Profiling of phosphoinositide molecular species in human and mouse platelets identifies new species increasing following stimulation

The LCLAT1/LYCAT acyltransferase is required for EGF-mediated phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate generation and Akt signaling

Receptor tyrosine kinases such as EGF receptor (EGFR) stimulate phosphoinositide 3 kinases to convert phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosophate [PtdIns(4,5)P2] into phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate [PtdIns(3,4,5)P3]. PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 then remodels actin and gene expression, and boosts cell survival and proliferation. PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 partly achieves these functions by triggering activation of the kinase Akt, which phosphorylates targets like Tsc2 and GSK3β. Consequently, unchecked upregulation of PtdIns(3,4,5)P3-Akt signaling promotes tumor progression. Interestingly, 50-70% of PtdIns and PtdInsPs have stearate and arachidonate at sn-1 and sn-2 positions of glycerol, respectively, forming a species known as 38:4-PtdIns/PtdInsPs. LCLAT1 and MBOAT7 acyltransferases partly enrich PtdIns in this acyl format. We previously showed that disruption of LCLAT1 lowered PtdIns(4,5)P2 levels and perturbed endocytosis and endocytic trafficking. However, the role of LCLAT1 in receptor tyrosine kinase and PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 signaling was not explored. Here, we show that LCLAT1 silencing in MDA-MB-231 and ARPE-19 cells abated the levels of PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 in response to EGF signaling. Importantly, LCLAT1-silenced cells were also impaired for EGF-driven and insulin-driven Akt activation and downstream signaling. Thus, our work provides first evidence that the LCLAT1 acyltransferase is required for receptor tyrosine kinase signaling.

Enrichment and MALDI-TOF MS Analysis of Phosphoinositides in Brain Tissue

Triazolium cyclodextrin click cluster (+CCC) is an ideal scaffold to specifically bind phosphoinositides (PIPs) via multivalent electrostatic interaction. A new enrichment material, triazolium cyclodextrin click cluster-magnetic agarose bead conjugate (+CCC-MAB), was synthesized and applied to the PIP enrichment of brain tissue. The enriched sample was analyzed using MALDI-TOF MS in negative ion mode without any derivatization. The PIP extract of brain tissue is known to contain abundant lipid interferences. By employing magnetic pull-down separation using +CCC-MAB, we effectively removed the weak-binding interferences in the PIP extract, thereby improving the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of the PIPs. Our +CCC-MAB-based PIP enrichment enabled us to analyze 16 PIP species in brain tissue. Six species with high S/N were assigned by MS/MS, while the remaining 10 species with low S/N were characterized by an empirical selection guide based on the biological relevance of PIPs. We conclude that +CCC-MAB-based PIP enrichment is a promising MALDI sample preparation method for specific PIP analysis in brain tissue.

Phosphoinositides take a central stage in regulating blood platelet production and function

Blood platelets are produced by megakaryocytes through a complex program of differentiation and play a critical role in hemostasis and thrombosis. These anucleate cells are the target of antithrombotic drugs that prevent them from clumping in cardiovascular disease conditions. Platelets also significantly contribute to various aspects of physiopathology, including interorgan communications, healing, inflammation, and thromboinflammation. Their production and activation are strictly regulated by highly elaborated mechanisms. Among them, those involving inositol lipids have drawn the attention of researchers. Phosphoinositides represent the seven combinatorially phosphorylated forms of the inositol head group of inositol lipids. They play a crucial role in regulating intracellular mechanisms, such as signal transduction, actin cytoskeleton rearrangements, and membrane trafficking, either by generating second messengers or by directly binding to specific domains of effector proteins. In this review, we will explore how phosphoinositides are implicated in controlling platelet production by megakaryocytes and in platelet activation processes. We will also discuss the diversity of phosphoinositides in platelets, their role in granule biogenesis and maintenance, as well as in integrin signaling. Finally, we will address the discovery of a novel pool of phosphatidylinositol 3-monophosphate in the outerleaflet of the plasma membrane of human and mouse platelets.

What can we learn from the platelet lipidome?

Besides their proteome, platelets use, in all responses to the environmental cues, a huge and diverse family of hydrophobic and amphipathic small molecules involved in structural, metabolic and signaling functions; the lipids. Studying how platelet lipidome changes modulate platelet function is an old story constantly renewed through the impressive technical advances allowing the discovery of new lipids, functions and metabolic pathways. Technical progress in analytical lipidomic profiling by top-of-the-line approaches such as nuclear magnetic resonance and gas chromatography or liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry enables either large-scale analysis of lipids or targeted lipidomics. With the support of bioinformatics tools and databases, it is now possible to investigate thousands of lipids over a concentration range of several orders of magnitude. The lipidomic landscape of platelets is considered a treasure trove, not only able to expand our knowledge of platelet biology and pathologies but also to bring diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities. The aim of this commentary article is to summarize the advances in the field and to highlight what lipidomics can tell us about platelet biology and pathophysiology.

Exploring the Role of PI3P in Platelets: Insights from a Novel External PI3P Pool

Phosphoinositides (PIs) play a crucial role in regulating intracellular signaling, actin cytoskeleton rearrangements, and membrane trafficking by binding to specific domains of effector proteins. They are primarily found in the membrane leaflets facing the cytosol. Our study demonstrates the presence of a pool of phosphatidylinositol 3-monophosphate (PI3P) in the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane of resting human and mouse platelets. This pool of PI3P is accessible to exogenous recombinant myotubularin 3-phosphatase and ABH phospholipase. Mouse platelets with loss of function of class III PI 3-kinase and class II PI 3-kinase α have a decreased level of external PI3P, suggesting a contribution of these kinases to this pool of PI3P. After injection in mouse, or incubation ex vivo in human blood, PI3P-binding proteins decorated the platelet surface as well as α-granules. Upon activation, these platelets were able to secrete the PI3P-binding proteins. These data sheds light on a previously unknown external pool of PI3P in the platelet plasma membrane that recognizes PI3P-binding proteins, leading to their uptake towards α-granules. This study raises questions about the potential function of this external PI3P in the communication of platelets with the extracellular environment, and its possible role in eliminating proteins from the plasma.

Oculocerebrorenal syndrome of Lowe protein controls cytoskeletal reorganisation during human platelet spreading

Lowe syndrome (LS) is a rare, X-linked disorder characterised by numerous symptoms affecting the brain, the eyes, and the kidneys. It is caused by mutations in the oculocerebrorenal syndrome of Lowe (OCRL) protein, a 5-phosphatase localised in different cellular compartments that dephosphorylates phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate into phosphatidylinositol-4-monophosphate. Some patients with LS also have bleeding disorders, with normal to low platelet (PLT) count and impaired PLT function. However, the mechanism of PLT dysfunction in patients with LS is not completely understood. The main function of PLTs is to activate upon vessel wall injury and stop the bleeding by clot formation. PLT activation is accompanied by a shape change that is a result of massive cytoskeletal rearrangements. Here, we show that OCRL-inhibited human PLTs do not fully spread, form mostly filopodia, and accumulate actin nodules. These nodules co-localise with ARP2/3 subunit p34, vinculin, and sorting nexin 9. Furthermore, OCRL-inhibited PLTs have a retained microtubular coil with high levels of acetylated tubulin. Also, myosin light chain phosphorylation is decreased upon OCRL inhibition, without impaired degranulation or integrin activation. Taken together, these results suggest that OCRL contributes to cytoskeletal rearrangements during PLT activation that could explain mild bleeding problems in patients with LS.

Imaging of Intracellular and Plasma Membrane Pools of PI(4,5)P2 and PI4P in Human Platelets

Phosphoinositides (PIs) are phosphorylated membrane lipids that have a plethora of roles in the cell, including vesicle trafficking, signaling, and actin reorganization. The most abundant PIs in the cell are phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2] and phosphatidylinositol-4-monophosphate (PI4P). The localization and roles of both PI(4,5)P2 and PI4P are well established, is the broadly accepted methodological approach for their immunocytochemical visualization in different cell compartments in several cell lines. However, not much is known about these PIs in platelets (PLTs), the smallest blood cells that detect vessel wall injury, activate, and stop the bleeding. Therefore, we sought to investigate the localization of PI(4,5)P2 and PI4P in resting and activated PLTs by antibody staining. Here, we show that the intracellular pools of PI(4,5)P2 and PI4P can be detected by the established staining protocol, and these pools can be modulated by inhibitors of OCRL phosphatase and PI4KIIIα kinase. However, although resting PLTs readily stain for the plasma membrane (PM) pools of PI(4,5)P2 and PI4P, just a few activated cells were stained with the established protocol. We show that optimized protocol allows for the visualization of PI(4,5)P2 and PI4P at PM in activated PLTs, which could also be modulated by OCRL and PI4KIIIα inhibitors. We conclude that PI(4,5)P2 and PI4P are more sensitive to lipid extraction by permeabilizing agents in activated than in resting human PLTs, which suggests their different roles during PLT activation.

Acyl-chain saturation regulates the order of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate nanodomains

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P₂) plays a critical role in the regulation of various plasma membrane processes and signaling pathways in eukaryotes. A significant amount of cellular resources are spent on maintaining the dominant 1-stearoyl-2-arachidonyl PI(4,5)P₂ acyl-chain composition, while less abundant and more saturated species become more prevalent in response to specific stimuli, stress or aging. Here, we report the impact of acyl-chain structure on the biophysical properties of cation-induced PI(4,5)P₂ nanodomains. PI(4,5)P₂ species with increasing levels of acyl-chain saturation cluster in progressively more ordered nanodomains, culminating in the formation of gel-like nanodomains for fully saturated species. The formation of these gel-like domains was largely abrogated in the presence of 1-stearoyl-2-arachidonyl PI(4,5)P_2. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first report of the impact of PI(4,5)P₂ acyl-chain composition on cation-dependent nanodomain ordering, and provides important clues to the motives behind the enrichment of PI(4,5)P₂ with polyunsaturated acyl-chains. We also show how Ca²⁺-induced PI(4,5)P₂ nanodomains are able to generate local negative curvature, a phenomenon likely to play a role in membrane remodeling events.

Isomer Selective Comprehensive Lipidomics Analysis of Phosphoinositides in Biological Samples by Liquid Chromatography with Data Independent Acquisition Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Phosphoinositides (PIPx) play central roles in membrane dynamics and signal transduction of key functions like cellular growth, proliferation, differentiation, migration, and adhesion. They are highly regulated through a network of distinct phosphatidylinositol phosphates consisting of seven groups and three regioisomers in two groups (PIP and PIP2), which arise from phosphorylation at 3', 4', and 5' positions of the inositol ring. Numerous studies have revealed the importance of both fatty acyl chains, degree of phosphorylation, and phosphorylation positions under physiological and pathological states. However, a comprehensive analytical method that allows differentiation of all regioisomeric forms with different acyl side chains and degrees of phosphorylation is still lacking. Here, we present an integrated comprehensive workflow of PIPx analysis utilizing a chiral polysaccharide stationary phase coupled with electrospray ionization high-resolution mass spectrometry with a data independent acquisition technique using the SWATH technology. Correspondingly, a targeted data mining strategy in the untargeted comprehensively acquired MS and MS/MS data was developed. This powerful highly selective method gives a full picture of PIPx profiles in biological samples. Herein, we present for the first time the full PIPx profiles of NIST SRM1950 plasma, Pichia pastoris lipid extract, and HeLa cell extract, including profile changes upon treatment with potential PI3K inhibitor wortmannin. We also illustrate using this inhibitor that measurements of the PIPx profile averaged over the distinct regioisomers by analytical procedures, which cannot differentiate between the individual PIPx isomers, can easily lead to biased conclusions.

Targeted Phosphoinositides Analysis Using High-Performance Ion Chromatography-Coupled Selected Reaction Monitoring Mass Spectrometry

Phosphoinositides are minor components of cell membranes, but play crucial roles in numerous signal transduction pathways. To obtain quantitative measures of phosphoinositides, sensitive, accurate, and comprehensive methods are needed. Here, we present a quantitative targeted ion chromatography-mass spectrometry-based workflow that separates phosphoinositide isomers and increases the quantitative accuracy of measured phosphoinositides. Besides testing different analytical characteristics such as extraction and separation efficiency, the reproducibility of the developed workflow was also investigated. The workflow was verified in resting and stimulated human platelets, fat cells, and rat hippocampal brain tissue, where the LOD and LOQ for phosphoinositides were at 312.5 and 625 fmol, respectively. The robustness of the workflow is shown with different applications that confirms its suitability to analyze multiple less-abundant phosphoinositides.

Organismal roles for the PI3Kα and β isoforms: their specificity, redundancy or cooperation is context-dependent

PI3Ks are important lipid kinases that produce phosphoinositides phosphorylated in position 3 of the inositol ring. There are three classes of PI3Ks: class I PI3Ks produce PIP3 at plasma membrane level. Although D. melanogaster and C. elegans have only one form of class I PI3K, vertebrates have four class I PI3Ks called isoforms despite being encoded by four different genes. Hence, duplication of these genes coincides with the acquisition of coordinated multi-organ development. Of the class I PI3Ks, PI3Kα and PI3Kβ, encoded by PIK3CA and PIK3CB, are ubiquitously expressed. They present similar putative protein domains and share PI(4,5)P2 lipid substrate specificity. Fifteen years after publication of their first isoform-selective pharmacological inhibitors and genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) that mimic their complete and specific pharmacological inhibition, we review the knowledge gathered in relation to the redundant and selective roles of PI3Kα and PI3Kβ. Recent data suggest that, further to their redundancy, they cooperate for the integration of organ-specific and context-specific signal cues, to orchestrate organ development, physiology, and disease. This knowledge reinforces the importance of isoform-selective inhibitors in clinical settings.

Phosphoinositide 3-kinases in platelets, thrombosis and therapeutics

Our knowledge on the expression, regulation and roles of the different phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) in platelet signaling and functions has greatly expanded these last twenty years. Much progress has been made in understanding the roles and regulations of class I PI3Ks which produce the lipid second messenger phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5 trisphosphate (PtdIns(3,4,5)P3). Selective pharmacological inhibitors and genetic approaches have allowed researchers to generate an impressive amount of data on the role of class I PI3Kα, β, δ and γ in platelet activation and in thrombosis. Furthermore, platelets do also express two class II PI3Ks (PI3KC2α and PI3KC2β), thought to generate PtdIns(3,4)P2 and PtdIns3P, and the sole class III PI3K (Vps34), known to synthesize PtdIns3P. Recent studies have started to reveal the importance of PI3KC2α and Vps34 in megakaryocytes and platelets, opening new perspective in our comprehension of platelet biology and thrombosis. In this review, we will summarize previous and recent advances on platelet PI3Ks isoforms. The implication of these kinases and their lipid products in fundamental platelet biological processes and thrombosis will be discussed. Finally, the relevance of developing potential antithrombotic strategies by targeting PI3Ks will be examined.

Profiling of Phosphoinositide Molecular Species in Resting or Activated Human or Mouse Platelets by a LC-MS Method

Our knowledge of the role and biology of the different phosphoinositides has greatly expanded over recent years. Reversible phosphorylation by specific kinases and phosphatases of positions 3, 4, and 5 on the inositol ring is a highly dynamic process playing a critical role in the regulation of the spatiotemporal recruitment and binding of effector proteins. The specific phosphoinositide kinases and phosphatases are key players in the control of many cellular functions, including proliferation, survival, intracellular trafficking, or cytoskeleton reorganization. Several of these enzymes are mutated in human diseases. The impact of the fatty acid composition of phosphoinositides in their function is much less understood. There is an important molecular diversity in the fatty acid side chains of PI. While stearic and arachidonic fatty acids are the major acyl species in PIP, PIP₂, and PIP₃, other fatty acid combinations are also found. The role of these different molecular species is still unknown, but it is important to quantify these different molecules and their potential changes during cell stimulation to better characterize this emerging field. Here, we describe a sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method that we used for the first time to profile the changes in phosphoinositide molecular species (summed fatty acyl chain profiles) in human and mouse platelets under resting conditions and following stimulation. This method can be applied to other hematopoietic primary cells isolated from human or experimental animal models.

Lipidomic Analysis of Plasma from Healthy Men and Women Shows Phospholipid Class and Molecular Species Differences between Sexes

The phospholipid composition of lipoproteins is determined by the specificity of hepatic phospholipid biosynthesis. Plasma phospholipid 20:4n‐6 and 22:6n‐3 concentrations are higher in women than in men. We used this sex difference in a lipidomics analysis of the impact of endocrine factors on the phospholipid class and molecular species composition of fasting plasma from young men and women. Diester species predominated in all lipid classes measured. 20/54 Phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) species were alkyl ester, 15/48 phosphatidylethanolamine (PtdEtn) species were alkyl ester, and 12/48 PtdEtn species were alkenyl ester. There were no significant differences between sexes in the proportions of alkyl PtdCho species. The proportion of alkyl ester PtdEtn species was greater in women than men, while the proportion of alkenyl ester PtdEtn species was greater in men than women. None of the phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) or phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) molecular species contained ether‐linked fatty acids. The proportion of PtdCho16:0_22:6, and the proportions of PtdEtn O‐16:0_20:4 and PtdEtn O‐18:2_20:4 were greater in women than men. There were no sex differences in PtdIns and PtdSer molecular species compositions. These findings show that plasma phospholipids can be modified by sex. Such differences in lipoprotein phospholipid composition could contribute to sexual dimorphism in patterns of health and disease.

Structure and Lateral Organization of Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P₂) is a minor but ubiquitous component of the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane of eukaryotic cells. However, due to its particular complex biophysical properties, it stands out from its neighboring lipids as one of the most important regulators of membrane-associated signaling events. Despite its very low steady-state concentration, PI(4,5)P₂ is able to engage in a multitude of simultaneous cellular functions that are temporally and spatially regulated through the presence of localized transient pools of PI(4,5)P₂ in the membrane. These pools are crucial for the recruitment, activation, and organization of signaling proteins and consequent regulation of downstream signaling. The present review showcases some of the most important PI(4,5)P2 molecular and biophysical properties as well as their impact on its membrane dynamics, lateral organization, and interactions with other biochemical partners.

A model of the PI cycle reveals the regulating roles of lipid-binding proteins and pitfalls of using mosaic biological data

The phosphatidylinositol (PI) cycle is central to eukaryotic cell signaling. Its complexity, due to the number of reactions and lipid and inositol phosphate intermediates involved makes it difficult to analyze experimentally. Computational modelling approaches are seen as a way forward to elucidate complex biological regulatory mechanisms when this cannot be achieved solely through experimental approaches. Whilst mathematical modelling is well established in informing biological systems, many models are often informed by data sourced from multiple unrelated cell types (mosaic data) or from purified enzyme data. In this work, we develop a model of the PI cycle informed by experimental and omics data taken from a single cell type, namely platelets. We were able to make a number of predictions regarding the regulation of PI cycle enzymes, the importance of the number of receptors required for successful GPCR signaling and the importance of lipid- and protein-binding proteins in regulating second messenger outputs. We then consider how pathway behavior differs, when fully informed by data for HeLa cells and show that model predictions remain consistent. However, when informed by mosaic experimental data model predictions greatly vary illustrating the risks of using mosaic datasets from unrelated cell types.

Ferulic Acid Ameliorates MPP+/MPTP-Induced Oxidative Stress via ERK1/2-Dependent Nrf2 Activation: Translational Implications for Parkinson Disease Treatment

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder closely associated with oxidative stress. The biochemical and cellular alterations that occur after cell and mouse treatment with the parkinsonism-inducing neurotoxin MPP⁺/MPTP are remarkably similar to those observed in idiopathic PD. Previously, we showed that ferulic acid (FA) has antioxidant properties and the ability to activate nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). The present study tested the hypothesis that FA attenuates MPP⁺/MPTP-induced oxidative stress by regulating crosstalk between sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) and Nrf2 pathways. To test this hypothesis, we performed in vitro and in vivo studies using MPP⁺/MPTP-challenged SH-SY5Y cells or mice treated with or not with FA. FA marginally inhibited SIRT2 in parallel with α-synuclein at levels of transcription and translation in SH-SY5Y cells challenged with MPP⁺. Moreover, FA attenuated MPP⁺-induced oxidative stress, as indicated by reactive oxygen species, lipid hydroperoxides, GSH/GSSG ratio, and NAD⁺/NADH ratio. Mechanistically, FA strongly upregulated the glutamate cysteine ligase catalytic subunit and heme oxygenase-1 expression at the levels of transcription and translation. Interestingly, FA-mediated extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) activation contributed to nuclear accumulation of Nrf2 via de novo synthesis, which was validated by the use of dominant negative ERK2. Surprisingly, activation of the ERK1/2 and inhibition of SIRT2 by FA are mediated by independent mechanisms. Furthermore, FA ameliorated motor deficits and oxidative stress in the ventral midbrain in MPTP-treated (25 mg/kg, i.p., daily for 5 days) wild-type mice and α-synuclein knockout mice, but not in Nrf2 knockout mice. Collectively, FA exerts antioxidant effects through ERK1/2-mediated activation of the Nrf2 pathway, and these results may have important translational value for the treatment of PD.

How is the acyl chain composition of phosphoinositides created and does it matter?

The phosphoinositide (PIPn) family of signalling phospholipids are central regulators in membrane cell biology. Their varied functions are based on the phosphorylation pattern of their inositol ring, which can be recognized by selective binding domains in their effector proteins and be modified by a series of specific PIPn kinases and phosphatases, which control their interconversion in a spatial and temporal manner. Yet, a unique feature of PIPns remains largely unexplored: their unusually uniform acyl chain composition. Indeed, while most phospholipids present a range of molecular species comprising acyl chains of diverse length and saturation, PIPns in several organisms and tissues show the predominance of a single hydrophobic backbone, which in mammals is composed of arachidonoyl and stearoyl chains. Despite evolution having favoured this specific PIPn configuration, little is known regarding the mechanisms and functions behind it. In this review, we explore the metabolic pathways that could control the acyl chain composition of PIPns as well as the potential roles of this selective enrichment. While our understanding of this phenomenon has been constrained largely by the technical limitations in the methods traditionally employed in the PIPn field, we believe that the latest developments in PIPn analysis should shed light onto this old question.

CDP-Diacylglycerol Synthases (CDS): Gateway to Phosphatidylinositol and Cardiolipin Synthesis

Cytidine diphosphate diacylglycerol (CDP-DAG) is a key intermediate in the synthesis of phosphatidylinositol (PI) and cardiolipin (CL). Both PI and CL have highly specialized roles in cells. PI can be phosphorylated and these phosphorylated derivatives play major roles in signal transduction, membrane traffic, and maintenance of the actin cytoskeletal network. CL is the signature lipid of mitochondria and has a plethora of functions including maintenance of cristae morphology, mitochondrial fission, and fusion and for electron transport chain super complex formation. Both lipids are synthesized in different organelles although they share the common intermediate, CDP-DAG. CDP-DAG is synthesized from phosphatidic acid (PA) and CTP by enzymes that display CDP-DAG synthase activities. Two families of enzymes, CDS and TAMM41, which bear no sequence or structural relationship, have now been identified. TAMM41 is a peripheral membrane protein localized in the inner mitochondrial membrane required for CL synthesis. CDS enzymes are ancient integral membrane proteins found in all three domains of life. In mammals, they provide CDP-DAG for PI synthesis and for phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and CL synthesis in prokaryotes. CDS enzymes are critical for maintaining phosphoinositide levels during phospholipase C (PLC) signaling. Hydrolysis of PI (4,5) bisphosphate by PLC requires the resynthesis of PI and CDS enzymes catalyze the rate-limiting step in the process. In mammals, the protein products of two CDS genes (CDS1 and CDS2) localize to the ER and it is suggested that CDS2 is the major CDS for this process. Expression of CDS enzymes are regulated by transcription factors and CDS enzymes may also contribute to CL synthesis in mitochondria. Studies of CDS enzymes in protozoa reveal spatial segregation of CDS enzymes from the rest of the machinery required for both PI and CL synthesis identifying a key gap in our understanding of how CDP-DAG can cross the different membrane compartments in protozoa and in mammals.

Sustained phospholipase C stimulation of H9c2 cardiomyoblasts by vasopressin induces an increase in CDP-diacylglycerol synthase 1 (CDS1) through protein kinase C and cFos

Chronic stimulation (24 h) with vasopressin leads to hypertrophy in H9c2 cardiomyoblasts and this is accompanied by continuous activation of phospholipase C. Consequently, vasopressin stimulation leads to a depletion of phosphatidylinositol levels. The substrate for phospholipase C is phosphatidylinositol (4, 5) bisphosphate (PIP2) and resynthesis of phosphatidylinositol and its subsequent phosphorylation maintains the supply of PIP2. The resynthesis of PI requires the conversion of phosphatidic acid to CDP-diacylglycerol catalysed by CDP-diacylglycerol synthase (CDS) enzymes. To examine whether the resynthesis of PI is regulated by vasopressin stimulation, we focussed on the CDS enzymes. Three CDS enzymes are present in mammalian cells: CDS1 and CDS2 are integral membrane proteins localised at the endoplasmic reticulum and TAMM41 is a peripheral protein localised in the mitochondria. Vasopressin selectively stimulates an increase CDS1 mRNA that is dependent on protein kinase C, and can be inhibited by the AP-1 inhibitor, T-5224. Vasopressin also stimulates an increase in cFos protein which is inhibited by a protein kinase C inhibitor. We conclude that vasopressin stimulates CDS1 mRNA through phospholipase C, protein kinase C and cFos and provides a potential mechanism for maintenance of phosphatidylinositol levels during long-term phospholipase C signalling.

Phosphatidylinositol synthesis at the endoplasmic reticulum

Phosphatidylinositol (PI) is a minor phospholipid with a characteristic fatty acid profile; it is highly enriched in stearic acid at the sn-1 position and arachidonic acid at the sn-2 position. PI is phosphorylated into seven specific derivatives, and individual species are involved in a vast array of cellular functions including signalling, membrane traffic, ion channel regulation and actin dynamics. De novo PI synthesis takes place at the endoplasmic reticulum where phosphatidic acid (PA) is converted to PI in two enzymatic steps. PA is also produced at the plasma membrane during phospholipase C signalling, where hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol (4,5) bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P₂) leads to the production of diacylglycerol which is rapidly phosphorylated to PA. This PA is transferred to the ER to be also recycled back to PI. For the synthesis of PI, CDP-diacylglycerol synthase (CDS) converts PA to the intermediate, CDP-DG, which is then used by PI synthase to make PI. The de novo synthesised PI undergoes remodelling to acquire its characteristic fatty acid profile, which is altered in p53-mutated cancer cells. In mammals, there are two CDS enzymes at the ER, CDS1 and CDS2. In this review, we summarise the de novo synthesis of PI at the ER and the enzymes involved in its subsequent remodelling to acquire its characteristic acyl chains. We discuss how CDS, the rate limiting enzymes in PI synthesis are regulated by different mechanisms. During phospholipase C signalling, the CDS1 enzyme is specifically upregulated by cFos via protein kinase C.

Recent advances in understanding phosphoinositide signaling in the nervous system

Polyphosphoinositides (PPIn) are essential signaling phospholipids that make remarkable contributions to the identity of all cellular membranes and signaling cascades in mammalian cells. They exert regulatory control over membrane homeostasis via selective interactions with cellular proteins at the membrane–cytoplasm interface. This review article briefly summarizes our current understanding of the key roles that PPIn play in orchestrating and regulating crucial electrical and chemical signaling events in mammalian neurons and the significant neuro-pathophysiological conditions that arise following alterations in their metabolism.

PI3Kβ-A Versatile Transducer for GPCR, RTK, and Small GTPase Signaling

The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) family includes eight distinct catalytic subunits and seven regulatory subunits. Only two PI3Ks are directly regulated downstream from G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs): the class I enzymes PI3Kβ and PI3Kγ. Both enzymes produce phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisposphate in vivo and are regulated by both heterotrimeric G proteins and small GTPases from the Ras or Rho families. However, PI3Kβ is also regulated by direct interactions with receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and their tyrosine phosphorylated substrates, and similar to the class II and III PI3Ks, it binds activated Rab5. The unusually complex regulation of PI3Kβ by small and trimeric G proteins and RTKs leads to a rich landscape of signaling responses at the cellular and organismic levels. This review focuses first on the regulation of PI3Kβ activity in vitro and in cells, and then summarizes the biology of PI3Kβ signaling in distinct tissues and in human disease.

Membrane curvature allosterically regulates the phosphatidylinositol cycle, controlling its rate and acyl-chain composition of its lipid intermediates

Signaling events at membranes are often mediated by membrane lipid composition or membrane physical properties. These membrane properties could act either by favoring the membrane binding of downstream effectors or by modulating their activity. Several proteins can sense/generate membrane physical curvature (i.e. shape). However, the modulation of the activity of enzymes by a membrane's shape has not yet been reported. Here, using a cell-free assay with purified diacylglycerol kinase ϵ (DGKϵ) and liposomes, we studied the activity and acyl-chain specificity of an enzyme of the phosphatidylinositol (PI) cycle, DGKϵ. By systematically varying the model membrane lipid composition and physical properties, we found that DGKϵ has low activity and lacks acyl-chain specificity in locally flat membranes, regardless of the lipid composition. On the other hand, these enzyme properties were greatly enhanced in membrane structures with a negative Gaussian curvature. We also found that this is not a consequence of preferential binding of the enzyme to those structures, but rather is due to a curvature-mediated allosteric regulation of DGKϵ activity and acyl-chain specificity. Moreover, in a fine-tuned interplay between the enzyme and the membrane, DGKϵ favored the formation of structures with greater Gaussian curvature. DGKϵ does not bear a regulatory domain, and these findings reveal the importance of membrane curvature in regulating DGKϵ activity and acyl-chain specificity. Hence, this study highlights that a hierarchic coupling of membrane physical property and lipid composition synergistically regulates membrane signaling events. We propose that this regulatory mechanism of membrane-associated enzyme activity is likely more common than is currently appreciated.

Impact of PI3Kα (Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase Alpha) Inhibition on Hemostasis and Thrombosis

Objective- PI3Kα (phosphoinositide 3-kinase alpha) is a therapeutic target in oncology, but its role in platelets and thrombosis remains ill characterized. In this study, we have analyzed the role of PI3Kα in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo in 2 models of arterial thrombosis. Approach and Results- Using mice selectively deficient in p110α in the megakaryocyte lineage and isoform-selective inhibitors, we confirm that PI3Kα is not mandatory but participates to thrombus growth over a collagen matrix at arterial shear rate. Our data uncover a role for PI3Kα in low-level activation of the GP (glycoprotein) VI-collagen receptor by contributing to ADP secretion and in turn full activation of PI3Kβ and Akt/PKB (protein kinase B). This effect was no longer observed at high level of GP VI agonist concentration. Our study also reveals that over a vWF (von Willebrand factor) matrix, PI3Kα regulates platelet stationary adhesion contacts under arterial flow through its involvement in the outside-in signaling of vWF-engaged αIIbβ3 integrin. In vivo, absence or inhibition of PI3Kα resulted in a modest but significant decrease in thrombus size after superficial injuries of mouse mesenteric arteries and an increased time to arterial occlusion after carotid lesion, without modification in the tail bleeding time. Considering the more discrete and nonredundant role of PI3Kα compared with PI3Kβ, selective PI3Kα inhibitors are unlikely to increase the bleeding risk at least in the absence of combination with antiplatelet drugs or thrombopenia. Conclusions- This study provides mechanistic insight into the role of PI3Kα in platelet activation and arterial thrombosis.