Apoptotic cleavage of cytoplasmic dynein intermediate chain and p150(Glued) stops dynein-dependent membrane motility.

Cytoplasmic dynein is the major minus end-directed microtubule motor in animal cells, and associates with many of its cargoes in conjunction with the dynactin complex. Interaction between cytoplasmic dynein and dynactin is mediated by the binding of cytoplasmic dynein intermediate chains (CD-IC) to the dynactin subunit, p150(Glued). We have found that both CD-IC and p150(Glued) are cleaved by caspases during apoptosis in cultured mammalian cells and in Xenopus egg extracts. Xenopus CD-IC is rapidly cleaved at a conserved aspartic acid residue adjacent to its NH(2)-terminal p150(Glued) binding domain, resulting in loss of the otherwise intact cytoplasmic dynein complex from membranes. Cleavage of CD-IC and p150(Glued) in apoptotic Xenopus egg extracts causes the cessation of cytoplasmic dynein--driven endoplasmic reticulum movement. Motility of apoptotic membranes is restored by recruitment of intact cytoplasmic dynein and dynactin from control cytosol, or from apoptotic cytosol supplemented with purified cytoplasmic dynein--dynactin, demonstrating the dynamic nature of the association of cytoplasmic dynein and dynactin with their membrane cargo.

Phosphorylation by cdc2-CyclinB1 kinase releases cytoplasmic dynein from membranes.

Movement of various cargoes toward microtubule minus ends is driven by the microtubule motor cytoplasmic dynein (CD). Many cargoes are motile only during certain cell cycle phases, suggesting that CD function may be under cell cycle control. Phosphorylation of the CD light intermediate chain (DLIC) has been suggested to play a crucial role in modulating CD function during the Xenopus embryonic cell cycle, where CD-driven organelle movement is active in interphase but greatly reduced in metaphase. This down-regulation correlates with hyperphosphorylation of DLIC and release of CD from the membrane. Here we investigate the role of the key mitotic kinase, cdc2-cyclinB1, in this process. We show that DLIC within the native Xenopus CD complex is an excellent substrate for purified Xenopus cdc2-glutathione S-transferase (GST) cyclinB1 (cdc2-GSTcyclinB1) kinase. Mass spectrometry of native DLIC revealed that a conserved cdc2 site (Ser-197) previously implicated in the metaphase modulation of CD remains phosphorylated in interphase and so is unlikely to be the key regulatory site. We also demonstrate that incubating interphase membranes with cdc2-GSTcyclinB1 kinase results in substantial release of CD from the membrane. These data suggest that phosphorylation of DLIC by cdc2 kinase leads directly to the loss of membrane-associated CD and an inhibition of organelle movement.

Biogenesis of the sorting endosome: the role of Rab5.

Rab5 is a regulatory guanosine triphosphatase that is associated with the sorting endosome and participates in endosomal membrane fusion reactions. Recent experiments have provided insights into Rab5 function by demonstrating direct links between Rab5-interacting proteins and components of the membrane fusion apparatus. In addition, a realisation that Rab5 has additional functions in endosome biogenesis is emerging. These advances may be profoundly important in changing the way that we view the sorting endosome and in developing models that properly reflect the dynamic qualities of the endocytic pathway.

DNA-binding activity of the transcription factor upstream stimulatory factor 1 (USF-1) is regulated by cyclin-dependent phosphorylation.

The ubiquitous transcription factor upstream stimulatory factor (USF) 1 is a member of the bzHLH (leucine zipper-basic-helix-loop-helix) family, which is structurally related to the Myc family of proteins. It plays a role in the regulation of many genes, including the cyclin B1 gene, which is active during the G2/M and M phases of the cell cycle and may also play a role in the regulation of cellular proliferation. We show that the affinity of recombinant USF-1 for DNA is greatly increased by treatment with active cyclin A2-p34(cdc2) or cyclin B1-p34(cdc2) complexes and that its interaction with DNA is dependent on p34(cdc2)-mediated phosphorylation. We have localized the phosphorylation site(s) to a region that lies outside the minimal DNA-binding domain but overlaps with the previously identified USF-specific region. Deletion studies of USF-1 suggest that amino acids 143-197 regulate DNA-binding activity in a phosphorylation-dependent manner.

Phosphorylation of p97(VCP) and p47 in vitro by p34cdc2 kinase.

The hexameric ATPase p97/yeast Cdc48p has been implicated in a number of cellular events that are regulated during mitosis, including homotypic membrane fusion, spindle pole body function, and ubiquitin-dependent protein degradation. p97/Cdc48p contains two conserved consensus p34cdc2 kinase phosphorylation sites within its second ATP binding domain. This domain is likely to play a role in stabilising the hexameric form of the protein. We therefore investigated whether p97 could be phosphorylated by p34cdc2 kinase in vitro, and whether phosphorylation might influence the oligomeric status of p97. Monomeric, but not hexameric, p97 was phosphorylated by p34cdc2 kinase, as was the p97-associated protein p47. However, phosphorylation by p34cdc2 kinase did not impair subsequent re-hexamerisation of p97, implying that the phosphorylated residue(s) are not critical for interaction between p97 monomers. Moreover, p97 within both interphase and mitotic cytosols was almost exclusively hexameric, suggesting that the activity of p97 is not regulated during mitosis by influencing the extent of oligomerisation.

Cleavage of rabaptin-5 blocks endosome fusion during apoptosis.

Cells undergoing apoptosis exhibit striking changes in membrane organization, including plasma membrane blebbing and invagination, vacuolation and fragmentation of organelles, and alterations in the surface expression of receptors. The underlying mechanisms for these changes are unknown, though alterations in vesicular fusion are likely to play a role. Using a cell-free system based on Xenopus laevis egg extracts we have found that endosome fusion is blocked during apoptosis. Inhibition of fusion is prevented by Bcl-2 or Bcl-xL, two negative regulators of apoptosis, or by specific inhibitors of members of the caspase family of apoptotic proteases. Selective cleavage of Rabaptin-5, an essential and rate-limiting component of endosome fusion, is responsible for the loss of fusion activity. Cleavage of Rabaptin-5 also occurs in cellular models for apoptosis. These results suggest that inactivation of Rabaptin-5 and inhibition of vesicle transport lead to fragmentation of endosomes and inhibition of the endocytic pathway during the execution phase of apoptosis. We propose that parallel changes to other membrane transport pathways would give rise to general membrane fragmentation in apoptotic cells. These changes are likely to play an important role in the generation of apoptotic bodies and their recognition by phagocytosing cells.

Evidence for interaction of the fusion protein alpha-SNAP with membrane lipid.

alpha-SNAP [soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein (NSF)-attachment protein] is required for fusion of transport vesicles with their target membrane. In this study, we have examined the membrane-binding properties of alpha-SNAP. We have found that in several tissues a much larger amount of alpha-SNAP per unit weight of protein is bound to membranes than is free in the cytosol. Biochemical analysis shows that a fraction of alpha-SNAP behaves in ways characteristic of hydrophobic, lipid-associated proteins. These findings suggest that membrane binding may be accounted for, at least in part, by interaction with membrane lipid. Consistent with this idea, binding of newly synthesized alpha-SNAP to brain membranes was found to be independent of functional SNAP receptors and could be accounted for by direct binding of alpha-SNAP to membrane lipid. Furthermore, membrane lipid enhanced the ability of alpha-SNAP to stimulate NSF-dependent ATPase activity.

Ultrastructural changes in the Golgi apparatus and secretory granules of HL-60 cells treated with the imino sugar N-butyldeoxynojirimycin.

The imino sugar N-butyldeoxynojirimycin inhibits the N-linked oligosaccharide processing enzymes alpha-glucosidases I and II, and the ceramide specific glucosyltransferase which catalyses the first step in glucosphingolipid biosynthesis. We have studied the effects of this compound on the ultrastructure of HL-60 cells to identify novel activities of this compound. Treatment of HL-60 cells with this imino sugar results in several morphological changes within the cell, none of which result in cytotoxicity. The plasma membrane stains heavily with potassium ferrocyanide within 30 min following addition of the compound to the medium, and there is then a time dependent involvement of all other intracellular membranes. Secretory granules become enlarged and lose their dense core morphology and appear either empty and vacuolated or have low density contents. However, the most striking effect of NB-DNJ treatment is on the Golgi apparatus. The Golgi exhibits a time-dependent change from typical Golgi morphology to a structure almost completely devoid of cisternae and consisting predominantly of vesicles. All the observed changes are fully reversible on withdrawal of the compound.

Functional conservation of cytosolic proteins required for endosomal vesicle fusion.

Recent studies suggest that intracellular membrane traffic relies upon families of related proteins which confer specificity to individual transport reactions but which operate in tandem with a ubiquitous fusogenic complex containing the N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein (NSF). The extent to which components of this process are functionally conserved is apparent from the finding that yeast Sec18 protein (Sec18p) can substitute or mammalian NSF in intra-Golgi transport reactions. Here we report that yeast cytosol can support mammalian endosomal vesicle fusion, demonstrating conservation of cytosolic components required for this reaction. Furthermore, under conditions in which the fusion reaction is NSF-dependent we show that yeast Sec18p can functionally substitute for NSF, showing that the yeast protein is capable of catalysing at least two distinct mammalian membrane fusion events. In addition we exploit the complex pattern of sensitivity of the mammalian reaction to N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), coupled with the use of yeast cytosol, to dissect a number of factors required for fusion. We reveal at least three novel NEM-sensitive activities. One of these can be restored by yeast cytosol suggesting that it is functionally conserved.

Binding of ATP and ATP analogues to the uncoating ATPase Hsc70 (70 kDa heat-shock cognate protein).

Nucleotide binding to the 70 kDa heat-shock cognate protein (Hsc70) from mung bean seeds and pig brain was investigated, as well as the clathrin uncoating activity of Hsc70 in the presence of these nucleotides. The two enzymes were found to behave identically. ATP bound to two different forms of Hsc70, with dissociation constants of 1.1 +/- 0.1 microM and 1.4 +/- 0.7 mM respectively at 25 degrees C. This corresponds to delta G0' = -34 and -16 kJ/mol respectively. From the temperature-dependence of the dissociation constant of the high-affinity site, delta H0' was calculated to -36 +/- 2 kJ/mol. This gives delta S0' = 6.7 J/mol per K. Adenosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate, ADP, adenosine 5'-[beta, gamma-imino]triphosphate and adenosine 5'-[beta, gamma-methylene]triphosphate showed dissociation constants of 2.3, 11, 31 and 284 microM respectively. The order of affinities corresponded to the order of effectiveness in uncoating of pig brain coated vesicles. The implications of these findings for the mechanism of Hsc70 action are discussed.

The speed of partial reactions of the uncoating ATPase Hsc70 depends on the source of coated vesicles.

Hsc70 was previously isolated by its ability to catalyse the uncoating of clathrin-coated vesicles from bovine brain. We have recently shown that Hsc70 is more active towards coated vesicles from brain than those from other tissues. In order to gain information on the mechanistic reason for this difference we have examined the ability of brain and placental coated vesicles to stimulate partial reactions during a single round of ATP turnover. The Hsc70-ATP complex is turned over to Hsc70-ADP center dot Pi, from which phosphate is slowly released. The resulting Hsc70-ADP complex exchanges ATP for ADP. Dissociation of ATP or ADP from Hsc70 does not seem to occur under physiological conditions. The hydrolysis of ATP is accelerated by the presence of clathrin-coated vesicles, with vesicles from brain being about twice as effective as vesicles from placenta. Additionally, it appears that brain, but not placental, coated vesicles can also stimulate the exchange of ADP for ATP.

Association of the fusion protein NSF with clathrin-coated vesicle membranes.

N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein (NSF) is a component of intracellular transport reactions. In order to understand the role of NSF during the fusion of endocytic transport vesicles with the endosome, we have investigated the binding of NSF to purified clathrin-coated vesicle components. First, we have examined whether detergent-solubilized coated vesicle membranes will support formation of NSF-containing 'fusion complexes'. Our results show that these membranes are substantially enriched in components capable of driving formation of these complexes, when compared with membranes from other sources. Secondly, we have analysed coated vesicle preparations for their NSF content. Coated vesicle preparations contain significant amounts of NSF. This was shown to be associated with coated vesicles rather than contaminating membranes by a number of criteria, and was found to be bound in an ATP-independent manner. These findings are discussed in the light of current models for vesicle fusion.

Selective action of uncoating ATPase towards clathrin-coated vesicles from brain.

Clathrin-coated vesicles from brain are primarily involved in synaptic vesicle recycling and are substrates for the constitutively expressed heat shock cognate hsc70 protein (uncoating ATPase). To investigate the regulation of clathrin coat turnover in other tissues the activity of hsc70 towards coated vesicles from other sources was examined. Concentrations of hsc70 which caused near-complete removal of clathrin from brain coated vesicles effected only partial uncoating of vesicles prepared from other tissues. The selective action of hsc70 could not be accounted for by tissue or species specificities of hsc70, but rather reflected differences in coat structure. Selective action was associated with two differences in the hsc70-dependent ATPase cycle. Firstly, uncoating of brain, but not placental vesicles, could occur under circumstances where ATP hydrolysis was prevented. Secondly, only brain coated vesicles could support multiple rounds of hsc70-dependent ATP hydrolysis. Implications of these findings for the mechanism of hsc70-dependent vesicle uncoating in non-neuronal cells and the organisation of the endocytic pathway in the axon are discussed.

Regulation of transferrin receptor recycling by protein phosphorylation.

The effect of the protein phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid on transferrin receptor internalization and recycling was examined in HeLa and K562 cells. Okadaic acid inhibited receptor uptake by more than 85% in both cell lines, whereas it affected transferrin recycling to differing degrees: recycling in HeLa cells was inhibited by greater than 90%, compared with only 65% in K562 cells. Okadaic acid also caused a marked redistribution of receptors in each cell line, which was accounted for by the difference in the extent to which transferrin uptake and recycling were inhibited. These effects were most likely mediated by a protein kinase, as they were delayed by 10-15 min and could be suppressed by prior incubation with certain protein kinase inhibitors. In addition, it was found that specific kinase inhibitors affected basal rates of transferrin uptake and recycling, although the extent of these effects differed between cell lines. Together, these results suggest that a complex pattern of protein phosphorylation influences the flux of the endocytic pathway in interphase cells.

Multiple N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive components are required for endosomal vesicle fusion.

This report examines the inhibition of endosomal vesicle fusion by the alkylating agent N-ethylmaleimide (NEM). The concentration of NEM required to inhibit vesicle fusion depended upon whether membrane and cytosolic fractions were treated separately or together, enabling the resolution of at least two components to the inhibition. The first component is inactivated at low levels of NEM when cytosolic and membrane fractions are treated together. On the contrary, inhibition of the second component required higher levels of NEM but was achieved by treating cytosol and membranes separately. Reconstitution studies indicated that both components were cytosolic and that neither corresponded to the ubiquitous NEM-sensitive fusion protein (NSF). The role of NSF in this fusion reaction was further examined using salt-washed membranes depleted of NSF protein. Under these conditions the fusion reaction was fully dependent upon added NSF whose activity, in this context, was sensitive to NEM treatment. From these data we conclude that NSF activity during endosomal vesicle fusion can be dissected into several steps, only a subset of which (perhaps attachment of NSF to the membrane) are sensitive to NEM. Fusion between salt-washed endosomal membranes was also dependent on soluble NSF attachment proteins.

In vitro fusion of endocytic vesicles is inhibited by cyclin A-cdc2 kinase.

Receptor-mediated endocytosis and recycling are inhibited in mitotic mammalian cells, and previous studies have shown that inhibition of endocytic vesicle fusion in vitro occurs via cyclin B-cdc2 kinase. To test for the ability of cyclin A-cdc2 kinase to inhibit endocytic vesicle fusion, we employed recombinant cyclin A proteins. Addition of cyclin A to interphase extracts activated a histone kinase and markedly reduced the efficiency of endocytic vesicle fusion. By a number of criteria, inhibition of fusion was shown to be due to the action of cyclin A, via the mitosis-specific cdc2 kinase, and not an indirect effect through cyclin B. Two-stage incubations were used to demonstrate that at least one target of cyclin A-cdc2 kinase is a cytosolic component of the fusion apparatus. Reconstitution experiments showed that this component was also modified in mitotic cytosols and was unaffected by N-ethyl maleimide treatment.