The role of myristoylated protein kinase C substrates in intracellular signaling pathways in macrophages

Myristoylation: An Important Protein Modification in the Immune Response

Protein N-myristoylation is a cotranslational lipidic modification specific to the alpha-amino group of an N-terminal glycine residue of many eukaryotic and viral proteins. The ubiquitous eukaryotic enzyme, N-myristoyltransferase, catalyzes the myristoylation process. Precisely, attachment of a myristoyl group increases specific protein–protein interactions leading to subcellular localization of myristoylated proteins with its signaling partners. The birth of the field of myristoylation, a little over three decades ago, has led to the understanding of the significance of protein myristoylation in regulating cellular signaling pathways in several biological processes especially in carcinogenesis and more recently immune function. This review discusses myristoylation as a prerequisite step in initiating many immune cell signaling cascades. In particular, we discuss the hitherto unappreciated implication of myristoylation during myelopoiesis, innate immune response, lymphopoiesis for T cells, and the formation of the immunological synapse. Furthermore, we discuss the role of myristoylation in inducing the virological synapse during human immunodeficiency virus infection as well as its clinical implication. This review aims to summarize existing knowledge in the field and to highlight gaps in our understanding of the role of myristoylation in immune function so as to further investigate into the dynamics of myristoylation-dependent immune regulation.

The response of porcine monocyte derived macrophages and dendritic cells to Salmonella Typhimurium and lipopolysaccharide

Background

Following infection and initial multiplication in the gut lumen, Salmonella Typhimurium crosses the intestinal epithelial barrier and comes into contact with cells of the host immune system. Mononuclear phagocytes which comprise macrophages and dendritic cells (DC) are of key importance for the outcome of Salmonella infection. Although macrophages and DC may differentiate from a common precursor, their capacities to process and present antigen differ significantly. In this study, we therefore compared the response of porcine macrophages and DC differentiated from peripheral blood monocytes to S. Typhimurium and one of the most potent bacterial pathogen associated molecular patterns, bacterial lipopolysaccharide. To avoid any bias, the expression was determined by protein LC-MS/MS and verified at the level of transcription by quantitative RT-PCR.

Results

Within 4 days of culture, peripheral blood monocytes differentiated into two populations with distinct morphology and expression of MHC II. Mass spectrometry identified 446 proteins in macrophages and 672 in DC. Out of these, 433 proteins were inducible in macrophages either after infection with S. Typhimurium or LPS exposure and 144 proteins were inducible in DC. The expression of the 46 most inducible proteins was verified at the level of transcription and the differential expression was confirmed in 22 of them. Out of these, 16 genes were induced in both cell types, 3 genes (VCAM1, HMOX1 and Serglycin) were significantly induced in macrophages only and OLDLR1 and CDC42 were induced exclusively in DC. Thirteen out of 22 up-regulated genes contained the NF-kappaB binding site in their promoters and could be considered as either part of the NF-kappaB feedback loop (IkappaBalpha and ISG15) or as NF-kappaB targets (IL1beta, IL1alpha, AMCF2, IL8, SOD2, CD14, CD48, OPN, OLDLR1, HMOX1 and VCAM1).

Conclusions

The difference in the response of monocyte derived macrophages and DC was quantitative rather than qualitative. Despite the similarity of the responses, compared to DC, the macrophages responded in a more pro-inflammatory fashion.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12917-014-0244-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Lipopolysaccharide induction of MARCKS-related protein and cytokine secretion are differentially impaired in microglia from LPS-nonresponsive (C3H/HeJ) mice

Many events involved in activation of microglia and leukocytes by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) are mediated by protein kinase C (PKC), and we have recently demonstrated that a major PKC substrate, MARCKS-related protein (MRP), is selectively induced by LPS in murine microglia. In microglia from LPS-nonresponsive (C3H/HeJ) mice, induction of MRP and secretion of CSF-1 required much higher LPS concentrations (> or = 100 ng/ml) than in normal (C3H/OuJ) microglia (< or = 10 ng/ml). By contrast, TNF alpha production was not significantly increased in C3H/HeJ microglia even at 1 microgram LPS/ml. Microglia expressed PKC isoforms alpha, beta, delta, and zeta (but not gamma and epsilon); PKC isoform levels were similar in both normal and C3H/HeJ microglia and no significant change in response to LPS was noted. Our results indicate that LPS alters PKC substrate (rather than kinase) expression, and that the Lpsd mutation in C3H/HeJ mice differentially affects regulation of several gene products implicated in microglial function.

Membrane binding of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 matrix protein in vivo supports a conformational myristyl switch mechanism

The interaction of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Gag protein with the plasma membrane of a cell is a critical event in the assembly of HIV particles. The matrix protein region (MA) of HIV type 1 (HIV-1) Pr55Gag has previously been demonstrated to confer membrane-binding properties on the precursor polyprotein. Both the myristic acid moiety and additional determinants within MA are essential for plasma membrane binding and subsequent particle formation. In this study, we demonstrated the myristylation-dependent membrane interaction of MA in an in vivo membrane-binding assay. When expressed within mammalian cells, MA was found both in association with cellular membranes and in a membrane-free form. In contrast, the intact precursor Pr55Gag molecule analyzed in an identical manner was found almost exclusively bound to membranes. Both membrane-bound and membrane-free forms of MA were myristylated and phosphorylated. Differential membrane binding was not due to the formation of multimers, as dimeric and trimeric forms of MA were also found in both membrane-bound and membrane-free fractions. To define the requirements for membrane binding of MA, we analyzed the membrane binding of a series of MA deletion mutants. Surprisingly, deletions within alpha-helical regions forming the globular head of MA led to a dramatic increase in overall membrane binding. The stability of the MA-membrane interaction was not affected by these deletions, and no deletion eliminated membrane binding of the molecule. These results establish that myristic acid is a primary determinant of the stability of the Gag protein-membrane interaction and provide support for the hypothesis that a significant proportion of HIV-1 MA molecules may adopt a conformation in which myristic acid is hidden and unavailable for membrane interaction.

Lipopolysaccharide stimulates differential expression of myristoylated protein kinase C substrates in murine microglia

Microglia rapidly respond to lipoplysaccharide (LPS) by transformation from resting to active states and secretion of several neuro- and immuno-regulators including tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta), and interleukin 6 (IL-6). With longer LPS treatment, microglia are converted to reactive or phagocytic states with characteristics similar to macrophages in inflammation and injury processes. We have investigated LPS-mediated changes in two myristoylated substrates of protein kinase C (PKC): MARCKS (myristoylated alaninerich C kinase substrate) and MRP (MARCKS-related protein). Within 6 hours of addition, LPS induced a twofold increase in [3H]myristoylated and immunoreactive MARCKS protein and a sevenfold increase in MRP. The differential effect of LPS on expression of MRP vs. MARCKS was even more dramatic at the level of transcription: S1 nuclease protection assays revealed a 40-fold increase in MRP mRNA levels (maximum at 4-6 hours), whereas a threefold increase was observed for MARCKS. TNF alpha and colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1), two cytokines which are induced by LPS, did not reproduce the observed effect of LPS on MARCKS and MRP gene transcription. CSF-1 also induced differential transcription of MRP, but of lower magnitude (threefold) and more sustained than by LPS. Accordingly, these two substrates for PKC are differentially up-regulated by LPS, apparently independent of TNF alpha or CSF-1.

Effect of bacterial wall lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on morphology, motility, and cytoskeletal organization of microglia in cultures

We examined the effect of bacterial wall lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a strong inflammatory agent, on the morphology, cell motility, cytoskeletal organization, and phagocytic activity of microglia in tissue cultures initiated from neopallia of newborn C3H/OuJ mice. Normally, the microglia in our cultures are non-migratory and Mac-1 positive, have ameboid cell morphology, no polarity, many short processes that extend into lamellipodia in opposing directions, and undulating cell membrane projections. When 1-5 micrograms/ml LPS is added to such cultures, some cells acquire polarity by forming a large lamellipodium and begin to migrate. Two hours later migration ceases; the membrane undulations stop; and the cells become non-polar, assume a large, round, flat shape, and gradually develop many microspikes all over the cell body. Those cells that do not transform into large, round, flat cells enlarge and extend numerous lamellipodia in opposing directions. We found that the cytoskeleton of microglia is composed of actin, vimentin-containing intermediate filaments (IF) and microtubules (MT). Vimentin-containing IF and MT form dense networks that radiate into the cell periphery, whereas F-actin is diffusely arranged throughout the cytoplasm. The LPS-treated cells show changes in the organization of the main components of the cytoskeleton. F-actin is reorganized by the formation of bundles underneath and parallel to the cell membrane and other bundles projecting into the cores of the microspikes. The vimentin-containing IF dense network reorganizes into two condensed rings, with fine strands of IF extended between the two rings and the MT networks become less dense and extend throughout the cytoplasm. The LPS treatment potentiates the phagocytic activity of the microglia. However, approximately 30% of microglia lose the expression of MHC class II antigens.

Phagocytosis

Phagocytosis is the process of recognition and engulfment of microorganisms or tissue debris that accumulate during infection, inflammation or wound repair. This ingestion, which is performed most efficiently by migrating, bone marrow-derived cells called 'professional phagocytes', is essential for successful host defense. Ingestion results when an invading microorganism is recognized by specific receptors on the phagocyte surface and requires multiple, successive interactions between the phagocyte and the target. Each of these interactions results in a signal transduction event, which is confined to the membrane and cytoskeleton around the ligated receptor and which is required for successful phagocytosis. Many molecules found at sites of inflammation or infection stimulate phagocytosis, so that efficient ingestion is confined to the site of infection or inflammation, which in turn limits the proinflammatory and tissue-destructive processes that accompany phagocytosis. This review summarizes current understanding of this critical component of host defense and of its regulation.

Stimulation by extracellular ATP and UTP of the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade and proliferation of rat renal mesangial cells

1. Extracellular ATP and UTP have been reported to activate a nucleotide receptor that mediates phosphoinositide and phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis by phospholipases C and D, respectively. Here we report that ATP and UTP potently stimulate mesangial cell proliferation. 2. Both nucleotides stimulate phosphorylation and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and a biphasic phosphorylation of the up-stream mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase. 3. When added at 100 microM, ATP gamma S, UTP and ATP were the most potent activators of mitogen-activated protein kinase. beta gamma-imido-ATP was somewhat less active and ADP and 2-methylthio-ATP caused a weak induction of enzyme activity. Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase by both ATP and UTP is dose-dependently attenuated by the P2-receptor antagonist, suramin. 4. The protein kinase C activator 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate, but not the biologically inactive 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate, increased mitogen-activated protein kinase activity in mesangial cells, suggesting that protein kinase C may mediate nucleotide-induced stimulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase. 5. Down-regulation of protein kinase C -alpha and -delta isoenzymes by 4 h or 8 h treatment with phorbol ester partially inhibited ATP- and UTP-triggered mitogen-activated protein kinase activation. Moreover, a 24 h treatment of mesangial cells with phorbol ester, a regimen that also causes depletion of protein kinase C-epsilon did not further reduce the level of mitogen-activated protein kinase stimulation. 6. The specific protein kinase C inhibitor, CGP 41251, which displayed a selectivity for the Ca2+-dependent isoenzymes, as compared to the Ca2+-independent isoenzymes did not inhibit nucleotide stimulated mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation, thus implicating the involvement of a Ca2+-independent protein kinase C isoform.7. In summary, these results suggest that ATP and UTP trigger the activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling cascade in mesangial cells and this may be responsible for the potent mitogenic activity of both nucleotides.

Altered cell signaling and mononuclear phagocyte deactivation during intracellular infection

Given the critical antimicrobial properties of mononuclear phagocytes, an important concern in cell biology and immunology has been to understand how intracellular microbes are able to establish states of chronic infection within these cells. Recent studies indicate that mononuclear phagocytes become functionally deactivated during intracellular infection. Here, Neil Reiner considers the experimental evidence to indicate that this is a frequent event that may be accounted for by induced defects in the signaling pathways required to bring cells to an activated state.