A di-leucine sequence and a cluster of acidic amino acids are required for dynamic retention in the endosomal recycling compartment of fibroblasts

Inhibition of insulin-regulated aminopeptidase confers neuroprotection in a conscious model of ischemic stroke

Stroke is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity with a paucity of effective pharmacological treatments. We have previously identified insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP) as a potential target for the development of a new class of drugs for the treatment of stroke, as global deletion of this gene in mice significantly protected against ischemic damage. In the current study, we demonstrate that small molecular weight IRAP inhibitors reduce infarct volume and improve neurological outcome in a hypertensive animal model of ischemic stroke. The effects of two structurally distinct IRAP inhibitors (HFI419 or SJM164) were investigated in a model of stroke where the middle cerebral artery was transiently occluded with endothelin-1 in the conscious spontaneously hypertensive rat. IRAP inhibitor was administered into the lateral ventricle at 2 or 6 h after stroke, with subsequent doses delivered at 24, 48 and 70 h post-stroke. Functional outcomes were assessed prior to drug treatment, and on day 1 and 3 post-stroke. Histological analyses and neuroinflammatory cytokine profiling were conducted at 72 and 24 h post-stroke respectively. IRAP inhibitor treatment following stroke significantly reduced infarct volume and improved neurological and motor deficits. These protective effects were maintained even when the therapeutic window was extended to 6 h. Examination of the cellular architecture at 72 h post-stroke demonstrated that IRAP expression was upregulated in CD11b positive cells and activated astrocytes. Furthermore, IRAP inhibitor treatment significantly increased gene expression for interleukin 6 and C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 in the ischemic core. This study provides proof-of-principle that selective inhibition of IRAP activity with two structurally distinct IRAP inhibitors reduces infarct volume and improves functional outcome even when the first dose is administered 6 h post-stroke. This is the first direct evidence that IRAP inhibitors are a class of drug with potential use in the treatment of ischemic stroke.

MAST4 promotes primary ciliary resorption through phosphorylation of Tctex-1

The primary cilium undergoes cell cycle-dependent assembly and disassembly. Dysregulated ciliary dynamics are associated with several pathological conditions called ciliopathies. Previous studies showed that the localization of phosphorylated Tctex-1 at Thr94 (T94) at the ciliary base critically regulates ciliary resorption by accelerating actin remodeling and ciliary pocket membrane endocytosis. Here, we show that microtubule-associated serine/threonine kinase family member 4 (MAST4) is localized at the primary cilium. Suppressing MAST4 blocks serum-induced ciliary resorption, and overexpressing MAST4 accelerates ciliary resorption. Tctex-1 binds to the kinase domain of MAST4, in which the R503 and D504 residues are key to MAST4-mediated ciliary resorption. The ciliary resorption and the ciliary base localization of phospho-(T94)Tctex-1 are blocked by the knockdown of MAST4 or the expression of the catalytic-inactive site-directed MAST4 mutants. Moreover, MAST4 is required for Cdc42 activation and Rab5-mediated periciliary membrane endocytosis during ciliary resorption. These results support that MAST4 is a novel kinase that regulates ciliary resorption by modulating the ciliary base localization of phospho-(T94)Tctex-1. MAST4 is a potential new target for treating ciliopathies causally by ciliary resorption defects.

M1-aminopeptidase family - beyond antigen-trimming activities

Antigen (Ag)-trimming aminopeptidases belong to the oxytocinase subfamily of M1 metallopeptidases. In humans, this subfamily contains the endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidases 1 and 2 (ERAP1 and 2) and the insulin-responsive aminopeptidase (IRAP, synonym oxytocinase), an endosomal enzyme. The ability of these enzymes to trim antigenic precursors and to generate major histocompatibility class-I ligands has been demonstrated extensively for ERAP1, less for ERAP2, which is absent in rodents, and exclusively in the context of cross-presentation for IRAP. During 20 years of research on these aminopeptidases, their enzymatic function has been very well characterized and their genetic association with autoimmune diseases, cancers, and infections is well established. The mechanisms by which these proteins are associated to human diseases are not always clear. This review discusses the Ag-trimming-independent functions of the oxytocinase subfamily of M1 aminopeptidases and the new questions raised by recent publications on IRAP and ERAP2.

LAG3 associates with TCR-CD3 complexes and suppresses signaling by driving co-receptor-Lck dissociation

LAG3 is an inhibitory receptor that is highly expressed on exhausted T cells. Although LAG3-targeting immunotherapeutics are currently in clinical trials, how LAG3 inhibits T cell function remains unclear. Here, we show that LAG3 moved to the immunological synapse and associated with the T cell receptor (TCR)-CD3 complex in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, in the absence of binding to major histocompatibility complex class II-its canonical ligand. Mechanistically, a phylogenetically conserved, acidic, tandem glutamic acid-proline repeat in the LAG3 cytoplasmic tail lowered the pH at the immune synapse and caused dissociation of the tyrosine kinase Lck from the CD4 or CD8 co-receptor, which resulted in a loss of co-receptor-TCR signaling and limited T cell activation. These observations indicated that LAG3 functioned as a signal disruptor in a major histocompatibility complex class II-independent manner, and provide insight into the mechanism of action of LAG3-targeting immunotherapies.

Role of EGF Receptor Regulatory Networks in the Host Response to Viral Infections

In this review article, we will first provide a brief overview of EGF receptor (EGFR) structure and function, and its importance as a therapeutic target in epithelial carcinomas. We will then compare what is currently known about canonical EGFR trafficking pathways that are triggered by ligand binding, versus ligand-independent pathways activated by a variety of intrinsic and environmentally induced cellular stresses. Next, we will review the literature regarding the role of EGFR as a host factor with critical roles facilitating viral cell entry and replication. Here we will focus on pathogens exploiting virus-encoded and endogenous EGFR ligands, as well as EGFR-mediated trafficking and signaling pathways that have been co-opted by wild-type viruses and recombinant gene therapy vectors. We will also provide an overview of a recently discovered pathway regulating non-canonical EGFR trafficking and signaling that may be a common feature of viruses like human adenoviruses which signal through p38-mitogen activated protein kinase. We will conclude by discussing the emerging role of EGFR signaling in innate immunity to viral infections, and how viral evasion mechanisms are contributing to our understanding of fundamental EGFR biology.

The role of endocytic trafficking in antigen T Cell Receptor activation

Antigen T cell receptors (TCR) recognize antigenic peptides displayed by the major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) and play a critical role in T cell activation. The levels of TCR complexes at the cell surface, where signaling is initiated, depend on the balance between TCR synthesis, recycling and degradation. Cell surface TCR interaction with pMHC leads to receptor clustering and formation of a tight T cell-APC contact, the immune synapse, from which the activated TCR is internalized. While TCR internalization from the immune synapse has been initially considered to arrest TCR signaling, recent evidence support the hypothesis that the internalized receptor continues to signal from specialized endosomes. Here, we review the molecular mechanisms of TCR endocytosis and recycling, both in steady state and after T cell activation. We then discuss the experimental evidence in favor of endosomal TCR signaling and its possible consequences on T cell activation.

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms in Orai1 associated with atopic dermatitis inhibit protein turnover, decrease calcium entry and disrupt calcium-dependent gene expression

Loss-of function mutations in Orai1 Ca²⁺ channels lead to a form of severe combined immunodeficiency, auto-immunity, muscle hypotonia and defects in dental enamel production and sweat gland function. Two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Orai1 have been found and localize to the second extracellular loop. These polymorphisms associate with atopic dermatitis but how they affect Ca²⁺ signalling and cell function is unknown. Here, we find that Orai1–SNPs turnover considerably more slowly than wild type Orai1 and are more abundantly expressed in the plasma membrane. We show a central role for flotillin in the endocytotic recycling of Orai1 channels and that endocytosed wild type Orai1 is trafficked to Rab 7-positive late endosomes for lysosomal degradation. Orai1–SNPs escape the degradation pathway and instead enter Rab 11-positive recycling endosomes, where they are returned to the surface membrane through Arf6-dependent exocytosis. We find that Orai1–SNPs escape late endosomes through endosomal pH regulation of interaction between the channel and flotillin. We identify a pH-sensitive electrostatic interaction between positively charged arginine in extracellular loop 2 (K210) and a negatively charged aspartate (D112) in extracellular loop 1 that helps determine Orai1 turnover. The increase in membrane Orai1–SNP leads to a mis-match in Orai1–STIM stoichiometry, resulting in inhibition of Ca²⁺ entry and Ca²⁺-dependent gene expression. Our results identify new strategies for targeting atopic dermatitis.

Molecular and functional diversity of the oxytocinase subfamily of M1 aminopeptidases

The placental leucine aminopeptidase/insulin-regulated aminopeptidase, endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 and endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 2 are part of a distinct subfamily of M1 aminopeptidases termed the 'oxytocinase subfamily'. The subfamily members show molecular diversity due to differential usage of translation initiation sites, alternative splicing and multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms. It is becoming evident that, depending on their intracellular or extracellular location, members of the oxytocinase subfamily play important roles in the maintenance of homeostasis, including the regulation of blood pressure, maintenance of normal pregnancy, retention of memory and trimming of antigenic peptides presented to major histocompatibility complex class I molecules, by acting as either aminopeptidases or binding partners of specific functional proteins in the cells. Based on their molecular diversity and moonlighting protein-like properties, it is conceivable that the subfamily members exert pleiotropic effects during evolution, to become important players in the regulation of homeostasis.

Vasopressin inactivation: Role of insulin-regulated aminopeptidase

The physiological importance of vasopressin inactivation has long been appreciated, but the mechanisms and potential pathophysiologic roles of this process remain active subjects of research. Human Placental Leucine Aminopeptidase (P-LAP, encoded by the LNPEP gene) is an important determinant of vasopressinase activity during pregnancy and is associated with gestational diabetes insipidus and preeclampsia. Insulin-Regulated Aminopeptidase (IRAP), the rodent homologue of P-LAP, is coregulated with the insulin-responsive glucose transporter, GLUT4, in adipose and muscle cells. Recently, the Tether containing a UBX domain for GLUT4 (TUG) protein was shown to mediate the coordinated regulation of water and glucose homeostasis. TUG sequesters IRAP and GLUT4 intracellularly in the absence of insulin. Insulin and other stimuli cause the proteolytic cleavage of TUG to mobilize these proteins to the cell surface, where IRAP acts to terminate the activity of circulating vasopressin. Intriguingly, genetic variation in LNPEP is associated with the vasopressin response and mortality during sepsis, and increased copeptin, a marker of vasopressin secretion, is associated with cardiovascular and metabolic disease. We propose that in the setting of insulin resistance in muscle, increased cell-surface IRAP and accelerated vasopressin degradation cause a compensatory increase in vasopressin secretion. The increased vasopressin concentrations present at the kidneys then contribute to hypertension in the metabolic syndrome. Further analyses of metabolism and of vasopressin and copeptin may yield novel insights into a unified pathophysiologic mechanism linking insulin resistance and hypertension, and potentially other components of the metabolic syndrome, in humans.

Identification of an oxytocinase/vasopressinase-like leucyl-cystinyl aminopeptidase (LNPEP) in teleost fish and evidence for hypothalamic mRNA expression linked to behavioral social status

The vasotocin/vasopressin and isotocin/mesotocin/oxytocin family of nonapeptides regulate social behaviors and physiological functions associated with reproductive physiology and osmotic balance. While experimental and correlative studies provide evidence for these nonapeptides as modulators of behavior across all classes of vertebrates, mechanisms for nonapeptide inactivation in regulating these functions have been largely overlooked. Leucyl-cystinyl aminopeptidase (LNPEP) - also known as vasopressinase, oxytocinase, placental leucine aminopeptidase (P-LAP), and insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP) - is a membrane-bound zinc-dependent metalloexopeptidase enzyme that inactivates vasopressin, oxytocin, and select other cyclic polypeptides. In humans, LNPEP plays a key role in the clearance of oxytocin during pregnancy. However, the evolutionary diversity, expression distribution, and functional roles of LNPEP remain unresolved for other vertebrates. Here, we isolated and sequenced a full-length cDNA encoding a LNPEP-like polypeptide of 1033 amino acids from the ovarian tissue of Amargosa pupfish, Cyprinodon nevadensis. This deduced polypeptide exhibited high amino acid identity to human LNPEP both in the protein's active domain that includes the peptide binding site and zinc cofactor binding motif (53.1% identity), and in an intracellular region that distinguishes LNPEP from other aminopeptidases (70.3% identity). Transcripts encoding this LNPEP enzyme (lnpep) were detected at highest relative abundance in the gonads, hypothalamus, forebrain, optic tectum, gill and skeletal muscle of adult pupfish. Further evaluation of lnpep transcript abundance in the brain of sexually-mature pupfish revealed that lnpep mRNAs were elevated in the hypothalamus of socially subordinate females and males, and at lower abundance in the telencephalon of socially dominant males compared to dominant females. These findings provide evidence of an association between behavioral social status and hypothalamic lnpep transcript abundance and suggest that variation in the rate of VT/IT peptide inactivation by LNPEP may be a contributing component in the mechanism whereby nonapeptides regulate social behavior.

Coordinated Regulation of Vasopressin Inactivation and Glucose Uptake by Action of TUG Protein in Muscle

In adipose and muscle cells, insulin stimulates the exocytic translocation of vesicles containing GLUT4, a glucose transporter, and insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP), a transmembrane aminopeptidase. A substrate of IRAP is vasopressin, which controls water homeostasis. The physiological importance of IRAP translocation to inactivate vasopressin remains uncertain. We previously showed that in skeletal muscle, insulin stimulates proteolytic processing of the GLUT4 retention protein, TUG, to promote GLUT4 translocation and glucose uptake. Here we show that TUG proteolysis also controls IRAP targeting and regulates vasopressin action in vivo. Transgenic mice with constitutive TUG proteolysis in muscle consumed much more water than wild-type control mice. The transgenic mice lost more body weight during water restriction, and the abundance of renal AQP2 water channels was reduced, implying that vasopressin activity is decreased. To compensate for accelerated vasopressin degradation, vasopressin secretion was increased, as assessed by the cosecreted protein copeptin. IRAP abundance was increased in T-tubule fractions of fasting transgenic mice, when compared with controls. Recombinant IRAP bound to TUG, and this interaction was mapped to a short peptide in IRAP that was previously shown to be critical for GLUT4 intracellular retention. In cultured 3T3-L1 adipocytes, IRAP was present in TUG-bound membranes and was released by insulin stimulation. Together with previous results, these data support a model in which TUG controls vesicle translocation by interacting with IRAP as well as GLUT4. Furthermore, the effect of IRAP to reduce vasopressin activity is a physiologically important consequence of vesicle translocation, which is coordinated with the stimulation of glucose uptake.

A proteolytic pathway that controls glucose uptake in fat and muscle

Insulin regulates glucose uptake by controlling the subcellular location of GLUT4 glucose transporters. GLUT4 is sequestered within fat and muscle cells during low-insulin states, and is translocated to the cell surface upon insulin stimulation. The TUG protein is a functional tether that sequesters GLUT4 at the Golgi matrix. To stimulate glucose uptake, insulin triggers TUG endoproteolytic cleavage. Cleavage accounts for a large proportion of the acute effect of insulin to mobilize GLUT4 to the cell surface. During ongoing insulin exposure, endocytosed GLUT4 recycles to the plasma membrane directly from endosomes, and bypasses a TUG-regulated trafficking step. Insulin acts through the TC10α GTPase and its effector protein, PIST, to stimulate TUG cleavage. This action is coordinated with insulin signals through AS160/Tbc1D4 and Tbc1D1 to modulate Rab GTPases, and with other signals to direct overall GLUT4 targeting. Data support the idea that the N-terminal TUG cleavage product, TUGUL, functions as a novel ubiquitin-like protein modifier to facilitate GLUT4 movement to the cell surface. The C-terminal TUG cleavage product is extracted from the Golgi matrix, which vacates an "anchoring" site to permit subsequent cycles of GLUT4 retention and release. Together, GLUT4 vesicle translocation and TUG cleavage may coordinate glucose uptake with physiologic effects of other proteins present in the GLUT4-containing vesicles, and with potential additional effects of the TUG C-terminal product. Understanding this TUG pathway for GLUT4 retention and release will shed light on the regulation of glucose uptake and the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes.

Three distinct motifs within the C-terminus of acid-sensing ion channel 1a regulate its surface trafficking

Various protein motifs play a key role in regulating protein biogenesis and trafficking. Here, we discovered that three distinct motifs regulate the trafficking of acid-sensing ion channel 1a (ASIC1a), the primary neuronal proton receptor which plays critical roles in neurological diseases including stroke, multiple sclerosis and seizures. Mutating the PDZ binding motif of ASIC1a increased its surface expression and current density. In contrast, mutating either a RRGK motif or a KEAKR motif reduced ASIC1a surface expression and acid-activated current density. Mutating or deleting the RRGK motif also reduced pH sensitivity and the rate of desensitization of ASIC1a. These changes were likely due to a change in ASIC1a biogenesis; mutating either the RRGK or KEAKR motif reduced N-glycosylation of ASIC1a while mutating the PDZ binding motif had the opposite effect. Our results demonstrate that these C-terminal motifs are important for ASIC1a trafficking and channel function. In addition, in contrast to multiple previous studies, which all show that K/R containing motifs lead to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention, our findings indicate that these motifs can also be required for efficient trafficking.

Alternative splicing results in RET isoforms with distinct trafficking properties

The RET gene encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase that is alternatively spliced to two protein isoforms that differ in their C-terminal peptide sequences (RET9, RET51). These unique C-terminal tails produce distinct subcellular localizations and intracellular trafficking properties, which affect downstream signaling.

RET encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase that is essential for spermatogenesis, development of the sensory, sympathetic, parasympathetic, and enteric nervous systems and the kidneys, as well as for maintenance of adult midbrain dopaminergic neurons. RET is alternatively spliced to encode multiple isoforms that differ in their C-terminal amino acids. The RET9 and RET51 isoforms display unique levels of autophosphorylation and have differential interactions with adaptor proteins. They induce distinct gene expression patterns, promote different levels of cell differentiation and transformation, and play unique roles in development. Here we present a comprehensive study of the subcellular localization and trafficking of RET isoforms. We show that immature RET9 accumulates intracellularly in the Golgi, whereas RET51 is efficiently matured and present in relatively higher amounts on the plasma membrane. RET51 is internalized faster after ligand binding and undergoes recycling back to the plasma membrane. This differential trafficking of RET isoforms produces a more rapid and longer duration of signaling through the extracellular-signal regulated kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway downstream of RET51 relative to RET9. Together these differences in trafficking properties contribute to some of the functional differences previously observed between RET9 and RET51 and establish the important role of intracellular trafficking in modulating and maintaining RET signaling.

Coated pit-mediated endocytosis of the type I transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) receptor depends on a di-leucine family signal and is not required for signaling

The roles of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) receptor endocytosis in signaling have been investigated in numerous studies, mainly through the use of endocytosis inhibitory treatments, yielding conflicting results. Two potential sources for these discrepancies were the pleiotropic effects of a general blockade of specific internalization pathways and the scarce information on the regulation of the endocytosis of the signal-transducing type I TGF-β receptor (TβRI). Here, we employed extracellularly tagged myc-TβRI (wild type, truncation mutants, and a series of endocytosis-defective and endocytosis-enhanced mutants) to directly investigate the relationship between TβRI endocytosis and signaling. Our findings indicate that TβRI is targeted for constitutive clathrin-mediated endocytosis via a di-leucine (Leu(180)-Ile(181)) signal and an acidic cluster motif. Using Smad-dependent transcriptional activation assays and following Smad2/3 nuclear translocation in response to TGF-β stimulation, we show that TβRI endocytosis is dispensable for TGF-β signaling and may play a role in signal termination. Alanine replacement of Leu(180)-Ile(181) led to partial constitutive activation of TβRI, resulting in part from its retention at the plasma membrane and in part from potential alterations of TβRI regulatory interactions in the vicinity of the mutated residues.

Residues in the hendra virus fusion protein transmembrane domain are critical for endocytic recycling

Hendra virus is a highly pathogenic paramyxovirus classified as a biosafety level four agent. The fusion (F) protein of Hendra virus is critical for promoting viral entry and cell-to-cell fusion. To be fusogenically active, Hendra virus F must undergo endocytic recycling and cleavage by the endosomal/lysosomal protease cathepsin L, but the route of Hendra virus F following internalization and the recycling signals involved are poorly understood. We examined the intracellular distribution of Hendra virus F following endocytosis and showed that it is primarily present in Rab5- and Rab4-positive endosomal compartments, suggesting that cathepsin L cleavage occurs in early endosomes. Hendra virus F transmembrane domain (TMD) residues S490 and Y498 were found to be important for correct Hendra virus F recycling, with the hydroxyl group of S490 and the aromatic ring of Y498 important for this process. In addition, changes in association of isolated Hendra virus F TMDs correlated with alterations to Hendra virus F recycling, suggesting that appropriate TMD interactions play an important role in endocytic trafficking.

Binding of "AT4 receptor" ligands to insulin regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP) in intact Chinese hamster ovary cells

Insulin regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP) recognises "AT(4)-receptor" ligands like angiotensin IV (Ang IV) and peptidomimetics like AL-11. The metabolic stability and high affinity of [(3)H]AL-11 for catalytically active IRAP allowed its detection in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cell membranes in the absence of chelators (Demaegdt et al., 2009). Here, we show that, contrary to [(3)H]Ang IV, [(3)H]AL-11 displays high affinity and specificity for IRAP in intact CHO-K1 cells as well. After binding to IRAP at the surface, [(3)H]AL-11 is effectively internalized by an endocytotic process. Unexpectedly, surface binding and internalization of [(3)H]AL-11 was not affected by pretreating the cells with Ang IV but declined with AL-11. In the latter case surface expression of IRAP even increased. After elimination of simpler explanations, it is proposed that metabolically stable "AT(4)-receptor" ligands undergo semi-continuous cycling between the cell surface and endosomal compartments. The in vivo efficacy of stable and unstable "AT(4)-receptor" ligands could therefore differ.

The role of multifunctional M1 metallopeptidases in cell cycle progression

BACKGROUND

Metallopeptidases of the M1 family are found in all phyla (except viruses) and are important in the cell cycle and normal growth and development. M1s often have spatiotemporal expression patterns which allow for strict regulation of activity. Mutations in the genes encoding M1s result in disease and are often lethal. This family of zinc metallopeptidases all share the catalytic region containing a signature amino acid exopeptidase (GXMXN) and a zinc binding (HEXXH[18X]E) motif. In addition, M1 aminopeptidases often also contain additional membrane association and/or protein interaction motifs. These protein interaction domains may function independently of M1 enzymatic activity and can contribute to multifunctionality of the proteins.

SCOPE

A brief review of M1 metalloproteases in plants and animals and their roles in the cell cycle is presented. In animals, human puromycin-sensitive aminopeptidase (PSA) acts during mitosis and perhaps meiosis, while the insect homologue puromycin-sensitive aminopeptidase (PAM-1) is required for meiotic and mitotic exit; the remaining human M1 family members appear to play a direct or indirect role in mitosis/cell proliferation. In plants, meiotic prophase aminopeptidase 1 (MPA1) is essential for the first steps in meiosis, and aminopeptidase M1 (APM1) appears to be important in mitosis and cell division.

CONCLUSIONS

M1 metalloprotease activity in the cell cycle is conserved across phyla. The activities of the multifunctional M1s, processing small peptides and peptide hormones and contributing to protein trafficking and signal transduction processes, either directly or indirectly impact on the cell cycle. Identification of peptide substrates and interacting protein partners is required to understand M1 function in fertility and normal growth and development in plants.

Distinct distribution of GLUT4 and insulin regulated aminopeptidase in the mouse kidney

The physiological importance of the insulin responsive glucose transporter GLUT4 in adipocytes and muscle in maintaining glucose homeostasis is well established. A key protein associated with this process is the aminopeptidase IRAP which co-localizes with GLUT4 in specialized vesicles, where it plays a tethering role. In this study, we investigated the distribution of both GLUT4 and IRAP in the kidney to gain insights into the potential roles of these proteins in this organ. Both IRAP and GLUT4 immunostaining was observed in the epithelial cells of the proximal and distal tubules and thick ascending limbs in the cortex, but very little overlap between GLUT4 and IRAP immunoreactivity was observed. GLUT4 staining was consistent with a vesicular localization, whereas IRAP staining was predominantly on the luminal surface. In the principal cells of the inner medulla collecting duct (IMCD), IRAP immunoreactivity was detected throughout the cell, with limited overlap with the vasopressin responsive water channel aquaporin-2 (AQP-2). AQP-2 levels were observed to be two-fold higher in IRAP knockout mice. Based on our results, we propose that GLUT4 plays a role in shunting glucose across epithelial cells. In the kidney cortex, IRAP, in concert with other peptidases, may be important in the generation of free amino acids for uptake, whereas in the principal cells of the inner medulla IRAP may play a localized role in the regulation of vasopressin bioactivity.

Insulin-regulated aminopeptidase is a key regulator of GLUT4 trafficking by controlling the sorting of GLUT4 from endosomes to specialized insulin-regulated vesicles

IRAP is a key regulator of GLUT4 trafficking by controlling sorting from endosomes to specialized insulin-regulated vesicles.

Insulin stimulates glucose uptake by regulating translocation of the GLUT4 glucose transporter from intracellular compartments to the plasma membrane. In the absence of insulin GLUT4 is actively sequestered away from the general endosomes into GLUT4-specialized compartments, thereby controlling the amount of GLUT4 at the plasma membrane. Here, we investigated the role of the aminopeptidase IRAP in GLUT4 trafficking. In unstimulated IRAP knockdown adipocytes, plasma membrane GLUT4 levels are elevated because of increased exocytosis, demonstrating an essential role of IRAP in GLUT4 retention. Current evidence supports the model that AS160 RabGAP, which is required for basal GLUT4 retention, is recruited to GLUT4 compartments via an interaction with IRAP. However, here we show that AS160 recruitment to GLUT4 compartments and AS160 regulation of GLUT4 trafficking were unaffected by IRAP knockdown. These results demonstrate that AS160 is recruited to membranes by an IRAP-independent mechanism. Consistent with a role independent of AS160, we showed that IRAP functions in GLUT4 sorting from endosomes to GLUT4-specialized compartments. This is revealed by the relocalization of GLUT4 to endosomes in IRAP knockdown cells. Although IRAP knockdown has profound effects on GLUT4 traffic, GLUT4 knockdown does not affect IRAP trafficking, demonstrating that IRAP traffics independent of GLUT4. In sum, we show that IRAP is both cargo and a key regulator of the insulin-regulated pathway.

Improvement in lipid and protein trafficking in Niemann-Pick C1 cells by correction of a secondary enzyme defect

Different primary lysosomal trafficking defects lead to common alterations in lipid trafficking, suggesting cooperative interactions among lysosomal lipids. However, cellular analysis of the functional consequences of this phenomenon is lacking. As a test case, we studied cells with defective Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1) protein, a cholesterol trafficking protein whose defect gives rise to lysosomal accumulation of cholesterol and other lipids, leading to NPC disease. NPC1 cells also develop a secondary defect in acid sphingomyelinase (SMase) activity despite a normal acid SMase gene (SMPD1). When acid SMase activity was restored to normal levels in NPC1-deficient CHO cells through SMPD1 transfection, there was a dramatic reduction in lysosomal cholesterol. Two other defects, excess lysosomal bis-(monoacylglycerol) phosphate (BMP) and defective transferrin receptor (TfR) recycling, were also markedly improved. To test its relevance in human cells, the acid SMase activity defect in fibroblasts from NPC1 patients was corrected by SMPD1 transfection or acid SMase enzyme replacement. Both treatments resulted in a dramatic reduction in lysosomal cholesterol. These data show that correcting one aspect of a complex lysosomal lipid storage disease can reduce the cellular consequences even if the primary genetic defect is not corrected.

Intracellular retention and insulin-stimulated mobilization of GLUT4 glucose transporters

GLUT4 glucose transporters are expressed nearly exclusively in adipose and muscle cells, where they cycle to and from the plasma membrane. In cells not stimulated with insulin, GLUT4 is targeted to specialized GLUT4 storage vesicles (GSVs), which sequester it away from the cell surface. Insulin acts within minutes to mobilize these vesicles, translocating GLUT4 to the plasma membrane to enhance glucose uptake. The mechanisms controlling GSV sequestration and mobilization are poorly understood. An insulin-regulated aminopeptidase that cotraffics with GLUT4, IRAP, is required for basal GSV retention and insulin-stimulated mobilization. TUG and Ubc9 bind GLUT4, and likely retain GSVs within unstimulated cells. These proteins may be components of a retention receptor, which sequesters GLUT4 and IRAP away from recycling vesicles. Insulin may then act on this protein complex to liberate GLUT4 and IRAP, discharging GSVs into a recycling pathway for fusion at the cell surface. How GSVs are anchored intracellularly, and how insulin mobilizes these vesicles, are the important topics for ongoing research. Regulation of GLUT4 trafficking is tissue-specific, perhaps in part because the formation of GSVs requires cell type-specific expression of sortilin. Proteins controlling GSV retention and mobilization can then be more widely expressed. Indeed, GLUT4 likely participates in a general mechanism by which the cell surface delivery of various membrane proteins can be controlled by extracellular stimuli. Finally, it is not known if defects in the formation or intracellular retention of GSVs contribute to human insulin resistance, or play a role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes.

Self-assembly of Glut4 storage vesicles during differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Glut4 storage vesicles (GSVs) represent translocation-competent vesicular carriers in fat and skeletal muscle cells that deliver Glut4 to the plasma membrane in response to insulin stimulation. GSVs include three major cargo proteins: Glut4, insulin-responsive aminopeptidase (IRAP), and sortilin. Previous work has suggested that the lumenal interaction between Glut4 and sortilin and the cytoplasmic interaction between sortilin and GGA adaptors play an important role in recruitment of Glut4 into the GSVs. However, the mechanism of IRAP targeting to this compartment remains unknown. To address this question, we show that in differentiating adipocytes IRAP enters the GSVs from the "donor" membranes on day 3 of differentiation. Forced expression of sortilin in undifferentiated cells does not recruit IRAP into the vesicles. However, double expression of sortilin and Glut4 reconstitutes functional GSVs that incorporate endogenous IRAP. To explain this process, we show by a yeast two-hybrid system and chemical cross-linking that the lumenal domain of IRAP can interact with the lumenal loop of Glut4. IRAP without the lumenal domain is faithfully targeted to the donor membranes but has significantly lower insulin responsiveness than full-length IRAP. We suggest that lumenal interactions between Glut4 and IRAP play an important role in the assembly of the GSVs.

Recycling of IRAP from the plasma membrane back to the insulin-responsive compartment requires the Q-SNARE syntaxin 6 but not the GGA clathrin adaptors

Insulin recruits two transmembrane proteins, GLUT4 and IRAP, to the plasma membrane of muscle cells and adipocytes. The subcellular trafficking and localization of GLUT4, and to a lesser extent IRAP, have been intensely studied, yet the molecular mechanisms responsible for their insulin-responsive compartmentalization remain unknown. Herein we have investigated the endocytosis and recycling of IRAP from the cell surface back to the insulin-responsive compartment (IRC). Our results show that a key dileucine motif at position 76,77 (LL76,77), although required for the initial biosynthetic entry of IRAP into the IRC, is dispensable for entry into the IRC via the endosomal system. Indeed, we found that an AA76,77 mutant of IRAP is fully capable of undergoing endocytosis and is correctly routed back to the IRC. To verify that the AA76,77 mutant enters the bona fide IRC, we show that the internalized IRAP-AA76,77 construct is sequestered in an IRC that is insensitive to brefeldin A yet sensitive to a dominant-interfering mutant of AS160 (AS160-4P). In addition, we show that the GGA clathrin adaptors are not required for the re-entry of IRAP from the cell surface back into the IRC, whereas the Q-SNARE syntaxin 6 is required for this process.

Translocation of the insulin-regulated aminopeptidase to the cell surface: detection by radioligand binding

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP) and the insulin-dependent glucose transporter GLUT4 colocalize in specific intracellular vesicles (that is, GLUT4 vesicles). These vesicles move slowly to the cell surface, but their translocation is markedly enhanced by insulin, resulting in higher glucose uptake. Previous studies of the insulin-mediated translocation of IRAP to the cell surface have been hampered by the laborious detection of IRAP at the cell surface. We aimed to develop a more direct and faster method to detect IRAP. To this end, we used model systems with well-characterized IRAP: CHO-K1 cells expressing endogenous IRAP and recombinant HEK293 cells expressing human IRAP. A more widespread application of the method was demonstrated by the use of 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

After stimulation of the cells with insulin, internalization of IRAP was inhibited by the addition of phenyl arsine oxide (PAO). Then, cell-surface IRAP was detected by the high-affinity binding of radiolabelled angiotensin (Ang) IV (either 125I or 3H).

KEY RESULTS

We monitored the time- and concentration dependence of insulin-mediated translocation of IRAP in both cell lines and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. A plateau was reached between 6 and 8 min, and 10(-7) M insulin led to the highest amount of IRAP at the cell surface.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Based on the capacity of the IRAP apoenzyme to display high affinity for radiolabelled Ang IV and on the ability of PAO to inhibit IRAP internalization, we developed a more direct and faster method to measure insulin-mediated translocation of IRAP to the cell surface.

Cellular multitasking: the dual role of human Cu-ATPases in cofactor delivery and intracellular copper balance

The human copper-transporting ATPases (Cu-ATPases) are essential for dietary copper uptake, normal development and function of the CNS, and regulation of copper homeostasis in the body. In a cell, Cu-ATPases maintain the intracellular concentration of copper by transporting copper into intracellular exocytic vesicles. In addition, these P-type ATPases mediate delivery of copper to copper-dependent enzymes in the secretory pathway and in specialized cell compartments such as secretory granules or melanosomes. The multiple functions of human Cu-ATPase necessitate complex regulation of these transporters that is mediated through the presence of regulatory domains in their structure, posttranslational modification and intracellular trafficking, as well as interactions with the copper chaperone Atox1 and other regulatory molecules. In this review, we summarize the current information on the function and regulatory mechanisms acting on human Cu-ATPases ATP7A and ATP7B. Brief comparison with the Cu-ATPase orthologs from other species is included.

An ACAP1-containing clathrin coat complex for endocytic recycling

Whether coat proteins play a widespread role in endocytic recycling remains unclear. We find that ACAP1, a GTPase-activating protein (GAP) for ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) 6, is part of a novel clathrin coat complex that is regulated by ARF6 for endocytic recycling in two key physiological settings, stimulation-dependent recycling of integrin that is critical for cell migration and insulin-stimulated recycling of glucose transporter type 4 (Glut4), which is required for glucose homeostasis. These findings not only advance a basic understanding of an early mechanistic step in endocytic recycling but also shed key mechanistic insights into major physiological events for which this transport plays a critical role.

Therapeutic targeting of insulin-regulated aminopeptidase: heads and tails?

Insulin-regulated aminopeptidase, IRAP, is an abundant protein that was initially cloned from a rat epididymal fat pad cDNA library as a marker protein for specialized vesicles containing the insulin-responsive glucose transporter GLUT4, wherein it is thought to participate in the tethering and trafficking of GLUT4 vesicles. The same protein was independently cloned from human placental cDNA library as oxytocinase and is proposed to have a primary role in the regulation of circulating oxytocin (OXY) during the later stages of pregnancy. More recently, IRAP was identified as the specific binding site for angiotensin IV, and we propose that it mediates the memory-enhancing effects of the peptide. This protein appears to have multiple physiological roles that are tissue- and domain-specific; thus the protein can be specifically targeted for treating different clinical conditions.

The cytoplasmic tail of glycoprotein M (gpUL100) expresses trafficking signals required for human cytomegalovirus assembly and replication

The virion envelope of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is complex and consists of an incompletely defined number of glycoproteins. The gM/gN protein complex is the most abundant protein component of the envelope. Studies have indicated that deletion of the viral gene encoding either gM or gN is a lethal mutation. Analysis of the amino acid sequence of gM disclosed a C-terminal acidic cluster of amino acids and a tyrosine-containing trafficking motif, both of which are well-described trafficking/sorting signals in the cellular secretory pathway. To investigate the roles of these signals in the trafficking of the gM/gN complex during virus assembly, we made a series of gM (UL100 open reading frame) mutants in the AD169 strain of HCMV. Mutant viruses that lacked the entire C-terminal cytoplasmic tail of gM were not viable, suggesting that the cytoplasmic tail of gM is essential for virus replication. In addition, the gM mutant protein lacking the cytoplasmic domain exhibited decreased protein stability. Mutant viruses with a deletion of the acidic cluster or alanine substitutions in tyrosine-based motifs were viable but exhibited a replication-impaired phenotype suggestive of a defect in virion assembly. Analysis of these mutant gMs using static immunofluorescence and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching demonstrated delayed kinetics of intracellular localization of the gM/gN protein to the virus assembly compartment compared to the wild-type protein. These data suggest an important role of the glycoprotein gM during virus assembly, particularly in the dynamics of gM trafficking during viral-particle assembly.

Sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) invariant chain and class II major histocompatibility complex: sequencing and structural analysis using 3D homology modelling

The present manuscript reports for the first time the sequencing and characterisation of sea bass (sb) MHCII alpha and beta chains and Ii chain cDNAs as well as their expression analysis under resting state. 3D homology modelling, using crystal structures from mammalian orthologues, has been used to illustrate and support putative structural homologies of the sea bass counterparts. The sbIi cDNA consists of 96 bp of 5'-UTR, a 843 bp open reading frame (ORF) and 899 bp of 3'-UTR including a canonical polyadenylation signal 16 nucleotides before the polyadenylation tail. The ORF was translated into a 280 amino acid sequence, in which all characteristic domains found in the Ii p41 human form could be identified, including the cytoplasmic N-terminus domain, the transmembrane (TM) region, the CLIP domain, the trimerization domain and the thyroglobulin (Tg) type I domain. The trimerization and Tg domains of sbIi were successfully modelled using the human counterparts as templates. Four different sequences of each class II alpha and beta MHCII were obtained from a single fish, apparently not derived from a single locus. All the characteristic features of the MHCII chain structure could be identified in the predicted ORF of sea bass alpha and beta sequences, consisting of leader peptide (LP), alpha1/beta1 and alpha2/beta2 domains, connecting peptide and TM and cytoplasmic regions. Furthermore, independently of the HLA-DR crystal structure used as template in homology modelling, a similar predicted 3D structure and trimeric quaternary architecture was obtained for sbMHC, with major deviations occurring only within the sea bass MHCII alpha1 domain.

Sub-cellular localization of insulin-regulated membrane aminopeptidase, IRAP to vesicles in neurons

Angiotensin IV and LVV-hemorphin 7 promote robust enhancing effects on learning and memory. These peptides are also competitive inhibitors of the insulin-regulated membrane aminopeptidase, suggesting that the biological actions of these peptides may result from inhibition of IRAP activity. However, the normal function of IRAP in the brain is yet to be determined. The present study investigated the sub-cellular distribution of IRAP in four neuronal cell lines and in the mouse brain. Using sub-cellular fractionation, IRAP was found to be enriched in low density microsomes, while lower levels of IRAP were also present in high density microsomes, plasma membrane and mitochondrial fractions. Dual-label immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence of IRAP in vesicles co-localized with the vesicular maker VAMP2, in the trans Golgi network co-localized with TGN 38 and in endosomes co-localized with EEA1. Finally using electron microscopy, IRAP specific immunoreactivity was predominantly associated with large 100-200 nm vesicles in hippocampal neurons. The location, appearance and size of these vesicles are consistent with neurosecretory vesicles. IRAP precipitate was also detected in intracellular structures including the rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi stack and mitochondrial membranes. The sub-cellular localization of IRAP in neurons demonstrated in the present study bears striking parallels with distribution of IRAP in insulin responsive cells, where the enzyme plays a role in insulin-regulated glucose uptake. Therefore, we propose that the function of IRAP in neurons may be similar to that in insulin responsive cells.

The GLUT4 glucose transporter

Few physiological parameters are more tightly and acutely regulated in humans than blood glucose concentration. The major cellular mechanism that diminishes blood glucose when carbohydrates are ingested is insulin-stimulated glucose transport into skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscle both stores glucose as glycogen and oxidizes it to produce energy following the transport step. The principal glucose transporter protein that mediates this uptake is GLUT4, which plays a key role in regulating whole body glucose homeostasis. This review focuses on recent advances on the biology of GLUT4.

Role of an acidic cluster/dileucine motif in cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor traffic

The endocytic trafficking of the cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor (CI-MPR) involves multiple sorting steps. A cluster of acidic amino acids followed by a dileucine motif in the cytoplasmic tail has been proposed to mediate receptor sorting from the trans Golgi network (TGN) to late endosomes. Mutations in this motif impair lysosomal enzyme sorting by preventing association of CI-MPR with coat proteins. The role of the acidic cluster/dileucine motif in the post-endocytic transport of the receptor was examined using the CI-MPR mutants, AC01 and D160E (Chen HJ, Yuan J, Lobel P. J Biol Chem 1997;272:7003-7012). Following internalization, wild type (WT) CI-MPR is transported through sorting endosomes into the endocytic recycling compartment (ERC), after which it traffics to the TGN and other organelles. However, the mutants localize mostly to the ERC and only a small portion reaches the TGN, suggesting that the sorting of the CI-MPR mutants from the ERC into the TGN is severely impaired. We observed no defect in receptor internalization or in the rate of tail mutant recycling to the cell surface compared to the WT. These results demonstrate that the acidic cluster/dileucine motif of CI-MPR is critical for receptor sorting at early stages of intracellular transport following endocytosis.

A Specific Dileucine Motif Is Required for the GGA-dependent Entry of Newly Synthesized Insulin-responsive Aminopeptidase into the Insulin-responsive Compartment

In muscle and adipose cells, the insulin-responsive aminopeptidase (IRAP) is localized to intracellular storage sites and undergoes insulin-dependent redistribution to the cell surface. Following expression, the newly synthesized IRAP protein traffics to the perinuclear insulin-sensitive compartment and acquires insulin sensitivity 6-9 h following biosynthesis. Knockdown of GGA1 by RNA interference prevented IRAP from entering, but not exiting, the insulin-responsive compartment. Mutation of the dileucine motif at positions 76 and 77 (EGFP-IRAP/AA(76,77)), but not the dileucine motif at positions 53 and 54, resulted in the rapid default of the reporter to the cell surface beginning at 3 h following biosynthesis. Alanine substitution of 9 residues amino- or carboxyl-terminal to LL(76,77) did not perturb basal intracellular sequestration or abrogate insulin-stimulated IRAP translocation. Moreover, a dominant interfering GGA mutant (VHS-GAT) potently inhibited insulin-stimulated translocation of EGFP-IRAP/WT but did not block the constitutive exocytotic trafficking of EGFP-IRAP/AA(76,77). In addition, the EGFP-IRAP/WT and EGFP-IRAP/AA(76,77) constructs occupied morphologically distinct tubulovesicular compartments in the perinuclear region. Taken together, these data indicate that LL(76,77) functions during the GGA-dependent sorting of newly made IRAP into the insulin-responsive storage compartment.

Initial entry of IRAP into the insulin-responsive storage compartment occurs prior to basal or insulin-stimulated plasma membrane recycling

To examine the acquisition of insulin sensitivity after the initial biosynthesis of the insulin-responsive aminopeptidase (IRAP), 3T3-L1 adipocytes were transfected with an enhanced green fluorescent protein-IRAP (EGFP-IRAP) fusion protein. In the absence of insulin, IRAP was rapidly localized (1-3 h) to secretory membranes and retained in these intracellular membrane compartments with little accumulation at the plasma membrane. However, insulin was unable to induce translocation to the plasma membrane until 6-9 h after biosynthesis. This was in marked contrast to another type II membrane protein (syntaxin 3) that rapidly defaulted to the plasma membrane 3 h after expression. In parallel with the time-dependent acquisition of insulin responsiveness, the newly synthesized IRAP protein converted from a brefeldin A-sensitive to a brefeldin A-insensitive state. The initial trafficking of IRAP to the insulin-responsive compartment was independent of plasma membrane endocytosis, as expression of a dominant-interfering dynamin mutant (Dyn/K44A) inhibited transferrin receptor endocytosis but had no effect on the insulin-stimulated translocation of the newly synthesized IRAP protein.

Nonclassical, distinct endocytic signals dictate constitutive and PKC-regulated neurotransmitter transporter internalization

Neurotransmitter transporters are critical for synaptic neurotransmitter inactivation. Transporter inhibitors markedly increase the duration and magnitude of synaptic transmission, underscoring the importance of transporter activity in neurotransmission. Recent studies indicate that membrane trafficking dynamically governs neuronal transporter cell-surface presentation in a protein kinase C-regulated manner, suggesting that transporter trafficking profoundly affects synaptic signaling. However, the molecular architecture coupling neurotransmitter transporters to the endocytic machinery is not defined. Here, we identify nonclassical, distinct endocytic signals in the dopamine transporter (DAT) that are necessary and sufficient to drive constitutive and protein kinase C-regulated DAT internalization. The DAT internalization signal is conserved across SLC6 neurotransmitter carriers and is functional in the homologous norepinephrine transporter, suggesting that this region is likely to be the endocytic signal for all SLC6 neurotransmitter transporters. The DAT endocytic signal does not conform to classic internalization motifs, suggesting that SLC6 neurotransmitter transporters may have evolved unique endocytic mechanisms.

The oxytocinase subfamily of M1 aminopeptidases

The placental leucine aminopeptidase (P-LAP), adipocyte-derived leucine aminopeptidase (A-LAP) and leukocyte-derived aminopeptidase (L-RAP) belong to one distinct group of the M1 family of amimopeptidases, which we term the "Oxytocinase subfamily". They share HEXXH(X)18E Zn-binding and GAMEN motifs essential for the enzymatic activities. Intracellular localization is the characteristic feature of the subfamily members. While P-LAP is translocated from intracellular vesicles to plasma membrane in a stimulus-dependent manner, both A-LAP and L-RAP are retained in the endoplasmic reticulum. They contain sequences necessary for the specific localization in the cell. It is getting evident that the subfamily members play important roles in the maintenance of homeostasis including maintenance of normal pregnancy, memory retention, blood pressure regulation and antigen presentation. In this review, current situation of this newly identified subfamily is summarized.

Role of the insulin-regulated aminopeptidase IRAP in insulin action and diabetes

The insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP) is a member of the family of zinc-dependent membrane aminopeptidases. It is the homolog of the human placental leucine aminopeptidase (P-LAP). IRAP is expressed in different cell types but has been best characterized in two major insulin target cells, muscle and fat. In these cells IRAP localizes to intracellular membrane compartments under basal conditions. In response to insulin IRAP redistributes to the cell surface. IRAP shares this behavior with the insulin-responsive glucose transporter GLUT4. It is established that insulin's dramatic effect on glucose disposal is mediated through its action on GLUT4. The role IRAP plays in insulin action is unknown. IRAP cleaves several peptide hormones in vitro. In insulin-treated cells, concomitant with the appearance of IRAP at the cell surface, aminopeptidase activity toward extracellular substrates increases. Thus, insulin, by bringing IRAP to the cell surface, could increase the processing of extracellular peptide hormones and thereby change their activities. Investigations are underway to determine the in vivo substrates for IRAP and to measure the effect of insulin on the cleavage of identified substrates. In individuals with type 2 diabetes the insulin-stimulated translocation of IRAP to the cell surface of muscle and fat cells is impaired. This defect may lead to decreased cleavage and consequently increased action of peptide hormones that are substrates for IRAP. Impaired IRAP action may thus play a role in the development of complications in type 2 diabetes. The findings of decreased expression of GLUT4 and increased heart size in mice in which IRAP was deleted support this hypothesis.

A dileucine motif and a cluster of acidic amino acids in the second cytoplasmic domain of the batten disease-related CLN3 protein are required for efficient lysosomal targeting

The juvenile form of ceroid lipofuscinosis (Batten disease) is a neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorder caused by mutations in the CLN3 gene. CLN3 encodes a multimembrane-spanning protein of unknown function, which is mainly localized in lysosomes in non-neuronal cells and in endosomes in neuronal cells. For this study we constructed chimeric proteins of three CLN3 cytoplasmic domains fused to the lumenal and transmembrane domains of the reporter proteins LAMP-1 and lysosomal acid phosphatase to identify lysosomal targeting motifs and to determine the intracellular transport and subcellular localization of the chimera in transfected cell lines. We report that a novel type of dileucine-based sorting motif, EEEX(8)LI, present in the second cytoplasmic domain of CLN3, is sufficient for proper targeting to lysosomes. The first cytoplasmic domain of CLN3 and the mutation of the dileucine motif resulted in a partial missorting of chimeric proteins to the plasma membrane. At equilibrium, 4-13% of the different chimera are present at the cell surface. Analysis of lysosome-specific proteolytic processing revealed that lysosomal acid phosphatase chimera containing the second cytoplasmic domain of CLN3 showed the highest rate of lysosomal delivery, whereas the C terminus of CLN3 was found to be less efficient in lysosomal targeting. However, none of these cytosolic CLN3 domains was able to interact with AP-1, AP-3, or GGA3 adaptor complexes. These data revealed that lysosomal sorting motifs located in an intramolecular cytoplasmic domain of a multimembrane-spanning protein have different structural requirements for adaptor binding than sorting signals found in the C-terminal cytoplasmic domains of single- or dual-spanning lysosomal membrane proteins.

ACAP1 promotes endocytic recycling by recognizing recycling sorting signals

Cargo sorting that promotes the transport of cargo proteins from a membrane compartment has been predicted to be unlikely in the endocytic recycling pathways. We now show that ACAP1 binds specifically and directly to recycling cargo proteins. Reducing this interaction for TfR inhibits its recycling. Moreover, ACAP1 binds to two distinct phenylalanine-based sequences in the cytoplasmic domain of TfR that function as recycling sorting signals to promote its transport from the recycling endosome. Taken together, these findings indicate that ACAP1 promotes cargo sorting by recognizing recycling sorting signals.

AP-1 and AP-3 facilitate lysosomal targeting of Batten disease protein CLN3 via its dileucine motif

CLN3 is a transmembrane protein with a predominant localization in lysosomes in non-neuronal cells but is also found in endosomes and the synaptic region in neuronal cells. Mutations in the CLN3 gene result in juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis or Batten disease, which currently is the most common cause of childhood dementia. We have recently reported that the lysosomal targeting of CLN3 is facilitated by two targeting motifs: a dileucine-type motif in a cytoplasmic loop domain and an unusual motif in the carboxyl-terminal cytoplasmic tail comprising a methionine and a glycine separated by nine amino acids (Kyttala, A., Ihrke, G., Vesa, J., Schell, M. J., and Luzio, J. P. (2004) Mol. Biol. Cell 15, 1313-1323). In the present study, we investigated the pathways and mechanisms of CLN3 sorting using biochemical binding assays and immunofluorescence methods. The dileucine motif of CLN3 bound both AP-1 and AP-3 in vitro, and expression of mutated CLN3 in AP-1- or AP-3-deficient mouse fibroblasts showed that both adaptor complexes are required for sequential sorting of CLN3 via this motif. Our data indicate the involvement of complex sorting machinery in the trafficking of CLN3 and emphasize the diversity of parallel and sequential sorting pathways in the trafficking of membrane proteins.

Targeting of NPC1 to late endosomes involves multiple signals, including one residing within the putative sterol-sensing domain

The NPC1 protein is a multipass transmembrane protein whose deficiency causes the autosomal recessive lipid storage disorder Niemann-Pick type C1. NPC1 localizes predominantly to late endosomes and has a dileucine motif located within a small cytoplasmic tail thought to target the protein to this location. Our data have suggested previously that the protein can reach its correct location in the absence of its cytoplasmic tail, suggesting that other signals contribute to NPC1 targeting. By using various FLAG-tagged and CD32-NPC1 chimeric fusion constructs, we show that multiple signals are responsible for the trafficking of NPC1 to the endosomal compartment, including the dileucine motif and a previously unidentified signal residing within the putative sterol-sensing domain transmembrane domain 3. Neither region alone was capable of directing heterologous CD32 fusions to late endosomes exclusively via the trans-Golgi network to the late endosome route taken by wild-type NPC1; transmembrane domain 3 was unable to maintain CD32 in late endosomes, indicating that two or more signals work in concert to target and retain NPC1 in this compartment. In addition we confirm that the tail dileucine motif is not essential for NPC1 targeting to late endosomes, and we discuss the implications of this finding along with the previously unappreciated role for transmembrane domain 3 in NPC1 localization and function.

Insulin increases cell surface GLUT4 levels by dose dependently discharging GLUT4 into a cell surface recycling pathway

The insulin-responsive glucose transporter GLUT4 plays an essential role in glucose homeostasis. A novel assay was used to study GLUT4 trafficking in 3T3-L1 fibroblasts/preadipocytes and adipocytes. Whereas insulin stimulated GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane in both cell types, in nonstimulated fibroblasts GLUT4 readily cycled between endosomes and the plasma membrane, while this was not the case in adipocytes. This efficient retention in basal adipocytes was mediated in part by a C-terminal targeting motif in GLUT4. Insulin caused a sevenfold increase in the amount of GLUT4 molecules present in a trafficking cycle that included the plasma membrane. Strikingly, the magnitude of this increase correlated with the insulin dose, indicating that the insulin-induced appearance of GLUT4 at the plasma membrane cannot be explained solely by a kinetic change in the recycling of a fixed intracellular GLUT4 pool. These data are consistent with a model in which GLUT4 is present in a storage compartment, from where it is released in a graded or quantal manner upon insulin stimulation and in which released GLUT4 continuously cycles between intracellular compartments and the cell surface independently of the nonreleased pool.

Endocytic recycling

After endocytosis, most membrane proteins and lipids return to the cell surface, but some membrane components are delivered to late endosomes or the Golgi. We now understand that the pathways taken by internalized molecules that eventually recycle to the cell surface can be surprisingly complex and can involve a series of sorting events that occur in several organelles. The molecular basis for many of these sorting processes is only partly understood.

GFP-golvesin constructs to study Golgi tubulation and post-Golgi vesicle dynamics in phagocytosis

Dictyostelium cells are professional phagocytes that are optimally suited for the imaging of phagosome processing from particle uptake to exocytosis. In order to design fluorescent probes for monitoring membrane trafficking in the endocytic pathway, we have dissected a membrane protein, golvesin, and have linked fragments of its sequence to GFP. Endogenous golvesin is partitioned between the ER, the Golgi apparatus, endosomes, and the contractile vacuole complex. We have localized signals that are required for exit from the Golgi to post-Golgi compartments to the C-terminal region of the golvesin sequence. One GFP-tagged fragment turned out to be a highly specific Golgi marker and was used to demonstrate the interaction of Golgi tubules with phagosomes. Signals essential for the retrieval of golvesin at the end of phagosome processing were localized to the N-terminal region. A truncated golvesin construct escaping retrieval was employed in recording the delivery of a phagosomal protein to the plasma membrane. Applying this construct to a phagosome filled with multiple particles, we observed that the phagosome is segmented during exocytosis, meaning that sequential release of particles alternates with membrane fusion.

Alzheimer's, Angiotensin IV and an Aminopeptidase

The angiotensin AT(4) receptor was originally defined as the specific, high affinity binding site for the hexapeptide angiotensin IV (Ang IV). Subsequently, the peptide LVV-hemorphin 7 was also demonstrated to be a bioactive ligand of the AT(4) receptor. Central administration of Ang IV or LVV-hemorphin 7 (LVV-H7) markedly enhances learning and memory in normal rodents and reverse memory deficits observed in animal models of amnesia. The high affinity binding site has a broad distribution in the brain including areas such as the hippocampus that are involved in memory processing. The high affinity Ang IV binding site (AT(4) receptor) has been identified as the transmembrane enzyme, insulin-regulated membrane aminopeptidase (IRAP). Insulin-regulated aminopeptidase is a type II integral membrane spanning protein belonging to the M1 family of aminopeptidases and in insulin-responsive cells colocalizes with GLUT4 in specific intra-cellular vesicles. Both Ang IV and LVV-H7 are competitive inhibitors of IRAP catalytic activity and are not substrates of the enzyme.

Two motifs target Batten disease protein CLN3 to lysosomes in transfected nonneuronal and neuronal cells

Batten disease is a neurodegenerative disorder resulting from mutations in CLN3, a polytopic membrane protein, whose predominant intracellular destination in nonneuronal cells is the lysosome. The topology of CLN3 protein, its lysosomal targeting mechanism, and the development of Batten disease are poorly understood. We provide experimental evidence that both the N and C termini and one large loop domain of CLN3 face the cytoplasm. We have identified two lysosomal targeting motifs that mediate the sorting of CLN3 in transfected nonneuronal and neuronal cells: an unconventional motif in the long C-terminal cytosolic tail consisting of a methionine and a glycine separated by nine amino acids [M(X)9G], and a more conventional dileucine motif, located in the large cytosolic loop domain and preceded by an acidic patch. Each motif on its own was sufficient to mediate lysosomal targeting, but optimal efficiency required both. Interestingly, in primary neurons, CLN3 was prominently seen both in lysosomes in the cell body and in endosomes, containing early endosomal antigen-1 along neuronal processes. Because there are few lysosomes in axons and peripheral parts of dendrites, the presence of CLN3 in endosomes of neurons may be functionally important. Endosomal association of the protein was independent of the two lysosomal targeting motifs.

GLUT4 is retained by an intracellular cycle of vesicle formation and fusion with endosomes

The intracellularly stored GLUT4 glucose transporter is rapidly translocated to the cell surface upon insulin stimulation. Regulation of GLUT4 distribution is key for the maintenance of whole body glucose homeostasis. We find that GLUT4 is excluded from the plasma membrane of adipocytes by a dynamic retention/retrieval mechanism. Our kinetic studies indicate that GLUT4-containing vesicles continually bud and fuse with endosomes in the absence of insulin and that these GLUT4 vesicles are 5 times as likely to fuse with an endosome as with the plasma membrane. We hypothesize that this intracellular cycle of vesicle budding and fusion is an element of the active mechanism by which GLUT4 is retained. The GLUT4 trafficking pathway does not extensively overlap with that of furin, indicating that the trans-Golgi network, a compartment in which furin accumulates, is not a significant storage reservoir of GLUT4. An intact microtubule cytoskeleton is required for insulin-stimulated recruitment to the cell surface, although it is not required for the basal budding/fusion cycle. Nocodazole disruption of the microtubule cytoskeleton reduces the insulin-stimulated exocytosis of GLUT4, accounting for the reduced insulin-stimulated translocation of GLUT4 to the cell surface.