The two faces of the pharmacological interaction of mGlu2 and 5-HT2A - relevance of receptor heterocomplexes and interaction through functional brain pathways.

Important functional interactions between the metabotropic glutamate 2 (mGlu2) and 5-hydroxytryptamine2A (5-HT2A) neurotransmitter receptors have been established based on electrophysiological, biochemical and behavioral evidence. Over the last several years, dimerization between 5-HT2A and mGlu2 receptors has been proposed to account for the functional cross-talk between these two receptors in the prefrontal cortex. The pros and cons for the existence of a heteromeric complex between 5-HT2A and mGlu2 receptors will be reviewed here. First, the fundamental criteria needing to establish evidence for heteromeric complexes will be reviewed. Then, the in vitro evidence for and against heteromeric complexes between 5-HT2A and mGlu2 receptors will be discussed in regard to physical and functional interactions. Finally, the data with native in situ mGlu2 and 5-HT2A receptors will be discussed with respect to whether heteromeric complexes or a simple functional interaction between two distinct GPCRs based on brain network activity is the more simple explanation for a range of in vivo data.

Heterocomplex formation of 5-HT2A-mGlu2 and its relevance for cellular signaling cascades.

Dopamine, serotonin and glutamate play a role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. In the brain a functional crosstalk between the serotonin receptor 5-HT(2A) and the metabotropic glutamate receptor mGlu(2) has been demonstrated. Such a crosstalk may be mediated indirectly through neuronal networks or directly by receptor oligomerization. A direct link of the 5-HT(2A)-mGlu(2) heterocomplex formation to receptor function, i.e. to intracellular signaling, has not been fully demonstrated yet. Here we confirm the formation of 5-HT(2A)-mGlu(2) heterocomplexes using quantitative Snap/Clip-tag based HTRF methods. Additionally, mGlu(2) formed complexes with 5-HT(2B) and mGlu(5) but not 5-HT(2C) indicating that complex formation is not specific to the 5-HT(2A)-mGlu(2) pair. We studied the functional consequences of the 5-HT(2A)-mGlu(2) heterocomplex addressing cellular signaling pathways. Co-expression of receptors in HEK-293 cells had no relevant effects on signaling mediated by the individual receptors when mGlu(2) agonists, antagonists and PAMs, or 5-HT(2A) hallucinogenic and non-hallucinogenic agonists and antagonists were used. Hallucinogenic 5-HT(2A) agonists induced signaling through G(q/11), but not G(i) and thus did not lead to modulation of intracellular cAMP levels. In membranes of the medial prefrontal cortex [(3)H]-LY341495 binding competition of mGlu(2/3) agonist LY354740 was not influenced by 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI). Taken together, the formation of GPCR heterocomplexes does not necessarily translate into second messenger effects. These results do not put into question the well-documented functional cross-talk of the two receptors in the brain, but do challenge the biological relevance of the 5-HT(2A)-mGlu(2) heterocomplex.

Pex11pß-mediated maturation of peroxisomes.

Peroxisomes are highly dynamic, multifunctional organelles that display remarkable changes in morphology, number and enzyme content. Peroxisomes multiply by growth and division of pre-existing organelles, but they can also form de novo from the ER. Growth and division of peroxisomes in mammalian cells involves elongation, membrane constriction and final fission and requires the peroxisome biogenesis Pex11 proteins as well as the recruitment of Dynamin-like protein DLP1/Drp1. We recently exploited the division-inhibiting properties of a unique Pex11pß-YFP fusion protein to further dissect the process of peroxisomal growth and division. By applying life cell imaging and the HaloTag technology, our study revealed that Pex11pß-mediated growth (elongation) and division of peroxisomes follows a multistep maturation pathway, which is initiated by the formation of an early peroxisomal membrane compartment from a pre-existing peroxisome and its stepwise conversion into a mature, metabolically active peroxisome compartment. Our observations support the view that peroxisomes formed by growth and division of pre-existing ones contain new membrane and matrix components. Peroxisome division is an asymmetric process, which is more complex than simple (symmetric) division of a preexisting organelle and equal distribution of the protein content. Our findings are in favor of Pex11pß acting as a peroxisomal membrane shaping protein.

Pex11pbeta-mediated growth and division of mammalian peroxisomes follows a maturation pathway.

Peroxisomes are ubiquitous subcellular organelles, which multiply by growth and division but can also form de novo via the endoplasmic reticulum. Growth and division of peroxisomes in mammalian cells involves elongation, membrane constriction and final fission. Dynamin-like protein (DLP1/Drp1) and its membrane adaptor Fis1 function in the later stages of peroxisome division, whereas the membrane peroxin Pex11pbeta appears to act early in the process. We have discovered that a Pex11pbeta-YFP(m) fusion protein can be used as a specific tool to further dissect peroxisomal growth and division. Pex11pbeta-YFP(m) inhibited peroxisomal segmentation and division, but resulted in the formation of pre-peroxisomal membrane structures composed of globular domains and tubular extensions. Peroxisomal matrix and membrane proteins were targeted to distinct regions of the peroxisomal structures. Pex11pbeta-mediated membrane formation was initiated at pre-existing peroxisomes, indicating that growth and division follows a multistep maturation pathway and that formation of mammalian peroxisomes is more complex than simple division of a pre-existing organelle. The implications of these findings on the mechanisms of peroxisome formation and membrane deformation are discussed.

Biogenesis of peroxisomes and mitochondria: linked by division.

Peroxisomes and mitochondria are metabolically linked organelles, which are crucial to human health and development. The search for components involved in their dynamics and maintenance led to the interesting finding that mitochondria and peroxisomes share components of their division machinery. Recently, it became clear that this is a common strategy used by mammals, fungi and plants. Furthermore, a closer interrelationship between peroxisomes and mitochondria has been proposed, which might have an impact on functionality and disease conditions. Here, we briefly highlight the major findings, views and open questions concerning peroxisomal formation, division, and interrelationship with mitochondria.

Targeting of hFis1 to peroxisomes is mediated by Pex19p.

The processes of peroxisome formation and proliferation are still a matter of debate. We have previously shown that peroxisomes share some components of their division machinery with mitochondria. hFis1, a tail-anchored membrane protein, regulates the membrane fission of both organelles by DLP1/Drp1 recruitment, but nothing is known about the mechanisms of the dual targeting of hFis1. Here we demonstrate for the first time that peroxisomal targeting of hFis1 depends on Pex19p, a peroxisomal membrane protein import factor. hFis1/Pex19p binding was demonstrated by expression and co-immunoprecipitation studies. Using mutated versions of hFis1 an essential binding region for Pex19p was located within the last 26 C-terminal amino acids of hFis1, which are required for proper targeting to both mitochondria and peroxisomes. The basic amino acids in the very C terminus are not essential for Pex19p binding and peroxisomal targeting, but are instead required for mitochondrial targeting. Silencing of Pex19p by small interference RNA reduced the targeting of hFis1 to peroxisomes, but not to mitochondria. In contrast, overexpression of Pex19p alone was not sufficient to shift the targeting of hFis1 to peroxisomes. Our findings indicate that targeting of hFis1 to peroxisomes and mitochondria are independent events and support a direct, Pex19p-dependent targeting of peroxisomal tail-anchored proteins.

Peroxisomes and disease - an overview.

Peroxisomes are indispensable for human health and development. They represent ubiquitous subcellular organelles which compartmentalize enzymes responsible for several crucial metabolic processes such as ß-oxidation of specific fatty acids, biosynthesis of ether phospholipids and metabolism of reactive oxygen species. Peroxisomes are highly flexible organelles that rapidly assemble, multiply and degrade in response to metabolic needs. Basic research on the biogenesis of peroxisomes and their metabolic functions have improved our knowledge about their crucial role in several inherited disorders and in other pathophysiological conditions. The goal of this review is to give a comprehensive overview of the role of peroxisomes in disease. Besides the genetic peroxisomal disorders in humans, the role of peroxisomes in carcinogenesis and in situations related to oxidative stress such as inflammation, ischemia-reperfusion, and diabetes will be addressed.