Identification of a Wnt-induced protein complex by affinity proteomics using an antibody that recognizes a sub-population of ß-catenin.

ß-catenin is a signaling protein with diverse functions in cell adhesion and Wnt signaling. Although ß-catenin has been shown to participate in many protein-protein interactions, it is not clear which combinations of ß-catenin-interacting proteins form discrete complexes. We have generated a novel antibody, termed 4B3, which recognizes only a small subset of total cellular ß-catenin. Affinity proteomics using 4B3, in combination with subcellular fractionation, has allowed us to define a discrete trimeric complex of ß-catenin, α-catenin and the tumor suppressor APC, which forms in the cytoplasm in response to Wnt signaling. Depletion of the limiting component of this complex, APC, implicates the complex in mediating Wnt-induced changes in cell-cell adhesion. APC is also essential for N-terminal phosphorylation of ß-catenin within this complex. Each component of ß-catenin/APC/α-catenin complex co-exists in other protein complexes, thus use of a selective antibody for affinity proteomics has allowed us to go beyond the generation of a list of potential ß-catenin-interacting proteins, and define when and where a specific complex forms.

Identification of a proline-rich inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase (PIPP)•collapsin response mediator protein 2 (CRMP2) complex that regulates neurite elongation.

Neuron polarization is essential for the formation of one axon and multiple dendrites, establishing the neuronal circuitry. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling promotes axon selection and elongation. Here we report in hippocampal neurons siRNA knockdown of the proline-rich inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase (PIPP), which degrades PI3K-generated PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3), results in multiple hyperelongated axons consistent with a polarization defect. We identify collapsin response mediator protein 2 (CRMP2), which regulates axon selection by promoting WAVE1 delivery via Kinesin-1 motors to the axon growth cone, as a PIPP-interacting protein by Y2H screening, direct binding studies, and coimmunoprecipitation of an endogenous PIPP, CRMP2, and Kinesin-1 complex from brain lysates. The C-terminal growth cone-targeting domain of PIPP facilitates its interaction with CRMP2. PIPP growth cone localization is CRMP2-dependent. PIPP knockdown in PC12 cells promotes neurite elongation, WAVE1 and Kinesin-1 growth cone localization, whereas knockdown of CRMP2 exhibits the opposite phenotype, with shorter neurites and decreased WAVE1/Kinesin-1 at the growth cone. In contrast, CRMP2 overexpression promotes neurite elongation, a phenotype rescued by full-length PIPP, or expression of the CRMP2-binding PIPP domain. Therefore this study identifies PIPP and CRMP2 exert opposing roles in promoting axon selection and neurite elongation and the complex between these proteins serves to regulate the localization of effectors that promote neurite extension.

Silencer of death domains (SODD) inhibits skeletal muscle and kidney enriched inositol 5-phosphatase (SKIP) and regulates phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling to the actin cytoskeleton.

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) regulates cell polarity and migration by generating phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PI(3,4,5)P(3)) at the leading edge of migrating cells. The serine-threonine protein kinase Akt binds to PI(3,4,5)P(3), resulting in its activation. Active Akt promotes spatially regulated actin cytoskeletal remodeling and thereby directed cell migration. The inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatases (5-ptases) degrade PI(3,4,5)P(3) to form PI(3,4)P(2), which leads to diminished Akt activation. Several 5-ptases, including SKIP and SHIP2, inhibit actin cytoskeletal reorganization by opposing PI3K/Akt signaling. In this current study, we identify a molecular co-chaperone termed silencer of death domains (SODD/BAG4) that forms a complex with several 5-ptase family members, including SKIP, SHIP1, and SHIP2. The interaction between SODD and SKIP exerts an inhibitory effect on SKIP PI(3,4,5)P(3) 5-ptase catalytic activity and consequently enhances the recruitment of PI(3,4,5)P(3)-effectors to the plasma membrane. In contrast, SODD(-/-) mouse embryonic fibroblasts exhibit reduced Akt-Ser(473) and -Thr(308) phosphorylation following EGF stimulation, associated with increased SKIP PI(3,4,5)P(3)-5-ptase activity. SODD(-/-) mouse embryonic fibroblasts exhibit decreased EGF-stimulated F-actin stress fibers, lamellipodia, and focal adhesion complexity, a phenotype that is rescued by the expression of constitutively active Akt1. Furthermore, reduced cell migration was observed in SODD(-/-) macrophages, which express the three 5-ptases shown to interact with SODD (SKIP, SHIP1, and SHIP2). Therefore, this study identifies SODD as a novel regulator of PI3K/Akt signaling to the actin cytoskeleton.

Solubilisation of the armadillo-repeat protein ß-catenin using a zwitterionic detergent allows resolution of phosphorylated forms by 2DE.

ß-catenin is a member of the armadillo repeat family of proteins and has important functions in cell-cell adhesion and Wnt signalling. Different protein species of ß-catenin have been shown to exist in the cell and the relative proportions of these species are altered upon stimulation of cells with Wnt-3a (Gottardi and Gumbiner, 2004). In order to determine whether posttranslational modifications (PTMs) of ß-catenin underlie these different protein species, we have used 2DE separation and immunoblotting with an antibody specific for ß-catenin. High-resolution separation of differentially modified species of ß-catenin in 2DE required the addition of ASB-16, a zwitterionic detergent that can solubilise integral membrane proteins. ASB-16 was also necessary for focussing of other armadillo repeat proteins, such as γ-catenin and p120-catenin. 2DE using ASB-16 allowed detection of a previously unreported phosphorylation site in the transcriptionally active form of ß-catenin that binds to GST-Tcf in response to Wnt signalling.

Restoration of full-length APC protein in SW480 colon cancer cells induces exosome-mediated secretion of DKK-4.

Mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumor suppressor gene are common in both inherited and sporadic forms of colorectal cancer (CRC), and are associated with dysregulated Wnt signaling. Colon carcinoma SW480 cells restored with stable expression of wild-type APC (SW480APC cells) exhibit attenuated Wnt signaling, and reduced tumorigenicity, including increased cell adhesion. We performed a comparative proteomic analysis of exosomes isolated from SW480 and SW480APC cells to examine the effects of restored APC on exosome protein expression. A salient finding of our study was the unique expression of the Wnt antagonist Dickkopf-related protein 4 (DKK4) in SW480APC, but not parental SW480 cell-derived exosomes. Upregulation of DKK4 in SW480APC cells was confirmed by semiquantitative RT-PCR, immunoblotting, and immunogold electron microscopy. Analysis of the DKK4 gene promoter by methylation-specific PCR revealed reduced methylation in SW480APC cells, while RT-PCR demonstrated the downregulation of DNMT-3a, compared to the parental cell line. Our discovery of exosome-mediated secretion of DKK4 opens up the possibility that exosomal DKK4 may be a mechanism used by epithelial colon cells to regulate Wnt signaling which is lost during CRC progression.

Autophosphorylation of serine 608 in the p85 regulatory subunit of wild type or cancer-associated mutants of phosphoinositide 3-kinase does not affect its lipid kinase activity.

BACKGROUND: The α-isoform of the Type 1A Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Kα) has protein kinase activity as well as phosphoinositide lipid kinase activity. The best described substrate for its protein kinase activity is its regulatory subunit, p85α, which becomes phosphorylated on Serine 608. Phosphorylation of Serine 608 has been reported to down-regulate its lipid kinase activity. RESULTS: We have assessed whether oncogenic mutants of PI3Kα, which have up-regulated lipid kinase activity, have altered levels of Serine 608 phosphorylation compared to wild type PI3Kα, and whether differential phosphorylation of Serine 608 contributes to increased activity of oncogenic forms of PI3Kα with point mutations in the helical or the kinase domains. Despite markedly increased lipid kinase activity, protein kinase activity was not altered in oncogenic compared to wild type forms of PI3Kα. By manipulating levels of phosphorylation of Serine 608 in vitro, we found no evidence that the protein kinase activity of PI3Kα affects its phosphoinositide lipid kinase activity in either wild-type or oncogenic mutants of PI3Kα. CONCLUSIONS: Phosphorylation of p85α S608 is not a significant regulator of wild-type or oncogenic PI3Kα lipid kinase activity.

Wnt signaling and colon tumorigenesis--a view from the periphery.

In this brief overview we discuss the association between Wnt signaling and colon cell biology and tumorigenesis. Our current understanding of the role of Apc in the ß-catenin destruction complex is compared with potential roles for Apc in cell adhesion and migration. The requirement for phosphorylation in the proteasomal-mediated degradation of ß-catenin is contrasted with roles for phospho-ß-catenin in the activation of transcription, cell adhesion and migration. The synergy between Myb and ß-catenin regulation of transcription in crypt stem cells during Wnt signaling is discussed. Finally, potential effects of growth factor regulatory systems, Apc or truncated-Apc on crypt morphogenesis, stem cell localization and crypt fission are considered.

Fostering the use of Learning Health Systems through a fellowship program for interprofessional clinicians.

Introduction: To address Australian workforce needs, we developed a Learning Healthcare System (LHS) Academy fellowship program for clinicians. In the Academy, fellows complete foundational coursework, an LHS project, and other professional development deliverables to foster their future as digital health champions within their organizations. In this paper, we describe the 11-month-long program, as well as our evaluation results from the first 2 months of the program. Methods: In the first week of the program, we sent all fellows an open-ended survey asking fellows to describe their digital health professional identities and what they expected to achieve from the fellowship program. At 2 months, we sent a follow-up open-ended survey that captured identical measures, their perceived barriers to participation in the program, perceived use of topics in the workplace and to their projects, and recommendations for program improvement. We analyzed the open text responses using qualitative content analysis, to identify categories of responses. Results: Overall, 2 months into the program, it was evident that participants were finding the teaching model engaging, useful, valuable, and applicable to their work and projects. Fellows perceived barriers to engagement in the program as balancing other commitments, lacking technical expertise, and having difficulty seeing themselves as leaders. Fellows expected that the program will allow them to implement new models of care, provide them with enough expertise to become leaders and champions in digital health, and become mentors for future generations. As far as changes in their professional identity, there was a notable increase in the number of fellows perceiving themselves as leaders. Conclusion: Fellowship programs are one promising means of developing the healthcare workforce in LHS capabilities. Future studies should describe and evaluate LHS programs, to provide insights and recommendations for other educators interested in implementing similar programs of work within their own institutions.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate [PtdIns3P] is generated at the plasma membrane by an inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase: endogenous PtdIns3P can promote GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane.

Exogenous delivery of carrier-linked phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate [PtdIns(3)P] to adipocytes promotes the trafficking, but not the insertion, of the glucose transporter GLUT4 into the plasma membrane. However, it is yet to be demonstrated if endogenous PtdIns(3)P regulates GLUT4 trafficking and, in addition, the metabolic pathways mediating plasma membrane PtdIns(3)P synthesis are uncharacterized. In unstimulated 3T3-L1 adipocytes, conditions under which PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 was not synthesized, ectopic expression of wild-type, but not catalytically inactive 72-kDa inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase (72-5ptase), generated PtdIns(3)P at the plasma membrane. Immunoprecipitated 72-5ptase from adipocytes hydrolyzed PtdIns(3,5)P2, forming PtdIns(3)P. Overexpression of the 72-5ptase was used to functionally dissect the role of endogenous PtdIns(3)P in GLUT4 translocation and/or plasma membrane insertion. In unstimulated adipocytes wild type, but not catalytically inactive, 72-5ptase, promoted GLUT4 translocation and insertion into the plasma membrane but not glucose uptake. Overexpression of FLAG-2xFYVE/Hrs, which binds and sequesters PtdIns(3)P, blocked 72-5ptase-induced GLUT4 translocation. Actin monomer binding, using latrunculin A treatment, also blocked 72-5ptase-stimulated GLUT4 translocation. 72-5ptase expression promoted GLUT4 trafficking via a Rab11-dependent pathway but not by Rab5-mediated endocytosis. Therefore, endogenous PtdIns(3)P at the plasma membrane promotes GLUT4 translocation.

The inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase, PIPP, Is a novel regulator of phosphoinositide 3-kinase-dependent neurite elongation.

The spatial activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) signaling at the axon growth cone generates phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5 trisphosphate (PtdIns(3,4,5)P3), which localizes and facilitates Akt activation and stimulates GSK-3beta inactivation, promoting microtubule polymerization and axon elongation. However, the molecular mechanisms that govern the spatial down-regulation of PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 signaling at the growth cone remain undetermined. The inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatases (5-phosphatase) hydrolyze the 5-position phosphate from phosphatidylinositol 4,5 bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P2) and/or PtdIns(3,4,5)P3. We demonstrate here that PIPP, an uncharacterized 5-phosphatase, hydrolyzes PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 forming PtdIns(3,4)P2, decreasing Ser473-Akt phosphorylation. PIPP is expressed in PC12 cells, localizing to the plasma membrane of undifferentiated cells and the neurite shaft and growth cone of NGF-differentiated neurites. Overexpression of wild-type, but not catalytically inactive PIPP, in PC12 cells inhibited neurite elongation. Targeted depletion of PIPP using RNA interference (RNAi) resulted in enhanced neurite differentiation, associated with neurite hyperelongation. Inhibition of PI3-kinase activity prevented neurite hyperelongation in PIPP-deficient cells. PIPP targeted-depletion resulted in increased phospho-Ser473-Akt and phospho-Ser9-GSK-3beta, specifically at the neurite growth cone, and accumulation of PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 at this site, associated with enhanced microtubule polymerization in the neurite shaft. PIPP therefore inhibits PI3-kinase-dependent neurite elongation in PC12 cells, via regulation of the spatial distribution of phospho-Ser473-Akt and phospho-Ser9-GSK-3beta signaling.

Purification and membrane reconstitution of catalytically active Menkes copper-transporting P-type ATPase (MNK; ATP7A).

The MNK (Menkes disease protein; ATP7A) is a major copper- transporting P-type ATPase involved in the delivery of copper to cuproenzymes in the secretory pathway and the efflux of excess copper from extrahepatic tissues. Mutations in the MNK (ATP7A) gene result in Menkes disease, a fatal neurodegenerative copper deficiency disorder. Currently, detailed biochemical and biophysical analyses of MNK to better understand its mechanisms of copper transport are not possible due to the lack of purified MNK in an active form. To address this issue, we expressed human MNK with an N-terminal Glu-Glu tag in Sf9 [Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm) 9] insect cells and purified it by antibody affinity chromatography followed by size-exclusion chromatography in the presence of the non-ionic detergent DDM (n-dodecyl beta-D-maltopyranoside). Formation of the classical vanadate-sensitive phosphoenzyme by purified MNK was activated by Cu(I) [EC50=0.7 microM; h (Hill coefficient) was 4.6]. Furthermore, we report the first measurement of Cu(I)-dependent ATPase activity of MNK (K0.5=0.6 microM; h=5.0). The purified MNK demonstrated active ATP-dependent vectorial 64Cu transport when reconstituted into soya-bean asolectin liposomes. Together, these data demonstrated that Cu(I) interacts with MNK in a co-operative manner and with high affinity in the sub-micromolar range. The present study provides the first biochemical characterization of a purified full-length mammalian copper-transporting P-type ATPase associated with a human disease.

Assessing the subcellular distribution of oncogenic phosphoinositide 3-kinase using microinjection into live cells.

Oncogenic mutations in PIK3CA lead to an increase in intrinsic phosphoinositide kinase activity, but it is thought that increased access of PI3Kα (phosphoinositide 3-kinase α) to its PM (plasma membrane) localized substrate is also required for increased levels of downstream PIP3/Akt [phosphoinositide-3,4,5-trisphosphate/also called PKB (protein kinase B)] signalling. We have studied the subcellular localization of wild-type and the two most common oncogenic mutants of PI3Kα in cells maintained in growth media, and starved or stimulated cells using a novel method in which PI3Kα is pre-formed as a 1:1 p110α:p85α complex in vitro then introduced into live cells by microinjection. Oncogenic E545K and H1047R mutants did not constitutively interact with membrane lipids in vitro or in cells maintained in 10% (v/v) FBS. Following stimulation of RTKs (receptor tyrosine kinases), microinjected PI3Kα was recruited to the PM, but oncogenic forms of PI3Kα were not recruited to the PM to a greater extent and did not reside at the PM longer than the wild-type PI3Kα. Instead, the E545K mutant specifically bound activated Cdc42 in vitro and microinjection of E545K was associated with the formation of cellular protrusions, providing some preliminary evidence that changes in protein-protein interactions may play a role in the oncogenicity of the E545K mutant in addition to the well-known changes in lipid kinase activity.

Immunopurification of adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) proteins.

BACKGROUND: The adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumour suppressor gene encodes a 2843 residue (310 kDa) protein. APC is a multifunctional protein involved in the regulation of ß-catenin/Wnt signalling, cytoskeletal dynamics and cell adhesion. APC mutations occur in most colorectal cancers and typically result in truncation of the C-terminal half of the protein. RESULTS: In order to investigate the biophysical properties of APC, we have generated a set of monoclonal antibodies which enable purification of recombinant forms of APC. Here we describe the characterisation of these anti-APC monoclonal antibodies (APC-NT) that specifically recognise endogenous APC both in solution and in fixed cells. Full-length APC(1-2843) and cancer-associated, truncated APC proteins, APC(1-1638) and APC(1-1311) were produced in Sf9 insect cells. CONCLUSIONS: Recombinant APC proteins were purified using a two-step affinity approach using our APC-NT antibodies. The purification of APC proteins provides the basis for detailed structure/function analyses of full-length, cancer-truncated and endogenous forms of the protein.

Wnt signalling pathway parameters for mammalian cells.

Wnt/ß-catenin signalling regulates cell fate, survival, proliferation and differentiation at many stages of mammalian development and pathology. Mutations of two key proteins in the pathway, APC and ß-catenin, have been implicated in a range of cancers, including colorectal cancer. Activation of Wnt signalling has been associated with the stabilization and nuclear accumulation of ß-catenin and consequential up-regulation of ß-catenin/TCF gene transcription. In 2003, Lee et al. constructed a computational model of Wnt signalling supported by experimental data from analysis of time-dependent concentration of Wnt signalling proteins in Xenopus egg extracts. Subsequent studies have used the Xenopus quantitative data to infer Wnt pathway dynamics in other systems. As a basis for understanding Wnt signalling in mammalian cells, a confocal live cell imaging measurement technique is developed to measure the cell and nuclear volumes of MDCK, HEK293T cells and 3 human colorectal cancer cell lines and the concentrations of Wnt signalling proteins ß-catenin, Axin, APC, GSK3ß and E-cadherin. These parameters provide the basis for formulating Wnt signalling models for kidney/intestinal epithelial mammalian cells. There are significant differences in concentrations of key proteins between Xenopus extracts and mammalian whole cell lysates. Higher concentrations of Axin and lower concentrations of APC are present in mammalian cells. Axin concentrations are greater than APC in kidney epithelial cells, whereas in intestinal epithelial cells the APC concentration is higher than Axin. Computational simulations based on Lee's model, with this new data, suggest a need for a recalibration of the model.A quantitative understanding of Wnt signalling in mammalian cells, in particular human colorectal cancers requires a detailed understanding of the concentrations of key protein complexes over time. Simulations of Wnt signalling in mammalian cells can be initiated with the parameters measured in this report.

Independent interactions of phosphorylated ß-catenin with E-cadherin at cell-cell contacts and APC at cell protrusions.

BACKGROUND: The APC tumour suppressor functions in several cellular processes including the regulation of ß-catenin in Wnt signalling and in cell adhesion and migration. FINDINGS: In this study, we establish that in epithelial cells N-terminally phosphorylated ß-catenin specifically localises to several subcellular sites including cell-cell contacts and the ends of cell protrusions. N-terminally phosphorylated ß-catenin associates with E-cadherin at adherens junctions and with APC in cell protrusions. We isolated APC-rich protrusions from stimulated cells and detected ß-catenin, GSK3ß and CK1α, but not axin. The APC/phospho-ß-catenin complex in cell protrusions appears to be distinct from the APC/axin/ß-catenin destruction complex. GSK3ß phosphorylates the APC-associated population of ß-catenin, but not the cell junction population. ß-catenin associated with APC is rapidly phosphorylated and dephosphorylated. HGF and wound-induced cell migration promote the localised accumulation of APC and phosphorylated ß-catenin at the leading edge of migrating cells. APC siRNA and analysis of colon cancer cell lines show that functional APC is required for localised phospho-ß-catenin accumulation in cell protrusions. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that N-terminal phosphorylation of ß-catenin does not necessarily lead to its degradation but instead marks distinct functions, such as cell migration and/or adhesion processes. Localised regulation of APC-phospho-ß-catenin complexes may contribute to the tumour suppressor activity of APC.

In situ phosphorylation of immobilized receptors on biosensor surfaces: application to E-cadherin/beta-catenin interactions.

Phosphorylation is a key posttranslational modification for modulating biological interactions. Biosensor technology is ideally suited for examining in real time the role of phosphorylation on protein-protein interactions in signaling pathways. We have developed processes for on-chip phosphorylation of immobilized receptors on biosensor surfaces. These processes have been used to analyze E-cadherin/beta-catenin interactions. Phosphorylation of the intracellular domain (ICD) of E-cadherin modulates its affinity to beta-catenin and consequently the strength of cell-cell adhesion. We have phosphorylated immobilized E-cadherin ICD in situ using casein kinase 1 (CK1), casein kinase 2 (CK2), and src. On-chip phosphorylation of E-cadherin was confirmed using anti-phosphoserine and anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies. The binding of beta-catenin to E-cadherin was analyzed quantitatively. CK1 phosphorylation of E-cadherin increased the binding affinity to beta-catenin from approximately 230 to 4 nM. A similar increase in affinity, from 260 to 4 nM, was obtained with CK2 phosphorylation of E-cadherin. However, phosphorylation by src kinase decreased the affinity constant from approximately 260 nM to 4 microM. Interestingly, phosphorylation of E-cadherin by CK1 or CK2 prevented the inhibition of beta-catenin binding by src phosphorylation.

CHOMPER: a bioinformatic tool for rapid validation of tandem mass spectrometry search results associated with high-throughput proteomic strategies.

Current efforts aimed at developing high-throughput proteomics focus on increasing the speed of protein identification. Although improvements in sample separation, enrichment, automated handling, mass spectrometric analysis, as well as data reduction and database interrogation strategies have done much to increase the quality, quantity and efficiency of data collection, significant bottlenecks still exist. Various separation techniques have been coupled with tandem mass spectrometric (MS/MS) approaches to allow a quicker analysis of complex mixtures of proteins, especially where a high number of unambiguous protein identifications are the exception, rather than the rule. MS/MS is required to provide structural / amino acid sequence information on a peptide and thus allow protein identity to be inferred from individual peptides. Currently these spectra need to be manually validated because: (a) the potential of false positive matches i.e., protein not in database, and (b) observed fragmentation trends may not be incorporated into current MS/MS search algorithms. This validation represents a significant bottleneck associated with high-throughput proteomic strategies. We have developed CHOMPER, a software program which reduces the time required to both visualize and confirm MS/MS search results and generate post-analysis reports and protein summary tables. CHOMPER extracts the identification information from SEQUEST MS/MS search result files, reproduces both the peptide and protein identification summaries, provides a more interactive visualization of the MS/MS spectra and facilitates the direct submission of manually validated identifications to a database.

Identification of myotubularin as the lipid phosphatase catalytic subunit associated with the 3-phosphatase adapter protein, 3-PAP.

Myotubularin is a dual-specific phosphatase that dephosphorylates phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate and phosphatidylinositol (3,5)-bisphosphate. Mutations in myotubularin result in the human disease X-linked myotubular myopathy, characterized by persistence of muscle fibers that retain an immature phenotype. We have previously reported the identification of the 3-phosphatase adapter protein (3-PAP), a catalytically inactive member of the myotubularin gene family, which coprecipitates lipid phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate-3-phosphatase activity from lysates of human platelets. We have now identified myotubularin as the catalytically active 3-phosphatase subunit interacting with 3-PAP. A 65-kDa polypeptide, coprecipitating with endogenous 3-PAP, was purified from SDS/PAGE, subjected to trypsin digestion, and analyzed by collision-induced dissociation tandem MS. Three peptides derived from human myotubularin were identified. Association between 3-PAP and myotubularin was confirmed by reciprocal coimmunoprecipitation of both endogenous and recombinant proteins expressed in K562 cells. Recombinant myotubularin localized to the plasma membrane, causing extensive filopodia formation. However, coexpression of 3-PAP with myotubularin led to attenuation of the plasma membrane phenotype, associated with myotubularin relocalization to the cytosol. Collectively these studies indicate 3-PAP functions as an "adapter" for myotubularin, regulating myotubularin intracellular location and thereby altering the phenotype resulting from myotubularin overexpression.

Restoration of full-length adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) protein in a colon cancer cell line enhances cell adhesion.

The APC tumour suppressor gene is mutated in most colon cancers. A major role of APC is the downregulation of the beta-catenin/T-cell factor (Tcf)/lymphoid enhancer factor (LEF) signalling pathway; however, there are also suggestions that it plays a role in the organization of the cytoskeleton, and in cell adhesion and migration. For the first time, we have achieved stable expression of wild-type APC in SW480 colon cancer cells, which normally express a truncated form of APC. The ectopically expressed APC is functional, and results in the translocation of beta-catenin from the nucleus and cytoplasm to the cell periphery, and reduces beta-catenin/Tcf/LEF transcriptional signalling. E-cadherin is also translocated to the cell membrane, where it forms functional adherens junctions. Total cellular levels of E-cadherin are increased in the SW480APC cells and the altered charge distribution in the presence of full-length APC suggests that APC is involved in post-translational regulation of E-cadherin localization. Changes in the location of adherens junction proteins are associated with tighter cell-cell adhesion in SW480APC cells, with consequent changes in cell morphology, the actin cytoskeleton and cell migration in a wound assay. SW480APC cells have a reduced proliferation rate, a reduced ability to form colonies in soft agar and do not grow tumours in a xenograft mouse tumour model. By regulating the intracellular transport of junctional proteins, we propose that APC plays a role in cell adhesion in addition to its known role in beta-catenin transcriptional signalling.

SHIP-2 forms a tetrameric complex with filamin, actin, and GPIb-IX-V: localization of SHIP-2 to the activated platelet actin cytoskeleton.

The platelet receptor for the von Willebrand factor (VWF) glycoprotein Ib-IX-V (GPIb-IX-V) complex mediates platelet adhesion at sites of vascular injury. The cytoplasmic tail of the GPIbalpha subunit interacts with the actin-binding protein, filamin, anchoring the receptor in the cytoskeleton. In motile cells, the second messenger phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5 trisphosphate (PtdIns(3,4,5)P3) induces submembraneous actin remodeling. The inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase, Src homology 2 domain-containing inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase-2 (SHIP-2), hydrolyzes PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 forming phosphatidylinositol 3,4 bisphosphate (PtdIns(3,4)P2) and regulates membrane ruffling via complex formation with filamin. In this study we investigate the intracellular location and association of SHIP-2 with filamin, actin, and the GPIb-IX-V complex in platelets. Immunoprecipitation of SHIP-2 from the Triton-soluble fraction of unstimulated platelets demonstrated association between SHIP-2, filamin, actin, and GPIb-IX-V. SHIP-2 associated with filamin or GPIb-IX-V was active and demonstrated PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 5-phosphatase activity. Following thrombin or VWF-induced platelet activation, detection of the SHIP-2, filamin, and receptor complex decreased in the Triton-soluble fraction, although in control studies the level of SHIP-2, filamin, or GPIb-IX-V immunoprecipitated by their respective antibodies did not change following platelet activation. In activated platelets spreading on a VWF matrix, SHIP-2 localized intensely with actin at the central actin ring and colocalized with actin and filamin at filopodia and lamellipodia. In spread platelets, GPIb-IX-V localized to the center of the platelet and showed little colocalization with filamin at the plasma membrane. These studies demonstrate a functionally active complex between SHIP-2, filamin, actin, and GPIb-IX-V that may orchestrate the localized hydrolysis of PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 and thereby regulate cortical and submembraneous actin.