Structural Determinants for Phosphatidic Acid Regulation of Phospholipase C-β1

Regulation of Airway Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation by Diacylglycerol Kinase: Relevance to Airway Remodeling in Asthma

Airway remodeling in asthma involves the hyperproliferation of airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells. However, the molecular signals that regulate ASM growth are not completely understood. Gq-coupled G protein-coupled receptor and receptor tyrosine kinase signaling regulate ASM cell proliferation via activation of phospholipase C, generation of inositol triphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol (DAG). Diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) converts DAG into phosphatidic acid (PA) and terminates DAG signaling while promoting PA-mediated signaling and function. Herein, we hypothesized that PA is a pro-mitogenic second messenger in ASM, and DGK inhibition reduces the conversion of DAG into PA resulting in inhibition of ASM cell proliferation. We assessed the effect of pharmacological inhibition of DGK on pro-mitogenic signaling and proliferation in primary human ASM cells. Pretreatment with DGK inhibitor I (DGKI) significantly inhibited platelet-derived growth factor-stimulated ASM cell proliferation. Anti-mitogenic effect of DGKI was associated with decreased mTOR signaling and expression of cyclin D1. Exogenous PA promoted pro-mitogenic signaling and rescued DGKI-induced attenuation of ASM cell proliferation. Finally, house dust mite (HDM) challenge in wild type mice promoted airway remodeling features, which were attenuated in DGKζ-/- mice. We propose that DGK serves as a potential drug target for mitigating airway remodeling in asthma.

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate-specific phospholipase C β1 selectively binds dipalmitoyl and distearoyl phosphatidic acids via Lys946 and Lys951

Phospholipase C (PLC) β1 hydrolyzes 1-stearoyl-2-arachidonoyl (18:0/20:4)-phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) 4,5-bisphosphate to produce diacylglycerol, which is converted to phosphatidic acid (PtdOH), in the PtdIns cycle and plays pivotal roles in intracellular signal transduction. The present study identified PLCβ1 as a PtdOH-binding protein using PtdOH-containing liposomes. Moreover, the comparison of the binding of PLCβ1 to various PtdOH species, including 14:0/14:0-PtdOH, 16:0/16:0-PtdOH, 16:0/18:1-PtdOH, 18:0/18:1-PtdOH, 18:0/18:0-PtdOH, 18:1/18:1-PtdOH, 18:0/20:4-PtdOH, and 18:0/22:6-PtdOH, indicated that the interaction of PLCβ1 with 16:0/16:0-PtdOH was the strongest. The PLCβ1-binding activity of 18:0/18:0-PtdOH was almost the same as the binding activity of 16:0/16:0-PtdOH. Furthermore, the binding of PLCβ1 to 16:0/16:0-PtdOH was substantially stronger than 16:0/16:0-phosphatidylserine, 16:0/16:0/16:0/16:0-cardiolipin, 16:0/16:0-PtdIns, and 18:0/20:4-PtdIns. We revealed that a PLCβ1 mutant whose Lys946 and Lys951 residues were replaced with Glu (PLCβ1-KE) did not interact with 16:0/16:0-PtdOH and failed to localize to the plasma membrane in Neuro-2a cells. Retinoic acid-dependent increase in neurite length and numbers was significantly inhibited in PLCβ1-expressing cells; however, this considerable attenuation was not detected in the cells expressing PLCβ1-KE. Overall, these results strongly suggest that PtdOHs containing only saturated fatty acids, including 16:0/16:0-PtdOH, which are not derived from the PtdIns cycle, selectively bind to PLCβ1 and regulate its function.

Decoding Gαq signaling

Gαq signals with phospholipase C-β (PLC-β) to modify behavior in response to an agonist-bound GPCR. While the fundamental steps which prime Gαq to interact with PLC-β have been identified, questions remain concerning signal strength with PLC-β and other effectors. Gαq is generally viewed to function as a simple ON and OFF switch for its effector, dependent on the binding of GTP or GDP. However, Gαq does not have a single effector, Gαq has many different effectors. Furthermore, select effectors also regulate Gαq activity. PLC-β is a lipase and a GTPase activating protein (GAP) selective for Gαq. The contribution of G protein regulating activity to signal amplitude remains unclear. The unique PLC-β coiled-coil domain is essential for maximum Gαq response, both lipase and GAP. Nonetheless, coiled-coil domain associations necessary to maximum response have not been revealed by the structural approach. This review discusses progress towards understanding the basis for signal strength with PLC-β and other effectors. Shared and effector-specific interactions have been identified. Finally, the evidence for allosteric regulation of lipase stimulation by protein kinase C, the membrane, phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylinositol-4, 5-bisphosphate and GPCR is explored. Endogenous allosteric regulators can suppress or enhance maximum lipase stimulation dependent on the PLC-β coiled-coil domain. A better understanding of allosteric modulation may therefore identify a wealth of new targets to regulate signal strength and behavior.

Phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C in health and disease

Phospholipases are widely occurring and can be found in several different organisms, including bacteria, yeast, plants, animals, and viruses. Phospholipase C (PLC) is a class of phospholipases that cleaves phospholipids on the diacylglycerol (DAG) side of the phosphodiester bond producing DAGs and phosphomonoesters. Among PLCs, phosphoinositide-specific PLC (PI-PLC) constitutes an important step in the inositide signaling pathways. The structures of PI-PLC isozymes show conserved domains as well as regulatory specific domains. This is important, as most PI-PLCs share a common mechanism, but each of them has a peculiar role and can have a specific cell distribution that is linked to a specific function. More importantly, the regulation of PLC isozymes is fundamental in health and disease, as there are several PLC-dependent molecular mechanisms that are associated with the activation or inhibition of important physiopathological processes. Moreover, PI-PLC alternative splicing variants can play important roles in complex signaling networks, not only in cancer but also in other diseases. That is why PI-PLC isozymes are now considered as important molecules that are essential for better understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying both physiology and pathogenesis, and are also potential molecular targets useful for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.

Regulation of phospholipase C-β(1) GTPase-activating protein (GAP) function and relationship to G(q) efficacy

How cells regulate Gq efficacy (initiation and termination of Gq signaling) to effect response remains a central question in pharmacology and drug discovery. Phospholipase C-β1 (PLC-β1) is an effector and a GTPase activating protein (GAP) specific to Gαq. The physiological function of PLC-β1 GAP remains unclear and controversial. GAPs are generally thought to function in deactivation of Gq signaling. However, PLC-β1 GAP has also been shown to increase signaling efficiency through kinetic coupling with the ligand-activated GPCR. GPCRs function as guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEF) on the G protein activation cycle. This article sets forth a new hypothesis that could unify these conflicting paradigms as it pertains to physiological signaling and native levels of protein. It is proposed that the physiological function of PLC-β1 GAP is context-dependent and regulated by phosphatidic acid (PA). PA stimulates PLC-β1 GAP activity. In the absence of ligand, PLC-β1 GAP does indeed deactivate Gq signaling, limiting leaky activation to set the threshold for stimulation to sharpen signal kinetics. However in the presence of activating ligand, the increase in levels of PA would stimulate PLC-β1 GAP to kinetically couple with GPCR GEF to increase signaling efficiency. We found that PA-increased Gq efficiency is dependent on signaling via the unique PLC-β1 PA binding domain.

Nuclear inositide specific phospholipase C signalling - interactions and activity

Evidence accumulated over the past 20 years has highlighted the presence of an autonomous nuclear inositol lipid metabolism, and suggests that lipid signalling molecules are important components of signalling pathways operating within the nucleus. Nuclear polyphosphoinositide (PI) signalling relies on the synthesis and metabolism of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, which can modulate the activity of effector proteins and is a substrate of signalling enzymes. The regulation of the nuclear PI pool is totally independent from the plasma membrane counterpart, suggesting that the nucleus constitutes a functionally distinct compartment of inositol lipids metabolism. Among the nuclear enzymes involved in PI metabolism, inositide specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) has been one of the most extensively studied. Several isoforms of PI-PLCs have been identified in the nucleus, namely PI-PLC-β1, γ1, δ1 and ζ; however, the β1 isozyme is the best characterized. In the present review, we focus on the signal transduction-related metabolism of nuclear PI-PLC and review the most convincing evidence for PI-PLC expression and activity being involved in differentiation and proliferation programmes in several cell systems. Moreover, nuclear PI-PLC is an intermediate effector and interactor for nuclear inositide signalling. The inositide cycle exists and shows a biological role inside the nucleus. It is an autonomous lipid-dependent signalling system, independently regulated with respect to the one at the plasma membrane counterpart, and is involved in cell cycle progression and differentiation.

G protein co-signaling and challenges for translational research

The Gq-linked G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and their signaling pathways are important clinical targets for the dementia of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline with aging. Gq stimulates phospholipase C-β1 (PLC-β1) activity, increasing levels of inositol-1, 4, 5-trisphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol, to initiate mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ and activation of protein kinase C, respectively. While high concentrations of ligand typically evoke large sustained increases in cytosolic Ca2+ levels, it has long been appreciated that the dynamics of the Ca2+ increase are more complex and consistent with multiple levels of regulation. Physiologically relevant concentrations of Gq-ligands evoke rhythmic fluctuations or an oscillation in the level of cytosolic Ca2+. Downstream targets are tuned to respond to the frequency of the Ca2+ oscillations which in turn, reflect the oscillations in IP3 levels. Oscillatory behavior depends on the assembly of self-organizing interactions. The components that contribute to and regulate the Ca2+ oscillator have been unclear, precluding transfer of this fundamental knowledge from bench to bedside. Many GPCRs that signal with Gq also co-signal with G12. G protein co-signaling could therefore regulate the Ca2+ oscillator. This letter explores the potential relationship between Ca2+ oscillations, G protein co-signaling and cellular response in the context of our recent observations. We found that Gq efficacy is synergistic with phosphatidic acid, (PA), a signaling mediator generated downstream of activated G12 and RhoA. Regulation by PA depends on interaction with the unique PLC-β1 PA binding region. G protein co-signaling is therefore a mechanism for GPCRs to collectively assemble self-organizing interactions that regulate the Ca2+ oscillator.

RhoA co-ordinates with heterotrimeric G proteins to regulate efficacy

Heterotrimeric G proteins have a critical role in mediating signal transduction by ligand-stimulated GPCRs. While activation of heterotrimeric G proteins is known to proceed via the G protein guanine nucleotide cycle, there is much uncertainty regarding the process that determines efficacy, the extent of response across signaling pathways. Gα(GTP) can interact with multiple binding partners, including several effectors and regulators. Cross-talk by other receptor-signaling pathways can alter the response. It remains unclear whether G protein efficacy is regulated. This lack of clarity impairs our ability to predict and manipulate the pharmacological behavior of activated G proteins. This review will discuss emerging evidence that implicates monomeric RhoA in the process that regulates G(q) efficacy.

Role of phosphatidic acid in plant galactolipid synthesis

Phosphatidic acid (PA) is a precursor metabolite for phosphoglycerolipids and also for galactoglycerolipids, which are essential lipids for formation of plant membranes. PA has in addition a main regulatory role in a number of developmental processes notably in the response of the plant to environmental stresses. We review here the different pools of PA dispatched at different locations in the plant cell and how these pools are modified in different growth conditions, particularly during plastid membrane biogenesis and when the plant is exposed to phosphate deprivation. We analyze how these modifications can affect galactolipid synthesis by tuning the activity of MGD1 enzyme allowing a coupling of phospho- and galactolipid metabolisms. Some mechanisms are considered to explain how physicochemical properties of PA allow this lipid to act as a central internal sensor in plant physiology.

Physiology and pathology of nuclear phospholipase C β1

The existence and function of inositide signaling in the nucleus is well documented and we know that the existence of the inositide cycle inside the nucleus has a biological role. An autonomous lipid-dependent signaling system, independently regulated from its plasma membrane counterpart, acts in the nucleus and modulates cell cycle progression and differentiation.We and others focused on PLCβ1, which is the most extensively investigated PLC isoform in the nuclear compartment. PLCβ1 is a key player in the regulation of nuclear inositol lipid signaling, and, as discussed above, its function could also be involved in nuclear structure because it hydrolyses PtdIns(4,5)P2, a well accepted regulator of chromatin remodelling. The evidence, in a number of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes, that the mono-allelic deletion of PLCβ1 is associated with an increased risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia paves the way for an entirely new field of investigation. Indeed the genetic defect evidenced, in addition to being a useful prognostic tool, also suggests that altered expression of this enzyme could have a role in the pathogenesis of this disease, by causing an imbalance between proliferation and apoptosis. The epigenetics of PLCβ1 expression in MDS has been reviewed as well.

Phosphatidic acid potentiates G(alpha)q stimulation of phospholipase C-beta1 signaling

Phosphatidic acid (PA) is interactive with G(alpha)q-linked agonists to stimulate GPCR signaling via phospholipase C-beta(1) (PLC-beta(1)). Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) increases cellular levels of PA and phospholipase D activity (PLD). This study evaluated whether PMA can stimulate PLC-beta(1) activity via PA, independent of GPCR input in transfected COS 7 cells. PMA alone had little effect on PLC activity in cells co-transfected with PLC-beta(1) and G(alpha)q. Activated G(alpha)q, induced by co-transfecting muscarinic cholinergic receptor (m1R), was necessary for stimulation of PLC-beta(1) activity by PMA. Stimulation by PMA was dependent on the PA-regulatory motif of PLC-beta(1) implicating PA in this mechanism. PLD1 knockdown by antisense decreased responsiveness of PLC-beta(1) to both PMA and carbachol. PA alone thus has little effect on PLC-beta(1) activity, but PA and PLD1 synergize with activated G(alpha)q to stimulate PLC-beta(1) signaling. Coordinate interaction with activated G(alpha)q may serve as an important mechanism to fine tune response to ligands while preventing spurious initiation of PLC-beta signaling by PA in cells.

PI(3,4,5)P3 potentiates phospholipase C-beta activity

Phospholipase C-beta (PLC-beta) isozymes are key effectors in G protein-coupled signaling pathways. Previously, we showed that PLC-beta1 and PLC-beta3 bound immobilized PIP(3). In this study, PIP(3) was found to potentiate Ca(2+)-stimulated PLC-beta activities using an in vitro reconstitution assay. LY294002, a specific PI 3-kinase inhibitor, significantly inhibited 10 min of agonist-stimulated total IP accumulation. Both LY294002 and wortmannin inhibited 90 sec of agonist-stimulated IP(3) accumulation in intact cells. Moreover, transfected p110CAAX, a constitutively activated PI 3-kinase catalytic subunit, increased 90 sec of oxytocin-stimulated IP(3) accumulation. Receptor-ligand binding assays indicated that LY294002 did not affect G protein-coupled receptors directly, suggesting a physiological role for PIP(3) in directly potentiating PLC-beta activity. When coexpressed with p110CAAX, fluorescence-tagged PLC-beta3 was increasingly localized to the plasma membrane. Additional observations suggest that the PH domain of PLC-beta is not important for p110CAAX-induced membrane association.

Emerging findings from studies of phospholipase D in model organisms (and a short update on phosphatidic acid effectors)

Phospholipase D (PLD) catalyses the hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine to generate phosphatidic acid and choline. Historically, much PLD work has been conducted in mammalian settings although genes encoding enzymes of this family have been identified in all eukaryotic organisms. Recently, important insights on PLD function are emerging from work in yeast, but much less is known about PLD in other organisms. In this review we will summarize what is known about phospholipase D in several model organisms, including C. elegans, D. discoideum, D. rerio and D. melanogaster. In the cases where knockouts are available (C. elegans, Dictyostelium and Drosophila) the PLD gene(s) appear not to be essential for viability, but several studies are beginning to identify pathways where this activity has a role. Given that the proteins in model organisms are very similar to their mammalian counterparts, we expect that future studies in model organisms will complement and extend ongoing work in mammalian settings. At the end of this review we will also provide a short update on phosphatidic acid targets, a topic last reviewed in 2006.

Phosphoinositide signalling and cardiac arrhythmias

Arrhythmias arise from a complex interaction between structural changes in the myocardium and changes in cellular electrophysiology. Electrophysiological balance requires precise control of sarcolemmal ion channels and exchangers, many of which are regulated by phospholipid, phosphatidylinositol(4,5)bisphosphate. Phosphatidylinositol(4,5)bisphosphate is the immediate precursor of inositol(1,4,5)trisphosphate, a regulator of intracellular Ca2+ signalling and, therefore, a potential contributor to arrhythmogenesis by altering Ca2+ homeostasis. The aim of the present review is to outline current evidence that this signalling pathway can be a player in the initiation or maintenance of arrhythmias.

Analyzing and modeling the inhibitory effect of phosphatidic acid on the GTP-gamma-S binding activity of Goalpha

G proteins are the molecular switches of G-protein-coupled signal transmembrane transduction, which plays a pivotal role in diverse cellular processes. The guanine nucleotide binding states of Galpha-subunits are considered key factors for their functions. We report here that phosphatidic acid (PA) inhibits the [(35)S]-GTPgammaS binding activity of Goalpha. To elucidate this inhibitory effect, biochemical analyses are carried out and a structure-based model is proposed. The experimental results show that PA particularly inhibits the activity of the Goalpha in a dose-dependent manner, whereas other lipids tested do not. Further analysis on the effects of PA analogs demonstrate that a phosphate head group together with at least one fatty acid chain is necessary for the inhibition. Using a lipid-protein binding assay, it is shown that Goalpha specifically and directly interacts with PA. In addition to these experimental studies, a 3D structure of Goalpha is constructed, based on sequence homology greater than 70% to E. coli Gialpha(1). Molecular docking is performed with PA and PA analogs, and the results are compared and analyzed. Collectively, the results of this investigation provide direct experimental evidence for an inhibitory effect of PA on GTP binding activity of Goalpha, and also suggest a structural model for the inhibitory mechanism. The lipid-protein model suggests that PA may occupy the channel for exchanging guanine nucleotides, thus leading to the inhibition. These findings reveal a potential new drug target for the diseases caused by genetic G-protein abnormalities.

Alterations of PLCbeta1 in mouse eggs change calcium oscillatory behavior following fertilization

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate generated by the action of a phospholipase C (PLC) mediates release of intracellular Ca2+ that is essential for sperm-induced activation of mammalian eggs. Much attention currently focuses on the role of sperm-derived PLCzeta in generating changes in egg intracellular Ca2+ despite the fact that PLCzeta constitutes a very small fraction of the total amount of PLC in a fertilized egg. Eggs express several isoforms of PLC, but a role for an egg-derived PLC in sperm-induced Ca2+ oscillations has not been examined. Reducing egg PLCbeta1 by a transgenic RNAi approach resulted in a significant decrease in Ca2+ transient amplitude, but not duration or frequency, following insemination. Furthermore, overexpressing PLCbeta1 by microinjecting a Plcb1 cRNA significantly perturbed the duration and frequency of Ca2+ transients and disrupted the characteristic shape of the first transient. These results provide the first evidence for a role of an egg-derived PLC acting in conjunction with a sperm-derived PLCzeta in egg activation.

Stimulation of phospholipase Cbeta by membrane interactions, interdomain movement, and G protein binding--how many ways can you activate an enzyme?

Signaling proteins are usually composed of one or more conserved structural domains. These domains are usually regulatory in nature by binding to specific activators or effectors, or species that regulate cellular location, etc. Inositol-specific mammalian phospholipase C (PLC) enzymes are multidomain proteins whose activities are controlled by regulators, such as G proteins, as well as membrane interactions. One of these domains has been found to bind membranes, regulators, and activate the catalytic region. The recently solved structure of a major region of PLC-beta2 together with the structure of PLC-delta1 and a wealth of biochemical studies poises the system towards an understanding of the mechanism through which their regulations occurs.

Membrane lipids as signaling molecules

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Membrane lipids play important roles in signaling reactions. They are involved in most if not all cellular signaling cascades and in a wide variety of tissue and cell types. The purpose of this review is to highlight major pathways of signaling originating in membrane lipids. Details of lipid metabolism, and its relation to protein function, will thus advance understanding of the role of lipids in health and disease.

RECENT FINDINGS

Major classes of lipids including glycerophospholipids, their metabolites (eicosanoids, endocannabinoids), and sphingolipids have recently generated interest in the field of signal transduction. These lipids are tightly regulated and have an impact on various physiological functions. Importantly, aberrant lipid metabolism often leads to onset of pathology, and thus the precise balance of signaling lipids and their effectors can serve as biomarkers.

SUMMARY

Membrane lipids form precursors for second messengers and functional assembly matrices on membrane domains during cellular stimulation. Many of these modifications are rapid reactions at lipid headgroups. Metabolism of the fatty acyl portion of membrane lipids leads to the generation of a bewildering complexity of lipid mediators with extended effects in space and time.