A highly phosphorylated subpopulation of insulin-like growth factor II/mannose 6-phosphate receptors is concentrated in a clathrin-enriched plasma membrane fraction

Postprandial gut microbiota-driven choline metabolism links dietary cues to adipose tissue dysfunction

The human body is an integrated circuit between microbial symbionts and our Homo sapien genome, which communicate bi-directionally to maintain homeostasis within the human meta-organism. There is now strong evidence that microbes resident in the human intestine can directly contribute to the pathogenesis of obesity and associated cardiometabolic disorders. In fact, gut microbes represent a filter of our greatest environmental exposure - the foods we consume. It is now clear that we each experience a given meal differently, based on our unique gut microbial communities. Biologically active gut microbe-derived metabolites, such as short chain fatty acids, secondary bile acids, and trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), are now uniquely recognized as contributors to obesity and related cardiometabolic disorders. However, mechanistic insights into how microbe-derived metabolites promote obesity are largely unknown. Recent work has demonstrated that the meta-organismal production of the bacterial co-metabolite TMAO is linked to suppression of beiging of white adipose tissue in mice and humans. Furthermore, the TMAO pathway is becoming an increasingly attractive therapeutic target in obesity-associated diseases such as type 2 diabetes, kidney failure, and cardiovascular disease. In this commentary we discuss recent findings linking the TMAO pathway to obesity-associated disorders, and provide additional insights into potential mechanisms driving this microbe-host interaction.

Multifunctional glycoprotein receptors for insulin and the insulin-like growth factors

Insulin and the insulin-like growth factors (IGF) I and II are structurally related peptides that elicit a large number of similar biological effects in target cells. Three well-characterized receptor complexes bind one or more of these peptides with high affinity. Two of these receptors, denoted as type I, are ligand-activated tyrosine kinases with similar heterotetrameric alpha 2 beta 2 subunit structures which bind insulin or IGF-I, respectively, with highest affinity. Ligand-stimulated tyrosine autophosphorylation of these receptors further activates their intrinsic tyrosine kinase activities both in vitro and in intact cells. Rapid signal transduction follows such receptor autophosphorylation and tyrosine kinase activation, leading to increased serine phosphorylation of many cellular proteins and decreased serine phosphorylation of several others. Experiments in our laboratory have identified three distinct insulin-activated serine kinase activities in cell-free extracts that appear to account for the insulin-stimulated serine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor itself, ATP citrate lyase, and acetyl CoA carboxylase, respectively. A third receptor in this group binds IGF-I and II, lacks kinase activity and is denoted as type II IGF receptor. Amino acid sequences of this receptor deduced from isolated rat cDNA clones show a high degree of homology with those of the bovine cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate (Man-6-P) receptor. We demonstrated that these receptors are indeed identical. The IGF-II/Man-6-P receptor rapidly recycles between the cell surface membrane and intracellular membrane compartments, providing for the rapid uptake of both IGF-II and mannose 6-phosphate-linked lysosomal enzymes. Insulin action markedly increases the proportion of receptors in the plasma membrane and the uptake of bound ligands. We also observe that large amounts of the extracellular domain of the IGF-II/Man-6-P receptor are released into the serum of fetal, neonatal and adult rats. The biological role of this receptor in IGF-II function is yet to be determined.

Endocytosis of pro-cathepsin D into breast cancer cells is mostly independent of mannose-6-phosphate receptors

Cathepsin D trafficking is altered in cancer cells, leading to increased secretion of the pro-enzyme, which can be reinternalized by the same cancer cells and by stromal cells. We studied pro-cathepsin D endocytosis in two human breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB231, MCF-7) and in human normal fibroblasts. Pro-enzyme uptake was studied indirectly through immunofluorescence analysis of anti-pro-cathepsin D monoclonal antibodies internalized in living cells. Both cancer cell lines internalized the pro-cathepsin D-antibody complex into endosomal compartments in the presence of 10 mM mannose-6-phosphate. Non-malignant fibroblasts, which do not secrete pro-cathepsin D, only internalized anti-cathepsin D antibody when purified pro-cathepsin D was added and this endocytosis was totally inhibited by mannose-6-phosphate. Cathepsin D endocytosis in cancer cells was not mediated by lectins or another receptor binding the cathepsin profragment. It was not due to fluid endocytosis, since another protein pS2 secreted by MCF-7 was not endocytosed with its antibody in the same conditions. Double-immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy analyses revealed that antibodies specific to pro-cathepsin D (M2E8) and to the mannose-6-phosphate/IGFII receptor were co-internalized independently in non-permeabilized MDA-MB231 cells and MCF-7 cells, but not in fibroblasts. Moreover, when metabolically labelled pro-cathepsin D secreted by MCF-7 or MDA-MB231 cells was incubated with homologous or heterologous non-radioactive cells, the time-dependent uptake and maturation of the pro-enzyme into fibroblasts were totally inhibited by mannose-6-phosphate, whereas they were not in the two breast cancer cell lines. The percentage of mannose-6-phosphate-independent binding of radioactively labelled pro-cathepsin D to MDA-MB231 cells at 16 degrees C was higher (7–8%) at low pro-cathepsin D concentration than at high concentration (1.5%), indicating the presence of saturable binding site(s) at the cell surface that are different from the mannose-6-phosphate receptors. We conclude that, in contrast to fibroblasts, breast cancer cells can endocytose the secreted pro-cathepsin D by a cell surface receptor that is different from the mannose-6-phosphate receptors or other lectins. The nature of this alternative receptor and its significance in the action of secreted pro-cathepsin D remain to be elucidated.

Spatial determinants of specificity in insulin action

Insulin is a potent stimulator of intermediary metabolism, however the basis for the remarkable specificity of insulin's stimulation of these pathways remains largely unknown. This review focuses on the role compartmentalization plays in insulin action, both in signal initiation and in signal reception. Two examples are discussed: (1) a novel signalling pathway leading to the phosphorylation of the caveolar coat protein caveolin, and (2) a recently identified scaffolding protein, PTG, involved directly in the regulation of enzymes controlling glycogen metabolism.

Glucose increases both the plasma membrane number and phosphorylation of insulin-like growth factor II/mannose 6-phosphate receptors

We have investigated the effect of glucose on insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) binding to, and intracellular phosphorylation of, the IGF-II/mannose 6-phosphate (M6P) receptor in the insulin-secreting cell line RINm5F. Glucose, at a concentration of 3 mM, significantly increased binding of IGF-II to the cells. A further increase of the binding was observed at a glucose concentration of 10 mM. Scatchard analysis showed that the increased binding was caused by an increased number of the receptors rather than changes in affinity. This effect of glucose was also demonstrated in another insulin-secreting cell line HIT as well as in the human erythroleukemia cell line K562. Affinity cross-linking of the RINm5F cells, using 125I-IGF-II, revealed increased binding to the IGF-II/M6P receptor induced by glucose. The effect of glucose on IGF-II binding was mimicked by fructose (10 mM), but not by 3-O-methylglucose (10 mM), and was abolished by the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor calphostin C, or down-regulation of PKC, but not by the protein phosphatase inhibitor, okadaic acid. Glucose dose dependently stimulated phosphorylation of the IGF-II/M6P receptor, an effect that was inhibited by down-regulation of PKC activity. This study suggests that the distribution of the IGF-II/M6P receptor in insulin-secreting cells can be regulated by glucose-induced phosphorylation, a mechanism mediated by PKC.

Localization and properties of kinases in clathrin-coated vesicles from zucchini hypocotyls

Five major polypeptides of 70, 50, 47, 19 and 17 kDa and four minor polypeptides (100, 65, 45 and 39 kDa) become phosphorylated when clathrin-coated vesicles (CCV) from zucchini hypocotyls are incubated in [gamma 32P]Mg-ATP. After dissociation with 0.5 M Tris/HCl the CCV coat polypeptides were subjected to gel filtration in order to separate clathrin triskelions from beta-adaptin-containing fractions. Only the latter bore kinase activities, with phosphorylated polypeptides of 39 kDa in addition to the 50, 19-kDa and 17-kDa polypeptides just mentioned. Heparin, an inhibitor of casein kinase II, permitted the phosphorylation of only the 19-kDa and 17-kDa polypeptides. Staurosporine, an inhibitor of protein kinase c-like activities, prevented the phosporylation of the 70-kDa polypeptide. When recombined with the triskelions the beta-adaptin fractions achieved the phosphorylation of the 45-kDa and 70-kDa polypeptides. Because of its heat stability and calcium-binding properties we interpret the 45-kDa polypeptide as being a clathrin light chain. Antibodies raised against the 70-kDa group of heat-shock proteins (Hsp70) recognize a 70-kDa polypeptide in the beta-adaptin-containing fractions. Because this polypeptide only phosphorylates in the presence of triskelions we consider it to be the uncoating ATPase, which is known to aggregate upon dissociation of the CCV coat. Our results therefore indicate that zucchini CCV contain a number of phosphorylable polypeptides equivalent to the beta, mu and sigma adaptins of bovine brain. Just as in bovine brain CCV a casein-kinase-II-like activity is associated with the zucchini CCV 50/47-kDa polypeptides, further pointing to their identity as plant mu2/mu1 adaptin equivalents.

Insulin stimulates the tyrosine phosphorylation of caveolin

The specialized plasma membrane structures termed caveolae and the caveolar-coat protein caveolin are highly expressed in insulin-sensitive cells such as adipocytes and muscle. Stimulation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with insulin significantly increased the tyrosine phosphorylation of caveolin and a 29-kD caveolin-associated protein in caveolin-enriched Triton-insoluble complexes. Maximal phosphorylation occurred within 5 min, and the levels of phosphorylation remained elevated for at least 30 min. The insulin-dose responses for the tyrosine phosphorylation of caveolin and the 29-kD caveolin-associated protein paralleled those for the phosphorylation of the insulin receptor. The stimulation of caveolin tyrosine phosphorylation was specific for insulin and was not observed with PDGF or EGF, although PDGF stimulated the tyrosine phosphorylation of the 29-kD caveolin-associated protein. Increased tyrosine phosphorylation of caveolin, its associated 29-kD protein, and a 60-kD protein was observed in an in vitro kinase assay after incubation of the caveolin-enriched Triton-insoluble complexes with Mg-ATP, suggesting the presence of an intrinsic tyrosine kinase in these complexes. These fractions contain only trace amounts of the activated insulin receptor. In addition, these complexes contain a 60-kD kinase detected in an in situ gel kinase assay and an approximately 60 kD protein that cross-reacts with an antibody against the Src-family kinase p59Fyn. Thus, the insulin-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of caveolin represents a novel, insulin-specific signal transduction pathway that may involve activation of a tyrosine kinase downstream of the insulin receptor.

Characterization of phosphorylation sites in the cytoplasmic domain of the 300 kDa mannose-6-phosphate receptor

The human 300 kDa mannose-6-phosphate receptor (MPR 300) is phosphorylated in vivo at serine residues of its cytoplasmic domain. Two-dimensional separation can resolve tryptic phosphopeptides into four major species. To identify the kinases involved in MPR 300 phosphorylation and the phosphorylation sites the entire coding sequence of the cytoplasmic tail was expressed in Escherichia coli. The isolated cytoplasmic domain was used as a substrate for four purified serine/threonine kinases [casein kinase II (CK II), protein kinase A (PKA), protein kinase C and Ca2+/calmodulin kinase]. All kinases phosphorylate the cytoplasmic tail exclusively on serine residues. Inhibition studies using synthetic peptides, partial sequencing of isolated tryptic phosphopeptides and co-migration with tryptic phosphopeptides from MPR 300 labelled in vivo showed that (i) PKA phosphorylates the cytoplasmic MPR 300 domain at Ser20 and at a non-identified site, neither of which are phosphorylated in vivo, and that (ii) the two sites phosphorylated by CK II in vivo and in vitro are Ser82 and Ser157. The results indicate that the human MPR 300 is a physiological substrate of either CK II or a related kinase which may play a role in the transport function of MPR 300 and/or interaction with other proteins.

Gene expression and receptor binding of insulin-like growth factor-II in pig choroid plexus epithelial cells

To elucidate the function of insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) in the choroid plexus, the gene expression and receptor binding of IGF-II were studied in isolated epithelial cells from the porcine choroid plexus. The choroid plexus expressed multiple IGF-II transcripts of 1.2, 1.6, 2.4, and 4.4 kb, at levels higher than those found in porcine liver and kidney. These data suggest that IGF-II is synthesized by the choroid plexus. Choroid plexus epithelial cells contained high levels of IGF-I receptors on the cell surface whereas very low levels of receptor binding were found for 125I-IGF-II and 125I-insulin. Solubilization of epithelial cells showed that a large proportion of the IGF-I receptors were present in the detergent-insoluble fraction whereas IGF-II receptors and insulin receptors were concentrated in the detergent-soluble fraction. These results suggest that IGF-I receptors are located in clathrin-coated pits of the plasma membrane whereas IGF-II receptors and insulin receptors are present in endosomal vesicles. The tyrosine kinase activity of the IGF-I receptor beta-subunit was stimulated by IGF-I, IGF-II, and insulin, in order of potency, suggesting that these peptides exert a regulatory function in the choroid plexus epithelium. In conclusion, we propose that the IGF-I receptor tyrosine kinase on the surface of the epithelial cells in the pig choroid plexus mediates effects of IGF-I and IGF-II, whereas IGF-II receptors are down-regulated due to the synthesis and secretion of IGF-II in these cells.

Regulation of mannose 6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor II receptor distribution by activators and inhibitors of protein kinase C

The tumor-promotor phorbol dibutyrate (PDBt) increases the binding of a neoglycoprotein containing mannose 6-phosphate (Man6P) and of insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) to the Man6P/IGF-II receptor at the cell surface. This effect is dependent on time and concentration and is also seen with synthetic 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol, but not with 4 alpha-phorbol, an inactive tumor-promoter. The increase is due to a 3-4-fold increase in the number of cell-surface, receptors, accompanied by a 1.6-fold increase in ligand-binding affinity. The internalization rate of the Man6P/IGF-II receptor is not affected by PDBt, suggesting that the redistribution of these receptors to the cell surface is due to an accelerated externalization rate. The redistribution of Man6P/IGF-II receptors did not impair the sorting of newly synthesized Man6P-containing ligands while uptake of these ligands is 2-4-fold increased. Inactivation or down regulation of protein kinase C decreased the binding of the Man6P-containing neoglycoprotein to 65% of controls. Incubation of cells with Man6P, IGF-I, IGF-II or epidermal growth factor induces a rapid redistribution of Man6P/IGF-II receptors to the plasma membrane [Braulke, T., Tippmer, S., Neher, E. & von Figura, K. (1989) EMBO J. 8, 681-686]. Incubation with PDBt prevented the effect of growth factors but not that of Man6P on receptor redistribution. Inactivation of protein kinase C did not affect the Man6P/IGF-II receptor redistribution induced by Man6P and growth factors. These data suggest that Man6P, growth factors and activation of protein kinase C by phorbol esters and diacylglycerols modulate Man6P/IGF-II receptor cell-surface binding by at least two independent mechanisms, receptor redistribution as well as an increase of binding affinity, which might be involved in regulation of endocytosis of ligands.

Mannose-6-phosphate stimulates proliferation of neuronal precursor cells

The mitogenic signal function of mannose-6-phosphate (Man-6-P)/insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) receptors was studied in neuronal precursor cells from developing rat brain (E15). About 30% of the cellular Man-6-P/IGF-II receptors were present on the cell surface. Man-6-P and IGF-II stimulated DNA synthesis twofold and their effects were additive. Antibody 3637 to the Man-6-P/IGF-II receptor blocked the response to Man-6-P but not that to IGF-II. Other phosphorylated hexoses were also active. Fructose-1-phosphate was equally potent with Man-6-P, whereas glucose-6-phosphate was 5 times less potent. We conclude that Man-6-P-containing proteins and IGF-II act as mitogens in developing brain by interaction with the Man-6-P/IGF-II receptor and the IGF-I receptor, respectively.

[Mannose-6-phosphate receptors: their role in the transport of lysosomal proteins]

Targetting of newly synthesized lysosomal enzymes to lysosomes requires mannose 6-phosphate receptors. These receptors shuttle between the Golgi apparatus, an organelle of the secretory route, and acidic prelysosomal organelles, which are part of the endocytic route. Vectorial transport of the ligands is ensured by the pH dependence of ligand binding. Ligands are bound at near-neutral pH in the Golgi apparatus and released in the acidic prelysosomal organelles.

The insulin-like growth factor II/mannose-6-phosphate receptor : IGF-II/Man-6-P receptor

Recent evidence from molecular cloning, biochemical and immunological experiments has established that the cation-independent mannose-6-phosphate (Man-6-P) receptor and insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) receptor are the same protein. Although the role of the IGF-II/Man-6-P receptor as a transporter of hydrolytic enzymes in the biogenesis of lysosomes is certain, elucidation of the receptor's structure has not yet provided major insights into the function of IGF-II binding. Mutually exclusive binding of IGF-II and naturally occurring phosphomannosyl ligands to distinct but proximal sites on the receptor suggests that the IGF-II/Man-6-P receptor cannot simultaneously fulfill the functional requirements of both IGF-II and lysosomal enzymes. Does the receptor transduce on intracellular signal in order to mediate the biological effects of IGF-II? If so, then the receptor must interact with an effector molecule, perhaps a G protein, in the mechanism of IGF-II action. Further information from ligand binding and especially mutagenesis experiments will be needed to elucidate the potentially multiple functions of the IGF-II/Man-6-P receptor.