-Dab2 interaction. The pleckstrin homology (PH) and catalytic domains (CD) of Akt interacted with the proline-rich domain (PRD) of Dab2 based on yeast-two hybrid (Y2H) experiments. Pull-down experiments utilizing the truncated constructs of Dab2 demonstrated that the initial 11 amino acids of Dab2-PRD were sufficient to mediate the interaction between Akt and Dab2. Endocytosis experiments utilizing Akt1- and Akt2-silencing RNA revealed that both Akt1 and Akt2 mediate albumin endocytosis in proximal tubule epithelial cells; therefore, Akt1 and Akt2 may play a compensatory role in albumin endocytosis. Furthermore, both Akt isoforms phosphorylated Dab2 at Ser residues 448 and 449. Ser-to-Ala mutations of these Dab2 residues inhibited albumin endocytosis and resulted in a shift in location of Dab2 from the peripheral to the perinuclear area, suggesting the physiological relevance of these phosphorylation sites in albumin endocytosis. We conclude that both Akt1 and Akt2 are involved in albumin endocytosis, and phosphorylation of Dab2 by Akt induces albumin endocytosis in proximal tubule epithelial cells. Further delineation of how Akt affects expression/phosphorylation of endocytic adaptors and receptors will enhance our understanding of the molecular network triggered by albumin overload in the proximal tubule.

Disabled-2 is required for efficient hemostasis and platelet activation by thrombin in mice

OBJECTIVE

The essential role of platelet activation in hemostasis and thrombotic diseases focuses attention on unveiling the underlying intracellular signals of platelet activation. Disabled-2 (Dab2) has been implicated in platelet aggregation and in the control of clotting responses. However, there is not yet any in vivo study to provide direct evidence for the role of Dab2 in hemostasis and platelet activation.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

Megakaryocyte lineage-restricted Dab2 knockout (Dab2(-/-)) mice were generated to delineate in vivo functions of Dab2 in platelets. Dab2(-/-) mice appeared normal in size with prolonged bleeding time and impaired thrombus formation. Although normal in platelet production and granule biogenesis, Dab2(-/-) platelets elicited a selective defect in platelet aggregation and spreading on fibrinogen in response to low concentrations of thrombin, but not other soluble agonists. Investigation of the role of Dab2 in thrombin signaling revealed that Dab2 has no effect on the expression of thrombin receptors and the outside-in signaling. Dab2(-/-) platelets stimulated by low concentrations of thrombin were normal in Gαq-mediated calcium mobilization and protein kinase C activation, but were defective in Gα₁₂/₁₃-mediated RhoA-ROCKII activation. The attenuated Gα₁₂/₁₃ signaling led to impaired ADP release, Akt-mammalian target of rapamycin and integrin αIIbβ3 activation, fibrinogen binding, and clot retraction. The defective responses of Dab2(-/-) platelets to low concentrations of thrombin stimulation may contribute to the impaired hemostasis and thrombosis of Dab2(-/-) mice.

CONCLUSIONS

This study sheds new insight in platelet biology and represents the first report demonstrating that Dab2 is a key regulator of hemostasis and thrombosis by functional interplay with Gα₁₂/₁₃-mediated thrombin signaling.

The role of the cytoskeleton and molecular motors in endosomal dynamics

The endocytic pathway is essential for processes that define how cells interact with their environment, including receptor signalling, cell adhesion and migration, pathogen entry, membrane protein turnover and nutrient uptake. The spatial organisation of endocytic trafficking requires motor proteins that tether membranes or transport them along the actin and microtubule cytoskeletons. Microtubules, actin filaments and motor proteins also provide force to deform and assist in the scission of membranes, thereby facilitating endosomal sorting and the generation of transport intermediates.

Differential requirement for Dab2 in the development of embryonic and extra-embryonic tissues

BACKGROUND

Disabled-2 (Dab2) is an endocytic adaptor protein involved in clathrin-mediated endocytosis and cargo trafficking. Since its expression is lost in several cancer types, Dab2 has been suggested to be a tumor suppressor. In vitro studies indicate that Dab2 establishes epithelial cell polarity and organization by directing endocytic trafficking of membrane glycoproteins. Dab2 also modulates cellular signaling pathways by mediating the endocytosis and recycling of surface receptors and associated signaling components. Previously, two independent gene knockout studies have been reported, with some discrepancies in the observed embryonic phenotypes. To further clarify the in vivo roles of Dab2 in development and physiology, we designed a new floxed allele to delete dab2 gene.

RESULTS

The constitutive dab2 deleted embryos showed a spectrum in the degree of endoderm disorganization in E5.5 and no mutant embryos persisted at E9.5. However, the mice were grossly normal when dab2 deletion was restricted to the embryo proper and the gene was retained in extraembryonic tissues using Meox2-Cre and Sox2-Cre. Adult Dab2-deficient mice had a small but statistically significant increase in serum cholesterol levels.

CONCLUSION

The study of the new dab2 mutant allele in embryos and embryoid bodies confirms a role for Dab2 in extraembryonic endoderm development and epithelial organization. Experimental results with embryoid bodies suggest that additional endocytic adaptors such as Arh and Numb could partially compensate for Dab2 loss. Conditional deletion indicates that Dab2 is dispensable for organ development, when the vast majority of the embryonic cells are dab2 null. However, Dab2 has a physiological role in the endocytosis of lipoproteins and cholesterol metabolism.

Myosin VI and its cargo adaptors - linking endocytosis and autophagy

The coordinated trafficking and tethering of membrane cargo within cells relies on the function of distinct cytoskeletal motors that are targeted to specific subcellular compartments through interactions with protein adaptors and phospholipids. The unique actin motor myosin VI functions at distinct steps during clathrin-mediated endocytosis and the early endocytic pathway - both of which are involved in cargo trafficking and sorting - through interactions with Dab2, GIPC, Tom1 and LMTK2. This multifunctional ability of myosin VI can be attributed to its cargo-binding tail region that contains two protein-protein interaction interfaces, a ubiquitin-binding motif and a phospholipid binding domain. In addition, myosin VI has been shown to be a regulator of the autophagy pathway, because of its ability to link the endocytic and autophagic pathways through interactions with the ESCRT-0 protein Tom1 and the autophagy adaptor proteins T6BP, NDP52 and optineurin. This function has been attributed to facilitating autophagosome maturation and subsequent fusion with the lysosome. Therefore, in this Commentary, we discuss the relationship between myosin VI and the different myosin VI adaptor proteins, particularly with regards to the spatial and temporal regulation that is required for the sorting of cargo at the early endosome, and their impact on autophagy.

Myosin VI and Associated Proteins Are Expressed in Human Macrophages but Do Not Play a Role in Foam Cell Formation in THP-1 Cells

Myosin VI (Myo6) functions in endocytosis in conjunction with binding partners including adaptor protein (AP)-2, disabled 2 (Dab2), and GAIP interacting protein C terminus 1 (GIPC1). This study aimed to investigate the expression and function of Myo6 in macrophages and its possible role in the endocytosis of lipoproteins during the induction of foam cell formation. Expression of Myo6, AP-2 (α2 subunit), and Dab2 in THP-1 macrophages and primary human monocyte-derived macrophages was demonstrated at the mRNA and protein level, but GIPC1 was only detected at the mRNA level. Immunofluorescence showed that Myo6 was distributed similarly to F-actin in both macrophage types. AP-2α2 was found to have a similar subcellular distribution to Myo6 and Dab2 in THP-1 cells. Myo6 was located within membrane ruffles and protrusions of the plasma membrane. These results suggest that in macrophages Myo6 is required for several functions including cell adhesion, cell progression, and macropinocytosis. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and oxidised LDL (oxLDL) decreased Myo6 and GIPC1 mRNA expression in THP-1 cells, but uptake of the fluorescence-labelled lipoproteins was unaffected by knockdown of the expression of Myo6 or associated proteins with siRNA. Our findings, therefore, do not support the idea that Myo6 plays a major role in foam cell formation.

miR-145 is differentially regulated by TGF-β1 and ischaemia and targets Disabled-2 expression and wnt/β-catenin activity

The effect of wnt/β-catenin signalling in the response to acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains controversial. The membrane receptor adaptor protein Disabled-2 (Dab2) is a tumour suppressor protein and has a critical role in stem cell specification. We recently demonstrated that down-regulation of Dab2 regulates cardiac protein expression and wnt/β-catenin activity in mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in response to transforming growth factor-β(1) (TGF-β(1)). Although Dab2 expression has been shown to have effects in stem cells and tumour suppression, the molecular mechanisms regulating this expression are still undefined. We identified putative binding sites for miR-145 in the 3'-UTR of Dab2. In MSC in culture, we observed that TGF-β(1) treatment led to rapid and sustained up-regulation of pri-miR-145. Through gain and loss of function studies we demonstrate that miR-145 up-regulation was required for the down-regulation of Dab2 and increased β-catenin activity in response to TGF-β(1). To begin to define how Dab2 might regulate wnt/β-catenin in the heart following AMI, we quantified myocardial Dab2 as a function of time after left anterior descending ligation. There was no significant Dab2 expression in sham-operated myocardium. Following AMI, Dab2 levels were rapidly up-regulated in cardiac myocytes in the infarct border zone. The increase in cardiac myocyte Dab2 expression correlated with the rapid and sustained down-regulation of myocardial pri-miR-145 expression following AMI. Our data demonstrate a novel and critical role for miR-145 expression as a regulator of Dab2 expression and β-catenin activity in response to TGF-β(1) and hypoxia.

Clathrin phosphorylation is required for actin recruitment at sites of bacterial adhesion and internalization

Clathrin assembles at bacterial adhesion sites and its phosphorylation is required for actin recruitment during bacterial infection.

Bacterial pathogens recruit clathrin upon interaction with host surface receptors during infection. Here, using three different infection models, we observed that host–pathogen interactions induce tyrosine phosphorylation of clathrin heavy chain. This modification was critical for recruitment of actin at bacteria–host adhesion sites during bacterial internalization or pedestal formation. At the bacterial interface, clathrin assembled to form coated pits of conventional size. Because such structures cannot internalize large particles such as bacteria, we propose that during infection, clathrin-coated pits serve as platforms to initiate actin rearrangements at bacteria–host adhesion sites. We then showed that the clathrin–actin interdependency is initiated by Dab2 and depends on the presence of clathrin light chain and its actin-binding partner Hip1R, and that the fully assembled machinery can recruit Myosin VI. Together, our study highlights a physiological role for clathrin heavy chain phosphorylation and reinforces the increasingly recognized function of clathrin in actin cytoskeletal organization in mammalian cells.

PKB/Akt partners with Dab2 in albumin endocytosis

Albumin in the glomerular filtrate is normally retrieved by concerted efforts of clathrin, LDL-type receptor megalin- and clathrin-associated sorting proteins. In glomerular diseases, albumin overload triggers a proapoptotic and inflammatory response contributing to tubulointerstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy. The relationship between albumin overload-induced proximal tubule injury and albumin endocytosis remains to be discovered. We investigated presence of a possible overlap between endocytosis and cell survival. We showed a novel interaction between prosurvival protein, protein kinase B (PKB/Akt), and adaptor protein, disabled 2 (Dab2), with coimmunoprecipitation. Further delineation of this interaction by GST pull-down experiments utilizing different Dab2 constructs identified proline-rich domain as the interacting partner. Expression of Dab2 and PKB/Akt was downregulated at high concentrations of albumin associated with apoptosis. We then examined the physiological relevance of this interaction with functional studies. Overexpression of PKB/Akt increased albumin uptake in human proximal tubule cells. Conversely, inhibition of PKB/Akt with a nonselective Akt/PKB signaling inhibitor-2 and a dominant negative construct of PKB/Akt resulted in a decrease in albumin uptake. Inhibition of Dab2 by silencing RNA abolished PKB/Akt-induced albumin uptake demonstrating the physiological importance of this novel interaction. We concluded that PKB/Akt is part of an endocytic machinery and it mediates albumin uptake through its interaction with Dab2. The role that PKB/Akt plays in the endocytic cascade may dictate its decreased expression in proteinuric states in an attempt to limit albumin endocytosis that may tilt the balance between cell survival and apoptosis toward cell death.

Myosin VI regulates actin structure specialization through conserved cargo-binding domain sites

Actin structures are often stable, remaining unchanged in organization for the lifetime of a differentiated cell. Little is known about stable actin structure formation, organization, or maintenance. During Drosophila spermatid individualization, long-lived actin cones mediate cellular remodeling. Myosin VI is necessary for building the dense meshwork at the cones' fronts. We test several ideas for myosin VI's mechanism of action using domain deletions or site-specific mutations of myosin VI. The head (motor) and globular tail (cargo-binding) domains were both needed for localization at the cone front and dense meshwork formation. Several conserved partner-binding sites in the globular tail previously identified in vertebrate myosin VI were critical for function in cones. Localization and promotion of proper actin organization were separable properties of myosin VI. A vertebrate myosin VI was able to localize and function, indicating that functional properties are conserved. Our data eliminate several models for myosin VI's mechanism of action and suggest its role is controlling organization and action of actin assembly regulators through interactions at conserved sites. The Drosophila orthologues of interaction partners previously identified for vertebrate myosin VI are likely not required, indicating novel partners mediate this effect. These data demonstrate that generating an organized and functional actin structure in this cell requires multiple activities coordinated by myosin VI.

Altered renal proximal tubular endocytosis and histology in mice lacking myosin-VI

Myosin VI (Myo6) is an actin-based molecular motor involved in clathrin-mediated endocytosis that is highly expressed in the renal proximal tubule brush border. We investigated the renal physiological consequences of loss of Myo6 function by performing renal clearance and physiological measurements on Myo6 functional null Snell's waltzer (sv/sv) and control heterozygous (+/sv) mice. Sv/sv mice showed reduced body weight and elevated blood pressure compared with controls; no differences were observed for glomerular flow rate, urine volume, blood acid-base parameters, and plasma concentrations and urinary excretions of Na(+) and K(+). To assess the integrity of endocytosis-mediated protein absorption by the kidney, urinary albumin excretion was measured, and the proximal tubular uptake of intravenously injected endocytic marker horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was examined. Albumin excretion was increased nearly 4-fold in sv/sv mice relative to controls. Conversely, HRP uptake was reduced and delayed in proximal tubule cells of the sv/sv kidney observed by electron microscopy at 5 and 30 min after injection. Consistent with impaired endocytosis, we also observed defects indicating alterations along the endocytic pathway in sv/sv proximal tubule cells: (1) decreased membrane association of the clathrin adaptor subunit, adaptin beta, and Disabled-2 (Dab2) after sedimentation of renal homogenates and (2) reduced apical vacuole number. In addition, proximal tubular dilation and fibrosis, likely secondary effects of the loss of Myo6, were observed in sv/sv kidneys. These results indicate that Myo6 plays a key role in endocytosis-mediated protein absorption in the mouse kidney proximal tubule.

Myosin VI: an innovative motor that challenged the swinging lever arm hypothesis

The swinging crossbridge hypothesis states that energy from ATP hydrolysis is transduced to mechanical movement of the myosin head while bound to actin. The light chain-binding region of myosin is thought to act as a lever arm that amplifies movements near the catalytic site. This model has been challenged by findings that myosin VI takes larger steps along actin filaments than early interpretations of its structure seem to allow. We now know that myosin VI does indeed operate by an unusual approximately 180 degrees lever arm swing and achieves its large step size using special structural features in its tail domain.

Loss of myosin VI no insert isoform (NoI) induces a defect in clathrin-mediated endocytosis and leads to caveolar endocytosis of transferrin receptor

Myosin VI is a motor protein that moves toward the minus end of actin filaments. It is involved in clathrin-mediated endocytosis and associates with clathrin-coated pits/vesicles at the plasma membrane. In this article the effect of the loss of myosin VI no insert isoform (NoI) on endocytosis in nonpolarized cells was examined. The absence of myosin VI in fibroblasts derived from the Snell's waltzer mouse (myosin VI knock-out) gives rise to defective clathrin-mediated endocytosis with shallow clathrin-coated pits and a strong reduction in the internalization of clathrin-coated vesicles. To compensate for this defect in clathrin-mediated endocytosis, plasma membrane receptors such as the transferrin receptor (TfR) are internalized by a caveola-dependent pathway. Moreover the clathrin adaptor protein, AP-2, necessary for TfR internalization, follows the receptor and relocalizes in caveolae in Snell's waltzer fibroblasts.

Cargo binding induces dimerization of myosin VI

Although myosin VI has properties that would allow it to function optimally as a dimer, full-length myosin VI exists as a monomer in isolation. Based on the ability of myosin VI monomers to dimerize when held in close proximity, we postulated that cargo binding normally regulates dimerization of myosin VI. We tested this hypothesis by expressing a known dimeric cargo adaptor protein of myosin VI, optineurin, and the myosin VI-binding segment from a monomeric cargo adaptor protein, Dab2. In the presence of these adaptor proteins, full-length myosin VI has ATPase properties of a dimer, appears as a dimer in electron micrographs, and moves processively on actin filaments. The results support a model in which cargo binding exposes internal dimerization sequences within full-length myosin VI. Because, unexpectedly, a monomeric fragment of Dab2 triggers dimerization, it would appear that myosin VI is designed to function as a dimer in cells.

C-Fos elimination compensates for disabled-2 requirement in mouse extraembryonic endoderm development

Disabled-2 (Dab2) is expressed in primitive endoderm cells as they are differentiating from the inner cell mass and dab2 deficiency in mice results in lethality at E5.5-E6.5 due to the disorganization of the endoderm layers. Here we show that Dab2 suppresses c-Fos expression in endoderm cells. A morphological normal primitive endoderm layer was observed in putative E5.5 dab2 (-/-):c-fos (-/-) embryos, indicating that the primitive endoderm defect due to the loss of Dab2 is rescued by deletion of the c-fos gene. The lethality of the double knockout embryos was delayed until E9.5-E10.5 and the defective embryos failed to undergo organogenesis. We conclude that Dab2 plays a role in epithelial organization by suppression of c-Fos expression and suggest that unsuppressed c-Fos can lead to disruption of primitive endoderm epithelial organization, yet an additional dab2 function is required for later organogenesis.

Megalin and nonmuscle myosin heavy chain IIA interact with the adaptor protein Disabled-2 in proximal tubule cells

Megalin plays a critical role in the endocytosis of albumin and other filtered low-molecular-weight proteins. Here we studied the interaction between megalin and Disabled-2 (Dab2), an adaptor protein that binds to the cytoplasmic domain of megalin and appears to control its trafficking. We co-immunoprecipitated megalin and Dab2 from cultured proximal tubule cells and identified the proteins by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. We found two proteins associated with the megalin/Dab2 complex, nonmuscle myosin heavy chain IIA (NMHC-IIA) and beta-actin. Subcellular fractionation followed by sucrose velocity gradient separation showed that megalin, Dab2, and NMHC-IIA existed as a complex in the same endosomal fractions. In vitro pull-down assays demonstrated that NMHC-IIA was bound to the carboxyl-terminal region of Dab2, but not to megalin's cytoplasmic domain. We then transfected COS-7 cells with plasmids that induced the expression of Dab2, NMHC-IIA, and the megalin minireceptor, a truncated form of megalin. Co-immunoprecipitation studies showed that the minireceptor and NMHC-IIA co-immunoprecipitated only with Dab2. Furthermore, the uptake of (125)I-lactoferrin, an endocytic ligand of megalin, by rat yolk sac-derived megalin-expressing L2 cells was inhibited by blebbistatin, a specific inhibitor of nonmuscle myosin II. Our study shows that NMHC-IIA is functionally linked to megalin by interaction with Dab2 and is likely involved in megalin-mediated endocytosis in proximal tubule cells.

A Myo6 mutation destroys coordination between the myosin heads, revealing new functions of myosin VI in the stereocilia of mammalian inner ear hair cells

Myosin VI, found in organisms from Caenorhabditis elegans to humans, is essential for auditory and vestibular function in mammals, since genetic mutations lead to hearing impairment and vestibular dysfunction in both humans and mice. Here, we show that a missense mutation in this molecular motor in an ENU-generated mouse model, Tailchaser, disrupts myosin VI function. Structural changes in the Tailchaser hair bundles include mislocalization of the kinocilia and branching of stereocilia. Transfection of GFP-labeled myosin VI into epithelial cells and delivery of endocytic vesicles to the early endosome revealed that the mutant phenotype displays disrupted motor function. The actin-activated ATPase rates measured for the D179Y mutation are decreased, and indicate loss of coordination of the myosin VI heads or ‘gating’ in the dimer form. Proper coordination is required for walking processively along, or anchoring to, actin filaments, and is apparently destroyed by the proximity of the mutation to the nucleotide-binding pocket. This loss of myosin VI function may not allow myosin VI to transport its cargoes appropriately at the base and within the stereocilia, or to anchor the membrane of stereocilia to actin filaments via its cargos, both of which lead to structural changes in the stereocilia of myosin VI–impaired hair cells, and ultimately leading to deafness.

Human deafness is extremely heterogeneous, with mutations in over 50 genes known to be associated with this common form of sensory loss. Among them, mutations in five myosins are associated with human hereditary hearing impairment, demonstrating that this family of proteins is essential for the proper function of the inner ear. Myosins, motor proteins found in eukaryotic cells, are responsible for actin-based motility. Composed of a motor domain and a tail, the former binds filamentous actin and uses ATP hydrolysis to generate force and move along the filaments, while the latter binds to cargos in the cell. Myosin VI is unique among myosins due to its movement along actin towards the minus or pointed end, rather than the positive or barbed end. Mutations in this myosin are associated with human deafness. Much of our information regarding myosin VI comes from studies in cell culture or mouse mutants with mutations leading to deafness. Here, we describe a deaf mouse mutant, Tailchaser, with a mutation in myosin VI. Our data describe new functions for myosin VI in the hair cells of the inner ear, showing how alterations in this motor can lead to a human sensory disorder.

BREK/LMTK2 is a myosin VI-binding protein involved in endosomal membrane trafficking

Myosin VI is involved in a wide range of endocytic and exocytic membrane trafficking pathways; clathrin-mediated endocytosis, intracellular transport of clathrin-coated and -uncoated vesicles, AP-1B-dependent basolateral sorting in polarized epithelial cells and secretion from the Golgi complex to the cell surface. In this study, using a yeast two-hybrid screen, we identified brain-enriched kinase/lemur tyrosine kinase 2 (BREK/LMTK2), a transmembrane serine/threonine kinase with previously unknown cellular functions, as a myosin VI-interacting protein. Several binding experiments confirmed the interaction of myosin VI with BREK in vivo and in vitro. Immunocytochemical analyses revealed that BREK localizes to cytoplasmic membrane vesicles and to perinuclear recycling endosomes. Notably, cells in which BREK was depleted by siRNA were still able to internalize transferrin molecules and to transport them to early endosomes, but were unable to transport them to perinuclear recycling endosomes. Our results show that BREK is critical for the transition of endocytosed membrane vesicles from early endosomes to recycling endosomes and also suggest an involvement of myosin VI in this pathway.

Precise positioning of myosin VI on endocytic vesicles in vivo

Myosin VI has been studied in both a monomeric and a dimeric form in vitro. Because the functional characteristics of the motor are dramatically different for these two forms, it is important to understand whether myosin VI heavy chains are brought together on endocytic vesicles. We have used fluorescence anisotropy measurements to detect fluorescence resonance energy transfer between identical fluorophores (homoFRET) resulting from myosin VI heavy chains being brought into close proximity. We observed that, when associated with clathrin-mediated endocytic vesicles, myosin VI heavy chains are precisely positioned to bring their tail domains in close proximity. Our data show that on endocytic vesicles, myosin VI heavy chains are brought together in an orientation that previous in vitro studies have shown causes dimerization of the motor. Our results are therefore consistent with vesicle-associated myosin VI existing as a processive dimer, capable of its known trafficking function.

Microarray analysis of E9.5 reduced folate carrier (RFC1; Slc19a1) knockout embryos reveals altered expression of genes in the cubilin-megalin multiligand endocytic receptor complex

BACKGROUND

The reduced folate carrier (RFC1) is an integral membrane protein and facilitative anion exchanger that mediates delivery of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate into mammalian cells. Adequate maternal-fetal transport of folate is necessary for normal embryogenesis. Targeted inactivation of the murine RFC1 gene results in post-implantation embryolethality, but daily folic acid supplementation of pregnant dams prolongs survival of homozygous embryos until mid-gestation. At E10.5 RFC1-/- embryos are developmentally delayed relative to wildtype littermates, have multiple malformations, including neural tube defects, and die due to failure of chorioallantoic fusion. The mesoderm is sparse and disorganized, and there is a marked absence of erythrocytes in yolk sac blood islands. The identification of alterations in gene expression and signaling pathways involved in the observed dysmorphology following inactivation of RFC1-mediated folate transport are the focus of this investigation.

RESULTS

Affymetrix microarray analysis of the relative gene expression profiles in whole E9.5 RFC1-/- vs. RFC1+/+ embryos identified 200 known genes that were differentially expressed. Major ontology groups included transcription factors (13.04%), and genes involved in transport functions (ion, lipid, carbohydrate) (11.37%). Genes that code for receptors, ligands and interacting proteins in the cubilin-megalin multiligand endocytic receptor complex accounted for 9.36% of the total, followed closely by several genes involved in hematopoiesis (8.03%). The most highly significant gene network identified by Ingenuitytrade mark Pathway analysis included 12 genes in the cubilin-megalin multiligand endocytic receptor complex. Altered expression of these genes was validated by quantitative RT-PCR, and immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that megalin protein expression disappeared from the visceral yolk sac of RFC1-/- embryos, while cubilin protein was widely misexpressed.

CONCLUSION

Inactivation of RFC1 impacts the expression of several ligands and interacting proteins in the cubilin-amnionless-megalin complex that are involved in the maternal-fetal transport of folate and other nutrients, lipids and morphogens such as sonic hedgehog (Shh) and retinoids that play critical roles in normal embryogenesis.

Cell autonomous sorting and surface positioning in the formation of primitive endoderm in embryoid bodies

The differentiation and formation of the primitive endoderm in early embryos can be mimicked in vitro by the aggregation of embryonic stem cells to form embryoid bodies. We present morphological evidence that primitive endoderm cells often first locate in the interior of embryoid bodies and subsequently migrate to the surface. Cell mixing experiments indicate that surface positioning is an intrinsic property of endoderm epithelial cells. Moreover, Disabled-2 (Dab2) is required for surface sorting and positioning of the endoderm cells: when Dab2 expression was eliminated, the differentiated endoderm epithelial cells distributed throughout the interior of the embryoid bodies. Surprisingly, E-cadherin is dispensable for primitive endoderm differentiation and surface sorting in embryoid bodies. These results support the model that primitive endoderm cells first emerge in the interior of the inner cell mass and are subsequently sorted to the surface to form the primitive endoderm.

Disabled-2 is expressed in adrenal zona glomerulosa and is involved in aldosterone secretion

The differentiation of the adrenal cortex into functionally specific zones is probably due to differential temporal gene expression during fetal growth, development, and adulthood. In our search for adrenal zona glomerulosa-specific genes, we found that Disabled-2 (Dab2) is expressed in the zona glomerulosa of the rat adrenal gland using a combination of laser capture microdissection, mRNA amplification, cDNA microarray hybridization, and real-time RT-PCR. Dab2 is an alternative spliced mitogen-regulated phosphoprotein with features of an adaptor protein and functions in signal transduction, endocytosis, and tissue morphogenesis during embryonic development. We performed further studies to analyze adrenal Dab2 localization, regulation, and role in aldosterone secretion. We found that Dab2 is expressed in the zona glomerulosa and zona intermedia of the rat adrenal cortex. Low-salt diet treatment increased Dab2-long isoform expression at the mRNA and protein level in the rat adrenal gland, whereas high-salt diet treatment did not cause any significant modification. Angiotensin II infusion caused a transient increase in both Dab2 isoform mRNAs in the rat adrenal gland. Dab2 overexpression in H295R human adrenocortical cells caused an increase in aldosterone synthase expression and up-regulated aldosterone secretion under angiotensin II-stimulated conditions. In conclusion, Dab2 is an adrenal gland zona glomerulosa- and intermedia-expressed gene that is regulated by aldosterone secretagogues such as low-salt diet or angiotensin II and is involved in aldosterone synthase expression and aldosterone secretion. Dab2 may therefore be a modulator of aldosterone secretion and be involved in mineralocorticoid secretion abnormalities.

What can myosin VI do in cells?

The recently solved structure of the myosin VI motor demonstrates that the unique insert at the end of the motor is responsible for the reversal of the normal myosin directionality. A second class-specific insert near the nucleotide-binding pocket contributes to myosin VI's unique kinetic tuning, allowing it to function either as an actin-based transporter or as an anchoring protein. Recent biochemical and biophysical studies have shown that the native molecule can form dimers upon clustering, and cell biological studies have demonstrated that it clearly does play both transport and anchoring roles in cells. These mechanistic insights allow us to speculate on how unusual aspects of myosin VI structure and function allow it to fill unique niches in cells.

Disabled-2 is a novel αIIb-integrin-binding protein that negatively regulates platelet-fibrinogen interactions and platelet aggregation

Platelet aggregation plays a pivotal role in the haemostatic process and is involved in the pathological counterpart of arterial thrombosis. We have shown that the adapter protein disabled-2 (DAB2) is expressed abundantly in platelets. In this study, DAB2 was found to distribute in the platelet α-granules and was released from the granular compartment upon platelet activation. The secreted DAB2 binds to the extracellular region of αIIbβ3 integrin on the platelet surface through the phosphotyrosine-binding domain. The DAB2-platelet interactions result in the inhibition of agonist-induced platelet aggregation with the exception of thrombin, a DAB2 protease that renders DAB2 inactive. Biochemical and mutational analysis revealed that the DAB2 cell-adhesion Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) motif (amino acid residues 64-66) and the αIIb-integrin–fibrinogen-binding region (amino acid residues 171-464) are important for the DAB2-platelet interactions. Such interactions compete for the binding of αIIb integrin with fibrinogen and provide a mechanism for DAB2 to inhibit platelet aggregation. Accordingly, the synthetic RGD-motif-containing DAB2 peptide PDARGDKM also elicited anti-platelet aggregation activity. These findings demonstrate for the first time that DAB2 is an αIIb-integrin-binding protein that plays a novel role in the control of platelet-fibrinogen interactions and platelet aggregation.

The adaptor protein Dab2 sorts LDL receptors into coated pits independently of AP-2 and ARH

Clathrin-mediated endocytosis requires cargo-specific adaptor proteins that recognize specific receptors and recruit them into coated pits. ARH [also called low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) adaptor protein] serves as an adaptor for LDLR endocytosis in liver. However, ARH is dispensable for LDL uptake by some other cell types. Here, we show that the adaptor Dab2 plays a major role in LDLR internalization in HeLa cells and fibroblasts. Dab2 mediates internalization of LDLRs but not transferrin receptors independently of ARH and the classic clathrin adaptor AP-2. If Dab2 is absent, ARH can mediate LDLR endocytosis, but its action requires AP-2. Furthermore, the rate of LDLR endocytosis is decreased when Dab2 is absent and Dab2, but not ARH, catalyzes the efficient clustering of LDLR into coated pits. Dab2 activity requires its binding to clathrin, LDLR and phospholipids. Dab2 is also involved in moving LDLRs off filopodia. We suggest that Dab2 is a cargo-specific endocytic adaptor protein, stably associating with phospholipids and clathrin to sort LDLR to nascent-coated pits, whereas ARH might accelerate later steps in LDLR endocytosis in cooperation with AP-2.

Disabled-2 heterozygous mice are predisposed to endometrial and ovarian tumorigenesis and exhibit sex-biased embryonic lethality in a p53-null background

Disabled-2 (Dab2) is a phosphoprotein involved in cellular signal transduction and endocytic trafficking. The expression of Dab2 is frequently lost or suppressed in several epithelial tumors, and studies of its cellular function and growth suppressive activity when re-expressed in cancer cells led to the suggestion that Dab2 is a tumor suppressor. A role for Dab2 in epithelial cell positioning organization was derived from study of knockout mice: homozygous deletion of dab2 results in early embryonic lethality due to the disorganization of the primitive endoderm, the first epithelium in early embryos. We now report that dab2 heterozygous mice develop uterine hyperplasia and ovarian preneoplastic morphological changes at a high frequency. Crossing into a p53(-/-) background unexpectedly produced few female dab2(+/-):p53(-/-) mice, while the male dab2(+/-):p53(-/-) were born at the expected Mendelian frequency. The tumor-prone phenotype of dab2(+/-) mice provides additional support for a role of human Dab2 as a tumor suppressor, and the sex-biased embryonic lethality suggests a genetic interaction between p53 and dab2 genes in female mice.

Binding of internalized receptors to the PDZ domain of GIPC/synectin recruits myosin VI to endocytic vesicles

Myosin VI (myo6) is the only actin-based molecular motor that translocates along actin filaments toward the minus end. Myo6 participates in two steps of endocytic trafficking; it is recruited to both clathrin-coated pits and to ensuing uncoated endocytic vesicles (UCV). Although there is evidence suggesting that the PDZ adaptor protein GIPC/synectin is involved in the association of myo6 with UCV, the recruitment mechanism is unknown. We show that GIPC/synectin is required for both internalization of cell surface receptors and for coupling of myo6 to UCV. This coupling occurs via a mechanism wherein engagement of the GIPC/synectin PDZ domain by C termini of internalized receptors facilitates in trans myo6 binding to the GIPC/synectin C terminus located outside of the PDZ domain. Analysis of megalin, a prototypical GIPC/synectin-binding receptor, revealed that deletion of its PDZ-binding motif drastically reduced GIPC/synectin and myo6 recruitment to UCV. Furthermore, interaction with GIPC/synectin was required for megalin's function, as megalin was mistargeted in the renal proximal tubules of GIPC/synectin-null mice and these mice exhibited proteinuria, a condition consistent with defective megalin trafficking.

Myosin VI stabilizes an actin network during Drosophila spermatid individualization

Here, we demonstrate a new function of myosin VI using observations of Drosophila spermatid individualization in vivo. We find that myosin VI stabilizes a branched actin network in actin structures (cones) that mediate the separation of the syncytial spermatids. In a myosin VI mutant, the cones do not accumulate F-actin during cone movement, whereas overexpression of myosin VI leads to bigger cones with more F-actin. Myosin subfragment 1-fragment decoration demonstrated that the actin cone is made up of two regions: a dense meshwork at the front and parallel bundles at the rear. The majority of the actin filaments were oriented with their pointed ends facing in the direction of cone movement. Our data also demonstrate that myosin VI binds to the cone front using its motor domain. Fluorescence recovery after photobleach experiments using green fluorescent protein-myosin VI revealed that myosin VI remains bound to F-actin for minutes, suggesting its role is tethering, rather than transporting cargo. We hypothesize that myosin VI protects the actin cone structure either by cross-linking actin filaments or anchoring regulatory molecules at the cone front. These observations uncover a novel mechanism mediated by myosin VI for stabilizing long-lived actin structures in cells.

Endocytosis of megalin by visceral endoderm cells requires the Dab2 adaptor protein

Rapid endocytosis of lipoprotein receptors involves NPxY signals contained in their cytoplasmic tails. Several proteins, including ARH and Dab2, can bind these sequences, but their importance for endocytosis may vary in different cell types. The lipoprotein receptor megalin is expressed in the visceral endoderm (VE), a polarized epithelium that supplies maternal nutrients to the early mammalian embryo. Dab2 is also expressed in the VE, and is required for embryo growth and gastrulation. Here, we show that ARH is absent from the VE, and Dab2 is required for uptake of megalin, its co-receptor cubilin, and a cubilin ligand, transferrin, from the brush border of the VE into intracellular vesicles. By making isoform-specific knock-in mice, we show that the p96 splice form of Dab2, which binds endocytic proteins, can fully rescue endocytosis. The more abundant p67 isoform, which lacks some endocytic protein binding sites, only partly rescues endocytosis. Endocytosis of cubilin is also impaired in VE and in mid-gestation visceral yolk sac when p96 is absent. These studies suggest that Dab2 p96 mediates endocytosis of megalin in the VE. In addition, rescue of embryonic viability correlates with endocytosis, suggesting that endocytosis mediated by Dab2 is important for normal development.

Mutually dependent localization of megalin and Dab2 in the renal proximal tubule

Disabled-2 (Dab2) is a cytoplasmic adaptor protein that binds to the cytoplasmic tail of the multiligand endocytic receptor megalin, abundantly expressed in renal proximal tubules. Deletion of Dab2 induces a urinary increase in specific plasma proteins such as vitamin D binding protein and retinol binding protein (Morris SM, Tallquist MD, Rock CO, and Cooper JA. EMBO J 21: 1555-1564, 2002). However, the subcellular localization of Dab2 in the renal proximal tubule and its function have not been fully elucidated yet. Here, we report the characterization of Dab2 in the renal proximal tubule. Immunohistocytochemistry revealed colocalization with megalin in coated pits and vesicles but not in dense apical tubules and the brush border. Kidney-specific megalin knockout almost abolished Dab2 staining, indicating that Dab2 subcellular localization requires megalin in the proximal tubule. Reciprocally, knockout of Dab2 led to a redistribution of megalin from endosomes to microvilli. In addition, there was an overall decrease in levels of megalin protein observed by immunoblotting but no decrease in clathrin or alpha-adaptin protein levels or in megalin mRNA. In rat yolk sac epithelial BN16 cells, Dab2 was present apically and colocalized with megalin. Introduction of anti-Dab2 antibody into BN16 cells decreased the internalization of 125I-labeled receptor-associated protein, substantiating the role of Dab2 in megalin-mediated endocytosis. The present study shows that Dab2 is localized in the apical endocytic apparatus of the renal proximal tubule and that this localization requires megalin. Furthermore, the study suggests that the urinary loss of megalin ligands observed in Dab2 knockout mice is caused by suboptimal trafficking of megalin, leading to decreased megalin levels.

Regulation of myosin-VI targeting to endocytic compartments

Myosin-VI has been implicated in endocytic trafficking at both the clathrin-coated and uncoated vesicle stages. The identification of alternative splice forms led to the suggestion that splicing defines the vesicle type to which myosin-VI is recruited. In contrast to this hypothesis, we find that in all cell types examined, myosin-VI is associated with uncoated endocytic vesicles, regardless of splice form. GIPC, a PDZ-domain containing adapter protein, co-assembles with myosin-VI on these vesicles. Myosin-VI is only recruited to clathrin-coated vesicles in cells that express high levels of Dab2, a clathrin-binding adapter protein. Overexpression of Dab2 is sufficient to reroute myosin-VI to clathrin-coated pits in cells where myosin-VI is normally associated with uncoated vesicles. In normal rat kidney (NRK) cells, which express high endogenous levels of Dab2, splicing of the globular tail domain further modulates targeting of ectopically expressed myosin-VI. Although myosin-VI can be recruited to clathrin-coated pits, we find no requirement for myosin-VI motor activity in endocytosis in NRK cells. Instead, our data suggest that myosin-VI recruitment to clathrin-coated pits may be an early step in the recruitment of GIPC to the vesicle surface.

Disabled-2 (Dab2) is required for transforming growth factor beta-induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT)

Transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) induces an epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) during both physiological and pathological processes; however, the mechanism underlying this transition is not fully elucidated. Here, we have demonstrated that TGFbeta induces the expression of the adaptor molecule disabled-2 (Dab2) concomitant with the promotion of EMT. We show that TGFbeta induces a transient accumulation of Dab2 to the membrane and increases Dab2 binding to beta1 integrin. Furthermore, small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated silencing of Dab2 expression in mouse mammary gland epithelial cells results in inhibition of integrin activation, shown by a decrease of both TGFbeta-induced focal adhesion kinase phosphorylation and cellular adherence, leading to apoptosis and inhibition of EMT. Forced re-expression of human Dab2, not targeted by the mouse siRNA sequence, rescues cells from apoptosis and restores TGFbeta-mediated integrin activation and EMT. These results are confirmed in the F9 teratocarcinoma cell line, a model for retinoic acid-induced visceral endoderm differentiation in which we demonstrate that ablation of retinoic acid-induced Dab2 expression levels, by stable siRNA silencing of Dab2, blocks visceral endoderm differentiation. Our findings indicate that Dab2 plays an important regulatory role during cellular differentiation and that induction of differentiation in the absence of Dab2 expression commits the cell to apoptosis.

Myosin VI: cellular functions and motor properties

Myosin motor proteins use the energy derived from ATP hydrolysis to move cargo along actin tracks. Myosin VI, unlike almost all other myosins, moves toward the minus end of actin filaments and functions in a variety of intracellular processes such as vesicular membrane traffic, cell migration, and mitosis. These diverse roles of myosin VI are mediated by interaction with a number of different binding partners present in multi-protein complexes. Myosin VI can work in vitro as a processive dimeric motor and as a nonprocessive monomeric motor, each with a large working stroke. The possibility that both monomeric and dimeric forms of myosin VI operate in the cell may represent an important regulatory mechanism for controlling the multiple steps in transport pathways where nonprocessive and processive motors are required.

Myosin VI: a structural role in actin organization important for protein and organelle localization and trafficking

Myosin VI is a member of a superfamily of actin-based motors with at least 18 different sub-types or classes. Myosins are best known as proteins that use ATP-hydrolysis-mediated conformational changes to move along actin filaments. Because of this property, some myosins, including myosins I, V, and VI, are thought to be transporters of vesicle or protein cargoes. Myosin VI has been implicated in many seemingly different processes through functional studies in flies, worms and mammals. In several cases, its role is not easily explained by transport along actin. In addition, some of the biochemical and biophysical properties of myosin VI suggest other mechanisms of action. In this review, we summarize recent data that suggest diverse functions for myosin VI and offer an explanation for how myosin VI may function similarly in all of them. We hypothesize that the main function of myosin VI is to bind tightly to actin, stabilizing actin cytoskeletal structures and linking actin structures to membranes and protein complexes.