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

PI3 kinase inhibitor PI828 uncouples aminergic GPCRs and Ca2+ mobilization irrespectively of its primary target

The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) is involved in regulation of multiple intracellular processes. Although the inhibitory analysis is generally employed for validating a physiological role of PI3K, increasing body of evidence suggests that PI3K inhibitors can exhibit PI3K-unrelated activity as well. Here we studied Ca2+ signaling initiated by aminergic agonists in a variety of different cells and analyzed effects of the PI3K inhibitor PI828 on cell responsiveness. It turned out that PI828 inhibited Ca2+ transients elicited by acetylcholine (ACh), histamine, and serotonin, but did not affect Ca2+ responses to norepinephrine and ATP. Another PI3K inhibitor wortmannin negligibly affected Ca2+ signaling initiated by any one of the tested agonists. Using the genetically encoded PIP3 sensor PH(Akt)-Venus, we confirmed that both PI828 and wortmannin effectively inhibited PI3K and ascertained that this kinase negligibly contributed to ACh transduction. These findings suggested that PI828 inhibited Ca2+ responses to aminergic agonists tested, involving an unknown cellular mechanism unrelated to the PI3K inhibition. Complementary physiological experiments provided evidence that PI828 could inhibit Ca2+ signals induced by certain agonists, by acting extracellularly, presumably, through their surface receptors. For the muscarinic M3 receptor, this possibility was verified with molecular docking and molecular dynamics. As demonstrated with these tools, wortmannin could be bound in the extracellular vestibule at the muscarinic M3 receptor but this did not preclude binding of ACh to the M3 receptor followed by its activation. In contrast, PI828 could sterically block the passage of ACh into the allosteric site, preventing activation of the muscarinic M3 receptor.

Endocytosis and the internalization of pathogenic organisms: focus on phosphoinositides

Despite their comparatively low abundance in biological membranes, phosphoinositides are key to the regulation of a diverse array of signaling pathways and direct membrane traffic. The role of phosphoinositides in the initiation and progression of endocytic pathways has been studied in considerable depth. Recent advances have revealed that distinct phosphoinositide species feature prominently in clathrin-dependent and -independent endocytosis as well as in phagocytosis and macropinocytosis. Moreover, a variety of intracellular and cell-associated pathogens have developed strategies to commandeer host cell phosphoinositide metabolism to gain entry and/or metabolic advantage, thereby promoting their survival and proliferation. Here, we briefly survey the current knowledge on the involvement of phosphoinositides in endocytosis, phagocytosis, and macropinocytosis and highlight several examples of molecular mimicry employed by pathogens to either “hitch a ride” on endocytic pathways endogenous to the host or create an entry path of their own.

Calcium signaling mediated by aminergic GPCRs is impaired by the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 and its analog LY303511 in a PI3K-independent manner

The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002 (LY294) and its much less active analog LY303511 (LY303) constitute the paired probe that is commonly used to demonstrate the involvement of PI3K in intracellular signaling. We studied effects of LY294 and LY303 on Ca²⁺ signaling initiated by certain GPCR agonists in cells of several lines, including CHO cells expressing the recombinant serotonin receptor 5-HT2C and mesenchymal stromal cells derived from the human adipose tissue (AD-MSCs) and umbilical cord (UD-MSCs). The LY294/LY303 pair exerted apparently specific effects on responsiveness of AD-MSCs to ATP, suggesting the involvement of PI3K in ATP transduction. Surprisingly, LY303 inhibited Ca²⁺ transients elicited by histamine in the same cells, while LY294 was ineffective. This observation and other findings implicated a PI3K-unrelated mechanism in mediating effects of the LY compound on AD-MSC responsiveness to histamine. With LY303 in the bath, the dose dependence of histamine responses was shifted positively at the invariable number of responsive cells, as would be the case with a competitive antagonist of histamine receptors. Moreover, LY303 and LY294 inhibited Ca²⁺ transients elicited by acetylcholine and serotonin in UD-MSCs and CHO/5-HT2C cells, respectively. Our overall results argued for the possibility that LY294 and LY303 could directly affect activity of aminergic GPCRs. Thus, LY303511 and LY294002 should be used cautiously in studies of PI3K as a factor of GPCR signaling.

Phosphatidic acid is required for the constitutive ruffling and macropinocytosis of phagocytes

Phagocytes spontaneously ruffle as they probe their environment and take up antigens. These cells are uniquely enriched in phosphatidic acid, which is necessary for ruffling and macropinocytosis.

Macrophages and dendritic cells continuously survey their environment in search of foreign particles and soluble antigens. Such surveillance involves the ongoing extension of actin-rich protrusions and the consequent formation of phagosomes and macropinosomes. The signals inducing this constitutive cytoskeletal remodeling have not been defined. We report that, unlike nonphagocytic cells, macrophages and immature dendritic cells have elevated levels of phosphatidic acid (PA) in their plasma membrane. The plasmalemmal PA is synthesized by phosphorylation of diacylglycerol, which is in turn generated by a G protein–stimulated phospholipase C. Inhibition of diacylglycerol kinase activity results in the detachment of T-cell lymphoma invasion and metastasis–inducing protein 1 (TIAM1)—a Rac guanine exchange factor—from the plasma membrane, thereby depressing Rac activity and abolishing the constitutive ruffling and macropinocytosis that characterize macrophages and immature dendritic cells. Accumulation of PA and binding of TIAM1 to the membrane require the activity of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase. Thus a distinctive, constitutive pathway of PA biosynthesis promotes the actin remodeling required for immune surveillance.

Multiple implications of 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 in human cancer

3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK1) is a central mediator of cellular signaling between phosphoinositide-3 kinase and various intracellular serine/threonine kinases, including protein kinase B, p70 ribosomal S6 kinase, serum and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase, and protein kinase C. PDK1 activates members of the AGC family of protein kinases by phosphorylating serine/threonine residues in the activation loop. Here, we review the regulatory mechanisms of PDK1 and its roles in cancer. PDK1 is activated by autophosphorylation in the activation loop and other serine residues, as well as by phosphorylation of Tyr-9 and Tyr-373/376. Src appears to recognize PDK1 following tyrosine phosphorylation. The role of heat shock protein 90 in regulating PDK1 stability and PDK1-Src complex formation are also discussed. Furthermore, we summarize the subcellular distribution of PDK1. Finally, an important role for PDK1 in cancer chemotherapy is proposed. In conclusion, a better understanding of its molecular regulatory mechanisms in various signaling pathways will help to explain how PDK1 acts as an oncogenic kinase in various cancers, and will contribute to the development of novel cancer chemotherapies.