Novel Substrates for Kinases Involved in the Biosynthesis of Inositol Pyrophosphates and Their Enhancement of ATPase Activity of a Kinase.

IP6K and PPIP5K are two kinases involved in the synthesis of inositol pyrophosphates. Synthetic analogs or mimics are necessary to understand the substrate specificity of these enzymes and to find molecules that can alter inositol pyrophosphate synthesis. In this context, we synthesized four scyllo-inositol polyphosphates-scyllo-IP5, scyllo-IP6, scyllo-IP7 and Bz-scyllo-IP5-from myo-inositol and studied their activity as substrates for mouse IP6K1 and the catalytic domain of VIP1, the budding yeast variant of PPIP5K. We incubated these scyllo-inositol polyphosphates with these kinases and ATP as the phosphate donor. We tracked enzyme activity by measuring the amount of radiolabeled scyllo-inositol pyrophosphate product formed and the amount of ATP consumed. All scyllo-inositol polyphosphates are substrates for both the kinases but they are weaker than the corresponding myo-inositol phosphate. Our study reveals the importance of axial-hydroxyl/phosphate for IP6K1 substrate recognition. We found that all these derivatives enhance the ATPase activity of VIP1. We found very weak ligand-induced ATPase activity for IP6K1. Benzoyl-scyllo-IP5 was the most potent ligand to induce IP6K1 ATPase activity despite being a weak substrate. This compound could have potential as a competitive inhibitor.

Co-culturing experiments reveal the uptake of myo-inositol phosphate synthase (EC 5.5.1.4) in an inositol auxotroph of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

BACKGROUND: Myo-Inositol Phosphate Synthase (MIP) catalyzes the conversion of glucose 6- phosphate into inositol phosphate, an essential nutrient and cell signaling molecule. Data obtained, first in bovine brain and later in plants, established MIP expression in organelles and in extracellular environments. A physiological role for secreted MIP has remained elusive since its first detection in intercellular space. To provide further insight into the role of MIP in intercellular milieus, we tested the hypothesis that MIP may function as a growth factor, synthesizing inositol phosphate in intercellular locations requiring, but lacking ability to produce or transport adequate quantities of the cell-cell communicator. This idea was experimentally challenged, utilizing a Saccharomyces cerevisiae inositol auxotroph with no MIP enzyme, permeable membranes with a 0.4 µm pore size, and cellular supernatants as external sources of inositol isolated from S. cerevisiae cells containing either wild-type enzyme (Wt-MIP), no MIP enzyme, auxotroph (Aux), or a green fluorescent protein (GFP) tagged reporter enzyme (MIP- GFP) in co- culturing experiments. RESULTS: Resulting cell densities and microscopic studies with corroborating biochemical and molecular analyses, documented sustained growth of Aux cells in cellular supernatant, concomitant with the uptakeof MIP, detected as MIP-GFP reporter enzyme. These findings revealed previously unknown functions, suggesting that the enzyme can: (1) move into and out of intercellular space, (2) traverse cell walls, and (3) act as a growth factor to promote cellular proliferation of an inositol requiring cell. CONCLUSIONS: Co-culturing experiments, designed to test a probable function for MIP secreted in extracellular vesicles, uncovered previously unknown functions for the enzyme and advanced current knowledge concerning spatial control of inositol phosphate biosynthesis. Most importantly, resulting data identified an extracellular vesicle (a non-viral vector) that is capable of synthesizing and transporting inositol phosphate, a biological activity that can be used to enhance specificity of current inositol phosphate therapeutics.

The Inositol Pyrophosphate Biosynthetic Pathway of Trypanosoma cruzi.

Inositol phosphates (IPs) are phosphorylated derivatives of myo-inositol involved in the regulation of several cellular processes through their interaction with specific proteins. Their synthesis relies on the activity of specific kinases that use ATP as phosphate donor. Here, we combined reverse genetics and liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to dissect the inositol phosphate biosynthetic pathway and its metabolic intermediates in the main life cycle stages (epimastigotes, cell-derived trypomastigotes, and amastigotes) of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas disease. We found evidence of the presence of highly phosphorylated IPs, like inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6), inositol heptakisphosphate (IP7), and inositol octakisphosphate (IP8), that were not detected before by HPLC analyses of the products of radiolabeled exogenous inositol. The kinases involved in their synthesis (inositol polyphosphate multikinase (TcIPMK), inositol 5-phosphate kinase (TcIP5K), and inositol 6-phosphate kinase (TcIP6K)) were also identified. TcIPMK is dispensable in epimastigotes, important for the synthesis of polyphosphate, and critical for the virulence of the infective stages. TcIP5K is essential for normal epimastigote growth, while TcIP6K mutants displayed defects in epimastigote motility and growth. Our results demonstrate the relevance of highly phosphorylated IPs in the life cycle of T. cruzi.

Bile acids inhibit cholinergic constriction in proximal and peripheral airways from humans and rodents.

Duodenogastroesophageal reflux (DGER) is associated with chronic lung disease. Bile acids (BAs) are established markers of DGER aspiration and are important risk factors for reduced post-transplant lung allograft survival by disrupting the organ-specific innate immunity, facilitating airway infection and allograft failure. However, it is unknown whether BAs also affect airway reactivity. We investigated the acute effects of 13 BAs detected in post-lung-transplant surveillance bronchial washings (BW) on airway contraction. We exposed precision-cut slices from human and mouse lungs to BAs and monitored dynamic changes in the cross-sectional luminal area of peripheral airways using video phase-contrast microscopy. We also used guinea pig tracheal rings in organ baths to study BA effects in proximal airway contraction induced by electrical field stimulation. We found that most secondary BAs at low micromolar concentrations strongly and reversibly relaxed smooth muscle and inhibited peripheral airway constriction induced by acetylcholine but not by noncholinergic bronchoconstrictors. Similarly, secondary BAs strongly inhibited cholinergic constrictions in tracheal rings. In contrast, TC-G 1005, a specific agonist of the BA receptor Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5), did not cause airway relaxation, and Tgr5 deletion in knockout mice did not affect BA-induced relaxation, suggesting that this receptor is not involved. BAs inhibited acetylcholine-induced inositol phosphate synthesis in human airway smooth muscle cells overexpressing the muscarinic M3 receptor. Our results demonstrate that select BAs found in BW of patients with lung transplantation can affect airway reactivity by inhibiting the cholinergic contractile responses of the proximal and peripheral airways, possibly by acting as antagonists of M3 muscarinic receptors.

Agonism of the TMEM16A calcium-activated chloride channel modulates airway smooth muscle tone.

TMEM16A (anoctamin 1) is an important calcium-activated chloride channel in airway smooth muscle (ASM). We have previously shown that TMEM16A antagonists such as benzbromarone relax ASM and have proposed TMEM16A antagonists as novel therapies for asthma treatment. However, TMEM16A is also expressed on airway epithelium, and TMEM16A agonists are being investigated as novel therapies for cystic fibrosis. There are theoretical concerns that agonism of TMEM16A on ASM could lead to bronchospasm, making them detrimental as airway therapeutics. The TMEM16A agonist Eact induced a significant contraction of human ASM and guinea pig tracheal rings in an ex vivo organ bath model. Pretreatment with two different TMEM16A antagonists, benzbromarone or T16Ainh-A01, completely attenuated these Eact-induced contractions. Pretreatment with Eact alone augmented the maximum acetylcholine contraction. Pretreatment of A/J mice in vivo with nebulized Eact caused an augmentation of methacholine-induced increases in airway resistance measured by the forced oscillatory technique (flexiVent). Pretreatment with the TMEM16A antagonist benzbromarone significantly attenuated methacholine-induced increases in airway resistance. In in vitro cellular studies, TMEM16A was found to be expressed more abundantly in ASM compared with epithelial cells in culture (8-fold higher in ASM). Eact caused an increase in intracellular calcium in human ASM cells that was completely attenuated by pretreatment with benzbromarone. Eact acutely depolarized the plasma membrane potential of ASM cells, which was attenuated by benzbromarone or nifedipine. The TMEM16A agonist Eact modulates ASM contraction in both ex vivo and in vivo models, suggesting that agonism of TMEM16A may lead to clinically relevant bronchospasm.

ITPK1 mediates the lipid-independent synthesis of inositol phosphates controlled by metabolism.

Inositol phosphates (IPs) comprise a network of phosphorylated molecules that play multiple signaling roles in eukaryotes. IPs synthesis is believed to originate with IP3 generated from PIP2 by phospholipase C (PLC). Here, we report that in mammalian cells PLC-generated IPs are rapidly recycled to inositol, and uncover the enzymology behind an alternative "soluble" route to synthesis of IPs. Inositol tetrakisphosphate 1-kinase 1 (ITPK1)-found in Asgard archaea, social amoeba, plants, and animals-phosphorylates I(3)P1 originating from glucose-6-phosphate, and I(1)P1 generated from sphingolipids, to enable synthesis of IP6 We also found using PAGE mass assay that metabolic blockage by phosphate starvation surprisingly increased IP6 levels in a ITPK1-dependent manner, establishing a route to IP6 controlled by cellular metabolic status, that is not detectable by traditional [3H]-inositol labeling. The presence of ITPK1 in archaeal clades thought to define eukaryogenesis indicates that IPs had functional roles before the appearance of the eukaryote.

Arabidopsis ITPK1 and ITPK2 Have an Evolutionarily Conserved Phytic Acid Kinase Activity.

Diphospho-myo-inositol polyphosphates, also termed inositol pyrophosphates, are molecular messengers containing at least one high-energy phosphoanhydride bond and regulate a wide range of cellular processes in eukaryotes. While inositol pyrophosphates InsP7 and InsP8 are present in different plant species, both the identity of enzymes responsible for InsP7 synthesis and the isomer identity of plant InsP7 remain unknown. This study demonstrates that Arabidopsis ITPK1 and ITPK2 catalyze the phosphorylation of phytic acid (InsP6) to the symmetric InsP7 isomer 5-InsP7 and that the InsP6 kinase activity of ITPK enzymes is evolutionarily conserved from humans to plants. We also show by 31P nuclear magnetic resonance that plant InsP7 is structurally identical to the in vitro InsP6 kinase products of ITPK1 and ITPK2. Our findings lay the biochemical and genetic basis for uncovering physiological processes regulated by 5-InsP7 in plants.

The inositol pyrophosphate synthesis pathway in Trypanosoma brucei is linked to polyphosphate synthesis in acidocalcisomes.

Inositol pyrophosphates are novel signaling molecules possessing high-energy pyrophosphate bonds and involved in a number of biological functions. Here, we report the correct identification and characterization of the kinases involved in the inositol pyrophosphate biosynthetic pathway in Trypanosoma brucei: inositol polyphosphate multikinase (TbIPMK), inositol pentakisphosphate 2-kinase (TbIP5K) and inositol hexakisphosphate kinase (TbIP6K). TbIP5K and TbIP6K were not identifiable by sequence alone and their activities were validated by enzymatic assays with the recombinant proteins or by their complementation of yeast mutants. We also analyzed T. brucei extracts for the presence of inositol phosphates using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and high-performance liquid chromatography. Interestingly, we could detect inositol phosphate (IP), inositol 4,5-bisphosphate (IP2 ), inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3 ), and inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6 ) in T. brucei different stages. Bloodstream forms unable to produce inositol pyrophosphates, due to downregulation of TbIPMK expression by conditional knockout, have reduced levels of polyphosphate and altered acidocalcisomes. Our study links the inositol pyrophosphate pathway to the synthesis of polyphosphate in acidocalcisomes, and may lead to better understanding of these organisms and provide new targets for drug discovery.

FSH receptor binding inhibitor influences estrogen production, receptor expression and signal pathway during in vitro maturation of sheep COCs.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) promotes secretion of follicle fluid and follicle development. FSH acts via cognate FSH receptor (FSHR). It remains unknown whether the supplement of FSH-receptor binding inhibitor (FRBI) into the in vitro maturation (IVM)medium influence the estrogen receptor expression and signal pathway of oocytes in sheep. The present study aimed to investigate FRBI effects on inositol trisphosphate (IP3) of oocytes and protein kinase A (PKA) of sheep granulosa cells, further to elucidate the signal pathway of FRBI effects. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were recovered from antral follicles. COCs were cultured for 24 h in the IVM medium supplemented with varying concentrations of FRBI (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 µg/mL) and FSH (10IU/mL). ELISA was used to measure the concentrations of estradiol (E2) and IP3 in the IVM medium. Western blotting was utilized to detect protein expression of ERß of COCs and protein kinase A (PKA) of granulosa cells. The results showed IP3 concentrations of FRBI-3 and FRBI-4 groups were less than that of CG and FSH groups at 22 h and 24 h (P < 0.05). PKA levels of FRBI-3 and FRBI-4 groups were significantly less than that of CG and FSH group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Expression levels of ERß mRNA and protein of FRBI-treated groups were gradually decreased in comparison to CG and FSH group. The minimum value was detected in the FRBI-4 group. ERß protein level of the FRBI-4 group was significantly less than that of FSH group (P < 0.05). E2 concentrations of FRBI-treated groups were elevated as compared to CG, with the highest increment of FRBI-2 group (P < 0.05). Our results revealed a higher dose of FRBI reduced IP3 production. FRBI could suppress slightly expression levels of ERß mRNA and protein of COCs and PKA of granulosa cells, additionally increased E2 production of sheep COCs.

Identification of a major IP5 kinase in Cryptococcus neoformans confirms that PP-IP5/IP7, not IP6, is essential for virulence.

Fungal inositol polyphosphate (IP) kinases catalyse phosphorylation of IP3 to inositol pyrophosphate, PP-IP5/IP7, which is essential for virulence of Cryptococcus neoformans. Cryptococcal Kcs1 converts IP6 to PP-IP5/IP7, but the kinase converting IP5 to IP6 is unknown. Deletion of a putative IP5 kinase-encoding gene (IPK1) alone (ipk1Δ), and in combination with KCS1 (ipk1Δkcs1Δ), profoundly reduced virulence in mice. However, deletion of KCS1 and IPK1 had a greater impact on virulence attenuation than that of IPK1 alone. ipk1Δkcs1Δ and kcs1Δ lung burdens were also lower than those of ipk1Δ. Unlike ipk1Δ, ipk1Δkcs1Δ and kcs1Δ failed to disseminate to the brain. IP profiling confirmed Ipk1 as the major IP5 kinase in C. neoformans: ipk1Δ produced no IP6 or PP-IP5/IP7 and, in contrast to ipk1Δkcs1Δ, accumulated IP5 and its pyrophosphorylated PP-IP4 derivative. Kcs1 is therefore a dual specificity (IP5 and IP6) kinase producing PP-IP4 and PP-IP5/IP7. All mutants were similarly attenuated in virulence phenotypes including laccase, urease and growth under oxidative/nitrosative stress. Alternative carbon source utilisation was also reduced significantly in all mutants except ipk1Δ, suggesting that PP-IP4 partially compensates for absent PP-IP5/IP7 in ipk1Δ grown under this condition. In conclusion, PP-IP5/IP7, not IP6, is essential for fungal virulence.

Type-1, but Not Type-5, Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors are Coupled to Polyphosphoinositide Hydrolysis in the Retina.

mGlu1 and mGlu5 metabotropic glutamate receptors are expressed in the vertebrate retina, and are co-localized in some retinal neurons. It is believed that both receptors are coupled to polyphosphoinositide (PI) hydrolysis in the retina and their function may diverge in some cells because of a differential engagement of downstream signaling molecules. Here, we show that it is only the mGlu1 receptor that is coupled to PI hydrolysis in the retina. We used either bovine retinal slices or intact mouse retinas challenged with the mixed mGlu1/5 receptor agonist, DHPG. In both models, DHPG-stimulated PI hydrolysis was abrogated by the selective mGlu1 receptor antagonist, JNJ16259685, but was insensitive to the mGlu5 receptor antagonist, MPEP. In addition, the PI response to DHPG was unchanged in the retina of mGlu5(-/-) mice but was abolished in the retina of crv4 mice lacking mGlu1 receptors. Stimulation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway by DHPG in intact mouse retinas were also entirely mediated by mGlu1 receptors. Our data provide the first example of a tissue in which a biochemically detectable PI response is mediated by mGlu1, but not mGlu5, receptors. Hence, bovine retinal slices might be used as a model for the functional screening of mGlu1 receptor ligands. In addition, the mGlu1 receptor caters the potential as a drug target in the experimental treatment of degenerative disorders of the retina.

Agonism, Antagonism, and Inverse Agonism Bias at the Ghrelin Receptor Signaling.

The G protein-coupled receptor GHS-R1a mediates ghrelin-induced growth hormone secretion, food intake, and reward-seeking behaviors. GHS-R1a signals through Gq, Gi/o, G13, and arrestin. Biasing GHS-R1a signaling with specific ligands may lead to the development of more selective drugs to treat obesity or addiction with minimal side effects. To delineate ligand selectivity at GHS-R1a signaling, we analyzed in detail the efficacy of a panel of synthetic ligands activating the different pathways associated with GHS-R1a in HEK293T cells. Besides ß-arrestin2 recruitment and ERK1/2 phosphorylation, we monitored activation of a large panel of G protein subtypes using a bioluminescence resonance energy transfer-based assay with G protein-activation biosensors. We first found that unlike full agonists, Gq partial agonists were unable to trigger ß-arrestin2 recruitment and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Using G protein-activation biosensors, we then demonstrated that ghrelin promoted activation of Gq, Gi1, Gi2, Gi3, Goa, Gob, and G13 but not Gs and G12. Besides, we identified some GHS-R1a ligands that preferentially activated Gq and antagonized ghrelin-mediated Gi/Go activation. Finally, we unambiguously demonstrated that in addition to Gq, GHS-R1a also promoted constitutive activation of G13. Importantly, we identified some ligands that were selective inverse agonists toward Gq but not of G13. This demonstrates that bias at GHS-R1a signaling can occur not only with regard to agonism but also to inverse agonism. Our data, combined with other in vivo studies, may facilitate the design of drugs selectively targeting individual signaling pathways to treat only the therapeutically relevant function.

A single mutation in helix 8 enhances the angiotensin II type 1a receptor transport and signaling.

The amphipathic helix 8 in the membrane-proximal C-terminus is a structurally conserved feature of class A seven transmembrane-spanning G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Mutations of this helical motif often cause receptor misfolding, defective cell surface transport and dysfunction. Surprisingly, we demonstrated here that a single point mutation at Lys308 in helix 8 markedly enhanced the steady-state surface density of the angiotensin II type 1a receptor (AT1aR). Consistent with the enhanced cell surface expression, Lys308 mutation significantly augmented AT1aR-mediated mitogen-activated protein kinase ERK1/2 activation, inositol phosphate production, and vascular smooth muscle cell migration. This mutation also increased the overall expression of AT1aR without altering receptor degradation. More interestingly, Lys308 mutation abolished AT1aR interaction with ß-COP, a component of COPI transport vesicles, and impaired AT1aR responsiveness to the inhibition of Rab6 GTPase involved in the Golgi-to-ER retrograde pathway. Furthermore, these functions of Lys308 were largely dependent on its positively charged property. These data reveal previously unappreciated functions of helix 8 and novel mechanisms governing the cell surface transport and function of AT1aR.

Synthetic tools for studying the chemical biology of InsP8.

To synthesise stabilised mimics of InsP8, the most phosphorylated inositol phosphate signalling molecule in Nature, we replaced its two diphosphate (PP) groups with either phosphonoacetate (PA) or methylenebisphosphonate (PCP) groups. Utility of the PA and PCP analogues was verified by structural and biochemical analyses of their interactions with enzymes of InsP8 metabolism.

Inositol pyrophosphates promote tumor growth and metastasis by antagonizing liver kinase B1.

The inositol pyrophosphates, molecular messengers containing an energetic pyrophosphate bond, impact a wide range of biologic processes. They are generated primarily by a family of three inositol hexakisphosphate kinases (IP6Ks), the principal product of which is diphosphoinositol pentakisphosphate (IP7). We report that IP6K2, via IP7 synthesis, is a major mediator of cancer cell migration and tumor metastasis in cell culture and in intact mice. IP6K2 acts by enhancing cell-matrix adhesion and decreasing cell-cell adhesion. This action is mediated by IP7-elicited nuclear sequestration and inactivation of the tumor suppressor liver kinase B1 (LKB1). Accordingly, inhibitors of IP6K2 offer promise in cancer therapy.

Histidine(7.36(305)) in the conserved peptide receptor activation domain of the gonadotropin releasing hormone receptor couples peptide binding and receptor activation.

Transmembrane helix seven residues of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) couple agonist binding to a conserved receptor activation mechanism. Amino-terminal residues of the GnRH peptide determine agonist activity. We investigated GnRH interactions with the His(7.36(305)) residue of the GnRH receptor, using functional and computational analysis of modified GnRH receptors and peptides. Non-polar His(7.36(305)) substitutions decreased receptor affinity for GnRH four- to forty-fold, whereas GnRH signaling potency was more decreased (~150-fold). Uncharged polar His(7.36(305)) substitutions decreased GnRH potency, but not affinity. [2-Nal(3)]-GnRH retained high affinity at receptors with non-polar His(7.36(305)) substitutions, supporting a role for His(7.36(305)) in recognizing Trp(3) of GnRH. Compared with GnRH, [2-Nal(3)]-GnRH potency was lower at the wild type GnRH receptor, but unchanged or higher at mutant receptors. Results suggest that His(7.36(305)) of the GnRH receptor forms two distinct interactions that determine binding to Trp(3) and couple agonist binding to the conserved transmembrane domain network that activates GPCRs.

Role of SAP97 in the regulation of 5-HT2AR endocytosis and signaling.

Serotonin (5-HT) interacts with a wide variety of 5-HT receptors (5-HTR) of which 5-HT2AR plays an important target for antidepressant and atypical antipsychotic drugs. The carboxyl-terminal tail of 5-HT2AR encodes a motif that mediates interactions with PSD-95/disc large/zona occludens (PDZ) domain-containing proteins. In the present study, we found that 5-HT2AR interacts with synapse-associated protein 97 (SAP97; also known as DLG1) by coimmunoprecipitation in human embryonic 293 (HEK 293) cells and cortical brain lysates. We found that 5-HT2AR expression results in the recruitment of SAP97 from the cytosol to the plasma membrane and that this recruitment is dependent on an intact 5-HT2AR PDZ binding motif. We also show that 5-HT2AR interacts with SAP97 using bioluminescence energy transfer and that overexpression of SAP97 retards 5-HT2AR endocytosis, while single hairpin RNA knockdown facilitates 5-HT2AR internalization. The knockdown of SAP97 in HEK 293 cells results in a reduction in the maximum efficacy for 5-HT2AR-stimulated inositol phosphate formation and that the deletion of the 5-HT2AR PDZ motif also impairs 5-HT2AR signaling. Similarly to what has been observed for the corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 1 (CRFR1), SAP97 expression is essential for 5-HT2AR-stimulated extracellular-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation by a PDZ interaction-independent mechanism. Moreover, we find that SAP97 is not responsible for CRFR1-mediated sensitization of 5-HT2AR signaling. Taken together, our studies show that SAP97 plays a conserved role in regulating 5-HT2AR endocytosis and ERK1/2 signaling, but plays a novel role in regulating 5-HT2AR G protein coupling.

BMP2-induced chemotaxis requires PI3K p55γ/p110α-dependent phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-triphosphate production and LL5ß recruitment at the cytocortex.

BACKGROUND: BMP-induced chemotaxis of mesenchymal progenitors is fundamental for vertebrate development, disease and tissue repair. BMP2 induces Smad and non-Smad signalling. Whereas signal transduction via Smads lead to transcriptional responses, non-Smad signalling induces both, transcriptional and immediate/early non-transcriptional responses. However, the molecular mechanisms by which BMP2 facilitates planar cell polarity, cortical actin rearrangements, lamellipodia formation and chemotaxis of mesenchymal progenitors are poorly understood. Our aim was to uncover the molecular mechanism by which BMP2 facilitates chemotaxis via the BMP2-dependent activation of PI3K and spatiotemporal control of PIP3 production important for actin rearrangements at the mesenchymal cell cytocortex. RESULTS: We unveiled the molecular mechanism by which BMP2 induces non-Smad signalling by PI3K and the role of the second messenger PIP3 in BMP2-induced planar cell polarity, cortical actin reorganisation and lamellipodia formation. By using protein interaction studies, we identified the class Ia PI3K regulatory subunit p55γ to act as a specific and non-redundant binding partner for BMP receptor type II (BMPRII) in concert with the catalytic subunit p110α. We mapped the PI3K interaction to a region within the BMPRII kinase. Either BMP2 stimulation or increasing amounts of BMPRI facilitated p55γ association with BMPRII, but BMPRII kinase activity was not required for the interaction. We visualised BMP2-dependent PIP3 production via PI3K p55γ/p110α and were able to localise PIP3 to the leading edge of intact cells during the process of BMP2-induced planar cell polarity and actin dependent lamellipodia formation. Using mass spectrometry, we found the highly PIP3-sensitive PH-domain protein LL5ß to act as a novel BMP2 effector in orchestrating cortical actin rearrangements. By use of live cell imaging we found that knock-down of p55γ or LL5ß or pharmacological inhibition of PI3K impaired BMP2-induced migratory responses. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide evidence for an important contribution of the BMP2-PI3K (p55γ/p110α)- PIP3-LL5ß signalling axis in mesenchymal progenitor cell chemotaxis. We demonstrate molecular insights into BMP2-induced PI3K signalling on the level of actin reorganisation at the leading edge cytocortex. These findings are important to better understand BMP2-induced cytoskeletal reorganisation and chemotaxis of mesenchymal progenitors in different physiological or pathophysiological contexts.

Mannosylglycerate and di-myo-inositol phosphate have interchangeable roles during adaptation of Pyrococcus furiosus to heat stress.

Marine hyperthermophiles accumulate small organic compounds, known as compatible solutes, in response to supraoptimal temperatures or salinities. Pyrococcus furiosus is a hyperthermophilic archaeon that grows optimally at temperatures near 100°C. This organism accumulates mannosylglycerate (MG) and di-myo-inositol phosphate (DIP) in response to osmotic and heat stress, respectively. It has been assumed that MG and DIP are involved in cell protection; however, firm evidence for the roles of these solutes in stress adaptation is still missing, largely due to the lack of genetic tools to produce suitable mutants of hyperthermophiles. Recently, such tools were developed for P. furiosus, making this organism an ideal target for that purpose. In this work, genes coding for the synthases in the biosynthetic pathways of MG and DIP were deleted by double-crossover homologous recombination. The growth profiles and solute patterns of the two mutants and the parent strain were investigated under optimal growth conditions and also at supraoptimal temperatures and NaCl concentrations. DIP was a suitable replacement for MG during heat stress, but substitution of MG for DIP and aspartate led to less efficient growth under conditions of osmotic stress. The results suggest that the cascade of molecular events leading to MG synthesis is tuned for osmotic adjustment, while the machinery for induction of DIP synthesis responds to either stress agent. MG protects cells against heat as effectively as DIP, despite the finding that the amount of DIP consistently increases in response to heat stress in the nine (hyper)thermophiles examined thus far.

Extrinsic sphingosine 1-phosphate activates S1P5 and induces autophagy through generating endoplasmic reticulum stress in human prostate cancer PC-3 cells.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive lysophospholipid that binds to a family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), termed S1P1-S1P5. Our previous study has reported that S1P induces autophagy in human prostate cancer PC-3 cell. In addition, S1P-induced autophagy plays a prosurvival role in PC-3 cells. Accumulating evidence has shown that the autophagy responses triggered by ER stress signaling have cytoprotective effects. Thus, we attempted to investigate whether S1P-induced autophagy is a result of triggering ER stress in PC-3 cells. By monitoring XBP-1 mRNA splicing, a characteristic of ER stress, we demonstrate that S1P triggers ER stress in a concentration-dependent and time-dependent manner. Moreover, DiH S1P, a membrane-nonpermeable S1P analog without intracellular effects also enhances ER stress. Meanwhile, we also show that S1P5 is required for S1P-induced ER stress by using RNA interference experiments. Furthermore, signaling analyses revealed that PI3K, PLC, and ROS production were involved in S1P's effects on ER stress induction. On the other hand, knockdown of XBP-1 abolished S1P-induced autophagy. In summary, our results demonstrate for the first time that the extracellular S1P-triggered ER stress is responsible for autophagy induction in PC-3 cells.