Heterologous regulation of CXCR4 lysosomal trafficking.

G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling is regulated by members of the protein kinase C (PKC) and GPCR kinase (GRK) families, although the relative contribution of each to GPCR function varies among specific GPCRs. The CXC motif receptor 4 (CXCR4) is a member of the GPCR superfamily that binds the CXC motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12), initiating signaling that is subsequently terminated in part by internalization and lysosomal degradation of CXCR4. The purpose of this study is to define the relative contribution of PKC and GRK to CXCR4 signaling attenuation by studying their effects on CXCR4 lysosomal trafficking and degradation. Our results demonstrate that direct activation of PKC via the phorbol ester phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) mimics CXCL12-mediated desensitization, internalization, ubiquitination, and lysosomal trafficking of CXCR4. In agreement, heterologous activation of PKC by stimulating the chemokine receptor CXCR5 with its ligand, CXCL13, also mimics CXCL12-mediated desensitization, internalization, ubiquitination, and lysosomal degradation of CXCR4. Similar to CXCL12, PMA promotes PKC-dependent phosphorylation of serine residues within CXCR4 C-tail that are required for binding and ubiquitination by the E3 ubiquitin ligase AIP4 (atrophin-interacting protein 4). However, inhibition of PKC activity does not alter CXCL12-mediated ubiquitination and degradation of CXCR4, suggesting that other kinases are also required. Accordingly, siRNA-mediated depletion of GRK6 results in decreased degradation and ubiquitination of CXCR4. Overall, these results suggest that PKC and GRK6 contribute to unique aspects of CXCR4 phosphorylation and lysosomal degradation to ensure proper signal propagation and termination.

Whole-Proteome Analysis of Human Craniosynostotic Tissue Suggests a Link between Inflammatory Signaling and Osteoclast Activation in Human Cranial Suture Patency.

BACKGROUND: The pathophysiology of nonsyndromic craniosynostosis remains poorly understood. The authors seek to understand the cause of this condition with a specific focus on how osteoclasts may contribute to craniosynostosis. Here, the authors characterize proteins differentially expressed in patent and fused cranial sutures by comparing their respective proteomes. METHODS: Fused and patent suture samples were obtained from craniosynostotic patients undergoing surgery at a single academic medical center. Extracted protein from samples was interrogated using mass spectrometry. Differential protein expression was determined using maximum likelihood-based G-test with a q-value cutoffs of 0.5 after correction for multiple hypothesis testing. Immunolocalization of lead protein candidates was performed to validate proteomic findings. In addition, quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis of corresponding gene expression of proteins of interest was performed. RESULTS: Proteins differentially expressed in patent versus fused sutures included collagen 6A1 (Col6A1), fibromodulin, periostin, aggrecan, adipocyte enhancer-binding protein 1, and osteomodulin (OMD). Maximum likelihood-based G-test suggested that Col6A1, fibromodulin, and adipocyte enhancer-binding protein 1 are highly expressed in patent sutures compared with fused sutures, whereas OMD is up-regulated in fused sutures compared with patent sutures. These results were corroborated by immunohistochemistry. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction data point to an inverse relationship in proteins of interest to RNA transcript levels, in prematurely fused and patent sutures that potentially describes a feedback loop mechanism. CONCLUSIONS: Proteome analysis validated by immunohistochemistry may provide insight into the mechanism of cranial suture patency and disease from an osteoclast perspective. The authors results suggest a role of inflammatory mediators in nonsyndromic craniosynostosis. Col6A1 may aid in the regulation of suture patency, and OMD may be involved in premature fusion. Additional validation studies are required.

A method for whole protein isolation from human cranial bone.

The presence of the dense hydroxyapatite matrix within human bone limits the applicability of conventional protocols for protein extraction. This has hindered the complete and accurate characterization of the human bone proteome thus far, leaving many bone-related disorders poorly understood. We sought to refine an existing method of protein extraction from mouse bone to extract whole proteins of varying molecular weights from human cranial bone. Whole protein was extracted from human cranial suture by mechanically processing samples using a method that limits protein degradation by minimizing heat introduction to proteins. The presence of whole protein was confirmed by western blotting. Mass spectrometry was used to sequence peptides and identify isolated proteins. The data have been deposited to the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD003215. Extracted proteins were characterized as both intra- and extracellular and had molecular weights ranging from 9.4 to 629 kDa. High correlation scores among suture protein spectral counts support the reproducibility of the method. Ontology analytics revealed proteins of myriad functions including mediators of metabolic processes and cell organelles. These results demonstrate a reproducible method for isolation of whole protein from human cranial bone, representing a large range of molecular weights, origins and functions.

Osteoprotegerin deficiency results in disruption of posterofrontal suture closure in mice: implications in nonsyndromic craniosynostosis.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the role of osteoclasts in cranial suture fusion. Osteoclasts are predominantly regulated by receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand, both of which lead to osteoclast differentiation, activation, and survival; and osteoprotegerin, a soluble inhibitor of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B. The authors' work examines the role of osteoprotegerin in this process using knockout technology. METHODS: Wild-type, osteoprotegerin-heterozygous, and osteoprotegerin-knockout mice were imaged by serial micro-computed tomography at 3, 5, 7, 9, and 16 weeks. Suture density measurements and craniometric analysis were performed at these same time points. Posterofrontal sutures were harvested from mice after the week-16 time point and analyzed by means of histochemistry. RESULTS: Micro-computed tomographic analysis of the posterofrontal suture revealed reduced suture fusion in osteoprotegerin-knockout mice compared with wild-type and heterozygous littermates. Osteoprotegerin deficiency resulted in a statistically significant decrease in suture bone density in knockout mice. There was no reduction in the density of non-suture-containing calvarial bone between wild-type and osteoprotegerin-knockout mice. Histochemistry of suture sections supported these micro-computed tomographic findings. Finally, osteoprotegerin-knockout mice had reduced anteroposterior skull distance at all time points and an increased interorbital distance at the week-16 time point. CONCLUSION: The authors' data suggest that perturbations in the expression of osteoprotegerin and subsequent changes in osteoclastogenesis lead to alterations in murine cranial and posterofrontal suture morphology.