The PDZ protein GIPC regulates trafficking of the LPA1 receptor from APPL signaling endosomes and attenuates the cell's response to LPA

LPAR1 regulates enteric nervous system function through glial signaling and contributes to chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction

Gastrointestinal motility disorders involve alterations to the structure and/or function of the enteric nervous system (ENS) but the causal mechanisms remain unresolved in most cases. Homeostasis and disease in the ENS are processes that are regulated by enteric glia. Signaling mediated through type I lysophosphatidic acid receptors (LPAR1) has recently emerged as an important mechanism that contributes to disease, in part, through effects on peripheral glial survival and function. Enteric glia express LPAR1 but its role in ENS function and motility disorders is unknown. We used a combination of genetic, immunohistochemical, calcium imaging, and in vivo pharmacological approaches to investigate the role of LPAR1 in enteric glia. LPAR1 was enriched in enteric glia in mice and humans and LPA stimulated intracellular calcium responses in enteric glia, subsequently recruiting activity in a subpopulation of myenteric neurons. Blocking LPAR1 in vivo with AM966 attenuated gastrointestinal motility in mice and produced marked enteric neuro- and gliopathy. Samples from humans with chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO), a severe motility disorder, showed reduced glial LPAR1 expression in the colon and ileum. These data suggest that enteric glial LPAR1 signaling regulates gastrointestinal motility through enteric glia and could contribute to severe motility disorders in humans such as CIPO.

Molecular Regulation of Lysophosphatidic Acid Receptor 1 Maturation and Desensitization

Lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 (LPA1) belongs to the G protein-coupled receptor family. The ligand for LPA1 is LPA, the simplest lysophospholipid. LPA is considered a growth factor and induces cell proliferation, anti-apoptosis, and cell migration. The pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic roles of LPA have also been well-demonstrated. Most of the biological functions of LPA are mostly executed through LPA1. The mature form of LPA1 is glycosylated and localized on the plasma membrane. LPA1 is bound to heterotrimetric G proteins and transduces intracellular signaling in response to ligation to LPA. Desensitization of LPA1 negatively regulates LPA1-mediated signaling and the resulting biological functions. Phosphorylation and ubiquitination are well-demonstrated posttranslational modifications of GPCR. In this review, we will discuss our knowledge of LPA1 glycosylation, maturation, and trafficking from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)/Golgi to the plasma membrane. Moreover, in light of recent findings, we will also discuss molecular regulation of LPA1 internalization and stability.

The LPA3 Receptor: Regulation and Activation of Signaling Pathways

The lysophosphatidic acid 3 receptor (LPA₃) participates in different physiological actions and in the pathogenesis of many diseases through the activation of different signal pathways. Knowledge of the regulation of the function of the LPA₃ receptor is a crucial element for defining its roles in health and disease. This review describes what is known about the signaling pathways activated in terms of its various actions. Next, we review knowledge on the structure of the LPA₃ receptor, the domains found, and the roles that the latter might play in ligand recognition, signaling, and cellular localization. Currently, there is some information on the action of LPA₃ in different cells and whole organisms, but very little is known about the regulation of its function. Areas in which there is a gap in our knowledge are indicated in order to further stimulate experimental work on this receptor and on other members of the LPA receptor family. We are convinced that knowledge on how this receptor is activated, the signaling pathways employed and how the receptor internalization and desensitization are controlled will help design new therapeutic interventions for treating diseases in which the LPA₃ receptor is implicated.

Autophagy-Mediated Exosomes as Immunomodulators of Natural Killer Cells in Pancreatic Cancer Microenvironment

Pancreas ductal adenocarcinoma is a highly aggressive cancer with an incredible poor lifespan. Different chemotherapeutic agents' schemes have been tested along the years without significant success. Furthermore, immunotherapy also fails to cope with the disease, even in combination with other standard approaches. Autophagy stands out as a chemoresistance mechanism and is also becoming relevant as responsible for the inefficacy of immunotherapy. In this complex scenario, exosomes have emerged as a new key player in tumor environment. Exosomes act as messengers among tumor cells, including tumor microenvironment immune cells. For instance, tumor-derived exosomes are capable of generating a tolerogenic microenvironment, which in turns conditions the immune system behavior. But also, immune cells-derived exosomes, under non-tolerogenic conditions, induce tumor suppression, although they are able to promote chemoresistance. In that way, NK cells are well known key regulators of carcinogenesis and the inhibition of their function is detrimental for tumor suppression. Additionally, increasing evidence suggests a crosstalk between exosome biogenesis and the autophagy pathway. This mini review has the intention to summarize the available data in the complex relationships between the autophagy pathway and the broad spectrum of exosomes subpopulations in pancreatic cancer, with focus on the NK cells response.

Strength and duration of GIPC-dependent signaling networks as determinants in cancer

GIPC is a PDZ-domain containing adaptor protein that regulates the cell surface expression and endocytic trafficking of numerous transmembrane receptors and signaling complexes. Interactions with over 50 proteins have been reported to date including VEGFR, insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R), GPCRs, and APPL, many of which have essential roles in neuronal and cardiovascular development. In cancer, a major subset of GIPC-binding receptors and cytoplasmic effectors have been shown to promote tumorigenesis or metastatic progression, while other subsets have demonstrated strong tumor-suppressive effects. Given that these diverse pathways are widespread in normal tissues and human malignancies, precisely how these opposing signals are integrated and regulated within the same tumor setting likely depend on the strength and duration of their interactions with GIPC. This review highlights the major pathways and divergent mechanisms of GIPC signaling in various cancers and provide a rationale for emerging GIPC-targeted cancer therapies.

Compartmentalized GPCR Signaling from Intracellular Membranes

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are integral membrane proteins that transduce a wide array of inputs including light, ions, hormones, and neurotransmitters into intracellular signaling responses which underlie complex processes ranging from vision to learning and memory. Although traditionally thought to signal primarily from the cell surface, GPCRs are increasingly being recognized as capable of signaling from intracellular membrane compartments, including endosomes, the Golgi apparatus, and nuclear membranes. Remarkably, GPCR signaling from these membranes produces functional effects that are distinct from signaling from the plasma membrane, even though often the same G protein effectors and second messengers are activated. In this review, we will discuss the emerging idea of a "spatial bias" in signaling. We will present the evidence for GPCR signaling through G protein effectors from intracellular membranes, and the ways in which this signaling differs from canonical plasma membrane signaling with important implications for physiology and pharmacology. We also highlight the potential mechanisms underlying spatial bias of GPCR signaling, including how intracellular membranes and their associated lipids and proteins affect GPCR activity and signaling.

Tyrosine-Based Signals Regulate the Assembly of Daple⋅PARD3 Complex at Cell-Cell Junctions

Polarized distribution of organelles and molecules inside a cell is vital for a range of cellular processes and its loss is frequently encountered in disease. Polarization during planar cell migration is a special condition in which cellular orientation is triggered by cell-cell contact. We demonstrate that the protein Daple (CCDC88C) is a component of cell junctions in epithelial cells which serves like a cellular “compass” for establishing and maintaining contact-triggered planar polarity. Furthermore, these processes may be mediated through interaction with the polarity regulator PARD3. This interaction, mediated by Daple's PDZ-binding motif (PBM) and the third PDZ domain of PARD3, is fine-tuned by tyrosine phosphorylation on Daple's PBM by receptor and non-receptor tyrosine kinases, such as Src. Hypophosphorylation strengthens the interaction, whereas hyperphosphorylation disrupts it, thereby revealing an unexpected role of Daple as a platform for signal integration and gradient sensing for tyrosine-based signals within the planar cell polarity pathway.

•

Daple localizes to cell junction, regulates planar cell migration

•

Localization requires Daple's C-terminal PDZ-binding motif (PBM)

•

The PBM binds a PDZ module of the polarity determinant PARD3

•

The Daple⋅PARD3 interaction is regulated by tyrosine-based signals

Approaches to Identify and Characterise MYO6-Cargo Interactions

Given the prevalence and importance of the actin cytoskeleton and the host of associated myosin motors, it comes as no surprise to find that they are linked to a plethora of cellular functions and pathologies. Although our understanding of the biophysical properties of myosin motors has been aided by the high levels of conservation in their motor domains and the extensive work on myosin in skeletal muscle contraction, our understanding of how the nonmuscle myosins participate in such a wide variety of cellular processes is less clear. It is now well established that the highly variable myosin tails are responsible for targeting these myosins to distinct cellular sites for specific functions, and although a number of adaptor proteins have been identified, our current understanding of the cellular processes involved is rather limited. Furthermore, as more adaptor proteins, cargoes and complexes are identified, the importance of elucidating the regulatory mechanisms involved is essential. Ca2+, and now phosphorylation and ubiquitination, are emerging as important regulators of cargo binding, and it is likely that other post-translational modifications are also involved. In the case of myosin VI (MYO6), a number of immediate binding partners have been identified using traditional approaches such as yeast two-hybrid screens and affinity-based pull-downs. However, these methods have only been successful in identifying the cargo adaptors, but not the cargoes themselves, which may often comprise multi-protein complexes. Furthermore, motor-adaptor-cargo interactions are dynamic by nature and often weak, transient and highly regulated and therefore difficult to capture using traditional affinity-based methods. In this chapter we will discuss the various approaches including functional proteomics that have been used to uncover and characterise novel MYO6-associated proteins and complexes and how this work contributes to a fuller understanding of the targeting and function(s) of this unique myosin motor.

Lysophosphatidic Acid and Autotaxin-associated Effects on the Initiation and Progression of Colorectal Cancer

The intestinal epithelium interacts dynamically with the immune system to maintain its barrier function to protect the host, while performing the physiological roles in absorption of nutrients, electrolytes, water and minerals. The importance of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and its receptors in the gut has been progressively appreciated. LPA signaling modulates cell proliferation, invasion, adhesion, angiogenesis, and survival that can promote cancer growth and metastasis. These effects are equally important for the maintenance of the epithelial barrier in the gut, which forms the first line of defense against the milieu of potentially pathogenic stimuli. This review focuses on the LPA-mediated signaling that potentially contributes to inflammation and tumor formation in the gastrointestinal tract.

GIPC proteins negatively modulate Plexind1 signaling during vascular development

Semaphorins (SEMAs) and their Plexin (PLXN) receptors are central regulators of metazoan cellular communication. SEMA-PLXND1 signaling plays important roles in cardiovascular, nervous, and immune system development, and cancer biology. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that modulate SEMA-PLXND1 signaling. As PLXND1 associates with GIPC family endocytic adaptors, we evaluated the requirement for the molecular determinants of their association and PLXND1's vascular role. Zebrafish that endogenously express a Plxnd1 receptor with a predicted impairment in GIPC binding exhibit low penetrance angiogenesis deficits and antiangiogenic drug hypersensitivity. Moreover, gipc mutant fish show angiogenic impairments that are ameliorated by reducing Plxnd1 signaling. Finally, GIPC depletion potentiates SEMA-PLXND1 signaling in cultured endothelial cells. These findings expand the vascular roles of GIPCs beyond those of the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)-dependent, proangiogenic GIPC1-Neuropilin 1 complex, recasting GIPCs as negative modulators of antiangiogenic PLXND1 signaling and suggest that PLXND1 trafficking shapes vascular development.

Endocytosis is required for CXC chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4)-mediated Akt activation and antiapoptotic signaling

Signaling activated by binding of the CXC motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12) to its cognate G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), chemokine CXC motif receptor 4 (CXCR4), is linked to metastatic disease. However, the mechanisms governing CXCR4 signaling remain poorly understood. Here, we show that endocytosis and early endosome antigen 1 (EEA1), which is part of the endosome fusion machinery, are required for CXCL12-mediated AKT Ser/Thr kinase (Akt) signaling selective for certain Akt substrates. Pharmacological inhibition of endocytosis partially attenuated CXCL12-induced phosphorylation of Akt, but not phosphorylation of ERK-1/2. Similarly, phosphorylation of Akt, but not ERK-1/2, stimulated by CXCL13, the cognate ligand for the chemokine receptor CXCR5, was also attenuated by inhibited endocytosis. Furthermore, siRNA-mediated depletion of the Rab5-effector EEA1, but not of adaptor protein, phosphotyrosine-interacting with PH domain and leucine zipper 1 (APPL1), partially attenuated Akt, but not ERK-1/2, phosphorylation promoted by CXCR4. Attenuation of Akt phosphorylation through inhibition of endocytosis or EEA1 depletion was associated with reduced signaling to Akt substrate forkhead box O1/3a but not the Akt substrates TSC complex subunit 2 or glycogen synthase kinase 3β. This suggested that endocytosis and endosomes govern discrete aspects of CXCR4- or CXCR5-mediated Akt signaling. Consistent with this hypothesis, depletion of EEA1 reduced the ability of CXCL12 to attenuate apoptosis in suspended, but not adherent, HeLa cells. Our results suggest a mechanism whereby compartmentalized chemokine-mediated Akt signaling from endosomes suppresses the cancer-related process known as anoikis. Targeting this signaling pathway may help inhibit metastatic cancer involving receptors such as CXCR4.

The MYO6 interactome reveals adaptor complexes coordinating early endosome and cytoskeletal dynamics

The intracellular functions of myosin motors requires a number of adaptor molecules, which control cargo attachment, but also fine-tune motor activity in time and space. These motor-adaptor-cargo interactions are often weak, transient or highly regulated. To overcome these problems, we use a proximity labelling-based proteomics strategy to map the interactome of the unique minus end-directed actin motor MYO6. Detailed biochemical and functional analysis identified several distinct MYO6-adaptor modules including two complexes containing RhoGEFs: the LIFT (LARG-Induced F-actin for Tethering) complex that controls endosome positioning and motility through RHO-driven actin polymerisation; and the DISP (DOCK7-Induced Septin disPlacement) complex, a novel regulator of the septin cytoskeleton. These complexes emphasise the role of MYO6 in coordinating endosome dynamics and cytoskeletal architecture. This study provides the first in vivo interactome of a myosin motor protein and highlights the power of this approach in uncovering dynamic and functionally diverse myosin motor complexes.

MYO6 Regulates Spatial Organization of Signaling Endosomes Driving AKT Activation and Actin Dynamics

APPL1- and RAB5-positive signaling endosomes play a crucial role in the activation of AKT in response to extracellular stimuli. Myosin VI (MYO6) and two of its cargo adaptor proteins, GIPC and TOM1/TOM1L2, localize to these peripheral endosomes and mediate endosome association with cortical actin filaments. Loss of MYO6 leads to the displacement of these endosomes from the cell cortex and accumulation in the perinuclear space. Depletion of this myosin not only affects endosome positioning, but also induces actin and lipid remodeling consistent with endosome maturation, including accumulation of F-actin and the endosomal lipid PI(3)P. These processes acutely perturb endosome function, as both AKT phosphorylation and RAC-dependent membrane ruffling were markedly reduced by depletion of either APPL1 or MYO6. These results place MYO6 and its binding partners at a central nexus in cellular signaling linking actin dynamics at the cell surface and endosomal signaling in the cell cortex.

α5β1 integrin trafficking and Rac activation are regulated by APPL1 in a Rab5-dependent manner to inhibit cell migration

Cell migration is a tightly coordinated process that requires the spatiotemporal regulation of many molecular components. Because adaptor proteins can serve as integrators of cellular events, they are being increasingly studied as regulators of cell migration. The adaptor protein containing a pleckstrin-homology (PH) domain, phosphotyrosine binding (PTB) domain, and leucine zipper motif 1 (APPL1) is a 709 amino acid endosomal protein that plays a role in cell proliferation and survival as well as endosomal trafficking and signaling. However, its function in regulating cell migration is poorly understood. Here, we show that APPL1 hinders cell migration by modulating both trafficking and signaling events controlled by Rab5 in cancer cells. APPL1 decreases internalization and increases recycling of α5β1 integrin, leading to higher levels of α5β1 integrin at the cell surface that hinder adhesion dynamics. Furthermore, APPL1 decreases the activity of the GTPase Rac and its effector PAK, which in turn regulate cell migration. Thus, we demonstrate a novel role for the interaction between APPL1 and Rab5 in governing crosstalk between signaling and trafficking pathways on endosomes to affect cancer cell migration.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.

APPL1 is a multifunctional endosomal signaling adaptor protein

Endosomal adaptor proteins are important regulators of signaling pathways underlying many biological processes. These adaptors can integrate signals from multiple pathways via localization to specific endosomal compartments, as well as through multiple protein-protein interactions. One such adaptor protein that has been implicated in regulating signaling pathways is the adaptor protein containing a pleckstrin homology (PH) domain, phosphotyrosine-binding (PTB) domain, and leucine zipper motif 1 (APPL1). APPL1 localizes to a subset of Rab5-positive endosomes through its Bin-Amphiphysin-Rvs and PH domains, and it coordinates signaling pathways through its interaction with many signaling receptors and proteins through its PTB domain. This review discusses our current understanding of the role of APPL1 in signaling and trafficking, as well as highlights recent work into the function of APPL1 in cell migration and adhesion.

The neuropilin 2 isoform NRP2b uniquely supports TGFβ-mediated progression in lung cancer

Neuropilins (NRP1 and NRP2) are co-receptors for heparin-binding growth factors and class 3 semaphorins. Different isoforms of NRP1 and NRP2 are produced by alternative splicing. We found that in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines, transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) signaling preferentially increased the abundance of NRP2b. NRP2b and NRP2a differ only in their carboxyl-terminal regions. Although the presence of NRP2b inhibited cultured cell proliferation and primary tumor growth, NRP2b enhanced cellular migration, invasion into Matrigel, and tumorsphere formation in cultured cells in response to TGFβ signaling and promoted metastasis in xenograft mouse models. These effects of overexpressed NRP2b contrast with the effects of overexpressed NRP2a. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-induced phosphorylation of the kinase AKT was specifically promoted by NRP2b, whereas inhibiting the HGF receptor MET attenuated NRP2b-dependent cell migration. Unlike NRP2a, NRP2b did not bind the PDZ domain scaffolding protein GAIP carboxyl terminus-interacting protein (GIPC1) and only weakly recruited phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), potentially explaining the difference between NRP2b-mediated and NRP2a-mediated effects. Analysis of NSCLC patient tumors showed that NRP2b abundance correlated with that of the immune cell checkpoint receptor ligand PD-L1 as well as with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotypes in the tumors, acquired resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors, disease progression, and poor survival in patients. NRP2b knockdown attenuated the acquisition of resistance to the EGFR inhibitor gefitinib in cultured NSCLC cells. Thus, in NSCLC, NRP2b contributed to the oncogenic response to TGFβ and correlated with tumor progression in patients.

Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1)/GIPC1 pathway mediates glioma progression

Glioma occurs due to multi-gene abnormalities. Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1), as a transmembrane protein, involves in glioma proliferation, invasion, and migration, as well as tumor angiogenesis. The cytoplasmic protein, GAIP/RGS19-interacting protein (GIPC1), could regulate the clathrin-vesicles trafficking and recycling. Here, we show that NRP-1 co-localizes and co-immunoprecipitates with GIPC1, and the C-terminal SEA-COOH motif of NRP-1 interacts specially with the named from three proteins: PSD-95 (a 95 kDa protein involved in signaling at the post-synaptic density), DLG (the Drosophila melanogaster Discs Large protein) and ZO-1 (the zonula occludens 1 protein involved in maintenance of epithelial polarity) (PDZ) domain of GIPC1 in glioma cells. Knockdown of GIPC1 by small interfering RNA (siRNA) significantly reduces the proliferation and invasion of glioma cells in vitro and increases its apoptosis. Furthermore, si-GIPC1 prevents the action of adaptor proteins adaptor protein, phosphotyrosine interaction, PH domain and leucine zipper containing 1 (APPL1) and p130Cas and inhibits the downstream kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS)-ERK signaling pathway. This study demonstrated that NRP-1/GIPC1 pathway plays a vital role in glioma progression, and it is a potential important target for multi-gene combined therapeutics.

APPL endosomes are not obligatory endocytic intermediates but act as stable cargo-sorting compartments

Endocytosis allows cargo to enter a series of specialized endosomal compartments, beginning with early endosomes harboring Rab5 and its effector EEA1. There are, however, additional structures labeled by the Rab5 effector APPL1 whose role in endocytic transport remains unclear. It has been proposed that APPL1 vesicles are transport intermediates that convert into EEA1 endosomes. Here, we tested this model by analyzing the ultrastructural morphology, kinetics of cargo transport, and stability of the APPL1 compartment over time. We found that APPL1 resides on a tubulo-vesicular compartment that is capable of sorting cargo for recycling or degradation and that displays long lifetimes, all features typical of early endosomes. Fitting mathematical models to experimental data rules out maturation of APPL1 vesicles into EEA1 endosomes as a primary mechanism for cargo transport. Our data suggest instead that APPL1 endosomes represent a distinct population of Rab5-positive sorting endosomes, thus providing important insights into the compartmental organization of the early endocytic pathway.

A GIPC1-Palmitate Switch Modulates Dopamine Drd3 Receptor Trafficking and Signaling

Palmitoylation is involved in several neuropsychiatric and movement disorders for which a dysfunctional signaling of the dopamine D3 receptor (Drd3) is hypothesized. Computational modeling of Drd3's homologue, Drd2, has shed some light on the putative role of palmitoylation as a reversible switch for dopaminergic receptor signaling. Drd3 is presumed to be palmitoylated, based on sequence homology with Drd2, but the functional attributes afforded by Drd3 palmitoylation have not been studied. Since these receptors are major targets of antipsychotic and anti-Parkinsonian drugs, a better characterization of Drd3 signaling and posttranslational modifications, like palmitoylation, may improve the prospects for drug development. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we evaluated in silico how Drd3 palmitoylation could elicit significant remodeling of the C-terminal cytoplasmic domain to expose docking sites for signaling proteins. We tested this model in cellulo by using the interaction of Drd3 with the G-alpha interacting protein (GAIP) C terminus 1 (GIPC1) as a template. From a series of biochemical studies, live imaging, and analyses of mutant proteins, we propose that Drd3 palmitoylation acts as a molecular switch for Drd3-biased signaling via a GIPC1-dependent route, which is likely to affect the mode of action of antipsychotic drugs.

Viral Interactions with PDZ Domain-Containing Proteins-An Oncogenic Trait?

Many of the human viruses with oncogenic capabilities, either in their natural host or in experimental systems (hepatitis B and C, human T cell leukaemia virus type 1, Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus, human immunodeficiency virus, high-risk human papillomaviruses and adenovirus type 9), encode in their limited genome the ability to target cellular proteins containing PSD95/ DLG/ZO-1 (PDZ) interaction modules. In many cases (but not always), the viruses have evolved to bind the PDZ domains using the same short linear peptide motifs found in host protein-PDZ interactions, and in some cases regulate the interactions in a similar fashion by phosphorylation. What is striking is that the diverse viruses target a common subset of PDZ proteins that are intimately involved in controlling cell polarity and the structure and function of intercellular junctions, including tight junctions. Cell polarity is fundamental to the control of cell proliferation and cell survival and disruption of polarity and the signal transduction pathways involved is a key event in tumourigenesis. This review focuses on the oncogenic viruses and the role of targeting PDZ proteins in the virus life cycle and the contribution of virus-PDZ protein interactions to virus-mediated oncogenesis. We highlight how many of the viral associations with PDZ proteins lead to deregulation of PI3K/AKT signalling, benefitting virus replication but as a consequence also contributing to oncogenesis.

Cross-talk between lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 and tropomyosin receptor kinase A promotes lung epithelial cell migration

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a bioactive lysophospholipid, which plays a crucial role in the regulation of cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. LPA exerts its biological effects mainly through binding to cell-surface LPA receptors (LPA1-6), which belong to the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family. Recent studies suggest that cross-talk between receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and GPCRs modulates GPCRs-mediated signaling. Tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA) is a RTK, which mediates nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced biological functions including cell migration in neuronal and non-neuronal cells. Here, we show LPA1 transactivation of TrkA in murine lung epithelial cells (MLE12). LPA induced tyrosine phosphorylation of TrkA in both time- and dose-dependent manners. Down-regulation of LPA1 by siRNA transfection attenuated LPA-induced phosphorylation of TrkA, suggesting a cross-talk between LPA1 and TrkA. To investigate the molecular regulation of the cross-talk, we focused on the interaction between LPA1 and TrkA. We found that LPA induced interaction between LPA1 and TrkA. The LPA1/TrkA complex was localized on the plasma membrane and in the cytoplasm. The C-terminus of LPA1 was identified as the binding site for TrkA. Inhibition of TrkA attenuated LPA-induced phosphorylation of TrkA and LPA1 internalization, as well as lung epithelial cell migration. These studies provide a molecular mechanism for the transactivation of TrkA by LPA, and suggest that the cross-talk between LPA1 and TrkA regulates LPA-induced receptor internalization and lung epithelial cell migration.

Phosphorylation and Internalization of Lysophosphatidic Acid Receptors LPA1, LPA2, and LPA3

Results

The lysophosphatidic acid receptors LPA₁, LPA₂, and LPA₃ were individually expressed in C9 cells and their signaling and regulation were studied. Agonist-activation increases intracellular calcium concentration in a concentration-dependent fashion. Phorbol myristate acetate markedly inhibited LPA₁- and LPA₃-mediated effect, whereas that mediated by LPA₂ was only partially diminished; the actions of the phorbol ester were inhibited by bisindolylmaleimide I and by overnight incubation with the protein kinase C activator, which leads to down regulation of this protein kinase. Homologous desensitization was also observed for the three LPA receptors studied, with that of LPA₂ receptors being consistently of lesser magnitude; neither inhibition nor down-regulation of protein kinase C exerted any effect on homologous desensitization. Activation of LPA_1–3 receptors induced ERK 1/2 phosphorylation; this effect was markedly attenuated by inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase activity, suggesting growth factor receptor transactivation in this effect. Lysophosphatidic acid and phorbol myristate acetate were able to induce LPA_1–3 phosphorylation, in time- and concentration-dependent fashions. It was also clearly observed that agonists and protein kinase C activation induced internalization of these receptors. Phosphorylation of the LPA₂ subtype required larger concentrations of these agents and its internalization was less intense than that of the other subtypes.

Conclusion

Our data show that these three LPA receptors are phosphoproteins whose phosphorylation state is modulated by agonist-stimulation and protein kinase C-activation and that differences in regulation and cellular localization exist, among the subtypes.

The GIPC1-Akt1 Pathway Is Required for the Specification of the Eye Field in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells

During early patterning of the neural plate, a single region of the embryonic forebrain, the eye field, becomes competent for eye development. The hallmark of eye field specification is the expression of the eye field transcription factors (EFTFs). Experiments in fish, amphibians, birds, and mammals have demonstrated largely conserved roles for the EFTFs. Although some of the key signaling events that direct the synchronized expression of these factors to the eye field have been elucidated in fish and frogs, it has been more difficult to study these mechanisms in mammalian embryos. In this study, we have used two different methods for directed differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) to generate eye field cells and retina in vitro to test for a role of the PDZ domain-containing protein GIPC1 in the specification of the mammalian eye primordia. We find that the overexpression of a dominant-negative form of GIPC1 (dnGIPC1), as well as the downregulation of endogenous GIPC1, is sufficient to inhibit the development of eye field cells from mESCs. GIPC1 interacts directly with IGFR and participates in Akt1 activation, and pharmacological inhibition of Akt1 phosphorylation mimics the dnGIPC1 phenotype. Our data, together with previous studies in Xenopus, support the hypothesis that the GIPC1-PI3K-Akt1 pathway plays a key role in eye field specification in vertebrates.

Comparative analyses of lysophosphatidic acid receptor-mediated signaling

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a bioactive lipid mediator that activates G protein-coupled LPA receptors to exert fundamental cellular functions. Six LPA receptor genes have been identified in vertebrates and are classified into two subfamilies, the endothelial differentiation genes (edg) and the non-edg family. Studies using genetically engineered mice, frogs, and zebrafish have demonstrated that LPA receptor-mediated signaling has biological, developmental, and pathophysiological functions. Computational analyses have also identified several amino acids (aa) critical for LPA recognition by human LPA receptors. This review focuses on the evolutionary aspects of LPA receptor-mediated signaling by comparing the aa sequences of vertebrate LPA receptors and LPA-producing enzymes; it also summarizes the LPA receptor-dependent effects commonly observed in mouse, frog, and fish.

GAIP interacting protein C-terminus regulates autophagy and exosome biogenesis of pancreatic cancer through metabolic pathways

GAIP interacting protein C terminus (GIPC) is known to play an important role in a variety of physiological and disease states. In the present study, we have identified a novel role for GIPC as a master regulator of autophagy and the exocytotic pathways in cancer. We show that depletion of GIPC-induced autophagy in pancreatic cancer cells, as evident from the upregulation of the autophagy marker LC3II. We further report that GIPC regulates cellular trafficking pathways by modulating the secretion, biogenesis, and molecular composition of exosomes. We also identified the involvement of GIPC on metabolic stress pathways regulating autophagy and microvesicular shedding, and observed that GIPC status determines the loading of cellular cargo in the exosome. Furthermore, we have shown the overexpression of the drug resistance gene ABCG2 in exosomes from GIPC-depleted pancreatic cancer cells. We also demonstrated that depletion of GIPC from cancer cells sensitized them to gemcitabine treatment, an avenue that can be explored as a potential therapeutic strategy to overcome drug resistance in cancer.

Molecular regulation of lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 trafficking to the cell surface

The lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 (LPA1), a G-protein coupled receptor, regulates cell proliferation, migration, and cytokine release. Here, we investigate the molecular signature of LPA1 trafficking to the cell surface. The overexpressed LPA1 with a C-terminal V5 tag (LPA1-V5) is majorly expressed on the cell surface, while two deletion mutants (C320 and ∆84-87) failed to be trafficked to the cell surface. Further, site-directed mutagenesis analysis of the LPA1 revealed that Ile325, Tyr85, and Leu87 within these two fragments regulate LPA1 maturation and trafficking to the cell surface. Over-expression of Sar1, a component of coat protein complex II (COPII), enhances glycosylation of LPA1 wild type, but not these mutants. The mutants of LPA1 are majorly localized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and exhibit a higher binding affinity to heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), when compared to the LPA1 wild type. Further, we found that all these mutants failed to increase phosphorylation of Erk, and the cytokine release in response to LPA treatment. These results suggest that Ile325, Tyr85, and Leu87 within LPA1 are essential for LPA1 protein properly folding in the ER.

LPA receptor signaling: pharmacology, physiology, and pathophysiology

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a small ubiquitous lipid found in vertebrate and nonvertebrate organisms that mediates diverse biological actions and demonstrates medicinal relevance. LPA's functional roles are driven by extracellular signaling through at least six 7-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors. These receptors are named LPA1-6 and signal through numerous effector pathways activated by heterotrimeric G proteins, including Gi/o, G12/13, Gq, and Gs LPA receptor-mediated effects have been described in numerous cell types and model systems, both in vitro and in vivo, through gain- and loss-of-function studies. These studies have revealed physiological and pathophysiological influences on virtually every organ system and developmental stage of an organism. These include the nervous, cardiovascular, reproductive, and pulmonary systems. Disturbances in normal LPA signaling may contribute to a range of diseases, including neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders, pain, cardiovascular disease, bone disorders, fibrosis, cancer, infertility, and obesity. These studies underscore the potential of LPA receptor subtypes and related signaling mechanisms to provide novel therapeutic targets.

Spatially restricted G protein-coupled receptor activity via divergent endocytic compartments

Postendocytic sorting of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is driven by their interactions between highly diverse receptor sequence motifs with their interacting proteins, such as postsynaptic density protein (PSD95), Drosophila disc large tumor suppressor (Dlg1), zonula occludens-1 protein (zo-1) (PDZ) domain proteins. However, whether these diverse interactions provide an underlying functional specificity, in addition to driving sorting, is unknown. Here we identify GPCRs that recycle via distinct PDZ ligand/PDZ protein pairs that exploit their recycling machinery primarily for targeted endosomal localization and signaling specificity. The luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) and β2-adrenergic receptor (B2AR), two GPCRs sorted to the regulated recycling pathway, underwent divergent trafficking to distinct endosomal compartments. Unlike B2AR, which traffics to early endosomes (EE), LHR internalizes to distinct pre-early endosomes (pre-EEs) for its recycling. Pre-EE localization required interactions of the LHR C-terminal tail with the PDZ protein GAIP-interacting protein C terminus, inhibiting its traffic to EEs. Rerouting the LHR to EEs, or EE-localized GPCRs to pre-EEs, spatially reprograms MAPK signaling. Furthermore, LHR-mediated activation of MAPK signaling requires internalization and is maintained upon loss of the EE compartment. We propose that combinatorial specificity between GPCR sorting sequences and interacting proteins dictates an unprecedented spatiotemporal control in GPCR signal activity.