Oxidative stress activates both Src-kinases and their negative regulator Csk and induces phosphorylation of two targeting proteins for Csk: caveolin-1 and paxillin

Are There Lipid Membrane-Domain Subtypes in Neurons with Different Roles in Calcium Signaling?

Lipid membrane nanodomains or lipid rafts are 10-200 nm diameter size cholesterol- and sphingolipid-enriched domains of the plasma membrane, gathering many proteins with different roles. Isolation and characterization of plasma membrane proteins by differential centrifugation and proteomic studies have revealed a remarkable diversity of proteins in these domains. The limited size of the lipid membrane nanodomain challenges the simple possibility that all of them can coexist within the same lipid membrane domain. As caveolin-1, flotillin isoforms and gangliosides are currently used as neuronal lipid membrane nanodomain markers, we first analyzed the structural features of these components forming nanodomains at the plasma membrane since they are relevant for building supramolecular complexes constituted by these molecular signatures. Among the proteins associated with neuronal lipid membrane nanodomains, there are a large number of proteins that play major roles in calcium signaling, such as ionotropic and metabotropic receptors for neurotransmitters, calcium channels, and calcium pumps. This review highlights a large variation between the calcium signaling proteins that have been reported to be associated with isolated caveolin-1 and flotillin-lipid membrane nanodomains. Since these calcium signaling proteins are scattered in different locations of the neuronal plasma membrane, i.e., in presynapses, postsynapses, axonal or dendritic trees, or in the neuronal soma, our analysis suggests that different lipid membrane-domain subtypes should exist in neurons. Furthermore, we conclude that classification of lipid membrane domains by their content in calcium signaling proteins sheds light on the roles of these domains for neuronal activities that are dependent upon the intracellular calcium concentration. Some examples described in this review include the synaptic and metabolic activity, secretion of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators, neuronal excitability (long-term potentiation and long-term depression), axonal and dendritic growth but also neuronal cell survival and death.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction and the Glycolytic Switch Induced by Caveolin-1 Phosphorylation Promote Cancer Cell Migration, Invasion, and Metastasis

Simple Summary

Caveolin-1 (CAV1) is a membrane protein that has been attributed a dual role in cancer, acting at early stages as a tumor suppressor and in later stages of the disease as a promoter of metastasis. In the latter case, enhanced expression of CAV1 favors the malignant phenotype and correlates with a poorer prognosis of the patients. Bearing in mind that the reprogramming of energy metabolism is required in cancer cells to meet both the bioenergetic and biosynthetic needs to sustain increased proliferation, migration, and invasion, we evaluated the metabolism of metastatic cells expressing or not CAV1. In this study, we show that the expression of CAV1 promotes in cancer cells a metabolic switch to an aerobic, glycolytic phenotype by blocking mitochondrial respiration.

Abstract

Cancer cells often display impaired mitochondrial function, reduced oxidative phosphorylation, and augmented aerobic glycolysis (Warburg effect) to fulfill their bioenergetic and biosynthetic needs. Caveolin-1 (CAV1) is a scaffolding protein that promotes cancer cell migration, invasion, and metastasis in a manner dependent on CAV1 phosphorylation on tyrosine-14 (pY14). Here, we show that CAV1 expression increased glycolysis rates, while mitochondrial respiration was reduced by inhibition of the mitochondrial complex IV. These effects correlated with increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels that favored CAV1-induced migration and invasion. Interestingly, pY14-CAV1 promoted the metabolic switch associated with increased migration/invasion and augmented ROS-inhibited PTP1B, a phosphatase that controls pY14 levels. Finally, the glycolysis inhibitor 2-deoxy-D-glucose reduced CAV1-enhanced migration in vitro and metastasis in vivo of murine melanoma cells. In conclusion, CAV1 promotes the Warburg effect and ROS production, which inhibits PTP1B to augment CAV1 phosphorylation on tyrosine-14, thereby increasing the metastatic potential of cancer cells.

Caveolae and lipid sorting: Shaping the cellular response to stress

Caveolae are an abundant and characteristic surface feature of many vertebrate cells. The uniform shape of caveolae is characterized by a bulb with consistent curvature connected to the plasma membrane (PM) by a neck region with opposing curvature. Caveolae act in mechanoprotection by flattening in response to increased membrane tension, and their disassembly influences the lipid organization of the PM. Here, we review evidence for caveolae as a specialized lipid domain and speculate on mechanisms that link changes in caveolar shape and/or protein composition to alterations in specific lipid species. We propose that high membrane curvature in specific regions of caveolae can enrich specific lipid species, with consequent changes in their localization upon caveolar flattening. In addition, we suggest how changes in the association of lipid-binding caveolar proteins upon flattening of caveolae could allow release of specific lipids into the bulk PM. We speculate that the caveolae-lipid system has evolved to function as a general stress-sensing and stress-protective membrane domain.

Tyrosine Phosphorylation of the Kv2.1 Channel Contributes to Injury in Brain Ischemia

In brain ischemia, oxidative stress induces neuronal apoptosis, which is mediated by increased activity of the voltage-gated K⁺ channel K_v2.1 and results in an efflux of intracellular K⁺. The molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of K_v2.1 and its activity during brain ischemia are not yet fully understood. Here this study provides evidence that oxidant-induced apoptosis resulting from brain ischemia promotes rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of K_v2.1. When the tyrosine phosphorylation sites Y124, Y686, and Y810 on the K_v2.1 channel are mutated to non-phosphorylatable residues, PARP-1 cleavage levels decrease, indicating suppression of neuronal cell death. The tyrosine residue Y810 on K_v2.1 was a major phosphorylation site. In fact, cells mutated Y810 were more viable in our study than were wild-type cells, suggesting an important role for this site during ischemic neuronal injury. In an animal model, tyrosine phosphorylation of K_v2.1 increased after ischemic brain injury, with an observable sustained increase for at least 2 h after reperfusion. These results demonstrate that tyrosine phosphorylation of the K_v2.1 channel in the brain may play a critical role in regulating neuronal ischemia and is therefore a potential therapeutic target in patients with brain ischemia.

Caveolin 1 is required for axonal outgrowth of motor neurons and affects Xenopus neuromuscular development

Caveolins are essential structural proteins driving the formation of caveolae, specialized invaginations of the plasma membrane. Loss of Caveolin-1 (Cav1) function in mice causes distinct neurological phenotypes leading to impaired motor control, however, the underlying developmental mechanisms are largely unknown. In this study we find that loss-of-function of Xenopus Cav1 results in a striking swimming defect characterized by paralysis of the morphants. High-resolution imaging of muscle cells revealed aberrant sarcomeric structures with disorganized actin fibers. As cav1 is expressed in motor neurons, but not in muscle cells, the muscular abnormalities are likely a consequence of neuronal defects. Indeed, targeting cav1 Morpholino oligonucleotides to neural tissue, but not muscle tissue, disrupts axonal outgrowth of motor neurons and causes swimming defects. Furthermore, inhibition of voltage-gated sodium channels mimicked the Cav1 loss-of-function phenotype. In addition, analyzing axonal morphology we detect that Cav1 loss-of-function causes excessive filopodia and lamellipodia formation. Using rescue experiments, we show that the Cav1 Y14 phosphorylation site is essential and identify a role of RhoA, Rac1, and Cdc42 signaling in this process. Taken together, these results suggest a previously unrecognized function of Cav1 in muscle development by supporting axonal outgrowth of motor neurons.

The non-receptor tyrosine phosphatase type 14 blocks caveolin-1-enhanced cancer cell metastasis

Caveolin-1 (CAV1) enhanced migration, invasion, and metastasis of cancer cells is inhibited by co-expression of the glycoprotein E-cadherin. Although the two proteins form a multiprotein complex that includes β-catenin, it remained unclear how this would contribute to blocking the metastasis promoting function of CAV1. Here, we characterized by mass spectrometry the protein composition of CAV1 immunoprecipitates from B16F10 murine melanoma cells expressing or not E-cadherin. The novel protein tyrosine phosphatase PTPN14 was identified by mass spectrometry analysis exclusively in co-immunoprecipitates of CAV1 with E-cadherin. Interestingly, PTPN14 is implicated in controlling metastasis, but only few known PTPN14 substrates exist. We corroborated by western blotting experiments that PTPN14 and CAV1 co-inmunoprecipitated in the presence of E-cadherin in B16F10 melanoma and other cancer cells. Moreover, the CAV1(Y14F) mutant protein was shown to co-immunoprecipitate with PTPN14 even in the absence of E-cadherin, and overexpression of PTPN14 reduced CAV1 phosphorylation on tyrosine-14, as well as suppressed CAV1-enhanced cell migration, invasion and Rac-1 activation in B16F10, metastatic colon [HT29(US)] and breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) cell lines. Finally, PTPN14 overexpression in B16F10 cells reduced the ability of CAV1 to induce metastasis in vivo. In summary, we identify here CAV1 as a novel substrate for PTPN14 and show that overexpression of this phosphatase suffices to reduce CAV1-induced metastasis.

Oxidative stress-induced activation of Abl and Src kinases rapidly induces P-glycoprotein internalization via phosphorylation of caveolin-1 on tyrosine-14, decreasing cortisol efflux at the blood-brain barrier

Exposure of the brain to high levels of glucocorticoids during ischemia-reperfusion induces neuronal cell death. Oxidative stress alters blood-brain barrier (BBB) function during ischemia-reperfusion, and so we hypothesized that it might impair P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated efflux transport of glucocorticoids at the BBB. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to clarify the molecular mechanism of this putative decrease of P-gp-mediated efflux function. First, we established that H₂O₂ treatment of a human in vitro BBB model (hCMEC/D3) reduced both P-gp efflux transport activity and protein expression on the plasma membrane within 20 min. These results suggested that the rapid decrease of efflux function might be due to internalization of P-gp. Furthermore, H₂O₂ treatment markedly increased tyrosine-14-phosphorylated caveolin-1, which is involved in P-gp internalization. A brain perfusion study in rats showed that cortisol efflux at the BBB was markedly decreased by H₂O₂ administration, and inhibitors of Abl kinase and Src kinase, which phosphorylate tyrosine-14 in caveolin-1, suppressed this decrease. Overall, these findings support the idea that oxidative stress-induced activation of Abl kinase and Src kinase induces internalization of P-gp via the phosphorylation of tyrosine-14 in caveolin-1, leading to a rapid decrease of P-gp-mediated cortisol efflux at the BBB.

The importance of caveolins and caveolae to dermatology: Lessons from the caves and beyond

Caveolae are flask-shaped invaginations of the cell membrane rich in cholesterol and sphingomyelin, with caveolin proteins acting as their primary structural components that allow compartmentalization and orchestration of various signalling molecules. In this review, we discuss how pleiotropic functions of caveolin-1 (Cav1) and its intricate roles in numerous cellular functions including lipid trafficking, signalling, cell migration and proliferation, as well as cellular senescence, infection and inflammation, are integral for normal development and functioning of skin and its appendages. We then examine how disruption of the homeostatic levels of Cav1 can lead to development of various cutaneous pathophysiologies including skin cancers, cutaneous fibroses, psoriasis, alopecia, age-related changes in skin and aberrant wound healing and propose how levels of Cav1 may have theragnostic value in skin physiology/pathophysiology.

Caveolin-1 Phosphorylation Is Essential for Axonal Growth of Human Neurons Derived From iPSCs

Proper axonal growth and guidance is essential for neuron differentiation and development. Abnormal neuronal development due to genetic or epigenetic influences can contribute to neurological and mental disorders such as Down syndrome, Rett syndrome, and autism. Identification of the molecular targets that promote proper neuronal growth and differentiation may restore structural and functional neuroplasticity, thus improving functional performance in neurodevelopmental disorders. Using differentiated human neuronal progenitor cells (NPCs) derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), the present study demonstrates that during early stage differentiation of human NPCs, neuron-targeted overexpression constitutively active Rac1 (Rac1CA) and constitutively active Cdc42 (Cdc42CA) enhance expression of P-Cav-1, T-Cav-1, and P-cofilin and increases axonal growth. Similarly, neuron-targeted over-expression of Cav-1 (termed SynCav1) increases axonal development by increasing both axon length and volume. Moreover, inhibition of Cav-1(Y14A) phosphorylation blunts Rac1/Cdc42-mediated both axonal growth and differentiation of human NPCs and SynCav1(Y14A)-treated NPCs exhibited blunted axonal growth. These results suggest that: (1) SynCav1-mediated dendritic and axonal growth in human NPCs is dependent upon P-Cav-1, (2) P-Cav-1 is necessary for proper axonal growth during early stages of neuronal differentiation, and (3) Rac1/Cdc42CA-mediated neuronal growth is in part dependent upon P-Cav-1. In conclusion, Cav-1 phosphorylation is essential for human neuronal axonal growth during early stages of neuronal differentiation.

SUMOylation of Csk Negatively Modulates its Tumor Suppressor Function

Csk, a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, serves as an indispensable negative regulator of the Src family kinases (SFKs). However, little is known about regulation of Csk expression so far. SUMOylation, a reversible post-translational modification, has been shown to regulate many biological processes especially in tumor progression. Here we report that Csk is covalently modified by SUMO1 at lysine 53 (K53) both in vitro and in vivo. Treatment with hydrogen peroxide inhibited this modification to a certain extent, but PIAS3, identified as the main specific SUMO E3 ligase for Csk, could significantly enhance SUMO1-Csk level. In addition, phosphorylation at Ser364, the active site in Csk, had no effect on this modification. Ectopic expression of SUMO-defective mutant, Csk ^K53R, inhibited tumor cell growth more potentially than Csk wild-type. Consistent with the biological phenotype, the SUMO modification of Csk impaired its activity to interact with Cbp (Csk binding protein) leading to decreased c-Src phosphorylation at Y527. Our results suggest that SUMOylation of Csk mainly at lysine 53 negatively modulates its tumor suppressor function by reducing its binding with Cbp and consequently, inducing c-Src activation.

Caveolae: Structure, Function, and Relationship to Disease

The plasma membrane of eukaryotic cells is not a simple sheet of lipids and proteins but is differentiated into subdomains with crucial functions. Caveolae, small pits in the plasma membrane, are the most abundant surface subdomains of many mammalian cells. The cellular functions of caveolae have long remained obscure, but a new molecular understanding of caveola formation has led to insights into their workings. Caveolae are formed by the coordinated action of a number of lipid-interacting proteins to produce a microdomain with a specific structure and lipid composition. Caveolae can bud from the plasma membrane to form an endocytic vesicle or can flatten into the membrane to help cells withstand mechanical stress. The role of caveolae as mechanoprotective and signal transduction elements is reviewed in the context of disease conditions associated with caveola dysfunction.

The Oxidative Stress-Induced Increase in the Membrane Expression of the Water-Permeable Channel Aquaporin-4 in Astrocytes Is Regulated by Caveolin-1 Phosphorylation

The reperfusion of ischemic brain tissue following a cerebral stroke causes oxidative stress, and leads to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Apart from inflicting oxidative damage, the latter may also trigger the upregulation of aquaporin 4 (AQP4), a water-permeable channel expressed by astroglial cells of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and contribute to edema formation, the severity of which is known to be the primary determinant of mortality and morbidity. The mechanism through which this occurs remains unknown. In the present study, we have attempted to address this question using primary astrocyte cultures treated with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) as a model system. First, we showed that H₂O₂ induces a significant increase in AQP4 protein levels and that this is inhibited by the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Second, we demonstrated using cell surface biotinylation that H₂O₂ increases AQP4 cell-surface expression independently of it's increased synthesis. In parallel, we found that caveolin-1 (Cav1) is phosphorylated in response to H₂O₂ and that this is reversed by the Src kinase inhibitor 4-Amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine (PP2). PP2 also abrogated the H₂O₂-induced increase in AQP4 surface levels, suggesting that  the phosphorylation of tyrosine-14 of Cav1 regulates  this  process. We  further  showed  that dominant-negative Y14F and phosphomimetic Y14D mutants caused a decrease and increase in AQP4 membrane expression respectively, and that the knockdown of Cav1 inhibits the increase in AQP4 cell-surface, expression following H₂O₂ treatment. Together, these findings suggest that oxidative stress-induced Cav1 phosphorylation modulates AQP4 subcellular distribution and therefore may indirectly regulate AQP4-mediated water transport.

Anti-neoplastic drugs increase caveolin-1-dependent migration, invasion and metastasis of cancer cells

Expression of the scaffolding protein Caveolin-1 (CAV1) enhances migration and invasion of metastatic cancer cells. Yet, CAV1 also functions as a tumor suppressor in early stages of cancer, where expression is suppressed by epigenetic mechanisms. Thus, we sought to identify stimuli/mechanisms that revert epigenetic CAV1 silencing in cancer cells and evaluate how this affects their metastatic potential. We reasoned that restricted tissue availability of anti-neoplastic drugs during chemotherapy might expose cancer cells to sub-therapeutic concentrations, which activate signaling pathways and the expression of CAV1 to favor the acquisition of more aggressive traits. Here, we used in vitro [2D, invasion] and in vivo (metastasis) assays, as well as genetic and biochemical approaches to address this question. Colon and breast cancer cells were identified where CAV1 levels were low due to epigenetic suppression and could be reverted by treatment with the methyltransferase inhibitor 5’-azacytidine. Exposure of these cells to anti-neoplastic drugs for short periods of time (24-48 h) increased CAV1 expression through ROS production and MEK/ERK activation. In colon cancer cells, increased CAV1 expression enhanced migration and invasion in vitro via pathways requiring Src-family kinases, as well as Rac-1 activity. Finally, elevated CAV1 expression in colon cancer cells following exposure in vitro to sub-cytotoxic drug concentrations increased their metastatic potential in vivo. Therefore exposure of cancer cells to anti-neoplastic drugs at non-lethal drug concentrations induces signaling events and changes in transcription that favor CAV1-dependent migration, invasion and metastasis. Importantly, this may occur in the absence of selection for drug-resistance.

Caveolin1/protein arginine methyltransferase1/sirtuin1 axis as a potential target against endothelial dysfunction

Endothelial dysfunction (ED), an established response to cardiovascular risk factors, is characterized by increased levels of soluble molecules secreted by endothelial cells (EC). Evidence suggest that ED is an independent predictor of cardiac events and that it is associated with a deficiency in production or bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO) and/or an imbalance in the relative contribution of endothelium-derived relaxing and contracting factors. ED can be reversed by treating cardiovascular risk factors, hence, beyond ambiguity, ED contributes to initiation and progression of atherosclerotic disease. Majority of cardiovascular risk factors act by a common pathway, oxidative stress (OS), characterized by an imbalance in bioavailability of NO and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Enhanced ROS, through several mechanisms, alters competence of EC that leads to ED, reducing its potential to maintain homeostasis and resulting in development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Influential mechanisms that have been implicated in the development of ED include (i) presence of elevated levels of NOS inhibitor, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) due to augmented enzyme activity of protein arginine methyl transferase-1 (PRMT1); (ii) decrease in NO generation by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) uncoupling, or by reaction of NO with free radicals and (iii) impaired post translational modification of protein (PTM) such as eNOS, caveolin-1 (cav1) and sirtuin-1 (SIRT1). However, the inter-related mechanisms that concur to developing ED is yet to be understood. The events that possibly overlay include OS-induced sequestration of SIRT1 to caveolae facilitating cav1-SIRT1 association; potential increase in lysine acetylation of enzymes such as eNOS and PRMT1 leading to enhanced ADMA formation; imbalance in acetylation-methylation ratio (AMR); diminished NO generation and ED. Here we review current literature from research showing interdependent association between cav1-PRMT1-SIRT1 to the outcomes of experimental and clinical research aiming to preserve endothelial function with gene- or pharmaco-therapy.

Identification and characterization of the role of c-terminal Src kinase in dengue virus replication

We screened a siRNA library targeting human tyrosine kinases in Huh-7 cells and identified c-terminal Src kinase (Csk) as one of the kinases involved in dengue virus replication. Knock-down of Csk expression by siRNAs or inhibition of Csk by an inhibitor reduced dengue virus RNA levels but did not affect viral entry. Csk partially colocalized with viral replication compartments. Dengue infection was drastically reduced in cells lacking the three ubiquitous src family kinases, Src, Fyn and Yes. Csk knock-down in these cells failed to block dengue virus replication suggesting that the effect of Csk is via regulation of Src family kinases. Csk was found to be hyper-phosphorylated during dengue infection and inhibition of protein kinase A led to a block in Csk phosphorylation and dengue virus replication. Overexpression studies suggest an important role for the kinase and SH3 domains in this process. Our results identified a novel role for Csk as a host tyrosine kinase involved in dengue virus replication and provide further insights into the role of host factors in dengue replication.

The Kinome of Pacific Oyster Crassostrea gigas, Its Expression during Development and in Response to Environmental Factors

Oysters play an important role in estuarine and coastal marine habitats, where the majority of humans live. In these ecosystems, environmental degradation is substantial, and oysters must cope with highly dynamic and stressful environmental constraints during their lives in the intertidal zone. The availability of the genome sequence of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas represents a unique opportunity for a comprehensive assessment of the signal transduction pathways that the species has developed to deal with this unique habitat. We performed an in silico analysis to identify, annotate and classify protein kinases in C. gigas, according to their kinase domain taxonomy classification, and compared with kinome already described in other animal species. The C. gigas kinome consists of 371 protein kinases, making it closely related to the sea urchin kinome, which has 353 protein kinases. The absence of gene redundancy in some groups of the C. gigas kinome may simplify functional studies of protein kinases. Through data mining of transcriptomes in C. gigas, we identified part of the kinome which may be central during development and may play a role in response to various environmental factors. Overall, this work contributes to a better understanding of key sensing pathways that may be central for adaptation to a highly dynamic marine environment.

Csk-Induced Phosphorylation of Src at Tyrosine 530 is Essential for H2O2-Mediated Suppression of ERK1/2 in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are key signal transducers involved in various cellular events such as growth, proliferation, and differentiation. Previous studies have reported that H₂O₂ leads to phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), one of the MAPKs in endothelial cells. The current study shows that H₂O₂ suppressed ERK1/2 activation and phosphorylation at specific concentrations and times in human umbilical vein endothelial cells but not in immortalized mouse aortic endothelial cells or human astrocytoma cell line CRT-MG. Phosphorylation of other MAPK family members (i.e., p38 and JNK) was not suppressed by H₂O₂. The decrease in ERK1/2 phosphorylation induced by H₂O₂ was inversely correlated with the level of phosphorylation of Src tyrosine 530. Using siRNA, it was found that H₂O₂-induced suppression of ERK1/2 was dependent on Csk. Physiological laminar flow abrogated, but oscillatory flow did not affect, the H₂O₂-induced suppression of ERK1/2 phosphorylation. In conclusion, H₂O₂-induced Csk translocation to the plasma membrane leads to phosphorylation of Src at the tyrosine 530 residue resulting in a reduction of ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Physiological laminar flow abrogates this effect of H₂O₂ by inducing phosphorylation of Src tyrosine 419. These findings broaden our understanding of signal transduction mechanisms in the endothelial cells against oxidative stress.

Caveolae: molecular insights and therapeutic targets for stroke

INTRODUCTION

Caveolae are specialized plasma membrane micro-invaginations of most mammalian cell types. The organization and function of caveolae are carried out by their coat proteins, caveolins and adaptor proteins, cavins. Caveolae/caveolins physically interact with membrane-associated signaling molecules and function in cholesterol incorporation, signaling transduction and macromolecular transport/permeability.

AREAS COVERED

Recent investigations have implicated a check-and-balance role of caveolae in the pathophysiology of cerebral ischemia. Caveolin knockout mice displayed exacerbated ischemic injury, whereas caveolin peptide exerted remarkable protection against ischemia/reperfusion injury. This review attempts to provide a comprehensive synopsis of how caveolae/caveolins modulate blood-brain barrier permeability, pro-survival signaling, angiogenesis and neuroinflammation, and how this may contribute to a better understanding of the participation of caveolae in ischemic cascade. The role of caveolin in the preconditioning-induced tolerance against ischemia is also discussed.

EXPERT OPINION

Caveolae represent a novel target for cerebral ischemia. It remains open how to manipulate caveolin expression in a practical way to recapitulate the beneficial therapeutic outcomes. Caveolin peptides and associated antagomirs may be efficacious and deserve further investigations for their potential benefits for stroke.

Phosphorylation of caveolin-1 on tyrosine-14 induced by ROS enhances palmitate-induced death of beta-pancreatic cells

A considerable body of evidence exists implicating high levels of free saturated fatty acids in beta pancreatic cell death, although the molecular mechanisms and the signaling pathways involved have not been clearly defined. The membrane protein caveolin-1 has long been implicated in cell death, either by sensitizing to or directly inducing apoptosis and it is normally expressed in beta cells. Here, we tested whether the presence of caveolin-1 modulates free fatty acid-induced beta cell death by reexpressing this protein in MIN6 murine beta cells lacking caveolin-1. Incubation of MIN6 with palmitate, but not oleate, induced apoptotic cell death that was enhanced by the presence of caveolin-1. Moreover, palmitate induced de novo ceramide synthesis, loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation in MIN6 cells. ROS generation promoted caveolin-1 phosphorylation on tyrosine-14 that was abrogated by the anti-oxidant N-acetylcysteine or the incubation with the Src-family kinase inhibitor, PP2 (4-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7(dimethylethyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine). The expression of a non-phosphorylatable caveolin-1 tyrosine-14 to phenylalanine mutant failed to enhance palmitate-induced apoptosis while for MIN6 cells expressing the phospho-mimetic tyrosine-14 to glutamic acid mutant caveolin-1 palmitate sensitivity was comparable to that observed for MIN6 cells expressing wild type caveolin-1. Thus, caveolin-1 expression promotes palmitate-induced ROS-dependent apoptosis in MIN6 cells in a manner requiring Src family kinase mediated tyrosine-14 phosphorylation.

Lung injury and lung cancer caused by cigarette smoke-induced oxidative stress: Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities involving the ceramide-generating machinery and epidermal growth factor receptor

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer are frequently caused by tobacco smoking. However, these diseases present opposite phenotypes involving redox signaling at the cellular level. While COPD is characterized by excessive airway epithelial cell death and lung injury, lung cancer is caused by uncontrolled epithelial cell proliferation. Notably, epidemiological studies have demonstrated that lung cancer incidence is significantly higher in patients who have preexisting emphysema/lung injury. However, the molecular link and common cell signaling events underlying lung injury diseases and lung cancer are poorly understood. This review focuses on studies of molecular mechanism(s) underlying smoking-related lung injury (COPD) and lung cancer. Specifically, the role of the ceramide-generating machinery during cigarette smoke-induced oxidative stress leading to both apoptosis and proliferation of lung epithelial cells is emphasized. Over recent years, it has been established that ceramide is a sphingolipid playing a major role in lung epithelia structure/function leading to lung injury in chronic pulmonary diseases. However, new and unexpected findings draw attention to its potential role in lung development, cell proliferation, and tumorigenesis. To address this dichotomy in detail, evidence is presented regarding several protein targets, including Src, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and neutral sphingomyelinase 2, the major sphingomyelinase that controls ceramide generation during oxidative stress. Furthermore, their roles are presented not only in apoptosis and lung injury but also in enhancing cell proliferation, lung cancer development, and resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor-targeted therapy for treating lung cancer.

YES, a Src family kinase, is a proximal glucose-specific activator of cell division cycle control protein 42 (Cdc42) in pancreatic islet β cells

Second-phase insulin secretion sustains insulin release in the face of hyperglycemia associated with insulin resistance, requiring the continued mobilization of insulin secretory granules to the plasma membrane. Cdc42, the small Rho family GTPase recognized as the proximal glucose-specific trigger to elicit second-phase insulin secretion, signals downstream to activate the p21-activated kinase (PAK1), which then signals to Raf-1/MEK/ERK to induce filamentous actin (F-actin) remodeling, to ultimately mobilize insulin granules to the plasma membrane. However, the steps required to initiate Cdc42 activation in a glucose-specific manner in β cells have remained elusive. Toward this, we identified the involvement of the Src family kinases (SFKs), based upon the ability of SFK inhibitors to block glucose-stimulated Cdc42 and PAK1 activation events as well as the amplifying pathway of glucose-stimulated insulin release, in MIN6 β cells. Indeed, subsequent studies performed in human islets revealed that SFK phosphorylation was induced only by glucose and within 1 min of stimulation before the activation of Cdc42 at 3 min. Furthermore, pervanadate treatment validated the phosphorylation event to be tyrosine-specific. Although RT-PCR showed β cells to express five different SFK proteins, only two of these, YES and Fyn kinases, were found localized to the plasma membrane, and of these two, only YES kinase underwent glucose-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation. Immunodetection and RNAi analyses further established YES kinase as a proximal glucose-specific signal in the Cdc42-signaling cascade. Identification of YES kinase provides new insight into the mechanisms underlying the sustainment of insulin secretion via granule mobilization/replenishment and F-actin remodeling.

Insulin clearance: confirmation as a highly heritable trait, and genome-wide linkage analysis

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

We have previously documented a high heritability of insulin clearance in a Hispanic cohort. Here, our goal was to confirm the high heritability in a second cohort and search for genetic loci contributing to insulin clearance.

METHODS

Hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic clamps were performed in 513 participants from 140 Hispanic families. Heritability was estimated for clamp-derived insulin clearance and a two-phase genome-wide linkage scan was conducted using a variance components approach. Linkage peaks were further investigated by candidate gene association analysis in two cohorts.

RESULTS

The covariate-adjusted heritability of insulin clearance was 73%, indicating that the majority of the phenotypic variance is due to genetic factors. In the Phase 1 linkage scan, no signals with a logarithm of odds (LOD) score >2 were detected. In the Phase 2 scan, two linkage peaks with an LOD >2 for insulin clearance were identified on chromosomes 15 (LOD 3.62) and 20 (LOD 2.43). These loci harbour several promising candidate genes for insulin clearance, with 12 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on chromosome 15 and six SNPs on chromosome 20 being associated with insulin clearance in both Hispanic cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

In a second Hispanic cohort, we confirmed that insulin clearance is a highly heritable trait and identified chromosomal loci that harbour genes regulating insulin clearance. The identification of such genes may improve our understanding of how the body clears insulin, thus leading to improved risk assessment, diagnosis, prevention and therapy of diabetes, as well as of other hyperinsulinaemic disorders, such as the metabolic syndrome and polycystic ovary syndrome.

The association between CDC42 and caveolin-1 is involved in the regulation of capacitation and acrosome reaction of guinea pig and mouse sperm

In the mammalian sperm, the acrosome reaction (AR) is considered to be a regulated secretion that is an essential requirement for physiological fertilization. The AR is the all-or-nothing secretion system that allows for multiple membrane fusion events. It is a Ca2+-regulated exocytosis reaction that has also been shown to be regulated by several signaling pathways. CDC42 has a central role in the regulated exocytosis through the activation of SNARE proteins and actin polymerization. Furthermore, the lipid raft protein caveolin-1 (CAV1) functions as a scaffold and guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor protein for CDC42, which is inactivated when associated with CAV1. CDC42 and other RHO proteins have been shown to localize in the acrosome region of mammalian sperm; however, their relationship with the AR is unknown. Here, we present the first evidence that CDC42 and CAV1 could be involved in the regulation of capacitation and the AR. Our findings show that CDC42 is activated early during capacitation, reaching an activation maximum after 20 min of capacitation. Spontaneous and progesterone-induced ARs were inhibited when sperm were capacitated in presence of secramine A, a specific CDC42 inhibitor. CAV1 and CDC42 were co-immunoprecipitated from the membranes of noncapacitated sperm; this association was reduced in capacitated sperm, and our data suggest that the phosphorylation (Tyr14) of CAV1 by c-Src is involved in such reductions. We suggest that CDC42 activation is favored by the disruption of the CAV1–CDC42 interaction, allowing for its participation in the regulation of capacitation and the AR.

Caveolin-1: role in cell signaling

Caveolins (Cavs) are integrated plasma membrane proteins that are complex signaling regulators with numerous partners and whose activity is highly dependent on cellular context. Cavs are both positive and negative regulators of cell signaling in and/or out of caveolae, invaginated lipid raft domains whose formation is caveolin expression dependent. Caveolins and rafts have been implicated in membrane compartmentalization; proteins and lipids accumulate in these membrane microdomains where they transmit fast, amplified and specific signaling cascades. The concept of plasma membrane organization within functional rafts is still in exploration and sometimes questioned. In this chapter, we discuss the opposing functions of caveolin in cell signaling regulation focusing on the role of caveolin both as a promoter and inhibitor of different signaling pathways and on the impact of membrane domain localization on caveolin functionality in cell proliferation, survival, apoptosis and migration.

Caveolin-1 is involved in reactive oxygen species-induced SHP-2 activation in astrocytes

Recent evidence supports a neuroprotective role of Src homology 2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 2 (SHP-2) against ischemic brain injury. However, the molecular mechanisms of SHP-2 activation and those governing how SHP-2 exerts its function under oxidative stress conditions are not well understood. Recently we have reported that reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated oxidative stress promotes the phosphorylation of endogenous SHP-2 through lipid rafts, and that this phosphorylation strongly occurs in astrocytes, but not in microglia. To investigate the molecules involved in events leading to phosphorylation of SHP-2, raft proteins were analyzed using astrocytes and microglia. Interestingly, caveolin-1 and -2 were detected only in astrocytes but not in microglia, whereas flotillin-1 was expressed in both cell types. To examine whether the H2O2-dependent phosphorylation of SHP-2 is mediated by caveolin-1, we used specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) to downregulate caveolin- 1 expression. In the presence of caveolin-1 siRNA, the level of SHP-2 phosphorylation induced by H2O2 was significantly decreased, compared with in the presence of control siRNA. Overexpression of caveolin- 1 effectively increased H2O2-induced SHP-2 phosphorylation in microglia. Lastly, H2O2 induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation in astrocytes through caveolin-1. Our results suggest that caveolin-1 is involved in astrocyte-specific intracellular responses linked to the SHP-2-mediated signaling cascade following ROS-induced oxidative stress.

Caveolin-1-enhanced motility and focal adhesion turnover require tyrosine-14 but not accumulation to the rear in metastatic cancer cells

Caveolin-1 is known to promote cell migration, and increased caveolin-1 expression is associated with tumor progression and metastasis. In fibroblasts, caveolin-1 polarization and phosphorylation of tyrosine-14 are essential to promote migration. However, the role of caveolin-1 in migration of metastatic cells remains poorly defined. Here, caveolin-1 participation in metastatic cell migration was evaluated by shRNA targeting of endogenous caveolin-1 in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells and ectopic expression in B16-F10 mouse melanoma cells. Depletion of caveolin-1 in MDA-MB-231 cells reduced, while expression in B16-F10 cells promoted migration, polarization and focal adhesion turnover in a sequence of events that involved phosphorylation of tyrosine-14 and Rac-1 activation. In B16-F10 cells, expression of a non-phosphorylatable tyrosine-14 to phenylalanine mutant failed to recapitulate the effects observed with wild-type caveolin-1. Alternatively, treatment of MDA-MB-231 cells with the Src family kinase inhibitor PP2 reduced caveolin-1 phosphorylation on tyrosine-14 and cell migration. Surprisingly, unlike for fibroblasts, caveolin-1 polarization and re-localization to the trailing edge were not observed in migrating metastatic cells. Thus, expression and phosphorylation, but not polarization of caveolin-1 favor the highly mobile phenotype of metastatic cells.

Role of zinc metallothionein-3 (ZnMt3) in epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced c-Abl protein activation and actin polymerization in cultured astrocytes

Recent evidence indicates that zinc plays a major role in neurochemistry. Of the many zinc-binding proteins, metallothionein-3 (Mt3) is regarded as one of the major regulators of cellular zinc in the brain. However, biological functions of Mt3 are not yet well characterized. Recently, we found that lysosomal dysfunction in metallothionein-3 (Mt3)-null astrocytes involves down-regulation of c-Abl. In this study, we investigated the role of Mt3 in c-Abl activation and actin polymerization in cultured astrocytes following treatment with epidermal growth factor (EGF). Compared with wild-type (WT) astrocytes, Mt3-null cells exhibited a substantial reduction in the activation of c-Abl upon treatment with EGF. Consistent with previous studies, activation of c-Abl by EGF induced dissociation of c-Abl from F-actin. Mt3 added to astrocytic cell lysates bound F-actin, augmented F-actin polymerization, and promoted the dissociation of c-Abl from F-actin, suggesting a possible role for Mt3 in this process. Conversely, Mt3-deficient astrocytes showed significantly reduced dissociation of c-Abl from F-actin following EGF treatment. Experiments using various peptide fragments of Mt3 showed that a fragment containing the N-terminal TCPCP motif (peptide 1) is sufficient for this effect. Removal of zinc from Mt3 or pep1 with tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine abrogated the effect of Mt3 on the association of c-Abl and F-actin, indicating that zinc binding is necessary for this action. These results suggest that ZnMt3 in cultured astrocytes may be a normal component of c-Abl activation in EGF receptor signaling. Hence, modulation of Mt3 levels or distribution may prove to be a useful strategy for controlling cytoskeletal mobilization following EGF stimulation in brain cells.

Caveolin-1 orchestrates TCR synaptic polarity, signal specificity, and function in CD8 T cells

TCR engagement triggers the polarized recruitment of membrane, actin, and transducer assemblies within the T cell-APC contact that amplify and specify signaling cascades and T effector activity. We report that caveolin-1, a scaffold that regulates polarity and signaling in nonlymphoid cells, is required for optimal TCR-induced actin polymerization, synaptic membrane raft polarity, and function in CD8, but not CD4, T cells. In CD8(+) T cells, caveolin-1 ablation selectively impaired TCR-induced NFAT-dependent NFATc1 and cytokine gene expression, whereas caveolin-1 re-expression promoted NFATc1 gene expression. Alternatively, caveolin-1 ablation did not affect TCR-induced NF-κB-dependent Iκbα expression. Cav-1(-/-) mice did not efficiently promote CD8 immunity to lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, nor did cav-1(-/-) OT-1(+) CD8(+) T cells efficiently respond to Listeria monocytogenes-OVA after transfer into wild-type hosts. Therefore, caveolin-1 is a T cell-intrinsic orchestrator of TCR-mediated membrane polarity and signal specificity selectively employed by CD8 T cells to customize TCR responsiveness.

Human melanoma cells express FGFR/Src/Rho signaling that entails an adhesion-independent caveolin-1 membrane association

Caveolae have been indicated as a center of cytoskeleton regulation for Src kinase/Rho GTPase signaling. In addition, Src recruitment on intact cortical actin cytoskeleton appears to be required for bFGF/FGFR signal activation. Recently, we established a relationship between caveolin-1 (Cav-1) expression and cell migration in human malignant melanoma, constitutively activated by a bFGF autoregulatory loop. This work intends to investigate whether caveolae's asset, through bFGF/FGFR/c-Src/Rho signaling, could be related to melanoma cell anchorage. Accordingly, we revealed the existence of a FGFR/Src kinase pathway in Cav-1 enriched detergent-resistant membranes (DRMs) of Me665/1 metastatic melanoma cells, as confirmed by FGFR silencing. Moreover, we determined the expression and phosphorylation levels of Cav-1/Src/Erk signal pathway as a function of FGFR activation and cell density. A sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation was employed to monitor Cav-1 membrane association and buoyancy in Me665/1 cells treated for actin fragmentation or for altered phosphorylation signals. As a result, melanoma cells show remarkable resistance to Cav-1 disassembly, together with persisting cell signal activity, being Src and Cav-1 crucial modulators of Rho GTPases. In conclusion, our study primarily highlights, in a metastatic melanoma cell line expressing caveolin, the circumstances whereby caveola structural and functional endurance enables the FGFR/Src/Rho GTPases pathway to keep on cell progression.

Caveolin-1 deficiency exacerbates cardiac dysfunction and reduces survival in mice with myocardial infarction

Caveolin (Cav)-1 has been involved in the pathogenesis of ischemic injuries. For instance, modulations of Cav-1 expression have been reported in animal models of myocardial infarction and cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. Furthermore, ablation of the Cav-1 gene in mice has been shown to increase the extent of ischemic injury in models of cerebral and hindlimb ischemia. Cav-1 has also been suggested to play a role in myocardial ischemic preconditioning. However, the role of Cav-1 in myocardial ischemia (MI)-induced cardiac dysfunction still remains to be determined. We determined the outcome of a permanent left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) ligation in Cav-1 knockout (KO) mice. Wild-type (WT) and Cav-1 KO mice were subjected to permanent LAD ligation for 24 h. The progression of ischemic injury was monitored by echocardiography, hemodynamic measurements, 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining, β-binding analysis, cAMP level measurements, and Western blot analyses. Cav-1 KO mice subjected to LAD ligation display reduced survival compared with WT mice. Despite similar infarct sizes, Cav-1 KO mice subjected to MI showed reduced left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction and fractional shortening as well as increased LV end-diastolic pressures compared with their WT counterparts. Mechanistically, Cav-1 KO mice subjected to MI exhibit reduced β-adrenergic receptor density at the plasma membrane as well as decreased cAMP levels and PKA phosphorylation. In conclusion, ablation of the Cav-1 gene exacerbates cardiac dysfunction and reduces survival in mice subjected to MI. Mechanistically, Cav-1 KO mice subjected to LAD ligation display abnormalities in β-adrenergic signaling.

Mechanical strain-induced RhoA activation requires NADPH oxidase-mediated ROS generation in caveolae

Increased intraglomerular pressure leads to kidney fibrosis, and can be modeled by exposing glomerular mesangial cells (MC) to mechanical strain. We previously showed that RhoA mediates strain-induced matrix production. Here we investigate whether reactive oxygen species (ROS) are required for RhoA activation. Maximal RhoA activation (1 min) was inhibited by ROS scavenge or NADPH oxidase inhibition. Strain activated NADPH oxidase, with Rac1, p47(phox), and p67(phox) membrane translocation, and Rac1 activation, observed within 30 sec. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibition blocked RhoA and Rac1 activation, p67(phox) membrane translocation, and ROS generation. However, EGFR activation was unaffected by ROS inhibitors, placing it upstream of ROS generation. We previously showed, using chemical disruption, that caveolae mediate strain-induced EGFR and RhoA activation. In MC from caveolin-1 knockout mice, which lack caveolae, RhoA and Rac1 activation, p67(phox) membrane translocation, and ROS generation were absent. These were rescued by caveolin-1 re-expression. ROS generation, Rac1 activation, and p67(phox) membrane translocation were also prevented by Src inhibition. They were absent in MC stably infected with caveolin-1 Y14A, a mutant resistant to Src phosphorylation. In MC, caveolae are thus important mediators of strain-induced ROS generation through NADPH oxidase, mediating a signaling cascade which results in RhoA activation.

Up-regulation of caveolin-1 and blood-brain barrier breakdown are attenuated by N-acetylcysteine in thiamine deficiency

Wernicke's encephalopathy is a cerebral metabolic disorder caused by thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency (TD). Neuropathologic consequences of TD include region-selective neuronal cell loss and blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown. Caveolin-1 is involved in the regulation of tight junction proteins and BBB permeability, and is modulated by oxidative stress, a feature of vulnerable brain regions in TD. We hypothesized that TD-related oxidative stress alters BBB integrity via induction of the caveolin-1 pathway. TD was induced in C57BL6 mice by treatment with a thiamine-deficient diet and administration of the thiamine antagonist pyrithiamine, in the absence or presence of the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC). A significant and focal increase in both caveolin-1 gene and protein expression was detected in the thalamus of thiamine-deficient mice, concomitant with IgG extravasation. Reduction of oxidative stress by NAC, as shown by normalization of reduced glutathione levels and attenuation of endothelial heme oxygenase-1 and nitric oxide synthase expression, resulted in prevention of the up-regulation of caveolin-1 in TD. Normalization of caveolin-1 levels by NAC was accompanied by a reduction in BBB breakdown, indicated by decreased IgG extravasation, normalization of occludin levels and prevention of matrix metalloproteinase-9 up-regulation. These findings demonstrate a role for caveolin-1 in TD pathogenesis, and suggest that oxidative stress contributes to BBB alterations in TD via modulation of this pathway.

Role of caveolin-3 and glucose transporter-4 in isoflurane-induced delayed cardiac protection

BACKGROUND

Caveolae are small, flask-like invaginations of the plasma membrane. Caveolins are structural proteins found in caveolae that have scaffolding properties to allow organization of signaling. The authors tested the hypothesis that delayed cardiac protection induced by volatile anesthetics is caveolae or caveolin dependent.

METHODS

An in vivo mouse model of ischemia-reperfusion injury with delayed anesthetic preconditioning (APC) was tested in wild-type, caveolin-1 knockout, and caveolin-3 knockout mice. Mice were exposed to 30 min of oxygen or isoflurane and allowed to recover for 24 h. After 24 h recovery, mice underwent 30-min coronary artery occlusion followed by 2 h of reperfusion at which time infarct size was determined. Biochemical assays were also performed in excised hearts.

RESULTS

Infarct size as a percent of the area at risk was reduced by isoflurane in wild-type (24.0 +/- 8.8% vs. 45.1 +/- 10.1%) and caveolin-1 knockout mice (27.2 +/- 12.5%). Caveolin-3 knockout mice did not show delayed APC (41.5 +/- 5.0%). Microscopically distinct caveolae were observed in wild-type and caveolin-1 knockout mice but not in caveolin-3 knockout mice. Delayed APC increased the amount of caveolin-3 protein but not caveolin-1 protein in discontinuous sucrose-gradient buoyant fractions. In addition, glucose transporter-4 was increased in buoyant fractions, and caveolin-3/glucose transporter-4 colocalization was observed in wild-type and caveolin-1 knockout mice after APC.

CONCLUSIONS

These results show that delayed APC involves translocation of caveolin-3 and glucose transporter-4 to caveolae, resulting in delayed protection in the myocardium.

Caveolin-1: an ambiguous partner in cell signalling and cancer

Caveolae are small plasma membrane invaginations that have been implicated in a variety of functions including transcytosis, potocytosis and cholesterol transport and signal transduction. The major protein component of this compartment is a family of proteins called caveolins. Experimental data obtained in knockout mice have provided unequivocal evidence for a requirement of caveolins to generate morphologically detectable caveolae structures. However, expression of caveolins is not sufficient per seto assure the presence of these structures. With respect to other roles attributed to caveolins in the regulation of cellular function, insights are even less clear. Here we will consider, more specifically, the data concerning the ambiguous roles ascribed to caveolin-1 in signal transduction and cancer. In particular, evidence indicating that caveolin-1 function is cell context dependent will be discussed.

Fibrillar prion peptide PrP(106-126) treatment induces Dab1 phosphorylation and impairs APP processing and Abeta production in cortical neurons

Alzheimer's disease and prion diseases (e.g., Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease) display profound neural lesions associated with aberrant protein processing and extracellular amyloid deposits. However, the intracellular events in prion diseases and their relation with the processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and beta-amyloid generation are unknown. The adaptor protein Dab1 may regulate intracellular trafficking and secretase-mediated proteolysis in APP processing. However, a putative relationship between prion diseases and Dab1/APP interactions is lacking. Thus, we examined, in inoculated animals, whether Dab1 and APP processing are targets of the intracellular events triggered by extracellular exposure to PrP(106-126) peptide. Our in vitro results indicate that PrP(106-126) peptide induces tyrosine phosphorylation of Dab1 by activated members of the Src family of tyrosine kinases (SFK), which implies further Dab1 degradation. We also corroborate these results in Dab1 protein levels in prion-inoculated hamsters. Finally, we show that fibrillar prion peptides have a dual effect on APP processing and beta-amyloid production. First, they block APP trafficking at the cell membrane, thus decreasing beta-amyloid production. In parallel, they reduce Dab1 levels, which also alter APP processing. Lastly, neuronal cultures from Dab1-deficient mice showed severe impairment of APP processing with reduced sAPP secretion and A beta production after prion peptide incubation. Taken together, these data indicate a link between intracellular events induced by exposure to extracellular fibrillar peptide or PrP(res), and APP processing and implicate Dab1 in this link.

Caveolin-1 expression is essential for N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated Src and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 activation and protection of primary neurons from ischemic cell death

N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor (NMDAR) activation and downstream signaling are important for neuronal function. Activation of prosurvival Src family kinases and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 is initiated by NMDAR activation, but the cellular organization of these kinases in relation to NMDARs is not entirely clear. We hypothesized that caveolin-1 scaffolds and coordinates protein complexes involved in NMDAR signaling and that this organization is necessary for neuronal preconditioning, whereby NMDAR activation protects neurons from subsequent ischemic cell death. We found that sublethal ischemia (SLI) or preconditioning via NMDA treatment of primary cortical neurons from neonatal rats or mice increases expression of phosphorylated (P) caveolin-1, P-Src, and P-ERK1/2. The NMDAR antagonist, MK801, or the Src inhibitor, PP2, attenuated SLI-induced preconditioning. NMDAR2B distributed to buoyant fractions and heavy fractions, partially colocalized with caveolin-1 and the membrane raft marker, cholera toxin B. Cultures of primary neurons treated with caveolin-1 small interfering RNA or from caveolin-1(-/-) mice lacked the NMDA-mediated increase in P-Src and P-ERK, as well as SLI- and NMDA-induced preconditioning. Adenovirally mediated expression of caveolin-1 in neurons from caveolin-1(-/-) mice restored NMDA-mediated enhancement of P-Src and P-ERK1/2, redistributed NMDAR2B to buoyant fractions, and enhanced NMDAR2B localization to membrane rafts. We conclude that caveolin-1, perhaps via its ability to scaffold key signaling components, is essential for NMDAR localization to neuronal membrane rafts, NMDAR/Src tyrosine kinase family/ERK signaling, and protection of neurons from ischemic injury and cell death.

Regulation of c-Src activity in glutamate-induced neurodegeneration

c-Src is heavily expressed in the brain and in human neural tissues. Our pursuit for characterization of the neuroprotective mechanisms of tocotrienols led to the first evidence demonstrating that rapid c-Src activation plays a central role in executing glutamate-induced neurodegeneration. It is now known that Src deficiency or blockade of Src activity in mice provides cerebral protection following stroke. Here, we sought to examine the mechanisms that regulate inducible c-Src activity in glutamate-challenged HT4 neural cells and primary cortical neurons. Knockdown of c-Src protected cells against glutamate-induced loss of viability. Consistently, microinjection of siRNA against c-Src protected cells against glutamate. Using overexpression and knockdown approaches, we noted that SHP-1 may be implicated in glutamate-induced c-Src activation. Following such activation, Cbp and caveolin-1 were phosphorylated and associated with Csk. Csk was translocated to the membrane where it down-regulated glutamate-induced c-Src activity by catalyzing the inhibitory phosphorylation of a tyrosine residue in c-Src. Findings of this study present a new paradigm that addresses the regulation of c-Src under neurodegenerative conditions.

Regulation of insulin response in skeletal muscle cell by caveolin status

Recent studies on the role of caveolin-1 in adipocytes showed that caveolin has emerged as an important regulatory element in insulin signaling but little is known on its role in skeletal muscle cells. In this study, we demonstrate for the first time that caveolin-1 plays a crucial role in insulin dependent glucose uptake in skeletal muscle cells. Differentiation of L6 skeletal muscle cells induce the expression of caveolin-1 and caveolin-3 with partial colocalization. However in contrast to adipocytes, phosphorylation of insulin receptor beta (IRbeta) and Akt/Erk was not affected by the respective downregulation of caveolin-1 or caveolin-3 in the muscle cells. Moreover, the phosphorylation of IRbeta was detected not only in the caveolae but also in the non-caveolae fractions of the muscle cells despite the interaction of IRbeta with caveolin-1 and caveolin-3. These data implicate the lack of relationship between caveolins and IRbeta pathway in the muscle cells, different from the adipocytes. However, glucose uptake was reduced specifically by downregulation of caveolin-1, but not that of caveolin-3. Taken together, these observations suggest that caveolin-1 plays a crucial role in glucose uptake in differentiated muscle cells and that the regulation of caveolin-1 expression may be an important mechanism for insulin sensitivity, implying the role of muscle cells for type 2 diabetes.

VEGF signaling through NADPH oxidase-derived ROS

Angiogenesis is a key process involved in normal development and wound repair, as well as ischemic heart and limb diseases, and atherosclerosis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a potent angiogenesis factor, stimulates proliferation, migration, and tube formation of endothelial cells (ECs), primarily through the VEGF receptor type2 (VEGFR2). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) function as signaling molecules to mediate biological responses. In ECs, NADPH oxidase is one of the major sources of ROS and consists of catalytic subunits (Nox1, Nox2, and Nox4), p22phox, p47phox, p67phox, and the small GTPase Rac1. VEGF stimulates ROS production via activation of gp91phox (Nox2)-based NADPH oxidase, and ROS are involved in VEGFR2-mediated signaling linked to EC migration and proliferation. Moreover, ROS derived from NADPH oxidase are involved in postnatal angiogenesis. Localizing NADPH oxidase and its regulators at the specific subcellular compartment is an important mechanism for activating specific redox signaling events. This review focuses on a role of NADPH oxidase-derived ROS in angiogenesis and critical regulators involved in generation of spatially and temporally restricted ROS-dependent VEGF signaling at leading edge, focal adhesions/complexes, caveolae/lipid rafts, and cell-cell junctions in ECs. Understanding these mechanisms should facilitate the development of new therapeutic strategies to modulate new blood vessel formation.

Paxillin family members function as Csk-binding proteins that regulate Lyn activity in human and murine platelets

SFKs (Src family kinases) contribute importantly to platelet function in haemostasis. SFK activity is controlled by Csk (C-terminal Src kinase), which phosphorylates a C-terminal tyrosine residue on SFKs, resulting in inhibition of SFK activity. Csk is recruited to sites of SFK activity by tyrosine-phosphorylated Csk-binding proteins. Paxillin, a multidomain adaptor protein, has been shown to act as a Csk-binding protein and to inhibit Src activity during growth factor signalling. Human platelets express Hic-5, a member of the paxillin family; however, its ability to act as a Csk-binding protein has not been characterized. We sought to identify and characterize the ability of paxillin family members to act as Csk-binding proteins during platelet activation. We found that murine and human platelets differ in the complement of paxillin family members expressed. Human platelets express Hic-5, whereas murine platelets express paxillin and leupaxin in addition to Hic-5. In aggregating human platelets, Hic-5 was tyrosine phosphorylated and recruited Csk via its SH2 domains. In aggregating murine platelets, however, Csk bound preferentially to paxillin, even though both paxillin and Hic-5 were abundantly present and became tyrosine phosphorylated. The SFK Lyn, but not Src or Fyn, was associated with paxillin family members in resting and aggregated human and murine platelets. Lyn, however, was phosphorylated on its C-terminal inhibitory tyrosine residue only following platelet aggregation, which was coincident with recruitment of Csk to paxillin and/or Hic-5 in a manner dependent on prior alpha(IIb)beta3 engagement. These observations support the notion that Hic-5 and paxillin function as negative feedback regulators of SFKs in aggregated platelets and that, when both are present, paxillin is preferentially used.

Vascular signaling through cholesterol-rich domains: implications in hypertension

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Lipid rafts are emerging as key players in the integration of cellular responses. Alterations in these highly regulated signaling cascades are important in structural, mechanical and functional abnormalities that underlie vascular pathological processes. The present review focuses on recent advances in signal transduction through caveolae/lipid rafts, implicated in hypertensive processes.

RECENT FINDINGS

Caveolae/lipid rafts function as sites of dynamic regulatory events in receptor-induced signal transduction. Mediators of vascular function, including G-protein coupled receptors, Src family tyrosine kinases, receptor tyrosine kinases, protein phosphatases and nitric oxide synthase, are concentrated within these microdomains. The assembly of functionally active nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase and subsequent reactive oxygen species production are also dependent on interactions within the caveolae/lipid rafts. Recent findings have also demonstrated the importance of actin-cytoskeleton and focal adhesion sites for protein interactions with caveolae/lipid raft.

SUMMARY

Many vascular signaling processes are altered in hypertension. Whether these events involve lipid rafts/caveolae remains unclear. A better understanding of how signaling molecules compartmentalize in lipid rafts/caveolae will provide further insights into molecular mechanisms underlying vascular damage in cardiovascular disease.

Caveolin-1 sensitizes rat pituitary adenoma GH3 cells to bromocriptine induced apoptosis

BACKGROUND

Prolactinoma is the most frequent pituitary tumor in humans. The dopamine D2 receptor agonist bromocriptine has been widely used clinically to treat human breast tumor and prolactinoma through inhibition of hyperprolactinemia and induction of tumor cell apoptosis, respectively, but the molecular mechanism of bromocriptine induction of pituitary tumor apoptosis remains unclear. Caveolin-1 is a membrane-anchored protein enriched on caveolae, inverted flask-shaped invaginations on plasma membranes where signal transduction molecules are concentrated. Currently, caveolin-1 is thought to be a negative regulator of cellular proliferation and an enhancer of apoptosis by blocking signal transduction between cell surface membrane receptors and intracellular signaling protein cascades. Rat pituitary adenoma GH3 cells, which express endogenous caveolin-1, exhibit increased apoptosis and shrinkage after exposure to bromocriptine. Hence, the GH3 cell line is an ideal model for studying the molecular action of bromocriptine on prolactinoma.

RESULTS

The expression of endogenous caveolin-1 in GH3 cells was elevated after bromocriptine treatment. Transiently expressed mouse recombinant caveolin-1 induced apoptosis in GH3 cells by enhancing the activity of caspase 8. Significantly, caveolin-1 induction of GH3 cell apoptosis was sensitized by the administration of bromocriptine. Phosphorylation of caveolin-1 at tyrosine 14 was enhanced after bromocriptine treatment, suggesting that bromocriptine-induced phosphorylation of caveolin-1 may contribute to sensitization of apoptosis in GH3 cells exposed to bromocriptine.

CONCLUSION

Our results reveal that caveolin-1 increases sensitivity for apoptosis induction in pituitary adenoma GH3 cells and may contribute to tumor shrinkage after clinical bromocriptine treatment.

Mechanisms of cardiac protection from ischemia/reperfusion injury: a role for caveolae and caveolin-1

Caveolae, small invaginations in the plasma membrane, contain caveolins (Cav) that scaffold signaling molecules including the tyrosine kinase Src. We tested the hypothesis that cardiac protection involves a caveolin-dependent mechanism. We used in vitro and in vivo models of ischemia-reperfusion injury, electron microscopy (EM), transgenic mice, and biochemical assays to address this hypothesis. We found that Cav-1 mRNA and protein were expressed in mouse adult cardiac myocytes (ACM). The volatile anesthetic, isoflurane, protected ACM from hypoxia-induced cell death and increased sarcolemmal caveolae. Hearts of wild-type (WT) mice showed rapid phosphorylation of Src and Cav-1 after isoflurane and ischemic preconditioning. The Src inhibitor PP2 reduced phosphorylation of Src (Y416) and Cav-1 in the heart and abolished isoflurane-induced cardiac protection in WT mice. Infarct size (percent area at risk) was reduced by isoflurane in WT (30.5+/-4 vs. 44.2+/-3, n=7, P<0.05) but not Cav-1(-/-) mice (46.6+/-5 vs. 41.7+/-3, n=7). Cav-1(-/-) mice exposed to isoflurane showed significant alterations in Src phosphorylation and recruitment of C-terminal Src kinase, a negative regulator of Src, when compared to WT mice. The results indicate that isoflurane modifies cardiac myocyte sarcolemmal membrane structure and composition and that activation of Src and phosphorylation of Cav-1 contribute to cardiac protection. Accordingly, therapies targeted to post-translational modification of Src and Cav-1 may provide a novel approach for such protection.