MSS4, a phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinase required for organization of the actin cytoskeleton in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The Silencing of GhPIP5K2 and GhPIP5K22 Weakens Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Upland Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

Phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinases (PIP5Ks), essential enzymes in the phosphatidylinositol signaling pathway, are crucial for the abiotic stress responses and the overall growth and development of plants. However, the GhPIP5Ks had not been systematically studied, and their function in upland cotton was unknown. This study identified a total of 28 GhPIP5Ks, and determined their chromosomal locations, gene structures, protein motifs and cis-acting elements via bioinformatics analysis. A quantitative real-time PCR (qRT‒PCR) analysis showed that most GhPIP5Ks were upregulated under different stresses. A virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) assay indicated that the superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) activities were significantly decreased, while malondialdehyde (MDA) content were significantly increased in GhPIP5K2- and GhPIP5K22-silenced upland cotton plants under abiotic stress. Furthermore, the expression of the stress marker genes GhHSFB2A, GhHSFB2B, GhDREB2A, GhDREB2C, GhRD20-1, GhRD29A, GhBIN2, GhCBL3, GhNHX1, GhPP2C, GhCBF1, GhSnRK2.6 and GhCIPK6 was significantly decreased in the silenced plants after exposure to stress. These results revealed that the silencing of GhPIP5K2 and GhPIP5K22 weakened the tolerance to abiotic stresses. These discoveries provide a foundation for further inquiry into the actions of the GhPIP5K gene family in regulating the response and resistance mechanisms of cotton to abiotic stresses.

Peroxisome population control by phosphoinositide signaling at the endoplasmic reticulum-plasma membrane interface

Phosphoinositides are lipid signaling molecules acting at the interface of membranes and the cytosol to regulate membrane trafficking, lipid transport and responses to extracellular stimuli. Peroxisomes are multicopy organelles that are highly responsive to changes in metabolic and environmental conditions. In yeast, peroxisomes are tethered to the cell cortex at defined focal structures containing the peroxisome inheritance protein, Inp1p. We investigated the potential impact of changes in cortical phosphoinositide levels on the peroxisome compartment of the yeast cell. Here we show that the phosphoinositide, phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PI4P), found at the junction of the cortical endoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane (cER-PM) acts to regulate the cell's peroxisome population. In cells lacking a cER-PM tether or the enzymatic activity of the lipid phosphatase Sac1p, cortical PI4P is elevated, peroxisome numbers and motility are increased, and peroxisomes are no longer firmly tethered to Inp1p-containing foci. Reattachment of the cER to the PM through an artificial ER-PM "staple" in cells lacking the cER-PM tether does not restore peroxisome populations to the wild-type condition, demonstrating that integrity of PI4P signaling at the cell cortex is required for peroxisome homeostasis.

Identification and Analysis of the Expression of the PIP5K Gene Family in Tomatoes

To explore the function of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase (PIP5K) in tomatoes, members of the tomato PIP5K family were identified and characterized using bioinformatic methods, and their expression patterns were also analyzed under salt stress and in different tissues. Twenty-one PIP5K members-namely, SlPIP5K1-SlPIP5K21-were identified from ten chromosomes, and these were divided into three groups according to a phylogenetic analysis. Further bioinformatic analysis showed four pairs of collinear relationships and fragment replication events among the SlPIP5K family members. To understand the possible roles of the SlPIP5Ks, a cis-acting element analysis was conducted, which indicated that tomato PIP5Ks could be associated with plant growth, hormones, and stress responses. We further validated the results of the in silico analysis by integrating RNA-seq and qRT-PCR techniques for salt- and hormone-treated tomato plants. Our results showed that SlPIP5K genes exhibited tissue- and treatment-specific patterns, and some of the SlPIP5Ks exhibited significantly altered expressions after our treatments, suggesting that they might be involved in these stresses. We selected one of the SlPIP5Ks that responded to our treatments, SlPIP5K2, to further understand its subcellular localization. Our results showed that SlPIP5K2 was located on the membrane. This study lays a foundation for the analysis of the biological functions of the tomato SlPIP5K genes and can also provide a theoretical basis for the selection and breeding of new tomato varieties and germplasm innovation, especially under salt stress.

Regulation of phosphoinositide metabolism in Apicomplexan parasites

Phosphoinositides are a biologically essential class of phospholipids that contribute to organelle membrane identity, modulate membrane trafficking pathways, and are central components of major signal transduction pathways that operate on the cytosolic face of intracellular membranes in eukaryotes. Apicomplexans (such as Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium spp.) are obligate intracellular parasites that are important causative agents of disease in animals and humans. Recent advances in molecular and cell biology of Apicomplexan parasites reveal important roles for phosphoinositide signaling in key aspects of parasitosis. These include invasion of host cells, intracellular survival and replication, egress from host cells, and extracellular motility. As Apicomplexans have adapted to the organization of essential signaling pathways to accommodate their complex parasitic lifestyle, these organisms offer experimentally tractable systems for studying the evolution, conservation, and repurposing of phosphoinositide signaling. In this review, we describe the regulatory mechanisms that control the spatial and temporal regulation of phosphoinositides in the Apicomplexan parasites Plasmodium and T. gondii. We further discuss the similarities and differences presented by Apicomplexan phosphoinositide signaling relative to how these pathways are regulated in other eukaryotic organisms.

Simultaneous co-overexpression of Saccharomyces cerevisiae septins Cdc3 and Cdc10 drives pervasive, phospholipid-, and tag-dependent plasma membrane localization

Septin proteins contribute to many eukaryotic processes involving cellular membranes. In the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, septin hetero-oligomers interact with the plasma membrane (PM) almost exclusively at the future site of cytokinesis. While multiple mechanisms of membrane recruitment have been identified, including direct interactions with specific phospholipids and curvature-sensitive interactions via amphipathic helices, these do not fully explain why yeast septins do not localize all over the inner leaflet of the PM. While engineering an inducible split-yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) system to measure the kinetics of yeast septin complex assembly, we found that ectopic co-overexpression of two tagged septins, Cdc3 and Cdc10, resulted in nearly uniform PM localization, as well as perturbation of endogenous septin function. Septin localization and function in gametogenesis were also perturbed. PM localization required the C-terminal YFP fragment fused to the C terminus of Cdc3, the septin-associated kinases Cla4 and Gin4, and phosphotidylinositol-4,5-bis-phosphate (PI[4,5]P2 ), but not the putative PI(4,5)P2 -binding residues in Cdc3. Endogenous Cdc10 was recruited to the PM, likely contributing to the functional interference. PM-localized septins did not exchange with the cytosolic pool, indicative of stable polymers. These findings provide new clues as to what normally restricts septin localization to specific membranes.

Recruitment of the lipid kinase Mss4 to the meiotic spindle pole promotes prospore membrane formation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Spore formation in the budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, involves de novo creation of four prospore membranes, each of which surrounds a haploid nucleus resulting from meiosis. The meiotic outer plaque (MOP) is a meiosis-specific protein complex associated with each meiosis II spindle pole body (SPB). Vesicle fusion on the MOP surface creates an initial prospore membrane anchored to the SPB. Ady4 is a meiosis-specific MOP component that stabilizes the MOP-prospore membrane interaction. We show that Ady4 recruits the lipid kinase, Mss4, to the MOP. MSS4 overexpression suppresses the ady4∆ spore formation defect, suggesting that a specific lipid environment provided by Mss4 promotes maintenance of prospore membrane attachment to MOPs. The meiosis-specific Spo21 protein is an essential structural MOP component. We show that the Spo21 N terminus contains an amphipathic helix that binds to prospore membranes. A mutant in SPO21 that removes positive charges from this helix shares phenotypic similarities to ady4∆. We propose that Mss4 generates negatively charged lipids in prospore membranes that enhance binding by the positively charged N terminus of Spo21, thereby providing a mechanism by which the MOP-prospore membrane interaction is stabilized.

Engineering crop Phytophthora resistance by targeting pathogen-derived PI3P for enhanced catabolism

Phytophthora pathogens lead to numerous economically damaging plant diseases worldwide, including potato late blight caused by P. infestans and soybean root rot caused by P. sojae. Our previous work showed that Phytophthora pathogens may generate abundant phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PI3P) to promote infection via direct association with RxLR effectors. Here, we designed a disease control strategy for metabolizing pathogen-derived PI3P by expressing secreted Arabidopsis thaliana phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinase 1 (AtPIP5K1), which can phosphorylate PI3P to PI(3,4)P₂. We fused AtPIP5K1 with the soybean PR1a signal peptide (SP-PIP5K1) to enable its secretion into the plant apoplast. Transgenic soybean and potato plants expressing SP-PIP5K1 showed substantially enhanced resistance to various P. sojae and P. infestans isolates, respectively. SP-PIP5K1 significantly reduced PI3P accumulation during P. sojae and soybean interaction. Knockout or inhibition of PI3 kinases (PI3Ks) in P. sojae compromised the resistance mediated by SP-PIP5K1, indicating that SP-PIP5K1 action requires a supply of pathogen-derived PI3P. Furthermore, we revealed that SP-PIP5K1 can interfere with the action of P. sojae mediated by the RxLR effector Avr1k. This novel disease control strategy has the potential to confer durable broad-spectrum Phytophthora resistance in plants through a clear mechanism in which catabolism of PI3P interferes with RxLR effector actions.

Lsp1 partially substitutes for Pil1 function in eisosome assembly under stress conditions

Eisosomes are large hemitubular structures that underlie the invaginated microdomains in the plasma membrane of various ascomycetous fungi, lichens and unicellular algae. In fungi, they are organized by BAR-domain containing proteins of the Pil1 family. Two such proteins, Pil1 and Lsp1, participate in eisosome formation in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Under normal laboratory conditions, deletion of the PIL1 gene results in the inability of cells to assemble wild-type-like eisosomes. We found that under certain stress conditions, Lsp1 partially substitutes for the Pil1 function and mediates assembly of eisosomes, specifically following a decrease in the activity of serine palmitoyltransferase, for example, in response to hyperosmotic stress. Besides Lsp1, the assembly of eisosomes lacking Pil1 also requires Seg1 and Nce102 proteins. Using next-generation sequencing, we found that the seg1Δnce102Δpil1Δ strain, which is unable to form eisosomes, overexpresses genes coding for proteins of oxidative phosphorylation and tricarboxylic acid cycle. By contrast, genes involved in DNA repair, ribosome biogenesis and cell cycle are downregulated. Our results identify Lsp1 as a stress-responsive eisosome organizer and indicate several novel functional connections between the eisosome and essential cellular processes.

PIP kinases: A versatile family that demands further therapeutic attention

Phosphoinositides are membrane-localized phospholipids that regulate a plethora of essential cellular processes. These lipid signaling molecules are critical for cell homeostasis and therefore their levels are strictly regulated by the coordinated action of several families of lipid kinases and phosphatases. In this review, we provide a focused perspective on the phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinase (PIPK) family and the three subfamilies that compose it: Type I PIPKs or phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinases (PI4P5Ks), Type II PIPKs or phosphatidylinositol-5-phosphate 4-kinases (PI5P4Ks), and Type III PIPKs or phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate 5-kinases (PIKfyve). Each subfamily is responsible for catalyzing a hydroxyl phosphorylation on specific phosphoinositide species to generate a double phosphorylated lipid, therefore regulating the levels of both substrate and product. Here, we summarize our current knowledge about the functions and regulation of each PIPK subfamily. Further, we highlight the roles of these kinases in various in vivo genetic models and give an overview of their involvement in multiple pathological conditions. The phosphoinositide field has been long focused on targeting PI3K signaling, but growing evidence suggests that it is time to draw attention to the other phosphoinositide kinases. The discovery of the involvement of PIPKs in the pathogenesis of multiple diseases has prompted substantial efforts to turn these enzymes into pharmacological targets. An increasingly refined knowledge of the biology of PIPKs in a variety of in vitro and in vivo models will facilitate the development of effective approaches for therapeutic intervention with the potential to translate into meaningful clinical benefits for patients suffering from cancer, immunological and infectious diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders.

Membrane-mediated dimerization potentiates PIP5K lipid kinase activity

The phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase (PIP5K) family of lipid-modifying enzymes generate the majority of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2] lipids found at the plasma membrane in eukaryotic cells. PI(4,5)P2 lipids serve a critical role in regulating receptor activation, ion channel gating, endocytosis, and actin nucleation. Here, we describe how PIP5K activity is regulated by cooperative binding to PI(4,5)P2 lipids and membrane-mediated dimerization of the kinase domain. In contrast to constitutively dimeric phosphatidylinositol 5-phosphate 4-kinase (PIP4K, type II PIPK), solution PIP5K exists in a weak monomer-dimer equilibrium. PIP5K monomers can associate with PI(4,5)P2-containing membranes and dimerize in a protein density-dependent manner. Although dispensable for cooperative PI(4,5)P2 binding, dimerization enhances the catalytic efficiency of PIP5K through a mechanism consistent with allosteric regulation. Additionally, dimerization amplifies stochastic variation in the kinase reaction velocity and strengthens effects such as the recently described stochastic geometry sensing. Overall, the mechanism of PIP5K membrane binding creates a broad dynamic range of lipid kinase activities that are coupled to the density of PI(4,5)P2 and membrane-bound kinase.

Localisation of phosphoinositides in the grass endophyte Epichloë festucae and genetic and functional analysis of key components of their biosynthetic pathway in E. festucae symbiosis and Fusarium oxysporum pathogenesis

Phosphoinositides (PI) are essential components of eukaryotic membranes and function in a large number of signaling processes. While lipid second messengers are well studied in mammals and yeast, their role in filamentous fungi is poorly understood. We used fluorescent PI-binding molecular probes to localize the phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol species PI[3]P, PI[3,5]P₂, PI[4]P and PI[4,5]P₂ in hyphae of the endophyte Epichloë festucae in axenic culture and during interaction with its grass host Lolium perenne. We also analysed the roles of the phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinase MssD and the predicted phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-triphosphate 3-phosphatase TepA, a homolog of the mammalian tumour suppressor protein PTEN. Deletion of tepA in E. festucae and in the root-infecting tomato pathogen Fusarium oxysporum had no impact on growth in culture or the host interaction phenotype. However, this mutation did enable the detection of PI[3,4,5]P₃ in septa and mycelium of E. festucae and showed that TepA is required for chemotropism in F. oxysporum. The identification of PI[3,4,5]P₃ in ΔtepA strains suggests that filamentous fungi are able to generate PI[3,4,5]P₃ and that fungal PTEN homologs are functional lipid phosphatases. The F. oxysporum chemotropism defect suggests a conserved role of PTEN homologs in chemotaxis across protists, fungi and mammals.

Membrane Contact Sites in Yeast: Control Hubs of Sphingolipid Homeostasis

Sphingolipids are the most diverse class of membrane lipids, in terms of their structure and function. Structurally simple sphingolipid precursors, such as ceramides, act as intracellular signaling molecules in various processes, including apoptosis, whereas mature and complex forms of sphingolipids are important structural components of the plasma membrane. Supplying complex sphingolipids to the plasma membrane, according to need, while keeping pro-apoptotic ceramides in check is an intricate task for the cell and requires mechanisms that tightly control sphingolipid synthesis, breakdown, and storage. As each of these processes takes place in different organelles, recent studies, using the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, have investigated the role of membrane contact sites as hubs that integrate inter-organellar sphingolipid transport and regulation. In this review, we provide a detailed overview of the findings of these studies and put them into the context of established regulatory mechanisms of sphingolipid homeostasis. We have focused on the role of membrane contact sites in sphingolipid metabolism and ceramide transport, as well as the mechanisms that prevent toxic ceramide accumulation.

Towards engineering ectomycorrhization into switchgrass bioenergy crops via a lectin receptor-like kinase

Soil-borne microbes can establish compatible relationships with host plants, providing a large variety of nutritive and protective compounds in exchange for photosynthesized sugars. However, the molecular mechanisms mediating the establishment of these beneficial relationships remain unclear. Our previous genetic mapping and whole-genome resequencing studies identified a gene deletion event of a Populus trichocarpa lectin receptor-like kinase gene PtLecRLK1 in Populus deltoides that was associated with poor-root colonization by the ectomycorrhizal fungus Laccaria bicolor. By introducing PtLecRLK1 into a perennial grass known to be a non-host of L. bicolor, switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), we found that L. bicolor colonizes ZmUbipro-PtLecRLK1 transgenic switchgrass roots, which illustrates that the introduction of PtLecRLK1 has the potential to convert a non-host to a host of L. bicolor. Furthermore, transcriptomic and proteomic analyses on inoculated-transgenic switchgrass roots revealed genes/proteins overrepresented in the compatible interaction and underrepresented in the pathogenic defence pathway, consistent with the view that pathogenic defence response is down-regulated during compatible interaction. Metabolomic profiling revealed that root colonization in the transgenic switchgrass was associated with an increase in N-containing metabolites and a decrease in organic acids, sugars, and aromatic hydroxycinnamate conjugates, which are often seen in the early steps of establishing compatible interactions. These studies illustrate that PtLecRLK1 is able to render a plant susceptible to colonization by the ectomycorrhizal fungus L. bicolor and shed light on engineering mycorrhizal symbiosis into a non-host to enhance plant productivity and fitness on marginal lands.

H2O2 Induces Major Phosphorylation Changes in Critical Regulators of Signal Transduction, Gene Expression, Metabolism and Developmental Networks in Aspergillus nidulans

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) regulate several aspects of cell physiology in filamentous fungi including the antioxidant response and development. However, little is known about the signaling pathways involved in these processes. Here, we report Aspergillus nidulans global phosphoproteome during mycelial growth and show that under these conditions, H2O2 induces major changes in protein phosphorylation. Among the 1964 phosphoproteins we identified, H2O2 induced the phosphorylation of 131 proteins at one or more sites as well as the dephosphorylation of a larger set of proteins. A detailed analysis of these phosphoproteins shows that H2O2 affected the phosphorylation of critical regulatory nodes of phosphoinositide, MAPK, and TOR signaling as well as the phosphorylation of multiple proteins involved in the regulation of gene expression, primary and secondary metabolism, and development. Our results provide a novel and extensive protein phosphorylation landscape in A. nidulans, indicating that H2O2 induces a shift in general metabolism from anabolic to catabolic, and the activation of multiple stress survival pathways. Our results expand the significance of H2O2 in eukaryotic cell signaling.

Monitoring Phosphoinositide Fluxes and Effectors During Leukocyte Chemotaxis and Phagocytosis

The dynamic re-organization of cellular membranes in response to extracellular stimuli is fundamental to the cell physiology of myeloid and lymphoid cells of the immune system. In addition to maintaining cellular homeostatic functions, remodeling of the plasmalemma and endomembranes endow leukocytes with the potential to relay extracellular signals across their biological membranes to promote rolling adhesion and diapedesis, migration into the tissue parenchyma, and to ingest foreign particles and effete cells. Phosphoinositides, signaling lipids that control the interface of biological membranes with the external environment, are pivotal to this wealth of functions. Here, we highlight the complex metabolic transitions that occur to phosphoinositides during several stages of the leukocyte lifecycle, namely diapedesis, migration, and phagocytosis. We describe classical and recently developed tools that have aided our understanding of these complex lipids. Finally, major downstream effectors of inositides are highlighted including the cytoskeleton, emphasizing the importance of these rare lipids in immunity and disease.

Genome-wide systematic characterization and expression analysis of the phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinases in plants

Phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinases (PIP5Ks) are key enzymes in the process of phosphatidylinositol signaling pathway and have essential functions in growth, development, and biotic and abiotic stresses responses in plants. However, the evolutionary history and patterns of PIP5K genes in plants have not been examined systematically. Here, we use whole-genome sequences from eight plant species of land plants and algae to define the evolutionary relationships between these proteins in plants. 85 PIP5K genes were identified and divided into two subfamilies based on phylogenetic analyses. PIP5K members in subfamily II underwent several duplication events in land plants, resulting in multiple gene copies in angiosperms, while PIP5K members in subfamily I displayed low-copy numbers and lost in eudicots. Furthermore, PIP5K genes within the same subfamily had similar motifs and intron/exon features. Nine duplicated soybean gene pairs, four duplicated Arabidopsis gene pairs and two rice duplicated gene pairs were identified and many of them localized in synteny genomic regions. These duplicate events were formed by Whole-genome duplication (WGD)/segmental duplications. In addition, the ratios of non-synonymous to synonymous substitutions (Ka/Ks) showed that the PIP5K family had undergone purifying selection in higher plants. Expression analysis showed that PIP5K genes had complex and variable expression patterns in different developmental stages. The specificity of these genes is utilized to provide evidence for selective expression in the evolutionary process.

The dynamics and role of sphingolipids in eukaryotic organisms upon thermal adaptation

All living beings have an optimal temperature for growth and survival. With the advancement of global warming, the search for understanding adaptive processes to climate changes has gained prominence. In this context, all living beings monitor the external temperature and develop adaptive responses to thermal variations. These responses ultimately change the functioning of the cell and affect the most diverse structures and processes. One of the first structures to detect thermal variations is the plasma membrane, whose constitution allows triggering of intracellular signals that assist in the response to temperature stress. Although studies on this topic have been conducted, the underlying mechanisms of recognizing thermal changes and modifying cellular functioning to adapt to this condition are not fully understood. Recently, many reports have indicated the participation of sphingolipids (SLs), major components of the plasma membrane, in the regulation of the thermal stress response. SLs can structurally reinforce the membrane or/and send signals intracellularly to control numerous cellular processes, such as apoptosis, cytoskeleton polarization, cell cycle arresting and fungal virulence. In this review, we discuss how SLs synthesis changes during both heat and cold stresses, focusing on fungi, plants, animals and human cells. The role of lysophospholipids is also discussed.

Novel role of the phosphatidylinositol phosphatase Sac1 in membrane homeostasis and polarized growth in Candida albicans

Phosphoinositides (PIPs) are one kind of membrane components functioning in many intracellular processes, especially in signaling transduction and membrane transport. Phosphatidylinositide phosphatases (PIPases) are specifically important for the PIP homeostasis in cell. In our previous study, we have identified the actin-related protein CaSac1 in Candida albicans, while its functional mechanisms in regulating membrane homeostasis has not been identified. Here, we show that the PIPase CaSac1 is a main membrane-related protein and regulates hyphal polarization by governing phosphoinositide dynamic and plasma membrane (PM) electrostatic field. Deletion of CaSAC1 resulted in large-scale abnormal redistribution of phosphatidylinositide 4-phosphate (PI4P) from the endomembrane to the PM. This abnormality further led to disturbance of the PM's negative electrostatic field and abnormally spotted distribution of phosphatidylinositide 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P₂). These changes led to a severe defect in polarized hyphal growth, which could be diminished with recovery of the PM's negative electrostatic field by the anionic polymer polyacrylic acid (PAA). This study revealed that the PIPase CaSac1 plays an essential role in regulating membrane homeostasis and membrane traffic, contributing to establishment of polarized hyphal growth.

A synthetic biological approach to reconstitution of inositide signaling pathways in bacteria

Inositide lipid (PIP) and soluble (IP) signaling pathways produce essential cellular codes conserved in eukaryotes. In many cases, deconvoluting metabolic and functional aspects of individual pathways are confounded by promiscuity and multiplicity of PIP and IP kinases and phosphatases. We report a molecular genetic approach that reconstitutes eukaryotic inositide lipid and soluble pathways in a prokaryotic cell which inherently lack inositide kinases and phosphatases in their genome. By expressing synthetic cassettes of eukaryotic genes, we have reconstructed the heterologous formation of a range of inositide lipids, including PI(3)P, PI(4,5)P₂ and PIP₃. In addition, we report the reconstruction of lipid-dependent production of inositol hexakisphosphate (IP₆). Our synthetic system is scalable, reduces confounding metabolic issues, for example it is devoid of inositide phosphatases and orthologous kinases, and enables accurate characterization gene product enzymatic activity and substrate selectivity. This genetically engineered tool is designed to help interpret metabolic pathways and may facilitate in vivo testing of regulators and small molecule inhibitors. In summary, heterologous expression of inositide pathways in bacteria provide a malleable experimental platform for aiding signaling biologists and offers new insights into metabolism of these essential pathways.

SopF, a phosphoinositide binding effector, promotes the stability of the nascent Salmonella-containing vacuole

The enteric bacterial pathogen Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium), utilizes two type III secretion systems (T3SSs) to invade host cells, survive and replicate intracellularly. T3SS1 and its dedicated effector proteins are required for bacterial entry into non-phagocytic cells and establishment and trafficking of the nascent Salmonella-containing vacuole (SCV). Here we identify the first T3SS1 effector required to maintain the integrity of the nascent SCV as SopF. SopF associates with host cell membranes, either when translocated by bacteria or ectopically expressed. Recombinant SopF binds to multiple phosphoinositides in protein-lipid overlays, suggesting that it targets eukaryotic cell membranes via phospholipid interactions. In yeast, the subcellular localization of SopF is dependent on the activity of Mss4, a phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase that generates PI(4,5)P2 from PI(4)P, indicating that membrane recruitment of SopF requires specific phospholipids. Ectopically expressed SopF partially colocalizes with specific phosphoinositide pools present on the plasma membrane in mammalian cells and with cytoskeletal-associated markers at the leading edge of cells. Translocated SopF concentrates on plasma membrane ruffles and around intracellular bacteria, presumably on the SCV. SopF is not required for bacterial invasion of non-phagocytic cells but is required for maintenance of the internalization vacuole membrane as infection with a S. Typhimurium ΔsopF mutant led to increased lysis of the SCV compared to wild type bacteria. Our structure-function analysis shows that the carboxy-terminal seven amino acids of SopF are essential for its membrane association in host cells and to promote SCV membrane stability. We also describe that SopF and another T3SS1 effector, SopB, act antagonistically to modulate nascent SCV membrane dynamics. In summary, our study highlights that a delicate balance of type III effector activities regulates the stability of the Salmonella internalization vacuole.

Phosphatidylinositol Kinases and Phosphatases in Entamoeba histolytica

Phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) metabolism is indispensable in eukaryotes. Phosphoinositides (PIs) are phosphorylated derivatives of PtdIns and consist of seven species generated by reversible phosphorylation of the inositol moieties at the positions 3, 4, and 5. Each of the seven PIs has a unique subcellular and membrane domain distribution. In the enteric protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica, it has been previously shown that the PIs phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PtdIns3P), PtdIns(4,5)P₂, and PtdIns(3,4,5)P₃ are localized to phagosomes/phagocytic cups, plasma membrane, and phagocytic cups, respectively. The localization of these PIs in E. histolytica is similar to that in mammalian cells, suggesting that PIs have orthologous functions in E. histolytica. In contrast, the conservation of the enzymes that metabolize PIs in this organism has not been well-documented. In this review, we summarized the full repertoire of the PI kinases and PI phosphatases found in E. histolytica via a genome-wide survey of the current genomic information. E. histolytica appears to have 10 PI kinases and 23 PI phosphatases. It has a panel of evolutionarily conserved enzymes that generate all the seven PI species. However, class II PI 3-kinases, type II PI 4-kinases, type III PI 5-phosphatases, and PI 4P-specific phosphatases are not present. Additionally, regulatory subunits of class I PI 3-kinases and type III PI 4-kinases have not been identified. Instead, homologs of class I PI 3-kinases and PTEN, a PI 3-phosphatase, exist as multiple isoforms, which likely reflects that elaborate signaling cascades mediated by PtdIns(3,4,5)P₃ are present in this organism. There are several enzymes that have the nuclear localization signal: one phosphatidylinositol phosphate (PIP) kinase, two PI 3-phosphatases, and one PI 5-phosphatase; this suggests that PI metabolism also has conserved roles related to nuclear functions in E. histolytica, as it does in model organisms.

Novel Molecular Signatures in the PIP4K/PIP5K Family of Proteins Specific for Different Isozymes and Subfamilies Provide Important Insights into the Evolutionary Divergence of this Protein Family

Members of the PIP4K/PIP5K family of proteins, which generate the highly important secondary messenger phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate, play central roles in regulating diverse signaling pathways. In eukaryotic organisms, multiple isozymes and subfamilies of PIP4K/PIP5K proteins are found and it is of much interest to understand their evolution and species distribution and what unique molecular and biochemical characteristics distinguish specific isozymes and subfamilies of proteins. We report here the species distribution of different PIP4K/PIP5K family of proteins in eukaryotic organisms and phylogenetic analysis based on their protein sequences. Our results indicate that the distinct homologs of both PIP4K and PIP5K are found in different organisms belonging to the Holozoa clade of eukaryotes, which comprises of various metazoan phyla as well as their close unicellular relatives Choanoflagellates and Filasterea. In contrast, the deeper-branching eukaryotic lineages, as well as plants and fungi, contain only a single homolog of the PIP4K/PIP5K proteins. In parallel, our comparative analyses of PIP4K/PIP5K protein sequences have identified six highly-specific molecular markers consisting of conserved signature indels (CSIs) that are uniquely shared by either the PIP4K or PIP5K proteins, or both, or specific subfamilies of these proteins. Of these molecular markers, 2 CSIs are distinctive characteristics of all PIP4K homologs, 1 CSI distinguishes the PIP4K and PIP5K homologs from the Holozoa clade of species from the ancestral form of PIP4K/PIP5K found in deeper-branching eukaryotic lineages. The remaining three CSIs are specific for the PIP5Kα, PIP5Kβ, and PIP4Kγ subfamilies of proteins from vertebrate species. These molecular markers provide important means for distinguishing different PIP4K/PIP5K isozymes as well as some of their subfamilies. In addition, the distribution patterns of these markers in different isozymes provide important insights into the evolutionary divergence of PIP4K/PIP5K proteins. Our results support the view that the Holozoa clade of eukaryotic organisms shared a common ancestor exclusive of the other eukaryotic lineages and that the initial gene duplication event leading to the divergence of distinct types of PIP4K and PIP5K homologs occurred in a common ancestor of this clade. Based on the results gleaned from different studies presented here, a model for the evolutionary divergence of the PIP4K/PIP5K family of proteins is presented.

Analysis of the roles of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate and individual subunits in assembly, localization, and function of Saccharomyces cerevisiae target of rapamycin complex 2

Eukaryotic cell survival requires maintenance of plasma membrane (PM) homeostasis in response to environmental insults and changes in lipid metabolism. In yeast, a key regulator of PM homeostasis is target of rapamycin (TOR) complex 2 (TORC2), a multiprotein complex containing the evolutionarily conserved TOR protein kinase isoform Tor2. PM localization is essential for TORC2 function. One core TORC2 subunit (Avo1) and two TORC2-­associated regulators (Slm1 and Slm2) contain pleckstrin homology (PH) domains that exhibit specificity for binding phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns4,5P2). To investigate the roles of PtdIns4,5P2 and constituent subunits of TORC2, we used auxin-inducible degradation to systematically eliminate these factors and then examined localization, association, and function of the remaining TORC2 components. We found that PtdIns4,5P2 depletion significantly reduced TORC2 activity, yet did not prevent PM localization or disassembly of TORC2. Moreover, truncated Avo1 (lacking its C-terminal PH domain) was still recruited to the PM and supported growth. Even when all three PH-containing proteins were absent, the remaining TORC2 subunits were PM-bound. Revealingly, Avo3 localized to the PM independent of both Avo1 and Tor2, whereas both Tor2 and Avo1 required Avo3 for their PM anchoring. Our findings provide new mechanistic information about TORC2 and pinpoint Avo3 as pivotal for TORC2 PM localization and assembly in vivo.

The P5A ATPase Spf1p is stimulated by phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and influences cellular sterol homeostasis

P5A ATPases are expressed in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of all eukaryotic cells, and their disruption results in severe ER stress. However, the function of these ubiquitous membrane proteins, which belong to the P-type ATPase superfamily, is unknown. We purified a functional tagged version of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae P5A ATPase Spf1p and observed that the ATP hydrolytic activity of the protein is stimulated by phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI4P). Furthermore, SPF1 exhibited negative genetic interactions with SAC1, encoding a PI4P phosphatase, and with OSH1 to OSH6, encoding Osh proteins, which, when energized by a PI4P gradient, drive export of sterols and lipids from the ER. Deletion of SPF1 resulted in increased sensitivity to inhibitors of sterol production, a marked change in the ergosterol/lanosterol ratio, accumulation of sterols in the plasma membrane, and cytosolic accumulation of lipid bodies. We propose that Spf1p maintains cellular sterol homeostasis by influencing the PI4P-induced and Osh-mediated export of sterols from the ER.

Decrease in plasma membrane tension triggers PtdIns(4,5)P2 phase separation to inactivate TORC2

The target of rapamycin complex 2 (TORC2) plays a key role in maintaining the homeostasis of plasma membrane (PM) tension. TORC2 activation following increased PM tension involves redistribution of the Slm1 and 2 paralogues from PM invaginations known as eisosomes into membrane compartments containing TORC2. How Slm1/2 relocalization is triggered, and if/how this plays a role in TORC2 inactivation with decreased PM tension, is unknown. Using osmotic shocks and palmitoylcarnitine as orthogonal tools to manipulate PM tension, we demonstrate that decreased PM tension triggers spontaneous, energy-independent reorganization of pre-existing phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate into discrete invaginated membrane domains, which cluster and inactivate TORC2. These results demonstrate that increased and decreased membrane tension are sensed through different mechanisms, highlighting a role for membrane lipid phase separation in mechanotransduction.

Phospholipid flippases and Sfk1p, a novel regulator of phospholipid asymmetry, contribute to low permeability of the plasma membrane

Phospholipid flippase (type 4 P-type ATPase) plays a major role in the generation of phospholipid asymmetry in eukaryotic cell membranes. Loss of Lem3p-Dnf1/2p flippases leads to the exposure of phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) on the cell surface in yeast, resulting in sensitivity to PS- or PE-binding peptides. We isolated Sfk1p, a conserved membrane protein in the TMEM150/FRAG1/DRAM family, as a multicopy suppressor of this sensitivity. Overexpression of SFK1 decreased PS/PE exposure in lem3Δ mutant cells. Consistent with this, lem3Δ sfk1Δ double mutant cells exposed more PS/PE than the lem3Δ mutant. Sfk1p was previously implicated in the regulation of the phosphatidylinositol-4 kinase Stt4p, but the effect of Sfk1p on PS/PE exposure in lem3Δ was independent of Stt4p. Surprisingly, Sfk1p did not facilitate phospholipid flipping but instead repressed it, even under ATP-depleted conditions. We propose that Sfk1p negatively regulates transbilayer movement of phospholipids irrespective of directions. In addition, we showed that the permeability of the plasma membrane was dramatically elevated in the lem3Δ sfk1Δ double mutant in comparison with the corresponding single mutants. Interestingly, total ergosterol was decreased in the lem3Δ sfk1Δ mutant. Our results suggest that phospholipid asymmetry is required for the maintenance of low plasma membrane permeability.

Distinct roles for plasma membrane PtdIns(4)P and PtdIns(4,5)P2 during receptor-mediated endocytosis in yeast

Clathrin-mediated endocytosis requires the coordinated assembly of various endocytic proteins and lipids at the plasma membrane. Accumulating evidence demonstrates a crucial role for phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P₂] in endocytosis but specific roles for phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate [PtdIns(4)P], other than as the biosynthetic precursor of PtdIns(4,5)P₂, have not been clarified. In this study we investigated the roles of PtdIns(4)P and PtdIns(4,5)P₂ in receptor-mediated endocytosis through the construction of temperature-sensitive (ts) mutants for the phosphatidylinositol 4-kinases (PI4-kinases) Stt4p and Pik1p and the 1-phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinase [PtdIns(4) 5-kinase] Mss4p. Quantitative analyses of endocytosis revealed that both the stt4^tspik1^ts and mss4^ts mutants have a severe defect in endocytic internalization. Live-cell imaging of endocytic protein dynamics in stt4^tspik1^ts and mss4^ts mutants revealed that PtdIns(4)P is required for the recruitment of the α-factor receptor Ste2p to clathrin-coated pits, whereas PtdIns(4,5)P₂ is required for membrane internalization. We also found that the localization to endocytic sites of the ENTH/ANTH domain-bearing clathrin adaptors, Ent1p, Ent2p, Yap1801p and Yap1802p, is significantly impaired in the stt4^tspik1^ts mutant but not in the mss4^ts mutant. These results suggest distinct roles in successive steps for PtdIns(4)P and PtdIns(4,5)P₂ during receptor-mediated endocytosis.

Identification of a conserved 8 aa insert in the PIP5K protein in the Saccharomycetaceae family of fungi and the molecular dynamics simulations and structural analysis to investigate its potential functional role

Homologs of the phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate-5-kinase (PIP5K), which controls a multitude of essential cellular functions, contain a 8 aa insert in a conserved region that is specific for the Saccharomycetaceae family of fungi. Using structures of human PIP4K proteins as templates, structural models were generated of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae and human PIP5K proteins. In the modeled S. cerevisiae PIP5K, the 8 aa insert forms a surface exposed loop, present on the same face of the protein as the activation loop of the kinase domain. Electrostatic potential analysis indicates that the residues from 8 aa conserved loop form a highly positively charged surface patch, which through electrostatic interaction with the anionic portions of phospholipid head groups, is expected to play a role in the membrane interaction of the yeast PIP5K. To unravel this prediction, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were carried out to examine the binding interaction of PIP5K, either containing or lacking the conserved signature insert, with two different membrane lipid bilayers. The results from MD studies provide insights concerning the mechanistic of interaction of PIP5K with lipid bilayer, and support the contention that the identified 8 aa conserved insert in fungal PIP5K plays an important role in the binding of this protein with membrane surface. Proteins 2017; 85:1454-1467. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Phosphoinositides, Major Actors in Membrane Trafficking and Lipid Signaling Pathways

Phosphoinositides are lipids involved in the vesicular transport of proteins and lipids between the different compartments of eukaryotic cells. They act by recruiting and/or activating effector proteins and thus are involved in regulating various cellular functions, such as vesicular budding, membrane fusion and cytoskeleton dynamics. Although detected in small concentrations in membranes, their role is essential to cell function, since imbalance in their concentrations is a hallmark of many cancers. Their synthesis involves phosphorylating/dephosphorylating positions D3, D4 and/or D5 of their inositol ring by specific lipid kinases and phosphatases. This process is tightly regulated and specific to the different intracellular membranes. Most enzymes involved in phosphoinositide synthesis are conserved between yeast and human, and their loss of function leads to severe diseases (cancer, myopathy, neuropathy and ciliopathy).

Hitchhiking vesicular transport routes to the vacuole: Amyloid recruitment to the Insoluble Protein Deposit (IPOD)

Sequestration of aggregates into specialized deposition sites occurs in many species across all kingdoms of life ranging from bacteria to mammals and is commonly believed to have a cytoprotective function. Yeast cells possess at least 3 different spatially separated deposition sites, one of which is termed “Insoluble Protein Deposit (IPOD)” and harbors amyloid aggregates. We have recently discovered that recruitment of amyloid aggregates to the IPOD uses an actin cable based recruitment machinery that also involves vesicular transport.¹ Here we discuss how different proteins known to be involved in vesicular transport processes to the vacuole might act to guide amyloid aggregates to the IPOD. These factors include the Myosin V motor protein Myo2 involved in transporting vacuolar vesicles along actin cables, the transmembrane protein Atg9 involved in the recruitment of large precursor hydrolase complexes to the vacuole, the phosphatidylinositol/ phosphatidylcholine (PI/PC) transfer protein Sec 14 and the SNARE chaperone Sec 18. Furthermore, we present new data suggesting that the yeast dynamin homolog Vps1 is also crucial for faithful delivery of the amyloid model protein PrD-GFP to the IPOD. This is in agreement with a previously identified role for Vps1 in recruitment of heat-denatured aggregates to a perivacuolar deposition site.²

Ypk1 and Ypk2 kinases maintain Rho1 at the plasma membrane by flippase-dependent lipid remodeling after membrane stresses

The plasma membrane (PM) is frequently challenged by mechanical stresses. In budding yeast, TORC2-Ypk1/Ypk2 kinase cascade plays a crucial role in PM stress responses by reorganizing the actin cytoskeleton via Rho1 GTPase. However, the molecular mechanism by which TORC2-Ypk1/Ypk2 regulates Rho1 is not well defined. Here, we found that Ypk1/Ypk2 maintain PM localization of Rho1 under PM stress via spatial reorganization of the lipids including phosphatidylserine. Genetic evidence suggests that this process is mediated by the Lem3-containing lipid flippase. We propose that lipid remodeling mediated by the TORC2-Ypk1/Ypk2-Lem3 axis is a backup mechanism for PM anchoring of Rho1 after PM stress-induced acute degradation of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P₂], which is responsible for Rho1 localization under normal conditions. Since all the signaling molecules studied here are conserved in higher eukaryotes, our findings might represent a general mechanism to cope with PM stress.

Bcp1 Is the Nuclear Chaperone of Rpl23 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Eukaryotic ribosomes are composed of rRNAs and ribosomal proteins. Ribosomal proteins are translated in the cytoplasm and imported into the nucleus for assembly with the rRNAs. It has been shown that chaperones or karyopherins responsible for import can maintain the stability of ribosomal proteins by neutralizing unfavorable positive charges and thus facilitate their transports. Among 79 ribosomal proteins in yeast, only a few are identified with specific chaperones. Besides the classic role in maintaining protein stability, chaperones have additional roles in transport, chaperoning the assembly site, and dissociation of ribosomal proteins from karyopherins. Bcp1 has been shown to be necessary for the export of Mss4, a phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase, and required for ribosome biogenesis. However, its specific function in ribosome biogenesis has not been described. Here, we show that Bcp1 dissociates Rpl23 from the karyopherins and associates with Rpl23 afterward. Loss of Bcp1 causes instability of Rpl23 and deficiency of 60S subunits. In summary, Bcp1 is a novel 60S biogenesis factor via chaperoning Rpl23 in the nucleus.

Nicotiana alata Defensin Chimeras Reveal Differences in the Mechanism of Fungal and Tumor Cell Killing and an Enhanced Antifungal Variant

The plant defensin NaD1 is a potent antifungal molecule that also targets tumor cells with a high efficiency. We examined the features of NaD1 that contribute to these two activities by producing a series of chimeras with NaD2, a defensin that has relatively poor activity against fungi and no activity against tumor cells. All plant defensins have a common tertiary structure known as a cysteine-stabilized α-β motif which consists of an α helix and a triple-stranded β-sheet stabilized by four disulfide bonds. The chimeras were produced by replacing loops 1 to 7, the sequences between each of the conserved cysteine residues on NaD1, with the corresponding loops from NaD2. The loop 5 swap replaced the sequence motif (SKILRR) that mediates tight binding with phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2] and is essential for the potent cytotoxic effect of NaD1 on tumor cells. Consistent with previous reports, there was a strong correlation between PI(4,5)P2 binding and the tumor cell killing activity of all of the chimeras. However, this correlation did not extend to antifungal activity. Some of the loop swap chimeras were efficient antifungal molecules, even though they bound poorly to PI(4,5)P2, suggesting that additional mechanisms operate against fungal cells. Unexpectedly, the loop 1B swap chimera was 10 times more active than NaD1 against filamentous fungi. This led to the conclusion that defensin loops have evolved as modular components that combine to make antifungal molecules with variable mechanisms of action and that artificial combinations of loops can increase antifungal activity compared to that of the natural variants.

Control of diverse subcellular processes by a single multi-functional lipid phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2]

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2] is a multi-functional lipid that regulates several essential subcellular processes in eukaryotic cells. In addition to its well-established function as a substrate for receptor-activated signalling at the plasma membrane (PM), it is now recognized that distinct PI(4,5)P2 pools are present at other organelle membranes. However, a long-standing question that remains unresolved is the mechanism by which a single lipid species, with an invariant functional head group, delivers numerous functions without loss of fidelity. In the present review, we summarize studies that have examined the molecular processes that shape the repertoire of PI(4,5)P2 pools in diverse eukaryotes. Collectively, these studies indicate a conserved role for lipid kinase isoforms in generating functionally distinct pools of PI(4,5)P2 in diverse metazoan species. The sophistication underlying the regulation of multiple functions by PI(4,5)P2 is also shaped by mechanisms that regulate its availability to enzymes involved in its metabolism as well as molecular processes that control its diffusion at nanoscales in the PM. Collectively, these mechanisms ensure the specificity of PI(4,5)P2 mediated signalling at eukaryotic membranes.

TORC2 and eisosomes are spatially interdependent, requiring optimal level of phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-bisphosphate for their integrity

The elucidation of the organization and maintenance of the plasma membrane has been sought due to its numerous roles in cellular function. In the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a novel paradigm has begun to emerge in the understanding of the distribution of plasma membrane microdomains and how they are regulated. We aimed to investigate the dynamic interdependence between the protein complexes eisosome and TORC2, representing microdomains MCC and MCT, respectively. In this study, we reveal that the eisosome organizer Pil1 colocalizes with the MCT marker Avo2. Furthermore, we provide evidence that the formation of MCT is dependent on both eisosome integrity and adequate levels of the plasma membrane phosphoinositide PI(4,5)P2. Taken together, our findings indicate that TORC2, eisosomes, and PI(4,5)P2 exist in an interconnected relationship, which supports the emerging model of the plasma membrane.

An Engineered Minimal WASP-Myosin Fusion Protein Reveals Essential Functions for Endocytosis

Actin polymerization powers membrane deformation during many processes, including clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME). During CME in yeast, actin polymerization is triggered and coordinated by a six-protein WASP/Myosin complex that includes WASP, class I myosins (Myo3 and Myo5), WIP (Vrp1), and two other proteins. We show that a single engineered protein can replace this entire complex while still supporting CME. This engineered protein reveals that the WASP/Myosin complex has four essential activities: recruitment to endocytic sites, anchorage to the plasma membrane, Arp2/3 activation, and transient actin filament binding by the motor domain. The requirement for both membrane and F-actin binding reveals that myosin-mediated coupling between actin filaments and the base of endocytic sites is essential for allowing actin polymerization to drive membrane invagination.

Characterization of the S. cerevisiae inp51 mutant links phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate levels with lipid content, membrane fluidity and cold growth

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2] and its derivatives diphosphoinositol phosphates (DPIPs) play key signaling and regulatory roles. However, a direct function of these molecules in lipid and membrane homeostasis remains obscure. Here, we have studied the cold tolerance phenotype of yeast cells lacking the Inp51-mediated phosphoinositide-5-phosphatase. Genetic and biochemical approaches showed that increased metabolism of PI(4,5)P2 reduces the activity of the Pho85 kinase by increasing the levels of the DPIP isomer 1-IP7. This effect was key in the cold tolerance phenotype. Indeed, pho85 mutant cells grew better than the wild-type at 15 °C, and lack of this kinase abolished the inp51-mediated cold phenotype. Remarkably, reduced Pho85 function by loss of Inp51 affected the activity of the Pho85-regulated target Pah1, the yeast phosphatidate phosphatase. Cells lacking Inp51 showed reduced Pah1 abundance, derepression of an INO1-lacZ reporter, decreased content of triacylglycerides and elevated levels of phosphatidate, hallmarks of the pah1 mutant. However, the inp51 phenotype was not associated to low Pah1 activity since deletion of PAH1 caused cold sensitivity. In addition, the inp51 mutant exhibited features not shared by pah1, including a 40%-reduction in total lipid content and decreased membrane fluidity. These changes may influence the activity of membrane-anchored and/or associated proteins since deletion of INP51 slows down the transit to the vacuole of the fluorescent dye FM4-64. In conclusion, our work supports a model in which changes in the PI(4,5)P2 pool affect the 1-IP7 levels modulating the activity of Pho85, Pah1 and likely additional Pho85-controlled targets, and regulate lipid composition and membrane properties.

Eisosomes Regulate Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2) Cortical Clusters and Mitogen-activated Protein (MAP) Kinase Signaling upon Osmotic Stress

Eisosomes are multiprotein structures that generate linear invaginations at the plasma membrane of yeast cells. The core component of eisosomes, the BAR domain protein Pil1, generates these invaginations through direct binding to lipids including phosphoinositides. Eisosomes promote hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5 bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2) by functioning with synaptojanin, but the cellular processes regulated by this pathway have been unknown. Here, we found that PI(4,5)P2 regulation by eisosomes inhibits the cell integrity pathway, a conserved MAPK signal transduction cascade. This pathway is activated by multiple environmental conditions including osmotic stress in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Activation of the MAPK Pmk1 was impaired by mutations in the phosphatidylinositol (PI) 5-kinase Its3, but this defect was suppressed by removal of eisosomes. Using fluorescent biosensors, we found that osmotic stress induced the formation of PI(4,5)P2 clusters that were spatially organized by eisosomes in both fission yeast and budding yeast cells. These cortical clusters contained the PI 5-kinase Its3 and did not assemble in the its3-1 mutant. The GTPase Rho2, an upstream activator of Pmk1, also co-localized with PI(4,5)P2 clusters under osmotic stress, providing a molecular link between these novel clusters and MAPK activation. Our findings have revealed that eisosomes regulate activation of MAPK signal transduction through the organization of cortical lipid-based microdomains.

The Stationary-Phase Cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Display Dynamic Actin Filaments Required for Processes Extending Chronological Life Span

Stationary-growth-phase Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cultures consist of nondividing cells that undergo chronological aging. For their successful survival, the turnover of proteins and organelles, ensured by autophagy and the activation of mitochondria, is performed. Some of these processes are engaged in by the actin cytoskeleton. In S. cerevisiae stationary-phase cells, F actin has been shown to form static aggregates named actin bodies, subsequently cited to be markers of quiescence. Our in vivo analyses revealed that stationary-phase cultures contain cells with dynamic actin filaments, besides the cells with static actin bodies. The cells with dynamic actin displayed active endocytosis and autophagy and well-developed mitochondrial networks. Even more, stationary-phase cell cultures grown under calorie restriction predominantly contained cells with actin cables, confirming that the presence of actin cables is linked to successful adaptation to stationary phase. Cells with actin bodies were inactive in endocytosis and autophagy and displayed aberrations in mitochondrial networks. Notably, cells of the respiratory activity-deficient cox4Δ strain displayed the same mitochondrial aberrations and actin bodies only. Additionally, our results indicate that mitochondrial dysfunction precedes the formation of actin bodies and the appearance of actin bodies corresponds to decreased cell fitness. We conclude that the F-actin status reflects the extent of damage that arises from exponential growth.

The yeast cell wall integrity pathway signals from recycling endosomes upon elimination of phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-bisphosphate by mammalian phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase

Phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P(2)] is essential for recognition of the plasma membrane inner leaf by protein complexes. We expressed mammalian class I phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae to eliminate PtdIns(4,5)P(2) by its conversion into PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3), a lipid naturally missing in this yeast. This led to loss of actin function and endocytosis defects, causing a blockage in polarized secretion. Also, the cell wall integrity (CWI) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway was activated, triggering a typical transcriptional response. In the absence of PtdIns(4,5)P(2) at the plasma membrane, the Pkc1 protein kinase upstream the CWI MAPK module localized to post-Golgi endosomes marked by SNARE Snc1 and Rab GTPases Ypt31 and Ypt32. Other components at the head of the pathway, like the mechanosensor Wsc1, the GTPase Rho1 and its activator the GDP/GTP exchange factor Rom2, co-localized with Pkc1 in these compartments. Chemical inhibition of PI3K proved that both CWI activation and Pkc1 relocation to endosomes are reversible. These results suggest that the CWI pathway is able to respond to loss of plasma membrane identity from recycling endosomes.

[Phosphoinositides: lipidic essential actors in the intracellular traffic]

Phosphoinositides (PPIn) are lipids involved in the vesicular transport of proteins between the different intracellular compartments. They act by recruiting and/or activating effector proteins and are thus involved in crucial cellular functions including vesicle budding, fusion and dynamics of membranes and regulation of the cytoskeleton. Although they are present in low concentrations in membranes, their activity is essential for cell survival and needs to be tightly controlled. Therefore, phosphatases and kinases specific of the various cellular membranes can phosphorylate/dephosphorylate their inositol ring on the positions D3, D4 and/or D5. The differential phosphorylation determines the intracellular localisation and the activity of the PPIn. Indeed, non-phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) is the basic component of the PPIn and can be found in all eukaryotic cells at the cytoplasmic face of the ER, the Golgi, mitochondria and microsomes. It can get phosphorylated on position D4 to obtain PtdIns4P, a PPIn enriched in the Golgi compartment and involved in the maintenance of this organelle as well as anterograde and retrograde transport to and from the Golgi. PtdIns phosphorylation on position D3 results in PtdIns3P that is required for endosomal transport and multivesicular body (MVB) formation and sorting. These monophosphorylated PtdIns can be further phosphorylated to produce bisphophorylated PtdIns. Thus, PtdIns(4,5)P2, mainly produced by PtdIns4P phosphorylation, is enriched in the plasma membrane and involved in the regulation of actin cytoskeleton and endocytosis. PtdIns(3,5)P2, mainly produced by PtdIns3P phosphorylation, is enriched in late endosomes, MVBs and the lysosome/vacuole and plays a role in endosome to vacuole transport. PtdIns(3,4)P2 is absent in yeast, cells and mainly produced by PtdIns4P phosphorylation in human cells; PtdIns(3,4)P2 is localised in the plasma membrane and plays an important role as a second messenger by recruiting specific protein kinases (Akt and PDK1). Finally the triple phosphorylated PPIn, PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 also absent in yeast, is produced by the phosphorylation of PtdIns(3,4)P2 and localized at the plasma membrane of human cells where it binds proteins via their PH domain. Interaction partners include members of the Arf (ADP-ribosylation factors) family, PDK1 (Phosphoinositide Dependent Kinase 1) and Akt. Therefore this last PPIn is essential for the control of cell proliferation and its deregulation leads to the development of numerous cancers. In conclusion, the regulation of PPIn phosphorylation/dephosphorylation is complex and needs to be very precisely regulated. Indeed phosphatases and kinases allow the maintenance of the equilibrium between the different forms. PPIn play a crucial role in numerous cellular functions and a loss in their synthesis or regulation results in severe genetic diseases.

An iTRAQ-based proteomics approach to clarify the molecular physiology of somatic embryo development in Prince Rupprecht's larch (Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr)

Prince Rupprecht's larch (Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr) is a native high-value forest tree species in North China whose clonal propagation through somatic embryogenesis (SE) has the potential to rapidly capture the benefits of breeding or genetic engineering programs and to improve raw material uniformity and quality. To date, research has focused on clarifying the molecular mechanism of SE, but proteomic studies are still in the early stages. In this study, isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) analysis was performed on three developmental stages of SE in L. principis-rupprechtii in an attempt to identify a wide range of proteins that are regulated differentially during this process. Proteins were extracted and analyzed from the pro-embryogenic mass (PEM), globular embryo (GE), and cotyledon embryo (CE) stages of embryo development. We detected 503 proteins in total and identified 96 proteins expressed differentially during different developmental stages. The identified proteins were analyzed further to provide information about their expression patterns and functions during SE. Four clusters of proteins based on shared expression profiles were generated. Functional analysis showed that proteins involved in primary metabolism, phosphorylation, and oxidation reduction were upregulated during somatic embryo development. This work provides novel insights into the process of larch embryo development in vitro and a basis for further study of the biological process and opportunities for practical application of this knowledge.

Role of phosphatidylinositol phosphate signaling in the regulation of the filamentous-growth mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway

Reversible phosphorylation of the phospholipid phosphatidylinositol (PI) is a key event in the determination of organelle identity and an underlying regulatory feature in many biological processes. Here, we investigated the role of PI signaling in the regulation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway that controls filamentous growth in yeast. Lipid kinases that generate phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate [PI(4)P] at the Golgi (Pik1p) or PI(4,5)P2 at the plasma membrane (PM) (Mss4p and Stt4p) were required for filamentous-growth MAPK pathway signaling. Introduction of a conditional allele of PIK1 (pik1-83) into the filamentous (Σ1278b) background reduced MAPK activity and caused defects in invasive growth and biofilm/mat formation. MAPK regulatory proteins that function at the PM, including Msb2p, Sho1p, and Cdc42p, were mislocalized in the pik1-83 mutant, which may account for the signaling defects of the PI(4)P kinase mutants. Other PI kinases (Fab1p and Vps34p), and combinations of PIP (synaptojanin-type) phosphatases, also influenced the filamentous-growth MAPK pathway. Loss of these proteins caused defects in cell polarity, which may underlie the MAPK signaling defect seen in these mutants. In line with this possibility, disruption of the actin cytoskeleton by latrunculin A (LatA) dampened the filamentous-growth pathway. Various PIP signaling mutants were also defective for axial budding in haploid cells, cell wall construction, or proper regulation of the high-osmolarity glycerol response (HOG) pathway. Altogether, the study extends the roles of PI signaling to a differentiation MAPK pathway and other cellular processes.

Control of Plasma Membrane Permeability by ABC Transporters

ATP-binding cassette transporters Pdr5 and Yor1 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae control the asymmetric distribution of phospholipids across the plasma membrane as well as serving as ATP-dependent drug efflux pumps. Mutant strains lacking these transporter proteins were found to exhibit very different resistance phenotypes to two inhibitors of sphingolipid biosynthesis that act either late (aureobasidin A [AbA]) or early (myriocin [Myr]) in the pathway leading to production of these important plasma membrane lipids. These pdr5Δ yor1 strains were highly AbA resistant but extremely sensitive to Myr. We provide evidence that these phenotypic changes are likely due to modulation of the plasma membrane flippase complexes, Dnf1/Lem3 and Dnf2/Lem3. Flippases act to move phospholipids from the outer to the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane. Genetic analyses indicate that lem3Δ mutant strains are highly AbA sensitive and Myr resistant. These phenotypes are fully epistatic to those seen in pdr5Δ yor1 strains. Direct analysis of AbA-induced signaling demonstrated that loss of Pdr5 and Yor1 inhibited the AbA-triggered phosphorylation of the AGC kinase Ypk1 and its substrate Orm1. Microarray experiments found that a pdr5Δ yor1 strain induced a Pdr1-dependent induction of the entire Pdr regulon. Our data support the view that Pdr5/Yor1 negatively regulate flippase function and activity of the nuclear Pdr1 transcription factor. Together, these data argue that the interaction of the ABC transporters Pdr5 and Yor1 with the Lem3-dependent flippases regulates permeability of AbA via control of plasma membrane protein function as seen for the high-affinity tryptophan permease Tat2.

Control of lipid organization and actin assembly during clathrin-mediated endocytosis by the cytoplasmic tail of the rhomboid protein Rbd2

Clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) requires precise regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. The yeast rhomboid protein Rbd2 controls the timing of actin polymerization during CME through its cytoplasmic tail and a PtdIns(4,5)P2-dependent mechanism.

Clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) is facilitated by a precisely regulated burst of actin assembly. PtdIns(4,5)P2 is an important signaling lipid with conserved roles in CME and actin assembly regulation. Rhomboid family multipass transmembrane proteins regulate diverse cellular processes; however, rhomboid-mediated CME regulation has not been described. We report that yeast lacking the rhomboid protein Rbd2 exhibit accelerated endocytic-site dynamics and premature actin assembly during CME through a PtdIns(4,5)P2-dependent mechanism. Combined genetic and biochemical studies showed that the cytoplasmic tail of Rbd2 binds directly to PtdIns(4,5)P2 and is sufficient for Rbd2's role in actin regulation. Analysis of an Rbd2 mutant with diminished PtdIns(4,5)P2-binding capacity indicates that this interaction is necessary for the temporal regulation of actin assembly during CME. The cytoplasmic tail of Rbd2 appears to modulate PtdIns(4,5)P2 distribution on the cell cortex. The syndapin-like F-BAR protein Bzz1 functions in a pathway with Rbd2 to control the timing of type 1 myosin recruitment and actin polymerization onset during CME. This work reveals that the previously unstudied rhomboid protein Rbd2 functions in vivo at the nexus of three highly conserved processes: lipid regulation, endocytic regulation, and cytoskeletal function.

Actin and endocytosis in budding yeast

Endocytosis, the process whereby the plasma membrane invaginates to form vesicles, is essential for bringing many substances into the cell and for membrane turnover. The mechanism driving clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) involves > 50 different protein components assembling at a single location on the plasma membrane in a temporally ordered and hierarchal pathway. These proteins perform precisely choreographed steps that promote receptor recognition and clustering, membrane remodeling, and force-generating actin-filament assembly and turnover to drive membrane invagination and vesicle scission. Many critical aspects of the CME mechanism are conserved from yeast to mammals and were first elucidated in yeast, demonstrating that it is a powerful system for studying endocytosis. In this review, we describe our current mechanistic understanding of each step in the process of yeast CME, and the essential roles played by actin polymerization at these sites, while providing a historical perspective of how the landscape has changed since the preceding version of the YeastBook was published 17 years ago (1997). Finally, we discuss the key unresolved issues and where future studies might be headed.

Regulatory roles of phosphoinositides in membrane trafficking and their potential impact on cell-wall synthesis and re-modelling

BACKGROUND

Plant cell walls are complex matrices of carbohydrates and proteins that control cell morphology and provide protection and rigidity for the plant body. The construction and maintenance of this intricate system involves the delivery and recycling of its components through a precise balance of endomembrane trafficking, which is controlled by a plethora of cell signalling factors. Phosphoinositides (PIs) are one class of signalling molecules with diverse roles in vesicle trafficking and cytoskeleton structure across different kingdoms. Therefore, PIs may also play an important role in the assembly of plant cell walls.

SCOPE

The eukaryotic PI pathway is an intricate network of different lipids, which appear to be divided in different pools that can partake in vesicle trafficking or signalling. Most of our current understanding of how PIs function in cell metabolism comes from yeast and mammalian systems; however, in recent years significant progress has been made towards a better understanding of the plant PI system. This review examines the current state of knowledge of how PIs regulate vesicle trafficking and their potential influence on plant cell-wall architecture. It considers first how PIs are formed in plants and then examines their role in the control of vesicle trafficking. Interactions between PIs and the actin cytoskeleton and small GTPases are also discussed. Future challenges for research are suggested.

Genetically encoded fluorescent probe to visualize intracellular phosphatidylinositol 3,5-bisphosphate localization and dynamics

Phosphatidylinositol 3,5-bisphosphate [PI(3,5)P2] is a low-abundance phosphoinositide presumed to be localized to endosomes and lysosomes, where it recruits cytoplasmic peripheral proteins and regulates endolysosome-localized membrane channel activity. Cells lacking PI(3,5)P2 exhibit lysosomal trafficking defects, and human mutations in the PI(3,5)P2-metabolizing enzymes cause lysosome-related diseases. The spatial and temporal dynamics of PI(3,5)P2, however, remain unclear due to the lack of a reliable detection method. Of the seven known phosphoinositides, only PI(3,5)P2 binds, in the low nanomolar range, to a cytoplasmic phosphoinositide-interacting domain (ML1N) to activate late endosome and lysosome (LEL)-localized transient receptor potential Mucolipin 1 (TRPML1) channels. Here, we report the generation and characterization of a PI(3,5)P2-specific probe, generated by the fusion of fluorescence tags to the tandem repeats of ML1N. The probe was mainly localized to the membranes of Lamp1-positive compartments, and the localization pattern was dynamically altered by either mutations in the probe, or by genetically or pharmacologically manipulating the cellular levels of PI(3,5)P2. Through the use of time-lapse live-cell imaging, we found that the localization of the PI(3,5)P2 probe was regulated by serum withdrawal/addition, undergoing rapid changes immediately before membrane fusion of two LELs. Our development of a PI(3,5)P2-specific probe may facilitate studies of both intracellular signal transduction and membrane trafficking in the endosomes and lysosomes.

Phosphoinositides: tiny lipids with giant impact on cell regulation

Phosphoinositides (PIs) make up only a small fraction of cellular phospholipids, yet they control almost all aspects of a cell's life and death. These lipids gained tremendous research interest as plasma membrane signaling molecules when discovered in the 1970s and 1980s. Research in the last 15 years has added a wide range of biological processes regulated by PIs, turning these lipids into one of the most universal signaling entities in eukaryotic cells. PIs control organelle biology by regulating vesicular trafficking, but they also modulate lipid distribution and metabolism via their close relationship with lipid transfer proteins. PIs regulate ion channels, pumps, and transporters and control both endocytic and exocytic processes. The nuclear phosphoinositides have grown from being an epiphenomenon to a research area of its own. As expected from such pleiotropic regulators, derangements of phosphoinositide metabolism are responsible for a number of human diseases ranging from rare genetic disorders to the most common ones such as cancer, obesity, and diabetes. Moreover, it is increasingly evident that a number of infectious agents hijack the PI regulatory systems of host cells for their intracellular movements, replication, and assembly. As a result, PI converting enzymes began to be noticed by pharmaceutical companies as potential therapeutic targets. This review is an attempt to give an overview of this enormous research field focusing on major developments in diverse areas of basic science linked to cellular physiology and disease.