SNAREs and the specificity of transport vesicle targeting.

The fidelity of membrane trafficking is mediated by specific interactions between transport vesicles and their target membranes. SNAREs (SNAP receptors) are cytoplasmically oriented membrane proteins that form complexes implicated in transport vesicle targeting. Advances in the past year have provided insight into the fundamental mechanisms underlying the formation, regulation, and function of SNARE complexes.

Functional cloning of Src-like adapter protein-2 (SLAP-2), a novel inhibitor of antigen receptor signaling.

In an effort to identify novel therapeutic targets for autoimmunity and transplant rejection, we developed and performed a large-scale retroviral-based functional screen to select for proteins that inhibit antigen receptor-mediated activation of lymphocytes. In addition to known regulators of antigen receptor signaling, we identified a novel adaptor protein, SLAP-2 which shares 36% sequence similarity with the known Src-like adaptor protein, SLAP. Similar to SLAP, SLAP-2 is predominantly expressed in hematopoietic cells. Overexpression of SLAP-2 in B and T cell lines specifically impaired antigen receptor-mediated signaling events, including CD69 surface marker upregulation, nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) promoter activation and calcium influx. Signaling induced by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and ionomycin was not significantly reduced, suggesting SLAP-2 functions proximally in the antigen receptor signaling cascade. The SLAP-2 protein contains an NH2-terminal myristoylation consensus sequence and SH3 and SH2 Src homology domains, but lacks a tyrosine kinase domain. In antigen receptor-stimulated cells, SLAP-2 associated with several tyrosine phosphorylated proteins, including the ubiquitin ligase Cbl. Deletion of the COOH terminus of SLAP-2 blocked function and abrogated its association with Cbl. Mutation of the putative myristoylation site of SLAP-2 compromised its inhibitory activity and impaired its localization to the membrane compartment. Our identification of the negative regulator SLAP-2 demonstrates that a retroviral-based screening strategy may be an efficient way to identify and characterize the function of key components of many signal transduction systems.

Distinct transport vesicles mediate the delivery of plasma membrane proteins to the apical and basolateral domains of MDCK cells.

Immunoisolation techniques have led to the purification of apical and basolateral transport vesicles that mediate the delivery of proteins from the trans-Golgi network to the two plasma membrane domains of MDCK cells. We showed previously that these transport vesicles can be formed and released in the presence of ATP from mechanically perforated cells (Bennett, M. K., A. Wandinger-Ness, and K. Simons, 1988. EMBO (Euro. Mol. Biol. Organ.) J. 7:4075-4085). Using virally infected cells, we have monitored the purification of the trans-Golgi derived vesicles by following influenza hemagglutinin or vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) G protein as apical and basolateral markers, respectively. Equilibrium density gradient centrifugation revealed that hemagglutinin containing vesicles had a slightly lower density than those containing VSV-G protein, indicating that the two fractions were distinct. Antibodies directed against the cytoplasmically exposed domains of the viral spike glycoproteins permitted the resolution of apical and basolateral vesicle fractions. The immunoisolated vesicles contained a subset of the proteins present in the starting fraction. Many of the proteins were sialylated as expected for proteins existing the trans-Golgi network. The two populations of vesicles contained a number of proteins in common, as well as components which were enriched up to 38-fold in one fraction relative to the other. Among the unique components, a number of transmembrane proteins could be identified using Triton X-114 phase partitioning. This work provides evidence that two distinct classes of vesicles are responsible for apical and basolateral protein delivery. Common protein components are suggested to be involved in vesicle budding and fusion steps, while unique components may be required for specific recognition events such as those involved in protein sorting and vesicle targeting.

Synaptic vesicle membrane proteins interact to form a multimeric complex.

Potential interactions between membrane components of rat brain synaptic vesicles were analyzed by detergent solubilization followed by size fractionation or immunoprecipitation. The behavior of six synaptic vesicle membrane proteins as well as a plasma membrane protein was monitored by Western blotting. Solubilization of synaptic vesicle membranes in CHAPS resulted in the recovery of a large protein complex that included SV2, p65, p38, vesicle-associated membrane protein, and the vacuolar proton pump. Solubilization in octylglucoside resulted in the preservation of interactions between SV2, p38, and rab3A, while solubilization of synaptic vesicles with Triton X-100 resulted in two predominant interactions, one involving p65 and SV2, and the other involving p38 and vesicle-associated membrane protein. The multicomponent complex preserved with CHAPS solubilization was partially reconstituted following octylglucoside solubilization and subsequent dialysis against CHAPS. Reduction of the CHAPS concentration by gel filtration chromatography resulted in increased recovery of the multicomponent complex. Examination of the large complex isolated from CHAPS-solubilized vesicles by negative stain EM revealed structures with multiple globular domains, some of which were specifically labeled with gold-conjugated antibodies directed against p65 and SV2. The protein interactions defined in this report are likely to underlie aspects of neurotransmitter secretion, membrane traffic, and the spatial organization of vesicles within the nerve terminal.

Syntaxin: a synaptic protein implicated in docking of synaptic vesicles at presynaptic active zones.

Synaptic vesicles store neurotransmitters that are released during calcium-regulated exocytosis. The specificity of neurotransmitter release requires the localization of both synaptic vesicles and calcium channels to the presynaptic active zone. Two 35-kilodalton proteins (p35 or syntaxins) were identified that interact with the synaptic vesicle protein p65 (synaptotagmin). The p35 proteins are expressed only in the nervous system, are 84 percent identical, include carboxyl-terminal membrane anchors, and are concentrated on the plasma membrane at synaptic sites. An antibody to p35 immunoprecipitated solubilized N-type calcium channels. The p35 proteins may function in docking synaptic vesicles near calcium channels at presynaptic active zones.

Protein-protein interactions contributing to the specificity of intracellular vesicular trafficking.

Intracellular vesicles destined to fuse with the plasma membrane and secrete their contents must have a mechanism for specifically interacting with the appropriate target membrane. Such a mechanism is now suggested by the demonstration of specific interaction between vesicular proteins and plasma membrane proteins. The vesicle-associated membrane proteins (VAMPs) 1 and 2 specifically bind the acceptor membrane proteins syntaxin 1A and 4 but not syntaxin 2 or 3. The binding site is within amino acids 194 to 267 of syntaxin 1A, and the approximate equilibrium dissociation constants is 4.7 x 10(-6) molar. These data suggest a physical basis for the specificity of intracellular vesicular transport.

Conserved and variable regions in the subunits of brain type II Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase.

Brain type II Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase is a holoenzyme composed of several copies each of three subunits, alpha (50 kd), beta (60 kd), and beta' (58 kd), in varying proportions. The deduced amino acid sequences of alpha (reported here) and beta are highly similar but not identical. The major difference between them is the deletion from alpha of two short segments (residues 316-339 and 354-392 in beta). cDNAs that appear to encode beta' are identical to beta except for the deletion of a segment encoding residues 378-392. Thus, the structural differences among alpha, beta, and beta' arise primarily from deletions (or insertions) in a variable region lying immediately carboxyl to the protein kinase and calmodulin-binding domains. The alpha and beta subunits are encoded by distinct genes expressed primarily, if not exclusively, in brain. Rather than being encoded by a third gene, beta' may arise by alternative splicing of the beta gene transcript.

Specificity and regulation of a synaptic vesicle docking complex.

Synaptic vesicles are proposed to dock at the presynaptic plasma membrane through the interaction of two integral membrane proteins of synaptic vesicles, VAMP and synaptotagmin, and two plasma membrane proteins, syntaxin and SNAP-25. We have characterized the binding properties of these proteins and observed SNAP-25 potentiation of VAMP 2 binding to syntaxins 1a and 4 but not syntaxins 2 or 3. n-sec1, a neuron-specific syntaxin-binding protein, bound syntaxin with nanomolar affinity, forming a complex that is distinct from the previously identified 7S and 20S syntaxin-containing complexes. This suggests that syntaxin exists in at least three states: bound to n-sec1, in a 7S particle, and in a 20S particle. Recombinant n-sec1 inhibited VAMP or SNAP-25 binding to syntaxin. We propose that the specific associations of VAMP, SNAP-25, and syntaxin mediate vesicle docking and that a syntaxin/n-sec1 complex precedes and/or regulates formation of these complexes.

Syntaxin 4 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes: regulation by insulin and participation in insulin-dependent glucose transport.

Syntaxins are thought to be membrane receptors that bind proteins of the synaptobrevin/vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP) family found on transport vesicles. Recently, we detected synaptobrevin II and cellubrevin on immunopurified vesicles containing the glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) in insulin-responsive cells. In an effort to identify the plasma membrane receptors for these vesicles, we now examine the expression of syntaxins in the 3T3-L1 adipocyte cell line. Neither syntaxin 1A nor 1B was found, in keeping with the neuronal restriction of these isoforms. In contrast, syntaxins 2 and 4 were readily detectable. By subcellular fractionation and estimation of protein yields, 67% of syntaxin 4 was localized to the plasma membrane, 24% to the low-density microsomes, and 9% to the high-density microsomes. Interestingly, acute insulin treatment decreased the content of syntaxin 4 in low-density microsomes and caused a corresponding gain in the plasma membrane fraction, reminiscent of the recruitment of GLUT4 glucose transporters. In contrast, there was no change in the distribution of syntaxin 2, which was mostly associated in the plasma membrane. A fraction of the intracellular syntaxin 4 was recovered with immunopurified GLUT4-containing vesicles. Moreover, anti-syntaxin 4 antibodies introduced in permeabilized 3T3-L1 adipocytes significantly reduced the insulin-dependent stimulation of glucose transport, in contrast to the introduction of irrelevant immunoglobulin G, which was without consequence. We propose that either the plasma membrane and/or the vesicular syntaxin 4 are involved in docking and/or fusion of GLUT4 vesicles at the cell surface of 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Differential localization of syntaxin isoforms in polarized Madin-Darby canine kidney cells.

Syntaxins, integral membrane proteins that are part of the ubiquitous membrane fusion machinery, are thought to act as target membrane receptors during the process of vesicle docking and fusion. Several isoforms of the syntaxin family have been previously identified in mammalian cells, some of which are localized to the plasma membrane. We investigated the subcellular localization of these putative plasma membrane syntaxins in polarized epithelial cells, which are characterized by the presence of distinct apical and basolateral plasma membrane domains. Syntaxins 2, 3, and 4 were found to be endogenously present in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. The localization of syntaxins 1A, 1B, 2, 3, and 4 in stably transfected Madin-Darby canine kidney cell lines was studied with confocal immunofluorescence microscopy. Each syntaxin isoform was found to have a unique pattern of localization. Syntaxins 1A and 1B were present only in intracellular structures, with little or no apparent plasma membrane staining. In contrast, syntaxin 2 was found on both the apical and basolateral surface, whereas the plasma membrane localization of syntaxins 3 and 4 were restricted to the apical or basolateral domains, respectively. Syntaxins are therefore the first known components of the plasma membrane fusion machinery that are differentially localized in polarized cells, suggesting that they may play a central role in targeting specificity.

Distinct cellular locations of the syntaxin family of proteins in rat pancreatic acinar cells.

Syntaxins are cytoplasmically oriented integral membrane soluble NEM-sensitive factor receptors (SNAREs; soluble NEM-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors) thought to serve as targets for the assembly of protein complexes important in regulating membrane fusion. The SNARE hypothesis predicts that the fidelity of vesicle traffic is controlled in part by the correct recognition of vesicle SNAREs with their cognate target SNARE partner. Here, we show that in the exocrine acinar cell of the pancreas, multiple syntaxin isoforms are expressed and that they appear to reside in distinct membrane compartments. Syntaxin 2 is restricted to the apical plasma membrane whereas syntaxin 4 is found most abundantly on the basolateral membranes. Surprisingly, syntaxin 3 was found to be localized to a vesicular compartment, the zymogen granule membrane. In addition, we show that these proteins are capable of specific interaction with vesicle SNARE proteins. Their nonoverlapping locations support the general principle of the SNARE hypothesis and provide new insights into the mechanisms of polarized secretion in epithelial cells.

Association of syntaxin 3 and vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP) with H+/K(+)-ATPase-containing tubulovesicles in gastric parietal cells.

H+/K(+)-ATPase is the proton pump in the gastric parietal cell that is responsible for gastric acid secretion. Stimulation of acid secretion is associated with a reorganization of the parietal cells resulting in the incorporation of H+/K(+)-ATPase from a cytoplasmic membrane pool, the tubulovesicle compartment, into the apical canalicular membrane. To better characterize the role of membrane trafficking events in the morphological and physiological changes associated with acid secretion from parietal cells, we have characterized the expression and localization of soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) in these cells. Each of the six different SNARE proteins examined [syntaxins 1 through 4 of 25-kDa synaptosome-associated protein, and vesicle-associated membrane protein] were found to be expressed in parietal cells. Furthermore, two of these SNAREs, vesicle-associated membrane protein and syntaxin 3, were associated with H+/K(+)-ATPase-containing tubulovesicles while the remainder were excluded from this compartment. The expression of syntaxin 1 and synaptosome-associated protein of 25 kDa in parietal cells, two SNAREs previously thought to be restricted to neuroendocrine tissues, suggests that parietal cells may utilize membrane trafficking machinery that is similar to that utilized for regulated exocytosis in neurons. Furthermore, the localization of syntaxin 3, a putative target membrane SNARE, to the tubulovesicle compartment indicates that syntaxin 3 may have an alternative function. These observations support a role for intracellular membrane trafficking events in the regulated recruitment of H+/K(+)-ATPase to the plasma membrane after parietal cell stimulation.

Ca2+ and the regulation of neurotransmitter secretion.

Ca2+ plays an important role in the regulation of multiple steps that contribute to neurotransmitter secretion. Electrophysiological approaches have defined the nature of the Ca2+ signal and its sites of action, while recent biochemical, molecular, and genetic approaches have identified and characterized candidate molecular targets for Ca2+ regulation.

Molecular correlates of synaptic vesicle docking and fusion.

The mechanisms responsible for neurotransmitter release at the synapse have been extensively studied using biochemical, genetic, and cell biological approaches. Several significant advances have recently contributed towards an improved understanding of the molecular details of both synaptic vesicle docking and fusion, and of the general process of vesicle-mediated membrane trafficking.

The use of retroviruses as pharmaceutical tools for target discovery and validation in the field of functional genomics.

Retrovirally mediated functional genomics enables identification of physiologically relevant cellular therapeutic targets. Unique properties of retroviruses make them ideal tools for the introduction of large and diverse libraries of potential genetic effectors to a variety of cell types. The identification and recovery of intracellular library elements responsible for altered disease responses establishes a direct basis for pharmaceutical development. Recent innovations in retroviral infection efficiency and expression control have broadened application of the methodology to include libraries of mutagenized cDNAs, peptides and ribozyme genetic effectors.

Characterization of SNARE protein expression in beta cell lines and pancreatic islets.

Pancreatic beta cells and cell lines were used in the present study to test the hypothesis that the molecular mechanisms controlling exocytosis from neuronal cells may be used by the beta cell to regulate insulin secretion. Using specific antisera raised against an array of synaptic proteins (SNAREs) implicated in the control of synaptic vesicle fusion and exocytosis, we have identified the expression of several SNAREs in the islet beta cell lines, beta TC6-f7 and HIT-T15, as well as in pancreatic islets. The v-SNARE vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP)-2 but not VAMP-1 immunoreactive proteins were detected in beta TC6-f7 and HIT-T15 cells and pancreatic islets. In these islet-derived cell lines, this 18-kDa protein comigrated with rat brain synaptic vesicle VAMP-2, which was cleaved by Tetanus toxin (TeTx). Immunofluorescence confocal microscopy and electron microscopy localized the VAMP-2 to the cytoplasmic side of insulin containing secretory granule membrane. In streptolysin O permeabilized HIT-T15 cells, TeTx inhibited Ca2+-evoked insulin release by 83 +/- 4.3%, which correlated well to the cleavage of VAMP-2. The beta cell lines were also shown to express a second vesicle (v)-SNARE, cellubrevin. The proposed neuronal target (t)-membrane SNAREs, SNAP-25, and syntaxin isoforms 1-4 were also detected by Western blotting. The beta cell 25-kDa SNAP-25 protein and syntaxin isoforms 1-3 were specifically cleaved by botulinum A and C toxins, respectively, as observed with the brain isoforms. These potential t-SNARES were localized by immunofluorescence microscopy primarily to the plasma membrane in beta cell lines as well as in islet beta cells. To determine the specific identity of the immunoreactive syntaxin-2 and -3 isoforms and to explore the possibility that these beta cells express the putative Ca2+-sensing molecule synaptotagmin III, RT-PCR was performed on the beta cell lines. These studies confirmed that betaTC6-F7 cells express syntaxin-2 isoforms, 2 and 2', but not 2'' and express syntaxin-3. They further demonstrate the expression of synaptotagmin III. DNA sequence analysis revealed that rat and mouse beta cell syntaxins 2, 2' and synaptotagmin III are highly conserved at the nucleotide and predicted amino acid levels (95-98%). The presence of VAMP-2, nSec/Munc-18, SNAP-25 and syntaxin family of proteins, along with synaptotagmin III in the islet cells and in beta cell lines provide evidence that neurons and beta cells share similar molecular mechanisms for Ca2+-regulated exocytosis. The inhibition of Ca2+-evoked insulin secretion by the proteolytic cleavage of HIT-T15 cell VAMP-2 supports the hypothesis that these proteins play an integral role in the control of insulin exocytosis.

Rab37 is a novel mast cell specific GTPase localized to secretory granules.

GTPases regulate a myriad of cellular functions including signal transduction, cytoskeletal organization and membrane trafficking. Rab GTPases act to coordinate the membrane dynamics of cells by organizing and regulating the activity of effector proteins important in vesicle trafficking. Rab37 is a novel Rab GTPase specifically expressed in the MC-9 mast cell line and bone marrow mast cells. Rab37 is 74% identical to Rab26 and 47% identical to Rab8, a GTPase important in Golgi to plasma membrane vesicle trafficking in mammalian cells. When green fluorescent protein tagged Rab37 is expressed in bone marrow mast cells, the secretory granules are labeled. These data suggest that Rab37 may play an important role in mast cell degranulation making this protein a potentially important target for therapeutic intervention in the treatment of allergy.

Effects of the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist 'Zoladex' upon pituitary and gonadal function in hypogonadal (hpg) male mice: a comparison with normal male and testicular feminized (tfm) mice.

Hypogonadal (hpg) mutant mice, with a congenital deficiency of hypothalamic gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH), and testicular feminized (tfm) mice, which lack a functional androgen receptor, were used to study the effects of the potent GnRH agonist 'Zoladex' (ICI 118630; D-Ser (Bu(t))6, Azgly10-GnRH) on pituitary and gonadal function. Zoladex (0.5 mg) in a sustained-release lactide-glycolide copolymer depot was administered subcutaneously under anaesthesia and was left in place for 7 days, after which time the effects of the drug upon pituitary and serum gonadotrophin concentrations, glycoprotein hormone subunit mRNAs and testicular morphology were investigated. At the pituitary level, Zoladex treatment resulted in a substantial reduction in LH content in normal males, and LH content was depressed in hpg mice even below the basal levels normally found in these mutants. Pituitary LH content in the Zoladex-treated animals was depressed in the tfm groups, but not to the same levels as those found in the normal and castrated normal mice. Zoladex treatment at the time of castration prevented the post-operative elevation in serum LH associated with castration alone. In the androgen-deficient tfm mouse, Zoladex did not depress the normally elevated serum LH levels. Serum LH in the hpg animals was, in all cases, below the limit of detection of the assay. Pituitary FSH content was depressed into the hpg range in both the normal and castrated animals, but there was no further depression in the hpg mice. The pituitary content was reduced in the tfm mice, again the effects not being as dramatic as in the normal and castrated animals. Serum FSH content, as measured by radioimmunoassay, was depressed by 50% in normal mice; there was no reduction in the hpg mice, however. With regard to pituitary gonadotrophic hormone gene expression, Zoladex administration to normal mice caused a dramatic reduction in LH beta mRNA content, to a level approximating that found in untreated hpg mice. The drug also depressed LH beta mRNA in the castrated group to the hpg range when given at the time of castration, whereas in untreated castrated mice there was a significant increase in LH beta mRNA. In the tfm mouse, which can be considered as a model for long-term failure of androgen feedback, Zoladex again induced a fall in LH beta mRNA, but not to the same extent as in the normal and normal castrated group. Zoladex had no effect on the already low levels of LH beta mRNA found in hpg mice.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Inhibitors of human purine nucleoside phosphorylase. Synthesis of pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidines, a new class of purine nucleoside phosphorylase inhibitors as potentially T-cell selective immunosuppressive agents. Description of 2,6-diamino-3,5-dihydro-7-(3-thienylmethyl)-4H-pyrrolo[3,2-d] pyrimidin-4-one.

Purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) is a purine-metabolizing enzyme in the purine cascade and has been a target for drug design for sometime. A series of potent human PNP inhibitors, pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidines (9-deazaguanines), has been synthesized and evaluated in the enzyme assay and in the cell line assay using MOLT-4 (T-cell) and MGL-8 (B-cell) lymphoblasts for selectivity. One of the compounds, 2,6-diamino-3,5- dihydro-7-(3-thienylmethyl)-4H-pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine-4-one (11c; CI-972), was found to be moderately potent, competitive, and reversible inhibitor of PNP with Ki = 0.83 microM. It was also found to be selectively cytotoxic to MOLT-4 lymphoblasts (IC50 = 3.0 microM) but not to MGL-8 lymphoblasts and was evaluated further. Compound 11c (CI-972) is under development in the clinic.