Cell biology. A lipid oils the endocytosis machine

Clathrin assembly protein CALM plays a critical role in KIT signaling by regulating its cellular transport from early to late endosomes in hematopoietic cells

CALM is implicated in the formation of clathrin-coated vesicles, which mediate endocytosis and intracellular trafficking of growth factor receptors and nutrients. We previously found that CALM-deficient mice suffer from severe anemia due to the impaired clathrin-mediated endocytosis of transferrin receptor in immature erythroblast. However, CALM has been supposed to regulate the growth and survival of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. So, in this study, we focused on the function of CALM in these cells. We here show that the number of Linage⁻Sca-1⁺KIT⁺ (LSK) cells decreased in the fetal liver of CALM^−/− mice. Also, colony forming activity was impaired in CALM^−/− LSK cells. In addition, SCF, FLT3, and TPO-dependent growth was severely impaired in CALM^−/− LSK cells, while they can normally proliferate in response to IL-3 and IL-6. We also examined the intracellular trafficking of KIT using CALM^−/− murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) engineered to express KIT. At first, we confirmed that endocytosis of SCF-bound KIT was not impaired in CALM^−/− MEFs by the internalization assay. However, SCF-induced KIT trafficking from early to late endosome was severely impaired in CALM^−/− MEFs. As a result, although intracellular KIT disappeared 30 min after SCF stimulation in wild-type (WT) MEFs, it was retained in CALM^−/− MEFs. Furthermore, SCF-induced phosphorylation of cytosolic KIT was enhanced and prolonged in CALM^−/− MEFs compared with that in WT MEFs, leading to the excessive activation of Akt. Similar hyperactivation of Akt was observed in CALM^−/− KIT⁺ cells. These results indicate that CALM is essential for the intracellular trafficking of KIT and its normal functions. Also, our data demonstrate that KIT located in the early endosome can activate downstream molecules as a signaling endosome. Because KIT activation is involved in the pathogenesis of some malignancies, the manipulation of CALM function would be an attractive therapeutic strategy.

Myotubularin and PtdIns3P remodel the sarcoplasmic reticulum in muscle in vivo

The sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is a specialized form of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in skeletal muscle and is essential for calcium homeostasis. The mechanisms involved in SR remodeling and maintenance of SR subdomains are elusive. In this study, we identified myotubularin (MTM1), a phosphoinositide phosphatase mutated in X-linked centronuclear myopathy (XLCNM, or myotubular myopathy), as a key regulator of phosphatidylinositol 3-monophosphate (PtdIns3P) levels at the SR. MTM1 is predominantly located at the SR cisternae of the muscle triads, and Mtm1-deficient mouse muscles and myoblasts from XLCNM patients exhibit abnormal SR/ER networks. In vivo modulation of MTM1 enzymatic activity in skeletal muscle using ectopic expression of wild-type or a dead-phosphatase MTM1 protein leads to differential SR remodeling. Active MTM1 is associated with flat membrane stacks, whereas dead-phosphatase MTM1 mutant promotes highly curved cubic membranes originating from the SR and enriched in PtdIns3P. Overexpression of a tandem FYVE domain with high affinity for PtdIns3P alters the shape of the SR cisternae at the triad. Our findings, supported by the parallel analysis of the Mtm1-null mouse and an in vivo study, reveal a direct function of MTM1 enzymatic activity in SR remodeling and a key role for PtdIns3P in promoting SR membrane curvature in skeletal muscle. We propose that alteration in SR remodeling is a primary cause of X-linked centronuclear myopathy. The tight regulation of PtdIns3P on specific membrane subdomains may be a general mechanism to control membrane curvature.

The clathrin assembly protein PICALM is required for erythroid maturation and transferrin internalization in mice

Phosphatidylinositol binding clathrin assembly protein (PICALM), also known as clathrin assembly lymphoid myeloid leukemia protein (CALM), was originally isolated as part of the fusion gene CALM/AF10, which results from the chromosomal translocation t(10;11)(p13;q14). CALM is sufficient to drive clathrin assembly in vitro on lipid monolayers and regulates clathrin-coated budding and the size and shape of the vesicles at the plasma membrane. However, the physiological role of CALM has yet to be elucidated. Here, the role of CALM in vivo was investigated using CALM-deficient mice. CALM-deficient mice exhibited retarded growth in utero and were dwarfed throughout their shortened life-spans. Moreover, CALM-deficient mice suffered from severe anemia, and the maturation and iron content in erythroid precursors were severely impaired. CALM-deficient erythroid cells and embryonic fibroblasts exhibited impaired clathrin-mediated endocytosis of transferrin. These results indicate that CALM is required for erythroid maturation and transferrin internalization in mice.

FcϵRI and Thy-1 domains have unique protein and lipid compositions

Receptor activation leads to the dynamic remodeling of the plasma membrane. Previous work using immunoelectron microscopy showed that aggregated high-affinity receptor for immunoglobulin E (FcRI) and aggregated Thy-1, a glycerophosphoinositol (GPI)-anchored protein, have distinct membrane distributions. We now report lipidomics analysis of FcRI- and Thy-1-enriched vesicles obtained by magnetic bead isolation in the absence of detergent. Protein analyses show that FcRI domains are enriched in receptors and associated signaling molecules, whereas Thy-1 domains are devoid of FcRI subunits. Positive and negative ion electrospray mass spectrometry demonstrated that both domains retained a complex mixture of phospholipid classes and molecular species, predominantly glycerophosphocholine, glycerophosphoethanolamine (GPE), and sphingomyelin as well as glycerophosphoserine and GPI lipids. Analysis of total acyl groups showed that < 50% of fatty acids in these domains are fully saturated, inconsistent with the recruitment of aggregated receptors or GPI-anchored proteins to liquid ordered domains. However, further analysis showed that FcRI domains contain two times more sphingomyelin and a high ratio of cholesterol to total fatty acid content compared with Thy 1-enriched domains. Remarkably, plasmenyl glycerophosphoethanolamine phospholipids (plasmalogen GPE) were also 2.5-3 times more abundant in FcRI domains than in the Thy-1 microdomains, whereas most diacyl GPE molecular species were equally abundant in the two domains.

Somatostatin Increases Phospholipase D Activity and Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate Synthesis in Clonal β Cells HIT-T15

In the presence of arginine vasopressin (AVP), somatostatin increases [Ca(2+)](i), leading to a transient increase in insulin release from clonal beta cells HIT-T15 via G(i/o) and phospholipase C (PLC) pathway (Cheng et al., 2002a). The present study was to elucidate the mechanisms underlying somatostatin-induced [Ca(2+)](i) increase in the presence of AVP. We found that the effect of somatostatin was mediated by betagamma subunits but not by the alpha subunit of G(i/o). Because somatostatin alone failed to increase [Ca(2+)](i), we hypothesized that somatostatin increases phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP(2)) synthesis, providing extra substrate for preactivated PLC-beta to generate inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3)). Somatostatin alone did not increase IP(3) levels, but AVP + somatostatin did. Somatostatin increased PIP(2) levels but decreased phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate levels. We further hypothesized that PLD mediates somatostatin-induced changes in PIP(2) levels. Both the phospholipase D (PLD) inhibitors and antibody versus PLD1 antagonized AVP-somatostatin-induced increases in [Ca(2+)](i). PLD inhibitor also antagonized somatostatin-induced increase in PIP(2) levels. In addition, somatostatin increased PLD activity. These results suggest that activation of somatostatin receptors that are coupled to the betagamma dimer of G(i/o) led to PLD1 activation, thus promoting the synthesis of phosphatidic acid. Phosphatidic acid activates PIP-5 kinase, which evokes an increase in PIP(2) synthesis. The PIP(2) generated by somatostatin administration increases substrate for preactivated phospholipase C-beta, which hydrolyzes PIP(2) to form IP(3), leading to an increase in [Ca(2+)](i). The regulation of PIP(2) synthesis by G(i/o)-coupled receptors via PLD activation represents a novel signaling mechanism for somatostatin and a novel concept in the cross-talk between G(q)- and G(i/o)-coupled receptors in beta cells.

Phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate-rich plasma membrane patches organize active zones of endocytosis and ruffling in cultured adipocytes

A major regulator of endocytosis and cortical F-actin is thought to be phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P2] present in plasma membranes. Here we report that in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, clathrin-coated membrane retrieval and dense concentrations of polymerized actin occur in restricted zones of high endocytic activity. Ultrafast-acquisition and superresolution deconvolution microscopy of cultured adipocytes expressing an enhanced green fluorescent protein- or enhanced cyan fluorescent protein (ECFP)-tagged phospholipase Cdelta1 (PLCdelta1) pleckstrin homology (PH) domain reveals that these zones spatially coincide with large-scale PtdIns(4,5)P2-rich plasma membrane patches (PRMPs). PRMPs exhibit lateral dimensions exceeding several micrometers, are relatively stationary, and display extensive local membrane folding that concentrates PtdIns(4,5)P2 in three-dimensional space. In addition, a higher concentration of PtdIns(4,5)P2 in the membranes of PRMPs than in other regions of the plasma membrane can be detected by quantitative fluorescence microscopy. Vesicular structures containing both clathrin heavy chains and PtdIns(4,5)P2 are revealed immediately beneath PRMPs, as is dense F actin. Blockade of PtdIns(4,5)P2 function in PRMPs by high expression of the ECFP-tagged PLCdelta1 PH domain inhibits transferrin endocytosis and reduces the abundance of cortical F-actin. Membrane ruffles induced by the expression of unconventional myosin 1c were also found to localize at PRMPs. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that PRMPs organize active PtdIns(4,5)P2 signaling zones in the adipocyte plasma membrane that in turn control regulators of endocytosis, actin dynamics, and membrane ruffling.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate is found in microdomains of early endosomes

Phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate [PI(3)P] is a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase product whose localisation is restricted to the limiting membranes of early endosomes and to the internal vesicles of multivesicular bodies. In this study the intracellular distribution of PI(3)P was compared with those of another phosphoinositide and a number of endosomal proteins. Using a 2xFYVE probe specific for PI(3)P we found that PI(3)P is present in microdomains within the endosome membrane, whereas a phosphoinositide required for clathrin-mediated endocytosis, PI(4,5)P2, was only detected at the plasma membrane. The small GTPase Rab5 as well as the PI(3)P-binding proteins EEA1, SARA and CISK were found to be abundant within PI(3)P-containing endosomal microdomains. In contrast, another PI(3)P-binding protein, Hrs, was found concentrated in clathrin-coated endosomal microdomains with low levels of PI(3)P. While PI(3)P-containing microdomains could be readily distinguished on enlarged endosomes in cells transfected with a constitutively active Rab5 mutant, such domains could also be detected in endosomes of non-transfected cells. We conclude that the membranes of early endosomes consist of microdomains in which PI(3)P and specific proteins are concentrated. These microdomains may be necessary for the assembly of distinct multimolecular complexes that specify organelle identity, membrane trafficking and receptor signalling.

Roles of the cytoskeleton and motor proteins in endocytic sorting

After internalization, endocytic material is actively transported through the cytoplasm, predominantly by microtubule motor proteins. Microtubule-based endocytic transport facilitates sorting of endocytic contents, vesicle fusion and fission, delivery to lysosomes, cytosolic dispersal, as well as nuclear uptake and cytosolic egress of pathogens. Endosomes, like most organelles, move bidirectionally through the cytosol and regulate their cellular location by controlling the activity of motor proteins, and potentially by controlling microtubule and actin polymerization. Control of motor protein activity is manifest by increased microtubule "run lengths", and the binding of motor proteins to organelles can be regulated by motor protein receptors. A mechanistic understanding of how organelles control motor protein activity to allow for endocytic sorting presents an exciting avenue for future research.

Synaptojanin 2 functions at an early step of clathrin-mediated endocytosis

Synaptojanin 2 is a ubiquitously expressed polyphosphoinositide phosphatase that displays a high degree of homology in its catalytic domains with synaptojanin 1 [1,2]. Neurons of synaptojanin 1-deficient mice display an increase in clathrin-coated vesicles and delayed reentry of recycling vesicles into the fusion-competent vesicle pool, but no defects in early steps of endocytosis [3,4]. Here we show that inhibition of synaptojanin 2 expression via small interfering (si) RNA causes a strong defect in clathrin-mediated receptor internalization in a lung carcinoma cell line. This inhibitory phenotype is rescued by overexpression of wild-type synaptojanin 2, but not of wild-type synaptojanin 1 or mutant synaptojanin 2 that is deficient in 5'-phosphatase activity. In addition, electron-microscopic analysis shows that synaptojanin 2 depletion causes a decrease in clathrin-coated pits and vesicles. These results suggest a role for synaptojanin 2 in clathrin-coated pit formation and imply that lipid hydrolysis is required at an early stage of clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Taken together, our results also indicate that synaptojanin 2 is functionally distinct from synaptojanin 1.

Dynamics of endosomal sorting

The endocytic pathway receives cargo from the cell surface via endocytosis, biosynthetic cargo from the late Golgi complex, and various molecules from the cytoplasm via autophagy. This review focuses on the dynamics of the endocytic pathway in relationship to these processes and covers new information about the sorting events and molecular complexes involved. The following areas are discussed: dynamics at the plasma membrane, sorting within early endosomes and recycling to the cell surface, the role of the cytoskeleton, transport to late endosomes and sorting into multivesicular bodies, anterograde and retrograde Golgi transport, as well as the autophagic pathway.

Agonist-induced PIP(2) hydrolysis inhibits cortical actin dynamics: regulation at a global but not at a micrometer scale

Phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-bisphosphate (PIP(2)) at the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane has been proposed to locally regulate the actin cytoskeleton. Indeed, recent studies that use GFP-tagged pleckstrin homology domains (GFP-PH) as fluorescent PIP(2) sensors suggest that this lipid is enriched in membrane microdomains. Here we report that this concept needs revision. Using three distinct fluorescent GFP-tagged pleckstrin homology domains, we show that highly mobile GFP-PH patches colocalize perfectly with various lipophilic membrane dyes and, hence, represent increased lipid content rather than PIP(2)-enriched microdomains. We show that bright patches are caused by submicroscopical folds and ruffles in the membrane that can be directly visualized at approximately 15 nm axial resolution with a novel numerically enhanced imaging method. F-actin motility is inhibited significantly by agonist-induced PIP(2) breakdown, and it resumes as soon as PIP(2) levels are back to normal. Thus, our data support a role for PIP(2) in the regulation of cortical actin, but they challenge a model in which spatial differences in PIP(2) regulation of the cytoskeleton exist at a micrometer scale.

PIP(2) and proteins: interactions, organization, and information flow

We review the physical properties of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) that determine both its specific interactions with protein domains of known structure and its nonspecific electrostatic sequestration by unstructured domains. Several investigators have postulated the existence of distinct pools of PIP2 within the cell to account for the myriad functions of this lipid. Recent experimental work indicates certain regions of the plasma membrane-membrane ruffles and nascent phagosomes-do indeed concentrate PIP2. We consider two mechanisms that could account for this phenomenon: local synthesis and electrostatic sequestration. We conclude by considering the hypothesis that proteins such as MARCKS bind a significant fraction of the PIP2 in a cell, helping to sequester it in lateral membrane domains, then release this lipid in response to local signals such as an increased concentration of Ca(++)/calmodulin or activation of protein kinase C.

Subcellular localization of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate using the pleckstrin homology domain of phospholipase C delta1

Ptd(4,5)P(2) is thought to promote and organize a wide range of cellular functions, including vesicular membrane traffic and cytoskeletal dynamics, by recruiting functional protein complexes to restricted locations in cellular membranes. However, little is known about the distribution of PtdIns(4,5)P(2) in the cell at high resolution. We have used the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of phospholipase delta(1) (PLCdelta(1)), narrowly specific for PtdIns(4,5)P(2), to map the distribution of the lipid in astrocytoma and A431 cells. We applied the glutathione S-transferase-tagged PLCdelta(1) PH domain (PLCdelta(1)PH-GST) in an on-section labelling approach which avoids transfection procedures. Here we demonstrate PtdIns(4,5)P(2) labelling in the plasma membrane, and also in intracellular membranes, including Golgi (mainly stack), endosomes and endoplasmic reticulum, as well as in electron-dense structures within the nucleus. At the plasma membrane, labelling was more concentrated over lamellipodia, but not in caveolae, which contained less than 10% of the total cell-surface labelling. A dramatic decrease in signal over labelled compartments was observed on preincubation with the cognate headgroup [Ins(1,4,5)P(3)], and plasma-membrane labelling was substantially decreased after stimulation with thrombin-receptor-activating peptide (SFLLRN in the one-letter amino acid code), a treatment which markedly diminishes PtdIns(4,5)P(2) levels. Thus we have developed a highly selective method for mapping the PtdIns(4,5)P(2) distribution within cells at high resolution, and our data provide direct evidence for this lipid at key functional locations.

Exocytosis, endocytosis, and development

During development, metazoans are faced with the daunting task of generating many different cell types in a temporally and spatially precise manner. This orderly process of cell generation relies on creating localized signals that activate or inhibit specific cellular pathways. Recent work has shown that some of these localized signals require the targeted secretion of proteins, or their uptake by endocytosis. The importance of these protein trafficking pathways in localized signal generation is further substantiated by endo- and exocytosis mutants which can phenocopy many developmental mutants. Genetic and molecular techniques that increase our ability to inhibit exocytosis and endocytosis in a temporal and cell-type specific manner are likely to further elucidate the complexities of development.

Urinary megalin deficiency implicates abnormal tubular endocytic function in Fanconi syndrome

Normal reabsorption of glomerular filtrate proteins probably requires recycling of the endocytic receptors megalin (gp330) and cubilin. Both receptors are located on the luminal surface of the renal proximal tubule epithelium. Whether abnormal amounts of receptor are present in the urine of patients with Dent's disease, Lowe's syndrome, or autosomal dominant idiopathic Fanconi syndrome was explored. They are all forms of the renal Fanconi syndrome and are associated with tubular proteinuria. Urine samples of equal creatinine contents were dialyzed, lyophilized, and subjected to electrophoresis on nonreducing sodium dodecyl sulfate-5% polyacrylamide gels. Proteins were blotted and probed with anti-megalin IgG, anti-cubilin IgG, or receptor-associated protein. Megalin and cubilin levels detected by immunochemiluminescence were measured as integrated pixels and expressed as percentages of the normal mean values. A striking deficiency of urinary megalin, compared with normal individuals (n = 42), was observed for eight of nine families with Dent's disease (n = 10) and for the two families with Lowe's syndrome (n = 3). The family with autosomal dominant idiopathic Fanconi syndrome (n = 2) exhibited megalin levels within the normal range. The measured levels of cubilin were normal for all patients. These results are consistent with defective recycling of megalin to the apical cell surface of the proximal tubules and thus decreased loss into urine in Dent's disease and Lowe's syndrome. This defect would interfere with the normal endocytic function of megalin, result in losses of potential ligands into the urine, and produce tubular proteinuria.

shibire's enhancer is cancer's suppressor

Reliable neurotransmitter release requires an adequate pool of synaptic vesicles. These pools are maintained by the process of endocytosis. A recent paper revealed that dynamin, a GTPase essential for endocytosis, is regulated by Abnormal wing disc (Awd), a nucleoside diphosphate kinase which converts nucleoside diphosphates to nucleoside triphosphates. This finding suggests that access to GTP directly regulates endocytosis. In addition, awd is homologous to the tumor suppressor gene nm23, further suggesting that dynamin might be involved in tumorigenesis.

New EMBO members' review: actin cytoskeleton regulation through modulation of PI(4,5)P(2) rafts

The phosphoinositide lipid PI(4,5)P(2) is now established as a key cofactor in signaling to the actin cytoskeleton and in vesicle trafficking. PI(4,5)P(2) accumulates at membrane rafts and promotes local co-recruitment and activation of specific signaling components at the cell membrane. PI(4,5)P(2) rafts may thus be platforms for local regulation of morphogenetic activity at the cell membrane. Raft PI(4,5)P(2) is regulated by lipid kinases (PI5-kinases) and lipid phosphatases (e.g. synaptojanin). In addition, GAP43-like proteins have recently emerged as a group of PI(4,5)P(2) raft-modulating proteins. These locally abundant proteins accumulate at inner leaflet plasmalemmal rafts where they bind to and co-distribute with PI(4,5)P(2), and promote actin cytoskeleton accumulation and dynamics. In keeping with their proposed role as positive modulators of PI(4,5)P(2) raft function, GAP43-like proteins confer competence for regulated morphogenetic activity on cells that express them. Their function has been investigated extensively in the nervous system, where their expression promotes neurite outgrowth, anatomical plasticity and nerve regeneration. Extrinsic signals and intrinsic factors may thus converge to modulate PI(4,5)P(2) rafts, upstream of regulated activity at the cell surface.