Clustering of raft-associated proteins in the external membrane leaflet modulates internal leaflet H-ras diffusion and signaling

Dysregulation of cellular membrane homeostasis as a crucial modulator of cancer risk

Cellular membranes serve as an epicentre combining extracellular and cytosolic components with membranous effectors, which together support numerous fundamental cellular signalling pathways that mediate biological responses. To execute their functions, membrane proteins, lipids and carbohydrates arrange, in a highly coordinated manner, into well-defined assemblies displaying diverse biological and biophysical characteristics that modulate several signalling events. The loss of membrane homeostasis can trigger oncogenic signalling. More recently, it has been documented that select membrane active dietaries (MADs) can reshape biological membranes and subsequently decrease cancer risk. In this review, we emphasize the significance of membrane domain structure, organization and their signalling functionalities as well as how loss of membrane homeostasis can steer aberrant signalling. Moreover, we describe in detail the complexities associated with the examination of these membrane domains and their association with cancer. Finally, we summarize the current literature on MADs and their effects on cellular membranes, including various mechanisms of dietary chemoprevention/interception and the functional links between nutritional bioactives, membrane homeostasis and cancer biology.

Cholesterol modulates type I/II TGF-β receptor complexes and alters the balance between Smad and Akt signaling in hepatocytes

Cholesterol mediates membrane compartmentalization, affecting signaling via differential distribution of receptors and signaling mediators. While excessive cholesterol and aberrant transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling characterize multiple liver diseases, their linkage to canonical vs. non-canonical TGF-β signaling remained unclear. Here, we subjected murine hepatocytes to cholesterol depletion (CD) or enrichment (CE), followed by biophysical studies on TGF-β receptor heterocomplex formation, and output to Smad2/3 vs. Akt pathways. Prior to ligand addition, raft-dependent preformed heteromeric receptor complexes were observed. Smad2/3 phosphorylation persisted following CD or CE. CD enhanced phospho-Akt (pAkt) formation by TGF-β or epidermal growth factor (EGF) at 5 min, while reducing it at later time points. Conversely, pAkt formation by TGF-β or EGF was inhibited by CE, suggesting a direct effect on the Akt pathway. The modulation of the balance between TGF-β signaling to Smad2/3 vs. pAkt (by TGF-β or EGF) has potential implications for hepatic diseases and malignancies.

RAS GTPases and Interleaflet Coupling in the Plasma Membrane

RAS genes are frequently mutated in cancer. The primary signaling compartment of wild-type and constitutively active oncogenic mutant RAS proteins is the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane (PM). Thus, a better understanding of the unique environment of the PM inner leaflet is important to shed further light on RAS function. Over the past few decades, an integrated approach of superresolution imaging, molecular dynamic simulations, and biophysical assays has yielded new insights into the capacity of RAS proteins to sort lipids with specific headgroups and acyl chains, to assemble signaling nanoclusters on the inner PM. RAS proteins also sense and respond to changes in components of the outer PM leaflet, including glycophosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins, sphingophospholipids, glycosphingolipids, and galectins, as well as cholesterol that translocates between the two leaflets. Such communication between the inner and outer leaflets of the PM, called interleaflet coupling, allows RAS to potentially integrate extracellular mechanical and electrostatic information with intracellular biochemical signaling events, and reciprocally allows mutant RAS-transformed tumor cells to modify tumor microenvironments. Here, we review RAS-lipid interactions and speculate on potential mechanisms that allow communication between the opposing leaflets of the PM.

Competition between type I activin and BMP receptors for binding to ACVR2A regulates signaling to distinct Smad pathways

Background

Activins and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) play critical, sometimes opposing roles, in multiple physiological and pathological processes and diseases. They signal to distinct Smad branches; activins signal mainly to Smad2/3, while BMPs activate mainly Smad1/5/8. This gives rise to the possibility that competition between the different type I receptors through which activin and BMP signal for common type II receptors can provide a mechanism for fine-tuning the cellular response to activin/BMP stimuli. Among the transforming growth factor-β superfamily type II receptors, ACVR2A/B are highly promiscuous, due to their ability to interact with different type I receptors (e.g., ALK4 vs. ALK2/3/6) and with their respective ligands [activin A (ActA) vs. BMP9/2]. However, studies on complex formation between these full-length receptors situated at the plasma membrane, and especially on the potential competition between the different activin and BMP type I receptors for a common activin type II receptor, were lacking.

Results

We employed a combination of IgG-mediated patching-immobilization of several type I receptors in the absence or presence of ligands with fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) measurements on the lateral diffusion of an activin type II receptor, ACVR2A, to demonstrate the principle of competition between type I receptors for ACVR2. Our results show that ACVR2A can form stable heteromeric complexes with ALK4 (an activin type I receptor), as well as with several BMP type I receptors (ALK2/3/6). Of note, ALK4 and the BMP type I receptors competed for binding ACVR2A. To assess the implications of this competition for signaling output, we first validated that in our cell model system (U2OS cells), ACVR2/ALK4 transduce ActA signaling to Smad2/3, while BMP9 signaling to Smad1/5/8 employ ACVR2/ALK2 or ACVR2/ALK3. By combining ligand stimulation with overexpression of a competing type I receptor, we showed that differential complex formation of distinct type I receptors with a common type II receptor balances the signaling to the two Smad branches.

Conclusions

Different type I receptors that signal to distinct Smad pathways (Smad2/3 vs. Smad1/5/8) compete for binding to common activin type II receptors. This provides a novel mechanism to balance signaling between Smad2/3 and Smad1/5/8.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-022-01252-z.

Ras Diffusion and Interactions with the Plasma Membrane Measured by FRAP Variations

Ras proteins are non-integral membrane proteins, which bind to the plasma membrane by virtue of farnesylation and palmitoylation or a positively charged polybasic cluster at their C-terminus. Their membrane interactions and/or localization to membrane microdomains, which play important roles in signaling, are regulated by their lateral diffusion at the plasma membrane and their ability to exchange between the membrane and the cytoplasm (binding/unbinding kinetics). Here, using N-Ras as an example, we describe the use of variations of fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) to measure the dynamics of the association of N-Ras with the plasma membrane of living cells and their dependence on several parameters (cholesterol, clustering of raft proteins, and palmitoylation/depalmitoylation).

Dark-Side of Exosomes

Exosomes are nanoscale extracellular vesicles that can transport cargos of proteins, lipids, DNA, various RNA species and microRNAs (miRNAs). Exosomes can enter cells and deliver their contents to recipient cell. Owing to their cargo exosomes can transfer different molecules to the target cells and change the phenotype of these cells. The fate of the contents of an exosome depends on its target destination. Various mechanisms for exosome uptake by target cells have been proposed, but the mechanisms responsible for exosomes internalization into cells are still debated. Exosomes exposed cells produce labeled protein kinases, which are expressed by other cells. This means that these kinases are internalized by exosomes, and transported into the cytoplasm of recipient cells. Many studies have confirmed that exosomes are not only secreted by living cells, but also internalized or accumulated by the other cells. The "next cell hypothesis" supports the notion that exosomes constitute communication vehicles between neighboring cells. By this mechanism, exosomes participate in the development of diabetes and its associated complications, critically contribute to the spreading of neuronal damage in Alzheimer's disease, and non-proteolysed form of Fas ligand (mFasL)-bearing exosomes trigger the apoptosis of T lymphocytes. Furthermore, exosomes derived from human B lymphocytes induce antigen-specific major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-restricted T cell responses. Interestingly, exosomes secreted by cancer cells have been demonstrated to express tumor antigens, as well as immune suppressive molecules. This process is defined as "exosome-immune suppression" concept. The interplay via the exchange of exosomes between cancer cells and between cancer cells and the tumor stroma promote the transfer of oncogenes and onco-miRNAs from one cell to other. Circulating exosomes that are released from hypertrophic adipocytes are effective in obesity-related complications. On the other hand, the "inflammasome-induced" exosomes can activate inflammatory responses in recipient cells. In this chapter protein kinases-related checkpoints are emphasized considering the regulation of exosome biogenesis, secretory traffic, and their impacts on cell death, tumor growth, immune system, and obesity.

ALK1 regulates the internalization of endoglin and the type III TGF-β receptor

Complex formation and endocytosis of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) receptors play important roles in signaling. However, their interdependence remained unexplored. Here, we demonstrate that ALK1, a TGF-β type I receptor prevalent in endothelial cells, forms stable complexes at the cell surface with endoglin and with type III TGF-β receptors (TβRIII). We show that ALK1 undergoes clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) faster than ALK5, type II TGF-β receptor (TβRII), endoglin, or TβRIII. These complexes regulate the endocytosis of the TGF-β receptors, with a major effect mediated by ALK1. Thus, ALK1 enhances the endocytosis of TβRIII and endoglin, while ALK5 and TβRII mildly enhance endoglin, but not TβRIII, internalization. Conversely, the slowly endocytosed endoglin has no effect on the endocytosis of either ALK1, ALK5, or TβRII, while TβRIII has a differential effect, slowing the internalization of ALK5 and TβRII, but not ALK1. Such effects may be relevant to signaling, as BMP9-mediated Smad1/5/8 phosphorylation is inhibited by CME blockade in endothelial cells. We propose a model that links TGF-β receptor oligomerization and endocytosis, based on which endocytosis signals are exposed/functional in specific receptor complexes. This has broad implications for signaling, implying that complex formation among various receptors regulates their surface levels and signaling intensities.

Auxin-induced signaling protein nanoclustering contributes to cell polarity formation

Cell polarity is fundamental to the development of both eukaryotes and prokaryotes, yet the mechanisms behind its formation are not well understood. Here we found that, phytohormone auxin-induced, sterol-dependent nanoclustering of cell surface transmembrane receptor kinase 1 (TMK1) is critical for the formation of polarized domains at the plasma membrane (PM) during the morphogenesis of cotyledon pavement cells (PC) in Arabidopsis. Auxin-induced TMK1 nanoclustering stabilizes flotillin1-associated ordered nanodomains, which in turn promote the nanoclustering of ROP6 GTPase that acts downstream of TMK1 to regulate cortical microtubule organization. In turn, cortical microtubules further stabilize TMK1- and flotillin1-containing nanoclusters at the PM. Hence, we propose a new paradigm for polarity formation: A diffusive signal triggers cell polarization by promoting cell surface receptor-mediated nanoclustering of signaling components and cytoskeleton-mediated positive feedback that reinforces these nanodomains into polarized domains.

The multiple roles of Thy-1 in cell differentiation and regeneration

Thy-1 is a 25-37 kDa glycophosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored cell surface protein that was discovered more than 50 years ago. Recent findings have suggested that Thy-1 is expressed on thymocytes, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), cancer stem cells, hematopoietic stem cells, fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, endothelial cells, neuronal smooth muscle cells, and pan T cells. Thy-1 plays vital roles in cell migration, adhesion, differentiation, transdifferentiation, apoptosis, mechanotransduction, and cell division, which in turn are involved in tumor development, pulmonary fibrosis, neurite outgrowth, and T cell activation. Studies have increasingly indicated a significant role of Thy-1 in cell differentiation and regeneration. However, despite recent research, many questions remain regarding the roles of Thy-1 in cell differentiation and regeneration. This review aimed to summarize the roles of Thy-1 in cell differentiation and regeneration. Furthermore, since Thy-1 is an outer leaflet membrane protein anchored by GPI, we attempted to address how Thy-1 regulates intracellular pathways through cis and trans signals. Due to the complexity and mystery surrounding the issue, we also summarized the Thy-1-related pathways in different biological processes, and this might provide novel insights in the field of cell differentiation and regeneration.

Functional link between plasma membrane spatiotemporal dynamics, cancer biology, and dietary membrane-altering agents

The cell plasma membrane serves as a nexus integrating extra- and intracellular components, which together enable many of the fundamental cellular signaling processes that sustain life. In order to perform this key function, plasma membrane components assemble into well-defined domains exhibiting distinct biochemical and biophysical properties that modulate various signaling events. Dysregulation of these highly dynamic membrane domains can promote oncogenic signaling. Recently, it has been demonstrated that select membrane-targeted dietary bioactives (MTDBs) have the ability to remodel plasma membrane domains and subsequently reduce cancer risk. In this review, we focus on the importance of plasma membrane domain structural and signaling functionalities as well as how loss of membrane homeostasis can drive aberrant signaling. Additionally, we discuss the intricacies associated with the investigation of these membrane domain features and their associations with cancer biology. Lastly, we describe the current literature focusing on MTDBs, including mechanisms of chemoprevention and therapeutics in order to establish a functional link between these membrane-altering biomolecules, tuning of plasma membrane hierarchal organization, and their implications in cancer prevention.

Cholesterol depletion enhances TGF-β Smad signaling by increasing c-Jun expression through a PKR-dependent mechanism

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) plays critical roles in numerous physiological and pathological responses. Cholesterol, a major plasma membrane component, can have pronounced effects on signaling responses. Cells continually monitor cholesterol content and activate multilayered transcriptional and translational signaling programs, following perturbations to cholesterol homeostasis (e.g., statins, the commonly used cholesterol-reducing drugs). However, the cross-talk of such programs with ligand-induced signaling responses (e.g., TGF-β signaling) remained unknown. Here, we studied the effects of a mild reduction in free (membrane-associated) cholesterol on distinct components of TGF-β-signaling pathways. Our findings reveal a new regulatory mechanism that enhances TGF-β-signaling responses by acting downstream from receptor activation. Reduced cholesterol results in PKR-dependent eIF2α phosphorylation, which enhances c-Jun translation, leading in turn to higher levels of JNK-mediated c-Jun phosphorylation. Activated c-Jun enhances transcription and expression of Smad2/3. This leads to enhanced sensitivity to TGF-β stimulation, due to increased Smad2/3 expression and phosphorylation. The phospho/total Smad2/3 ratio remains unchanged, indicating that the effect is not due to altered receptor activity. We propose that cholesterol depletion induces overactivation of PKR, JNK, and TGF-β signaling, which together may contribute to the side effects of statins in diverse disease settings.

Monomeric amyloid-β reduced amyloid-β oligomer-induced synapse damage in neuronal cultures

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) in the brain. Aβ oligomers are believed to cause synapse damage resulting in the memory deficits that are characteristic of this disease. Since the loss of synaptic proteins in the brain correlates closely with the degree of dementia in Alzheimer's disease, the process of Aβ-induced synapse damage was investigated in cultured neurons by measuring the loss of synaptic proteins. Soluble Aβ oligomers, derived from Alzheimer's-affected brains, caused the loss of cysteine string protein and synaptophysin from neurons. When applied to synaptosomes Aβ oligomers increased cholesterol concentrations and caused aberrant activation of cytoplasmic phospholipase A₂ (cPLA₂). In contrast, Aβ monomer preparations did not affect cholesterol concentrations or activate synaptic cPLA₂, nor did they damage synapses. The Aβ oligomer-induced aggregation of cellular prion proteins (PrP^C) at synapses triggered the activation of cPLA₂ that leads to synapse degeneration. Critically, Aβ monomer preparations did not cause the aggregation of PrP^C; rather they reduced the Aβ oligomer-induced aggregation of PrP^C. The presence of Aβ monomer preparations also inhibited the Aβ oligomer-induced increase in cholesterol concentrations and activation of cPLA₂ in synaptosomes and protected neurons against the Aβ oligomer-induced synapse damage. These results support the hypothesis that Aβ monomers are neuroprotective. We hypothesise that synapse damage may result from a pathological Aβ monomer:oligomer ratio rather than the total concentrations of Aβ within the brain.

Does the tail wag the dog? How the structure of a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor affects prion formation

There is increasing interest in the role of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor attached to the cellular prion protein (PrP(C)). Since GPI anchors can alter protein targeting, trafficking and cell signaling, our recent study examined how the structure of the GPI anchor affected prion formation. PrP(C) containing a GPI anchor from which the sialic acid had been removed (desialylated PrP(C)) was not converted to PrP(Sc) in prion-infected neuronal cell lines and in scrapie-infected primary cortical neurons. In uninfected neurons desialylated PrP(C) was associated with greater concentrations of gangliosides and cholesterol than PrP(C). In addition, the targeting of desialylated PrP(C) to lipid rafts showed greater resistance to cholesterol depletion than PrP(C). The presence of desialylated PrP(C) caused the dissociation of cytoplasmic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) from PrP-containing lipid rafts, reduced the activation of cPLA2 and inhibited PrP(Sc) production. We conclude that the sialic acid moiety of the GPI attached to PrP(C) modifies local membrane microenvironments that are important in PrP-mediated cell signaling and PrP(Sc) formation.

Analysis of diffusion in curved surfaces and its application to tubular membranes

Diffusion of particles in curved surfaces is inherently complex compared with diffusion in a flat membrane, owing to the nonplanarity of the surface. The consequence of such nonplanar geometry on diffusion is poorly understood but is highly relevant in the case of cell membranes, which often adopt complex geometries. To address this question, we developed a new finite element approach to model diffusion on curved membrane surfaces based on solutions to Fick's law of diffusion and used this to study the effects of geometry on the entry of surface-bound particles into tubules by diffusion. We show that variations in tubule radius and length can distinctly alter diffusion gradients in tubules over biologically relevant timescales. In addition, we show that tubular structures tend to retain concentration gradients for a longer time compared with a comparable flat surface. These findings indicate that sorting of particles along the surfaces of tubules can arise simply as a geometric consequence of the curvature without any specific contribution from the membrane environment. Our studies provide a framework for modeling diffusion in curved surfaces and suggest that biological regulation can emerge purely from membrane geometry.

Molecular mechanisms underlying alcohol-drinking behaviours

The main characteristic of alcohol use disorder is the consumption of large quantities of alcohol despite the negative consequences. The transition from the moderate use of alcohol to excessive, uncontrolled alcohol consumption results from neuroadaptations that cause aberrant motivational learning and memory processes. Here, we examine studies that have combined molecular and behavioural approaches in rodents to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that keep the social intake of alcohol in check, which we term 'stop pathways', and the neuroadaptations that underlie the transition from moderate to uncontrolled, excessive alcohol intake, which we term 'go pathways'. We also discuss post-transcriptional, genetic and epigenetic alterations that underlie both types of pathways.

A novel sphingomyelin/cholesterol domain-specific probe reveals the dynamics of the membrane domains during virus release and in Niemann-Pick type C

We identified a novel, nontoxic mushroom protein that specifically binds to a complex of sphingomyelin (SM), a major sphingolipid in mammalian cells, and cholesterol (Chol). The purified protein, termed nakanori, labeled cell surface domains in an SM- and Chol-dependent manner and decorated specific lipid domains that colocalized with inner leaflet small GTPase H-Ras, but not K-Ras. The use of nakanori as a lipid-domain-specific probe revealed altered distribution and dynamics of SM/Chol on the cell surface of Niemann-Pick type C fibroblasts, possibly explaining some of the disease phenotype. In addition, that nakanori treatment of epithelial cells after influenza virus infection potently inhibited virus release demonstrates the therapeutic value of targeting specific lipid domains for anti-viral treatment.-Makino, A., Abe, M., Ishitsuka, R., Murate, M., Kishimoto, T., Sakai, S., Hullin-Matsuda, F., Shimada, Y., Inaba, T., Miyatake, H., Tanaka, H., Kurahashi, A., Pack, C.-G., Kasai, R. S., Kubo, S., Schieber, N. L., Dohmae, N., Tochio, N., Hagiwara, K., Sasaki, Y., Aida, Y., Fujimori, F., Kigawa, T., Nishibori, K., Parton, R. G., Kusumi, A., Sako, Y., Anderluh, G., Yamashita, M., Kobayashi, T., Greimel, P., Kobayashi, T. A novel sphingomyelin/cholesterol domain-specific probe reveals the dynamics of the membrane domains during virus release and in Niemann-Pick type C.

Glycosylphosphatidylinositols: More than just an anchor?

There is increasing interest in the role of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors that attach some proteins to cell membranes. Far from being biologically inert, GPIs influence the targeting, intracellular trafficking and function of the attached protein. Our recent paper demonstrated the role of sialic acid on the GPI of the cellular prion protein (PrP(C)). The "prion diseases" arise following the conversion of PrP(C) to a disease-associated isoform called PrP(Sc) or "prion". Our paper showed that desialylated PrP(C) inhibited PrP(Sc) formation. Aggregated PrP(Sc) creates a signaling platform in the cell membrane incorporating and activating cytoplasmic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), an enzyme that regulates PrP(C) trafficking and hence PrP(Sc) formation. The presence of desialylated PrP(C) caused the dissociation of cPLA2 from PrP-containing platforms, reduced the activation of cPLA2 and inhibited PrP(Sc) production. We concluded that sialic acid contained within the GPI attached to PrP(C) modifies local membrane microenvironments that are important in PrP-mediated cell signaling and PrP(Sc) formation.

Revisiting Plant Plasma Membrane Lipids in Tobacco: A Focus on Sphingolipids

The lipid composition of plasma membrane (PM) and the corresponding detergent-insoluble membrane (DIM) fraction were analyzed with a specific focus on highly polar sphingolipids, so-called glycosyl inositol phosphorylceramides (GIPCs). Using tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) 'Bright Yellow 2' cell suspension and leaves, evidence is provided that GIPCs represent up to 40 mol % of the PM lipids. Comparative analysis of DIMs with the PM showed an enrichment of 2-hydroxylated very-long-chain fatty acid-containing GIPCs and polyglycosylated GIPCs in the DIMs. Purified antibodies raised against these GIPCs were further used for immunogold-electron microscopy strategy, revealing the distribution of polyglycosylated GIPCs in domains of 35 ± 7 nm in the plane of the PM. Biophysical studies also showed strong interactions between GIPCs and sterols and suggested a role for very-long-chain fatty acids in the interdigitation between the two PM-composing monolayers. The ins and outs of lipid asymmetry, raft formation, and interdigitation in plant membrane biology are finally discussed.

Sialic Acid on the Glycosylphosphatidylinositol Anchor Regulates PrP-mediated Cell Signaling and Prion Formation

The prion diseases occur following the conversion of the cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) into disease-related isoforms (PrP(Sc)). In this study, the role of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor attached to PrP(C) in prion formation was examined using a cell painting technique. PrP(Sc) formation in two prion-infected neuronal cell lines (ScGT1 and ScN2a cells) and in scrapie-infected primary cortical neurons was increased following the introduction of PrP(C). In contrast, PrP(C) containing a GPI anchor from which the sialic acid had been removed (desialylated PrP(C)) was not converted to PrP(Sc). Furthermore, the presence of desialylated PrP(C) inhibited the production of PrP(Sc) within prion-infected cortical neurons and ScGT1 and ScN2a cells. The membrane rafts surrounding desialylated PrP(C) contained greater amounts of sialylated gangliosides and cholesterol than membrane rafts surrounding PrP(C). Desialylated PrP(C) was less sensitive to cholesterol depletion than PrP(C) and was not released from cells by treatment with glimepiride. The presence of desialylated PrP(C) in neurons caused the dissociation of cytoplasmic phospholipase A2 from PrP-containing membrane rafts and reduced the activation of cytoplasmic phospholipase A2. These findings show that the sialic acid moiety of the GPI attached to PrP(C) modifies local membrane microenvironments that are important in PrP-mediated cell signaling and PrP(Sc) formation. These results suggest that pharmacological modification of GPI glycosylation might constitute a novel therapeutic approach to prion diseases.

The Deleterious Effects of Oxidative and Nitrosative Stress on Palmitoylation, Membrane Lipid Rafts and Lipid-Based Cellular Signalling: New Drug Targets in Neuroimmune Disorders

Oxidative and nitrosative stress (O&NS) is causatively implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, schizophrenia and depression. Many of the consequences stemming from O&NS, including damage to proteins, lipids and DNA, are well known, whereas the effects of O&NS on lipoprotein-based cellular signalling involving palmitoylation and plasma membrane lipid rafts are less well documented. The aim of this narrative review is to discuss the mechanisms involved in lipid-based signalling, including palmitoylation, membrane/lipid raft (MLR) and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) functions, the effects of O&NS processes on these processes and their role in the abovementioned diseases. S-palmitoylation is a post-translational modification, which regulates protein trafficking and association with the plasma membrane, protein subcellular location and functions. Palmitoylation and MRLs play a key role in neuronal functions, including glutamatergic neurotransmission, and immune-inflammatory responses. Palmitoylation, MLRs and n-3 PUFAs are vulnerable to the corruptive effects of O&NS. Chronic O&NS inhibits palmitoylation and causes profound changes in lipid membrane composition, e.g. n-3 PUFA depletion, increased membrane permeability and reduced fluidity, which together lead to disorders in intracellular signal transduction, receptor dysfunction and increased neurotoxicity. Disruption of lipid-based signalling is a source of the neuroimmune disorders involved in the pathophysiology of the abovementioned diseases. n-3 PUFA supplementation is a rational therapeutic approach targeting disruptions in lipid-based signalling.

TβRIII independently binds type I and type II TGF-β receptors to inhibit TGF-β signaling

Study of the TβRIII interaction with the signaling TGF-β receptors shows that TβRIII homo-oligomerization is indirect, depending largely on interactions with GIPC scaffolds. TβRI and II bind independently to TβRIII, competing with TβRI-TβRII complex formation and inhibiting Smad2/3 signaling by a mechanism independent of TβRIII ectodomain shedding.

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) receptor oligomerization has important roles in signaling. Complex formation among type I and type II (TβRI and TβRII) TGF-β receptors is well characterized and is essential for signal transduction. However, studies on their interactions with the type III TGF-β coreceptor (TβRIII) in live cells and their effects on TGF-β signaling are lacking. Here we investigated the homomeric and heteromeric interactions of TβRIII with TβRI and TβRII in live cells by combining IgG-mediated patching/immobilization of a given TGF-β receptor with fluorescence recovery after photobleaching studies on the lateral diffusion of a coexpressed receptor. Our studies demonstrate that TβRIII homo-oligomerization is indirect and depends on its cytoplasmic domain interactions with scaffold proteins (mainly GIPC). We show that TβRII and TβRI bind independently to TβRIII, whereas TβRIII augments TβRI/TβRII association, suggesting that TβRI and TβRII bind to TβRIII simultaneously but not as a complex. TβRIII expression inhibited TGF-β–mediated Smad2/3 signaling in MDA-MB-231 cell lines, an effect that depended on the TβRIII cytoplasmic domain and did not require TβRIII ectodomain shedding. We propose that independent binding of TβRI and TβRII to TβRIII competes with TβRI/TβRII signaling complex formation, thus inhibiting TGF-β–mediated Smad signaling.

Influenza A virus hemagglutinin and neuraminidase mutually accelerate their apical targeting through clustering of lipid rafts

In polarized epithelial cells, influenza A virus hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) are intrinsically associated with lipid rafts and target the apical plasma membrane for viral assembly and budding. Previous studies have indicated that the transmembrane domain (TMD) and cytoplasmic tail (CT) of HA and NA are required for association with lipid rafts, but the raft dependencies of their apical targeting are controversial. Here, we show that coexpression of HA with NA accelerated their apical targeting through accumulation in lipid rafts. HA was targeted to the apical plasma membrane even when expressed alone, but the kinetics was much slower than that of HA in infected cells. Coexpression experiments revealed that apical targeting of HA and NA was accelerated by their coexpression. The apical targeting of HA was also accelerated by coexpression with M1 but not M2. The mutations in the outer leaflet of the TMD and the deletion of the CT in HA and NA that reduced their association with lipid rafts abolished the acceleration of their apical transport, indicating that the lipid raft association is essential for efficient apical trafficking of HA and NA. An in situ proximity ligation assay (PLA) revealed that HA and NA were accumulated and clustered in the cytoplasmic compartments only when both were associated with lipid rafts. Analysis with mutant viruses containing nonraft HA/NA confirmed these findings. We further analyzed lipid raft markers by in situ PLA and suggest a possible mechanism of the accelerated apical transport of HA and NA via clustering of lipid rafts.

IMPORTANCE

Lipid rafts serve as sites for viral entry, particle assembly, and budding, leading to efficient viral replication. The influenza A virus utilizes lipid rafts for apical plasma membrane targeting and particle budding. The hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) of influenza virus, key players for particle assembly, contain determinants for apical sorting and lipid raft association. However, it remains to be elucidated how lipid rafts contribute to the apical trafficking and budding. We investigated the relation of lipid raft association of HA and NA to the efficiency of apical trafficking. We show that coexpression of HA and NA induces their accumulation in lipid rafts and accelerates their apical targeting, and we suggest that the accelerated apical transport likely occurs by clustering of lipid rafts at the TGN. This finding provides the first evidence that two different raft-associated viral proteins induce lipid raft clustering, thereby accelerating apical trafficking of the viral proteins.

Glimepiride reduces CD14 expression and cytokine secretion from macrophages

Background

Activated microglia are associated with deposits of aggregated proteins within the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD) and prion diseases. Since the cytokines secreted from activated microglia are thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of these neurodegenerative diseases, compounds that suppress cytokine production have been identified as potential therapeutic targets. CD14 is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)- anchored protein that is part of a receptor complex that mediates microglial responses to peptides that accumulate in prion disease (PrP82-146), AD (amyloid-β (Aβ)₄₂) and PD (α-synuclein (αSN)). As some GPI-anchored proteins are released from cells by treatment with glimepiride, a sulphonylurea used for the treatment of diabetes, the effects of glimepiride upon CD14 expression and cytokine production from cultured macrophages were studied.

Methods

RAW 264 cells and microglial cells were treated with glimepiride or phosphatidylinositol (PI)-phospholipase C (PLC) and the expression of cell receptors was analysed by ELISA and immunoblot. Treated cells were subsequently incubated with Aβ₄₂, αSN, PrP82-146 or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the amounts of Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4, tumour necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-6 measured.

Results

Glimepiride released CD14 from RAW 264 cells and microglial cells. Pre-treatment with glimepiride significantly reduced TNF, IL-1 and IL-6 secretion from RAW 264 and microglial cells incubated with LPS, Aβ₄₂, αSN and PrP82-146. Glimepiride also reduced the LPS, Aβ₄₂, αSN and PrP82-146-induced translocation of TLR-4 into membrane rafts that is associated with cell activation. These effects of glimepiride were also seen after digestion of RAW 264 cells with PI-phospholipase C (PLC). In addition, the effects of glimepiride were blocked by pharmacological inhibition of GPI-PLC. The cytokine production was CD14-dependent; it was reduced in microglia from CD14 knockout mice and was blocked by antiserum to CD14.

Conclusions

RAW 264 and microglial cell responses to Aβ_1–42, αSN, PrP82-146 and LPS are dependent upon CD14 expression. Glimepiride induced the shedding of CD14 from cells by activation of GPI-PLC and consequently reduced cytokine production in response to Aβ₄₂, αSN, PrP82-146 and LPS. These results suggest that glimepiride acts as a novel anti-inflammatory agent that could modify the progression of neurodegenerative diseases.

Dab2 inhibits the cholesterol-dependent activation of JNK by TGF-β

TGF-β signals through Smad-dependent and non-Smad pathways, depending on cell context. In ovarian cancer cells, the clathrin adaptor Dab2 enhances internalization of the type I TGF-β receptor, restricts its lateral mobility, and inhibits TGF-β–mediated, cholesterol-dependent JNK activation.

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) ligands activate Smad-mediated and noncanonical signaling pathways in a cell context–dependent manner. Localization of signaling receptors to distinct membrane domains is a potential source of signaling output diversity. The tumor suppressor/endocytic adaptor protein disabled-2 (Dab2) was proposed as a modulator of TGF-β signaling. However, the molecular mechanism(s) involved in the regulation of TGF-β signaling by Dab2 were not known. Here we investigate these issues by combining biophysical studies of the lateral mobility and endocytosis of the type I TGF-β receptor (TβRI) with TGF-β phosphoprotein signaling assays. Our findings demonstrate that Dab2 interacts with TβRI to restrict its lateral diffusion at the plasma membrane and enhance its clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Small interfering RNA–mediated knockdown of Dab2 or Dab2 overexpression shows that Dab2 negatively regulates TGF-β–induced c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation, whereas activation of the Smad pathway is unaffected. Moreover, activation of JNK by TGF-β in the absence of Dab2 is disrupted by cholesterol depletion. These data support a model in which Dab2 regulates the domain localization of TβRI in the membrane, balancing TGF-β signaling via the Smad and JNK pathways.

Src-mediated caveolin-1 phosphorylation affects the targeting of active Src to specific membrane sites

Src interactions with the plasma membrane are an important determinant of its activity. In turn, Src activity modulates its association with the membrane through binding of activated Src to phosphotyrosylated proteins. Caveolin-1 (Cav-1), a major component of caveolae, is a known Src phosphorylation target, and both were reported to regulate cell transformation. However, the nature of Src-Cav-1 interactions, a potential mechanism of their coregulation, remained unclear. Here we used fluorescence recovery after photobleaching beam-size analysis, coimmunoprecipitation, quantitative imaging, and far-Western studies with cells expressing wild type, as well as structural and activity mutants of Src-green fluorescent protein and Cav-1-monomeric red fluorescent protein, to measure their interactions with the membrane and with each other. We show dynamic Src-plasma membrane interactions, which are augmented and stabilized by Cav-1. The mechanism involves phosphorylation of Cav-1 at Tyr-14 by Src and subsequent binding of the Src SH2 domain to phospho-Cav-1, leading to accumulation of activated Src in focal adhesions. This novel Cav-1 function potentially modulates focal adhesion dynamics.

Rotational and translational dynamics of ras proteins upon binding to model membrane systems

Plasma-membrane-associated Ras proteins typically control signal transduction processes. As nanoclustering and membrane viscosity sensing provide plausible signaling mechanisms, determination of the rotational and translational dynamics of membrane-bound Ras isoforms can help to link their dynamic mobility to their function. Herein, by using time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy and correlation spectroscopic measurements, we obtain the rotational-correlation time and the translational diffusion coefficient of lipidated boron-dipyrromethene-labeled Ras, both in bulk Ras and upon membrane binding. The results show that the second lipidation motif of N-Ras triggers dimer formation in bulk solution, whereas K-Ras4B is monomeric. Upon membrane binding, an essentially free rotation of the G-domain is observed, along with a high lateral mobility; the latter is essentially limited by the viscosity of the membrane and by lipid-mediated electrostatic interactions. This high diffusional mobility warrants rapid recognition-binding sequences in the membrane-bound state, thereby facilitating efficient interactions between the Ras proteins and scaffolding or effector proteins. The lipid-like rapid lateral diffusion observed here complies with in vivo data.

Ras and Ras mutations in cancer

Ras genes are pre-eminent genes that are frequently linked with cancer biology. The functional loss of ras protein caused by various point mutations within the gene, is established as a prognostic factor for the genesis of a constitutively active Ras-MAPK pathway leading to cancer. Ras signaling circuit follows a complex pathway, which connects many signaling molecules and cells. Several strategies have come up for targeting mutant ras proteins for cancer therapy, however, the clinical benefits remain insignificant. Targeting the Ras-MAPK pathway is extremely complicated due its intricate networks involving several upstream and downstream regulators. Blocking oncogenic Ras is still in latent stage and requires alternative approaches to screen the genes involved in Ras transformation. Understanding the mechanism of Ras induced tumorigenesis in diverse cancers and signaling networks will open a path for drug development and other therapeutic approaches.

Formation of raft-like assemblies within clusters of influenza hemagglutinin observed by MD simulations

The association of hemagglutinin (HA) with lipid rafts in the plasma membrane is an important feature of the assembly process of influenza virus A. Lipid rafts are thought to be small, fluctuating patches of membrane enriched in saturated phospholipids, sphingolipids, cholesterol and certain types of protein. However, raft-associating transmembrane (TM) proteins generally partition into Ld domains in model membranes, which are enriched in unsaturated lipids and depleted in saturated lipids and cholesterol. The reason for this apparent disparity in behavior is unclear, but model membranes differ from the plasma membrane in a number of ways. In particular, the higher protein concentration in the plasma membrane may influence the partitioning of membrane proteins for rafts. To investigate the effect of high local protein concentration, we have conducted coarse-grained molecular dynamics (CG MD) simulations of HA clusters in domain-forming bilayers. During the simulations, we observed a continuous increase in the proportion of raft-type lipids (saturated phospholipids and cholesterol) within the area of membrane spanned by the protein cluster. Lateral diffusion of unsaturated lipids was significantly attenuated within the cluster, while saturated lipids were relatively unaffected. On this basis, we suggest a possible explanation for the change in lipid distribution, namely that steric crowding by the slow-diffusing proteins increases the chemical potential for unsaturated lipids within the cluster region. We therefore suggest that a local aggregation of HA can be sufficient to drive association of the protein with raft-type lipids. This may also represent a general mechanism for the targeting of TM proteins to rafts in the plasma membrane, which is of functional importance in a wide range of cellular processes.

The cell membrane is composed of a wide variety of lipids and proteins. Until recently, these were thought to be mixed evenly, but we now have evidence of the existence of “lipid rafts” — small, slow-moving areas of membrane in which certain types of lipid and protein accumulate. Rafts have many important biological functions in healthy cells, but also play a role in the assembly of influenza virus. For example, after the viral protein hemagglutinin is made inside the host cell, it accumulates in rafts. Exiting virus particles then take these portions of cell membrane with them as they leave the host cell. However, the mechanism by which proteins associate with lipid rafts is unclear. Here, we have used computers to simulate lipid membranes containing hemagglutinin. The simulations allow us to look in detail at the motions and interactions of individual proteins and lipids. We found that clusters of proteins altered the properties of nearby lipids, leading to accumulation of raft-type lipids. It therefore appears that aggregation of hemagglutinin may be enough to drive its association with rafts. This helps us to better understand both the influenza assembly process and the properties of lipid rafts.

Membrane lipid raft organization is uniquely modified by n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids

Fish oil, enriched in bioactive n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), has been shown to play a role in prevention of colon cancer. The effects of n-3 PUFA are pleiotropic and multifaceted, resulting in an incomplete understanding of their molecular mechanisms of action. Here, we focus on a highly conserved mechanism of n-3 PUFA, which is the alteration of the organization of the plasma membrane. We highlight recent work demonstrating that enrichment of n-3 PUFA in the plasma membrane alters the lateral organization of membrane signaling assemblies (i.e. lipid rafts). This mechanism is central for n-3 PUFA regulation of downstream signaling, T-cell activation, transcriptional activation, and cytokine secretion. We conclude that these studies provide strong evidence for a predominant mechanism by which n-3 PUFA function in colon cancer prevention.

Rafts, Nanoparticles and Neural Disease

This review examines the role of membrane rafts in neural disease as a rationale for drug targeting utilizing lipid-based nanoparticles. The article begins with an overview of methodological issues involving the existence, sizes, and lifetimes of rafts, and then examines raft function in the etiologies of three major neural diseases-epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease-selected as promising candidates for raft-based therapeutics. Raft-targeting drug delivery systems involving liposomes and solid lipid nanoparticles are then examined in detail.

Oligomeric interactions of TGF-β and BMP receptors

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) cytokines participate in a multiplicity of ways in the regulation of numerous physiological and pathological processes. Their wide-ranging biological functions are controlled by several mechanisms, including regulation of transcription, complex formation among the signaling receptors (oligomerization) and with co-receptors, binding of the receptors to scaffolding proteins or their targeting to specific membrane domains. Here, we address the generation of TGF-β and BMP receptor homo- and hetero-oligomers and its roles as a mechanism capable of fast regulation of signaling by these crucial cytokines. We examine the available biochemical, biophysical and structural evidence for the ternary structure of these complexes, and the possible roles of homomeric and heteromeric receptor oligomers in signaling.

Neurodegeneration induced by clustering of sialylated glycosylphosphatidylinositols of prion proteins

The transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, more commonly known as the prion diseases, are associated with the production and aggregation of disease-related isoforms of the prion protein (PrP(Sc)). The mechanisms by which PrP(Sc) accumulation causes neurodegeneration in these diseases are poorly understood. In cultured neurons, the addition of PrP(Sc) alters cell membranes, increasing cholesterol, activating cytoplasmic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)), and triggering synapse damage. These effects of PrP(Sc) are dependent upon its glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor, suggesting that it is the increased density of GPIs that occurs following the aggregation of PrP(Sc) molecules that triggers neurodegeneration. This hypothesis was supported by observations that cross-linkage of the normal cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) also increased membrane cholesterol, activated cPLA(2), and triggered synapse damage. These effects were not seen after cross-linkage of Thy-1, another GPI-anchored protein, and were dependent on the GPI anchor attached to PrP(C) containing two acyl chains and sialic acid. We propose that the aggregation of PrP(Sc), or the cross-linkage of PrP(C), causes the clustering of sialic acid-containing GPI anchors at high densities, resulting in altered membrane composition, the pathological activation of cPLA(2), and synapse damage.

Disruption of virus-host cell interactions and cell signaling pathways as an anti-viral approach against influenza virus infections

Influenza is still one of the major plagues worldwide with the threatening potential to cause pandemics. In recent years, increasing levels of resistance to the four FDA approved anti-influenza virus drugs have been described. This situation underlines the urgent need for novel anti-virals in preparation for future influenza epidemics or pandemics. Although the anti-virals currently in use target viral factors such as the neuraminidase or the M2 ion channel, there is an increase in pre-clinical approaches that focus on cellular factors or pathways that directly or indirectly interact with virus replication. This does not only include inhibitors of virus-supportive signaling cascades but also interaction blockers of viral proteins with host cell proteins. This review aims to highlight some of these novel approaches that represent a paradigm change in anti-viral strategies against the influenza virus. Although most of these approaches are still in an early phase of preclinical development they might be very promising particularly with respect to the prevention of viral resistance to potential drugs.

Ras, an actor on many stages: posttranslational modifications, localization, and site-specified events

Among the wealth of information that we have gathered about Ras in the past decade, the introduction of the concept of space in the field has constituted a major revolution that has enabled many pieces of the Ras puzzle to fall into place. In the early days, it was believed that Ras functioned exclusively at the plasma membrane. Today, we know that within the plasma membrane, the 3 Ras isoforms-H-Ras, K-Ras, and N-Ras-occupy different microdomains and that these isoforms are also present and active in endomembranes. We have also discovered that Ras proteins are not statically associated with these localizations; instead, they traffic dynamically between compartments. And we have learned that at these localizations, Ras is under site-specific regulatory mechanisms, distinctively engaging effector pathways and switching on diverse genetic programs to generate different biological responses. All of these processes are possible in great part due to the posttranslational modifications whereby Ras proteins bind to membranes and to regulatory events such as phosphorylation and ubiquitination that Ras is subject to. As such, space and these control mechanisms act in conjunction to endow Ras signals with an enormous signal variability that makes possible its multiple biological roles. These data have established the concept that the Ras signal, instead of being one single, homogeneous entity, results from the integration of multiple, site-specified subsignals, and Ras has become a paradigm of how space can differentially shape signaling.

Intracellular lipid flux and membrane microdomains as organizing principles in inflammatory cell signaling

Lipid rafts and caveolae play a pivotal role in organization of signaling by TLR4 and several other immune receptors. Beyond the simple cataloguing of signaling events compartmentalized by these membrane microdomains, recent studies have revealed the surprisingly central importance of dynamic remodeling of membrane lipid domains to immune signaling. Simple interventions upon membrane lipid, such as changes in cholesterol loading or crosslinking of raft lipids, are sufficient to induce micrometer-scale reordering of membranes and their protein cargo with consequent signal transduction. In this review, using TLR signaling in the macrophage as a central focus, we discuss emerging evidence that environmental and genetic perturbations of membrane lipid regulate protein signaling, illustrate how homeostatic flow of cholesterol and other lipids through rafts regulates the innate immune response, and highlight recent attempts to harness these insights toward therapeutic development.

Ras trafficking, localization and compartmentalized signalling

Ras proteins are proto-oncogenes that are frequently mutated in human cancers. Three closely related isoforms, HRAS, KRAS and NRAS, are expressed in all cells and have overlapping but distinctive functions. Recent work has revealed how differences between the Ras isoforms in their trafficking, localization and protein-membrane orientation enable signalling specificity to be determined. We review the various strategies used to characterize compartmentalized Ras localization and signalling. Localization is an important contextual modifier of signalling networks and insights from the Ras system are of widespread relevance for researchers interested in signalling initiated from membranes.

A possible role for long non-coding RNA in modulating signaling pathways

Signaling proteins often engage in multiple protein-protein interactions that are dependent upon cellular context. Little is known about how signaling proteins select their interacting targets. The Ras GTPase is an example of a protein that can activate a large number of distinct and interconnected downstream signaling pathways. Hyperactive forms of Ras are commonly found in a variety of different cancers, often due to somatic mutations within the RAS gene. Despite extensive studies to identify Ras-regulated pathways, it is still not known exactly which pathways might be activated by hyperactive Ras in a given cellular and disease context. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are RNA transcripts longer than 200 bp exhibiting spatially and temporally-regulated expression patterns. LncRNAs have been shown to harbor biological activities but the functions of the great majority of lncRNAs are not known. We hypothesize that long non-coding RNAs serve as signaling modulators linking Ras and potentially other signaling proteins to their specific downstream targets and may therefore play a key role in how signals are propagated in a specific cellular environment. In support of our hypothesis we argue that lncRNAs have been shown to bind and regulate protein complexes targeting their enzymatic activity towards specific substrates. It has also been demonstrated that specific lncRNAs are expressed in particular types of cancers where they may influence tumor progression. Studies suggest that lncRNAs have evolved to help regulate complex biological processes that require the ability to stringently discriminate between a large number of potential effectors. If our hypothesis is correct, we envision that it will be possible to predict the target pathway of a mutant protein based on the lncRNA profile in a specific cancer. More generally, this will expand our understanding of how signal transduction networks are wired within a given biological context.

Accurate quantification of diffusion and binding kinetics of non-integral membrane proteins by FRAP

Non-integral membrane proteins frequently act as transduction hubs in vital signaling pathways initiated at the plasma membrane (PM). Their biological activity depends on dynamic interactions with the PM, which are governed by their lateral and cytoplasmic diffusion and membrane binding/unbinding kinetics. Accurate quantification of the multiple kinetic parameters characterizing their membrane interaction dynamics has been challenging. Despite a fair number of approximate fitting functions for analyzing fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) data, no approach was able to cope with the full diffusion-exchange problem. Here, we present an exact solution and matlab fitting programs for FRAP with a stationary Gaussian laser beam, allowing simultaneous determination of the membrane (un)binding rates and the diffusion coefficients. To reduce the number of fitting parameters, the cytoplasmic diffusion coefficient is determined separately. Notably, our equations include the dependence of the exchange kinetics on the distribution of the measured protein between the PM and the cytoplasm, enabling the derivation of both k(on) and k(off) without prior assumptions. After validating the fitting function by computer simulations, we confirm the applicability of our approach to live-cell data by monitoring the dynamics of GFP-N-Ras mutants under conditions with different contributions of lateral diffusion and exchange to the FRAP kinetics.

Raft protein clustering alters N-Ras membrane interactions and activation pattern

The trafficking, membrane localization, and lipid raft association of Ras proteins, which are crucial oncogenic mediators, dictate their isoform-specific biological responses. Accordingly, their spatiotemporal dynamics are tightly regulated. While extensively studied for H- and K-Ras, such information on N-Ras, an etiological oncogenic factor, is limited. Here, we report a novel mechanism regulating the activation-dependent spatiotemporal organization of N-Ras, its modulation by biologically relevant stimuli, and isoform-specific effects on signaling. We combined patching/immobilization of another membrane protein with fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (patch-FRAP) and FRAP beam size analysis to investigate N-Ras membrane interactions. Clustering of raft-associated proteins, either glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA-GPI) or fibronectin receptors, selectively enhanced the plasma membrane-cytoplasm exchange of N-Ras-GTP (preferentially associated with raft domains) in a cholesterol-dependent manner. Electron microscopy (EM) analysis showed N-Ras-GTP localization in cholesterol-sensitive clusters, from which it preferentially detached upon HA-GPI cross-linking. HA-GPI clustering enhanced the Golgi compartment (GC) accumulation and signaling of epidermal growth factor (EGF)-stimulated N-Ras-GTP. Notably, the cross-linking-mediated enhancement of N-Ras-GTP exchange and GC accumulation depended strictly on depalmitoylation. We propose that the N-Ras activation pattern (e.g., by EGF) is altered by raft protein clustering, which enhances N-Ras-GTP raft localization and depalmitoylation, entailing its exchange and GC accumulation following repalmitoylation. This mechanism demonstrates a functional signaling role for the activation-dependent differential association of Ras isoforms with raft nanodomains.

Homomeric and heteromeric complexes among TGF-β and BMP receptors and their roles in signaling

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) ligands and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) play myriad roles in many biological processes and diseases. Their pluripotent activities are subject to multiple levels of regulation, including receptor oligomerization, endocytosis, association with co-receptors, cellular scaffolds or membrane domains, as well as transcriptional control. In this review, we focus on TGF-β and BMP receptor homomeric and heteromeric complex formation and their modulation by ligand binding, which regulate signaling on a near-immediate timescale. We discuss the current structural, biochemical and biophysical evidence for the oligomerization of these receptors, and the potential roles of distinct oligomeric interactions in signaling.

Formation of stable homomeric and transient heteromeric bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) receptor complexes regulates Smad protein signaling

The type I and type II bone morphogenetic protein receptors (BMPRI and BMPRII) are present at the plasma membrane as monomers and homomeric and heteromeric complexes, which are modulated by ligand binding. The complexes of their extracellular domains with ligand were shown to form heterotetramers. However, the dynamics of the oligomeric interactions among the full-length receptors in live cell membranes were not explored, and the roles of BMP receptor homodimerization were unknown. Here, we investigated these issues by combining patching/immobilization of an epitope-tagged BMP receptor at the cell surface with measurements of the lateral diffusion of a co-expressed, differently tagged BMP receptor by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP). These studies led to several novel conclusions. (a) All homomeric complexes (without or with BMP-2) were stable on the patch/FRAP time scale (minutes), whereas the heterocomplexes were transient, a difference that may affect signaling. (b) Patch/FRAP between HA- and myc-tagged BMPRII combined with competition by untagged BMPRIb showed that the heterocomplexes form at the expense of homodimers. (c) Stabilization of BMPRII·BMPRIb heterocomplexes (but not homomeric complexes) by IgG binding to same-tag receptors elevated phospho-Smad formation both without and with BMP-2. These findings suggest two mechanisms that may suppress the tendency of preformed BMP receptor hetero-oligomers to signal without ligand: (a) competition between homo- and heterocomplex formation, which reduces the steady-state level of the latter, and (b) the transient nature of the heterocomplexes, which limits the time during which BMPRI can be phosphorylated by BMPRII in the heterocomplex.

Mechanistic principles of RAF kinase signaling

The RAF family of kinases are key components acting downstream of receptor tyrosine kinases and cells employ several distinct mechanisms to strictly control their activity. RAF transitions from an inactive state, where the N-terminal regulatory region binds intramolecularly to the C-terminal kinase domain, to an open state capable of executing the phosphoryl transfer reaction. This transition involves changes both within and between the protein domains in RAF. Many different proteins regulate the transition between inactive and active states of RAF, including RAS and KSR, which are arguably the two most prominent regulators of RAF function. Recent developments have added several new twists to our understanding of RAF regulation. Among others, dimerization of the RAF kinase domain is emerging as a crucial step in the RAF activation process. The multitude of regulatory protein-protein interactions involving RAF remains a largely untapped area for therapeutic applications.

Therapeutic levels of the hydroxmethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitor lovastatin activate ras signaling via phospholipase D2

Hydroxmethylglutaryl (HMG)-coenzyme A (CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) lower serum cholesterol but exhibit pleiotropic biological effects that are difficult to ascribe solely to cholesterol depletion. Here, we investigated the effect of lovastatin on protein prenylation and cell signaling. We show that high concentrations (50 μM) of lovastatin inhibit Ras, Rho, and Rap prenylation but that therapeutic levels of lovastatin (50 nM to 500 nM) do not. In contrast, depletion of cellular cholesterol by therapeutic levels of lovastatin increased Ras GTP loading and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells and rodent fibroblasts. Elevated Ras signaling was not seen in statin-treated cells if cholesterol levels were maintained by supplementation. Activation of Ras-MAPK signaling was a consequence of, and dependent on, activation of phospholipase D2 (PLD2). Expression of dominant interfering PLD2 or biochemical inhibition of PLD2 abrogated Ras and MAPK activation induced by lovastatin. In contrast, ectopic expression of wild-type PLD2 enhanced Ras and MAPK activation in response to therapeutic levels of lovastatin. Statin-induced cholesterol depletion also modestly activated the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), resulting in downregulation of EGFR expression. These results suggest that statins modulate key cell signaling pathways as a direct consequence of cholesterol depletion and identify the EGFR-PLD2-Ras-MAPK axis as an important statin target.

Lipid rafts as functional heterogeneity in cell membranes

Biological membranes are not structurally passive solvents of amphipathic proteins and lipids. Rather, it appears their constituents have evolved intrinsic characteristics that make homogeneous distribution of components unlikely. As a case in point, the concept of lipid rafts has received considerable attention from biologists and biophysicists since the formalization of the hypothesis more than 10 years ago. Today, it is clear that sphingolipid and cholesterol can self-associate into micron-scaled phases in model membranes and that these lipids are involved in the formation of highly dynamic nanoscale heterogeneity in the plasma membrane of living cells. However, it remains unclear whether these entities are manifestations of the same principle. A powerful means by which the molecular organization of rafts can be assessed is through analysis of their functionalized condition. Raft heterogeneity can be activated to coalesce and laterally reorganize/stabilize bioactivity in cell membranes. Evaluation of this property suggests that functional raft heterogeneity arises through principles of lipid-driven phase segregation coupled to additional chemical specificities, probably involving proteins.

Differential regulation of type I interferon and epidermal growth factor pathways by a human Respirovirus virulence factor

A number of paramyxoviruses are responsible for acute respiratory infections in children, elderly and immuno-compromised individuals, resulting in airway inflammation and exacerbation of chronic diseases like asthma. To understand the molecular pathogenesis of these infections, we searched for cellular targets of the virulence protein C of human parainfluenza virus type 3 (hPIV3-C). We found that hPIV3-C interacts directly through its C-terminal domain with STAT1 and GRB2, whereas C proteins from measles or Nipah viruses failed to do so. Binding to STAT1 explains the previously reported capacity of hPIV3-C to block type I interferon signaling, but the interaction with GRB2 was unexpected. This adaptor protein bridges Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) receptor to MAPK/ERK pathway, a signaling cascade recently found to be involved in airway inflammatory response. We report that either hPIV3 infection or transient expression of hPIV3-C both increase cellular response to EGF, as assessed by Elk1 transactivation and phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2, 40S ribosomal subunit protein S6 and translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E). Furthermore, inhibition of MAPK/ERK pathway with U0126 prevented viral protein expression in infected cells. Altogether, our data provide molecular basis to explain the role of hPIV3-C as a virulence factor and determinant of pathogenesis and demonstrate that Paramyxoviridae have evolved a single virulence factor to block type I interferon signaling and to boost simultaneous cellular response to growth factors.

Respiroviruses are important pathogens responsible for acute respiratory tract infections associated with severe airway inflammation in children, elderly and immuno-compromised individuals. Their RNA genome encodes for structural proteins that compose viral particles, but also for virulence factors that alter cell biology to enhance virus replication and spreading. Among them, the C protein plays a critical role by blocking cellular response to type I interferons, the main antiviral cytokines secreted during virus infections. To provide molecular basis to this activity, we found that the C protein of human parainfluenza virus type 3 (hPIV3-C), the most frequent human Respirovirus, interacts with STAT1, a key component of type I interferon receptor complex. But hPIV3-C was also found to interact with GRB2, an adaptor molecule involved in cellular response to Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), and to enhance cell response to this cytokine. This pathway increases protein translation, promotes cell survival and contributes to airway inflammation and mucus secretion. Thus, our findings show that hPIV3-C not only inhibits the antiviral response but also stimulates cellular response to EGF, which benefits virus replication and induces an excessive inflammation of airways during infection.

Essential role of Notch signaling in apoptosis of human pancreatic tumoral cells mediated by exosomal nanoparticles

We previously reported that exosomal nanoparticles secreted by human pancreatic tumoral cell lines decrease tumoral cell proliferation through the mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathway, because of activation of pro-apoptotic phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) and of glucose synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3beta). Interactions between exosomal nanoparticles and cells are thought to involve membrane lipid rafts. However, the underlying mechanism is unknown. Here, we report that the interaction of exosomal nanoparticles with pancreatic cancer cells led to decreased expression of hairy and enhancer-of-split homolog-1 (Hes-1), the intranuclear target of Notch-1 signaling pathway, and to activation of the apoptotic pathway after a cell cycle arrest in G(0)G(1) phase. Strikingly, the expression level of Notch-1 pathway components was critical, because exosomal nanoparticles decreased the proliferation of cells in which these partners are either weakly represented, in differentiated adenocarcinoma cells, or inhibited, in poorly differentiated carcinoma cells, by blocking presenilin in the gamma-secretase complex that regulates the Notch-1 pathway. Overexpression of Notch-1 intracellular domain resulted in the reversion of the cell proliferation inhibition promoted by exosomal nanoparticles. Blocking presenilin unexpectedly resulted in activation of PTEN and GSK-3beta. Conversely, inhibiting either PTEN or GSK-3beta increased Hes-1 expression and partially counteracted the inhibition of proliferation promoted by exosomal nanoparticles, highlighting reciprocal regulations between Notch signaling and PTEN/GSK-3beta. We concluded that interactions of exosomal nanoparticles with target cells, at lipid rafts where Notch-1 pathway partners are localized, hampered the functioning of the Notch-1 survival pathway and activated the apoptotic pathway, which determines tumoral cell fate.