Coding variants identified in patients with diabetes alter PICK1 BAR domain function in insulin granule biogenesis.

Bin/amphiphysin/Rvs (BAR) domains are positively charged crescent-shaped modules that mediate curvature of negatively charged lipid membranes during remodeling processes. The BAR domain proteins PICK1, ICA69, and the arfaptins have recently been demonstrated to coordinate the budding and formation of immature secretory granules (ISGs) at the trans-Golgi network. Here, we identify 4 coding variants in the PICK1 gene from a whole-exome screening of Danish patients with diabetes that each involve a change in positively charged residues in the PICK1 BAR domain. All 4 coding variants failed to rescue insulin content in INS-1E cells upon knock down of endogenous PICK1. Moreover, 2 variants showed dominant-negative properties. In vitro assays addressing BAR domain function suggested that the coding variants compromised BAR domain function but increased the capacity to cause fission of liposomes. Live confocal microscopy and super-resolution microscopy further revealed that PICK1 resides transiently on ISGs before egress via vesicular budding events. Interestingly, this egress of PICK1 was accelerated in the coding variants. We propose that PICK1 assists in or complements the removal of excess membrane and generic membrane trafficking proteins, and possibly also insulin, from ISGs during the maturation process; and that the coding variants may cause premature budding, possibly explaining their dominant-negative function.

Constitutive internalization across therapeutically targeted GPCRs correlates with constitutive activity.

While the physiological function and mechanisms of agonist-dependent G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) internalization have been extensively studied, the functional characterization of constitutive internalization of these critically important receptors has received less attention. Here we relate the constitutive internalization of more than 30 therapeutically targeted GPCRs to their agonist-induced internalization. The constitutive internalization ranges from levels of bulk membrane endocytosis in some cases to levels of agonist-induced internalization for other receptors. Moreover, for receptors with high constitutive internalization this occludes further agonist-induced internalization. Additionally, Gq-coupled GPCRs show a significantly higher rate of constitutive internalization than Gs- and Gi-coupled receptors. Finally, we consolidate the proposed link between the constitutive internalization, as assessed by a cytometry-based assay, and the constitutive activity of these receptors, as previously reported by a ß-arrestin recruitment assay across the range of pharmacologically relevant receptors. In summary, we provide a quantitative comparison of GPCR internalization across a range of pharmacologically relevant receptors providing generalized insight into the relations between constitutive internalization, constitutive activity and agonist-induced internalization, which has so far relied on mutational studies in individual receptors.

An Amphipathic Helix Directs Cellular Membrane Curvature Sensing and Function of the BAR Domain Protein PICK1.

BAR domains are dimeric protein modules that sense, induce, and stabilize lipid membrane curvature. Here, we show that membrane curvature sensing (MCS) directs cellular localization and function of the BAR domain protein PICK1. In PICK1, and the homologous proteins ICA69 and arfaptin2, we identify an amphipathic helix N-terminal to the BAR domain that mediates MCS. Mutational disruption of the helix in PICK1 impaired MCS without affecting membrane binding per se. In insulin-producing INS-1E cells, super-resolution microscopy revealed that disruption of the helix selectively compromised PICK1 density on insulin granules of high curvature during their maturation. This was accompanied by reduced hormone storage in the INS-1E cells. In Drosophila, disruption of the helix compromised growth regulation. By demonstrating size-dependent binding on insulin granules, our finding highlights the function of MCS for BAR domain proteins in a biological context distinct from their function, e.g., at the plasma membrane during endocytosis.