Photolysis of Caged Inositol Pyrophosphate InsP8 Directly Modulates Intracellular Ca2+ Oscillations and Controls C2AB Domain Localization

Intracellular delivery and deep tissue penetration of nucleoside triphosphates using photocleavable covalently bound dendritic polycations

Nucleoside triphosphates (NTPs) are essential in various biological processes. Cellular or even organismal controlled delivery of NTPs would be highly desirable, yet in cellulo and in vivo applications are hampered owing to their negative charge leading to cell impermeability. NTP transporters or NTP prodrugs have been developed, but a spatial and temporal control of the release of the investigated molecules remains challenging with these strategies. Herein, we describe a general approach to enable intracellular delivery of NTPs using covalently bound dendritic polycations, which are derived from PAMAM dendrons and their guanidinium derivatives. By design, these modifications are fully removable through attachment on a photocage, ready to deliver the native NTP upon irradiation enabling spatiotemporal control over nucleotide release. We study the intracellular distribution of the compounds depending on the linker and dendron generation as well as side chain modifications. Importantly, as the polycation is bound covalently, these molecules can also penetrate deeply into the tissue of living organisms, such as zebrafish.

Functions, Mechanisms, and therapeutic applications of the inositol pyrophosphates 5PP-InsP5 and InsP8 in mammalian cells

Water-soluble myo-inositol phosphates have long been characterized as second messengers. The signaling properties of these compounds are determined by the number and arrangement of phosphate groups on the myo-inositol backbone. Recently, higher inositol phosphates with pyrophosphate groups were recognized as signaling molecules. 5-Diphosphoinositol 1,2,3,4,6-pentakisphosphate (5PP-InsP5) is the most abundant isoform, constituting more than 90% of intracellular inositol pyrophosphates. 5PP-InsP5 can be further phosphorylated to 1,5-bisdiphosphoinositol 2,3,4,6-tetrakisphosphate (InsP8). These two molecules, 5PP-InsP5 and InsP8, are present in various subcellular compartments, where they participate in regulating diverse cellular processes such as cell death, energy homeostasis, and cytoskeletal dynamics. The synthesis and metabolism of inositol pyrophosphates are subjected to tight regulation, allowing for their highly specific functions. Blocking the 5PP-InsP5/InsP8 signaling pathway by inhibiting the biosynthesis of 5PP-InsP5 demonstrates therapeutic benefits in preclinical studies, and thus holds promise as a therapeutic approach for certain diseases treatment, such as metabolic disorders.

Monitoring Intracellular IP6 with a Genetically Encoded Fluorescence Biosensor

Inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6), a naturally occurring metabolite of inositol with specific functions in different organelles or tissues, participates in numerous physiological processes and plays a key role in mammalian metabolic regulation. However, current IP6 detection methods, i.e., high-performance liquid chromatography and gel electrophoresis, require sample destruction and lack spatiotemporal resolution. Here, we construct and characterize a genetically encoded fluorescence biosensor named HIPSer that enables ratiometric quantitative IP6 detection in HEK293T cells and subcellular compartments. We demonstrate that HIPSer has a high sensitivity and relative selectivity for IP6 in vitro. We also provide proof-of-concept evidence that HIPSer can monitor IP6 levels in real time in HEK293T cells and can be targeted for IP6 detection in the nucleus of HEK293T cells. Moreover, HIPSer could also detect changes in IP6 content induced by chemical inhibition of IP6-metabolizing enzymes in HEK293T cells. Thus, HIPSer achieves spatiotemporally precise detection of fluctuations in endogenous IP6 in live cells and provides a versatile tool for mechanistic investigations of inositol phosphate functions in metabolism and signaling.

Assigning the Absolute Configuration of Inositol Poly- and Pyrophosphates by NMR Using a Single Chiral Solvating Agent

Inositol phosphates constitute a family of highly charged messenger molecules that play diverse roles in cellular processes. The various phosphorylation patterns they exhibit give rise to a vast array of different compounds. To fully comprehend the biological interconnections, the precise molecular identification of each compound is crucial. Since the myo-inositol scaffold possesses an internal mirror plane, enantiomeric pairs can be formed. Most commonly employed methods for analyzing InsPs have been geared towards resolving regioisomers, but they have not been capable of resolving enantiomers. In this study, we present a general approach for enantiomer assignment using NMR measurements. To achieve this goal, we used ³¹P-NMR in the presence of L-arginine amide as a chiral solvating agent, which enables the differentiation of enantiomers. Using chemically synthesized standard compounds allows for an unambiguous assignment of the enantiomers. This method was applied to highly phosphorylated inositol pyrophosphates, as well as to lowly phosphorylated inositol phosphates and bisphosphonate analogs. Our method will facilitate the assignment of biologically relevant isomers when isolating naturally occurring compounds from biological specimens.

An organelle-specific photoactivation and dual-isotope labeling strategy reveals phosphatidylethanolamine metabolic flux

Phosphatidylethanolamine metabolism plays essential roles in eukaryotic cells but has not been completely investigated due to its complexity. This is because lipid species, unlike proteins or nucleic acids, cannot be easily manipulated at the single molecule level or controlled with subcellular resolution, two of the key factors toward understanding their functions. Here, we use the organelle-targeting photoactivation method to study PE metabolism in living cells with a high spatiotemporal resolution. Containing predefined PE structures, probes which can be selectively introduced into the ER or mitochondria were designed to compare their metabolic products according to their subcellular localization. We combined photo-uncaging with dual stable isotopic labeling to track PE metabolism in living cells by mass spectrometry analysis. Our results reveal that both mitochondria- and ER-released PE participate in phospholipid remodeling, and that PE methylation can be detected only under particular conditions. Thus, our method provides a framework to study phospholipid metabolism at subcellular resolution.

Capillary electrophoresis mass spectrometry identifies new isomers of inositol pyrophosphates in mammalian tissues

Technical challenges have to date prevented a complete profiling of the levels of myo-inositol phosphates (InsPs) and pyrophosphates (PP-InsPs) in mammalian tissues. Here, we have deployed capillary electrophoresis mass spectrometry to identify and record the levels of InsPs and PP-InsPs in several tissues obtained from wild type mice and a newly created PPIP5K2 knockout strain. We observe that the mouse colon harbours unusually high levels of InsPs and PP-InsPs. Additionally, the PP-InsP profile is considerably more complex than previously reported for animal cells: using chemically synthesized internal stable isotope references and high-resolution mass spectra, we characterize two new PP-InsP isomers as 4/6-PP-InsP₅ and 2-PP-InsP₅. The latter has not previously been described in nature. The analysis of feces and the commercial mouse diet suggests that the latter is one potential source of noncanonical isomers in the colon. However, we also identify both molecules in the heart, indicating unknown synthesis pathways in mammals. We also demonstrate that the CE-MS method is sensitive enough to measure PP-InsPs from patient samples such as colon biopsies and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Strikingly, PBMCs also contain 4/6-PP-InsP₅ and 2-PP-InsP₅. In summary, our study substantially expands PP-InsP biology in mammals.

Versatile signaling mechanisms of inositol pyrophosphates

Inositol pyrophosphates (PP-InsPs) constitute a group of highly charged messengers, which regulate central biological processes in health and disease, such as cellular phosphate and general energy homeostasis. Deciphering the molecular mechanisms underlying PP-InsP-mediated signaling remains a challenge due to the unique properties of these molecules, the different modes of action they can access, and a somewhat limited chemical and analytical toolset. Herein, we summarize the most recent mechanistic insights into PP-InsP signaling, which illustrate our progress in connecting mechanism and function of PP-InsPs.

Lost in Condensation: Poly-, Cyclo-, and Ultraphosphates

Much like linear, branched, and cyclic alkanes, condensed phosphates exist as linear, branched, and cyclic structures. Inasmuch as alkanes are the cornerstone of organic chemistry, generating an inexplorably large chemical space, a comparable richness in structures can be expected for condensed phosphates, as also for them the concepts of isomerism apply. Little of their chemical space has been charted, and only a few different synthesis methods are available to construct isomers of condensed phosphates. Here, we will discuss the application of phosphoramidites with one, two, or three P-N bonds that can be substituted selectively to access different condensed phosphates in a highly controllable manner. Work directed toward the further exploration of this chemical space will contribute to our understanding of the fundamental chemistry of phosphates.In biology, condensed phosphates play important roles in the form of inorganic representatives, such as pyrophosphate, polyphosphate, and cyclophosphate, and also in conjugation with organic molecules, such as esters and amidates. Phosphorus is one of the six biogenic elements; the omnipresence of phosphates in biology points toward their critical involvement in prebiotic chemistry and the emergence of life itself. Indeed, it is hard to imagine any life without phosphate. It is therefore desirable to achieve through synthesis a better understanding of the chemistry of the condensed phosphates to further explore their biology.There is a rich but underexplored chemistry of the family of condensed phosphates per se, which is further diversified by their conjugation to important biomolecules and metabolites. For example, proteins may be polyphosphorylated on lysins, a very recent addition to posttranslational modifications. Adenosine triphosphate, as a representative of the small molecules, on the other hand, is well known as the universal cellular energy currency. In this Account, we will describe our motivations and our approaches to construct, modify, and synthetically apply different representatives of the condensed phosphates. We also describe the generation of hybrids composed of cyclic and linear structures of different oxidation states and develop them into reagents of great utility. A pertinent example is provided in the step-economic synthesis of the magic spot nucleotides (p)ppGpp. Finally, we provide an overview of ³¹P NMR data collected over the years in our laboratories, helping as a waymarker for not getting lost in condensation.

5-IP7 is a GPCR messenger mediating neural control of synaptotagmin-dependent insulin exocytosis and glucose homeostasis

5-diphosphoinositol pentakisphosphate (5-IP₇) is a signalling metabolite linked to various cellular processes. How extracellular stimuli elicit 5-IP₇ signalling remains unclear. Here we show that 5-IP₇ in β cells mediates parasympathetic stimulation of synaptotagmin-7 (Syt7)-dependent insulin release. Mechanistically, vagal stimulation and activation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors triggers G_αq-PLC-PKC-PKD-dependent signalling and activates IP6K1, the 5-IP₇ synthase. Whereas both 5-IP₇ and its precursor IP₆ compete with PIP₂ for binding to Syt7, Ca²⁺ selectively binds 5-IP₇ with high affinity, freeing Syt7 to enable fusion of insulin-containing vesicles with the cell membrane. β-cell-specific IP6K1 deletion diminishes insulin secretion and glucose clearance elicited by muscarinic stimulation, whereas mice carrying a phosphorylation-mimicking, hyperactive IP6K1 mutant display augmented insulin release, congenital hyperinsulinaemia and obesity. These phenotypes are absent in mice lacking Syt7. Our study proposes a new conceptual framework for inositol pyrophosphate physiology in which 5-IP₇ acts as a GPCR second messenger at the interface between peripheral nervous system and metabolic organs, transmitting G_q-coupled GPCR stimulation to unclamp Syt7-dependent, and perhaps other, exocytotic events.

Using Biotinylated myo-Inositol Hexakisphosphate to Investigate Inositol Pyrophosphate-Protein Interactions with Surface-Based Biosensors

Inositol pyrophosphates (PP-InsPs) are highly phosphorylated molecules that have emerged as central nutrient messengers in eukaryotic organisms. They can bind to structurally diverse target proteins to regulate biological functions, such as protein-protein interactions. PP-InsPs are strongly negatively charged and interact with highly basic surface patches in proteins, making their quantitative biochemical analysis challenging. Here, we present the synthesis of biotinylated myo-inositol hexakisphosphates and their application in surface plasmon resonance and grating-coupled interferometry assays, to enable the rapid identification, validation, and kinetic characterization of InsP- and PP-InsP-protein interactions.

Thiocoumarin Caged Nucleotides: Synthetic Access and Their Photophysical Properties

Photocages have been successfully applied in cellular signaling studies for the controlled release of metabolites with high spatio-temporal resolution. Commonly, coumarin photocages are activated by UV light and the quantum yields of uncaging are relatively low, which can limit their applications in vivo. Here, syntheses, the determination of the photophysical properties, and quantum chemical calculations of 7-diethylamino-4-hydroxymethyl-thiocoumarin (thio-DEACM) and caged adenine nucleotides are reported and compared to the widely used 7-diethylamino-4-hydroxymethyl-coumarin (DEACM) caging group. In this comparison, thio-DEACM stands out as a phosphate cage with improved photophysical properties, such as red-shifted absorption and significantly faster photolysis kinetics.

Metabolism and Functions of Inositol Pyrophosphates: Insights Gained from the Application of Synthetic Analogues

Inositol pyrophosphates (PP-InsPs) comprise an important group of intracellular, diffusible cellular signals that a wide range of biological processes throughout the yeast, plant, and animal kingdoms. It has been difficult to gain a molecular-level mechanistic understanding of the actions of these molecules, due to their highly phosphorylated nature, their low levels, and their rapid metabolic turnover. More recently, these obstacles to success are being surmounted by the chemical synthesis of a number of insightful PP-InsP analogs. This review will describe these analogs and will indicate the important chemical and biological information gained by using them.