Characterization of a γ-adaptin ear-binding motif in enthoprotin

Hypothesis review: are clathrin-mediated endocytosis and clathrin-dependent membrane and protein trafficking core pathophysiological processes in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder?

Clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) is the best-characterized mechanism governing cellular membrane and protein trafficking. In this hypothesis review, we integrate recent evidence implicating CME and related cellular trafficking mechanisms in the pathophysiology of psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The evidence includes proteomic and genomic findings implicating proteins and genes of the clathrin interactome. Additionally, several important candidate genes for schizophrenia, such as dysbindin, are involved in processes closely linked to CME and membrane trafficking. We discuss that key aspects of psychosis neuropathology such as synaptic dysfunction, white matter changes and aberrant neurodevelopment are all influenced by clathrin-dependent processes, and that other cellular trafficking mechanisms previously linked to psychoses interact with the clathrin interactome in important ways. Furthermore, many antipsychotic drugs have been shown to affect clathrin-interacting proteins. We propose that the targeted pharmacological manipulation of the clathrin interactome may offer fruitful opportunities for novel treatments of schizophrenia.

Liquid facets-related (lqfR) is required for egg chamber morphogenesis during Drosophila oogenesis

Clathrin interactor 1 [CLINT1] (also called enthoprotin/EpsinR) is an Epsin N-terminal homology (ENTH) domain-containing adaptor protein that functions in anterograde and retrograde clathrin-mediated trafficking between the trans-Golgi network and the endosome. Removal of both Saccharomyces cerevisiae homologs, Ent3p and Ent5p, result in yeast that are viable, but that display a cold-sensitive growth phenotype and mistrafficking of various vacuolar proteins. Similarly, either knock-down or overexpression of vertebrate CLINT1 in cell culture causes mistrafficking of proteins. Here, we have characterized Drosophila CLINT1, liquid-facets Related (lqfR). LqfR is ubiquitously expressed throughout development and is localized to the Golgi and endosome. Strong hypomorphic mutants generated by imprecise P-element excision exhibit extra macrochaetae, rough eyes and are female sterile. Although essentially no eggs are laid, the ovaries do contain late-stage egg chambers that exhibit abnormal morphology. Germline clones reveal that LqfR expression in the somatic follicle cells is sufficient to rescue the oogenesis defects. Clones of mutant lqfR follicle cells have a decreased cell size consistent with a downregulation of Akt1. We find that while total Akt1 levels are increased there is also a significant decrease in activated phosphorylated Akt1. Taken together, these results show that LqfR function is required to regulate follicle cell size and signaling during Drosophila oogenesis.

Gadkin: A novel link between endosomal vesicles and microtubule tracks

Different types of endosomal vesicles show distinct distribution patterns within cells. While early endosomes can be found throughout the cell, recycling endosomal vesicles and tubules tend to cluster near the microtubule organizing center in the perinuclear region in most cell types. The molecular mechanisms underlying the steady-state distribution and dynamics of various types of endosomal vesicles has long remained enigmatic. However, during the past decade it has become evident that microtubule-based motor proteins of the kinesin family play a pivotal role in the positioning of endosomes. Early endosomes were shown to cluster in the perinuclear area in the absence of KIF16B,1 KIF3A is required for the steady-state distribution of late endosomes/lysosomes,2 and KIF13A directs M6PR-containing vesicles from the TGN to the plasma membrane3 to name only a few examples. In the case of Tf-containing recycling endosomes antibody-injection experiments implicated kinesin-1, a heteromer comprised of KIF5 heavy and KLC light chains, as a motor for their transport towards the cell periphery.4 Indeed, KIF5B knockdown experiments confirmed that kinesin-1 is necessary to maintain the peripheral pool of recycling endosomes.5 But how is kinesin-1 linked to endosomal vesicles? Work from our own laboratory has identified the AP-1-binding protein Gadkin as a molecular link between AP-1-mediated traffic and kinesin-1-based transport along microtubules.5 This work as well as hypothetical models for kinesin-dependent endosomal membrane traffic will be discussed here.

A novel subtype of AP-1-binding motif within the palmitoylated trans-Golgi network/endosomal accessory protein Gadkin/gamma-BAR

Membrane traffic between the trans-Golgi network (TGN) and endosomes is mediated in part by the assembly of clathrin-AP-1 adaptor complex-coated vesicles. This process involves multiple accessory proteins that directly bind to the ear domain of AP-1gamma via degenerate peptide motifs that conform to the consensus sequence diameterG(P/D/E)(diameter/L/M) (with diameter being a large hydrophobic amino acid). Recently, gamma-BAR (hereafter referred to as Gadkin for reasons explained below) has been identified as a novel AP-1 recruitment factor involved in AP-1-dependent endosomal trafficking of lysosomal enzymes. How precisely Gadkin interacts with membranes and with AP-1gamma has remained unclear. Here we show that Gadkin is an S-palmitoylated peripheral membrane protein that lacks stable tertiary structure. S-Palmitoylation is required for the recruitment of Gadkin to TGN/endosomal membranes but not for binding to AP-1. Furthermore, we identify a novel subtype of AP-1-binding motif within Gadkin that specifically associates with the gamma1-adaptin ear domain. Mutational inactivation of this novel type of motif, either alone or in combination with three more conventional AP-1gamma binding peptides, causes Gadkin to mislocalize to the plasma membrane and interferes with its ability to render AP-1 brefeldin A-resistant, indicating its physiological importance. Our studies thus unravel the molecular basis for Gadkin-mediated AP-1 recruitment to TGN/endosomal membranes and identify a novel subtype of the AP-1-binding motif.

Zebrafish as a genetic model in biological and behavioral gerontology: where development meets aging in vertebrates--a mini-review

Understanding the molecular mechanisms of aging in vertebrates is a major challenge of modern biology and biomedical science. This is due, in part, to the complexity of the aging process and its multifactorial nature, the paucity of animal models that lend themselves to unbiased high-throughput screening for aging phenotypes, and the difficulty of predicting such phenotypes at an early age. We suggest that the zebrafish genetic model offers a unique opportunity to fill in this gap and contributes to advances in biological and behavioral gerontology. Our recent studies demonstrated that this diurnal vertebrate with gradual senescence is an excellent model in which to study age-dependent changes in musculoskeletal and eye morphology, endocrine factors, gene expression, circadian clock, sleep and cognitive functions. Importantly, we have also found that the presence of a senescence-associated biomarker ('senescence-associated beta-galactosidase') can be documented during early zebrafish development and is predictive of premature aging phenotypes later in adult life. The availability of mutant 'genotypes' with identified aging 'phenotypes' in zebrafish, in combination with a wealth of information about zebrafish development and genetics, and the existence of multiple mutant and transgenic lines, should significantly facilitate the use of this outstanding vertebrate model in deciphering the mechanisms of aging, and in developing preventive and therapeutic strategies to prolong the productive life span ('health span') in humans.

Common principles in clathrin-mediated sorting at the Golgi and the plasma membrane

Clathrin-mediated vesicular trafficking events underpin the vectorial transfer of macromolecules between several eukaryotic membrane-bound compartments. Classical models for coat operation, focused principally on interactions between clathrin, the heterotetrameric adaptor complexes, and cargo molecules, fail to account for the full complexity of the coat assembly and sorting process. New data reveal that targeting of clathrin adaptor complexes is generally supported by phosphoinositides, that cargo recognition by heterotetrameric adaptors depends on phosphorylation-driven conformational alterations, and that dedicated clathrin-associated sorting proteins (CLASPs) exist to promote the selective trafficking of specific categories of cargo. A host of accessory factors also participate in coat polymerization events, and the independently folded appendage domains that project off the heterotetrameric adaptor core function as recruitment platforms that appear to oversee assembly operations. It is also now clear that focal polymerization of branched actin microfilaments contributes to clathrin-coated vesicle assembly and movement at both plasma membrane and Golgi sites. This improved appreciation of the complex mechanisms governing clathrin-dependent sorting events reveals several common principles of clathrin operation at the Golgi and the plasma membrane.

Aftiphilin is a component of the clathrin machinery in neurons

Aftiphilin was identified through a database search for proteins containing binding motifs for the gamma-ear domain of clathrin adaptor protein 1 (AP-1). Here, we demonstrate that aftiphilin is expressed predominantly in brain where it is enriched on clathrin-coated vesicles. In addition to eight gamma-ear-binding motifs, aftiphilin contains two WXXF-acidic motifs that mediate binding to the alpha-ear of clathrin adaptor protein 2 (AP-2) and three FXXFXXF/L motifs that mediate binding to the alpha- and beta2-ear. We demonstrate that aftiphilin uses these motifs for interactions with AP-1 and AP-2 and that it immunoprecipitates these APs but not AP-3 or AP-4 from brain extracts. Aftiphilin demonstrates a brefeldin A sensitive localization to the trans-Golgi network in hippocampal neurons where it co-localizes with AP-1. Aftiphilin is also found at synapses where it co-localizes with synaptophysin and AP-2. Our data suggest a role for aftiphilin in clathrin-mediated trafficking in neurons.

Gamma-BAR, a novel AP-1-interacting protein involved in post-Golgi trafficking

A novel peripheral membrane protein (2c18) that interacts directly with the gamma 'ear' domain of the adaptor protein complex 1 (AP-1) in vitro and in vivo is described. Ultrastructural analysis demonstrates a colocalization of 2c18 and gamma1-adaptin at the trans-Golgi network (TGN) and on vesicular profiles. Overexpression of 2c18 increases the fraction of membrane-bound gamma1-adaptin and inhibits its release from membranes in response to brefeldin A. Knockdown of 2c18 reduces the steady-state levels of gamma1-adaptin on membranes. Overexpression or downregulation of 2c18 leads to an increased secretion of the lysosomal hydrolase cathepsin D, which is sorted by the mannose-6-phosphate receptor at the TGN, which itself involves AP-1 function for trafficking between the TGN and endosomes. This suggests that the direct interaction of 2c18 and gamma1-adaptin is crucial for membrane association and thus the function of the AP-1 complex in living cells. We propose to name this protein gamma-BAR.

Two WXXF-based motifs in NECAPs define the specificity of accessory protein binding to AP-1 and AP-2

The adaptor proteins AP-2 and AP-1/GGAs are essential components of clathrin coats at the plasma membrane and trans-Golgi network, respectively. The adaptors recruit accessory proteins to clathrin-coated pits, which is dependent on the adaptor ear domains engaging short peptide motifs in the accessory proteins. Here, we perform an extensive mutational analysis of a novel WXXF-based motif that functions to mediate the binding of an array of accessory proteins to the alpha-adaptin ear domain of AP-2. Using nuclear magnetic resonance and mutational studies, we identified WXXF-based motifs as major ligands for a site on the alpha-ear previously shown to bind the DPW-bearing proteins epsin 1/2. We also defined the determinants that allow for specific binding of the alpha-ear motif to AP-2 as compared to those that allow a highly related WXXF-based motif to bind to the ear domains of AP-1/GGAs. Intriguingly, placement of acidic residues around the WXXF cores is critical for binding specificity. These studies provide a structural basis for the specific recruitment of accessory proteins to appropriate sites of clathrin-coated vesicle formation.

GGA1 Interacts with the Adaptor Protein AP-1 through a WNSF Sequence in Its Hinge Region

The Golgi-associated gamma-adaptin-related ADP-ribosylation factor-binding proteins (GGAs) are critical components of the transport machinery that mediates the trafficking of the mannose 6-phosphate receptors and associated cargo from the trans-Golgi network to the endosomes. The GGAs colocalize in vivo with the clathrin adaptor protein AP-1 and bind to AP-1 in vitro, suggesting that the two proteins may cooperate in packaging the mannose 6-phosphate receptors into clathrin-coated vesicles at the trans-Golgi network. Here, we demonstrate that the sequence, (382)WNSF(385), in the hinge region of GGA1 mediates its interaction with the AP-1 gamma-ear. The Trp and Phe constitute critical amino acids in this interaction. The binding of Rabaptin5 to the AP-1 gamma-ear, which occurs through a FXXPhi motif, is inhibited by a peptide encoding the GGA1 (382)WNSF(385) sequence. Moreover, mutations in the AP-1 gamma-ear that abolish its interaction with Rabaptin5 also preclude its association with GGA1. These results suggest that the GGA1 WXXF-type and Rabaptin5 FXXPhi-type motifs bind to the same or highly overlapping sites in the AP-1 gamma-ear. This binding is modulated by residues adjacent to the core motifs.

ENTH/ANTH proteins and clathrin-mediated membrane budding

The epsin N-terminal homology (ENTH) domain is an evolutionarily conserved protein module found primarily in proteins that participate in clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Structural analyses and ligand-binding studies have shown that a set of proteins previously designated as harboring an ENTH domain in fact contain a highly similar, yet unique module referred to as an AP180 N-terminal homology (ANTH) domain. ENTH and ANTH (E/ANTH) domains bind both inositol phospholipids and proteins and contribute to the nucleation and formation of clathrin coats on membranes. ENTH domains also function in the development of membrane curvature through lipid remodeling during the formation of clathrin-coated vesicles. E/ANTH-bearing proteins have recently been shown to function with adaptor protein-1 and GGA adaptors at the trans-Golgi network, which suggests that E/ANTH domains are universal components of the machinery for clathrin-mediated membrane budding.