Rictor, a novel binding partner of mTOR, defines a rapamycin-insensitive and raptor-independent pathway that regulates the cytoskeleton

The mammalian TOR (mTOR) pathway integrates nutrient- and growth factor-derived signals to regulate growth, the process whereby cells accumulate mass and increase in size. mTOR is a large protein kinase and the target of rapamycin, an immunosuppressant that also blocks vessel restenosis and has potential anticancer applications. mTOR interacts with the raptor and GbetaL proteins to form a complex that is the target of rapamycin. Here, we demonstrate that mTOR is also part of a distinct complex defined by the novel protein rictor (rapamycin-insensitive companion of mTOR). Rictor shares homology with the previously described pianissimo from D. discoidieum, STE20p from S. pombe, and AVO3p from S. cerevisiae. Interestingly, AVO3p is part of a rapamycin-insensitive TOR complex that does not contain the yeast homolog of raptor and signals to the actin cytoskeleton through PKC1. Consistent with this finding, the rictor-containing mTOR complex contains GbetaL but not raptor and it neither regulates the mTOR effector S6K1 nor is it bound by FKBP12-rapamycin. We find that the rictor-mTOR complex modulates the phosphorylation of Protein Kinase C alpha (PKCalpha) and the actin cytoskeleton, suggesting that this aspect of TOR signaling is conserved between yeast and mammals.

Determination of the specific substrate sequence motifs of protein kinase C isozymes

Protein kinase C (PKC) family members play significant roles in a variety of intracellular signal transduction processes, but information about the substrate specificities of each PKC family member is quite limited. In this study, we have determined the optimal peptide substrate sequence for each of nine human PKC isozymes (alpha, betaI, betaII, gamma, delta, epsilon, eta, mu, and zeta) by using an oriented peptide library. All PKC isozymes preferentially phosphorylated peptides with hydrophobic amino acids at position +1 carboxyl-terminal of the phosphorylated Ser and basic residues at position -3. All isozymes, except PKC mu, selected peptides with basic amino acids at positions -6, -4, and -2. PKC alpha, -betaI, -betaII, -gamma, and -eta selected peptides with basic amino acid at positions +2, +3, and +4, but PKC delta, -epsilon, -zeta, and -mu preferred peptides with hydrophobic amino acid at these positions. At position -5, the selectivity was quite different among the various isozymes; PKC alpha, -gamma, and -delta selected peptides with Arg at this position while other PKC isozymes selected hydrophobic amino acids such as Phe, Leu, or Val. Interestingly, PKC mu showed extreme selectivity for peptides with Leu at this position. The predicted optimal sequences from position -3 to +2 for PKC alpha, -betaI, -betaII, -gamma, -delta, and -eta were very similar to the endogenous pseudosubstrate sequences of these PKC isozymes, indicating that these core regions may be important to the binding of corresponding substrate peptides. Synthetic peptides based on the predicted optimal sequences for PKC alpha, -betaI,-delta, -zeta, and -mu were prepared and used for the determination of Km and Vmax for these isozymes. As judged by Vmax/Km values, these peptides were in general better substrates of the corresponding isozymes than those of the other PKC isozymes, supporting the idea that individual PKC isozymes have distinct optimal substrates. The structural basis for the selectivity of PKC isozymes is discussed based on residues predicted to form the catalytic cleft.

PKC-alpha regulates cardiac contractility and propensity toward heart failure

The protein kinase C (PKC) family of serine/threonine kinases functions downstream of nearly all membrane-associated signal transduction pathways. Here we identify PKC-alpha as a fundamental regulator of cardiac contractility and Ca(2+) handling in myocytes. Hearts of Prkca-deficient mice are hypercontractile, whereas those of transgenic mice overexpressing Prkca are hypocontractile. Adenoviral gene transfer of dominant-negative or wild-type PKC-alpha into cardiac myocytes enhances or reduces contractility, respectively. Mechanistically, modulation of PKC-alpha activity affects dephosphorylation of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase-2 (SERCA-2) pump inhibitory protein phospholamban (PLB), and alters sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) loading and the Ca(2+) transient. PKC-alpha directly phosphorylates protein phosphatase inhibitor-1 (I-1), altering the activity of protein phosphatase-1 (PP-1), which may account for the effects of PKC-alpha on PLB phosphorylation. Hypercontractility caused by Prkca deletion protects against heart failure induced by pressure overload, and against dilated cardiomyopathy induced by deleting the gene encoding muscle LIM protein (Csrp3). Deletion of Prkca also rescues cardiomyopathy associated with overexpression of PP-1. Thus, PKC-alpha functions as a nodal integrator of cardiac contractility by sensing intracellular Ca(2+) and signal transduction events, which can profoundly affect propensity toward heart failure.

Clustering of AMPA receptors by the synaptic PDZ domain-containing protein PICK1

Synaptic clustering of neurotransmitter receptors is crucial for efficient signal transduction and integration in neurons. PDZ domain-containing proteins such as PSD-95/SAP90 interact with the intracellular C termini of a variety of receptors and are thought to be important in the targeting and anchoring of receptors to specific synapses. Here, we show that PICK1 (protein interacting with C kinase), a PDZ domain-containing protein, interacts with the C termini of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-isoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) receptors in vitro and in vivo. In neurons, PICK1 specifically colocalizes with AMPA receptors at excitatory synapses. Furthermore, PICK1 induces clustering of AMPA receptors in heterologous expression systems. These results suggest that PICK1 may play an important role in the modulation of synaptic transmission by regulating the synaptic targeting of AMPA receptors.

Characterization of two alternately spliced forms of phospholipase D1. Activation of the purified enzymes by phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, ADP-ribosylation factor, and Rho family monomeric GTP-binding proteins and protein kinase C-alpha

We previously reported the cloning of a cDNA encoding human phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase D1 (PLD1), an ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF)-activated phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase D (Hammond, S. M., Tsung, S., Autschuller, Y., Rudge, S. A., Rose, K., Engebrecht, J., Morris, A. J., and Frohman, M. A. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 29640-29643). We have now identified an evolutionarily conserved shorter splice variant of PLD1 lacking 38 amino acids (residues 585-624) that arises from regulated splicing of an alternate exon. Both forms of PLD1 (PLD1a and 1b) have been expressed in Sf9 cells using baculovirus vectors and purified to homogeneity by detergent extraction and immunoaffinity chromatography. PLD1a and 1b have very similar properties. PLD1a and 1b activity is Mg2+dependent but insensitive to changes in free Ca2+ concentration. Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate and phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate activate PLD1a and 1b but a range of other acidic phospholipids are ineffective. PLD1a and 1b are highly responsive to activation by GTP-gammaS-liganded ADP-ribosylation factor-1 (ARF-1) and can also be activated to a lesser extent by three purified RHO family monomeric GTP-binding proteins, RHO A, RAC-1, and CDC42. Activation of PLD1a and 1b by the RHO family monomeric GTP-binding proteins is GTP-dependent and synergistic with ARF-1. Purified protein kinase C-alpha activates PLD1a and 1b in a manner that is stimulated by phorbol esters and does not require ATP. Activation of PLD1a and 1b by protein kinase C-alpha is synergistic with ARF and with the RHO family monomeric GTP-binding proteins, suggesting that these three classes of regulators interact with different sites on the enzyme.

Requirement for math5 in the development of retinal ganglion cells

math5 is a murine orthologue of atonal, a bHLH proneural gene essential for the formation of photoreceptors and chordotonal organs in Drosophila. The expression of math5 coincides with the onset of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) differentiation. Targeted deletion of math5 blocks the initial differentiation of 80% of RGCs and results in an increase in differentiated amacrine cells. Furthermore, the absence of math5 abolishes the retinal expression of brn-3b and the formation of virtually all brn-3b-expressing RGCs. These results imply that math5 is a proneural gene essential for RGC differentiation and that math5 acts upstream to activate brn-3b-dependent differentiation processes in RGCs.

A functional role for mitochondrial protein kinase Calpha in Bcl2 phosphorylation and suppression of apoptosis

Phosphorylation of Bcl2 at serine 70 may result from activation of a classic protein kinase C (PKC) isoform and is required for functional suppression of apoptosis by Bcl2 in murine growth factor-dependent cell lines (Ito, T., Deng, X., Carr, B., and May, W. S. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 11671-11673). Human pre-B REH cells express high levels of Bcl2 yet remain sensitive to the chemotherapeutic agents etoposide, cytosine arabinoside, and Adriamycin. In contrast, myeloid leukemia-derived HL60 cells express less than half the level of Bcl-2 but are >10-fold more resistant to apoptosis induced by these drugs. The mechanism responsible for this apparent dichotomy appears to involve a deficiency of mitochondrial PKCalpha since 1) HL60 but not REH cells contain highly phosphorylated Bcl2; 2) PKCalpha is the only classical isoform co-localized with Bcl2 in HL60 but not REH mitochondrial membranes; 3) the natural product and potent PKC activator bryostatin-1 induces mitochondrial localization of PKCalpha in association with Bcl2 phosphorylation and increased REH cell resistance to drug-induced apoptosis; 4) PKCalpha can directly phosphorylate wild-type but not phosphorylation-negative and loss of function S70A Bcl2 in vitro; 5) stable, forced expression of exogenous PKCalpha induces mitochondrial localization of PKCalpha, increased Bcl2 phosphorylation and a >10-fold increase in resistance to drug-induced cell death; and () PKCalpha-transduced cells remain highly sensitive to staurosporine, a potent PKC inhibitor. Furthermore, treatment of the PKCalpha transformants with bryostatin-1 leads to even higher levels of mitochondrial PKCalpha, Bcl2 phosphorylation, and REH cell survival following chemotherapy. While these findings strongly support a role for PKCalpha as a functional Bcl2 kinase that can enhance cell resistance to antileukemic chemotherapy, they do not exclude the possibility that another Bcl2 kinase(s) may also exist. Collectively, these findings identify a functional role for PKCalpha in Bcl2 phosphorylation and in resistance to chemotherapy and suggest a novel target for antileukemic strategies.

Syndecans: new kids on the signaling block

Cell-associated proteoglycans provide highly complex and sophisticated systems to control interactions of extracellular cell matrix components and soluble ligands with the cell surface. Syndecans, a conserved family of heparan- and chondroitin-sulfate carrying transmembrane proteins, are emerging as central players in these interactions. Recent studies have demonstrated the essential role of syndecans in modulating cellular signaling in embryonic development, tumorigenesis, and angiogenesis. In this review, we focus on new advances in our understanding of syndecan-mediated cell signaling.

Actin-dependent propulsion of endosomes and lysosomes by recruitment of N-WASP

We examined the spatial and temporal control of actin assembly in living Xenopus eggs. Within minutes of egg activation, dynamic actin-rich comet tails appeared on a subset of cytoplasmic vesicles that were enriched in protein kinase C (PKC), causing the vesicles to move through the cytoplasm. Actin comet tail formation in vivo was stimulated by the PKC activator phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), and this process could be reconstituted in a cell-free system. We used this system to define the characteristics that distinguish vesicles associated with actin comet tails from other vesicles in the extract. We found that the protein, N-WASP, was recruited to the surface of every vesicle associated with an actin comet tail, suggesting that vesicle movement results from actin assembly nucleated by the Arp2/3 complex, the immediate downstream target of N-WASP. The motile vesicles accumulated the dye acridine orange, a marker for endosomes and lysosomes. Furthermore, vesicles associated with actin comet tails had the morphological features of multivesicular endosomes as revealed by electron microscopy. Endosomes and lysosomes from mammalian cells preferentially nucleated actin assembly and moved in the Xenopus egg extract system. These results define endosomes and lysosomes as recruitment sites for the actin nucleation machinery and demonstrate that actin assembly contributes to organelle movement. Conversely, by nucleating actin assembly, intracellular membranes may contribute to the dynamic organization of the actin cytoskeleton.

Increased protein kinase C activity and expression of Ca2+-sensitive isoforms in the failing human heart

BACKGROUND

Increased expression of Ca2+-sensitive protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms may be important markers of heart failure. Our aim was to determine the relative expression of PKC-beta1, -beta2, and -alpha in failed and nonfailed myocardium.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Explanted hearts of patients in whom dilated cardiomyopathy or ischemic cardiomyopathy was diagnosed were examined for PKC isoform content by Western blot, immunohistochemistry, enzymatic activity, and in situ hybridization and compared with nonfailed left ventricle. Quantitative immunoblotting revealed significant increases of >40% in PKC-beta1 (P<0.05) and -beta2 (P<0.04) membrane expression in failed hearts compared with nonfailed; PKC-alpha expression was significantly elevated by 70% in membrane fractions (P<0.03). PKC-epsilon expression was not significantly changed. In failed left ventricle, PKC-beta1 and -beta2 immunostaining was intense throughout myocytes, compared with slight, scattered staining in nonfailed myocytes. PKC-alpha immunostaining was also more evident in cardiomyocytes from failed hearts with staining primarily localized to intercalated disks. In situ hybridization revealed increased PKC-beta1 and -beta2 mRNA expression in cardiomyocytes of failed heart tissue. PKC activity was significantly increased in membrane fractions from failed hearts compared with nonfailed (1021+/-189 versus 261+/-89 pmol. mg-1. min-1, P<0.01). LY333531, a selective PKC-beta inhibitor, significantly decreased PKC activity in membrane fractions from failed hearts by 209 pmol. min-1. mg-1 (versus 42.5 pmol. min-1. mg-1 in nonfailed, P<0.04), indicating a greater contribution of PKC-beta to total PKC activity in failed hearts.

CONCLUSIONS

In failed human heart, PKC-beta1 and -beta2 expression and contribution to total PKC activity are significantly increased. This may signal a role for Ca2+-sensitive PKC isoforms in cardiac mechanisms involved in heart failure.

Phosphorylation of p47phox sites by PKC alpha, beta II, delta, and zeta: effect on binding to p22phox and on NADPH oxidase activation

Production of superoxide anions by the multicomponent enzyme of human neutrophil NADPH oxidase is accompanied by extensive phosphorylation of p47(phox), one of its cytosolic components. p47(phox) is an excellent substrate for protein kinase C (PKC), but the respective contribution of each PKC isoform to this process is not clearly defined. In this study, we found that PKC isoforms known to be present in human neutrophils (PKC alpha, beta, delta, and zeta) phosphorylate p47(phox) in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, with apparent K(m) values of 10.33, 3.37, 2.37, and 2.13 microM for PKC alpha, beta II, delta, and zeta, respectively. Phosphopeptide mapping of p47(phox) showed that, as opposed to PKC zeta, PKC alpha, beta II, and delta are able to phosphorylate all the major PKC sites. The use of p47(phox) mutants identified serines 303, 304, 315, 320, 328, 359, 370, and 379 as targets of PKC alpha, beta II, and delta. Comparison of the intensity of phosphopeptides suggests that Ser 328 is the most phosphorylated serine. The ability of each PKC isoform to induce p47(phox) to associate with p22(phox) was tested by using an overlay technique; the results showed that all the PKC isoforms that were studied induce p47(phox) binding to the cytosolic fragment of p22(phox). In addition, PKC alpha, beta II, delta, and zeta were able to induce production of superoxide anions in a cell-free system using recombinant cytosolic proteins. Surprisingly, PKC zeta, which phosphorylates a subset of selective p47(phox) sites, induced stronger activation of the NADPH oxidase. Taken together, these results suggest that PKC alpha, beta II, delta, and zeta expressed in human neutrophils can individually phosphorylate p47(phox) and induce both its translocation and NADPH oxidase activation. In addition, phosphorylation of some serines could have an inhibitory effect on oxidase activation.

Activation of IkappaB kinase beta by protein kinase C isoforms

The atypical protein kinase C (PKC) isotypes (lambda/iotaPKC and zetaPKC) have been shown to be critically involved in important cell functions such as proliferation and survival. Previous studies have demonstrated that the atypical PKCs are stimulated by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and are required for the activation of NF-kappaB by this cytokine through a mechanism that most probably involves the phosphorylation of IkappaB. The inability of these PKC isotypes to directly phosphorylate IkappaB led to the hypothesis that zetaPKC may use a putative IkappaB kinase to functionally inactivate IkappaB. Recently several groups have molecularly characterized and cloned two IkappaB kinases (IKKalpha and IKKbeta) which phosphorylate the residues in the IkappaB molecule that serve to target it for ubiquitination and degradation. In this study we have addressed the possibility that different PKCs may control NF-kappaB through the activation of the IKKs. We report here that alphaPKC as well as the atypical PKCs bind to the IKKs in vitro and in vivo. In addition, overexpression of zetaPKC positively modulates IKKbeta activity but not that of IKKalpha, whereas the transfection of a zetaPKC dominant negative mutant severely impairs the activation of IKKbeta but not IKKalpha in TNF-alpha-stimulated cells. We also show that cell stimulation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate activates IKKbeta, which is entirely dependent on the activity of alphaPKC but not that of the atypical isoforms. In contrast, the inhibition of alphaPKC does not affect the activation of IKKbeta by TNF-alpha. Interestingly, recombinant active zetaPKC and alphaPKC are able to stimulate in vitro the activity of IKKbeta but not that of IKKalpha. In addition, evidence is presented here that recombinant zetaPKC directly phosphorylates IKKbeta in vitro, involving Ser177 and Ser181. Collectively, these results demonstrate a critical role for the PKC isoforms in the NF-kappaB pathway at the level of IKKbeta activation and IkappaB degradation.

Proinflammatory Activation of Macrophages by Basic Calcium Phosphate Crystals via Protein Kinase C and MAP Kinase Pathways

Basic calcium phosphate (BCP) crystal deposition underlies the development of arterial calcification. Inflammatory macrophages colocalize with BCP deposits in developing atherosclerotic lesions and in vitro can promote calcification through the release of TNF alpha. Here we have investigated whether BCP crystals can elicit a proinflammatory response from monocyte-macrophages. BCP microcrystals were internalized into vacuoles of human monocyte-derived macrophages in vitro. This was associated with secretion of proinflammatory cytokines (TNFα, IL-1β and IL-8) capable of activating cultured endothelial cells and promoting capture of flowing leukocytes under shear flow. Critical roles for PKC, ERK1/2, JNK, but not p38 intracellular signaling pathways were identified in the secretion of TNF alpha, with activation of ERK1/2 but not JNK being dependent on upstream activation of PKC. Using confocal microscopy and adenoviral transfection approaches, we determined a specific role for the PKC-alpha isozyme. The response of macrophages to BCP crystals suggests that pathological calcification is not merely a passive consequence of chronic inflammatory disease but may lead to a positive feed-back loop of calcification and inflammation driving disease progression.

Regulation of conventional protein kinase C isozymes by phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK-1)

BACKGROUND

Phosphorylation critically regulates the catalytic function of most members of the protein kinase superfamily. One such member, protein kinase C (PKC), contains two phosphorylation switches: a site on the activation loop that is phosphorylated by another kinase, and two autophosphorylation sites in the carboxyl terminus. For conventional PKC isozymes, the mature enzyme, which is present in the detergent-soluble fraction of cells, is quantitatively phosphorylated at the carboxy-terminal sites but only partially phosphorylated on the activation loop.

RESULTS

This study identifies the recently discovered phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1, PDK-1, as a regulator of the activation loop of conventional PKC isozymes. First, studies in vivo revealed that PDK-1 controls the amount of mature (carboxy-terminally phosphorylated) conventional PKC. More specifically, co-expression of the conventional PKC isoform PKC betaII with a catalytically inactive form of PDK-1 in COS-7 cells resulted in both the accumulation of non-phosphorylated PKC and a corresponding decrease in PKC activity. Second, studies in vitro using purified proteins established that PDK-1 specifically phosphorylates the activation loop of PKC alpha and betaII. The phosphorylation of the mature PKC enzyme did not modulate its basal activity or its maximal cofactor-dependent activity. Rather, the phosphorylation of non-phosphorylated enzyme by PDK-1 triggered carboxy-terminal phosphorylation of PKC, thus providing the first step in the generation of catalytically competent (mature) enzyme.

CONCLUSIONS

We have shown that PDK-1 controls the phosphorylation of conventional PKC isozymes in vivo. Studies performed in vitro establish that PDK-1 directly phosphorylates PKC on the activation loop, thereby allowing carboxy-terminal phosphorylation of PKC. These data suggest that phosphorylation of the activation loop by PDK-1 provides the first step in the processing of conventional PKC isozymes by phosphorylation.

Global quantitative phosphoprotein analysis using Multiplexed Proteomics technology

Systematic parallel analysis of the phosphorylation status of networks of interacting proteins involved in the regulatory circuitry of cells and tissues is certain to drive research in the post-genomics era for many years to come. Reversible protein phosphorylation plays a critical regulatory role in a multitude of cellular processes, including alterations in signal transduction pathways related to oncogene and tumor suppressor gene products in cancer. While fluorescence detection methods are likely to offer the best solution to global protein quantitation in proteomics, to date, there has been no satisfactory method for the specific and reversible fluorescent detection of gel-separated phosphoproteins from complex samples. The newly developed Pro-Q Diamond phosphoprotein dye technology is suitable for the fluorescent detection of phosphoserine-, phosphothreonine-, and phosphotyrosine-containing proteins directly in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gels and two-dimensional (2-D) gels. Additionally, the technology is appropriate for the determination of protein kinase and phosphatase substrate preference. Other macromolecules, such as DNA, RNA, and sulfated glycans, fail to be detected with Pro-Q Diamond dye. The staining procedure is rapid, simple to perform, readily reversible and fully compatible with modern microchemical analysis procedures, such as matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. Pro-Q Diamond dye technology can detect as little as 1-2 ng of beta-casein, a pentaphosphorylated protein, and 8 ng of pepsin, a monophosphorylated protein. Fluorescence signal intensity correlates with the number of phosphorylated residues on the protein. Through combination of Pro-Q Diamond phosphoprotein stain with SYPRO(R) Ruby protein gel stain, Multiplexed Proteomics technology permits quantitative, dichromatic fluorescence detection of proteins in 2-D gels. This evolving discovery platform allows the parallel determination of protein expression level changes and altered post-translational modification patterns within a single 2-D gel experiment. The linear responses of the fluorescence dyes utilized, allow rigorous quantitation of changes over an unprecedented 500-1000-fold concentration range.

Ca(2+) bridges the C2 membrane-binding domain of protein kinase Calpha directly to phosphatidylserine

The C2 domain acts as a membrane-targeting module in a diverse group of proteins including classical protein kinase Cs (PKCs), where it plays an essential role in activation via calcium-dependent interactions with phosphatidylserine. The three-dimensional structures of the Ca(2+)-bound forms of the PKCalpha-C2 domain both in the absence and presence of 1, 2-dicaproyl-sn-phosphatidyl-L-serine have now been determined by X-ray crystallography at 2.4 and 2.6 A resolution, respectively. In the structure of the C2 ternary complex, the glycerophosphoserine moiety of the phospholipid adopts a quasi-cyclic conformation, with the phosphoryl group directly coordinated to one of the Ca(2+) ions. Specific recognition of the phosphatidylserine is reinforced by additional hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions with protein residues in the vicinity of the Ca(2+) binding region. The central feature of the PKCalpha-C2 domain structure is an eight-stranded, anti-parallel beta-barrel with a molecular topology and organization of the Ca(2+) binding region closely related to that found in PKCbeta-C2, although only two Ca(2+) ions have been located bound to the PKCalpha-C2 domain. The structural information provided by these results suggests a membrane binding mechanism of the PKCalpha-C2 domain in which calcium ions directly mediate the phosphatidylserine recognition while the calcium binding region 3 might penetrate into the phospholipid bilayer.

A role for MARCKS, the alpha isozyme of protein kinase C and myosin I in zymosan phagocytosis by macrophages

Myristoylated, alanine-rich C-kinase substrate (MARCKS) is a lipopolysaccharide-induced protein kinase C (PKC) substrate that has been proposed to regulate actin-membrane interactions, as well as actin structure at the membrane. We studied the distribution of MARCKS, the alpha isozyme of PKC (PKC alpha), and myosin I in lipopolysaccharide-treated peritoneal macrophages ingesting zymosan particles. MARCKS, PKC alpha, and myosin I colocalized with F-actin and talin in the cortical cytoplasm adjacent to forming phagocytic cups. After particle ingestion was completed, myosin I, F-actin, and talin were no longer enriched in the vicinity of the phagosome. By contrast, MARCKS and PKC alpha remained associated with the phagosome membrane until after acquisition of the lysosomal marker Lamp-1. Vinculin was not detected on phagosomes at any time point examined. Phagocytosis of zymosan was accompanied by rapid and sustained phosphorylation of MARCKS. Inhibitors of PKC reduced zymosan binding to the macrophage surface and blocked the focal accumulation of F-actin, talin, phosphotyrosine-containing proteins, MARCKS, and PKC alpha beneath attached particles. We propose that PKC-dependent phosphorylation is an early signal required for zymosan phagocytosis and that MARCKS and PKC alpha have a role in phagosome maturation. The colocalization of F-actin and MARCKS at the cytoplasmic face of the nascent phagosome reinforces the hypothesis that MARCKS regulates actin structure at the membrane. Our data also suggest that myosin I functions as a mechanical motor during particle uptake.

Cdk5 is essential for synaptic vesicle endocytosis

Synaptic vesicle endocytosis (SVE) is triggered by calcineurin-mediated dephosphorylation of the dephosphin proteins. SVE is maintained by the subsequent rephosphorylation of the dephosphins by unidentified protein kinases. Here, we show that cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) phosphorylates dynamin I on Ser 774 and Ser 778 in vitro, which are identical to its endogenous phosphorylation sites in vivo. Cdk5 antagonists and expression of dominant-negative Cdk5 block phosphorylation of dynamin I, but not of amphiphysin or AP180, in nerve terminals and inhibit SVE. Thus Cdk5 has an essential role in SVE and is the first dephosphin kinase identified in nerve terminals.

Ezrin is a downstream effector of trafficking PKC-integrin complexes involved in the control of cell motility

Protein kinase C (PKC) alpha has been implicated in beta1 integrin-mediated cell migration. Stable expression of PKCalpha is shown here to enhance wound closure. This PKC-driven migratory response directly correlates with increased C-terminal threonine phosphorylation of ezrin/moesin/radixin (ERM) at the wound edge. Both the wound migratory response and ERM phosphorylation are dependent upon the catalytic function of PKC and are susceptible to inhibition by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase blockade. Upon phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate stimulation, green fluorescent protein-PKCalpha and beta1 integrins co-sediment with ERM proteins in low-density sucrose gradient fractions that are enriched in transferrin receptors. Using fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy, PKCalpha is shown to form a molecular complex with ezrin, and the PKC-co-precipitated endogenous ERM is hyperphosphorylated at the C-terminal threonine residue, i.e. activated. Electron microscopy showed an enrichment of both proteins in plasma membrane protrusions. Finally, overexpression of the C-terminal threonine phosphorylation site mutant of ezrin has a dominant inhibitory effect on PKCalpha-induced cell migration. We provide the first evidence that PKCalpha or a PKCalpha-associated serine/threonine kinase can phosphorylate the ERM C-terminal threonine residue within a kinase-ezrin molecular complex in vivo.

Syndecan-4 proteoglycan regulates the distribution and activity of protein kinase C

During cell-matrix adhesion, both tyrosine and serine/threonine kinases are activated. Integrin ligation correlates with tyrosine phosphorylation, whereas the later stages of spreading and focal adhesion and stress fiber formation in primary fibroblasts requires interactions of cell surface proteoglycan with heparin-binding moieties. This correlates with protein kinase C (PKC) activation, and PKCalpha can become localized to focal adhesions in normal, but not transformed, cells. PKC activation has been thought to be downstream of initial receptor-ligand interactions. We now show, however, that syndecan-4 transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan and PKC co-immunoprecipitate and co-patch in vivo. The core protein of syndecan-4 can directly bind the catalytic domain of PKCalpha and potentiate its activation by phospholipid mediators. It can also directly activate PKCalpha in the absence of other mediators. This activity resides in the sequence LGKKPIYKK in the center of the short cytoplasmic domain, and other syndecans lack this sequence and PKC regulatory properties. Syndecan-4 is a focal adhesion component, and this interaction may both localize PKC and amplify its activity at sites of forming adhesions. This represents the first report of direct transmembrane signaling through cell surface proteoglycans.

Protein kinase C-alpha and ERK1/2 mediate mitochondrial dysfunction, decreases in active Na+ transport, and cisplatin-induced apoptosis in renal cells

Initiation of apoptosis by many agents is preceded by mitochondrial dysfunction and depolarization of the mitochondrial inner membrane. Here we demonstrate that, in renal proximal tubular cells (RPTC), cisplatin induces mitochondrial dysfunction associated with hyperpolarization of the mitochondrial membrane and that these events are mediated by protein kinase C (PKC)-alpha and ERK1/2. Cisplatin induced sustained decreases in RPTC respiration, oxidative phosphorylation, and increases in the mitochondrial transmembrane potential (deltaPsi(m)), which were preceded by the inhibition of F(0)F(1)-ATPase and cytochrome c release from the mitochondria, accompanied by caspase-3 activation, and followed by RPTC apoptosis. Cisplatin also decreased active Na+ transport as a result, in part, of the inhibition of Na+/K(+)-ATPase. These changes were preceded by PKC-alpha and ERK1/2 activation. Inhibition of cisplatin-induced PKC-alpha and ERK1/2 activation using Go6976 and PD98059, respectively, abolished increases in deltaPsi(m), diminished decreases in oxidative phosphorylation, active Na+ transport, and decreased caspase-3 activation without blocking cytochrome c release. Caspase inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone (zVAD-fmk) did not prevent increases in deltaPsi(m). Furthermore, inhibition of PKC-alpha did not prevent cisplatin-induced ERK1/2 activation. We concluded that in RPTC: 1) cisplatin-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, decreases in active Na+ transport, and apoptosis are mediated by PKC-alpha and ERK1/2; 2) PKC-alpha and ERK1/2 mediate activation of caspase-3 by acting downstream of cytochrome c release from mitochondria; and 3) ERK1/2 activation by cisplatin occurs through a PKC-alpha-independent pathway.

Activation of protein kinase C (alpha, beta, and zeta) by insulin in 3T3/L1 cells. Transfection studies suggest a role for PKC-zeta in glucose transport

We presently studied (a) insulin effects on protein kinase C (PKC) and (b) effects of transfection-induced, stable expression of PKC isoforms on glucose transport in 3T3/L1 cells. In both fibroblasts and adipocytes, insulin provoked increases in membrane PKC enzyme activity and membrane levels of PKC-alpha and PKC-beta. However, insulin-induced increases in PKC enzyme activity were apparent in both non-down-regulated adipocytes and adipocytes that were down-regulated by overnight treatment with 5 microM phorbol ester, which largely depletes PKC-alpha, PKC-beta, and PKC-epsilon, but not PKC-zeta. Moreover, insulin provoked increases in the enzyme activity of immunoprecipitable PKC-zeta. In transfection studies, stable overexpression of wild-type or constitutively active forms of PKC-alpha, PKC-beta1, and PKC-beta2 failed to influence basal or insulin-stimulated glucose transport (2-deoxyglucose uptake) in fibroblasts and adipocytes, despite inhibiting insulin effects on glycogen synthesis. In contrast, stable overexpression of wild-type PKC-zeta increased, and a dominant-negative mutant form of PKC-zeta decreased, basal and insulin-stimulated glucose transport in fibroblasts and adipocytes. These findings suggested that: (a) insulin activates PKC-zeta, as well as PKC-alpha and beta; and (b) PKC-zeta is required for, and may contribute to, insulin effects on glucose transport in 3T3/L1 cells.

Induction of cancer cell apoptosis by alpha-tocopheryl succinate: molecular pathways and structural requirements

The vitamin E analog alpha-tocopheryl succinate (alpha-TOS) can induce apoptosis. We show that the proapoptotic activity of alpha-TOS in hematopoietic and cancer cell lines involves inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC), since phorbol myristyl acetate prevented alpha-TOS-triggered apoptosis. More selective effectors indicated that alpha-TOS reduced PKCalpha isotype activity by increasing protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activity. The role of PKCalpha inhibition in alpha-TOS-induced apoptosis was confirmed using antisense oligonucleotides or PKCalpha overexpression. Gain- or loss-of-function bcl-2 mutants implied modulation of bcl-2 activity by PKC/PP2A as a mitochondrial target of alpha-TOS-induced proapoptotic signals. Structural analogs revealed that alpha-tocopheryl and succinyl moieties are both required for maximizing these effects. In mice with colon cancer xenografts, alpha-TOS suppressed tumor growth by 80%. This epitomizes cancer cell killing by a pharmacologically relevant compound without known side effects.

Blueberry supplementation enhances signaling and prevents behavioral deficits in an Alzheimer disease model

Previously, we showed that blueberry (BB) supplementation reversed the deleterious effects of aging on motor behavior and neuronal signaling in senescent rodents. We now report that BB-fed (from 4 months of age) APP + PS1 transgenic mice showed no deficits in Y-maze performance (at 12 months of age) with no alterations in amyloid beta burden. It appeared that the protective mechanisms are derived from BB-induced enhancement of memory-associated neuronal signaling (e.g. extracellular signal-regulated kinase) and alterations in neutral sphingomyelin-specific phospholipase C activity. Thus, our data indicate for the first time that it may be possible to overcome genetic predispositions to Alzheimer disease through diet.

Selective stimulation of caveolar endocytosis by glycosphingolipids and cholesterol

Internalization of some plasma membrane constituents, bacterial toxins, and viruses occurs via caveolae; however, the factors that regulate caveolar internalization are still unclear. Here, we demonstrate that a brief treatment of cultured cells with natural or synthetic glycosphingolipids (GSLs) or elevation of cholesterol (either by acute treatment with mbeta-cyclodextrin/cholesterol or by alteration of growth conditions) dramatically stimulates caveolar endocytosis with little or no effect on other endocytic mechanisms. These treatments also stimulated the movement of GFP-labeled vesicles in cells transfected with caveolin-1-GFP and reduced the number of surface-connected caveolae seen by electron microscopy. In contrast, overexpression of caveolin-1 decreased caveolar uptake, but treatment with GSLs reversed this effect and stimulated caveolar endocytosis. Stimulation of caveolar endocytosis did not occur using ceramide or phosphatidylcholine and was not due to GSL degradation because similar results were obtained using a nonhydrolyzable GSL analog. Stimulated caveolar endocytosis required src kinase and PKC-alpha activity as shown by i) use of pharmacological inhibitors, ii) expression of kinase inactive src or dominant negative PKCalpha, and iii) stimulation of src kinase activity upon addition of GSLs or cholesterol. These results suggest that caveolar endocytosis is regulated by a balance of caveolin-1, cholesterol, and GSLs at the plasma membrane.