Human sorCS1 binds sortilin and hampers its cellular functions.

Sortilin and sorCS1 [sortilin-related Vps10p (vacuolar protein sorting/targeting protein 10) domain-containing receptor 1], both members of the Vps10p-D (Vps10p-domain) receptor family, are synthesized as precursor proteins and are converted into their mature form by enzymatic cleavage of a short N-terminal propeptide. SorCS1 does not bind its propeptide, but sortilin is able to bind not just its own propeptide, but also that of sorCS1. In the present study we show that the propeptide region of sorCS1 contains two separate sites for binding to sortilin and that only one of these sites is removed from human (as opposed to mouse) sorCS1 during processing. This leaves mature human sorCS1 with a sortilin-binding N-terminus, which allows formation of a complex between the two receptors in solution and on cell membranes. Furthermore, we find that the interaction with sorCS1 has a pronounced effect on sortilin's ability to mediate the cellular uptake of alternative ligands, and to hamper its facilitation of CNTF (ciliary neutrophic factor) signalling and the induction of phosphorylated STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3). Thus the present study reveals a novel regulatory mechanism and suggest an entirely new role for sorCS1 as a modulator of sortilin function.

Different motifs regulate trafficking of SorCS1 isoforms.

The type I transmembrane protein SorCS1 is a member of the Vps10p-domain receptor family comprised of Sortilin, SorLA and SorCS1, -2 and -3. Current information indicates that Sortilin and SorLA mediate intracellular protein trafficking and sorting, but little is known about the cellular functions of the SorCS subgroup. SorCS1 binds platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) and is expressed in isoforms differing only in their cytoplasmic domains. Here, we identify two novel isoforms of mouse SorCS1 designated m-SorCS1c and -d. In situ hybridization revealed a combinatorial expression pattern of the variants in brain and embryonic tissues. We demonstrate that among the mouse variants, only SorCS1c mediates internalization and that the highly conserved SorCS1c is internalized through a canonical tyrosine-based motif. In contrast, human SorCS1a, whose cytoplasmic domain is completely different from mouse SorCS1a, is internalized through a DXXLL motif. We report that the human SorCS1a cytoplasmic domain interacts with the alphaC/sigma2 subunits of the adaptor protein (AP)-2 complex, and internalization of human SorCS1a and -c is mediated by AP-2. Our results suggest that the endocytic isoforms target internalized cargo to lysosomes but are not engaged in Golgi-endosomal transport to a significant degree.

Apolipoprotein A-V interaction with members of the low density lipoprotein receptor gene family.

Apolipoprotein A-V is a potent modulator of plasma triacylglycerol levels. To investigate the molecular basis for this phenomenon we explored the ability of apolipoprotein A-V, in most experiments complexed to disks of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine, to interact with two members of the low density lipoprotein receptor family, the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein and the mosaic type-1 receptor, SorLA. Experiments using surface plasmon resonance showed specific binding of both free and lipid-bound apolipoprotein A-V to both receptors. The binding was calcium dependent and was inhibited by the receptor associated protein, a known ligand for members of the low density lipoprotein receptor family. Preincubation with heparin decreased the receptor binding of apolipoprotein A-V, indicating that overlap exists between the recognition sites for these receptors and for heparin. A double mutant, apolipoprotein A-V (Arg210Glu/Lys211Gln), showed decreased binding to heparin and decreased ability to bind the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein. Association of apolipoprotein A-V with the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein or SorLA resulted in enhanced binding of human chylomicrons to receptor-covered sensor chips. Our results indicate that apolipoprotein A-V may influence plasma lipid homeostasis by enhancing receptor-mediated endocytosis of triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins.

Binding areas of urokinase-type plasminogen activator-plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 complex for endocytosis receptors of the low-density lipoprotein receptor family, determined by site-directed mutagenesis.

Some endocytosis receptors related to the low-density lipoprotein receptor, including low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1A, very-low-density lipoprotein receptor, and sorting protein-related receptor, bind protease-inhibitor complexes, including urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and the uPA-PAI-1 complex. The unique capacity of these receptors for high-affinity binding of many structurally unrelated ligands renders mapping of receptor-binding surfaces of serpin and serine protease ligands a special challenge. We have mapped the receptor-binding area of the uPA-PAI-1 complex by site-directed mutagenesis. Substitution of a cluster of basic residues near the 37-loop and 60-loop of uPA reduced the receptor-binding affinity of the uPA-PAI-1 complex approximately twofold. Deletion of the N-terminal growth factor domain of uPA reduced the affinity 2-4-fold, depending on the receptor, and deletion of both the growth factor domain and the kringle reduced the affinity sevenfold. The binding affinity of the uPA-PAI-1 complex to the receptors was greatly reduced by substitution of basic and hydrophobic residues in alpha-helix D and alpha-helix E of PAI-1. The localization of the implicated residues in the 3D structures of uPA and PAI-1 shows that they form a continuous receptor-binding area spanning the serpin as well as the A-chain and the serine protease domain of uPA. Our results suggest that the 10-100-fold higher affinity of the uPA-PAI-1 complex compared with the free components depends on the bonus effect of bringing the binding areas on uPA and PAI-1 together on the same binding entity.

Molecular dissection of the interaction between amyloid precursor protein and its neuronal trafficking receptor SorLA/LR11.

SorLA/LR11 is a sorting receptor that regulates the intracellular transport and processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) in neurons. SorLA/LR11-mediated binding results in sequestration of APP in the Golgi and in protection from processing into the amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta), the principal component of senile plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD). To gain insight into the molecular mechanisms governing sorLA and APP interaction, we have dissected the respective protein interacting domains. Using a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) based assay of protein proximity, we identified binding sites in the extracellular regions of both proteins. Fine mapping by surface plasmon resonance analysis and analytical ultracentrifugation of recombinant APP and sorLA fragments further narrowed down the binding domains to the cluster of complement-type repeats in sorLA that forms a 1:1 stoichiometric complex with the carbohydrate-linked domain of APP. These data shed new light on the molecular determinants of neuronal APP trafficking and processing and on possible targets for intervention with senile plaque formation in patients with AD.

Tumour necrosis factor alpha-converting enzyme mediates ectodomain shedding of Vps10p-domain receptor family members.

Several transmembrane molecules are cleaved at juxtamembrane extracellular sites leading to shedding of ectodomains. We analysed shedding of members of the Vps10p-D (Vps10p domain; where Vps is vacuolar protein sorting) family of neuronal type-I receptors with partially overlapping functions, and additional proteolytic events initiated by the shedding. When transfected into CHO (Chinese-hamster ovary) cells (CHO-K1), sorCS1a-sorCS1c isoforms were shed at high rates (approximately 0.61% x min(-1)) that were increased approx. 3-fold upon stimulation with phorbol ester. sorCS1c identified in the cultured neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y was shed similarly. In CHO-K1 transfectants, constitutive and stimulated shedding of sorCS3 also occurred at high rates (0.29% and 1.03% x min(-1)). By comparison, constitutive and stimulated shedding of sorLA occurred at somewhat lower rates (0.07% and 0.48% x min(-1)), whereas sorCS2 and sortilin were shed at very low rates even when stimulated (approximately 0.01% x min(-1)). Except for sorCS2, shedding of the receptors was dramatically reduced in mutant CHO cells (CHO-M2) devoid of active TACE (tumour necrosis factor alpha-converting enzyme), demonstrating that this enzyme accounts for most sheddase activity. The release of sorCS1 and sorLA ectodomains initiated rapid cleavage of the membrane-tethered C-terminal stubs that accumulated only in the presence of gamma-secretase inhibitors. Purified shed sorLA bound several ligands similarly to the entire luminal domain of the receptor, including PDGF-BB (platelet-derived growth factor-BB) and amyloid-beta precursor protein. In addition, PDGF-BB also bound to the luminal domains of sorCS1 and sorCS3. The results suggest that ectodomains shed from a subset of Vps10p-D receptors can function as carrier proteins.

Neuronal sorting protein-related receptor sorLA/LR11 regulates processing of the amyloid precursor protein.

sorLA (Sorting protein-related receptor) is a type-1 membrane protein of unknown function that is expressed in neurons. Its homology to sorting receptors that shuttle between the plasma membrane, endosomes, and the Golgi suggests a related function in neuronal trafficking processes. Because expression of sorLA is reduced in the brain of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), we tested involvement of this receptor in intracellular transport and processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) to the amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta), the principal component of senile plaques. We demonstrate that sorLA interacts with APP in vitro and in living cells and that both proteins colocalize in endosomal and Golgi compartments. Overexpression of sorLA in neurons causes redistribution of APP to the Golgi and decreased processing to Abeta, whereas ablation of sorLA expression in knockout mice results in increased levels of Abeta in the brain similar to the situation in AD patients. Thus, sorLA acts as a sorting receptor that protects APP from processing into Abeta and thereby reduces the burden of amyloidogenic peptide formation. Consequently, reduced receptor expression in the human brain may increase Abeta production and plaque formation and promote spontaneous AD.

Functional organization of the sortilin Vps10p domain.

A Vps10p domain makes up the entire luminal part of Sortilin, and this type of domain is the hallmark of a new family of neuronal receptors that target a variety of ligands, including neurotrophins and neuropeptides. We have shown that two structural features of the Vps10p domain, the N-terminal propeptide and the C-terminal segment of ten conserved cysteines (10CC), are key elements in the function of Sortilin. The propeptide has two functions. (i) It binds the mature part of Sortilin and prevents ligands in the biosynthetic pathway from binding to the uncleaved proreceptor, and (ii) it facilitates receptor transport in early Golgi compartments by a mechanism that does not depend on its ability to prevent ligand binding. In contrast, other Vps10p domain receptors, such as SorLA and SorCS3, do not need their propeptide for normal and swift processing. The 10CC segment constitutes an exchangeable module containing five conserved disulfide bridges, and using module-shuffling and truncations, we have shown that the 10CC segment is a major ligand-binding region in Sortilin.

The mosaic receptor sorLA/LR11 binds components of the plasminogen-activating system and platelet-derived growth factor-BB similarly to LRP1 (low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein), but mediates slow internalization of bound ligand.

The type-1 receptor sorLA/LR11, a member of the Vps10p-domain receptor family that also contains domains characterizing members of the LDL (low-density lipoprotein) receptor family, has been shown to induce increased uPAR (urokinase receptor) expression as well as enhanced migration and invasion activities in smooth muscle cells in the presence of PDGF-BB (platelet-derived growth factor-BB). Here we show that sorLA interacts with both components of the plasminogen activating system and PDGF-BB similarly to LRP1 (LDL receptor-related protein/alpha2-macroglobulin receptor), which is an important clearance receptor with established functions in controlling uPAR expression as well as PDGF-BB signalling. In contrast with LRP1, sorLA does not interact with alpha2-macroglobulin, which is a binding protein for several growth factors, including PDGF-BB. By using LRP1-deficient cells transfected with sorLA, we demonstrate that sorLA-bound ligand is internalized at a much lower rate than LRP1-bound ligand, and that sorLA is inefficient in regulating cell surface uPAR expression, which depends on rapid internalization of the ternary complex between urokinase-type plasminogen activator, its type-1 inhibitor, and uPAR. Thus, although overlapping with regard to binding profiles, sorLA is substantially less efficient as a clearance receptor than LRP1. We propose that sorLA can divert ligands away from LRP1 and thereby inhibit both their clearance and signalling events mediated by LRP1.

Characterization of sorCS1, an alternatively spliced receptor with completely different cytoplasmic domains that mediate different trafficking in cells.

We previously isolated and sequenced murine sorCS1, a type 1 receptor containing a Vps10p-domain and a leucine-rich domain. We now show that human sorCS1 has three isoforms, sorCS1a-c, with completely different cytoplasmic tails and differential expression in tissues. The b tail shows high identity with that of murine sorCS1b, whereas the a and c tails have no reported counterparts. Like the Vps10p-domain receptor family members sortilin and sorLA, sorCS1 is synthesized as a proreceptor that is converted in late Golgi compartments by furin-mediated cleavage. Mature sorCS1 bound its own propeptide with low affinity but none of the ligands previously shown to interact with sortilin and sorLA. In transfected cells, about 10% of sorCS1a was expressed on the cell surface and proved capable of rapid endocytosis in complex with specific antibody, whereas sorCS1b presented a high cell surface expression but essentially no endocytosis, and sorCS1c was intermediate. This is an unusual example of an alternatively spliced single transmembrane receptor with completely different cytoplasmic domains that mediate different trafficking in cells.

The sorLA cytoplasmic domain interacts with GGA1 and -2 and defines minimum requirements for GGA binding.

We report that the Vps10p domain receptor sorLA binds the adaptor proteins GGA1 and -2, which take part in Golgi-endosome sorting. The GGAs bind with differential requirements via three critical residues in the C-terminal segment of the sorLA cytoplasmic tail. Unlike in sortilin and the mannose 6-phosphate receptors, the GGA-binding segment in sorLA contains neither an acidic cluster nor a dileucine. Our results support the concept of sorLA as a potential sorting receptor and suggest that key residues in sorLA and sortilin conform to a new type of motif (psi-psi-X-X-phi) defining minimum requirements for GGA binding to cytoplasmic receptor domains.