Vinculin binding site mapped on talin with an anti-idiotypic antibody

Molecular mechanisms of host cytoskeletal rearrangements by Shigella invasins

Pathogen-induced reorganization of the host cell cytoskeleton is a common strategy utilized in host cell invasion by many facultative intracellular bacteria, such as Shigella, Listeria, enteroinvasive E. coli and Salmonella. Shigella is an enteroinvasive intracellular pathogen that preferentially infects human epithelial cells and causes bacillary dysentery. Invasion of Shigella into intestinal epithelial cells requires extensive remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton with the aid of pathogenic effector proteins injected into the host cell by the activity of the type III secretion system. These so-called Shigella invasins, including IpaA, IpaC, IpgB1, IpgB2 and IpgD, modulate the actin-regulatory system in a concerted manner to guarantee efficient entry of the bacteria into host cells.

Novel vinculin binding site of the IpaA invasin of Shigella

Internalization of Shigella into host epithelial cells, where the bacteria replicates and spreads to neighboring cells, requires a type 3 secretion system (T3SS) effector coined IpaA. IpaA binds directly to and activates the cytoskeletal protein vinculin after injection in the host cell cytosol, and this was previously thought to be directed by two amphipathic α-helical vinculin-binding sites (VBS) found in the C-terminal tail domain of IpaA. Here, we report a third VBS, IpaA-VBS3, that is located N-terminal to the other two VBSs of IpaA and show that one IpaA molecule can bind up to three vinculin molecules. Biochemical in vitro Shigella invasion assays and the 1.6 Å crystal structure of the vinculin·IpaA-VBS3 complex showed that IpaA-VBS3 is functionally redundant with the other two IpaA-VBSs in cell invasion and in activating the latent F-actin binding functions of vinculin. Multiple VBSs in IpaA are reminiscent of talin, which harbors 11 VBSs. However, most of the talin VBSs have low affinity and are buried in helix bundles, whereas all three of the VBSs of IpaA are high affinity, readily available, and in close proximity to each other in the IpaA structure. Although deletion of IpaA-VBS3 has no detectable effects on Shigella invasion of epithelial cells, deletion of all three VBSs impaired bacterial invasion to levels found in an ipaA null mutant strain. Thus, IpaA-directed mimicry of talin in activating vinculin occurs through three high affinity VBSs that are essential for Shigella pathogenesis.

α-actinin is required for the proper assembly of Z-disk/focal-adhesion-like structures and for efficient locomotion in Caenorhabditis elegans

The actin binding protein α-actinin is a major component of focal adhesions found in vertebrate cells and of focal-adhesion-like structures found in the body wall muscle of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. To study its in vivo function in this genetic model system, we isolated a strain carrying a deletion of the single C. elegans α-actinin gene. We assessed the cytological organization of other C. elegans focal adhesion proteins and the ultrastructure of the mutant. The mutant does not have normal dense bodies, as observed by electron microscopy; however, these dense-body-like structures still contain the focal adhesion proteins integrin, talin, and vinculin, as observed by immunofluorescence microscopy. Actin is found in normal-appearing I-bands, but with abnormal accumulations near muscle cell membranes. Although swimming in water appeared grossly normal, use of automated methods for tracking the locomotion of individual worms revealed a defect in bending. We propose that the reduced motility of α-actinin null is due to abnormal dense bodies that are less able to transmit the forces generated by actin/myosin interactions.

Ostip2, a novel oncoprotein that associates with the Rho exchange factor Ost

The ost protooncogene encodes a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for the Rho family of small GTPases, RhoA and Cdc42. The N-terminal domain of Ost (Ost-N) appears to negatively regulate the oncogenic activity of the protein, as deletion of this domain drastically increases its transforming activity in NIH 3T3 cells. Using a yeast two-hybrid system, we identified five genes encoding proteins that can interact with Ost-N. One of them, designated OSTIP2 (Ost interacting protein 2), encoded a previously uncharacterized protein. The OSTIP2 product is highly expressed in skeletal muscle as a 1.2-kb transcript. Full-length OSTIP2 cDNA contained an ORF of 193 amino acids. Transcription-coupled translation of OSTIP2 cDNA in reticulocyte lysates revealed a protein product of 20 kDa, which corresponded to the predicted size of the protein. Bacterially expressed glutathione S-transferase (GST)-Ostip2 fusion protein efficiently associated in vitro with baculovirus-expressed Ost. Interestingly, expression of Ostip2 in NIH 3T3 cells efficiently induced foci of morphologically transformed cells. Moreover, inoculation of athymic (nude) mice with OSTIP2 transfectants strongly induced tumor formation. These results suggest that Ostip2 is a novel oncoprotein that can interact with the Rho exchange factor Ost.

Vinculin and talin: kinetics of entry and exit from the cytoskeletal pool

Vinculin and talin, two major components of focal contacts, exist in cytosolic and cytoskeletal pools. The kinetics of entry and exit of the two proteins between the two pools were investigated in normal and transformed cells. In cultured chick embryo fibroblasts, a fraction (2-5%) of the newly synthesized vinculin and talin reached maximal levels in the cytoskeleton in 30-45 min. Both proteins had 2-3 times shorter half-lives in the cytoskeletal pool (t1/2 = 6-7 h) than in the cytosolic pool (t1/2 = 14-15 h), which suggests that the incorporation of cytosolic vinculin and talin into the cytoskeleton does not involve a simple equilibrium between the two pools. However, after disruption of cell-to-substrate adhesion by trypsinization, an equilibrium in the incorporation between the two pools was transiently established, resulting in the use of the preexisting cytosolic pools of the two proteins during re-establishment of cell-to-matrix contacts. Viral transformation did not cause a significant change in the incorporation rates into the cytoskeleton. However, it decreased the half-lives of both proteins in the cytoskeletal pool (t1/2 = approximately 4 h) and in the cytosolic pool (t1/2 = 9-10 h). The increased turn-over rates of vinculin and talin in the cytoskeletal pool in transformed cells may contribute to the enhanced motility of transformed cells.

Identification of a talin-binding site in the integrin beta(3) subunit distinct from the NPLY regulatory motif of post-ligand binding functions. The talin n-terminal head domain interacts with the membrane-proximal region of the beta(3) cytoplasmic tail

Following platelet aggregation, integrin alpha(IIb)beta(3) becomes associated with the platelet cytoskeleton. The conserved NPLY sequence represents a potential beta-turn motif in the beta(3) cytoplasmic tail and has been suggested to mediate the interaction of beta(3) integrins with talin. In the present study, we performed a double mutation (N744Q/P745A) in the integrin beta(3) subunit to test the functional significance of this beta-turn motif. Chinese hamster ovary cells were co-transfected with cDNA constructs encoding mutant beta(3) and wild type alpha(IIb). Cells expressing either wild type (A5) or mutant (D4) alpha(IIb)beta(3) adhered to fibrinogen; however, as opposed to control A5 cells, adherent D4 cells failed to spread, form focal adhesions, or initiate protein tyrosine phosphorylation. To investigate the role of the NPLY motif in talin binding, we examined the ability of the mutant alpha(IIb)beta(3) to interact with talin in a solid phase binding assay. Both wild type and mutant alpha(IIb)beta(3), purified by RGD affinity chromatography, bound to a similar extent to immobilized talin. Additionally, purified talin failed to interact with peptides containing the AKWDTANNPLYK sequence indicating that the talin binding domain in the integrin beta(3) subunit does not reside in the NPLY motif. In contrast, specific binding of talin to peptides containing the membrane-proximal HDRKEFAKFEEERARAK sequence of the beta(3) cytoplasmic tail was observed, and this interaction was blocked by a recombinant protein fragment corresponding to the 47-kDa N-terminal head domain of talin (rTalin-N). In addition, RGD affinity purified platelet alpha(IIb)beta(3) bound dose-dependently to immobilized rTalin-N, indicating that an integrin-binding site is present in the talin N-terminal head domain. Collectively, these studies demonstrate that the NPLY beta-turn motif regulates post-ligand binding functions of alpha(IIb)beta(3) in a manner independent of talin interaction. Moreover, talin was shown to bind through its N-terminal head domain to the membrane-proximal sequence of the beta(3) cytoplasmic tail.

Mechanical loading regulates expression of talin and its mRNA, which are concentrated at myotendinous junctions

The hypothesis that mechanical loading regulates talin expression in developing and adult muscle was tested using in vitro and in vivo models. Talin was selected for study because it is a key structural link between the cytoskeleton and cell membrane. In the in vitro model, C2C12 myotubes were subjected to cyclic strains for 48 h. In the in vivo model, rat hindlimb muscles were unloaded for 10 days, then reloaded for 2 days. Cyclic loading of myotubes resulted in significant increases in the quantity of talin (68%) and its 190-kDa proteolytic fragment (70%), as well as talin mRNA (180%), relative to unloaded myotube cultures. Similarly, talin concentration and its mRNA increased by 68 and 136%, respectively, in soleus muscles reloaded for 2 days relative to ambulatory controls. Immunohistochemistry and in situ RT-PCR showed that talin and its mRNA are concentrated and colocalized at myotendinous junctions. Thus these findings indicate that increased mechanical loading promotes talin synthesis, which occurs principally at myotendinous junctions, according to talin mRNA distribution.

Talin contains three actin-binding sites each of which is adjacent to a vinculin-binding site

We have determined the sequence of chicken talin (2,541 amino acids, M(r) 271,881) which is very similar (89% identity) to that of the mouse protein. Alignments with the Caenorhabditis elegans and Dictyostelium discoideum talin sequences show that the N- and C-terminal regions of the protein are conserved whereas the central part of the molecule is more divergent. By expressing overlapping talin polypeptides as fusion proteins, we have identified at least three regions of the protein which can bind F-actin: residues 102–497, 951–1,327 and 2,269-2,541. The N-terminal binding site contains a region with homology to the ERM family of actin-binding proteins, and the C-terminal site is homologous to the yeast actin-binding protein Sla2p. Each of the actin-binding sites is close to, but distinct from a binding site for vinculin, a protein which also binds actin. The Pro1176 to Thr substitution found in talin from Wistar-Furth rats does not destroy the capacity of this region of the protein to bind actin or vinculin. Microinjection studies showed that a fusion protein containing the N-terminal actin-binding site localised weakly to stress fibres, whereas one containing the C-terminal site initially localised predominantly to focal adhesions. The former was readily solubilised, and the latter was resistant to Triton extraction. The N-terminal talin polypeptide eventually disrupted actin stress fibres whereas the C-terminal polypeptide was without effect. However, a larger C-terminal fusion protein also containing a vinculin-binding site did disrupt stress fibres and focal adhesions. The results suggest that, although both the N- and C-terminal regions of talin bind actin, the properties of these two regions of the protein are distinct.

Direct binding of the platelet integrin alphaIIbbeta3 (GPIIb-IIIa) to talin. Evidence that interaction is mediated through the cytoplasmic domains of both alphaIIb and beta3

As a consequence of platelet activation and fibrinogen binding, glycoprotein (GP)IIb-IIIa (integrin alphaIIbbeta3) becomes associated with the cytoskeleton. Although talin has been suggested to act as a linkage protein mediating the attachment of GPIIb-IIIa to actin filaments, direct binding of GPIIb-IIIa to this cytoskeletal protein has not been demonstrated. In the present study, we examined the interaction of GPIIb-IIIa with purified talin using a solid-phase binding assay. Soluble GPIIb-IIIa bound in a time- and dose-dependent manner to microtiter wells coated with talin but not with BSA. Time course studies demonstrated that steady-state binding was achieved after 4-5 h incubation at 37 degrees C. Binding isotherms with varying concentrations of GPIIb-IIIa showed that half-saturation binding was achieved at approximately 15 nM GPIIb-IIIa. At saturation, there was 211 +/- 8 fmol of GPIIb-IIIa bound per well containing 117 +/- 10 fmol of immobilized talin. Besides binding to immobilized talin, GPIIb-IIIa also bound to talin captured by the anti-talin monoclonal antibody 8d4. Moreover, the interaction of GPIIb-IIIa to 8d4-captured talin was blocked by mAb10B2, a monoclonal antibody raised against a synthetic peptide encompassing the entire cytoplasmic sequence of GPIIb. The interaction of talin with the cytoplasmic domain of GPIIb-IIIa was further investigated using peptide-coated wells. Purified talin was found to bind to both synthetic peptides corresponding to the cytoplasmic sequences of GPIIb (P2b) and GPIIIa (P3a). As expected, the binding of talin to P2b-coated wells was specifically blocked by mAb10B2. Thus, these results demonstrate direct binding of GPIIb-IIIa to talin and suggest a role of the cytoplasmic sequences of both GPIIb and GPIIIa in mediating this interaction.

Spontaneous development of anti-hepatitis B virus envelope (anti-idiotypic) antibodies in animals immunized with human liver endonexin II or with the F(ab')2 fragment of anti-human liver endonexin II immunoglobulin G: evidence for a receptor-ligand-like relationship between small hepatitis B surface antigen and endonexin II

In a previous study, we have identified endonexin II (E-II) on human liver plasma membranes as a specific, Ca(2+)-dependent, small hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-binding protein. In this article, we describe the spontaneous development of anti-HBs antibodies in rabbits immunized with native or recombinant human liver E-II and in chickens immunized with the F(ab')2 fragment of rabbit anti-human liver E-II immunoglobulin G. Anti-HBs activity was not observed in rabbits immunized with rat liver E-II. Cross-reactivity of anti-E-II antibodies to HBsAg epitopes was excluded, since anti-HBs and anti-E-II activities can be separated by E-II affinity chromatography. The existence of an anti-idiotypic antibody is further demonstrated by competitive binding of human liver E-II and this antibody (Ab2) to small HBsAg, suggesting that Ab2 mimics a specific E-II epitope that interacts with small HBsAg. In addition, it was demonstrated that anti-HBs antibodies developed in rabbits after immunization with intact human liver E-II or in chickens after immunization with F(ab')2 fragments of rabbit anti-human liver E-II immunoglobulin G recognize the same epitopes on small HBsAg. These findings strongly indicate that human liver E-II is a very specific small HBsAg-binding protein and support the assumption that human liver E-II is the hepatitis B virus receptor protein.