Enzymatic properties of phosphatidylinositol-glycan-specific phospholipase C from rat liver and phosphatidylinositol-glycan-specific phospholipase D from rat serum

Transfer of membrane(s) matter(s)-non-genetic inheritance of (metabolic) phenotypes?

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins (GPI-APs) are anchored at the outer phospholipid layer of eukaryotic plasma membranes exclusively by a glycolipid. GPI-APs are not only released into extracellular compartments by lipolytic cleavage. In addition, certain GPI-APs with the glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor including their fatty acids remaining coupled to the carboxy-terminus of their protein components are also detectable in body fluids, in response to certain stimuli, such as oxidative stress, radicals or high-fat diet. As a consequence, the fatty acid moieties of GPI-APs must be shielded from access of the aqueous environment by incorporation into membranes of extracellular vesicles or into micelle-like complexes together with (lyso)phospholipids and cholesterol. The GPI-APs released from somatic cells and tissues are transferred via those complexes or EVs to somatic as well as pluripotent stem cells with metabolic consequences, such as upregulation of glycogen and lipid synthesis. From these and additional findings, the following hypotheses are developed: i) Transfer of GPI-APs via EVs or micelle-like complexes leads to the induction of new phenotypes in the daughter cells or zygotes, which are presumably not restricted to metabolism. ii) The membrane topographies transferred by the concerted action of GPI-APs and interacting components are replicated by self-organization and self-templation and remain accessible to structural changes by environmental factors. iii) Transfer from mother cells and gametes to their daughter cells and zygotes, respectively, is not restricted to DNA and genes, but also encompasses non-genetic matter, such as GPI-APs and specific membrane constituents. iv) The intergenerational transfer of membrane matter between mammalian organisms is understood as an epigenetic mechanism for phenotypic plasticity, which does not rely on modifications of DNA and histones, but is regarded as molecular mechanism for the inheritance of acquired traits, such as complex metabolic diseases. v) The missing interest in research of non-genetic matter of inheritance, which may be interpreted in the sense of Darwin's "Gemmules" or Galton's "Stirps", should be addressed in future investigations of the philosophy of science and sociology of media.

(Patho)Physiology of Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-Anchored Proteins II: Intercellular Transfer of Matter (Inheritance?) That Matters

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins (APs) are anchored at the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane (PM) bilayer by covalent linkage to a typical glycolipid and expressed in all eukaryotic organisms so far studied. Lipolytic release from PMs into extracellular compartments and intercellular transfer are regarded as the main (patho)physiological roles exerted by GPI-APs. The intercellular transfer of GPI-APs relies on the complete GPI anchor and is mediated by extracellular vesicles such as microvesicles and exosomes and lipid-free homo- or heteromeric aggregates, and lipoprotein-like particles such as prostasomes and surfactant-like particles, or lipid-containing micelle-like complexes. In mammalian organisms, non-vesicular transfer is controlled by the distance between donor and acceptor cells/tissues; intrinsic conditions such as age, metabolic state, and stress; extrinsic factors such as GPI-binding proteins; hormones such as insulin; and drugs such as anti-diabetic sulfonylureas. It proceeds either "directly" upon close neighborhood or contact of donor and acceptor cells or "indirectly" as a consequence of the induced lipolytic release of GPI-APs from PMs. Those displace from the serum GPI-binding proteins GPI-APs, which have retained the complete anchor, and become assembled in aggregates or micelle-like complexes. Importantly, intercellular transfer of GPI-APs has been shown to induce specific phenotypes such as stimulation of lipid and glycogen synthesis, in cultured human adipocytes, blood cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells. As a consequence, intercellular transfer of GPI-APs should be regarded as non-genetic inheritance of (acquired) features between somatic cells which is based on the biogenesis and transmission of matter such as GPI-APs and "membrane landscapes", rather than the replication and transmission of information such as DNA. Its operation in mammalian organisms remains to be clarified.

(Patho)Physiology of Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-Anchored Proteins I: Localization at Plasma Membranes and Extracellular Compartments

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins (APs) are anchored at the outer leaflet of plasma membranes (PMs) of all eukaryotic organisms studied so far by covalent linkage to a highly conserved glycolipid rather than a transmembrane domain. Since their first description, experimental data have been accumulating for the capability of GPI-APs to be released from PMs into the surrounding milieu. It became evident that this release results in distinct arrangements of GPI-APs which are compatible with the aqueous milieu upon loss of their GPI anchor by (proteolytic or lipolytic) cleavage or in the course of shielding of the full-length GPI anchor by incorporation into extracellular vesicles, lipoprotein-like particles and (lyso)phospholipid- and cholesterol-harboring micelle-like complexes or by association with GPI-binding proteins or/and other full-length GPI-APs. In mammalian organisms, the (patho)physiological roles of the released GPI-APs in the extracellular environment, such as blood and tissue cells, depend on the molecular mechanisms of their release as well as the cell types and tissues involved, and are controlled by their removal from circulation. This is accomplished by endocytic uptake by liver cells and/or degradation by GPI-specific phospholipase D in order to bypass potential unwanted effects of the released GPI-APs or their transfer from the releasing donor to acceptor cells (which will be reviewed in a forthcoming manuscript).

Biological Role of the Intercellular Transfer of Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-Anchored Proteins: Stimulation of Lipid and Glycogen Synthesis

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins (GPI-APs), which are anchored at the outer leaflet of plasma membranes (PM) only by a carboxy-terminal GPI glycolipid, are known to fulfill multiple enzymic and receptor functions at the cell surface. Previous studies revealed that full-length GPI-APs with the complete GPI anchor attached can be released from and inserted into PMs in vitro. Moreover, full-length GPI-APs were recovered from serum, dependent on the age and metabolic state of rats and humans. Here, the possibility of intercellular control of metabolism by the intercellular transfer of GPI-APs was studied. Mutant K562 erythroleukemia (EL) cells, mannosamine-treated human adipocytes and methyl-ß-cyclodextrin-treated rat adipocytes as acceptor cells for GPI-APs, based on their impaired PM expression of GPI-APs, were incubated with full-length GPI-APs, prepared from rat adipocytes and embedded in micelle-like complexes, or with EL cells and human adipocytes with normal expression of GPI-APs as donor cells in transwell co-cultures. Increases in the amounts of full-length GPI-APs at the PM of acceptor cells as a measure of their transfer was assayed by chip-based sensing. Both experimental setups supported both the transfer and upregulation of glycogen (EL cells) and lipid (adipocytes) synthesis. These were all diminished by serum, serum GPI-specific phospholipase D, albumin, active bacterial PI-specific phospholipase C or depletion of total GPI-APs from the culture medium. Serum inhibition of both transfer and glycogen/lipid synthesis was counteracted by synthetic phosphoinositolglycans (PIGs), which closely resemble the structure of the GPI glycan core and caused dissociation of GPI-APs from serum proteins. Finally, large, heavily lipid-loaded donor and small, slightly lipid-loaded acceptor adipocytes were most effective in stimulating transfer and lipid synthesis. In conclusion, full-length GPI-APs can be transferred between adipocytes or between blood cells as well as between these cell types. Transfer and the resulting stimulation of lipid and glycogen synthesis, respectively, are downregulated by serum proteins and upregulated by PIGs. These findings argue for the (patho)physiological relevance of the intercellular transfer of GPI-APs in general and its role in the paracrine vs. endocrine (dys)regulation of metabolism, in particular. Moreover, they raise the possibility of the use of full-length GPI-APs as therapeutics for metabolic diseases.

Chip-Based Sensing of the Intercellular Transfer of Cell Surface Proteins: Regulation by the Metabolic State

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins (GPI-APs) are anchored at the surface of mammalian blood and tissue cells through a carboxy-terminal GPI glycolipid. Eventually, they are released into incubation medium in vitro and blood in vivo and subsequently inserted into neighboring cells, potentially leading to inappropriate surface expression or lysis. To obtain first insight into the potential (patho)physiological relevance of intercellular GPI-AP transfer and its biochemical characterization, a cell-free chip- and microfluidic channel-based sensing system was introduced. For this, rat or human adipocyte or erythrocyte plasma membranes (PM) were covalently captured by the TiO₂ chip surface operating as the acceptor PM. To measure transfer between PM, donor erythrocyte or adipocyte PM were injected into the channels of a flow chamber, incubated, and washed out, and the type and amount of proteins which had been transferred to acceptor PM evaluated with specific antibodies. Antibody binding was detected as phase shift of horizontal surface acoustic waves propagating over the chip surface. Time- and temperature-dependent transfer, which did not rely on fusion of donor and acceptor PM, was detected for GPI-APs, but not typical transmembrane proteins. Transfer of GPI-APs was found to be prevented by α-toxin, which binds to the glycan core of GPI anchors, and serum proteins in concentration-dependent fashion. Blockade of transfer, which was restored by synthetic phosphoinositolglycans mimicking the glycan core of GPI anchors, led to accumulation in the chip channels of full-length GPI-APs in association with phospholipids and cholesterol in non-membrane structures. Strikingly, efficacy of transfer between adipocytes and erythrocytes was determined by the metabolic state (genotype and feeding state) of the rats, which were used as source for the PM and sera, with upregulation in obese and diabetic rats and counterbalance by serum proteins. The novel chip-based sensing system for GPI-AP transfer may be useful for the prediction and stratification of metabolic diseases as well as elucidation of the putative role of intercellular transfer of cell surface proteins, such as GPI-APs, in (patho)physiological mechanisms.

Interaction of Full-Length Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-Anchored Proteins with Serum Proteins and Their Translocation to Cells In Vitro Depend on the (Pre-)Diabetic State in Rats and Humans

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins (GPI-APs), which are anchored at the surface of mammalian cultured and tissue cells through a carboxy-terminal GPI glycolipid, are susceptible to release into incubation medium and (rat and human) blood, respectively, in response to metabolic stress and ageing. Those GPI-APs with the complete GPI still attached form micelle-like complexes together with (lyso)phospholipids and cholesterol and are prone to degradation by serum GPI-specific phospholipase D (GPLD1), as well as translocation to the surface of acceptor cells in vitro. In this study, the interaction of GPI-APs with GPLD1 or other serum proteins derived from metabolically deranged rat and humans and their translocation were measured by microfluidic chip- and surface acoustic wave-based sensing of micelle-like complexes reconstituted with model GPI-APs. The effect of GPI-AP translocation on the integrity of the acceptor cell surface was studied as lactate dehydrogenase release. For both rats and humans, the dependence of serum GPLD1 activity on the hyperglycemic/hyperinsulinemic state was found to be primarily based on upregulation of the interaction of GPLD1 with micelle-like GPI-AP complexes, rather than on its amount. In addition to GPLD1, other serum proteins were found to interact with the GPI phosphoinositolglycan of full-length GPI-APs. Upon incubation of rat adipocytes with full-length GPI-APs, their translocation from the micelle-like complexes (and also with lower efficacy from reconstituted high-density lipoproteins and liposomes) to acceptor cells was observed, accompanied by upregulation of their lysis. Both GPI-AP translocation and adipocyte lysis became reduced in the presence of serum proteins, including (inhibited) GPLD1. The reduction was higher with serum from hyperglycemic/hyperinsulinemic rats and diabetic humans compared to healthy ones. These findings suggest that the deleterious effects of full-length GPI-APs following spontaneous release into the circulation of metabolically deranged rats and humans are counterbalanced by upregulated interaction of their GPI anchor with GPLD1 and other serum proteins. Thereby, translocation of GPI-APs to blood and tissue cells and their lysis are prevented. The identification of GPI-APs and serum proteins interacting within micelle-like complexes may facilitate the prediction and stratification of diseases that are associated with impaired cell-surface anchorage of GPI-APs, such as obesity and diabetes.

Age-dependent membrane release and degradation of full-length glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins in rats

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins (GPI-APs) are associated with the surface of eucaryotic cells only through a covalently coupled carboxy-terminal GPI glycolipid structure which is anchored at the outer leaflet of plasma membranes. This mode of membrane association may be responsible for the recent observations that full-length GPI-APs harbouring the complete GPI anchor are (i) released from isolated rat adipocytes in vitro and (ii) expressed in rat and human serum. The upregulation of the adipocyte release in response to increased cell size and blood glucose/insulin levels of the donor rats and downregulation of the expression in serum of insulin resistant and diabetic rats have been reconciled with enhanced degradation of the full-length GPI-APs released into micelle-like complexes together with (lyso) phospholipids and cholesterol by serum GPI-specific phospholipase D (GPI-PLD). Here by using a sensitive and reliable sensing method for full-length GPI-APs, which relies on surface acoustic waves propagating over microfluidic chips, the upregulation of (i) the release of the full-length GPI-APs CD73, alkaline phosphatase and CD55 from isolated adipocyte plasma membranes monitored in a "lab-on-the-chip" configuration, (ii) their release from isolated rat adipocytes into the incubation medium and (iii) the lipolytic cleavage of their GPI anchors in serum was demonstrated to increase with age (3-16 weeks) and body weight (87-477 g) of (healthy) donor rats. In contrast, the amount of full-length GPI-APs in rat serum, as determined by chip-based sensing, turned out to decline with age/body weight. These correlations suggest that age-/weight-induced alterations (in certain biophysical/biochemical characteristics) of plasma membranes are responsible for the release of full-length GPI-APs which becomes counteracted by elevated GPI-PLD activity in serum. Thus, sensitive and specific measurement of these GPI-AP-relevant parameters may be useful for monitoring of age-related cell surface changes, in general, and diseases, in particular.

Upregulated phospholipase D activity toward glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins in micelle-like serum complexes in metabolically deranged rats and humans

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins (GPI-AP) with the complete glycolipid anchor attached have previously been shown to be released from the outer plasma membrane leaflet of rat adipocytes in positive correlation to cell size and blood glucose/insulin levels of the donor rats. Furthermore, they are present in rat and human serum, however, at amounts that are lower in insulin-resistant/obese rats compared with normal ones. These findings prompted further evaluation of the potential of full-length GPI-AP for the prediction and stratification of metabolically deranged states. A comparison of the signatures of horizontal surface acoustic waves that were generated by full-length GPI-AP in the course of their specific capture by and subsequent dissociation from a chip-based sensor between those from rat serum and those reconstituted into lipidic structures strongly argues for expression of full-length GPI-AP in serum in micelle-like complexes in concert with phospholipids, lysophospholipids, and cholesterol. Both the reconstituted and the rat serum complexes were highly sensitive toward mechanical forces, such as vibration. Furthermore, full-length GPI-AP reconstituted into micelle-like complexes represented efficient substrates for cleavage by serum glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D (GPI-PLD). These findings raised the possibility that the upregulated release of full-length GPI-AP into micelle-like serum complexes from metabolically deranged cells is compensated by elevated GPI-PLD activity. In fact, serum GPI-PLD activity toward full-length GPI-AP in micelle-like complexes, but not in detergent micelles, was positively correlated to early states of insulin resistance and obesity in genetic and diet-induced rat models as well as to the body weight in humans. Moreover, the differences in the degradation of GPI-AP in micelle-like complexes were found to rely in part on the interaction of serum GPI-PLD with an activating serum factor. These data suggest that serum GPI-PLD activity measured with GPI-AP in micelle-like complexes is indicative of enhanced release of full-length GPI-AP from relevant tissues into the circulation as a consequence of early metabolic derangement in rats and humans.

Altered Expression Levels of CD59, but Not CD55, on Red Blood Cells in Stored Blood

OBJECTIVE

Red blood cells (RBCs) in storage undergo structural and biochemical changes that may cause functional effects. Studies exploring structural changes affecting the expression levels of CD55 and CD59 on RBCs are limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the pattern of CD55 and CD59 expression on RBCs in stored blood from Arab donors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Flow-cytometric analysis was performed on RBCs from 92 packed RBC (PRBC) units, stored for varying times, and from 56 nonstored RBC from healthy controls using the commercial REDQUANT kit.

RESULTS

The proportions of CD55- and CD59-deficient RBCs from stored PRBC units did not significantly differ when compared with those from healthy controls; however, the mean fluorescent intensity (MFI) of CD59 expression, but not MFI of CD55 expression, on RBCs from stored PRBC units was significantly reduced when compared to the expression of RBCs from healthy controls (p = 0.02). MFI of CD55 expression on RBCs from PRBC units did not significantly differ among the 3 groups of stored RBC; however, there was a statistically significant time-dependent preferential decline in MFI of CD59 expression on RBCs from stored PRBC units (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

There is a preferential time-dependent decline in the expression of CD59, but not of CD55, on stored RBCs, the in vivo significance of which in relation to the response to PRBC transfusion needs further investigation.

Statin therapy reduces serum levels of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D

Statin therapy is associated with changes in low-density, very low-density, and high- density lipoprotein metabolism. The effect of statin therapy on a minor high-density lipoprotein particle containing glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D has not been examined. Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D (GPI-PLD) has been implicated in triglyceride metabolism. A double-blind, crossover design comparing the effect of simvastatin (80 mg) and atorvastatin (80 mg) on serum lipid and glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D levels was conducted in 13 patients with low high-density lipoproteins. Both statins reduced cholesterol, triglycerides, and apolipoprotein B and significantly lowered serum glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D levels (16%). This statin effect seems to occur in the plasma compartment as neither statin altered GPI-PLD mRNA levels in HepG2 cells. Serum glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D levels are regulated by statins and may represent an additional biochemical mechanism for affecting serum triglyceride levels.

Shedding and uptake of gangliosides and glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins

Gangliosides and glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins have very different biosynthetic origin, but they have one thing in common: they are both comprised of a relatively large hydrophilic moiety tethered to a membrane by a relatively small lipid tail. Both gangliosides and GPI-anchored proteins can be actively shed from the membrane of one cell and taken up by other cells by insertion of their lipid anchors into the cell membrane. The process of shedding and uptake of gangliosides and GPI-anchored proteins has been independently discovered in several disciplines during the last few decades, but these discoveries were largely ignored by people working in other areas of science. By bringing together results from these, sometimes very distant disciplines, in this review, we give an overview of current knowledge about shedding and uptake of gangliosides and GPI-anchored proteins. Tumor cells and some pathogens apparently misuse this process for their own advantage, but its real physiological functions remain to be discovered.

Toxicity of dipyridyl compounds and related compounds

Five dipyridyl isomers, 2,2'-, 2,3'-, 2,4'-, 3,3'-, and 4,4'-dipyridyl, are products resulting from the pyrolytic degradation of tobacco products and degradation of the herbicide paraquat, and therefore may be present in the environment. In this article, the toxicological properties of these dipyridyl isomers in humans and animals are reviewed. Epidemiological studies suggest that cancerous skin lesions in workers involved in the manufacturing of paraquat may be associated with exposure to dipyridyl compounds. Experimental animal studies suggest that dipyridyl isomers may have several toxicological effects. Three of the dipyridyl isomers (the 2,2', 2,4', and 4,4' isomers) appear to be inducers of some metabolic enzymes. The 2,2'-dipyridyl isomer, an iron chelator, appears to influence vasospasm in primate models of stroke. The cytotoxic effects of 2,2'-dipyridyl on several leukemia cell lines have been reported, and a potent teratogenic effect of 2,2'-dipyridyl has been observed in rats. Based on the results of paraquat studies in experimental animal models, it has been proposed that paraquat may have deleterious effects on dopaminergic neurons. These findings support the epidemiological evidence that paraquat exposure may be associated with the development of Parkinson's disease. Studies designed to determine an association between paraquat exposure and Parkinson's disease are complicated by the possibility that metabolic changes may influence the neurotoxicity of paraquat and/or its metabolites. Preliminary unpublished data in mice show that 300-mg/kg doses of 2,2'-dipyridyl are neurotoxic, and 300-mg/kg doses of 2,4'- and 4,4'-dipyridyls are lethal. These results are consistent with earlier studies in Sherman rats using high 2,2'- and 4,4'-dipyridyl doses. New studies are needed to further explore the toxicological properties of dipyridyls and their potential public health impact.

Phosphorylation decreases trypsin activation and apolipoprotein al binding to glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D (GPI-PLD) is present in plasma as an apolipoprotein and as a cell-associated lipase. GPI-PLD mRNA levels are regulated, but it is unclear if posttranslational mechanisms also regulate GPI-PLD function. We examined the effect of protein kinase A phosphorylation on human serum GPI-PLD activity, trypsin activation, and apolipoprotein AI binding. Protein kinase A phosphorylation did not activate GPI-PLD activity in vitro, nor did phosphorylated GPI-PLD cleave a GPI-anchored protein from intact porcine erythrocytes. Trypsin cleaves the C-terminal beta propeller of purified human serum GPI-PLD to generate three immunodetectable fragments (75, 28, and 18 kDa) in association with a 12-fold increase in enzyme activity. After phosphorylation, the amounts of 28- and 18-kDa fragments were markedly decreased with trypsin treatment, and activity was only increased five-fold. Phosphorylation also inhibits binding of GPI-PLD to apolipoprotein AI. These data are the first demonstrating that phosphorylation may regulate GPI-PLD interaction with other proteins.

Quantitation of soluble and skeletal alkaline phosphatase, and insoluble alkaline phosphatase anchor-hydrolase activities in human serum

BACKGROUND

The current studies were intended to compare the circulating levels of total and anchorless (soluble) skeletal and hepatic ALP isoenzyme activities, and insoluble ALP anchor-hydrolase activity in serum of postmenopausal women.

METHODS

Preliminary studies of the insoluble ALP anchor-hydrolase activity in serum revealed a pH optimum of pH 5-6.5, a sensitivity to inactivation by heat at temperatures >45 degrees C (t(1/2)=8-9 min at 60 degrees C), and an apparent K(M) (at pH 7.5) of 40-45 mU/ml of insoluble skeletal ALP activity.

RESULTS

Serum analyses showed that 94.5+/-0.5% (mean+/-SEM) of the ALP activity in serum was in the anchorless, soluble form. The data were also consistent with the notion that the amount of insoluble ALP anchor-hydrolase activity in serum, 52.8+/-0.8 U/l (mean+/-SEM), was sufficient for the conversion of anchor-intact (insoluble) ALP into the anchorless, soluble form, assuming activation by serum lipids and/or bile salts. Distributions of results for total, skeletal, hepatic, and insoluble ALP anchor-hydrolase activity were skewed toward the higher range and leptokurtotic (p<0.01 for each). Total ALP activity ranged from 42% to 208% of the group mean value; skeletal, hepatic, and insoluble ALP anchor-hydrolase activities ranged from 5% to 306%, 33% to 277%, and 2% to 325%, respectively. In contrast, the soluble ALP fraction only ranged from 71% to 106% of the group mean value.

CONCLUSIONS

The correlations between the total and both skeletal (r=0.711, p<0.001) and hepatic (r=0.782, p<0.001) ALP isoform activities were predictive. Although correlations were also observed between insoluble ALP anchor-hydrolase activity and total (r=0.197, p<0.001), hepatic (r=0.184, p<0.001) and skeletal ALP activities (r=0.118, p<0.05), those relationships were not predictive (r(2)<0.04).

Increased expression of GPI-specific phospholipase D in mouse models of type 1 diabetes

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D (GPI-PLD) is a high-density lipoprotein-associated protein. However, the tissue source(s) for circulating GPI-PLD and whether serum levels are regulated are unknown. Because the diabetic state alters lipoprotein metabolism, and liver and pancreatic islets are possible sources of GPI-PLD, we hypothesized that GPI-PLD levels would be altered in diabetes. GPI-PLD serum activity and liver mRNA were examined in two mouse models of type 1 diabetes, a nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse model and low-dose streptozotocin-induced diabetes in CD-1 mice. With the onset of hyperglycemia (2- to 5-fold increase over nondiabetic levels), GPI-PLD serum activity and liver mRNA increased 2- to 4-fold in both models. Conversely, islet expression of GPI-PLD was absent as determined by immunofluorescence. Insulin may regulate GPI-PLD expression, because insulin treatment of diabetic NOD mice corrected the hyperglycemia along with reducing serum GPI-PLD activity and liver mRNA. Our data demonstrate that serum GPI-PLD levels are altered in the diabetic state and are consistent with liver as a contributor to circulating GPI-PLD.

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D of human serum--activity modulation by naturally occurring amphiphiles

The enzymatic properties of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D (EC 3.1.4.50) were characterized using a 6,000-fold purified enzyme. This was obtained in 100 microg amounts from human serum with a recovery of 35%. Pure alkaline phosphatase containing one anchor moiety per molecule was used as substrate. The enzyme is stimulated by n-butanol, but in contrast to other phospholipases this activation is not produced by a transphosphatidylation reaction. The previously reported non-linearity of the specific activity with respect to phospholipase concentration in the test was no longer observed upon purification, indicating inhibitor removal. The serum inhibitor(s) co-chromatograph with serum proteins and lipoproteins. The main part of the inhibitory activity was found in the lipid fraction after protein denaturation and can be subfractionated into acid phospholipids, cholesteryl esters and triacylglycerides. Added phosphatidyl-serine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylglycerol, gangliosides, cholesteryl esters, and sphingomyelins turned out to be strong inhibitors, as well as phosphatidic acid. Phosphatidylethanolamine and various monoacylglycerols were found to be activators. The low glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase activity found in native serum did not increase significantly upon 90% removal of phospholipids by n-butanol. High serum concentrations of strongly inhibiting compounds, complex kinetic interactions among aggregates of these substances, and compartmentalization effects are discussed as possible reasons for the observed inactivity.

S-phase DNA damage checkpoint in budding yeast

Eukaryotic cells must be able to coordinate DNA repair, replication and cell cycle progression in response to DNA damage. A failure to activate the checkpoints which delay the cell cycle in response to internal and external cues and to repair the DNA lesions results in an increase in genetic instability and cancer predisposition. The use of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been invaluable in isolating many of the genes required for the DNA damage response, although the molecular mechanisms which couple this regulatory pathway to different DNA transactions are still largely unknown. In analogy with prokaryotes, we propose that DNA strand breaks, caused by genotoxic agents or by replication-related lesions, trigger a replication coupled repair mechanism, dependent upon recombination, which is induced by the checkpoint acting during S-phase.

Insulin stimulates the release of the glycosyl phosphatidylinositol-anchored membrane dipeptidase from 3T3-L1 adipocytes through the action of a phospholipase C

Membrane dipeptidase (MDP; EC 3.4.13.19) enzymic activity that was inhibited by cilastatin has been detected on the surface of 3T3-L1 cells. On differentiation of the cells from fibroblasts to adipocytes the activity of MDP increased 12-fold. Immunoelectrophoretic blot analysis indicated that on adipogenesis the increase in the amount of MDP preceded the appearance of GLUT-4. MDP on 3T3-L1 adipocytes was anchored in the bilayer by a glycosyl phosphatidylinositol (GPI) moiety as evidenced by its release into the medium in a hydrophilic form on treatment of the cells with bacterial phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C and the appearance of the inositol 1,2-cyclic monophosphate cross-reacting determinant. Incubation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with either insulin or the sulphonylurea glimepiride led to a rapid concentration- and time-dependent release of MDP from the cell surface. The hydrophilic form of MDP released from the cells on stimulation with insulin was recognized by antibodies against the inositol 1,2-cyclic monophosphate cross-reacting determinant, indicating that it had been generated by cleavage of its GPI anchor through the action of a phospholipase C.

Uptake and intracellular stability of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D in neuroblastoma cells

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D from mammalian serum has been described to be relatively stable towards the action of proteases in vitro, and it has been speculated that the enzyme may only be active on glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored substrates after its proteolytic processing in an intracellular compartment following uptake from body fluids. To test this hypothesis, we studied the possible uptake and intracellular processing of purified glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D into the mouse neuroblastoma cell line N2A. We found that after incubation of neuroblastoma cells with glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D at 37 degrees C the amount of cell-associated glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D activity increased in a concentration- and time-dependent way. A similar uptake was also observed with 125I-labeled intact and trypsin-treated form of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D. We found that the incorporated radiolabeled proteins were processed intracellularly to distinct low molecular mass products, and that this process was in part inhibited by the presence of chloroquine during incubation.

The neuronal cell-adhesion molecule axonin-1 is specifically released by an endogenous glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase

Axonin-1, a member of the immunoglobulin/fibronectin type-III family of cell-adhesion molecules, occurs both as a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-(glycosylPtdIns)-anchored membrane-bound and a soluble form. In vivo observations show that the major part of axonin-1 is found in the soluble fraction and that soluble axonin-1 perturbs neurite fasciculation and pathfinding in the developing chicken embryo. This has prompted further investigations into the mechanism of the axonin-1 release. We demonstrate here that axonin-1 released from dorsal root ganglion neurons contains ethanolamine and inositol, components of the glycosylPtdIns anchor. Secreted axonin-1 does not exhibit the cross-reacting determinant epitope, an indication that the cleavage of the anchor is not mediated by a phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C. Treatment of dorsal root ganglion neurons with 1,10-phenanthroline, an inhibitor of glycosylPtdIns-specific phospholipase D, reduces the release of axonin-1 by 56%. Moreover, glycosylPtdIns-specific phospholipase D activity was detected in dorsal root ganglion neurons and brain. These results suggest that axonin-1 is released from the membrane by an endogenously expressed glycosylPtdIns-specific phospholipase D in vivo. With domain-swaping experiments between axonin-1 and its non-released relative F11, deletion mutants and monoclonal antibodies, we demonstrate that the fourth fibronectin type-III-like domain of axonin-1 is required for the generation of the soluble form of axonin-1.

Subcellular distribution of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D in rat liver

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-hydrolysing enzymes have been described in many mammalian tissues and body fluids; however, their site(s) of action and in vivo functions have remained unclear. In order to identify a possible intracellular site of GPI hydrolysis, we studied the subcellular distribution of GPI-hydrolysing activity in rat liver. We found that purified fractions from rat liver hydrolysed the GPI moieties of two GPI-anchored proteins with the specificity of a phospholipase D. This GPI-specific phospholipase D (GPI-PLD) activity was found to be highly enriched in a lysosomal fraction and showed a similar intracellular distribution to that of typical lysosomal enzymes. Our results indicate that lysosomes may represent a possible intracellular site of GPI-PLD action.

Modulation of the cleavage of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins by specific bacterial phospholipases

Many enzymes are tethered to the extracellular face of the plasma membrane by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. These proteins can be released in soluble form by the action of GPI-specific phospholipase. Little is currently known about the factors modulating this release. We investigated the effects of several experimental variables on the cleavage of the GPI-anchored proteins 5'nucleotidase, acetylcholinesterase, and alkaline phosphatase by phospholipases from Bacillus thuringiensis and Staphylococcus aureus. Phospholipase activity was not inhibited by isotonic salt and was relatively unaffected by buffer type and concentration. In both cases, the optimum pH for cleavage was approximately 6.5. Over 80% of 5'-nucleotidase activity present in the lymphocyte plasma membrane was cleaved by the B. thuringiensis enzyme, and the initial rate of release was linear with phospholipase concentration. All three GPI-anchored proteins were released from lymphocyte plasma membrane at comparable phospholipase concentrations, suggesting that they have similar anchor structures. The catalytic activity of 5'-nucleotidase appeared to increase following conversion to the soluble form. The relative surface charge of the host plasma membrane modulated catalytic activity towards GPI-anchored proteins, depending on the net charge of the phospholipase. Studies on purified lymphocyte 5'-nucleotidase reconstituted into bilayers of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine indicated that the efficiency of phospholipase cleavage was 12- to 50-fold lower when compared with the native plasma membrane. The ability of the phospholipase to cleave the GPI anchor was further reduced when the bilayer was in the gel phase.

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-phospholipase D: a tool for glycosylphosphatidylinositol structural analysis

Cleavage by the GPI-PLD provides definitive evidence of a minimal GPI structure: glucosamine-phosphatidylinositol. Unlike the case for PI-PLC, cleavage by the GPI-PLD is unaffected by acylation of the inositol ring. Thus the GPI-PLD provides an excellent simple enzymatic tool for analyzing the basic core structure of GPI anchors.

Activation of the glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol-anchored membrane dipeptidase upon release from pig kidney membranes by phospholipase C

Incubation of pig kidney microvillar membranes with Bacillus thuringiensis or Staphylococcus aureus phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) resulted in the release of a number of glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored hydrolases, including alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1), amino-peptidase P (EC 3.4.11.9), membrane dipeptidase (EC 3.4.13.19), 5'-nucleotidase (EC 3.1.3.5) and trehalase (EC 3.2.1.28). Of these five ectoenzymes only for membrane dipeptidase was there a significant (approx. 100%) increase in enzymic activity upon release from the membrane. Maximal activation occurred at a PI-PLC concentration 10-fold less than that required for maximal release. In contrast solubilization of the membranes with n-octyl beta-D-glucopyranoside had no effect on the enzymic activity of membrane dipeptidase. A competitive e.l.i.s.a. with a polyclonal antiserum to membrane dipeptidase indicated that the increase in enzymic activity was not due to an increase in the amount of membrane dipeptidase protein. Although PI-PLC cleaved the GPI anchor of the affinity-purified amphipathic form of pig membrane dipeptidase there was no concurrent increase in enzymic activity. In the absence of PI-PLC, membrane dipeptidase in the microvillar membranes hydrolysed Gly-D-Phe with a Km of 0.77 mM and a Vmax. of 602 nmol/min per mg of protein. However, in the presence of a concentration of PI-PLC which caused maximal release from the membrane and maximal activation of membrane dipeptidase the Km was decreased to 0.07 mM while the Vmax. remained essentially unchanged at 624 nmol/min per mg of protein. Overall these results suggest that cleavage by PI-PLC of the GPI anchor on membrane dipeptidase may relax conformational constraints on the active site of the enzyme which exist when it is anchored in the lipid bilayer, thus resulting in an increase in the affinity of the active site for substrate.

Generation by limited proteolysis of a catalytically active 39-kDa protein from the 115-kDa form of phosphatidylinositol-glycan-specific phospholipase D from bovine serum

It has been suggested previously that small amounts of the mature 115-kDa form of phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns)-glycan-specific phospholipase D from bovine serum may exist as a 47-kDa form which can also be generated in vitro by treatment with proteases. In this study, we investigated the possible proteolytic processing by trypsin of partially purified PtdIns-glycan- specific phospholipase D from bovine serum and found that tryptic digestion caused an apparent activation of the enzyme when assayed in the presence of 0.1% (mass/vol.) Triton X-100. Trypsin cleaved the 115-kDa form of PtdIns-glycan-specific phospholipase D into three major polypeptides with molecular masses of 33, 39, and 47 kDa. Under non-denaturing conditions, the polypeptides remained tightly but noncovalently associated with each other. However, in the presence of 6 M urea, the polypeptides could be separated by anion-exchange chromatography. After renaturation, PtdIns-glycan-specific phospholipase D activity was found to be associated with a 39-kDa fragment. Based on its size and its amino acid sequence, the active-site-containing fragment consisted of approximately 275 residues of the N-terminal region of PtdIns-glycan-specific phospholipase D. The active 39-kDa fragment hydrolyzed the PtdIns-glycan-anchors of solubilized acetylcholinesterase from bovine erythrocytes and variant surface glycoprotein from blood stream trypanosomes. However, this fragment was inactive on membrane-associated acetylcholinesterase and PtdIns.

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D is localized in keratinocytes

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D (GPI-PLD) is abundant in mammalian plasma, but little is known of its cellular and tissue distribution. In this study frozen sections of perfused tissues from adult rats were stained with monoclonal antibodies against GPI-PLD. The most intense staining was observed in the stratified squamous epithelium of the forestomach. Staining was also observed in the esophagus, the tongue, the hard palate, and the skin but not in most other tissues including the columnar epithelium of the stomach or the lower gastrointestinal tract. GPI-PLD expression was also detected in several keratinocyte cell lines. Biochemical assays of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-degrading activity using [3H]myristate-labeled variant surface glycoprotein as substrate provided independent evidence for the presence of GPI-PLD. Expression of GPI-PLD by keratinocytes was not affected by culture in serum-free media, indicating that it does not originate by uptake of serum GPI-PLD in the media. These data suggest that keratinocytes are an important site of action of GPI-PLD and possibly a contributor to the plasma GPI-PLD pool.

Detection and partial characterization of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase activities from Fasciola hepatica and Schistosoma mansoni

The tegument of trematodes serves as a dynamic host-parasite interface where surface antigens are shed in a process of immune evasion. Phospholipases, which could provide an enzymatic mechanism for release of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins, were detected in detergent extracts of adult worms of Fasciola hepatica and cercaria and adult worms of Schistosoma mansoni. The enzymatic activities were partially characterized from both adult worm species and demonstrated a preference for [3H]GPI substrate over [3H]PI. Lipase activities from both species were sensitive to sulfhydryl-modifying reagents and the detergents CHAPS and n-octylglucoside. The presence of 1 M ammonium sulfate increased the enzyme activity in adult worms of both species by 8-11-fold and in cercaria by 146-fold, whereas other conditions of high ionic strength were inhibitory. Such stimulation suggested dissociation of a negative inhibitor which is prominent in the cercarial stage. The schistosome extract, which was partially sensitive to cation chelators and o-phenanthroline, contained a GPI-phospholipase D activity. In contrast, the F. hepatica extract contained a cation-independent phospholipase C activity which was partially purified and shown by gel filtration to have a molecular mass of 30,000-80,000.

5'-Nucleotidase: molecular structure and functional aspects

Images