Molecular species of phospholipids in a murine stem-cell line responsive to erythropoietin

Lipid signals and insulin resistance

The metabolic syndrome, a cluster of metabolic derangements that include obesity, glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia and hypertension, is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Insulin resistance has been proposed to be the common feature that links obesity to the metabolic syndrome, but the mechanism remains obscure. Although the excess content of triacylglycerol in muscle and liver is highly associated with insulin resistance in these tissues, triacylglycerol itself is not causal but merely a marker. Thus, attention has turned to the accumulation of cellular lipids known to have signaling roles. This review will discuss recent progress in understanding how glycerolipids and related lipid intermediates may impair insulin signaling.

Glycerolipid signals alter mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2) to diminish insulin signaling

Increased flux through the glycerolipid synthesis pathway impairs the ability of insulin to inhibit hepatic gluconeogenesis, but the exact mechanism remains unknown. To determine the mechanism by which glycerolipids impair insulin signaling, we overexpressed glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase-1 (GPAT1) in primary mouse hepatocytes. GPAT1 overexpression impaired insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of Akt-S473 and -T308, diminished insulin-suppression of glucose production, significantly inhibited mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2) activity and decreased the association of mTOR and rictor. Conversely, in hepatocytes from Gpat1(-/-) mice, mTOR-rictor association and mTORC2 activity were enhanced. However, this increase in mTORC2 activity in Gpat1(-/-) hepatocytes was ablated when rictor was knocked down. To determine which lipid intermediate was responsible for inactivating mTORC2, we overexpressed GPAT1, AGPAT, or lipin to increase the cellular content of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), phosphatidic acid (PA), or diacylglycerol (DAG), respectively. The inhibition of mTOR/rictor binding and mTORC2 activity coincided with the levels of PA and DAG species that contained 16:0, the preferred substrate of GPAT1. Furthermore, di-16:0-PA strongly inhibited mTORC2 activity and disassociated mTOR/rictor in vitro. Taken together, these data reveal a signaling pathway by which phosphatidic acid synthesized via the glycerol-3-phosphate pathway inhibits mTORC2 activity by decreasing the association of rictor and mTOR, thereby down-regulating insulin action. These data demonstrate a critical link between nutrient excess, TAG synthesis, and hepatic insulin resistance.

Erythropoietin-modulated calcium influx through TRPC2 is mediated by phospholipase Cgamma and IP3R

In the present study, we examined the mechanisms through which erythropoietin (Epo) activates the calcium-permeable transient receptor potential protein channel (TRPC)2. Erythroblasts were isolated from the spleens of phenylhydrazine-treated mice, and Epo stimulation resulted in a significant and dose-dependent increase in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)). This increase in [Ca(2+)](i) was inhibited by pretreatment with the phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor U-73122 but not by the inactive analog U-73343, demonstrating the requirement for PLC activity in Epo-modulated Ca(2+) influx in primary erythroid cells. To determine whether PLC is involved in the activation of TRPC2 by Epo, cell models were used to examine this interaction. Single CHO-S cells that expressed transfected Epo receptor (Epo-R) and TRPC2 were identified, and [Ca(2+)](i) was quantitated. Epo-induced Ca(2+) influx through TRPC2 was inhibited by pretreatment with U-73122 or by downregulation of PLCgamma1 by RNA interference. PLC activation results in the production of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3)), and TRPC2 has IP(3) receptor (IP(3)R) binding sites. To determine whether IP(3)R is involved in Epo-R signaling, TRPC2 mutants were prepared with partial or complete deletions of the COOH-terminal IP(3)R binding domains. In cells expressing TRPC2 IP(3)R binding mutants and Epo-R, no significant increase in [Ca(2+)](i) was observed after Epo stimulation. TRPC2 coassociated with Epo-R, PLCgamma, and IP(3)R, and the association between TRPC2 and IP(3)R was disrupted in these mutants. Our data demonstrate that Epo-R modulates TRPC2 activation through PLCgamma; that interaction of IP(3)R with TRPC2 is required; and that Epo-R, TRPC2, PLCgamma, and IP(3)R interact to form a signaling complex.

Proliferating or differentiating stimuli act on different lipid-dependent signaling pathways in nuclei of human leukemia cells

Previous results have shown that the human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cell line responds to either proliferating or differentiating stimuli. When these cells are induced to proliferate, protein kinase C (PKC)-beta II migrates toward the nucleus, whereas when they are exposed to differentiating agents, there is a nuclear translocation of the alpha isoform of PKC. As a step toward the elucidation of the early intranuclear events that regulate the proliferation or the differentiation process, we show that in the HL-60 cells, a proliferating stimulus (i.e., insulin-like growth factor-I [IGF-I]) increased nuclear diacylglycerol (DAG) production derived from phosphatidylinositol (4,5) bisphosphate, as indicated by the inhibition exerted by 1-O-octadeyl-2-O-methyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and U-73122 (1-[6((17 beta-3-methoxyestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17-yl)amino)hexyl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione), which are pharmacological inhibitors of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C. In contrast, when HL-60 cells were induced to differentiate along the granulocytic lineage by dimethyl sulfoxide, we observed a rise in the nuclear DAG mass, which was sensitive to either neomycin or propranolol, two compounds with inhibitory effect on phospholipase D (PLD)-mediated DAG generation. In nuclei of dimethyl sulfoxide-treated HL-60 cells, we observed a rise in the amount of a 90-kDa PLD, distinct from PLD1 or PLD2. When a phosphatidylinositol (4,5) bisphosphate-derived DAG pool was generated in the nucleus, a selective translocation of PKC-beta II occurred. On the other hand, nuclear DAG derived through PLD, recruited PKC-alpha to the nucleus. Both of these PKC isoforms were phosphorylated on serine residues. These results provide support for the proposal that in the HL-60 cell nucleus there are two independently regulated sources of DAG, both of which are capable of acting as the driving force that attracts to this organelle distinct, DAG-dependent PKC isozymes. Our results assume a particular significance in light of the proposed use of pharmacological inhibitors of PKC-dependent biochemical pathways for the therapy of cancer disease.

Tri-dimensional prostate cell cultures in simulated microgravity and induced changes in lipid second messengers and signal transduction

The high aspect rotating-wall vessel (HARV) was designed to cultivate cells in an environment that simulate microgravity. We studied previously the effects of HARV cultivation on DU-145 human prostate carcinoma cells. We determined that HARV cultivation produced a less aggressive, slower growing, less proliferative, more differentiated and less pliant cell than other cell cultivation methods. The result was a 3-dimensional (3D) growth model of prostate cancer which mimics in vivo tissue growth. This work examines the signal transduction-second messenger pathways existing temporarily in these HARV cells and correlates these features with the special properties in growth and 3D spheroid formation. We found an initial very active ceramide, a diacylglycerol increase together with increases in PI-PLC and PLA(2) a central defect in PLD (no phosphatic acid or phosphatidylethanol at any time during 15 days of HARV cultivation). There is a cross-talk between ceramide and PI3K pathways with activation of PI3K, after 6 days of HARV growth concomitant with down-regulation of ceramide. At this time, there is also an increase of cAMP (seen by increases in arachidonic acid). Taken together these results can explain the 3D organoid-like growth. We therefore developed a model for growth in HARV prostate cancer cells which involve temporal "switches" between second messengers, activation and cross-talk between multiplicity of signaling pathways and a central defect in PLD pathways. Essential to the late slow growth, and 3D organotypic formation are the apoptotic, anti-survival, anti-proliferation and differentiation pathways in the first days of HARV, with growth of "new" different types of prostate cancer cells which set-up for later "switch" in ceramide-PI3K to survival and proliferation.

Protein kinase C-stimulated formation of ethanolamine from phosphatidylethanolamine involves a protein phosphorylation mechanism: negative regulation by p21 Ras protein

Mammalian cells express a phospholipase D (PLD)-like enzyme which forms ethanolamine from phosphatidylethanolamine (PtdEtn) by a protein kinase C-alpha (PKC-alpha)-activated, presently unknown, mechanism. Now we report that addition of a PKC-alpha-enriched purified PKC preparation or recombinant PKC-alpha to a plasma membrane-enriched membrane fraction, isolated from leukemic HL60 cells, greatly ( approximately 6.5-fold stimulation) enhanced PtdEtn hydrolysis if the PKC activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and ATP were both present; this was accompanied by PKC-mediated phosphorylation of several membrane proteins. The combined effects of PKC-alpha, ATP, and PMA on [(14)C]PtdEtn hydrolysis were inhibited by GF 109203X (10 microM), an inhibitor of catalytic activity of PKC. In this membrane fraction, PMA alone also had a smaller ( approximately 3.5-fold) stimulatory effect on PtdEtn hydrolysis which was not affected by adding ATP or GF 109203X to the membranes. These results suggest that PMA can stimulate PtdEtn hydrolysis via a PKC-catalyzed phosphorylation mechanism as well as by a phosphorylation-independent process. Transformation of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts by H-ras reduced the effect of PMA on PtdEtn hydrolysis. Furthermore, in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts, scrape-loaded Y13-259 anti Ras antibody enhanced PMA-stimulated hydrolysis of PtdEtn. These results suggest that activation of the PtdEtn-hydrolyzing PLD enzyme by PKC-alpha is inhibited by p21 Ras.

Elevation in phosphatidylethanolamine is an early but not essential event for cardiac cell differentiation

The biosynthesis of phosphatidylethanolamine was examined during differentiation of P19 teratocarcinoma cells into cardiac myocytes. P19 cells were induced to undergo differentiation into cardiac myocytes by the addition of dimethyl sulfoxide to the medium. Immunofluorescence labeling confirmed the expression of striated myosin 10 days postinduction of differentiation. The content of phosphatidylethanolamine increased significantly within the first 2 days of differentiation. [1,3-(3)H]Glycerol incorporation into phosphatidylethanolamine was increased 7.2-fold during differentiation, indicating an elevation in de novo synthesis from 1, 2-diacyl-sn-glycerol. The mechanism for the increase in phosphatidylethanolamine levels during cardiac cell differentiation was a 2.8-fold increase in the activity of ethanolaminephosphotransferase, the 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol utilizing reaction of the cytidine 5'-diphosphate-ethanolamine pathway of phosphatidylethanolamine biosynthesis. Incubation of P19 cells with the phosphatidylethanolamine biosynthesis inhibitor 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-cAMP inhibited the differentiation-induced elevation in phosphatidylethanolamine levels but did not affect the expression of striated myosin. The results suggest that elevation in phosphatidylethanolamine is an early event of P19 cell differentiation into cardiac myocytes, but is not essential for differentiation to proceed.

Erythropoietin stimulates nuclear localization of diacylglycerol and protein kinase C beta II in B6SUt.EP cells

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hormone, as well as a hematopoietic growth factor, that specifically regulates the proliferation and differentiation of erythroid progenitor cells. Although the membrane-bound receptor for EPO has no intrinsic kinase activity, it triggers the activation of protein kinases via phospholipases A2, C, and D. A cascade of serine and threonine kinases, including Raf-1, MAP kinase and protein kinase C (PKC) is activated following tyrosine phosphorylation. In this study, we have examined whether changes in nuclear PKC and 1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) are induced following EPO treatment of the murine target cell line, B6SUt.EP. Western blot analysis using isoform-specific antibodies demonstrated the presence of PKC beta II, but not PKC alpha, beta I, gamma, epsilon, delta, eta, or zeta in the nuclei of cells stimulated with EPO. The increase in nuclear beta II levels was accompanied by an immediate rise in DAG mass levels with both of the increases peaking by 1 min. These rapid increases in nuclear DAG and PKC beta II expression suggest a mechanism for EPO-induced changes in gene expression necessary for cell proliferation.

Electromagnetic field induced changes in lipid second messengers

Initial studies with a human hematopoietic cell line, TF-1, suggest multifarious effects of electromagnetic fields on lipid signal transduction. We have examined the effects of pulsed magnetic fields (2 T, 84 microseconds zero-to-peak haversine, 91 V/m induced electric field) on the cell cycle by flow cytometry. A 31% increase of cells in the G1 phase occurred concurrently with a 35% decrease of cells in S-phase, which suggests that doses of 30 or 40 pulses have an anti-proliferative effect. Changes in the lipid second messengers, diacylglycerol (DAG) and phosphatidic acid (PA) with stimuli of 2 T intensity were also dependent on the number of pulses. DAG production doubled with 30 pulses and tripled with 40 pulses, and PA levels were reduced to one third and one tenth of the original levels. Phospholipase D (PLD) up-regulation was assessed directly by the capacity of PLD to catalyze transphosphatidylation in the presence of alcohol. [3H]Phosphatidylethanol formed rapidly and continued to increase with concomitant decreases in [3H]PA and parallel generation of [3H]DAG. Propranolol, an inhibitor of PA phosphohydrolase, inhibited the formation of DAG in a dose-dependent manner with a marked increase in PA production. Examination of the kinetics of formation of [3H]choline and [3H]phosphocholine at different times after stimulation showed a rapid and consistent increase in [3H]choline, whereas [3H]phosphocholine increase was evident only 60 min after stimulation. Magnetic exposure also caused a shift in some molecular species patterns of DAG and PA which could be correlated with phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine molecular species decreases. Therefore, we propose that the PC-PLC pathway may be temporarily inactivated for a short period of time by exposure to pulsed stimuli, and the PC-PLD pathway is up-regulated based on: (1) cellular release of [3H]choline; (2) rapid intracellular formation of [3H]PA followed by [3H]DAG; (3)active transphosphatidylation; and (4) blockade of DAG formation by propranolol.

Coordinated effects of electromagnetic field exposure on erythropoietin-induced activities of phosphatidylinositol-phospholipase C and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase

Initial studies with the erythropoietin-sensitive human hematopoietic cell line, TF1, demonstrated both multifarious effects of pulsed electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure on lipid signal transduction and antiproliferative effects of EMF. Stimulation of TF1 cells with erythropoietin resulted in increased phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity within 2 min. Addition of wortmannin, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, produced a decrease in cell proliferation as measured by accumulation of cells in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle and suppression of erythropoietin-induced DNA synthesis. Similar effects on cell proliferation were seen under EMF treatment. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity in erythropoietin-stimulated TF1 cells, measured in whole-cell extracts, increased 34% within 2 min and remained above basal levels for at least 20 min. EMF decreased erythropoietin-stimulated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity to lower than basal levels. Additionally, translocation of the 85-kDa regulatory subunit (p85) of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase to the membrane was prevented by EMF. Phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C was activated, as reflected by increases in diacylglycerol and inositol trisphosphate at 15-60 s after EMF treatment. These results provide the first evidence of subtle coordinated changes by EMF associated with loss of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity, inhibition of the translocation of p85 to the membrane, and activation of phosphatidylinositol-phospholipase C.