PIKfyve-Dependent Phosphoinositide Dynamics in Megakaryocyte/Platelet Granule Integrity and Platelet Functions

BACKGROUND

Secretory granules are key elements for platelet functions. Their biogenesis and integrity are regulated by fine-tuned mechanisms that need to be fully characterized. Here, we investigated the role of the phosphoinositide 5-kinase PIKfyve and its lipid products, PtdIns5P (phosphatidylinositol 5 monophosphate) and PtdIns(3,5)P₂ (phosphatidylinositol (3,5) bisphosphate) in granule homeostasis in megakaryocytes and platelets.

METHODS

For that, we invalidated PIKfyve by pharmacological inhibition or gene silencing in megakaryocytic cell models (human MEG-01 cell line, human imMKCLs, mouse primary megakaryocytes) and in human platelets.

RESULTS

We unveiled that PIKfyve expression and its lipid product levels increased with megakaryocytic maturation. In megakaryocytes, PtdIns5P and PtdIns(3,5)P₂ were found in alpha and dense granule membranes with higher levels in dense granules. Pharmacological inhibition or knock-down of PIKfyve in megakaryocytes decreased PtdIns5P and PtdIns(3,5)P₂ synthesis and induced a vacuolar phenotype with a loss of alpha and dense granule identity. Permeant PtdIns5P and PtdIns(3,5)P₂ and the cation channel TRPML1 (transient receptor potential mucolipins) and TPC2 activation were able to accelerate alpha and dense granule integrity recovery following release of PIKfyve pharmacological inhibition. In platelets, PIKfyve inhibition specifically impaired the integrity of dense granules culminating in defects in their secretion, platelet aggregation, and thrombus formation.

CONCLUSIONS

These data demonstrated that PIKfyve and its lipid products PtdIns5P and PtdIns(3,5)P₂ control granule integrity both in megakaryocytes and platelets.

Septin 9 induces lipid droplets growth by a phosphatidylinositol-5-phosphate and microtubule-dependent mechanism hijacked by HCV

The accumulation of lipid droplets (LD) is frequently observed in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and represents an important risk factor for the development of liver steatosis and cirrhosis. The mechanisms of LD biogenesis and growth remain open questions. Here, transcriptome analysis reveals a significant upregulation of septin 9 in HCV-induced cirrhosis compared with the normal liver. HCV infection increases septin 9 expression and induces its assembly into filaments. Septin 9 regulates LD growth and perinuclear accumulation in a manner dependent on dynamic microtubules. The effects of septin 9 on LDs are also dependent on binding to PtdIns5P, which, in turn, controls the formation of septin 9 filaments and its interaction with microtubules. This previously undescribed cooperation between PtdIns5P and septin 9 regulates oleate-induced accumulation of LDs. Overall, our data offer a novel route for LD growth through the involvement of a septin 9/PtdIns5P signalling pathway.

PI5P Triggers ICAM-1 Degradation in Shigella Infected Cells, Thus Dampening Immune Cell Recruitment

Shigella flexneri, the pathogen responsible for bacillary dysentery, has evolved multiple strategies to control the inflammatory response. Here, we show that Shigella subverts the subcellular trafficking of the intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), a key molecule in immune cell recruitment, in a mechanism dependent on the injected bacterial enzyme IpgD and its product, the lipid mediator PI5P. Overexpression of IpgD, but not a phosphatase dead mutant, induced the internalization and the degradation of ICAM-1 in intestinal epithelial cells. Remarkably, addition of permeant PI5P reproduced IpgD effects and led to the inhibition of neutrophil recruitment. Finally, these results were confirmed in an in vivo model of Shigella infection where IpgD-dependent ICAM-1 internalization reduced neutrophil adhesion. In conclusion, we describe here an immune evasion mechanism used by the pathogen Shigella to divert the host cell trafficking machinery in order to reduce immune cell recruitment.

TOM1 is a PI5P effector involved in the regulation of endosomal maturation

Phosphoinositides represent a major class of lipids specifically involved in the organisation of signaling cascades, maintenance of the identity of organelles and regulation of multiple intracellular trafficking steps. We previously described that phosphatidylinositol 5-monophosphate (PI5P), produced by the Shigella flexneri phosphatase IpgD, is implicated in the endosomal sorting of the EGFR. Here, we show that the adaptor protein TOM1 is a new PI5P direct binding partner. We identify the domain of TOM1 involved in this interaction and characterize the binding motif. Finally, we demonstrate that the recruitment of TOM1 by PI5P on signaling endosomes is responsible for the delay in EGFR degradation and fluid-phase bulk endocytosis. Taken together, our data strongly suggest that PI5P-enrichment in signaling endosomes prevents endosomal maturation through the recruitment of TOM1, and point out to a new function of PI5P in regulating discrete maturation steps in the endosomal system.

A Shigella effector dampens inflammation by regulating epithelial release of danger signal ATP through production of the lipid mediator PtdIns5P

Upon infection with Shigella flexneri, epithelial cells release ATP through connexin hemichannels. However, the pathophysiological consequence and the regulation of this process are unclear. Here we showed that in intestinal epithelial cell ATP release was an early alert response to infection with enteric pathogens that eventually promoted inflammation of the gut. Shigella evolved to escape this inflammatory reaction by its type III secretion effector IpgD, which blocked hemichannels via the production of the lipid PtdIns5P. Infection with an ipgD mutant resulted in rapid hemichannel-dependent accumulation of extracellular ATP in vitro and in vivo, which preceded the onset of inflammation. At later stages of infection, ipgD-deficient Shigella caused strong intestinal inflammation owing to extracellular ATP. We therefore describe a new paradigm of host-pathogen interaction based on endogenous danger signaling and identify extracellular ATP as key regulator of mucosal inflammation during infection. Our data provide new angles of attack for the development of anti-inflammatory molecules.

Phosphatase-dead myotubularin ameliorates X-linked centronuclear myopathy phenotypes in mice

Myotubularin MTM1 is a phosphoinositide (PPIn) 3-phosphatase mutated in X-linked centronuclear myopathy (XLCNM; myotubular myopathy). We investigated the involvement of MTM1 enzymatic activity on XLCNM phenotypes. Exogenous expression of human MTM1 in yeast resulted in vacuolar enlargement, as a consequence of its phosphatase activity. Expression of mutants from patients with different clinical progression and determination of PtdIns3P and PtdIns5P cellular levels confirmed the link between vacuolar morphology and MTM1 phosphatase activity, and showed that some disease mutants retain phosphatase activity. Viral gene transfer of phosphatase-dead myotubularin mutants (MTM1(C375S) and MTM1(S376N)) significantly improved most histological signs of XLCNM displayed by a Mtm1-null mouse, at similar levels as wild-type MTM1. Moreover, the MTM1(C375S) mutant improved muscle performance and restored the localization of nuclei, triad alignment, and the desmin intermediate filament network, while it did not normalize PtdIns3P levels, supporting phosphatase-independent roles of MTM1 in maintaining normal muscle performance and organelle positioning in skeletal muscle. Among the different XLCNM signs investigated, we identified only triad shape and fiber size distribution as being partially dependent on MTM1 phosphatase activity. In conclusion, this work uncovers MTM1 roles in the structural organization of muscle fibers that are independent of its enzymatic activity. This underlines that removal of enzymes should be used with care to conclude on the physiological importance of their activity.

Shigella flexneri infection generates the lipid PI5P to alter endocytosis and prevent termination of EGFR signaling

The phosphoinositide metabolic pathway, which regulates cellular processes implicated in survival, motility, and trafficking, is often subverted by bacterial pathogens. Shigella flexneri, a bacterium that causes dysentery, injects IpgD, a phosphoinositide phosphatase that generates the lipid phosphatidylinositol 5-phosphate (PI5P), into host cells, thereby activating the phosphoinositide 3-kinase-Akt survival pathway. We show that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is required for PI5P-dependent activation of Akt in infected HeLa cells or cells ectopically expressing IpgD. Cells treated with PI5P had increased numbers of early endosomes with activated EGFR, no detectable EGFR in the late endosomal or lysosomal compartments, and prolonged EGFR signaling. Endosomal recycling and retrograde pathways were spared, indicating that the effect of PI5P on the degradative route to the late endocytic compartments was specific. Thus, we identified PI5P, which was enriched in endosomes, as a regulator of vesicular trafficking that alters growth factor receptor signaling by impairing lysosomal degradation, a property used by S. flexneri to favor survival of host cells.

Phosphoinositides and cellular pathogens

Phosphoinositides are considered as highly dynamic players in the spatiotemporal organization of key signaling pathways, actin cytoskeleton rearrangements, establishment of cell polarity and intracellular vesicle trafficking. Their metabolism is accurately controlled and mutations in several phosphoinositide metabolizing enzymes take part in the development of human pathologies. Interestingly, evidence is accumulating that modulation of the phosphoinositide metabolism is critical for pathogenicity and virulence of many human pathogens. Given the importance of phosphoinositides, which link membrane and cytoskeleton dynamics to cell responses, it is not surprising that many invasive pathogens hijack their metabolism as part of their strategies to establish infection. In fact, according to their lifestyle, cellular pathogens use the phosphoinositide metabolism in order to trigger their uptake in nonphagocytic cells and/or modulate the maturation of the pathogen-containing vacuole to establish their replicative niche or escape in the cytosol and promote host cell survival. The last two decades have been marked by the discovery of different tactics used by cellular pathogens to modulate the phosphoinositide metabolism as part of their strategies to survive, proliferate and disseminate in a hostile environment.

Genetic interaction between MTMR2 and FIG4 phospholipid phosphatases involved in Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathies

We previously reported that autosomal recessive demyelinating Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) type 4B1 neuropathy with myelin outfoldings is caused by loss of MTMR2 (Myotubularin-related 2) in humans, and we created a faithful mouse model of the disease. MTMR2 dephosphorylates both PtdIns3P and PtdIns(3,5)P(2), thereby regulating membrane trafficking. However, the function of MTMR2 and the role of the MTMR2 phospholipid phosphatase activity in vivo in the nerve still remain to be assessed. Mutations in FIG4 are associated with CMT4J neuropathy characterized by both axonal and myelin damage in peripheral nerve. Loss of Fig4 function in the plt (pale tremor) mouse produces spongiform degeneration of the brain and peripheral neuropathy. Since FIG4 has a role in generation of PtdIns(3,5)P(2) and MTMR2 catalyzes its dephosphorylation, these two phosphatases might be expected to have opposite effects in the control of PtdIns(3,5)P(2) homeostasis and their mutations might have compensatory effects in vivo. To explore the role of the MTMR2 phospholipid phosphatase activity in vivo, we generated and characterized the Mtmr2/Fig4 double null mutant mice. Here we provide strong evidence that Mtmr2 and Fig4 functionally interact in both Schwann cells and neurons, and we reveal for the first time a role of Mtmr2 in neurons in vivo. Our results also suggest that imbalance of PtdIns(3,5)P(2) is at the basis of altered longitudinal myelin growth and of myelin outfolding formation. Reduction of Fig4 by null heterozygosity and downregulation of PIKfyve both rescue Mtmr2-null myelin outfoldings in vivo and in vitro.

The nucleophosmin-anaplastic lymphoma kinase oncogene interacts, activates, and uses the kinase PIKfyve to increase invasiveness

NPM-ALK is a chimeric tyrosine kinase detected in most anaplastic large cell lymphomas that results from the reciprocal translocation t(2,5)(p23;q35) that fuses the N-terminal domain of nucleophosmin (NPM) to the catalytic domain of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) receptor. The constitutive activity of the kinase is responsible for its oncogenicity through the stimulation of several downstream signaling pathways, leading to cell proliferation, migration, and survival. We demonstrated previously that the high level of phosphatidylinositol 5-phosphate measured in NPM-ALK-expressing cells is controlled by the phosphoinositide kinase PIKfyve, a lipid kinase known for its role in vesicular trafficking. Here, we show that PIKfyve associates with NPM-ALK and that the interaction involves the 181-300 region of the oncogene. Moreover, we demonstrate that the tyrosine kinase activity of the oncogene controls PIKfyve lipid kinase activity but is dispensable for the formation of the complex. Silencing or inhibition of PIKfyve using siRNA or the PIKfyve inhibitor YM201636 have no effect on NPM-ALK-mediated proliferation and migration but strongly reduce invasive capacities of NPM-ALK-expressing cells and their capacity to degrade the extracellular matrix. Accordingly, immunofluorescence studies confirm a perturbation of matrix metalloproteinase 9 localization at the cell surface and defect in maturation. Altogether, these results suggest a role for PIKfyve in NPM-ALK-mediated invasion.

Inhibition of Rac controls NPM-ALK-dependent lymphoma development and dissemination

Nucleophosmin-anaplastic lymphoma kinase (NPM–ALK) is a tyrosine kinase oncogene responsible for the pathogenesis of the majority of human ALK-positive lymphomas. We recently reported that it activated the Rac1 GTPase in anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL), leading to Rac-dependent formation of active invadopodia required for invasiveness. Herein, we went further into the study of this pathway and used the inhibitor of Rac, NSC23766, to validate its potential as a molecular target in ALCL in vitro and in vivo in a xenograft model and in a conditional model of NPM–ALK transgenic mice. Our data demonstrate that Rac regulates important effectors of NPM–ALK-induced transformation such as Erk1/2, p38 and Akt. Moreover, inhibition of Rac signaling abrogates NPM–ALK-elicited disease progression and metastasis in mice, highlighting the potential of small GTPases and their regulators as additional therapic targets in lymphomas.

The phosphoinositide phosphatase MTM-1 regulates apoptotic cell corpse clearance through CED-5–CED-12 in C. elegans

Multicellular organisms use programmed cell death to eliminate unwanted or potentially harmful cells. Improper cell corpse removal can lead to autoimmune diseases. The development of interventional therapies that increase engulfment activity could represent an attractive approach to treat such diseases. Here, we describe mtm-1, the Caenorhabditis elegans homolog of human myotubularin 1, as a potential negative regulator of apoptotic cell corpse clearance. Loss of mtm-1 function leads to substantially reduced numbers of persistent cell corpses in engulfment mutants, which is a result of a restoration of engulfment function rather than of impaired or delayed programmed cell death. Epistatic analyses place mtm-1 upstream of the ternary GEF complex, which consists of ced-2, ced-5 and ced-12, and parallel to mig-2. Over-activation of engulfment results in the removal of viable cells that have been brought to the verge of death under limiting caspase activity. In addition, mtm-1 also promotes phagosome maturation in the hermaphrodite gonad, potentially through CED-1 receptor recycling. Finally, we show that the CED-12 PH domain can bind to PtdIns(3,5)P2 (one target of MTM-1 phosphatase activity), suggesting that MTM-1 might regulate CED-12 recruitment to the plasma membrane.

Regulation and roles of PI3Kβ, a major actor in platelet signaling and functions

Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) are important signaling enzymes involved in the regulation of a number of critical cell functions. Significant progress has been made during the last few years in defining the implication of individual PI3K isoforms. The role of the class IA PI3Kβ in different cell types has only been recently uncovered by the use of isoform-selective inhibitors and the development of mouse models harboring p110β catalytic subunit knock-out or germline knock-in of a kinase-dead allele of p110β. Although it is classically admitted that class IA PI3Ks are activated by receptor tyrosine kinases through recruitment of the regulatory subunits to specific tyrosine phosphorylated motifs via their SH2 domains, PI3Kβ is activated downstream of G protein-coupled receptors, and by co-operation between heterotrimeric G proteins and tyrosine kinases. PI3Kβ has been extensively studied in platelets where it appears to play an important role downstream of ITAM signaling, G protein-coupled receptors and aIIbβ3 integrin. Accordingly, mouse exhibiting p110β inactivation selectively in megakaryocyte/platelets are resistant to thromboembolism induced by carotid injury. The present review summarizes recent data concerning the mechanisms of PI3Kβ regulation and the roles of this PI3K isoform in blood platelet functions and other cell types.

PtdIns5P protects Akt from dephosphorylation through PP2A inhibition

Phosphatidylinositol 5-phosphate (PtdIns5P), the most recently discovered phosphoinositide, has been proposed to play a role as a lipid mediator of intracellular signaling. We have previously shown that PtdIns5P generated by IpgD, an effector of the causative agent of dysentery Shigella flexneri, activates the PI 3-kinase/Akt pathway. Here, we demonstrate that PtdIns5P is able to protect Akt from dephosphorylation. This effect is not due to inhibition of the phosphoinositide phosphatase regulating PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3) levels PTEN but rather to PtdIns5P-induced phosphorylation and subsequent inhibition of the catalytic subunit of PP2A phosphatases. These data shed light on a new mechanism used by S. flexneri bacteria to sustain Akt activation to increase survival of the host cells during bacterial replication.

Detection of myotubularin phosphatases activity on phosphoinositides in vitro and ex vivo

Phosphoinositides (PPIn) are important regulators of cellular processes like intracellular protein transport, cellular proliferation, apoptosis, and cytoskeletal organization. The amount and localization of these membrane-bound second messengers are regulated through a set of specific phospholipases, lipid kinases, and phosphatases. The elucidation of PPIn-phosphatases and their cellular function has gained much attention because phosphatase dysregulation is often associated with human genetic diseases. Our laboratory has identified the 3'-PPIn-phosphatase myotubularin 1 (MTM1) mutated in X-linked myotubular myopathy (XLMTM). In addition, a whole family of myotubularin-related proteins (MTMR1-MTMR13) has been discovered. Some of them display phosphatase activity, whereas for other family members no enzymatic activity could be detected. Nevertheless, these "dead phosphatases" myotubularins are conserved throughout evolution and probably exert regulatory function by heteromeric interaction with active phosphatase members. It was shown that MTM1 and related phosphatases act on PtdIns3P and PtdIns(3,5)P2; both PPIn species are important regulators of endocytic pathways. We describe two methods to determine phosphatase activity and substrate specificity of myotubularins. One is an immunoprecipitation-phosphatase assay, testing the activity of myotubularin immunoprecipitated from overexpressing cells on artificial PPIn. The other method analyzes phosphatase activity indirectly ex vivo in transiently transfected mammalian cells. The presence and subcellular localization of the myotubularin substrate PtdIns3P were determined using a specific binding domain (2xFYVE) produced recombinantly as a biosensor.

Elevated levels of PtdIns5P in NPM-ALK transformed cells: implication of PIKfyve

Phosphatidylinositol 5-monophosphate (PtdIns5P), one of the latest phosphoinositides discovered, has been suggested to play important cellular functions. Here, we report the presence of higher levels of this lipid in cells expressing the oncogenic tyrosine kinase nucleophosmin anaplastic lymphoma kinase (NPM-ALK), a chimeric protein found in the large majority of anaplastic large cell lymphomas (ALCLs). In addition, we describe that a pool of PtdIns5P is located in the membrane extensions characteristic of NPM-ALK-transformed cells. Finally, we show that the increase of PtdIns5P is controlled by the kinase PIKfyve, which is known for its role in vesicular trafficking. These data suggest for the first time a role of PtdIns5P and PIKfyve in oncogenesis, potentially linking intracellular trafficking to cancer.

PtdIns5P: a little phosphoinositide with big functions?

Phosphoinositides are minor constituents of cell membranes playing a critical role in the regulation of many cellular functions. Recent discoveries indicate that mutations in several phosphoinositide kinases and phosphatases generate imbalances in the levels of phosphoinositides, thereby leading to the development of human diseases. Although the roles of phosphoinositide 3-kinase products and PtdIns(4,5)P2 were largely studied these last years, the potential role of phosphatidylinositol monophosphates as direct signalling molecules is just emerging. PtdIns5P, the least characterized phosphoinositide, appears to be a new player in cell regulation. This review will summarize the current knowledge on the mechanisms of synthesis and degradation of PtdIns5P as well as its potential roles.

A novel PtdIns3P and PtdIns(3,5)P2 phosphatase with an inactivating variant in centronuclear myopathy

In eukaryotic cells, phosphoinositides are lipid second messengers important for many cellular processes and have been found dysregulated in several human diseases. X-linked myotubular (centronuclear) myopathy is a severe congenital myopathy caused by mutations in a phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PtdIns3P) phosphatase called myotubularin, and mutations in dominant centronuclear myopathy (CNM) cases were identified in the dynamin 2 gene. The genes mutated in autosomal recessive cases of CNMs have not been found. We have identified a novel phosphoinositide phosphatase (hJUMPY) conserved through evolution, which dephosphorylates the same substrates as myotubularin, PtdIns3P and PtdIns(3,5)P(2), in vitro and ex vivo. We found, in sporadic cases of CNMs, two missense variants that affect the enzymatic function. One of these appeared de novo in a patient also carrying a de novo mutation in the dynamin 2 gene. The other missense (R336Q) found in another patient changes the catalytic arginine residue of the core phosphatase signature present in protein tyrosine/dual-specificity phosphatases and in phosphoinositide phosphatases and drastically reduces the enzymatic activity both in vitro and in transfected cells. The inheritance of the phenotype with regard to this variant is still unclear and could be either recessive with an undetected second allele or digenic. We propose that impairment of hJUMPY function is implicated in some cases of autosomal CNM and that hJUMPY cooperates with myotubularin to regulate the level of phosphoinositides in skeletal muscle.

PtdIns5P activates the host cell PI3-kinase/Akt pathway during Shigella flexneri infection

The virulence factor IpgD, delivered into nonphagocytic cells by the type III secretion system of the pathogen Shigella flexneri, is a phosphoinositide 4-phosphatase generating phosphatidylinositol 5 monophosphate (PtdIns5P). We show that PtdIns5P is rapidly produced and concentrated at the entry foci of the bacteria, where it colocalises with phosphorylated Akt during the first steps of infection. Moreover, S. flexneri-induced phosphorylation of host cell Akt and its targets specifically requires IpgD. Ectopic expression of IpgD in various cell types, but not of its inactive mutant, or addition of short-chain penetrating PtdIns5P is sufficient to induce Akt phosphorylation. Conversely, sequestration of PtdIns5P or reduction of its level strongly decreases Akt phosphorylation in infected cells or in IpgD-expressing cells. Accordingly, IpgD and PtdIns5P production specifically activates a class IA PI 3-kinase via a mechanism involving tyrosine phosphorylations. Thus, S. flexneri parasitism is shedding light onto a new mechanism of PI 3-kinase/Akt activation via PtdIns5P production that plays an important role in host cell responses such as survival.

Integrin-dependent interaction of lipid rafts with the actin cytoskeleton in activated human platelets

Dynamic connections between actin filaments and the plasma membrane are crucial for the regulation of blood platelet functions. Protein complexes associated with αIIbβ3 integrin-based cytoskeleton structures are known to play a role in these processes. However, mechanisms involving lateral organizations of the plasma membrane remain to be investigated. Here, we demonstrate that a large fraction of platelet lipid rafts specifically associates with the actin cytoskeleton upon activation. This association was inhibited by antagonists of fibrinogen-αIIbβ3 binding and did not occur in type I Glanzman's thrombasthenic platelets. The raft-cytoskeleton interaction is a reversible process correlating with the intensity and stability of platelet aggregation. Although only a minor fraction of αIIbβ3 was recovered in rafts upon activation, this integrin specifically upregulated the level of PtdIns(4,5)P2 in membrane microdomains and induced the recruitment of several actin-modulating proteins known to directly or indirectly interact with this lipid. Controlled disruption of rafts did not affect αIIbβ3-mediated platelet aggregation in response to high concentrations of thrombin but significantly inhibited fibrin clot retraction. We propose that rafts participate in the organization of membrane-cytoskeleton interactions where αIIbβ3-mediated tension forces apply during the late phase of platelet activation.

Emerging roles of phosphatidylinositol monophosphates in cellular signaling and trafficking

The phosphoinositide metabolism that is highly controlled by a set of kinases, phosphatases and phospholipases leads to the production of several second messengers playing critical roles in intracellular signal transduction mechanisms. Recent discoveries have unraveled unexpected roles for the three phosphatidylinositol monophosphates, PtdIns(3)P, PtdIns(4)P and PtdIns(5)P, that appear now as important lipid messengers able to specifically interact with proteins. The formation of functionally distinct and independently regulated pools of phosphatidylinositol monophosphates probably contributes to the specificity of the interactions with their targets. The relative enrichment of organelles in a particular species of phosphoinositides (i.e. PtdIns(3)P in endosomes, PtdIns(4)P in Golgi and PtdIns(4,5)P2 in plasma membrane) suggests the notion of lipid-defined organelle identity. PtdIns(3)P is now clearly involved in vesicular trafficking by interaction with a set of FYVE domain-containing proteins both in yeast and in mammals. PtdIns(4)P, which until now was only considered as a precursor for PtdIns(4,5)P2, appears as a regulator on its own, by recruiting a set of proteins to the trans-Golgi network. PtdIns(5)P, the most recently discovered inositol lipid, is also emerging as a potentially important signaling molecule.

Production of Phosphatidylinositol 5-Phosphate by the Phosphoinositide 3-Phosphatase Myotubularin in Mammalian Cells

MTM1, the gene encoding myotubularin (MTM1), is mutated in the X-linked myotubular myopathy (XLMTM), a severe genetic muscular disorder. MTM1 is a phosphoinositide phosphatase hydrolyzing phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PtdIns(3)P) in yeast and in vitro. Because this lipid is implicated in the regulation of vesicular trafficking, we used established cell lines from XLMTM patients to evaluate whether the lack of endogenous MTM1 expression could affect PtdIns(3)P labeling patterns. Our results showed that the vesicular trafficking related to early endosomes was not significantly affected in the XLMTM cell lines compared with control cells. However, in addition to PtdIns(3)P, we found that MTM1 can hydrolyze phosphatidylinositol 3,5-bisphosphate both in vitro and in mammalian cells. Using a mass assay, we demonstrated that the product generated is phosphatidylinositol 5-phosphate (PtdIns(5)P), a recently discovered phosphoinositide, the function of which is still unknown. In L6 myotubes overexpressing MTM1, hyperosmotic shock induced an increase in the mass level of PtdIns(5)P that was reduced by 50% upon overexpression of the MTM1 inactive mutant D278A. These data demonstrate for the first time a role for MTM1 in the production of PtdIns(5)P in mammalian cells, suggesting that the lack of transformation of phosphatidylinositol 3,5-bisphosphate into PtdIns(5)P might be an important component in the etiology of myotubular myopathy.

Implication of phosphoinositide phosphatases in genetic diseases: the case of myotubularin

Phosphoinositides play a central role in the control of major eukaryotic cell signaling mechanisms. Accordingly, the list of phosphoinositide-metabolizing enzymes implicated in human diseases has considerably increased these last years. Here we will focus on myotubularin, the protein mutated in the X-linked myotubular myopathy (XLMTM) and the founding member of a family of 13 related proteins. Recent data demonstrate that myotubularin and several other members of the family are potent lipid phosphatases showing a marked specificity for phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate [PtdIns(3)P]. This finding has raised considerable interest as PtdIns(3)P is implicated in vesicular trafficking and sorting through its binding to specific protein domains. The structure of myotubularin, the molecular mechanisms of its function and its implication in the etiology of XLMTM will be discussed, as well as the potential function and role of the other members of the family.

Expression of myotubularin by an adenoviral vector demonstrates its function as a phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate [PtdIns(3)P] phosphatase in muscle cell lines: involvement of PtdIns(3)P in insulin-stimulated glucose transport

X-linked myotubular myopathy is a muscle disorder caused by mutations on the myotubular myopathy-1 (MTM-1) gene, coding for myotubularin a 65-kDa polypeptide similar to protein phosphatases. Biochemical and in vivo studies define myotubularin as a phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate [PtdIns(3)P] phosphatase. To efficiently express myotubularin in muscle cell lines and adipocytes, we used an adenoviral genome recombinogenic to pcDNA3, and to other widely used expression vectors, to produce adenoviruses expressing wild-type (wt), catalytically inactive C375S, and substrate trap D278A myotubularin.[32P]Orthophosphate labeling followed by phosphoinositide analysis of differentiated L6 and C2C12 cells expressing myotubularin demonstrated increased PtdIns(3)P levels upon expression of the C375S and D278A mutants. In keeping with its biochemical function, overexpression of wt myotubularin as an enhanced green fluorescent protein fusion disrupted the endosomal punctuated staining of the FYVE (Fab1p/YOTB Vac1p/EEA1)-domain-containing PtdIns(3)P binding protein early endosomal antigen 1 as well as of a gluathione-S-transferase-FYVE probe directed to PtdIns(3)P. Expression of wt myotubularin, although not affecting activation of proximal insulin signal transduction targets such as protein kinase B and MAPK, induced a decrease in insulin-induced glucose uptake, whereas basal glucose uptake was augmented by expression of D278A (DA) and C375S (CS) mutants. Moreover, overexpression of myotubularin in 3T3-L1 adipocytes impaired insulin-induced translocation at the plasma membrane of green fluorescent protein-tagged glucose transporter 4. These data indicate that PtdIns(3)P is required to direct glucose transporter 4 to insulin-responsive compartments and/or to allow the translocation of the latter at the plasma membrane. We conclude that myotubularin, by modulating the intracellular levels of PtdIns(3)P, plays a role in the control of vesicular traffic related to glucose transport, by counteracting the activities of the PtdIns(3)P-producing phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases.

Phosphoinositide signaling disorders in human diseases

Phosphoinositides (PIs) play an essential role in diverse cellular functions. Their intracellular level is strictly regulated by specific PI kinases, phosphatases and phospholipases. Recent discoveries indicate that dysfunctions in the control of their level often lead to pathologies. This review will focus on some human diseases whose etiologies involve PI-metabolizing enzymes. The role of PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten) in cancer, the impact of the Src homology 2-containing inositol-5-phosphatase phosphatases in acute myeloid leukemia or diabetes, the involvement of myotubularin family members in genetic diseases and the implication of OCRL1 in Lowe syndrome will be emphasized. We will also review how some bacterial pathogens have evolved strategies to specifically manipulate the host cell PI metabolism to efficiently infect them.

Lipid rafts are critical membrane domains in blood platelet activation processes

Among the various hematopoi;etic cells, platelets are critical for maintaining the integrity of the vascular system. They must be rapidly activated by sequential and coordinated mechanisms in order to efficiently prevent haemorrhage upon vascular injury. Several signal transduction pathways lead to platelet activation in vitro and in vivo, among them, several are initiated via receptors or co-receptors containing immuno-receptor tyrosine-based activation motifs (ITAM) which trigger downstream signalling like the immune receptors in lymphocytes. However, in contrast to immune cells for which the role of lipid rafts in signalling has largely been described, the involvement of laterally segregated membrane microdomains in platelet activation has been investigated only recently. The results obtained until now strongly suggest that early steps of platelet activation via the collagen receptor GpVI or via FcgammaRIIa occur preferentially in these microdomains where specific proteins efficiently organize key downstream signalling pathways. In addition, lipid rafts also contribute to platelet activation via heterotrimeric G-protein-coupled receptors. They are sites where the phosphoinositide (PI) metabolism is highly active, leading to a local generation of lipid second messengers such as phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate. Here, evidence is accumulating that cholesterol-enriched membrane microdomains are part of a general process that contributes to the efficiency and the coordination of platelet activation mechanisms. Here we will discuss the biochemical and functional characterizations of human platelet rafts and their potential impact in platelet physiopathology.

Muscle-specific alternative splicing of myotubularin-related 1 gene is impaired in DM1 muscle cells

The myotubularin-related 1 (MTMR1) gene belongs to a highly conserved family of eucaryotic phosphatases, with at least 11 members in humans. The founder member of this gene family, MTM1, is mutated in X-linked myotubular myopathy, a severe congenital disorder that affects skeletal muscle, and codes for myotubularin, a specific phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate [PI(3)P] phosphatase. MTM1 and MTMR1 are adjacent on the X chromosome, and the corresponding proteins share 59% sequence identity. In the present study, we investigated the putative role of MTMR1 in myogenesis by analysing its expression pattern in muscle cells during differentiation and in skeletal muscle throughout development. We have identified three novel coding exons in the MTMR1 intron 2 that are conserved between mouse and human, are alternatively spliced, and give rise to six mRNA isoforms. One of the transcripts is muscle-specific and is induced during myogenesis both in vitro and in vivo, and represents the major isoform in adult skeletal muscle. We show that the two main MTMR1 protein muscular isoforms, like myotubularin, efficiently dephosphorylate PI(3)P in vitro. We have also analysed whether MTMR1 alternative splicing is affected in skeletal muscle cells derived from patients with congenital myotonic dystrophy (cDM1), in which mRNA splicing disturbances of specific genes are thought to constitute an important pathogenic mechanism. We found a striking reduction in the level of the muscle-specific isoform and the appearance of an abnormal MTMR1 transcript in differentiated cDM1 muscle cells in culture and in skeletal muscle from cDM1 patients. Our results suggest that MTMR1 plays a role in muscle formation and represents a novel target for abnormal mRNA splicing in myotonic dystrophy.

Endosomal localization and function of sorting nexin 1

There are 17 human members of the sorting nexin (SNX) family of proteins that contain Phox (PX) domains. Yeast orthologs function in vesicular trafficking and mammalian proteins have been implicated in endocytic trafficking of cell surface receptors. The first member of this family, SNX1, was identified via interaction with the epidermal growth factor receptor. The present studies indicate that SNX1 and SNX2 are colocalized to tubulovesicular endosomal membranes and this localization depends on PI 3-kinase activity. Point mutations in the PX domain that abolish recognition of phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) in vitro abolish vesicle localization in vivo indicating that lipid binding by the PX domain is necessary for localization to vesicle membranes. Deletion of a predicted coiled-coil region in the COOH terminus of SNX1 also abolished vesicle localization, indicating that this helical domain, too, is necessary for SNX1 localization. Thus, both PX domain recognition of PtdIns and COOH terminal helical domains are necessary for localization of SNX1 with neither alone being sufficient. Regulated overexpression of the NH(2) terminus of SNX1 containing the PX domain decreased the rate of ligand-induced epidermal growth factor receptor degradation, an effect consistent with inhibition of endogenous SNX1 function in the endosome compartment. SNX1 thus functions in regulating trafficking in the endosome compartment via PX domain recognition of phosphorylated PtdIns and via interaction with other protein components.

Functional redundancy in the myotubularin family

Myotubularin-related genes define a novel highly conserved family of eukaryotic proteins of at least 11 human members. The hMTM1 gene that codes for myotubularin is mutated in X-linked myotubular myopathy, a severe congenital disease. Recently, we and others have characterized myotubularin as a potent and specific phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate 3-phosphatase. In the present study we investigated the lipid phosphatase activity and the subcellular localization of two other members of the family, hMTMR2 protein that is mutated in the demyelinating neuropathy Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 4B and the FYVE-finger containing hMTMR3 protein. Our results show that both proteins are potent phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate 3-phosphatases either in vitro or in yeast where they interfered with vesicular trafficking. Their localization is mainly cytoplasmic, with however strong labeling of Rac-inducible plasma membrane ruffles. The fact that the ubiquitously expressed hMTM1 and hMTMR2 genes are involved in different pathologies indicates that despite their shared enzymatic activity, they are not functionally redundant, at least in certain cell types. This might be explained by subtle differences in expression and/or in recruitment and regulation at their specific site of action.

RGS12 and RGS14 GoLoco motifs are G alpha(i) interaction sites with guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor Activity

The regulators of G-protein signaling (RGS) proteins accelerate the intrinsic guanosine triphosphatase activity of heterotrimeric G-protein alpha subunits and are thus recognized as key modulators of G-protein-coupled receptor signaling. RGS12 and RGS14 contain not only the hallmark RGS box responsible for GTPase-accelerating activity but also a single G alpha(i/o)-Loco (GoLoco) motif predicted to represent a second G alpha interaction site. Here, we describe functional characterization of the GoLoco motif regions of RGS12 and RGS14. Both regions interact exclusively with G alpha(i1), G alpha(i2), and G alpha(i3) in their GDP-bound forms. In GTP gamma S binding assays, both regions exhibit guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor (GDI) activity, inhibiting the rate of exchange of GDP for GTP by G alpha(i1). Both regions also stabilize G alpha(i1) in its GDP-bound form, inhibiting the increase in intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence stimulated by AlF(4)(-). Our results indicate that both RGS12 and RGS14 harbor two distinctly different G alpha interaction sites: a previously recognized N-terminal RGS box possessing G alpha(i/o) GAP activity and a C-terminal GoLoco region exhibiting G alpha(i) GDI activity. The presence of two, independent G alpha interaction sites suggests that RGS12 and RGS14 participate in a complex coordination of G-protein signaling beyond simple G alpha GAP activity.

Activator of G protein signaling 3 is a guanine dissociation inhibitor for Galpha i subunits

Activator of G protein signaling 3 (AGS3) is a newly identified protein shown to act at the level of the G protein itself. AGS3 belongs to the GoLoco family of proteins, sharing the 19-aa GoLoco motif that is a Galpha(i/o) binding motif. AGS3 interacts only with members of the Galpha(i/o) subfamily. By surface plasmon resonance, we found that AGS3 binds exclusively to the GDP-bound form of Galpha(i3). In GTPgammaS binding assays, AGS3 behaves as a guanine dissociation inhibitor (GDI), inhibiting the rate of exchange of GDP for GTP by Galpha(i3). AGS3 interacts with both Galpha(i3) and Galpha(o) subunits, but has GDI activity only on Galpha(i3), not on Galpha(o). The fourth GoLoco motif of AGS3 is a major contributor to this activity. AGS3 stabilizes Galpha(i3) in its GDP-bound form, as it inhibits the increase in tryptophan fluorescence of the Galpha(i3)-GDP subunit stimulated by AlF(4)(-). AGS3 is widely expressed as it is detected by immunoblotting in brain, testis, liver, kidney, heart, pancreas, and in PC-12 cells. Several different sizes of the protein are detected. By Northern blotting, AGS3 shows 2.3-kb and 3.5-kb mRNAs in heart and brain, respectively, suggesting tissue-specific alternative splicing. Taken together, our results demonstrate that AGS3 is a GDI. To the best of our knowledge, no other GDI has been described for heterotrimeric G proteins. Inhibition of the Galpha subunit and stimulation of heterotrimeric G protein signaling, presumably by stimulating Gbetagamma, extend the possibilities for modulating signal transduction through heterotrimeric G proteins.

Phosphorylation regulates in vivo interaction and molecular targeting of serine/arginine-rich pre-mRNA splicing factors

The SR superfamily of splicing factors and regulators is characterized by arginine/serine (RS)-rich domains, which are extensively modified by phosphorylation in cells. In vitro binding studies revealed that RS domain-mediated protein interactions can be differentially affected by phosphorylation. Taking advantage of the single nonessential SR protein-specific kinase Sky1p in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we investigated RS domain interactions in vivo using the two-hybrid assay. Strikingly, all RS domain-mediated interactions were abolished by SKY1 deletion and were rescuable by yeast or mammalian SR protein-specific kinases, indicating that phosphorylation has a far greater impact on RS domain interactions in vivo than in vitro. To understand this dramatic effect, we examined the localization of SR proteins and found that SC35 was shifted to the cytoplasm in sky1Delta yeast, although this phenomenon was not obvious with ASF/SF2, indicating that nuclear import of SR proteins may be differentially regulated by phosphorylation. Using a transcriptional repression assay, we further showed that most LexA-SR fusion proteins depend on Sky1p to efficiently recognize the LexA binding site in a reporter, suggesting that molecular targeting of RS domain-containing proteins within the nucleus was also affected. Together, these results reveal multiple phosphorylation-dependent steps for SR proteins to interact with one another efficiently and specifically, which may ultimately determine the splicing activity and specificity of these factors in mammalian cells.

A protein related to splicing factor U2AF35 that interacts with U2AF65 and SR proteins in splicing of pre-mRNA

Recognition of a functional 3' splice site in pre-mRNA splicing requires a heterodimer of the proteins U2AF65/U2AF35. U2AF65 binds to RNA at the polypyrimidine tract, whereas U2AF35 is thought to interact through its arginine/serine-rich (RS) domain with other RS-domain-containing factors bound at the 5' splice site, assembled in splicing enhancer complexes, or associated with the U4/U6.U5 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein complex. It is unclear, however, how such network interactions can all be established through the small RS domain in U2AF. Here we describe the function of a U2AF35-related protein (Urp), which is the human homologue of a mouse imprinted gene. Nuclear extracts depleted of Urp are defective in splicing, but activity can be restored by addition of recombinant Urp. U2AF35 could not replace Urp in complementation, indicating that their functions do not overlap. Co-immunodepletion showed that Urp is associated with the U2AF65/U2AF35 heterodimer. Binding studies revealed that Urp specifically interacts with U2AF65 through a U2AF35-homologous region and with SR proteins (a large family of RS-domain-containing proteins) through its RS domain. Therefore, Urp and U2AF35 may independently position RS-domain-containing factors within spliceosomes.

Phosphatidylcholine turnover in activated human neutrophils. Agonist-induced cytidylyltransferase translocation is subsequent to phospholipase D activation

Phosphatidylcholine synthesis and degradation are tightly regulated to assure a constant amount of the phospholipid in cellular membranes. The chemotactic peptide fMLP and the phorbol ester, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, are known to stimulate phosphatidylcholine degradation by phospholipase D in human neutrophils. fMLP alone triggered phosphatidylcholine breakdown into phosphatidic acid, but did not stimulate phosphatidylcholine synthesis or activation of the rate-limiting enzyme CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase. Adding cytochalasin B to fMLP led to some conversion of phosphatidic acid into diglyceride, and fMLP was then able to trigger choline incorporation into phosphatidylcholine, and cytidylyltransferase translocation from cytosol to membranes. Inhibition of phosphatidyl-choline-phospholipase D activation with tyrphostin led to inhibition of choline incorporation. Therefore, phosphatidic acid-derived diglyceride but not phosphatidic acid alone was effective to promote cytidylyltransferase translocation. With phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate as agonist, and by selective labeling of phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylcholine, we demonstrated that only phosphatidylcholine-derived diglyceride participated in cytidylyltransferase translocation. Oleic acid stimulated phosphatidylcholine synthesis, but induced a weak increase in diglyceride and a slight cytidylyltransferase translocation, and did not stimulate phospholipase D activity. Our data established that only diglyceride derived from phosphatidylcholine degradation by the phospholipase D/phosphatidate phosphatase pathway are required for agonist-induced cytidylyltransferase translocation and subsequent choline incorporation into phosphatidylcholine.

Purification and characterization of a kinase specific for the serine- and arginine-rich pre-mRNA splicing factors

Members of the SR family of pre-mRNA splicing factors are phosphoproteins that share a phosphoepitope specifically recognized by monoclonal antibody (mAb) 104. Recent studies have indicated that phosphorylation may regulate the activity and the intracellular localization of these splicing factors. Here, we report the purification and kinetic properties of SR protein kinase 1 (SRPK1), a kinase specific for SR family members. We demonstrate that the kinase specifically recognizes the SR domain, which contains serine/arginine repeats. Previous studies have shown that dephosphorylated SR proteins did not react with mAb 104 and migrated faster in SDS gels than SR proteins from mammalian cells. We show that SRPK1 restores both mobility and mAB 104 reactivity to a SR protein SF2/ASF (splicing factor 2/alternative splicing factor) produced in bacteria, suggesting that SRPK1 is responsible for the generation of the mAb 104-specific phosphoepitope in vivo. Finally, we have correlated the effects of mutagenesis in the SR domain of SF2/ASF on splicing with those on phosphorylation of the protein by SRPK1, suggesting that phosphorylation of SR proteins is required for splicing.

Ca(2+)-dependent activation of phospholipases C and D from mouse peritoneal macrophages by a selective trigger of Ca2+ influx, gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane

The gamma-isomer of hexachlorocyclohexane (gamma-HCCH), which displays structural homology with inositol, was found to induce an initial influx of Ca2+ in mouse peritoneal macrophages. This was responsible for Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release via inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate produced by phospholipase C and resulted in a sustained increase of cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). Entry of Ca2+ evoked by gamma-HCCH also stimulated phospholipase D, as well as the generation of reactive oxygen species formed by NADPH oxidase. These data suggest that some isoform(s) of phospholipase C, and possibly phospholipase D, can be activated by strictly Ca(2+)-dependent mechanisms. They also describe a new experimental tool allowing to trigger a selective influx of Ca2+. gamma-HCCH could thus be used in further studies aimed to delineate the role of Ca2+ entry in the subsequent activation of other signalling pathways.

Phorbol myristate acetate stimulates [3H]choline incorporation into phosphatidylcholine independently of the 'de novo' pathway in Krebs-II ascitic cells: a unique effect of phorbol ester on choline uptake

The effect of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) on [3H]choline incorporation into phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) and on the 'de novo' pathway of PtdCho synthesis has been investigated, compared with that of oleic acid, in ascitic-strain Krebs-II cells. Both compounds stimulated [3H]choline incorporation into PtdCho, but the PMA-induced incorporation was saturable at concentrations of the agonist around 100 nM, whereas no saturation was noticed with oleic acid up to 1 mM. Chase experiments showed no effect of PMA on the conversion of phosphocholine into CDP-choline. The phorbol ester did not stimulate any of the enzyme activities of the 'de novo' pathway, whereas oleic acid increased specifically by 2.5-fold the CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase (CT, EC 2.7.7.15) activity. In addition, no change in the subcellular distribution of CT was observed upon incubation with PMA, in contrast with oleic acid treatment. Cells challenged with oleic acid showed a 25-fold increase in diradylglycerol (DG) content, which was not modified upon incubation with 200 nM PMA, the most effective concentration of phorbol ester promoting choline incorporation. Subcellular fractionation of Krebs-II cells on Percoll gradients revealed that [3H]PMA and 1-radyl-2-[3H]oleoyl-glycerol, derived from exogenously supplied [3H]oleic acid, both exhibited the same enrichment in the endoplasmic reticulum. We have previously shown that the labelled fatty acid also accumulated in the endoplasmic reticulum [Tercé, Record, Tronchère, Ribbes and Chap (1992) Biochem. J. 282, 333-338]. However, PMA induced a stimulation of choline uptake, which was not provoked by PMA 4-O-methyl ether, which interacts poorly with protein kinase C. Our data provide evidence that the enhancement of [3H]choline incorporation into PtdCho triggered by PMA and oleic acid proceeds via completely distinct mechanism(s).

Reversible translocation of cytidylyltransferase between cytosol and endoplasmic reticulum occurs within minutes in whole cells

Addition of oleic acid to Krebs II cells induced a rapid incorporation of [3H]choline into phosphatidylcholine, since 500 microM of the fatty acid stimulated choline incorporation by 5-fold over the control after 5 min of incubation. In fact, a noticeable increase in phosphatidylcholine labelling could be monitored immediately after 1 min of cell incubation with [3H]choline, at which time 50% of cytosolic cytidylyltransferase activity (EC 2.7.7.15), the regulatory enzyme of phosphatidylcholine synthesis, was translocated on to membranes. Non-esterified [3H]oleic acid content was also increased in the same range of time in the particulate fraction. Subcellular fractionation indicated that endoplasmic reticulum was the unique binding site for cytidylyltransferase even after 1 min of incubation. Also, [3H]oleic acid accumulated mainly in the same internal membrane. Addition of exogenous albumin to cells prelabelled with [3H]oleic acid induced the release of 50% of membrane-bound cytidylyltransferase activity within 1 min, together with a decrease in unesterified oleic acid in the same membrane. Although total depletion of oleic acid was obtained, total release of membrane-bound cytidylyltransferase was not. The remaining minor pool of membrane-bound cytidylyltransferase was not affected by cell incubation with dibutyryl cyclic AMP, suggesting that this pool was neither regulated by fatty acid nor modulated by cyclic-AMP-dependent protein phosphorylation. Addition of [3H]oleic acid directly to an homogenate led to a less specific accumulation of the fatty acid in the endoplasmic reticulum, but cytidylyltransferase remained exclusively associated with this membrane. We concluded that in vivo translocation of cytidylyltransferase provoked by oleic acid concerns one specific pool of the enzyme distinct from the enzyme firmly bound to endoplasmic reticulum, but other factor(s) than fatty acid seem to be required to explain the specificity of endoplasmic reticulum for cytidylyltransferase binding.

Cytidylyltransferase translocation onto endoplasmic reticulum and increased de novo synthesis without phosphatidylcholine accumulation in Krebs-II ascite cells

Addition of oleic acid to Krebs-II cells stimulated by 9-fold [3H]choline incorporation into choline glycerophospholipids without affecting the selective incorporation of the precursor into diacyl subclass (90% of total [3H]choline glycerophospholipids). The total activity of cytidylyltransferase (E.C. 2.7.7.15), the regulatory enzyme of choline glycerophospholipid synthesis, was increased in the particulate fraction at the expense of cytosol. Free [3H]oleic acid was also associated with the particulate fraction. Subcellular fractionation of membranes on Percoll gradient, indicated that the endoplasmic reticulum, which contained 90% of total cell free oleic acid, was the unique target for the translocation of cytidylyltransferase. [3H]oleic acid was incorporated almost exclusively into phosphatidylcholine and corresponded to a synthesis of 9 nmol/h per 10(6) cells. Based on [3H]choline incorporation a net synthesis of 22 nmol/h per 10(6) cells was determined. However, oleic acid treatment did not change the total amount of phosphatidylcholine (45 nmol/10(6) cells) and other phospholipids; also no modification in the subcellular distribution of phospholipids was observed. It is concluded that the stimulation of the de novo synthesis of phosphatidylcholine which involves translocation of cytidylyltransferase onto the endoplasmic reticulum, is accompanied by a renewal of their polar head group. Also exogenous oleic acid induces an enhanced fatty acid turnover, highly specific for phosphatidylcholine. Therefore, Krebs-II cells exhibited a high degree of regulation of their phosphatidylcholine content, suggesting a parallel stimulation of both synthesis and degradation.