Hui Qiao Sun

Gelsolin, a multifunctional actin regulatory protein.

The actin cytoskeleton is an essential scaffold for integrating membrane and intracellular functions. It is very dynamic and is remodeled in response to a variety of signals. Growth factor stimulation promotes actin assembly at the plasma membrane to generate movement, whereas apoptotic signals cause cytoskeletal destruction to elicit characteristic membrane blebbing and morphological changes. Gelsolin is a Caand polyphosphoinositide 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) -regulated actin filament severing and capping protein that is implicated in actin remodeling in growing and in apoptotic cells (reviewed in Refs. 1 and 2). This review summarizes data supporting the role of gelsolin in cytoskeletal remodeling and phosphoinositide signaling and discusses the structural basis for the Ca and PIP2 regulation of severing and capping by gelsolin.

Phosphatidylinositol 4 Phosphate Regulates Targeting of Clathrin Adaptor AP-1 Complexes to the Golgi

Phosphatidylinositol 4 phosphate [PI(4)P] is essential for secretion in yeast, but its role in mammalian cells is unclear. Current paradigms propose that PI(4)P acts primarily as a precursor to phosphatidylinositol 4,5 bisphosphate (PIP2), an important plasma membrane regulator. We found that PI(4)P is enriched in the mammalian Golgi, and used RNA interference (RNAi) of PI4KIIalpha, a Golgi resident phosphatidylinositol 4 kinase, to determine whether PI(4)P directly regulates the Golgi. PI4KIIalpha RNAi decreases Golgi PI(4)P, blocks the recruitment of clathrin adaptor AP-1 complexes to the Golgi, and inhibits AP-1-dependent functions. This AP-1 binding defect is rescued by adding back PI(4)P. In addition, purified AP-1 binds PI(4)P, and anti-PI(4)P inhibits the in vitro recruitment of cytosolic AP-1 to normal cellular membranes. We propose that PI4KIIalpha establishes the Golgis unique lipid-defined organelle identity by generating PI(4)P-rich domains that specify the docking of the AP-1 coat machinery.

ACTIN MONOMER BINDING PROTEINS

Small actin monomer binding proteins are essential components of the actin polymerization machinery. Originally thought of as passive buffers that prevent polymerization of actin monomers, recent discoveries elucidate how some actin monomer binding proteins can promote as well as inhibit polymerization, and how they cooperate to regulate actin assembly.

Thymosins Are Not Simple Actin Monomer Buffering Proteins INSIGHTS FROM OVEREXPRESSION STUDIES

β-Thymosins are the currently favored candidates for maintaining the large actin monomer (G-actin) pool in living cells. To determine if β-thymosin behaves like a simple G-actin buffering agent in the complex environment of a cell, we overexpressed thymosin β10 (Tβ10) in NIH3T3 cells and determined the effect on the monomer/polymer equilibrium. Tβ10 is the predominant β-thymosin isoform in the NIH3T3 cell line, and it is present in approximately equal molar ratio to profilin and cofilin/actin depolymerizing factor, two other well characterized actin monomer binding proteins. Clonal cell lines that overexpressed three times more Tβ10 had 23-33% more polymerized actin than control cells, and the filaments appeared thicker after staining with fluorescent phalloidin. There was no change in total actin, profilin, and cofilin/actin depolymerizing factor content. The overexpressing cells were more motile; they spread faster and had higher chemotactic and wound healing activity. Assuming that there is no compensatory inactivation of the other classes of monomer binding proteins, our paradoxical observation can be accounted for quantitatively by a parallel in vitro study (Carlier, M.-F., Didry, D., Erk, I., Lepault, J., Van Troys, L., Vanderkekove, J., Perelroizen, I., Yin, H. L., Doi, Y., and Pantaloni, D.,(1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 9231-9239). β-Thymosin at levels comparable with that found in the overexpressing cells binds actin filaments and decreases the critical concentration (C) for actin polymerization. This reduces the monomer buffering ability of β-thymosin, so that above a certain threshold an incremental increase in thymosin does not lead to a corresponding increase in G-actin. Furthermore, the decrease in C reduces the buffering capacity of the other actin monomer binding proteins. As a consequence, an increase in β-thymosin does not necessarily result in a proportionate increase in actin monomer content in a complex environment containing other actin monomer binding proteins. The outcome depends on the level of β-thymosin expression relative to the composition of the other actin monomer binding protien. Our results suggest that β-thymosins are not simple actin buffering proteins and that their biphasic action may have physiological significance.

Palmitoylation Controls the Catalytic Activity and Subcellular Distribution of Phosphatidylinositol 4-Kinase IIα

Phosphatidylinositol 4-kinases play essential roles in cell signaling and membrane trafficking. They are divided into type II and III families, which have distinct structural and enzymatic properties and are essentially unrelated in sequence. Mammalian cells express two type II isoforms, phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase IIα (PI4KIIα) and IIβ (PI4KIIβ). Nearly all of PI4KIIα, and about half of PI4KIIβ, associates integrally with membranes, requiring detergent for solubilization. This tight membrane association is because of palmitoylation of a cysteine-rich motif, CCPCC, located within the catalytic domains of both type II isoforms. Deletion of this motif from PI4KIIα converts the kinase from an integral to a tightly bound peripheral membrane protein and abrogates its catalytic activity ( Barylko, B., Gerber, S. H., Binns, D. D., Grichine, N., Khvotchev, M., Sudhof, T. C., and Albanesi, J. P. (2001) J. Biol. Chem. 276, 7705-7708 ). Here we identify the first two cysteines in the CCPCC motif as the principal sites of palmitoylation under basal conditions, and we demonstrate the importance of the central proline for enzymatic activity, although not for membrane binding. We further show that palmitoylation is critical for targeting PI4KIIα to the trans-Golgi network and for enhancement of its association with low buoyant density membrane fractions, commonly termed lipid rafts. Replacement of the four cysteines in CCPCC with a hydrophobic residue, phenylalanine, substantially restores catalytic activity of PI4KIIα in vitro and in cells without restoring integral membrane binding. Although this FFPFF mutant displays a perinuclear distribution, it does not strongly co-localize with wild-type PI4KIIα and associates more weakly with lipid rafts.

Hypertonic Stress Increases Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Bisphosphate Levels by Activating PIP5KIβ

Hyperosmotic stress increases phosphoinositide levels, reorganizes the actin cytoskeleton, and induces multiple acute and adaptive physiological responses. Here we showed that phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) level increased rapidly in HeLa cells during hypertonic treatment. Depletion of the human type I phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase β isoform (PIP5KIβ) by RNA interference impaired both the PIP2 and actin cytoskeletal responses. PIP5KIβ was recruited to membranes and was activated by hypertonic stress through Ser/Thr dephosphorylation. Calyculin A, a protein phosphatase 1 inhibitor, blocked the hypertonicity-induced PIP5KIβ dephosphorylation/activation as well as PIP2 increase in cells. Urea, which raises osmolarity without inducing cell shrinkage, did not promote dephosphorylation nor increase PIP2 levels. Disruption or stabilization of the actin cytoskeleton, or inhibition of the Rho kinase, did not block the PIP2 increase nor PIP5KIβ dephosphorylation. Therefore, PIP5KIβ is dephosphorylated in a volume-dependent manner by a calyculin A-sensitive protein phosphatase, which is activated upstream of actin remodeling and independently of Rho kinase activation. Our results establish a cause-and-effect relation between PIP5KIβ dephosphorylation, lipid kinase activation, and PIP2 increase in cells. This PIP2 increase can orchestrate multiple downstream responses, including the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton.

Flightless I Homolog Negatively Modulates the TLR Pathway

To date, much of our knowledge about the signaling networks involved in the innate immune response has come from studies using nonphysiologic model systems rather than actual immune cells. In this study, we used a dual-tagging proteomic strategy to identify the components of the MyD88 signalosome in murine macrophages stimulated with lipid A. This systems approach revealed 16 potential MyD88-interacting partners, one of which, flightless I homolog (Fliih) was verified to interact with MyD88 and was further characterized as a negative regulator of the TLR4-MyD88 pathway. Conversely, a reduction in endogenous Fliih by small-interfering RNA enhanced the activation of NF-κB, as well as cytokine production by LPS. Results from immunoprecipitation and a two-hybrid assay further indicated that Fliih directly interfered with the formation of the TLR4-MyD88 signaling complex. These results in turn suggest a new basis for the regulation of the TLR pathway by Fliih.

Phosphatidylinositol 4-Kinase IIα Is Palmitoylated by Golgi-localized Palmitoyltransferases in Cholesterol-dependent Manner

Background: Palmitoylation of phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase IIα (PI4KIIα) regulates its function and Golgi localization, and cholesterol depletion delocalizes Golgi PI4KIIα and inhibits activity. Results: Palmitoyl acyltransferases (PATs) that palmitoylate PI4KIIα were identified. Cholesterol extraction inhibited PI4KIIα association with PATs, decreased palmitoylation, and reduced Golgi phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate. Conclusion: Cholesterol has a critical role in regulating PI4KIIα interaction with PATs and palmitoylation. Significance: This study uncovered a novel mechanism for preferential recruitment of PI4KIIα to Golgi. Phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase IIα (PI4KIIα) is predominantly Golgi-localized, and it generates >50% of the phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate in the Golgi. The lipid kinase activity, Golgi localization, and “integral” membrane binding of PI4KIIα and its association with low buoyant density “raft” domains are critically dependent on palmitoylation of its cysteine-rich 173CCPCC177 motif and are also highly cholesterol-dependent. Here, we identified the palmitoyl acyltransferases (Asp-His-His-Cys (DHHC) PATs) that palmitoylate PI4KIIα and show for the first time that palmitoylation is cholesterol-dependent. DHHC3 and DHHC7 PATs, which robustly palmitoylated PI4KIIα and were colocalized with PI4KIIα in the trans-Golgi network (TGN), were characterized in detail. Overexpression of DHHC3 or DHHC7 increased PI4KIIα palmitoylation by >3-fold, whereas overexpression of the dominant-negative PATs or PAT silencing by RNA interference decreased PI4KIIα palmitoylation, “integral” membrane association, and Golgi localization. Wild-type and dominant-negative DHHC3 and DHHC7 co-immunoprecipitated with PI4KIIα, whereas non-candidate DHHC18 and DHHC23 did not. The PI4KIIα 173CCPCC177 palmitoylation motif is required for interaction because the palmitoylation-defective SSPSS mutant did not co-immunoprecipitate with DHHC3. Cholesterol depletion and repletion with methyl-β-cyclodextrin reversibly altered PI4KIIα association with these DHHCs as well as PI4KIIα localization at the TGN and “integral” membrane association. Significantly, the Golgi phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate level was altered in parallel with changes in PI4KIIα behavior. Our study uncovered a novel mechanism for the preferential recruitment and activation of PI4KIIα to the TGN by interaction with Golgi- and raft-localized DHHCs in a cholesterol-dependent manner.

GABARAPs regulate PI4P-dependent autophagosome:lysosome fusion

Significance Autophagy is an essential homeostatic process that is critically important for maintaining health and that is dysregulated in multiple devastating diseases. The steps in the final stages of autophagy that culminate in autophagosome:lysosome fusion are not well understood. The γ-aminobutyric acid receptor-associated protein (GABARAP) family of Atg8 (autophagy-related 8) proteins has been implicated in autophagosome maturation. Here we report that phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase IIα (PI4KIIα), a lipid kinase that generates phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI4P) and binds GABARAPs, is recruited to autophagosomes by GABARAPs. Furthermore, PI4P generation by PI4KIIα, but not by PI4KIIIβ, another major mammalian PI4K, promotes autophagosome fusion with lysosomes. Our results establish for the first time to our knowledge that PI4KIIα is a specific downstream effector of GABARAP and that PI4P has a key role in the final stage of autophagy. The Atg8 autophagy proteins are essential for autophagosome biogenesis and maturation. The γ-aminobutyric acid receptor-associated protein (GABARAP) Atg8 family is much less understood than the LC3 Atg8 family, and the relationship between the GABARAPs’ previously identified roles as modulators of transmembrane protein trafficking and autophagy is not known. Here we report that GABARAPs recruit palmitoylated PI4KIIα, a lipid kinase that generates phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI4P) and binds GABARAPs, from the perinuclear Golgi region to autophagosomes to generate PI4P in situ. Depletion of either GABARAP or PI4KIIα, or overexpression of a dominant-negative kinase-dead PI4KIIα mutant, decreases autophagy flux by blocking autophagsome:lysosome fusion, resulting in the accumulation of abnormally large autophagosomes. The autophagosome defects are rescued by overexpressing PI4KIIα or by restoring intracellular PI4P through “PI4P shuttling.” Importantly, PI4KIIα’s role in autophagy is distinct from that of PI4KIIIβ and is independent of subsequent phosphatidylinositol 4,5 biphosphate (PIP2) generation. Thus, GABARAPs recruit PI4KIIα to autophagosomes, and PI4P generation on autophagosomes is critically important for fusion with lysosomes. Our results establish that PI4KIIα and PI4P are essential effectors of the GABARAP interactome’s fusion machinery.

Control of Follicle‐Stimulating Hormone and Luteinizing Hormone Release by Hypothalamic Peptides

Lesion, stimulation, and pharmacological studies point to separate hypothalamic control of pulsatile FSH and LH secretion. LH release is controlled by a region extending from the preoptic area to the anterior and mid-median eminence, whereas FSH release is controlled by a region extending from the dorsal anterior hypothalamic area to the caudal median eminence. We have separated an FSH-releasing factor from LHRH by gel-filtration on Sephadex G-25, confirming results obtained over 25 years ago; and we are attempting its isolation in collaboration with Vale and River. In the meantime, reasoning that FSH-releasing factor might be related to LHRH, we tested many analogs of LHRH and found one that has selective FSH-releasing activity over a 50-fold dose range; however, it is relatively weak. This led us to the possibility that the GAP might be FSH-RF. Indeed, GAP1-13 has FSH but no LH-releasing activity over a 100-fold dose range; however, it is less potent than we would expect of the natural product. Substituting D-Trp-9 into the molecule to inhibit enzymatic degradation yielded a more potent and completely selective FSH-releasing peptide,24 which could be clinically useful. Alpha-inhibin-92 of Li et al. has been shown to have a highly selective dose-related suppressive action on FSH release in castrate male rats.25 Smaller fragments (35-65 and 66-92) of this molecule also possess the activity, albeit at higher doses. That this molecule may be physiologically significant is indicated by elevations in plasma FSH in immature rats obtained following intravenous injection of antisera raised against the peptide. Because of its much smaller size than that of 32-kDa alpha, beta inhibins and the lack of carbohydrate in the molecule, this can be relatively easily synthesized and might have clinical utility as an FSH release-inhibiting peptide.